Premier League Notes - Week 29

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 29

It's been a few weeks since my last blog, a couple of weeks since the last ball has been kicked in the English football leagues, a lot has happened since... As explained and lined out on my Twitter thread, I love football, have always blogged and will keep on blogging, until we get there. Number 19. Walk on. Write on. With hope in your heart. YNWA. Here are my notes on the last weekend we were able to enjoy the game, until further notice:

The 29th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

19 goals - most by Chelsea and Leicester = 4 each

215 shots - most by Burnley = 21

100 on target - most by Chelsea = 11

109 corners - most by Man City = 11

222 fouls - most by Watford and Burnley = 16 each

39 bookings - most by Burnley = 5

1 red card - Djenepo for Southampton 

3 penalties - 2 scored (Dele Alli for Tottenham, Vardy for Leicester)

#LIVBOU

Liverpool had to come back from behind against Bournemouth to record their 22nd successive Premier League win at Anfield, breaking the English top-flight record set by Bill Shankly's team in 1972, and taking their unbeaten home run to 55 games (W45, D10). Callum Wilson gave the visitors a controversial lead slotting home Jefferson Lerma's low cross after appearing to push Joe Gomez in the build-up to the goal (9’). But the Reds soon hit back, Mohamed Salah in his 100th league appearance for the club, levelled the score with a low finish (24’). And turning from provider to scorer, Sadio Mané completed the turnaround (33’), latching onto Virgil van Dijk’s through-ball. James Milner denied the Cherries any way back into the game, clearing Ryan Fraser’s attempt off the goal-line, in a very nervous second half. Jürgen Klopp’s men, missing injured skipper Jordan Henderson, hung on to the win, moving them one step closer to their first title in 30 years, whilst Eddie Howe’s side remain in the relegation zone, level on points with Watford and West Ham but with a worse goal difference than their nearest rivals at the bottom.

#ARSWHU

Alexandre Lacazette's goal 12 minutes from time, which had to be confirmed by the video assistant referee to add to the nerves at the Emirates, decided the tie. The win lifted the Gunners up to ninth, five points behind Chelsea in fourth, leaving boss Mikel Arteta optimistic about his side’s chances of finishing in the top four. David Moyes meanwhile, watched his side record their sixth consecutive Premier League defeat on the road despite creating more chances and threats. But it’s only goals that count, leaving the Hammers hovering above the bottom three only on goal difference.

#CRYWAT

Jordan Ayew helped his side Crystal Palace to their third successive Premier League victory and climb into the top half of the table. His smart finish from the edge of the box (28’) and eighth league goal of the season, was enough for Roy Hodgson’s men to beat relegation-threatened Watford. The side that beat the league leaders last week, mourned their missed chances this week, leaving boss Nigel Pearson very disappointed, just goal difference separating his side from the drop zone.

#SHUNOR

Billy Sharp’s header (36’) and Manchester United loanee keeper Dean Henderson’s heroic saves late on, helped Sheffield United beat Norwich to make it 10 points out of the last 12 and take them to sixth, boosting their chances of European football next season. Daniel Farke’s side on the other hand, remain rock bottom, six points from safety, the German boss describing it as "dramatic and tragic for the lads, because they tried everything".

#SOUNEW

Newcastle moved eight points clear of the relegation zone with nine games to go, after beating ten-man Southampton. Allan Saint-Maximin scored the only goal of the game late on (79’), pressuring Yan Valery into a mistake before tucking the ball home beyond hard-working keeper Alex McCarthy. The Saints stopper had made some top saves, including Matt Ritchie's spot kick, and got close to earn his side a hard-fought point after they had been reduced to ten men midway through the first half when Moussa Djenepo's yellow card was upgraded to a red following a VAR review of his foul on Isaac Hayden. But it was not to be, leaving Steve Bruce a very happy man, whilst Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side drop to 14th following a third defeat in their last four Premier League games.

