As another game week passes in the Premier League, another 29 goals were scored which proved vital for all ends of the league table. Surprise relegation battles, top four contenders and title assertions were all made as us fans were all treat to a glaring reminder that no league can even come close to the sheer excellence of the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Leicester City
Leicester ended a dreadful run of form with a shock win against an already dire Spurs side on Sunday afternoon. Despite the home side’s dreadful form prior to the game, they lead the first half live and kicking with a blitz of pressure inside the first 20 minutes, most notably with Son and Porro being denied by the heroics of Stolarczyk in the Leicester goal. Spurs came closest in the 31st minute when a wicked effort from Son hit the crossbar, but the home side’s pressure paid off in the 33rd minute when Richarlison beat Faes to a Porro ball and nodded the ball in past Stolarczyk to give the home side their deserved advantage. A Foxes response ensued from here, as El Khannouss and Faes caused the Spurs defence to be alert, but it ultimately went the way of the home side as the half time whistle went.
Spurs thought this may be their time to turn themselves around in the Premier League, but Van Nistelrooy’s side had other ideas as the second half began. Immediately after the restart, the away side drew level as Decordova-Reid flew down the wing only 1 minute after the restart to send a drilled ball into the box, meeting Kinsky but his poor claim fell right to the clinical Vardy who smashed home emphatically. Only 4 minutes later however and Leicester had gone ahead after Decordova-Reid once again robbed Gray in the midfield to give the ball to Bilal El Khannouss. who had plenty of time and space and to send a curling effort into the far post, sparking elation in the away end and boos from the home crowd. Pedro Porro nearly managed to bring the home side level in the 62nd minute when his free kick took a nick off a Leicester head and rattled the crossbar before Bentancur fired the rebound high and wide. From here it was a tale of defensive solidity from Leicester, and the Foxes managed to see it through all the way until the full-time whistle to earn themselves a huge three points, and to pile the misery on Spurs. The result sees Ange’s deflated Spurs stay in 15th place on 24 points, whereas shooting Van Nistelrooy’s spirited Foxes to 17th place on 17 points. MOTM- Bilal El Khannouss
Bournemouth 5-0 Nottingham Forest
A stellar performance from Dango Ouatarra saw an incredible Cherries side overpower Forest on Saturday afternoon. This was a chance for Bournemouth to really establish their top four ambitions, and it was the red hot Dutchman Kluivert who fired the Cherries ahead in the 9th minute after being allowed far too much time in the midfield and placing a wonderful strike into Sels’s far corner to put Bournemouth in front. Forest managed to test the home side after a smart Yates strike was parried away by Kepa mid way through, but except for a well-blocked strike from Semenyo against Milenkovic, the action concluded at the one goal mark on the South Coast as the whistle went.
Forest may have been confident of an improved second half here, but the Cherries blew all hopes away with a four-star second half. Although Forest started well through a close effort nearly going in from Milenkovic’s header, Bournemouth managed to give themselves a much needed second in the 55th minute when Kluivert’s looping ball was met by Ouatarra at the far post who headed back across goal to beat Sels and make it 2-0. Kluivert thought he had his second of the afternoon minutes after following a brilliant one-two with Ouatarra, but the VAR quickly chalked it off for a correct offside call. Forest seemed rattled from here, and it went from bad to dire only three minutes again when Ouatarra burst forward into the left of the box and held off Danilo to beat everyone and find the far corner, putting Bournemouth well in control. Forest and mostly Elanga caused trouble from here, forcing a relatively untested Kepa into some good saves, but the game went completely to bed in the 87th minute when Ouatarra got his hattrick after pouncing on a dreadful Sels parry to tap home and make it 4-0. Bournemouth had one last swing with the axe in the 91st minute, when Semenyo took the ball out wide and got a deserved 5th for Forest and for himself by rolling a precise shot yet again into Sels’s far corner. The referee blew for full time on a statement victory for Iraola’s Cherries who go 7th on 40 points, and a crushing defeat for Nuno’s Forest who stay in 3rd place on 44 points. MOTM- Dango Ouatarra
Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
Manchester City portrayed a performance or their former selves after coming back against Chelsea on Saturday night. The match had a very open feel to it as the half began, but the away side went ahead only three minutes into the game when the young Uzbekistani Khusanov completely messed up a header allowing Jackson to swoop in and square to Noni Madueke for an easy finish into an open net, showing an electric start for Chelsea. A great block from Khusanov denied Chelsea a second, but from here on out it was entirely City pressure, with Marmoush believing he had levelled the scoring 34 minutes in only to be shown the offside flag, as well as shots from Gvardiol and Foden that really should have beat Sanchez. City’s pressure finally paid off in the 42nd minute however, when Nunes’s bounced off Sanchez allowing Gvardiol to steal in behind and level the score. The half time whistle went on a fierce, but level first half in Manchester with one goal apiece being scored.
