Leicester go into EPL break on top

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

With a trio of unfamiliar leaders, what light-heartedly became ‘Stop The Count’ weekend in the English Premier League (EPL) ended with Leicester on top.

Teams and disbelieving fans were riffing off President Donald Trump’s post-election demand, starting Friday when Southampton climbed to the summit of English football for the first time in 32 years. The club tweeted ‘STOP THE COUNT’ above a snapshot of the league table.

Of course, with eight of 38 games remaining, the league couldn’t stop Friday night, however much the south-coast club joked they wanted it to after beating Newcastle.

By early yesterday afternoon, Tottenham had dislodged Southampton after Harry Kane’s late goal clinched a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion. But Tottenham rising to top spot for the first time in six years lasted only a couple of hours.

Leicester rose into first place with a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton secured by Jamie Vardy’s penalty. And the improbable 2016 EPL title winners retained the lead heading into the two-week international break, thanks to champions Liverpool being held 1-1 by Manchester City.

Leading the standings used to be something Arsenal were accustomed to, but Aston Villa’s 3-0 victory meant the 13-time English champions have lost half of their eight games so far.

Yesterday’s EPL results

West Brom 0-1 Tottenham

Leicester 1-0 Wolverhampton

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

Arsenal 0-3 Aston Villa