Premier League Notes - Week 22

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 22 

The 22nd week of the Premier League Football season saw:

27 goals - most by Man City = 6

221 shots - most by Man City = 22

90 on target - most by Man City = 12

77 corners - most by Chelsea = 10

198 fouls - most by Arsenal = 21

25 bookings - most by Arsenal, Burnley, Saints and Newcastle = 3 each

1 red card - Aubameyang for Arsenal

3 penalties - 3 scored (Jorginho for Chelsea, Rashford for Man United, El Ghazi for Villa)

#SHUWHU

The Blades dominated the Friday Night Football match, an early injury and substitution of keeper Łukasz Fabiański didn’t help the visitors after barely 15 minutes. The hosts took a clumsy but deserved lead after the restart, John Fleck capitalising on sub stopper David Martin’s error and setting up Oli McBurnie for an easy finish from close range (53’). Sub Robert Snodgrass celebrated a last-minute equaliser after plenty of missed chances by both sides, to be disallowed by the VAR (90+3’). It looked like a foul-shove by Declan Rice on John Egan in the build-up, but the screen said handball against Rice. The number 41 was gutted to say the least, lambasting the VAR in the post-match interview saying the ball was headed onto his arm at such a speed, how can you stop it?! Harsh decision indeed, but correct, that’s the rule. So, it stayed 1-0, Chris Wilder and his men recording their eighth consecutive league win against London sides at Bramall Lane, taking them up to fifth before all the other weekend’s games, cutting short David Moyes’ 100% record as Hammers boss, which was shred to pieces by the VAR. The Scotsman’s side remain 16th before the other matches, just two points separating them from the drop zone. 

#CRYARS

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slotted home Alexandre Lacazette’s lovely through ball (12’). Jordan Ayew saw his shot deflected in to level the score after the break (54’). The French Gunner went from hero to zero, seeing red for a late and nasty ankle-turning tackle on Max Meyer, the ref’s yellow reviewed and changed to red by the VAR (67’), correct call in my eyes. It was a heated derby, end-to-end stuff, misses, clearances and woodwork whacking, physical clashes, the crowd on the ref’s and VAR’s case - the anti-banners vanished very quickly after decisions went the home side's way though. It stayed one goal and one point each. No wins in four league and FA Cup games for the oldest boss Roy Hodgson and his men. One win in four Premier League games for the youngest manager Mikel Arteta and his team. The result keeps both sides in 9th and 10th respectively, one point between them. Arsenal have failed to win five league games after leading at the break (D4 L1), their joint-highest total in a single Premier League campaign (also five in 2010-11). Dire.

#CHEBUR

The Blues bossed it, but got lucky with a couple of calls. The VAR camera angles and lines were ridiculous once again, denying the visitors any chance of getting back into the game. Pf. Jorginho gave the hosts the lead from the spot (27'), sending the goalkeeper the wrong way after Willian made the most of Matt Lowton's "challenge". To be fair, the Burnley number 2 did his best to take his legs away and avoid contact, but the VAR confirmed foul and pen, 1-0. Another harsh one. Tammy Abraham doubled the lead rising the highest and heading home Reece James' fine cross, too easy (38'). Nick Pope won't like to see these replays as the ball went through the keeper's gloves. Flop. And Callum Hudson-Odoi made it three (49'), the VAR checking whether his team mate the number 9 didn't touch the ball on its way in, and deeming he didn't, so H-O's fine run and take was not offside and the goal stood, 3-0. Three goals and three points for Frank Lampard and his men keeps them in fourth, five points clear of Man United. Sean Dyche is watching his side crumbling, fourth defeat on the trot, falling down to 15th, four points from the drop zone before Sunday’a crucial relegation clash between Bournemouth and Watford. 

#EVEBHA

Early on in the game, Theo Walcott didn’t get a penalty just because he didn't go down against Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk's pull, sad but true. Is that not what the VAR is there for??? Richarlison broke the deadlock for the Toffees with a lovely turn and curl in (38'). Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had doubled their lead from close range, but the VAR disallowed it because of handball (79'). Goodison Park was in total dismay about the officiating, but ended up cheering on the winning side, taking Carlo Ancelotti's side to 11th, level on points with Arsenal in 10th, whilst Graham Potter's men remain winless at Goodison, four points above the relegation zone in 14th. 

