Premier League Notes - Week 31

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 31

The 31st week of the Premier League football action saw:

LIVERPOOL CROWNED CHAMP19NS!!!!!!

19 goals - most by Liverpool = 4

227 shots - most by Liverpool = 21

65 on target - most by Chelsea = 10

112 corners - most by Man United = 10 

209 fouls - most by Newcastle and Watford = 15 each

25 bookings - most by Wolves and Bournemouth = 3 each

2 red cards - Jack Stephens for Southampton, Fernandinho for Man City 

2 penalties - 1 scored (Willian for Chelsea)

#LEIBHA

Brighton started brightly at the King Power stadium, won a penalty early on after James Justin was punished for sliding in on Aaron Connolly, but Kasper Schmeichel denied Neal Maupay from the spot (14’). Not much else happened.The Foxes dominated the second half, had a last-minute penalty-shout for a handball against Lewis Dunk. The ball did hit the skipper's arm, but he was falling with his back to the ball, not having a clue of where he or that round thing was. It ended a staler than stale-mate, a point each, important for the Seagulls as it takes them six points clear from the drop zone, whilst Brendan Rodgers’ side have only won one in the last seven. Disappointing.

#TOTWHU

Again, nothing happened. Tottenham dominated, the Hammers kept them at bay. Until the final minutes before the interval, when Son Heung-min hit the back of the net, but the VAR disallowed the goal offside, just. So, it stayed 0-0. The visitors came back out more attacking and pressing, plenty of misses and nearlies at both ends. Over a depressing hour gone, Tomáš Souček tangled with his legs and led the quick ball into the back of his own net off a Spurs corner to make it 1-0. And Harry Kane doubled the hosts’ lead with under ten minutes to go after a quick counter (83’), in his 200th PL appearance for the club. José Mourinho has never lost in 14 matches against sides managed by David Moyes (W9, D5). After seven games without a win, even the miserable Portuguese has to be happy! Moyes condemned the VAR for missing the handball in the buildup to the opener and rightly so. Harsh on the Hammers

#MUNSHU

The Red Devils were on top from the start, chances, possession. No surprise then after just eight minutes: Throw in, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford move, the latter putting a low ball in from the byline, really sharp finish from the prior, Simon Moore didn't have a chance. And Martial whacked in the second a couple of minutes from the interval, unmarked in the centre of the box. Were the visitors respecting social distancing a bit too much?! Poor, just poor. Zonal marking. And Martial completed his first senior hat-trick, again with another easy run through the whole white-shirted back-line, a fine finish, tap over the keeper and in (74’). And that's also Man United's first PL hat-trick since Robin van Persie in 2013 under Sir Alex. Loved Gary Lineker’s tweet on Rashford. Three goals, three points, too easy, Chris Wilder and his side all over the place.

#NEWAVL

The Villans bossed the game early on against very poor Magpies at St James’ Park. But both sides had chances and will have been frustrated not to see anything or anyone on the scoreboard. Moments after coming on, sub Dwight Gayle put the home side ahead, easy tap in with loads of space, through the keeper’s legs, the other sub Andy Carroll with an instant assist (68’). Impact. Talking about subs and impact, Ahmed Elmohamady levelled the score six minutes after coming on (83’), his header sliding underneath and past Jonjo Shelvey and Martin Dúbravka. Who complained about extra subs, ey?! Aston Villa have conceded 36 goals in the second half of Premier League matches this term - no side has conceded more. At least they got a crucial goal and point back this time.

#NOREVE

The hosts enjoyed a bright start again, but the Toffees soon went through the gears, taking over more and more, Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming closest in the first quarter. Both sides kept cancelling each other out up until the HT break. Everton started the second half much better and took the lead off Lucas Digne's corner, headed in at the near post by Michael Keane (55). Whatever Carlo Ancelotti said during the interval, it worked. And zonal marking flopped, again. Pf. No PL side has conceded and scored more goals off a corner, I’ll let you guess which side respectively.