#WOLBHA

Nothing happened, only one shot on target in each half at Molineux (they recorded more bookings!). The goalless draw took Wolves up to fifth, leaving Brighton, who have yet to win in 2020, just two points above the relegation zone. Graham Potter was full of praise for his Seagulls keeping a clean sheet on the road and all, whilst Nuno Espírito Santo was not so happy with his Wanderers. Contrast. It's all about perspective.

#BURTOT

Burnley boss Sean Dyche was not a happy man, feeling Chris Wood should have been given a penalty after Spurs' equaliser, but the striker did not go down under Davinson Sánchez's tackle. Dele Alli's 50th Premier League goal came from the spot (50’) after Ben Mee brought down Erik Lamela in the box. It was enough to earn Tottenham a point following Wood’s early opener (13’), an easy tap-in after Hugo Lloris had spilled Jay Rodriguez’s shot from distance. Frustrating for both, José Mourinho's side’s fifth game without a win, leaving them four points behind Chelsea, who have a game in hand. Not good. Dyche's men though, have climbed back into the top half of the table and are unbeaten in the past 14 Premier League matches in which they have led at the break. Not bad.

#CHEEVE

Carlo Ancelotti’s return to Stamford Bridge ended up being a miserable afternoon as the Italian watched his side Everton being thrashed 4-0 by his former employer Chelsea, his joint-heaviest league defeat as a manager. Mason Mount ended an 18-game goal drought by firing the ball past Jordan Pickford at his near post and the Blues ahead (14’). Pedro doubled their lead with his first league goal of the season as Frank Lampard's side took control (21’). Two goals in three minutes shortly after the restart, Willian into the bottom corner (51’) and Olivier Giroud with a tap-in off a short corner (54’), sealed the deal for the hosts, no contest. The result keeps the Toffess in 12th, eight points behind fifth-placed Manchester United, whilst Chelsea stay fourth, three points ahead of the Red Devils.

#MUNMCI

Ole Gunnar Solskjær can and will be over the moon, literally, after Manchester United completed the Premier League double over derby rivals Manchester City for the first time in a decade. The champions’ Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson had a nightmare afternoon at Old Trafford, gifting Anthony Martial the opener, a low shot squeezing through under him (30’). And then in the final seconds (90+6’), the stopper threw a clearance straight to Scott McTominay, who made no mistake, one take into the back of the net, in front of a delirious Stretford End to double the hosts’ lead and secure the win. It was a smashing clash, the VAR denying Pep Guardiola’s men any way back into the game, Sergio Agüero deemed offside, whilst referee Mike Dean made a couple of controversial calls leading up to the goals as well. But the Spaniard couldn’t deny, despite all his side’s possession, the Red Devils bossed the game and capitalised on the Citizens’ flaws to bank the three points with two cracking counters. The result sees United remain fifth, three points behind Chelsea in fourth, whilst City trail the top Reds by 25 points, meaning the league leaders need just two more wins to seal their 19th title. 

#LEIAVI

A brace each for Harvey Barnes (40’, 85’) and Jamie Vardy (pen 63’, 79’) completed Leicester’s thrashing of Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium. The convincing win ended the Foxes’ dire run of two wins in their past eight Premier League games - and two points in their past four matches. Brendan Rodgers was glowing and full of praise for his third-placed side, five points clear of Chelsea, four behind City. Dean Smith's Villans remain in the relegation zone after a fourth consecutive league defeat, and a fifth in all competitions, second from bottom, two points from safety.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Liverpool 2:1 Bournemouth - 2:1

Arsenal 2:1 West Ham - 1:0

Crystal Palace 1:1 Watford - 1:0

Sheffield United 1:1 Norwich - 1:0

Southampton 2:0 Newcastle - 0:1 

Wolves 1:0 Brighton - 0:0

Burnley 2:2 Tottenham - 1:1

Chelsea 2:2 Everton - 4:0

Man United 3:2 Man City - 2:0

Leicester 1:2 Aston Villa - 4:0

Rearranged fixture from week 28 Man City vs Arsenal postponed because of the Corona virus.

The Gunners’ boss tested positive for the virus two days later.

And it all escalated from there...

Coronavirus: How the virus has impacted sporting events around the world.