#LEISOU

TEN shots on target for the visitors, over half of them by Danny Ings including a couple of woodwork smackers, it could have been 1-9! Unbelievable! (See week 10 if you don't get what I'm referring to.) Dennis Praet had opened the scoring for the home side, netting Jamie Vardy's ball across at the back post (14'). Simples. But the visitors replied soon after, Stuart Armstrong equalising for the Saints with the help of a huge deflection off James Maddison to fool and beat Kasper Schmeichel (19'). Ralph Hasenhüttl's men remained on top, and with just over an hour played, the VAR denying them a penalty after a foul on Shane Long by Çağlar Söyüncü, but replays showed an offside in the build-up. But the former Red finally did it, 81st minute, Ings raced ahead and poked the ball through Schmeichel's legs to give Southampton a deserved lead, getting booked for his celebrations, stripping his shirt off and all. I don't think anyone cared at that point. And in the last minute of normal time. Jonny Evans thought he had headed his side level, but the VAR disallowed it offside, late drama for the one side, relief for the other, Brendan Rodgers gutted, his Austrian counterpart chuffed to bits.

#MUNNOR

Who else but Marcus Rashford gave the home side the lead, goal number 13 for him, poked home from close range off Juan Mata's whipped in ball (27'). The 22-year-old England striker outplayed and -performed everything and everyone in his 200th PL game. David de Gea kept out Todd Cantwell's attempt just before the break, the visitors trying their best to stay in the tie. Rashford doubled the Red Devils' lead from the spot soon after the restart (52'), after Tim Krul slid into Brandon Williams' leg to concede the penalty. And Anthony Martial made it 3-0 seconds later (54'), set up by Mata's curler, to head it into the bottom corner, keeper no chance. Not a good day for the stopper! And it went from bad to worse, sub Mason Greenwood scoring from the edge of the box (76'), low and hard into the bottom corner to make it 4-0 and Ole Gunnar Solskjær smiling, his side moving up to fifth. 

#WOLNEW

Miguel Almirón put the visitors ahead with a great finish, top right corner from inside the box, provided by Dwight Gayle (7'), his second PL goal of the season, three in three in all competitions. Leander Dendoncker levelled the score soon after with a volley in from close range (14'). A point-blank save by Martin Dúbravka against Pedro Neto late on spared his side from a defeat, despite more injury woes and forced changes for Steve Bruce and his men. Do the Magpies have enough fit players left?! They remain 13th with the point gained, whilst Nuno Espírito Santo's side climb up to 7th. 

#TOTLIV

The Reds continue their reckless run at the top, more records tumbling left, right and centre. The visitors bossed the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the front trio creating chance after chance. It was surprising the league leaders only led by one goal at the break, thanks to Roberto Firmino, his left foot doing the magic, across goal and into the right side of the net, after Mohamed Salah set him up, surrounded by white shirts but still able to turn and pass the ball (37'). The VAR checked for a handball by Jordan Henderson in the buildup, deemed fine, the goal stood. Of course Sky Sports pointed out and José Mourinho complained about the Red throw-in that started the whole move, replays showing it looked like the final touch came off Sadio Mané. Anyway, anyhow, the Reds got a deserved lead and Spurs tried to hit back on the counter, creating more chances after the break, but Alisson kept another clean sheet, LFC's sixth one on the trot. Jürgen Klopp still looked very frustrated in the post-match interview, no wonder, it was a tense match-up, which his side could and should have put to bed much earlier by netting their chances. Spurs stopper Paulo Gazzaniga made some fine saves as well, including a point-blank one against Mané. Sub and Real Betis loanee Giovani Lo Celso put a golden chance across goal and wide late on, Klopp and Mourinho fuming and stunned on the sideline, the German because of his defence, the Portuguese for the missed opportunity to grab a point. The one goal was enough in the end. It's the first time EVER in any of Europe's five main leagues that a team has ever taken 61 points of the first 63 = 21 games. They're at the top, SIXTEEN POINTS CLEAR - before City's Super Sunday clash, AND A GAME IN HAND not to forget! 38 games unbeaten, their longest league run EVER. Mind. Blown. Completely nuts as Gary Lineker put it on Twitter. Simply the best. 

