Premier League Notes - Week 35

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 35

The 35th week of Premier League Football action saw:

34 goals - most by Man City = 5

246 shots - most by Man City = 26

99 on target - most by Liverpool and Aston Villa = 9 each

92 corners - most by Liverpool = 12

229 fouls - most by Watford = 23

34 bookings - most by Arsenal = 5 

2 red cards - Benteke for Palace, Söyüncü for Leicester 

4 penalties - 4 scored (2 x Deeney for Watford, Jiménez for Wolves, Stanislas for Bournemouth)

#NORWHU

Michail Antonio found the back of the net from close range after meeting Issa Diop's flicked-on header off a corner, following Tim Krul’s fine save (11’). A wonderful volley by Tomáš Souček was brilliantly matched by a superb Krul's stop (43’). Antonio headed home Mark Noble's free-kick to double West Ham's lead just before the break (45+1’). And Antonio completed his hat-trick nodding in the rebound after Krul saved his initial shot (54’). The 30-year-old striker added a fourth to his tally with a cute flick in at the near post (75’), making him the first Hammer to whack in a PL quadruple. Terrible defending once again, Norwich are down and out, relegated after their seventh consecutive defeat.

#WATNEW

Danny Welbeck was a busy man early on for Watford and hit the woodwork, Martin Dúbravka just about keeping it out (18’). Dwight Gayle got the final touch from Matt Ritchie's curling corner to give the Magpies the lead (23’). Steve Bruce’s delighted. Troy Deeney stepped up and smashed in the spot-kick to level the score after Kiko Femenía was fouled in the box (52’). Another penalty went to the Hornets after Javier Manquillo brought down Ismaïla Sarr in the box, Deeney smashed that one in as well to turn the game around (81’), not bad but very crucial penalty brace in their fight for survival, the comeback win moving Nigel Pearson's side six points clear from the drop zone (before the later games, see below).

#LIVBUR

The Reds bossed it, Nick Pope decided it with a MOTM performance, denying Mo Salah, Sadio Mané and co. Andrew Robertson put the champions ahead (36’). But Jürgen Klopp’s men let off a bit after the interval, and after the second drinks break, Jay Rodriguez hit one back to level the score (69’). It ended a goal and point each at Anfield, the hosts keeping their record points and unbeaten home run going, whilst Sean Dyche's sides stay tenth.

#SHUCHE

David McGoldrick opened his Premier League scoring account with a brace (18’, 77’), the Republic of Ireland striker and Oli McBurnie (33’) downed Chelsea 3:0. Frank Lampard’s shaky defence struggled to deal with the duo at Bramall Lane. Chris Wilder can be a very happy man, throwing the European chase wide open, with just one point separating them from Wolves in sixth. 

#BHAMCI

Raheem Sterling’s third hat-trick of the season (21’, 53’, 81’), Gabriel Jesus (44’) and Bernardo Silva (56’) tap ins, th-r-ashed Brighton. Graham Potter's men didn’t manage a single shot on target at home, the result seeing them stay 15th, but West Ham and Watford in 16th and 17th closing the gap to the Seagulls to two points. 

#WOLEVE

Wolves bounced back from two defeats on the trot with a convincing win against Everton. Raúl Jiménez scored the opener from the spot after a clumsy foul by Lucas Digne on Daniel Podence (44+2’). Leander Dendoncker doubled the hosts’ lead with a header shortly after the break (46’). And Diogo Jota sealed the win with a third from just inside the box (74’), keeping the Wanderers in the European race and the Toffees dangling nowhere, Carlo Ancelotti lambasting his side. 

#AVLCRY

The VAR was adding a lot of spice to the already hot encounter at Villa Park, disallowing Mamadou Sakho’s opener for the ball hitting his shoulder which was deemed a handball after a lengthy delay. Trézéguet put the hosts in control either side of the half-time break (45+4’, 59’) and of when his side were given a penalty by referee Martin Atkinson for Patrick Van Aanholt’s challenge on Jack Grealish, but the VAR overturned the call, no pen. Christian Benteke saw red after the final whistle to add drama to defeat. The defeat puts Palace’s run down to five consecutive losses, whilst the Villans keep themselves in the fight for survival, four points away from safety with three games to go..

#TOTARS

Alexandre Lacazette put the Gunners ahead with a splendid finish into the far corner (16’). But the away party didn’t last long, Son Heung-min netted the equaliser seconds later (19’), David Luiz once again failing to cover an attacker. Both sides tried, created chances, pushing for the winner, keepers and woodworks busy. Spurs took over late on, Toby Alderweireld’s header giving José Mourinho’s men a late win in the tightly fought derby (81’). The defeat put Mikel Arterta’s side down to ninth, two points and one place behind their arch rivals. 