Coronavirus: What next in the UK coronavirus fight?

And there are still people out there who believe we're all just over-panicking, it's a conspiracy, fooling us and taking control over us, all for their own profits and gains. Whoever they are. OPEN YOUR EYES!!! No one is gaining anything from this atm. Either way, whatever, whoever, for whatever reason, the main and clear thing is, people are dying! If you don't believe that, then you can join the Flat-Earthers, Holocaust- and 9/11 deniers, etc. Everyone else, welcome to the real world, STAY HOME, STAY SAFE!!! YNWA

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports.

Premier League Notes - Week 28

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 28

The 28th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

20 goals - most by West Ham, Watford and Wolves = 3 each 

229 shots - most by Brighton = 24

71 on target - most by Brighton = 8

115 corners - most by Chelsea = 14

158 fouls - most by Leicester = 16

30 bookings - most by Newcastle and Man United = 4 each

0 red cards

0 penalties

#NORLEI

It was goalless at the break, after both sides tried but failed to find a breakthrough. Shortly after the restart, Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho saw his goal disallowed after the VAR showed the ball had come off his arm in the buildup (50’). The hosts had a penalty appeal waved off seconds before that, no replays shown, I honestly thought they had a shout. A Jamal Lewis beauty gave the home side the lead, from the left corner of the box, curled into the bottom right corner of the net, Kasper Schmeichel had no chance of getting anywhere near that (71’). It’s Norwich’s first goal from open play since New Year’s Day. And the Canaries held on to the win this time, giving them hope, giving them a chance. Will Daniel Farke's men survive? Four points from safety with ten games remaining. They more than deserve to. 

#BHACRY

Tense encounter. Both sides had chances, Vicente Guaita was definitely kept the busier of the two keepers. Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke were not making friends in Brighton, that’s for sure, they were lucky to still be on the pitch following their first-half antiques. Jordan Ayew broke the deadlock halfway through the second half (70’), provided by Benteke with a fine run and set up, to send the ball under the keeper and in. Against the run of play, Palace were ahead after plenty of Brighton misses. I'knew it. Zaha hit the woodwork late on. Otherwise it was ALL Albion, so many chances, so many misses, keeper Guaita man of the match, denying the home side anything and everything‬. The 24 shots the hosts had is their best-ever tally in a Premier League game. Roy Hodgson’s men move 12 points clear from the drop zone, whilst Graham Potter's side are only four points away, the other sides still due to play. Brighton remain the only side without a Premier League win in 2020 (D5 L3), with the Seagulls last enjoying a top-flight victory against Bournemouth on 28 December (week 20).

#BOUCHE 

The home side were unable to clear the ball out of the box after Olivier Giroud’s attempt came off the bar, and Marcos Alonso made no mistake of lashing it in from close range (33’). Jefferson Lerma headed in the leveller through Willy Caballero’s gloves off a corner (54’), the keeper will not like to see the replays of that! Game. On. And seconds later, the VAR confirmed Joshua King was NOT offside when he tapped the ball in from close range (57’), Chelsea all over the place, conceding two goals in three minutes. Alonso headed in the rebound after Pedro’s shot was saved to make it 2-2 (86’). The Cherries hung on to at least one point, the Blues denying them a surprise win and themselves some blushes.

#NEWBUR

It ended goalless at St James’ Park, only one win in ten league matches for the Magpies, 21 chances, nothing netted, keeping Steve Bruce’s men in 14th. Burnley’s stubborn defence earned them a point, extending their unbeaten Premier League run to six matches and taking Sean Dyche's side up to ninth.

