Premier League Picks Of The Week 9

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 9

The ninth week of the Premier League action saw:

35 goals - most by Chelsea = 4
243 shots - most by Arsenal = 30!
92 on target - most by Arsenal = 14!
103 corners - most by West Ham = 10
209 fouls - most by Stoke = 17
31 yellow cards - most by Huddersfield & Newcastle = 4 each
1 red card - Idrissa Gueye for Everton (second yellow)
3 penalties - 3 scored (Glenn Murray for Brighton, Sergio Agüero for Man City, Junior Stanislas for Bournemouth)

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What a game! Chelsea and Watford shared six goals between each other and it could have been more. The Blues were lucky the result swung their way, 4-2 at Stamford Bridge in the end thanks to Michy Batshuayi's double and a César Azpilicueta header. Pedro's opener was a smacker, curled across into the top corner, unstoppable. Both goals by the visitors in reply to that, Abdoulaye Doucouré and Roberto Pereyra either side of the interval, were also top quality. Marco Silva will have felt the score as very harsh on his side, the Hornets showing what they are made of and that they can more than compete against top sides, they could have scored four or five themselves. They will have kicked themselves for all the misses and then giving the game away late on. Antonio Conte's reaction showed how much the win meant to them, especially after losing to Crystal Palace last week and not playing very convincingly again this time round.

What a team! The promoted sides marked their worth and place in the top league this weekend! Huddersfield downed Manchester United to their first defeat of the season thanks to the first-half goals from former City man Aaron Mooy and Lauren Depoitre. Their German boss David Wagner celebrated wilth the fans and correctly called it "nearly perfect" after the match. The Red Devils never looked in or near it despite almost 80% possession and even after Marcus Rashford's goal, serving the Terriers their first win against them in 65 years to end their unbeaten start to the season. Newcastle left it late against Palace, substitute Mikel Merino grabbing the winner in the 86th minute and helping the Magpies to their best Premier League start since 2011-12. Eagle Yohan Cabaye was a very lucky man not to receive a straight red for his scissor tackle! More to Brighton's great win below. Meanwhile, two goals in 133 seconds stunned Stoke City as they lost 1-2 against Bournemouth, sucking them too close to the relegation zone, just goal difference separating them, whilst the Cherries avoided the unwanted record of the worst start to a league campaign. And managerless Leicester impressed winning 1-2 at Swansea. All my predictions went out the window, but it was great to watch. The unpredictable Premier League never fails to surprise and entertain!

What a man! Sergio Agüero was lucky to get the spot kick but definitely deserves his name in Manchester City's history books equalling their all-time goalscoring record with his 177th for the club, levelling up with Eric Brook. The Citizens "only" won 3-0 this weekend, proving Burnley aren't an easy opposition to break. It's only the second time in the league this season they have conceded two or more, Nicolás Otamendi and Leroy Sané adding two more in two second-half minutes (73'/75') sealing City's 11th straight win, equalling another club record. Sean Dyche was right to criticise the soft penalty, I loved his dig at Bernardo Silva for making the most of keeper Nick Pope's approach. But the Clarets' boss also rightly pointed out Pep Guardiola's men are a top-class side. Can anyone stop them?!

What a goal! Brighton's second! Record-signing José Izquierdo's right-footed diagonal smacker from the edge of the box, West Ham keeper Joe Hart full stretch, could only glove it in. This beauty came between Glenn Murray's headed opener and penalty through the middle. The Seagulls rode the waves with great organisation and hit back with some top-class moves, being lethal sealing a fine 0-3 win. Top-quality football, watching them it's hard to believe they were the promoted side and the visitors at London Road, and it's their first top-flight away win since 1983! The Hammers were nowhere near, awful, Slaven Bilić looked baffled and clueless. The ground emptied very quickly. His clock is ticking very loud. Tick. Tock. No matter how loud they turn up the music, the boos and "bye bye Bilić" chants still echo around! Southampton's winner against West Brom was a great individual run and goal by substitute Sofiane Boufal and lit up an otherwise boring game.

What the hell?! I don't think I've ever seen or heard Mister José Mourinho be so honest, to the point and bang on! His side were poor and deserved to lose. The best team won. For all those who already crowned them champions, ha! That is all I will say to that.  There were 12 goals in the two Super Sunday clashes, the two London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham thrashing their Scouser opponents 9-3 on aggregate, Everton 2-5 and 4-1 Liverpool at Goodison Park and Wembley respectively. Can't keep up?! Neither could I! The Gunners banged in 30 shots, 14 on target after Wayne Rooney gave the Toffees the lead which proved to be a very false dawn! Bon anniversaire Monsieur Wenger! Tot ziens Ronald Koeman! Can't say I was too surprised... The Reds were just overrun by Spurs, their lethal attack proving deadly from the start. Click here for my full LFC match report. The defeat dragged Everton down into the relegation zone, dangling in 18th on eight points but just goal difference separating them from safety, whilst Jürgen Klopp's side slumber in ninth on 13 points, trailing the top by 12 points.

