Skiddle's Open Goal: A Weekly Roundup of Football news and events

This weekend we were back in league action after all the FA Cup fun was over. It was a crucial weekend for the Premier League title race with Chelsea and Manchester City playing each other. The pair were first and second in the league at the start of the game with Chelsea ten points behind.

It was a game where Manchester City dominated, with Chelsea being completely unable to keep up with the City players and struggling to get the ball to their main threat Romelu Lukaku. After so much pressure it was finally lifted when Kevin De Bruyne in typical De Bruyne fashion whipped the ball in from outside the box in the 70th minute. From then on, at no point at all did it look like Chelsea were going to score a goal, with Hakim Ziyech being particularly dreadful.

The result pretty much dumps Chelsea out of the title race with City and their two squads worth of Premier League title winning players looking unbeatable this season. Liverpool leapfrogged Chelsea by beating Brentford convincingly 3-0 and have a game in ahnd on Chelsea and City but will likely make little difference. 

It was an exciting weekend for the relegation-threatened teams with Watford and Norwich playing each other, yet only managing a 1-1 draw. Let's be honest it would be quite funny to see the world's richest team get relegated. The frequent relegation fodder Norwich managed a win over Everton this weekend which tells you all you need to know about the Toffees this season. With a desperately weak side, they look like they could slip into the relegation fight.

Rafa Benitez, a surprise appointment was promptly sacked. The former Liverpool manager has done a fine job sabotaging their local rivals but let's be honest he didn't have a lot to work with. West Ham suffered a shock loss to Leeds after Jack Harrison scored a deserved first career hat-trick and Phillipe Coutinho scored and assisted after coming off the bench on his Aston Villa debut to embarrass a still woeful Manchester United side.

If you're a footy fan then you may be interested in these events...

 

South Liverpool FC vs Bury AFC

When: Saturday 22nd January

Where: South Liverpool Football Club

Bury AFC who have risen in the stead of the original Bury, who were the victims of administration have bounced back nicely now that a new club has been formed. Sitting at the top of the league, they are yet to lose a game so South Liverpool FC will have to fight all the way to get a result from this one.

Will there be an upset? Get yourself down to this one to find out.

 

Find tickets for South Liverpool FC vs Bury here.

-

 

---

 

Soccer Sunday with Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson

When: Sunday 29th May

Where: The KC Stadium, Hull

Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson will both be in attendance at this event, with the duo both being key parts of Sky Football's beloved Soccer Saturday programme. Both will be talking about their respective careers, whilst giving you a glimpse behind the scenes at what really goes on in the studio.

If you're a fan of their banter and want to hear even more from the pair then this is the perfect event for you.

 

Find tickets for Soccer Sunday with Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson here.

-

 

---

 

An Afternoon With Waddle and Sheridan

When: Saturday 10th April

Where: The Corner Pocket Snooker Club, Mexborough

This event will be a special one for fans of Sheffield Wednesday, with two club legends heading over for an afternoon of discussion about their careers and all of their memories of the club. There will also be photo opportunities with them so you have something to remember the event by.

 

Find tickets for An Afternoon With Waddle and Sheridan here.

-

 

---

 

Hastings United vs Burgess Hill

When: Saturday 22nd January

Where: The TGS Pilot Field, Hastings

Hastings United have absolutely stormed up to the top of the league, with successive wins showing no sign of slowing down, they will be playing mid-table side Burgess Hill who will be looking to cause an upset. It's a big ask, however, but Hastings have had losses this season so you never know what could happen.

 

Find tickets for Hastings United vs Burgess Hill here.

-

 

---

 

Head on over to our Things To Do page for more brilliant sports events or days out. You can also check out our Inspire Me page for even more inspiration.