#WOLBOU

Deadlocked at Molineux, both sides struggling to create or produce anything of note, Adama Traoré with the only notable attempt of the first half. Raúl Jiménez broke that dead deadlock with his head on the hour mark, into the top of the net after Adama made space on the right side and provided him with a deep cross, the tenth time this season these two have combined. Aaron Ramsdale denied Willy Boly later on with a fine save to his lower left and stopped Wolves from doubling their lead. But all for nothing, another poor game and zero points for the Cherries, leaving them in the drop zone on goal difference.

#LIVCRY

Just before the first drinks break, Red free kick about 25 yards out, TAA took and banged it in, what a goal! Into the right corner of the net, heard it bang in, keeper no chance (23'). Trent has been directly involved in 30 Premier League goals since his debut in August 2016. At least five more than any other defender in the same time period. The Reds doubled their lead just before the break, Fabinho with the cross up and in to Mo Salah who took it into the centre of the box and completed the move with a lovely finish, Palace keeper or defence no chance (44'). Fabinho made it three with a beautiful right foot curler from outside the box, into the right corner, keeper no chance, again (55'). ‪Provided by Salah on the counter, Sadio Mané put a brilliant shot across goal into the bottom right (69'), 9th in 11 games against this side for the Senegalese master, and the French commentators compared it to the mastery of Thierry Henry. All beauties! Why couldn’t they do that at Goodison? ‪Since Palace won 2-1 at Anfield in April 2017, Liverpool are unbeaten in 56 home Premier League games (W46, D10), winning their last 23. Boom. Jürgen Klopp and his men just needed City to drop points next to clinch the title, see below for more details or click here for my full ByTheMinLFC coverage. Yeah.

#BURWAT

The hosts fired everything at Watford in the first quarter, keeper Ben Foster out of position and Josh Brownhill sweeping his shot wide, after Craig Dawson cleared Jay Rodriguez’s chance off the line brilliantly, all just before the first drinks break. Shortly before the second round of drinks. it was Dwight McNeil who made a big clearance off the line against Troy Deeney, Will Hughes putting the rebound wide. Jay’s lovely header across the goal and into the bottom right corner of the net that finally gave the Clarets the lead off an excellent assist by McNeil (73’). Nice bounce back after their thrash against City, which takes them up to 11th, whilst the Hornets will be looking over their shoulders, just one point clear of the relegation zone.

#SOUARS

The young Gunners started brightly, keeping the Saints defense and stopper busy, until the latter totally screwed up. Alex McCarthy had a back-pass from his defender, Eddie Nketiah charged the clearance down and scored (20’), a real gift. Jack Stephens saw a second yellow late on, the last man bringing down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the run clear through on goal (86’). The consequential free kick was blocked by the wall, the rebound saved, the second rebound netted by youngster Joe Willock (87’). A much needed win for the Gunners, Mikel Arteta’s first victory on the road, lifting them up to 9th, Saints stuck in 14th, ten points clear from the drop zone. 

#CHEMCI

The ball was loose from the Chelsea box after Antonio Rüdiger’s clearance, two City defenders totally messed up, Christian Pulisic capitalised from their giveaway, ran off with the ball and made a lovely low finish to give the home side the lead (36’). Cheers from Merseyside. Kevin De Bruyne smashed in the equaliser with a superb free kick (55’). Tension rising for the Reds. Raheem Sterling hit the post shortly afterwards. Mason Mount put a chance wide at the other end. Pulisic moved around the keeper, his take cleared off the line by Kyle Walker (72’), Liverpool fans’ reactions shown everywhere. Tense. Ping pong in the City box, saved, scramble all over the place, cleared. VAR check showed clear handball by Fernandinho, good save actually. The ref had no choice, red and pen. Willian converted sending the keeper the wrong way to make 2-1 to the Blues and party time in and around Liverpool after 30 long years. And the Red party went ahead indeed. 