#BOUWAT

The visitors dominated and Abdoulaye Doucouré had all the time and space in the world to control the ball and take the shot from just over six yards out to give Watford the lead (42'). Ismaïla Sarr set the midfielder up after keeper Mark Travers messed up his clearance. The Cherries were nowhere, very sloppy and unable to cope and organise themselves, leaving a very worried atmosphere around Dean Court. Hornets skipper Troy Deeney doubled the advantage from close range, Sarr the provider again (65'). And substitute Roberto Pereyra put the icing on the cake, making it three goals and three points with a bang after Andre Gray's attempt had been cleared off the line by Ryan Fraser (90+2'). What a win! Nigel Pearson has taken 13 points from a possible 18 in charge at Watford. The only game the English manager has lost was his first game at league leaders Liverpool (week 17). The run has taken his side out of the relegation zone for the first time this season, whilst Eddie Howe's men drop down to 19th, two points from safety. Dire times at the Vitality Stadium. 

#AVLMCI

Riyad Mahrez broke the deadlock running through the Villa defence and bashing the ball into the bottom right corner, too quick for keeper Ørjan Nyland on his near post (18'). And the Algerian doubled the lead soon later, the Villans unable to clear the ball, and the number 26 capitalising and smashing in the ball from nearly the same spot as the first, just a few yards out, no one near him or the ball (23'). Sergio Agüero made it three a few minutes later, with a bang across from the edge of the box and in off the keeper's gloves, beaten to his right this time (28'). Kevin De Bruyne's run and exemplary cross from the right found Gabriel Jesus perfectly, who whacked in the fourth just before the break (45+1'). Villa were in bits, unable to cope, all over place. No competition. And one great Argentinian overtook a great Frenchman*, making it 176 for him and 0-5 to Pep Guardiola and his men, running all over the Villans and tapping it in (57'). And that was not all, it had to be a hat-trick, his 12th in the PL, another record, overtaking Alan Shearer (11) AND *Thierry Henry's Premier League total (176), moving level with former Chelsea midfielder and now manager Lampard on 177 PL goals. Legend. The hosts did pull one back from the spot late on, but Anwar El Ghazi didn't celebrate, understandably so (90+1'). It ended 1-6, taking the Citizens up to second, two points ahead of Leicester in third, 14 points behind Liverpool at the top. Record-breaker(s). I loved how the City fans delayed their goal celebrations until after the VAR confirmed the goals, every single goal, making a point of their discontent with the system. Not that they had much to moan or boo about in this match.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Sheffield United 2:1 West Ham - 1:0

Crystal Palace 1:2 Arsenal - 1:1

Chelsea 2:0 Burnley - 3:0

Everton 2:1 Brighton - 1:0

Leicester 2:1 Southampton - 1:2

Man United 2:1 Norwich - 4:0

Wolves 1:0 Newcastle - 1:1

Tottenham 0:2 Liverpool - 0:1

Bournemouth 1:1 Watford - 0:3

Aston Villa 1:3 Man City - 1:6

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 14

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 14

The 14th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

31 goals - most by Tottenham = 3

260 shots - most by Man City = 24

99 on target - most by Man City = 9

122 corners - most by Arsenal = 12

186 fouls - most by Sheff Utd = 18

26 bookings - most by Sheff Utd = 5

1 red card - Alisson for Liverpool

1 penalty - 1 scored (Aubameyang for Arsenal)

#NEWMCI

The Magpies made up for last week’s dire display at Villa Park (week 13), by frustrating the hell out of the champions, and grabbing a point from Pep Guardiola’s men when they thought Kevin De Bruyne found the winner with a smacker from distance, in off the crossbar to make it 1-2 with under ten minutes to go (82’). But ex-Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey produced an unstoppable stunner to make it 2-2 (88’), keeping the unbeaten home run going at six games since losing to Arsenal on the opening weekend (week 1). Steve Bruce had keeper Martin Dúbravka to thank as well for keeping his side in the game with some strong stops. The draw sees City drop eleven points behind the Red league leaders, whilst Newcastle remain 14th, but just a couple of points off the top half, and only four points separating them from the top five.

