Mid-week fever has hit the Premier League this week, giving the fans a welcome dose of thrilling entertainment. In a week where 0-0s were just as important as five-goal fixtures, the excellence that is the English Premier League stood out for the fans, with 27 goals being treated to fans this time.
Manchester United 3-2 Ipswich
10-man Manchester United held on against a spirited Ipswich side on Wednesday night. United’s home form has been shakey this season, and just 4 minutes into the game there were questions raised when Ipswich took the lead, with Philogene-Bidace being able to latch onto some dreadful miscommunication in the United defence for an open goal. United may have been poor at home recently, but they can still be a quality team at times, and in the 22nd minute the Red Devils found a leveller when Fernandes’s dangerous free kick was turned in by Morsey as an own goal, making it 1-1. Just 4 minutes on, and United were in front when Fernandes was involved again to send a corner into the box, only to meet the Dutchman De Ligt’s feet from Palmer’s parry, completing the turnaround in a matter of minutes. The half ebbed on from here, but United put a cloud on their afternoon 43 minutes in when Patrick Dorgu lunged in on Omari Hutchinson, giving the VAR no choice but to insist upon a straight red for the new man. Just before half time, and Ipswich made the man advantage count when 2 minutes into the additional, Philogene-Bidace curled a delivery into the box that went past everyone and Onana, making it 2-2 right before the whistle. The referee called time on a hectic, yet wildly entertaining half with the score at 2-2.
Ipswich really managed to make United’s afternoon difficult, but an unlikely hero saw the Red Devils pick up a crucial three points as the second half commenced. Goals at either end of the half were a thing here, and 2 minutes after the restart United went ahead after yet another Fernandes delivery from the corner met the towering Harry Maguire, who headed home easily to get the home side the lead yet again. From here, surprisingly, the goal threat began to die down with either side not being able to threaten too notably. Yellow cards were brandished in abundance though, with Zirkzee, Mazaroui and Yoro all being penalized for United, whereas Ipswich saw Delap and Johnson both enter the book. The referee eventually called time on an uneventful half, but brilliant game and result for Amorim’s shaky Red Devils, who move to 14th on 33 points, wheras McKenna’s dissapointed Tractor Boys stay in 18th on 17 points. MOTM- Bruno Fernandes
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
A scintillating Palace side destroyed a dreary Aston Villa on Tuesday night. Despite the score line, Aston Villa started strongest in this game and nearly found the breakthrough 24 minutes in when Garcia whipped a brilliant delivery into the box, however the diving Tielemans couldn’t connect. The Villans thought they forged ahead just 2 minutes later when Ramsey finished well past Henderson, however the offside flag was up to stop any celebrations. Villa were better so far, but Palace have a knack for being clinical and just 2 minutes after the offside goal, the home side led when Ismaila Sarr was on hand to pounce on Martinez’s parry, making it 1-0 against the run of play. Villa thought they had levelled in the 42nd minute when Watkins burst forward and squared to Rogers, however the VAR looked and deemed the young forward to be offside by mere millimetres, keeping it 1-0. The referee blew for half time on a Villa-orientated half, but one in which Palace had the lead at 1-0.
Villa may have been on top, but football is a tale of two halves, and Palace stormed to victory as the second half commenced. Just 7 minutes after the restart and Villa were level, after the substitute Robin Olsen sent a great ball to Watkins, who headed to Morgan Rogers, giving the youngster time to strike an effort past Henderson and wheel away in celebration. Palace began to wake up from here, and 7 minutes on the home side were ahead again when the man on fire Jean-Philippe Mateta received Eze’s through ball and smashed past Olsen to make it 2-1. The Eagles were on the hunt here, and after sustained pressure, they got their third in the 71st minute when Ismaila Sarr converted from Munoz’s cross, making it 3-1 and essentially handing Palace the points. Villa had fallen apart here, making no effort at a comeback, and Palace made sure of it in the 91st minute when Nketiah tapped home for his first Palace league goal, and to seal a brilliant evening for Glasner’s men. The full-time whistle went like music to Glasner and his Eagles, who shoot to 12th on 36 points, whereas Emery’s dreadful Villans drop to 10th on 42 points. MOTM- Ismaila Sarr
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton
Chelsea smashed four past a dreadful Southampton side in a convincing win on Tuesday night. The game began slowly, with neither side drumming up much of a shout at goal, but mid-way through the half and the home side forged ahead. 24 minutes into the half Enzo Fernandez delivered a corner to the head of Adarabioyo, who headed back to Christopher Nkunku allowing the Frenchman to score from a simple finish. Onuachu and Sancho both had chances for either side to get a goal, but Pedro Neto was the clinical one 36 minutes in when Nkunku robbed the ball from Flynn Downes and cut a ball across to Neto, who smashed a great effort into the near post to double the Blues’s lead. Chelsea had a taste for goal, and 44 minutes in they got their third when Neto’s deep cross met the head of Levi Colwill who headed strongly into the goal to give Chelsea a 3-0 lead before half time.