After the first half showing, the second half really could have gone anywhere, but City’s resilience shone through as the second half began. City immediately began to show the danger signs in the half when Marmoush struck a shot agonisingly wide of the top corner, and their attacking prowess shone through the Norwegian Erling Haaland in the 68th minute after shrugging off Chalobah and spotting Sanchez questionably far off his line, allowing him to chip a simple ball into the net to put City ahead in the tie. Chelsea really struggled to get themselves established again in the match, and they were exposed yet again in the 87th minute when Haaland set Foden through on a one-on-one and coolly picked his spot through the legs of Sanchez to give City a third, and to make sure all three points stayed in Manchester. The full time whistle went to relief and anticipation of Pep’s title chasing City who stay in 4th on 41 points, as well as to the Maresca’s unclinical Blues who drop to 6th on 40 points. MOTM- Erling Haaland
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Tempers flared and controversy was stirred as Arsenal overcame a difficult Wolves side on Saturday afternoon. Despite being the underdogs, Wolves flew out of the doors early on in the game and really should have gone ahead 10 minutes in when Semedo’s driving run on the right was inch perfect to the feet of Sarabia, who volleyed painfully over the bar. Arsenal retaliated from here, and really should have gone ahead from two headed Havertz efforts which narrowly missed the frame and being saved well by Sa. The major controversy of the afternoon came in the 43rd minute of the half when a poor Arsenal corner was cleared by Wolves and the ball looked to break from Doherty, however Lewis-Skelley cynically went into the challenge to stop the attack, expecting a yellow, but was shocked to see Michael Oliver brandish a red card. VAR checked and cleared the decision, leaving Arteta and his players furious as the half time whistle went, meaning a big second half was in order for the visitors.
The second half was seen to the home side as a major opportunity for all three points, but a resilient Arsenal side was determined to deny that as the second half got underway in the Midlands. The half began slowly for both teams, but it was Wolves who came closest first when Cunha received the ball following some pinball allowing a shot, however it went just wide of Raya’s far post. Although Wolves had the man advantage, it quickly disappeared in the 70th minute when the Brazilian Joao Gomes lunged into a challenge on Timber which caught his shin, giving the referee no choice but to send him off and make it 10 players each. Arsenal did well going forward in the half, and they got their reward in the 74th minute when the substitute Riccardo Calafiori got the ball in the middle of the box and curled an effort into the far post, beating Sa and putting Arsenal ahead. The match slowly died from here, with Wolves coming closest through an Ait Nouri chance, but ultimately the full time whistle went to a disappointed Vitor Pereira who sees his Wolves drop to 18th on 16 points, however an ambivalent Arteta seeing his Gunners rise to 2nd on 47 points. MOTM- David Raya
Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich
A superb display from a title-hungry Liverpool side overpowered a hopeful Ipswich side on Saturday afternoon. Liverpool were the clear favourites before the game, and it was the Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai who fired home the Red’s first only 11 minutes in after being allowed time to pick out Muric’s left corner perfectly and score again at Anfield. Ipswich really struggled to get a foot in the game from the off, and soon enough they were punished by who else but Mohamed Salah when, in the 35th minute, Gakpo’s looping ball was controlled by the Egyptian who fired emphatically into the roof of the net to make it 2-0. The Reds weren’t content with just the two before half time, and it was Cody Gakpo who made sure they had a three goal cushion 1 minute before the half when Szoboszlai’s shot was parried straight to the Dutchman’s feet who had an easy tap in. The half time whistle went on a scintilating half for the Reds, leaving Ipswich worrying about how many it could be.