#BOULEI

Jamie Vardy scrambled the ball over the line for the opener thanks to some calamitous defending (23’), the Foxes dominating the Cherries early on down South. Junior Stanilas levelled the score from the spot after Kasper Schmeichel and Wilfred Ndidi totally messed up and brought down Callum Wilson in the box (66’). Seconds later, Dominic Solanke beat Schmeichel with a soft shot to give the home side the lead (67’), Çağlar Söyüncü saw red for kicking out at Wilson when the ball was already over the line (67’). Needless. An absolute crazy couple of minutes! Then a Jonny Evans own goal off Stanislas’ attempt (83’) and Solanke again (87’) sealed an inspiring and crucial comeback win for the home side, 4-1. Wow. Bournemouth were seventh at one point this season, but after collecting just two points from their previous nine games, Eddie Howe’s side were falling down hard and fast - will their first win in ten be a grand start to a big bounce back? One place and three points separates them from safety. Brendan Rodgers’ men meanwhile, just totally fell apart and are in danger of dropping out of the top four for the first time since September, Manchester United creeping up behind them in fifth on goal difference. 

#MUNSOU

Paul Pogba lost the ball to Danny Ings, it popped up to Nathan Redmond who picked out Stuart Armstrong, the Scotsman took a touch to give Southampton a deserved lead (13’). Marcus Rashford had the ball in the net after a great pass from Anthony Martial on the left, but he was offside (16’). Pogba crossed in for Martial who managed to hold up the ball, lay it off, Rashford came onto it and levelled things up (21’). Seconds later, Martial from the left, pushed forward, cut inside and lashed it past Alex McCarthy to give the Red Devils the lead (24’). Wow, what a turnaround! But the game's never over until the final whistle! One last corner for Southampton, superb ball from the skipper James Ward-Prowse, Jan Bednarek got a touch, Michael Obafemi just got ahead of Victor Lindelöf and the slightest of touches to grab the equaliser and a point for the Saints (90+8’). A late, late sucker punch for Southampton sat in 12th, denying United the win and halting their move into the top four.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Norwich 0:1 West Ham - 0:4

Watford 2:2 Newcastle - 2:1

Liverpool 3:0 Burnley - 1:1

Sheffield United 1:1 Chelsea - 3:0

Brighton 1:2 Man City - 0:5

Wolves 2:1 Everton - 3:0

Aston Villa 0:1 Crystal Palace - 2:0

Tottenham 2:3 Arsenal - 2:1

Bournemouth 1:1 Leicester - 4:1

Man United 3:0 Southampton - 2:2

Click her 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 Picks Of The Week 36

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 36

The 36th week of the Premier League action saw:

22 goals - most by Crystal Palace = 5

229 shots - most by Liverpool & Man City = 19 each

70 on target - most by Palace = 9

77 corners - most by Liverpool & Man United = 9 each

202 fouls - most by Brighton = 17

23 yellow cards - most by Southampton = 5

1 red card - Albrighton for Leicester

1 penalty - 1 scored (Benteke for Palace)

What a game! Arsenal have not won at Old Trafford in the league for a decade and José Mourinho has never lost a home league game against Arsène Wenger. No surprise then when the Gunners suffered their sixth away defeat in a row for the first time since January 1966 losing 2-1 late on against United on Sunday afternoon. That means the Londoners are the only side left in the top four divisions in England without a single point on the road in 2018 (P6 W0 D0 L6). The French boss lined up the youngest starting eleven (average age 24y 67d) in the league since August 2011 - when they were thrashed 8-2 at the same ground. The match was not much of a contest, unlike the rivalry battles from the past as recounted in the previews and buildup, more like a training game, not much speed nor physicality. Paul Pogba fired the home side ahead after 16 minutes before former Red Devil Henrikh Mkhitaryan levelled the score soon after the interval and it looked like the visitors were able to get something out of the game. But Maroune Fellaini smashed in the winner in injury time seconds after Marcus Rashford had a goal disallowed, serving Wenger a bitter final farewell. “We want you to stay!” was the chant from the home fans. OUCH!

What a team! It was not Leicester’s day on Saturday afternoon at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace led comfortably in the first half thanks to man of the match Wilfried Zaha and James McArthur. Marc Albrighton’s last-man tackle earned him a straight red and added to his side’s misery shortly after the break. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Patrick van Aanholt sealed the deal 4-0 later on, Christian Benteke topped it 5-0 from the spot, their joint-biggest win in the top-flight since December 1972 (when they thrashed Manchester United 5-0), thank you very much, leaving Roy Hodgson and co all smiles after going up to 11th with this win, 99.9% safe. What relegation worries?! Who would have thought a couple of months ago?! Claude Puel meanwhile, after his side's third defeat in the last four games, is under hotter than hot fire walking on super-thin melting ice...