Chelsea was running away with it here, but a confident second half performance ensured they kept that and a little bit more too. Like the United game, the second half here in London boasted little action to talk about, with Chelsea coming closest to an early second half goal when Palmer struck an effort first time, however he sent it way into the stands. The Blues deserved another goal, and in the 78th minute it was Marc Cucurella who did so after the Spaniard received Tyrique George’s cutback and hammered into Ramsdale’s far corner to make it 4-0. The referee blew for full time on an impressive and needed win for Maresca’s Blues, who now rise to 5th on 46 points, whereas Juric’s dismal Saints spend another week in 20th on 9 points. MOTM- Christopher Nkunku
Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth
In-form Brighton swooped all three points from a defensively poor Bournemouth on Tuesday night. The Cherries were the team on the front foot earliest on in this game, with Ouattara forcing a save from Verbruggen, however the Seagulls quickly grew into the tie with Rutter and Mitoma causing early issues for the Bournemouth defence. Just 10 minutes in, though, and Brighton got their advantage when Kepa brought down the goalbound Joao Pedro in the box, allowing the Brazilian to wrongfoot Kepa and slot his penalty home to make it 1-0, just 12 minutes in. The half turned into a back and forth affair from here, with Brighton hitting the post from Mitoma and Ouattara pulling the strings for Bournemouth, but ultimately nothing would come from it. The referee blew for half time on a riveting first half, but a slim 1-0 lead that the Seagulls claimed.
Bournemouth under Iraola are known for their fighting spirit, but the Seagulls had enough to hold on for all three points as the second half began. The half began, like the first, with strong chances coming for the Seagulls such as when Van Hecke sent a teasing header over the bar. Bournemouth had chances of their own as they built the pressure, and sure enough they got their reward 61 minutes in when Kerkez spotted Kluivert’s run, allowing the Dutchman to cut inside and curl and effort brilliantly past Verbruggen and level the ties. The Cherries had Brighton under siege here, and Ouattara really should have made use of his three clear-cut chances to get them a second, however Verbruggen held firm to keep it level. Against the run of play, Brighton took the lead 75 minutes in when the substitute Danny Welbeck was slipped in by Rutter and rolled an effort into the far post, sending the Amex into elation. Bournemouth kept up their heavy pressure from here, with Kluivert being the problem-man for Brighton, but every effort seemed to dissipate for the away side as the end approached. The referee blew for full-time to a relieved Brighton and Fabian Hurzeler, who sees his weathered Seagulls move to 8th on 43 points, whereas Iraola’s dissapointed Cherries drop to 7th on 43 points. MOTM- Georginio Rutter
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
Liverpool continued their charge to the Premier League title after sweeping aside Newcastle on Wednesday night. The Reds thought they should have had a penalty early on when Hall was thought to have fouled Salah inside of the box, however the referee quickly waved any claims away. Soon enough though and the Reds would be happy, when 11 minutes in Luis Diaz was picked out on the left and squared a ball back to Dominic Szoboszlai who slid a simple finish into the corner and opened the scoring at Anfield. The Reds continued their pressure throughout the half, with Salah nearly capitalising on an unholy Pope error, however nothing amounted. Newcastle’s best chance came when Wilson was sent through one-on-one, however his effort was sent wayward and it stayed 1-0. The referee blew for half time on an eventful half, but one which the Reds led with a slim 1 goal lead.