#BURCRY

Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (45+1’) and sub Jeffrey Schlupp (78’) helped Palace to their first league win in six games. Sean Dyche was disappointed with the result, but not with the display, the hosts kept on pushing, but unlike their opposition, couldn’t break the cage. The Clarets have lost all three home games in which they have conceded. The result took Roy Hodgson’s side up to eleventh, level on points with their opponents in tenth. 

#CHEWHU

Aaron Cresswell’s winning goal (48’) was a top-quality cracker and deserved all the replays and points, ending his side’s seven-game winless run. Hammers third-choice keeper David Martin was in tears after the match, the 33-year-old’s debut in which he starred with an inspired performance and top stops and blocks, embracing his dad, West Ham legend Alvin. It’s the visitors’ first clean sheet since 22 September (week 6) and their first victory at Stamford Bridge for 17 years, the three points taking them up to 13th, four points clear from the drop zone, whilst the Blues fall three points behind Man City in third after back-to-back defeats.

#LIVBHA

The league leaders bossed the show at Anfield in the first half, leading thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s headed brace (18’, 24’). But it wouldn’t be Liverpool without some twists and turns and nervous ending. Jürgen Klopp saw his keeper Alisson sent off for handling the ball outside the box (76’). Sub stopper Adrián was still getting ready and positioning his wall when ref Martin Atkinson blew the whistle allowing sub Leandro Trossard’s quick low take hit the back of the net to make it 2:1 (79’), and make the final ten minutes very nervous and tense. But the Reds held on, the win moving them 11 points clear at the top before Sunday's games, equalling their longest ever unbeaten run in the top flight = 31 games without defeat (also between May 1987 and March 1988).

#TOTBOU

Just like last week, Spurs were bossing the match and cruising thanks to Deli Alli’s brace (21’, 50’) and Moussa Sissoko’s close-range volley (69’). But José Mourinho saw his men concede a couple of needless late goals again like last week (week 13), Harry Wilson capitalising on some sloppy and sleepy defending (73’, 90+6’). But I’m sure the Portuguese won’t have or receive many complaints after his side’s first back-to-back wins this season, taking them up to fifth. Eddie Howe meanwhile, saw his Cherries lose three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since December 2018, pulling them down to 12th.

#SOUWAT

The Saints produced the perfect comeback at St Mary's, with late goals from Danny Ings (78’) and James Ward-Prowse (83’), after Ismaïla Sarr had given the Hornets a deserved lead in the first half (24’). Their first league win since September eased the pressure on their own boss Ralph Hasenhüttl, his half-time substitutions worked and did the trick. The defeat left the visitors bottom of the Premier League and no other choice than to sack their boss Quique Sánchez Flores after less than three months in charge.

#NORARS

The Gunners nicked a point thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace (29’ pen, 57’), the home side left gutted not to have capitalised fully on some shambolic defending and wasteful play in general. Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg looked frustrated at the full-time whistle. This game showed what difficult job this was for Unai Emery and will be for whoever his permanent replacement is going to be. Daniel Farke’s side outplayed the visitors by far, Teemu Pukki (21’) and Todd Cantwell (45+2’) back on the scoreboard after individual droughts. The result leaves Arsenal eighth in the Premier League, seven points off a place in the top four, while Norwich remain 19th, three points from safety.

#WOLSHU

The Blades bossed the first half and were ahead thanks to Lys Mousset’s early opener (2’). Nuno Espírito Santo's side were second best until Matt Doherty headed in the equaliser (64’), the goal extending their unbeaten run to nine games, their longest run in the top-flight since April 1973, keeping them in sixth. Chris Wilder’s men have not lost away in the league since last January and remain seventh.