My Predictions - Actual Results
West Ham 2:1 Brighton - 0:3
Chelsea 1:2 Watford - 4:2
Huddersfield 0:1 Man United - 2:1
Man City 4:2 Burnley - 3:0
Newcastle 2:1 Crystal Palace - 1:0
Stoke City 2:1 Bournemouth - 1:2
Swansea 2:2 Leicester - 1:2
Southampton 2:1 West Brom - 1:0
Everton 0:1 Arsenal - 2:5
Tottenham 1:1 Liverpool - 4:1 or click here for my LFC match report

Click here for my last Picks Of The Week.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR live match coverages.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 18

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 18

The 18th week of the Premier League actions saw:

239 shots - most by Arsenal & Man United = 26 each
31 goals - most by Liverpool, Tottenham & West Ham = 4 each
236 fouls - most by Watford & Middlesbrough = 18 each
36 bookings - most by Burnley = 6
1 red card - Redmond for Saints
5 penalties - 3 scored (Deeney for Watford, Hazard for Chelsea, Yaya Touré for Man City)

What a game! It was very annoying to watch injury-hit Watford against dominant Crystal Palace. The competitive London derby encounter was spoiled by too many dives and whines, it was pathetic! Palace had taken the lead nice and comfortable thanks to Yohan Cabaye's low strike and should have been two up, but for Christian Benteke to screw up his spot kick. Then to fit the cringeworthy mess, Troy Deeney's soft penalty made it 1-1, no discrediting him becoming the 5th centurion in goals for the hosts. This one was a game to watch if you want to teach young players how not to play and what not to do!!! 💩🙈💩🙈💩

What a team! And Chelsea keep on going, recording their 12th consecutive league win, a club record. Even without Diego Costa and N'Golo Kanté, the Blues were unstoppable, downing Bournemouth 3-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Pedro and man of the match Eden Hazard with a goal each and Steve Cook's own goal deflection off the prior's strike. Liverpool are staying on their trail in second place with an impressive 4-1 home win against Stoke, keeping their unbeaten home record up and going, but still six points between the two sides at the top. ⚽️👊🏻⚽️👊🏻⚽️

What a man! Antonio Conte is the first manager to win 15 of his first 18 Premier League games. Jürgen Klopp stole some of that limelight on Tuesday when Liverpool thrashed Stoke 4-1 recording the 100th league goal under the German, a gift for Daniel Sturridge seconds after he came on as a substitute. Adam Lallana starred again for the Reds, click here for my match report. Cesc Fàbregas proved he's still got it, scoring or assisting in each of his last three Premier League starts for top dogs Chelsea. And last but not least, Man City's Yaya Touré kept his 100% penalty record in the Premier League, converting 10/10. ⚽️👊🏻⚽️👊🏻⚽️

What a goal! Henrikh Mkhitaryan's goal for United was phenomenal, goal of the season (so far), no question about it. The replays, the stunned crowd and commentators, in total awe, drooling over it again and again, proved that. Only catch: It was offside! Not just one player, but two or three red shirts! How the refs missed that, I don't know. Or maybe they were just as shocked by the goal's brilliance that they forgot what/where/who/why/how they were doing... It helped the Red Devils to their fourth successive Premier League win, boss José Mourinho certainly didn't have any complaints, for a change!

What the hell?! As mentioned above, so many refereeing decisions were not just questionable, but blatantly wrong! From dives, free kicks, penalties, goals... To red cards! Nathan Redmond's sending off in the second half, when the score was just 1-2, was harsh to say the least and a game changer for the Saints against Spurs. It turned a competition into a thrash. Shame. Farce. Costly. Oh so crucial. Why replays cannot be used like in tennis, cricket, rugby... I keep on asking and shaking my head again and again... 💩🙈💩🙈💩

My Predictions - Actual Results
Watford 0:1 Crystal Palace - 1:1
Arsenal 2:0 West Brom - 1:0
Burnley 0:0 Middlesbrough - 1:0
Chelsea 2:1 Bournemouth - 3:0
Leicester 3:2 Everton - 0:2
Man United 2:1 Sunderland - 3:1
Swansea 0:0 West Ham - 1:4
Hull City 1:2 Man City - 0:3
Liverpool 2:1 Stoke City - 4:1 or click here for my match report
Southampton 1:2 Tottenham - 1:4

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

Pictures taken from the BBC match reports.