Liverpool were the better team in the first half, and their second half strength showed what champions are made of. The half began fairly stiffly, with stopping and starting being needed to address some head injuries to Szoboszlai and Wilson. The Reds are known for being clinical, and 63 minutes in a moment of magic came the way of Alexis Mac-Allister when Salah set the Argentine up for a shot, to which he unleashed a rocket of a strike way past Pope and doubled Liverpool’s lead to put them really in the driver’s seat here. Newcastle had failed to challenge Liverpool really at all here, and in the second half the home side continued to exploit this with constant pressure. Konate thought he got Liverpool a third after bundling in from Tsimikas’s delivery, however it was ruled out for a foul on Pope. The full-time whistle went to elate the home side as they went one step closer to the title, with Slot’s storming Reds sitting in 1st place on 67 points whereas Howe’s dreary Magpies drop to 6th on 44 points. MOTM- Alexis Mac-Allister
Wolves 1-2 Fulham
Fulham pulled off a defensive masterclass to steal all three points from the hungry Wolves on Tuesday night. Fulham aren’t known for early goals, however they scored one of their quickest ever just 1 minute in when Ryan Sessegnon was picked out by Andreas Pereira’s exceptional through ball allowing the Englishman to slot a tidy finish past Jose Sa in goal and make it 1-0. Wolves started to hit back from here with a good chance coming the way of Gomes, but they got their quick response 18 minutes in when Semedo nicked the ball from Diop and set up Joao Gomes nicely allowing the Brazilian to smash an effort past Leno for 1-1. Both teams had half chances to go back in front, with Muniz nearly poking home for Fulham as well as Cunha forcing Leno into a sharp save. Ultimately though the referee blew the whistle for half time on an evenly contested half, with the score sitting at 1-1.
Both sides looked to threaten in the first half, but Fulham’s reliable Brazilian was enough to see the points go back to West London as the second half began. They were quick in the first half, and in the second Fulham were once again when they went ahead just two minutes after the restart when Adama Traore picked out the running Muniz who took his time to chip Jose Sa in goal and put the Cottagers back in front. Wolves had the expectation to turn themselves around here, but they were dissapointing and their best chance came the way of Gomes sending a free header off target. Fulham and notably Jimenez bolstered their chances of a third toward the end of the half, but some astute defending from the home side mitigated the damage. The referee blew for full-time in Wolverhampton on a brilliant evening for Silva’s Fulham who move up to 9th on 42 points, whereas Pereira’s dissapointing Wolves stay in 17th on 22 points. MOTM- Rodrigo Muniz
Brentford 1-1 Everton
A late Everton goal ensured the points were shared against Brentford on Wednesday evening. The beginning to the match was slow, however the best of the chances came the way of the Bees when Ajer sent a free header wide, as well as Wissa sending a chance comfortably into the hands of Pickford. The Toffees had held firm so far, and they soon started to grow into the game getting great chances. Beto was the target man, but the Bissau-Guinean forward scuffed his lines on three occasions, rueing his missed chances. Everton really should have gone ahead, however they paid the price in the 4th minute of injury time when Mbuemo released a strong shot that hit the crossbar, only to fall to Yoanne Wissa who reacted quickest to head home and get Brentford the lead right before half time. The referee blew for half time on a cagey, but Bees led half in London with the score 1-0.