#LEIEVE

Djibril Sidibé delivered an absolute beauty from the right side into the six-yard area which Richarlison powered in with a cracking header (23’), an excellent move with an excellent finish. The Foxes were falling all over the place, looking for penalties left, right and centre. VAR got it right for a change when Ben Chilwell’s dive was spotted, the penalty decision overturned, but why wasn’t he booked?! There was no contact! Pf! SIX MINUTES into added time, Kelechi Iheanacho didn’t give a damn about the raised flag, the Nigerian forward was so sure of himself and his sublime finish, he was gone celebrating. VAR confirmed he was onside, Brendan Rodgers over the moon with yet another comeback win, his counterpart Marco Silva understandably devastated (and sacked in the morning?). The result keeps the 2016 champions eight points behind the Reds, whilst the Toffees drop to 17th, two points away from the drop zone. 

#MUNAVI

Jack Grealish was fouled by Andreas Pereira but that didn’t put him off and the Villa man produced an awesome curling finish from an angle to beat David de Gea and stun Old Trafford (11’). Marcus Rashford's header came off the post before bouncing up and hitting Villa keeper Tom Heaton's shoulder on its way over the line, own goal, 1-1 (42’), lucky after a poor first half by Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men. Sub Victor Lindelöf (64’) and Tyrone Mings (66’) added to the scoreboard in a crazy couple of minutes, the linesman corrected by VAR, confirming the latter goal, the English centre-back didn’t celebrate because he thought he was offside, but no more points for either side, two goals and one point each sees them end the weekend in ninth and fifteenth respectively. Dean Smith’s side deserved more than just avoiding defeat at Old Trafford for the first time since 2009. The Red Devils are in their worst form in 30 years with just 18 points after 14 games.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Newcastle 1:1 Man City - 2:2

Burnley 2:0 Crystal Palace - 0:2

Chelsea 2:0 West Ham - 0:1

Liverpool 3:1 Brighton - 2:1

Tottenham 3:1 Bournemouth - 3:2

Southampton 1:2 Watford - 2:1

Norwich 1:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Wolves 2:1 Sheff Utd - 1:1

Leicester 4:1 Everton - 2:1

Man Utd 2:1 Aston Villa - 2:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 7

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 7

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

29 goals - most by Leicester = 5

257 shots - most by Chelsea = 23

86 on target - most by Chelsea = 9

100 corners - most by Leicester = 9

191 fouls - most by Man United = 18

35 bookings - most by Burnley and Man United = 4 each

2 red cards - Aurier for Tottenham, Hayden for Newcastle 

2 penalties - 2 scored (Jorginho for Chelsea and Milivojevic for Crystal Palace)

#SHULIV

Somehow Georginio Wijnaldum's shot squeezed through (70'), Manchester United loanee keeper Dean Henderson won’t like to remember this one. It was enough to give the dominant but frustrated Reds their first win at Bramall Lane, on an off-day for the league leaders. It's Jürgen Klopp's side's seventh win out of seven this season (equalled only in 1990-91), 16th consecutive league win (only Manchester City have done better with 18 between August and December 2017), keeping them at the top of the table, EIGHT points clear before the Citizens kicked off their game at Goodison Park later on that Saturday afternoon.

#AVLBUR 

It was not to be for the home side, ahead twice, given away twice, the draw keeping them in 18th. The double comeback for the visitors sees them remain mid-table.

#BOUWHU 

Scruffy goals, allowed and disallowed = two goals and a point each.

#CHEBHA 

Not impressive but easy win for the Blues, first home victory under Frank Lampard.

#CRYNOR 

Palace’s 100th clean sheet in Premier League history, the win lifting them up into the top half. Roy Hodgson is working wonders.

#TOTSOU 

Hugo Lloris made up for his howler that led to the equaliser with some crucial saves. Danny Ings had inexplicably taken the ball off the French keeper inside the six-yard area and netted the leveler (39'). But none other than Harry Kane made sure the home side bagged the three points (43') despite being down to ten men after just over half an hour, taking them up to sixth.

#WOLWAT

First win for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men, finally, lifting them up out of the relegation zone to 13th, whilst the Hornets remain at the bottom and winless.

#EVEMCI

Competitive and entertaining encounter with a disappointing end. The keepers made the difference, Ederson top, Jordan Pickford flop = 1-3.