My Predictions - Actual Results

Leicester 1:1 Brighton - 0:0

Tottenham 2:1 West Ham - 2:0

Man United 2:0 Sheffield United - 3:0

Newcastle 2:1 Aston Villa - 1:1

Norwich 1:3 Everton - 0:1

Wolves 2:0 Bournemouth - 1:0

Liverpool 2:1 Crystal Palace - 4:0

Burnley 0:1 Watford - 1:0

Southampton 1:1 Arsenal - 0:2

Chelsea 2:2 Man City - 2:1

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, ByTheMin, RMC and Sky Sports coverage. 

Premier League Notes - Week 30

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 30

And YEAH, WE’RE BACK! After 100 eventful and challenging roller-coaster days without football, the Premier League has finally returned! It’s been over three months since my last blog and emotional Twitter thread explaining my addiction and dedication to the game. So, here we are, BACK WHERE WE BELONG! Here’s my summary of what happened in the 30th week of the Premier League, just some key facts and stats and notes, because there’s a lot more action coming thick and fast:

28 goals - most by Man City (v SHU) = 5

263 shots - most by Saints = 22

97 on target - most by Man City (v ARS) = 12

143 corners - most by Villa (v SHU) = 12

278 fouls - most by Man United = 18

29 bookings - most by Bournemouth = 3

2 red cards - David Luiz for Arsenal (v MCI), John Egan for Sheffield United (v NEW)

3 penalties  - 3 scored (De Bruyne for Man City (v ARS), Bruno Fernandes for Man United, Mahrez for Man City (v BUR))

All games were played in empty stadiums with one minute's silence before kickoff in memory of all those who passed away due to COVID-19. #ThankYouNHS And everyone knelt down for the first eight seconds of every match remembering George Floyd and playing with Black Lives Matter on the back of their shirts instead of their names, giving me goosebumps every single time. #YNWA

(Two games in hand were played on Wednesday, postponed from week 28 due to the Carabao Cup final.)

(#AVLSHU)

(And of course, football is back, and with it officiating controversy - COCK-UP! The ref’s watch and VAR were unable to detect and see that the ball had gone over the line with tumbling fumbling Villa goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland off Oliver Norwood’s free kick a few minutes before the break. Everyone saw and knew, just not the officials. Michael Oliver knew as well, but kept pointing to his watch, because it didn't go off. Technology is supposed to just be there for back-up in case you didn’t see anything or aren’t sure, and not be the one and only decider. The Villans did play better after the restart, keeping MOTM United stopper Dean Henderson busy, but the Blades will still feel robbed of two crucial points in the European qualification race.)

(#MCIARS)

(The Citizens dominated from the start, but the Gunners coped and controlled them well. Until David Luiz came on for an injured Pablo Marí and spoiled the show, giving away a goal to Raheem Sterling (45+2’), a penalty (netted by Kevin De Bruyne 51’) after being sent off for pulling back Riyad Mahrez in the box (49’) - what a hat-trick to have within the 26 minutes the Brazilian had on the pitch - another BIG FLOP! It could not have been more one-sided after that. Sub Phil Foden added a third goal off a rebound from Sergio Agüero’s saved strike late on (90+1’), to make it three goals and three points for the still-just-about reigning champions. The result meant Man City closed the gap to the top to 22 points, meaning the Merseyside derby on Sunday wouldn’t be the title decider. See below for more updates and details)

#NORSOU

The home side started strong, the first 10-20 minutes, then it was all Saints. Goalless at the break, there was some hope for the struggling hosts, but it didn’t last long. Danny Ings bashed (49’), Stuart Armstrong boomed (54’) and Nathan Redmond banged the visitors on top (79’), keeping their side in 14th, but ten points safe from the drop zone. The Canaries just couldn’t cope, let themselves down and are most probably out, rock bottom, six points from safety. 