Liverpool knew the three points were realistically theirs going into the second 45, but Ipswich were determined to put up more of a fight as the second 45 got underway. No real action was present between either team until the 65th minute, when the home side put the game to bed. Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up the ball along the right wing and sent a signature delivery into Gakpo for the Dutchman to meet again and head past Muric for his second and Liverpool’s fourth. Enciso could only be described as lucky to have avoided red in the 81st minute after an awful challenge on Endo, but the last turn in the game came the way of Ipswich when a corner delivery was met by the low head of Jacob Greaves who pulled a goal back. The full time whistle went to a jubilant Anfield and Arne Slot who sees his Reds stay 1st on 53 points whereas else leaving McKenna’s spirited Tractor Boys in 19th on 16 points. MOTM- Cody Gakpo
Southampton 1-3 Newcastle
An Isak special helped Newcastle come from behind to sink Southampton again on Saturday afternoon. Southampton have been looking brighter in recent weeks, and they had a great start only 10 minutes in when Bree was given time to send in a swinging delivery, only to be met by the towering Jan Bednarek to rifle a header past Dubravka and to put the Saints ahead and deservedly so. Newcastle needed to conjure a response, and their opportunity came in the 23rd minute when Aribo’s clumsy challenge left enough on Isak for the VAR to overturn the onfield decision and award a penalty to Newcastle, to which the Swedish star converted past McCarthy and levelled the scores. Only four minutes later though and the Magpies managed to forge ahead again through Isak, when Murphy’s precise through ball was controlled by the Swede and hit well into the far corner of the netting sending the away fans jubilant. The half time whistle went on a half that was contested, but ultimately deservedly lead by the Magpies.
Southampton may have been hopeful of a route back into the tie, but a controlled display from the away side in the second half ensured all 3 points traveled back up North. Minutes after the restart and Southampton nearly equalised following a good save from Harwood-Bellis’s acrobatic kick, but the Saint’s hopes quickly diminished right after. Anthony Gordon did well to hold up the ball in the 51st minute, and the Englishman was able to set away the bursting Tonali completely unchallenged who slotted past McCarthy easily to give the Magpies their third of the game. After some close chances from Joelinton and Murphy the game died down a little, but the Saints thought they pulled one back in the 87th minute when Fernandes was released and scored, however VAR quickly chalked it off for an offside offence. The full time whistle went to give Newcastle a deserved win and one the fans and Eddie Howe, whos Magpies shoot up to 6th on 41 points will be joyful with whereas leaving Juric’s deflated Saints in 20th on 6 points. MOTM- Alexander Isak
Crystal Palace 1-2 Brentford
Brentford needed a little bit of luck on their side to overcome Palace on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Both sides managed to test either keeper inside of the opening half, with Palace’s best chance coming from some good hold up play from Mateta, allowing him to unleash a powerful and high effort needing Flekken to reach for it. Brentford came closest in the first half when Wissa sent a low effort into the bottom corner, being denied by the strong reach of Henderson however. The half time whistle went on a relatively uneventful, but still open tie.
The first half may have been lacking in goals, but second half made up for it with an end to end matchup. Just 12 minutes after the restart and Palace were lucky to not have gone ahead, when Eze’s deflected effort beat Flekken and curled onto the right hand side of the post to agonisingly deny the home side the lead. 64 minutes into the game and Brentford had the chance to go ahead after a rash challenge from Lacroix caused a penalty to be awarded to the Bees, to which Mbeumo stepped up and saw his effort crash against the post, as well as missing the rebound. VAR took a look and spotted that Marc Guehi had gone too early, meaning Mbeumo could take it again and he made no mistake putting the Bees in front. Brentford were strong in the second 45, and in the 80th minute they got a deserved second when Schade’s glancing header beat Henderson despite a collision from Richards, making the points seemingly be sealed for the away side. In the 85th minute, Palace pulled back a lifeline when the debutant Romain Esse tapped home and wheeled away in celebration, despite still being down by a goal. The full time whistle went in South London disappointing Glasners Eagles who drop to 14th on 27 points, but also to give Thomas Frank’s Bees the bragging rights and shooting up to 11th on 31 points. MOTM- Bryan Mbeumo
Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham
West Ham pulled off a fightback to rescue a point against a blunt Aston Villa side on Sunday evening. Despite the result, Villa started off in the perfect fashion by opening the scoring only 8 minutes in when Ollie Watkins set away Jacob Ramsey to his left allowing the Englishman to slot an easy finish past Areola in goal and to give Villa the lead. Villa thought they had doubled their lead only two minutes after when Morgan Rogers tapped home for a second, only to be rightfully flagged offside. Bailey then proceeded to have a couple of good chances for the Villains needing Areola to remain alert, but West Ham also threatened in the first half when Alvarez and Paqueta both caused the Villa defence to be alert. The half time whistle went on a dominant performance for the Villains who saw their side leading going into the break.