Spectacular Henderson strike downs Blues

Sports - Football - Premier League - CFC 1:2 LFC

Liverpool impressed, dominating and beating Chelsea 1-2 at Stamford Bridge, inflicting manager Antonio Conte with his first defeat as Blues boss and seeing the Reds move into the top four.

Merseyside manager Jürgen Klopp likes Stamford Bridge, winning there last season too, and can be very happy with his team's away display and form, adding this convincing victory to the thrashing of Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season and drawing at Spurs.

Not to forget, Liverpool thrashed champions Leicester at Anfield last weekend, so, the Reds were flying high going into this match, and you could see that.

The visitors out-ran and -played the home side, the hosts evidently and obviously missing their experienced skipper and defender John Terry as an organiser and controller due to injury.

With 17 minutes gone, Liverpool took the lead thanks to Dejan Lovren's fine finish from close range, given all the space in the world thanks to no marking whatsoever.

Reds captain Jordan Henderson put his side in total control with a 2-0 lead through a spectacular 25-yard smacker of a strike, unstoppable for keeper Thibaut Courtois, gobsmacking for manager Conte, nine minutes before the break.

The second half was less firey and dominant for the Reds, but the Blues still struggled to take any kind of control.

Just past the hour-mark, Diego Costa did pull one back, but it was to be to no avail after a laboured performance, a struggle basically.

Missing Roberto Firmino ended up being no worries for the visitors. Ruled out with a groin problem, the crucial forward's team mates made up for him. Sadio Mané added pace, Georgini Wijnaldum and James Milner were reliable and hard-working as always. Klopp and the Kop can be very happy and optimistic.

Chelsea Goal: Diego Costa 61'.

Liverpool Goals: Lovren 17' & Henderson 36'.

Chelsea Team: 13 Courtois; 28 Azpilicueta, 30 David Luiz, 24 Cahill, 2 Ivanovic; 22 Willian (booked 45'+1') (15 Moses 84'), 21 Matix (4 Fabregas 84'), 7 Kanté; 19 Diego Costa, 10 Hazard, 8 Oscar (11 Pedro 84'). 4-3-3 => 4-5-1
Subs not used: 1 Begovic, 3 Alonso, 23 Batshuayi, 34 Aina.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 5 Wijnaldum (35 Stewart 90'), 14 Henderson (c), 20 Lallana; 19 Mané, 15 Sturridge (27 Origi 57'), 10 Coutinho (21 Lucas 82' (booked 88')). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 16 Grujic, 18 Moreno, 53 Eraria.

Match Stats: Chelsea-Liverpool
Attempts: 12-13
On target: 4-5
Corners: 6-4
Fouls: 6-13
Bookings: 1-1
Possession: 53%-47%

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: Dejan Lovren
Attendance: 41,514

Images taken from BBC match report

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Premier League Picks Of The Week 3

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 3

The third week of the Premier League saw:

270 Shots - most by Man United = 29 

22 Goals - most by Arsenal & Chelsea = 3 each

227 Fouls - most by Watford = 18

46 Bookings - most by Watford = 6

0 Reds Cards

6 Penalties - 3 scored, 3 missed

ByTheMinute coverage at its best, even when the match has not got much to write about...

And the ByTheMinute team are also keeping track of all the transfer gossip and news, deadline day tomorrow!

First international break with Big Sam, here is who the new England boss picked and what he had to say.

What a game! The goalless game between West Brom and Middlesbrough did not have much to watch, report or cheer about. I feel with the fans, who should receive a refund for the ordeal. The fans reacted accordingly, calling for Tony Pulis' head. The pressure is already on, just three games into the season, after the side have only recorded one win in the last 13 games and averaging less than a goal a game since Pulis took over in January 2015. Dire.

What a team! Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United form a quite familiar top three, the only sides left with a 100% winning record in the Premier League after three games. Is this how the season will finish, I hear and read many ask. Wait out! Three new managers, 35 games to go... I think it is very premature to crown the champions already!

What a man(ager)! As mentioned above, the top three unbeaten teams, their three new managers, none other than Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho and Antonio Conte, are untouchable and you cannot get away from them. It seems like none of them can do anything wrong at the moment and could not have asked for a better start to the season. Or could they? Guardiola has been the most honest and realistic, seeing and pointing out where his side is lacking and needs improving... Early days!

What a goal! Star striker Jamie Vardy finally kicked off his season for defending champions Leicester (in case you needed reminding who the actual champions are at the moment after all the hu ha and bla bla about the current top three). And it was a fine finish off Danny Drinkwater's pass, a delicious goal we were used to be fed on a regular basis last season. And surprise surprise, long lost Raheem Sterling also shone with two goals for City. Reborn? Or just an exception? We will see.