#TOTMUN

A David de Gea howler put Red Devils behind (27'), the Spanish keeper should have stopped Steven Bergwijn's shot, but let it through. A soft penalty netted by Bruno Fernandes pulled the visitors back into the game (81'), and United nearly got another spot kick, but VAR correctly turned that crap call down. It ended a goal and point each, keeping the sides in 8th and 5th respectively, OGS smiling, José Mourinho fuming, the Premier League is well and truly back. Oh, and Roy Keane’s rant on Sky Sports about his former side was priceless! 

#WATLEI

For all Leicester’s dominance, Watford had the best/only real chance in the first half, Abdoulaye Doucouré denied by Kasper Schmeichel (35’). The Foxes had just not clicked yet, the Hornets could smell blood, for the same Frenchman to be denied by the great Danish stopper again with a brilliant spread-body-block shortly after halftime. Whatever Nigel Pearson said during the interval, it worked, his side were much more on top. Brendan Rodgers’ men put on the pressure later on, Marc Albrighton rattling the woodwork before James Maddison forced Ben Foster into an excellent save (75’). Both keepers definitely earned their money at Vicarage Road! Until the 90th minute, and what a hit it was by Ben Chilwell! From the left corner of the box, curled up and into the top right corner - off the post and in, Foster had no chance getting anywhere near that. Wow! Football can be so cruel! Or so I thought. Acrobatic Craig Dawson had a better idea and levelled the score off a corner and Schmeichel’s glove and in during the final seconds of added time. It ended a goal and point each, a fairer result. 

#BHAARS

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both missed early chances, then Bukayo Saka smacked the crossbar, it was all Gunners in the first ten minutes. The Seagulls created a couple of chances as well after that, but not much to shout about. Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno had to come off just before the break with a bad looking injury, his shouts of pain echoed around the ground and the reaction of the other players said it all. His replacement Emiliano Martínez made a fine save seconds later. I’m still wondering how come the Brighton player Neal Maupay, who the injured keeper clashed with leading to the awkward fall, didn’t see any punishment?! Nicolas Pépé gave the Gunners a beautiful lead just before the second drinks break with a beauty, from the right corner of the box, into the top left corner of the net! Both keepers made some good saves beforehand, even-ish game, the visitors will have been relieved. But not for long, this time the ref’s watch worked: Brighton corner, ping pong in the box, Arsenal all over the place, the Seagulls skipper Lewis Dunk tapped the ball over the line to level the score (75’). And then non-other than Maupay nicked it in the final seconds, up and over Martínez and in (95’). The Gunners gutted, the Seagulls flying away with the three points. The Frenchman had his cheeky say after the final whistle as well, to rub it under everyone's noses.

#WHUWOL

The Hammers stayed back, Wolves dominated with double the possession at times, but not enough to find a breakthrough. The only shots on target in the first half were by the visitors, but all soft, Pablo Fornals blasting one good chance high and away for the hosts. Super sub Adama Traoré found Raúl Jiménez in the box, who made no mistake of heading it down and in from close range, to finally get the visitors a deserved breakthrough with just over 15 minutes to go. Ten minutes later, Traoré in the buildup again, to Matt Doherty, who provided Pedro Neto with a perfect cross, from the right, brilliant take, smash in, keeper no chance, exemplary Wolves in 6th, Hammers down and out in 17th, level on points with Bournemouth in 18th. 

#BOUCRY

Luka Milivojević gave the visitors the lead with a perfect free kick, over the wall, into the top left corner, keeper full stretch but no chance (12’). A lovely low finish by Jordan Ayew doubled the Eagles’ lead just before the first drinks’ break (23’). Gary Cahill was a lucky man not having his name added to the ref’s book for taking Joshua King out - a nasty ankle shock, not even a yellow was surprising and despite VAR. Not the start the home side were looking for shortly after the interval. And they never got into the game, the ref didn’t help, but that’s no excuse. It ended 0-2, with a happy hairy Roy Hodgson, worrying headache for Eddie Howe with his side in the drop zone on goal difference.