#LEINEW

It was absolutely hammering it down, goals and rain at the King Power stadium on Sunday. Both bosses are smashing all sorts of records, one top, the other flop. No discrediting the Foxes, who remain third, but 5-0, it was just embarrassing to watch the ten-man Magpies side fall to pieces as they did, to one of Steve Bruce's worst defeats as a boss, smashing them down to 19th!

#MUNARS

Neither side deserved to win! It was sloppy, wasteful, dirty, slippery, sliding footy. Downhill from the past classic and epic encounters the broadcasters kept replaying in the buildup to the clash. It completed United's worst start to a season in 30 years, which was the last time they failed to reach double figures in points after seven matches. That season (1989-90) the Red Devils finished 13th. They're now tenth, the Gunners fourth, Unai Emery's men surely mourning the missed opportunity to finally record a win at Old Trafford for the first time since September 2006. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with the equaliser (58') is the first Arsenal player to score seven or more goals in the first seven Premier League games of a season since Dennis Bergkamp in 1997-98. No player has scored more Premier League goals than the Frenchman since he made his debut for Arsenal. 56 games. 39 goals. Génial.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Sheff Utd 1:2 Liverpool - 0:1

Aston Villa 1:1 Burnley - 2:2

Bournemouth 1:3 West Ham - 2:2

Chelsea 3:0 Brighton - 2:0

Crystal Palace 2:0 Norwich - 2:0

Tottenham 3:0 Southampton - 2:1

Wolves 1:1 Watford - 2:0

Everton 2:3 Man City - 1:3

Leicester 1:0 Newcastle - 5:0

Man Utd 2:2 Arsenal - 1:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 5

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 5

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

32 goals - most by Chelsea = 5

267 shots - most by Watford = 31

98 on target - most by Watford = 10

116 corners - most by Man City = 16

200 fouls - most by Tottenham = 19

32 bookings - most by Tottenham and Everton = 4

2 red cards - Sharp for Sheff United and Masuaku for West Ham

2 penalties - 2 scored (Rashford for Man United, Pereyra for Watford)

#LIVNEW

Liverpool set a new club record of 22 consecutive Premier League matches unbeaten (W18, D4, L0), after coming back from behind at St. James' Park. This is also the Reds’ longest top-flight unbeaten streak since March to November 1990 (23). Newcastle’s shock lead came thanks to Jetro Willems’ (7’), the first goal for the Eintracht Frankfurt loanee. Jürgen Klopp’s men are the first team in PL history to win 14 consecutive matches while scoring more than once. Sadio Mané is the first player to play 50 PL games at Anfield without losing a single one. The Senegalese’s brace (28’, 40’) was helped by sub Roberto Firmino’s masterclass! Mohamed Salah was also part of the dance (72’) to make it 3-1 and a jolly front trio! Class, class and class, three goals and three points, helping LFC stay at the top with five wins out of five. In the last 16 months, the Reds have had more CL finals than PL defeats!!! BOOM!!!

#BRIBUR

Substitute Jeff Hendrick fired in an injury-time equaliser from 20 yards out to earn Burnley a point with their only shot on target, denying Brighton their first home win since 2 March and keeping the Clarets' unbeaten run down South going, not having lost in their last seven Premier League games on the South coast (W4 D3).

#MUNLEI

David de Gea made a great save against James Maddison early on! The penalty that was given after not even eight minutes, really? Marcus Rashford ran across and fell, the Leicester defender Çağlar Söyüncü didn’t have much say or play in it! Pf! The early goal spoilt the encounter straight away. De Gea saved and Maddison was close again after the break. Manchester United held on and scraped through, ending Leicester's unbeaten start to the season and bagging three points for the first time since the opening day. Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men have had 40% of the penalties in the Premier League so far this season. The Foxes have lost nine of their last ten league matches at Old Trafford (W0 D1 L9). Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has conceded more goals from penalties (16) in the Premier League in 176 appearances than his dad former United stopper Peter Schmeichel conceded in 310 appearances (15).

#SHUSOU

Southampton’s summer signing Moussa Djenepo scored the deciding goal beating Sheffield United’s defence with a brilliant move and take (66’). The Blades had a goal ruled out for offside by the VAR when Oliver McBurnie thought he had put them in front shortly after the break. Chris Wilder was not happy with a handball decision given against his side, who have now won just one of their opening five games on their Premier League return. Tough luck.