What the hell?! Again, the referees are under fire. This time they missed Sergio Agüero's blatant elbow into West Ham defender Winston Reid's throat. I hope and think a ban will take him out of the Manc derby on the 10th September. On the other hand, Arthur Masuaku got away with a late tackle on John Stones when he was already cautioned, so could and should have been sent off, too. So, both sides got away with it, hence you could say justice was evened out. But I wish the referees could use replays, as it is ridiculous to see what players get cautioned for in contrast to what they then get away with! I've ranted enough about that plenty of times, so, to quote a Hammer friend of mine...

"Do referees have a Premier League directive in not sending off the top team's best players? Two weeks ago it was Costa and a blatant hack on Adrian, today its Aguero and a clear elbow in the throat of Reid...if the officials are not seeing these incidents then they are not doing their job, and if the officials are seeing these and taking no action, then they are not just incompetent, but corrupt...no complaints about the result, got beaten by the superior team (just), but something's rotten in the state of Denmark, and its called the FA..."

My predictions - Actual results

Tottenham 2:1 Liverpool - 1:1 - click here for my match report and here for my bythemin coverage
Chelsea 2:1 Burnley - 3:0
Crystal Palace 0:0 Bournemouth - 1:1
Everton 1:0 Stoke - 1:0
Leicester 2:1 Swansea - 2:1
Southampton 4:1 Sunderland - 1:1
Watford 1:2 Arsenal - 1:3
Hull City 2:3 Man United - 0:1
West Brom 1:1 Middlesbrough - 0:0
Man City 2:2 West Ham - 3:1

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks

Pictures taken from Bing search, BBC match reports & another Bing search

Premier League Picks Of The Week 1

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 1

The first week of Premier League action saw:

255 Shots - most by Saints = 24

28 Goals - most by Liverpool = 4

256 Fouls - most by Boro = 18

41 Bookings - most by Stoke = 5

1 Red Card - Watson for Watford

4 Penalties - 3 scored, 1 missed

Jürgen Klopp going mental and dropping his glasses (again)!

Gary Lineker in his underpants/shorts on MOTD!

Gary Neville back on Sky Sports with Jamie Carragher on his case, any chance, every chance, lol!
(And I saw this on Twitter the other day, omg!!! => What a prank!!! <= Unbelievable!!!)

What a game! Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool! Disappointing first half, surprising second half. Here is my full report... A lot of eyes and boos are on Arsène Wenger, again, in his 21st season at Arsenal, last year of his contract, more and more fans cannot wait to see the back of him. But there are still plenty who back him, too. It will be interesting to see how his final season (of his current contract) at the London club unfolds and turns out.

What a team! No one really jumped out and shone, all teams lacked and leaked somehow, somewhat, apart from Hull City, beating the champions, what a start for them in the top flight! Leicester just confirmed the doubts surrounding them repeating anything anywhere near last season's unique historical glory, but I would not read too much into it. It's only the first of many games (38 to be exact). Wait and see...

What a goal! Adama Diomande's spectacular overhead kick for Hull City! And Philippe Coutinho's free kick equaliser, sweet and crucial when his side looked like non-existent just before the break at Arsenal.

What a man! I love Jürgen Klopp and his antiques on the touchline! It's not just me as a Liverpool fan, right?! He's just hilarious! Although Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is competing very well for the Crazy Man On The Touchline title as well! Makes a certain Portuguese manager seem less special me thinks...

What the hell?! Diego Costa was a very lucky man to remain on the pitch for the full time and be able to grab a late winner for the Blues. The 27-year-old had already been booked for remonstrating with the referee when he caught West Ham keeper Adrián very late. And the diving antiques in general annoyed me again, especially by Chelsea! They're on camera for goodness sake! And I like the new rule to get booked for contesting against the ref, but then please enforce it, too! The players still got away with too much, I feel!

My predictions - Actual results

Hull City 0:1 Leicester City - 2:1

Burnley 0:1 Swansea - 0:1

Crystal Palace 1:2 West Brom - 0:1

Everton 1:2 Tottenham - 1:1

Middlesbrough 1:1 Stoke City - 1:1

Southampton 2:0 Watford - 1:1

Man City 3:1 Sunderland - 2:1

Bournemouth 2:2 Man United - 1:3

Arsenal 2:2 Liverpool - 3:4 - click here for my match report 

Chelsea 1:1 West Ham - 2:1

Click here for my season preview

Pictures taken from the BBC match reports