#WHUSOU

No side had won fewer Premier League points at home than West Ham this season (12 before kick-off). And you could tell*. Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock at the London Stadium (15’), assisted by Pablo Fornals, nice slot through and finish from a tight angle after the Saints lost the ball, putting the Hammers ahead. Michael Obafemi, set up by James Ward-Prowse, the youngster impressing with a tidy finish to level the score (31’). A mistake by keeper Alex McCarthy handed Sébastian Haller an easy finish, sliding in the ball in off Michail Antonio’s cross (40’) to put home side ahead again. David Moyes’ men stayed on top after that, Antonio’s nice low finish off Fornals’ fine cross making it 3-1 (54’) and party time in East London, all tensions released and forgotten.*

#WATLIV 

Weak and frustrating evening for the Reds at Vicarage Road: Ismaïla Sarr tapped in the ball from close range, Abdoulaye Doucouré the provider, fine move and turn to set the scorer up (54’). Too easy. The league leaders were trailing. And deservedly so. Nearly an hour gone, Sarr broke clear and doubled the hosts’ lead! VVD with a shocker there! And it got worse for the Reds: what a giveaway by TAA this time! The top players flopping! Not their night! Troy Deeney ended up with an easy tap up and in past Alisson (72’). And that was it. The unbeaten and winning run ended for Jürgen Klopp’s men. But they’re still 22 points clear at the top. Could be worse. Watford are the first side to beat Liverpool in the Premier League since Manchester City in January 2019 (week 21), ending the joint-longest winning streak (18) and the second longest unbeaten run (44) in English top-flight history. The Reds’ 0-3 loss was the biggest margin of defeat for a side starting the day top of the Premier League since November 2015 (Man City 1-4 Liverpool).

#EVEMUN

Taxi for David de Gea! The Spanish stopper banged the ball off Dominic Calvert-Lewin into the back of his own net, failing to deal with the pass back, no threat whatsoever (3’). More chances came close for both sides in an intense start at Goodison Park, de Gea denying DCL this time before Nemanja Matić hit the woodwork (7’). The Toffees bossed the game early on, but then the Red Devils took over. Skipper Séamus Coleman had to be replaced by Djibril Sidibé (28’) because of injury. Jordan Pickford was beaten at his near post by a shot from distance, Bruno Fernandes finding the unlikely equaliser (32’). Not a good day for goalkeepers. Gylfi Sigurðsson hit the post with a lovely free kick (57’). Pickford made up for the earlier mistake with a double save in the final minute (90’). DCL’s last-minute winner was disallowed by the VAR for offside, despite the ball taking a massive deflection to beat de Gea (93’). It was not to be. It ended a goal and point each, Carlo Ancelotti fuming with the officials, OGS a lucky bugger to get anything out of this game. Madness. 

#TOTWOL

Wolves corner, Raúl Jiménez's flick causing some panic in the Spurs defence, but then the hosts broke, suddenly the visitors were in all sorts of trouble. Dele Alli eventually got a shot away, which was saved, Steven Bergwijn there to net the rebound (13’). Wolves have conceded the first goal in a Premier League game for the 18th time this season, more than any other side; they avoided defeat on 11 of the previous 17 occasions. Matt Doherty levelled the score, banging in the ball after Spurs were unable to deal with it and clear it (27’). Serge Aurier put the home side back ahead just before the break (45’). The Spurs right-back with his first goal of the season, cutting in from the right side of the Wolves box and bending into the far corner. But the visitors hit back, clinically punishing the dominant Spurs, Diogo Jota left with a tap in after Adama Traoré and Jiménez did all the hard work in the buildup to make it 2-2 (57’). And what a goal to put the Wanderers ahead: Jota turned in his own half and then just kept going, leaving Spurs behind him, to set up Jiménez, who cut inside his marker and produced a beautiful left-footer into the far corner to make it 2-3 (73’). The result moves Nuno Espírito Santo’s side level on points with the Reds Devils in fifth.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Norwich 0:2 Leicester - 1:0

Brighton 1:1 Crystal Palace - 0:1

Bournemouth 1:1 Chelsea - 2:2

Newcastle 1:2 Burnley - 0:0

West Ham 1:3 Southampton - 3:1

Watford 0:3 Liverpool - 3:0

Everton 1:1 Man United - 1:1

Tottenham 1:1 Wolves - 2:3

Matches postponed because of the Carabao Cup final:

Aston Villa P:P Sheff United

Man City P:P Arsenal 

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, ByTheMinPL, ByTheMinLFC Twitter and RMC Sport coverage.