Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 24
The 24th week of the Premier League action saw:
31 goals - most by Fulham and Bournemouth = 4 each
262 shots - most by Man United = 28
85 on target - most by Wolves and Man United = 9 each
101 corners - most by Man United = 11
184 fouls - most by Arsenal = 14
43 bookings - most by Everton, Wolves and Watford = 4 each
2 red cards - Digne for Everton, Zaha for Palace
3 penalties - 3 scored (Aubameyang for Arsenal, Pogba for Man United, Ritchie for Newcastle)
What a game! It was all about crazy comebacks on Tuesday night! Fulham, Manchester United and Newcastle!!! I have to start with the last, more to the first two below. When Sergio Agüero gave Manchester City the lead after just 24 seconds, everyone expected the worst, a total thrashing at St James’ Park. However, Pep Guardiola was shocked watching his side give the game away, Salomón Rondón netting Isaac Hayden’s header to equalise from close range (66’), before Matt Ritchie converted the penalty (80’) after Fernandinho had fouled Sean Longstaff in the box. It’s an unexpected and crucial result at both ends of the table, relief for Magpies boss Rafael Benítez, disbelief for his blue counterpart.
And more upsets (less comebacks) followed on Wednesday night! Bournemouth smashed Chelsea! Joshua King’s brace (47’, 74’), either side of David Brooks’ composed finish (63’), and sub Charlie Daniels' injury-time goal, made it 4-0 to the Cherries and two consecutive defeats for the Blues. Maurizio Sarri took the blame, after staying in complete lock-down for nearly an hour after the match - a bit more than just a team talk... Unforgettable win for Eddie Howe, either way, no matter whose fault it is! It was only their second-ever competitive home win against the Londoners, first since September 1988. And it’s just the second time in PL history Chelsea have lost a game by a four-goal margin, after losing 5-1 to Liverpool in September 1996.
Have to mention Tottenham's comeback, with two goals in seven minutes by Son Heung-min (80’) and Fernando Llorente (87’), after Craig Cathcart had given Watford the lead (38') at a very empty Wembley stadium. The win puts Spurs seven points ahead of rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in fourth and fifth, and only two points behind the Citizens.
What a team! Sorry West Ham, it was terrible to watch them, they were just watching themselves as Wolves took them apart 3-0, especially the last goal. Boss Manuel Pellegrini conceded it is impossible to play worse (9-0 attempts on target). The Hammers were swept aside by the Wanderers, Roman Saïss (66’) and Raúl Jiménez (80’, 86’) capitalising on the sleeping and non-existing defence. No discrediting Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, top quality, great team spirit, organisation and play, absolutely smashing the visitors, to complete the double over West Ham for the first time in their history (30th campaign).
Huddersfield’s first match under Jan Siewert ended in defeat, 0-1 against ten-man Everton. Richarlison’s rebound goal early on (3’) was enough for the visitors, despite Lucas Digne’s sending off (66’). David Wagner’s replacement praised Toffee keeper Jordan Pickford, who made some brilliant stops to keep his side ahead. Crucial three points, Marco Silva a very relieved man, finally a win, just their second in the last five league games.
What a man! Sean Dyche has never lost a PL game on a Tuesday as Burnley boss! And they were so close to beat Manchester United as well! The Clarets were two goals ahead thanks to Ashley Barnes (51’) and Chris Wood (81’), but Old Trafford witnessed one of the typical late comebacks by the Red Devils. Paul Pogba from the spot (pen 87’) and Victor Lindelöf with a scramble in injury time (90’+2') pulled a point back for Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side, nicking two from the visitors and denying them their first win at the ground since 1962. First points dropped for the caretaker manager though, but it could have been so much worse!
It was all about Emiliano Sala in Cardiff’s first match since the striker’s disappearance. It ended in a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, neither side producing anything on target in the first half, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty (66’) and Alexandre Lacazette’s fine low finish (83’) changed and ended the match after the break. Neil Warnock was still proud of his side and praised their conduct and performance. The Bluebirds did pull one back late on, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing with a sweet curler (90’+3’). But it was too little too late. Very emotional. Goosebumps. #PrayForSala
What a goal! Fulham’s first and last goal, wow! Individual and team class and finish! I don't know why it was only the sixth game on MOTD!!!!! The Cottagers were trailing Brighton by 0-2 after just 17 minutes, Glenn Murray giving the visitors a comfortable lead with his brace (3’, 17’). Calum Chambers’ superb strike started the dream comeback shortly after the break (47’). Aleksandar Mitrović’s double (58’, 74’) turned the match and Craven Cottage on its head. And Luciano Vietto put the icing on the cake, heading home Fulham’s fourth (79’) after Tom Cairney’s effort from distance had come off the crossbar. Claudio Ranieri was all smiles, praising his side’s fighting spirit. Chris Hughton on the other hand, was gobsmacked and lambasted his team’s second-half collapse. It was an extraordinary game!
Southampton's equaliser against Crystal Palace was a lovely team move and goal! More to that clash below.
What the hell?! Wilfried Zaha was just being an idiot, applauding the referee whilst receiving a booking = asking for a second yellow = sending off (87’)! Fully deserved! The Crystal Palace forward had given his side the lead at Southampton, his first goal since September, four minutes before the interval. But the Saints were level thanks to James Ward-Prowse (77’), an outstanding team goal as mentioned above, despite the visitors’ dominance and number of chances. No other PL side have drawn more games than Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team = eight. Roy Hodgson’s men meanwhile, have dropped 13 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season - only Fulham and Southampton have lost more (15 each).
Jürgen Klopp blamed the snow for Liverpool’s draw at Anfield against Leicester. It’s a point gained in the title race after City’s defeat, but was a frustrating display and two points dropped on the night. And the result could have been so much worse! Keeper Alisson had some iffy moments again, but also made some crucial stops, including a sublime ping-pong block against his own team mate Roberto Firmino! The Brazlian stopper and star defender Virgil van Dijk looked uncharacteristically clumsy throughout. The Reds were ahead early on thanks to Sadio Mané (3’ - after 121 seconds to be exact), but the rest of the match stayed slow, slippy and clumsy, the home side unable to take control. Harry Maguire equalised in front of the Kop just before the break (45’+2’). The German boss had a point about the weather and the officials didn't help his side either. Referee Martin Atkinson made a couple of questionable calls and decisions, on both sides. Clear penalties not given after Mané and Mohamed Salah were clearly fouled in the box, a couple of cards not shown, that could have added up to more against certain players... But, United got a penalty whilst these players just always pretend, right?! As I wonder every week: Who needs VAR?! Claude Puel was a happy man with the result. Of course. Leicester are the first team outside the top six that Liverpool have failed to beat in the Premier League this season. The Reds have conceded in their past three home league games, after only conceding in two of their opening nine league matches at Anfield this season. Still, going into February five points clear at the top is not too bad, ey?
My Predictions - Actual Results
Arsenal 3:1 Cardiff - 2:1
Fulham 1:2 Brighton - 4:2
Huddersfield 1:2 Everton - 0:1
Wolves 2:1 West Ham - 3:0
Man United 3:1 Burnley - 2:2
Newcastle 1:2 Man City - 2:1
Bournemouth 1:2 Chelsea - 4:0
Southampton 2:1 Crystal Palace - 1:1
Liverpool 1:0 Leicester - 1:1
Tottenham 2:0 Watford - 2:1
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