Villa may have been the much better side in the first half, but West Ham came flying out the traps in search of goals as the second half began. Immediately after the restart and West Ham were the clear favourites to score the next, as Lucas Paqueta somehow missed the goal with the entire frame at his mercy only 5 minutes after the restart. Emerson and Soler were next to test the Villa defence, needing Konsa and Martinez to be alert, but it was the Italian full back Emerson who finally got that much needed goal for the away side. In the 70th minute Alvarez and Wan Bissaka combined to send a deep delivery into the far post which was met by the Italian Emerson Palmieri who headed across goal to bring the scores level. Both Duran and former Villain Ings came close to getting a goal for either side, but ultimately the referee blew for full time on an entertaining but level match. The result sees a disappointed Emery and his Villains stay in 8th on 37 points, whereas bringing Potters Hammers to 14th on 27 points. MOTM- Emerson Palmieri
Fulham 0-1 Manchester United
Manchester United needed a late Lisandro Martinez goal to beat Fulham in a cagey match on Sunday night. The first half was really lacking in quality throughout, but Fulham posed the biggest threats throughout the half. Alex Iwobi tested Obama in goal in the 10th minute after cutting inside, as well as Raul Jimenez releasing a shot way over the bar, but ultimately nothing could breach the United defence. The referee blew for half time on an uneventful, but more Fulham oriented half.
Manchester United may have lacked in offensive threat in the first half, however a much improved second half proved to be the difference between both of the teams. Bruno Fernandes came close in the 50th minute with his free kick hitting the side netting, but Fulham continued to grow into the game from here. Adama Traore and Muniz had opportunities that neither could convert, but United bit first shortly after. In the 78th minute Alejandro Garnacho burst down the left hand flank and cut a ball back only to be intercepted, however the deflection fell straight to Lisandro Martinez who shot a deflected effort which looped well over Leno and into the net to give United the lead. Diallo thought he scored a second right at the death, however the VAR chalked the goal off cruelly for offside, yet the full time whistle went and all three points went United’s way. The result sees Silvas frustrated Cottagers stay in 10th on 33 points, whereas Amorim’s Red Devils move up to 12th on 29 points. MOTM- Amad Diallo
Brighton 0-1 Everton
A controversial Ndiaye penalty was enough to get Everton an important away win against a blunt Seagulls side on Saturday afternoon. The biggest moment of the half came in the 37th minute when Veltman came under pressure from the Everton attack, and upon falling on the floor handled the ball which initially wasn’t seen. The VAR checked the penalty and the referee pointed to the spot, to which Iliman Ndiaye confidently stepped up and converted to give the Toffees the lead. The half dwindled in action from here, and the referee called half time on a tight half, but one in which the Toffees led in.
The second half seemed like it promised more goals, but a defensively astute Toffees side were determined to hold on to their lead. Brighton came out well in the second half, and shortly after the restart Mitoma curled an effort just wide of Pickford’s post before Baleba needed his strike to be deflected over. Rutter came close after chesting down a long ball and striking the ball well, however it flew just wide of the left hand post. The second half carried on and Everton remained defensively sound all the way up until the final whistle, with all three points going to Moyes’s Toffees who stay in 16th on 23 points, whereas Hurzeler’s Seagulls stay in 9th on 33 points. MOTM- Iliman Ndiaye
