Arsenal started the New Year on a wrong footing as they were handed a 2-0 defeat by Southampton at the St. Mary’s in one of the day’s EPL fixtures.
Southampton netted a goal in each half to not only start the year on a winning note but to also give their top-four finish ambition a big boost.
Southampton first goal of the year came from their African import, Sadio Mane, who in the 34th minute lobbed the ball over Wojciech Szczesny after the keeper came off his line to try and stop the Ghanaian.
Things got from bad to worse for Arsenal when in the 56th minute, Southampton went two goals up. This time, it was Tadic that had the final touch before the ball got into the net.
The Gunners saw plenty of chances in the final 10 minutes as they tried to give themselves some late hope, but the home side defended strongly to ensure that they did not let the Gunners back into the match.
In other centres, there was something to cheer for Brown Ideye and his West Brom teammates who secured a point at Uptown Park after forcing out a 1-1 draw against West Ham.
Also it was a dream start for Sone Aluko and his Hull City teammates as the Tigers increased the woes of Everton, beating the Toffees 2-0 at the KC Stadium.
Manchester City have also momentarily caught up with Chelsea at the summit of the EPL table after they edged the five-goal thriller against Sunderland, wining 3-2.
Chelsea faltered in their trip to White Hart Lane where they were shocked 5-3 by fellow Londoners, Tottenham Hotspurs.
Newcastle United and Liverpool will be ruing the sloppy defending that saw them blow off confortable leads only to settle for draws in their respective home games against bottom sides, Leicester and Burnley.
While Newcastle settled for a 3-3 draw, Liverpool conceded two late goals to end their encounter with Burnley 2-2.
Full time results
Stoke 1-1 Man Utd
Aston Villa 0-0 Crystal Palace
Hull City 2-0 Everton
Liverpool 2-2 Leicester
Man City 3-2 Sunderland
Newcastle 3-3 Burnley
QPR 1-1 Swansea
Southampton 2-0 Arsenal
West Ham 1-1 West Brom
Tottenham 5-3 Chelsea
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