#NEWSHU

Goalless at the break, Sheffield United pressed the self-destruct button after the restart at St James Park. Down to ten men after John Egan’s clumsy second yellow (51’), the Magpies capitalised on every mistake after that. The visitors were all over the place for Allan Saint-Maximin to net the opener (55’). Matt Ritchie doubled the hosts’ lead with a lovely finish to punish United’s clumsiness (68’). And Joelinton ended his long wait for a goal to make it three goals and three points for Steve Bruce’s men (78’), unmarked, from close range, even he can’t miss that one! 

#AVLCHE

Sleepy game, Chelsea on top, until a couple of minutes before the break, totally out of the blue, the Villans nicked one in. Ping pong in the visitors’ box, Kepa Arrizabalaga blocking one chance, defenders nowhere, three Villa players free to play, for Kortney Hause to smash it home to give the hosts the unexpected lead. Chelsea were having 90% of the ball after the interval, so it was no surprise when sub Christian Pulisic tapped one back from close range on the hour, a couple of minutes after coming off the bench. And two minutes later Olivier Giroud turned and saw a deflected shot into the bottom left corner to turn the game on its head, Villa just watching as the Blues slashed through them in a lovely buildup. Villa remain 19th, one point from safety, whilst the Chelsea stay fourth, widening the gap to United in fourth to five points.

#EVELIV

What a letdown. After all the buildup to the Merseyside derby and what it means to the league leading Reds especially, nothing happened. Alisson did make some crucial stops and blocks, the few minutes the Toffees did play. The Reds should have done better with the opportunities Takumi Minamino, Naby Keïta and Sadio Mané created. It was a frustrating watch and result, Jürgen Klopp was fuming on the sideline. Fans were definitely missed, neither team got really going, so, the draw is the fairer result. Carlo Ancelotti will be the happier of the two bosses, that is for sure. The point meant Klopp's side will need to wait till at least Wednesday and WIN to be crowned champions. Click here for my full ByTheMin LFC coverage.

#MCIBUR

Foden’s lovely low smacker from outside the box into the bottom right corner gave the Citizens the lead bang on drinks break (22’). Belter. Mahrez danced and pranced past anyone and everyone in and around the Burnley box and fired the ball across and into the far corner to double the hosts’ lead (42’). And into injury time, Agüero went down and out, had to be subbed, signaled hamstring, Pep Guardiola looked gutted. It was still harsh to punish Ben Mee, he went for the ball, and made marginal contact with the Argentinian’s foot. But penalty was still given, which Mahrez made no mistake of netting to make it 3-0 just before HT (45+3’). Game. Set. Match. Foden and both Silvas combined well for David to make it 4-0 shortly after the interval (51’), top quality all round. Foden made it five but looked very unhappy about a foul in the buildup, Gabriel Jesus setting him up (64’). I was disgusted by the pre-match message by a Burnley plane flying above the ground whilst the players were kneeling down, my tweet(s) say it all! Act now Burnley!!! Club statement and skipper Ben Mee’s words put it right. Let's hope whoever did this, gets found out and punished.

My Predictions - Actual Results

(Aston Villa 0:0 Sheff United - 0:0)

(Man City 1:2 Arsenal - 3:0)

Norwich 1:2 Southampton - 0:3

Tottenham 2:0 Man United - 1:1

Watford 0:2 Leicester - 1:1

Brighton 1:1 Arsenal - 2:1 

West Ham 2:3 Wolves - 0:2

Bournemouth 2:2 Palace - 0:2

Newcastle 0:0 Sheff United - 3:0

Aston Villa 1:2 Chelsea - 1:2

Everton 1:3 Liverpool - 0:0

Man City 3:0 Burnley - 5:0

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, ByTheMinPL, RMC and Sky Sports coverage.