#TOTCRY

Son Heung-Min has scored in all four of his Premier League home games against Crystal Palace (four goals), with Tottenham going on to win each of the previous three. The South Korean's brace (10’, 23’) helped Mauricio Pochettino’s men thrash Crystal Palace 4-0 and take them back into the top four. It’s their biggest league victory over the Eagles, as well as their joint-biggest against them across all competitions (also 4-0 in January 1987 in the FA Cup fourth round).

#WOLCHE

Stunning skill from Tammy Abraham on the edge of the box, to drive the ball in past Rui Patrício for a superb hat-trick (34', 41', 55'). The 21-year-old England striker is now the Premier League‘s leading goalscorer, the youngest ever Chelsea player to score a PL hat-trick, and the youngest Englishman to do so in the competition since Raheem Sterling (v Bournemouth) in October 2015. He joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Dele Alli in becoming only the third PL player aged 21 or younger to score two or more goals in three consecutive appearances. Outstanding, oh, and he is the first player in PL history to score a hat-trick and an own goal in the same game. It ended Wolves 2-5 Chelsea btw. Goals and action galore in the Wanderers' boss Nuno Espírito Santo's 300th match as a manager.

#NORMCI

ELEVEN players out injured vs ONE, newly promoted against defending champions, it ended 3-2! How many millions of pounds worth of difference between the two as well?! Good old footy won! Daniel Farke’s men kept marking, pressure on the ball, running, surrounding, pushing non-stop, both ends of the pitch and match! Thrilling win! Shocker for Manchester City! Especially playing from the back, the Citizens were absolute shambles! Hopefully everyone watched and learned! The rare defeat, their first since January, leaves Pep Guardiola's side five points behind Liverpool. The Canaries registered only their second win in their last 15 Premier League meetings with the reigning champions (W2 D1 L12) - their other win was also against the Citizens in May 2013.

#BOUEVE

It was too easy for Bournemouth, defensive shambles by Everton, no discrediting Callum Wilson’s brace (23’, 72’), his first Premier League goals since January. Having lost their previous two league home games, against Leicester and Manchester City, the Cherries kick-started their campaign with a thoroughly deserved first home league win, lifting them to eighth in the table. The Toffees meanwhile, were left reeling, having conceded seven goals in their past three league games, as many as they had in their previous 13 Premier League fixtures, and dropping down to 11th. 

#WATARS

It was a game of two halves at Vicarage Road. All started so well for Arsenal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace (21’, 32’), but bottom-side Watford took over after the break, Tom Cleverley (53’) and Roberto Pereyra (pen 81’) hitting back to make it 2-2. The Gunners faced 31 shots, a club record for the home side and the most their opponents have ever faced in a Premier League fixture since Opta began collecting such data in the division in 2003-04. Unai Emery’s men also hold the record of most errors leading to goals since the start of last season = 14, and failed to win seven of the last ten league games across two seasons. This was the first time in 22 meetings across all competitions that the Hornets and Arsenal have drawn against each other, having last done so in December 1984 (1-1). New Watford manager Quique Sánchez Flores has only lost one of his eight managerial meetings with Emery in all competitions (W3 D4 L1).

#ASTWHU

Eight of the 41 Premier League meetings between Aston Villa and West Ham have ended goalless, the highest proportion (19.5%) of any fixture in the competition that's been played 30-plus times. So what did we expect? It was a physical but disappointing encounter, the final touch missing, so bad, that even team mates clashed in frustration.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Liverpool 3:0 Newcastle - 3:1

Brighton 1:1 Burnley - 1:1

Man United 1:1 Leicester - 1:0

Sheff United 1:2 Southampton - 0:1

Tottenham 1:0 Crystal Palace - 4:0

Wolves 1:2 Chelsea - 2:5

Norwich 1:4 Man City - 3:2

Bournemouth 1:1 Everton - 3:1

Watford 0:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Aston Villa 1:2 West Ham - 0:0

Click here for last week's Premier League Notes.

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