The Toffees should have had more from the first half, and a battling second half showing ensured a strong point came back to Merseyside. The Toffees ended the half generally quite well, and they begun the second half well too when Harrison and Alcaraz caused issues for Flekken and the Bees defence, however it remained 1-0 as the home side held firm. Wissa thought he had a second for Brentford in the 68th minute, however his tap in from Lewis-Potter’s shot was quickly flagged for offside. The away side deserved something from this game, and 77 minutes in they got their reward when Vitaly Mykolenko burst forward and delivered a cross to Jake O’Brien who met it and headed in for his first Premier League goal and to make the scores level. Brentford had a chance to nick it late on when a ball fell to Janelt, however his effort sailed hopelessly wide for a goal kick. The referee blew time on a well-fought but level match, with Frank’s Bees staying in 11th on 38 points and Moye’s fighting Toffees dropping to 16th on 32 points. MOTM- Jake O’Brien
West Ham 2-0 Leicester
West Ham continued their climb away from relegation with a dominant victory over Leicester on Thursday night. The Hammers thought they had an early penalty when Bowen tumbled under pressure from Faes, but the referee dismissed the claims. Just 21 minutes in West Ham had their breakthrough when a long throw caused havoc in the box, and Tomáš Souček reacted quickest to smash home the opener. West Ham kept up the intensity, with Paquetá pulling the strings in midfield and Bowen testing Iversen with a curling effort. Leicester had little response, with their best chance of the half falling to Dewsbury-Hall, who blazed over from the edge of the box. West Ham were confident here, and a dangerous corner from Ward-Prowse sparked panic in the Leicester defence, leading Jannik Vestergaard to bundle the ball into his own net to double West Ham’s lead. The referee blew for half-time with the Foxes looking completely lost, and the Hammers in charge with the score at 2-0
Leicester looked poor yet again in the first half, and the Hammers made sure that it stayed that way as the second half kicked off. West Ham kept things tight at the back as the half began, restricting the visitors to having minimal chances. The Hammers had their best chance of the half 79 minutes in when Ferguson had a chance to score, however Winks was there to deny any chance of a third goal. The Foxes never looked like getting back into the game, and as the final whistle finally blew to stop the pain. It was another miserable night for Van Nistelrooy’s struggling Foxes, who remain deep in trouble in 19th place on 17 points, whereas Potter’s elated Hammers climb to 15th place on 33 points. MOTM- Tomáš Soucek
Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Manchester City
An early goal from a familiar face was enough to keep City’s top-four push strong against Spurs on Wednesday evening. City began the half stronger in London, and just 12 minutes in they got their reward when Haaland found himself just a few yards off the goal line for a tap in, making it 1-0 in simple but sure fashion. The away side really should have forged themselves more of a lead when Doku’s brilliant ball met Savio, however the Brazilian couldn’t convert to make it 2-0 when he really should have. The Brazilian and Haaland both caused Vicario some more issues throughout the remainder of the first half, however Danso had a late chance in the half as he headed towards goal, but Ederson was there to deny him. The referee blew for half time on a half City had dominated, however just leading by 1 with the score at 1-0.
Spurs were lacklustre in the first half, however an offensive stalemate in the second ensured Haaland’s early strike was the difference. Odobert really should have scored after a dull beginning to the half when the full back Porro sent a fizzing delivery in, however the forward couldn’t get any contact. Son nearly managed to score in the 77th minute when Johnson beat Gvardiol and sent the Korean away, however Ederson remained large to deny him. Erling Haaland thought he had got City’s second in the 96th minute when he poked a finish past Vicario, however the referee and VAR deemed there to be a handball in the build up meaning the goal did not stand. The referee blew for full time on yet another dissapointing evening for Ange’s Lilywhites who drop to 13th on 33 points, whereas Guardiola’s scrappy Cityzens stay in 4th on 47 points. MOTM- Erling Haaland
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
Nottingham Forest picked up a valuable point in their Champions League charge as Arsenal dropped points yet again on Wednesday evening. A scrappy first 5 minutes in the game saw bookings come for both Calafiori and Milenkovic, however there were no shouts at goal to note in the early stages. Calafiori was maybe lucky to avoid conceding a penalty mid-way through, but the Italian had the best chance of the half when he curled an effort past Sels that agonisingly hit the post. The referee blew for half-time on a largely uneventful half, with the scores tied at 0-0.
Arsenal launched an offensive siege on Forest as the second half began, however the resilience of both teams shone through as the match remained goalless. The away side were the first to test defences in the second half, with Merino and Tierney forcing Sels to stay awake and make saves, however nothing came from it. Forest were poor in this second half, but they had their best chance 70 minutes in when Wood was set away by Gibbs-White, however Raya did well to make the save. The Gunners really should have taken the lead 83 minutes in when some play between Zinchenko and Odegaard saw the Norwegian have space for two shots, however neither could wriggle their way in and it stayed goalless. The referee blew for full-time on a goalless, and generally uneventful game, with Nuno’s uncharacteristic Forest staying in 3rd place on 48 points, whereas Arteta’s lacking Gunners stay in 2nd on 54 points. MOTM- Matz Sels