Newcastle didn’t have much to cheer about either on Saturday afternoon losing 0-1 to West Brom thanks to Matt Phillips, the season trickling away for the Toons with their second defeat on the trot, whilst the bottom side are experiencing a remarkable upturn in form since Darren Moore has taken over as caretaker, four games unbeaten. Shame it has all come a bit too late for the Baggies, needing a miracle to survive, five points from safety with two games left to play and some other teams with a game in hand.

What a man! Dušan Tadić was outstanding for Southampton in their crucial 2-1 win against Bournemouth on Saturday. The Serb’s brace made the difference, the first a low finish after a counter attack, the second a superb run and drilled-in winner after Joshua King had fired in an equaliser for the visitors. Mark Hughes seems to be making a difference for the Saints, this win being vital in their fight for safety, taking them to just one point behind the Swans in 17th.

Huddersfield were pulled closer to the relegation zone after Everton beat them too comfortably at home, Cenk Tosun and Idrissa Gueye sealing the 0-2 win for the Toffees. What was all the negative fuss around Big Sam when he took over at Goodison Park?! The Toffees went up to eighth with this win, totalling 14 points from the last seven games as the boss himself pointed out as he departed from the post-match interview. Point. Made. David Wagner and his Terriers meanwhile are dangling in 16th, just three points from the drop with Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal left to play. TRIPLE OUCH!!!

What a goal! Most of the goals at the London Stadium were just comical, Manchester City all over West Ham. First Leroy Sané’s cross/shot was deflected in by former Red Devil Patrice Evra’s head, then Declan Rice and Pablo Zabaleta ping ponged Kevin De Bruyne’s low cross into the back of their own net. The Hammers did hit one back, Aaron Cresswell curling a free kick in nicely around the ball (which should have actually been a penalty as the foul was committed inside the box), but crumbled to bits after that. Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho were too quick and netted two more from close range after the restart, th-r-ash - and the Citizens could have had a penalty in between as well, Raheem Sterling chopped to ground. It ended 1-4, taking Pep’s men’s total to 102 goals in the PL and leaving no question who’s on top, all sorts of records tumbling (goals, points, away and in total). But the only downer was that it seemed like the ref didn’t know any rules - what’s offside? And what are the lines and box for?! Pf. More to the flopping refereeing standards below.

It was a scrappy one at Wembley on Monday night, Watford keeper Orestis Karnezis handing Dele Alli the opener before Harry Kane doubled Tottenham’s lead and secured the three points to the home side, moving them one step closer to Champions League qualification, 4th placed, five points ahead of Chelsea in 5th and just one point behind Liverpool in 3rd with a game in hand on the Reds. The Hornets meanwhile are still not completely safe, in 13th, six points clear from the drop zone, but other teams with games in hand. Next week will be crunch time for a lot of teams, top and bottom four/five/six/seven/eight/you get my drift...

What the hell?! The refereeing was below par once again as mentioned above, at Anfield as well, not excusing Liverpool’s tired display against Stoke City, but just pointing out how crucial the officials’ decisions can be and are. Click here for my full LFC match report of the frustrating goalless lunchtime kickoff on Saturday. ARGH!!!

Burnley had a couple of penalty appeals waved away as well, both clear handballs, Brighton grabbing a point from them at Turf Moor, the prior needing just one more point to secure their place in the Europa League, whilst the latter slip to 14th, five points clear of the relegation places.

Chelsea’s Gary Cahill was a very lucky man not to concede a spot kick for his tackle on Swansea’s Nathan Dyer in Wales in the Saturday evening kickoff. The Blues ended up 0-1 winners thanks to Cesc Fàbregas’ early goal and bad refereeing, leaving the Swans dangling just one point above the drop zone, all the questionable decisions keeping the battle to safety wide open, as detailed above.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Liverpool 3:1 Stoke City - 0:0 or my match report

Burnley 1:1 Brighton - 0:0

Crystal Palace 2:1 Leicester - 5:0

Huddersfield 1:1 Everton - 0:2

Newcastle 1:0 West Brom - 0:1

Southampton 2:1 Bournemouth - 2:1

Swansea 1:3 Chelsea - 0:1

West Ham 2:3 Man City - 1:4

Man United 2:1 Arsenal - 2:1

Tottenham 2:0 Watford - 2:0

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

All pictures, stats and facts were taken from the BBC match reports, PL and Sky Sports apps, Twitter and SFR coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 16

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 16

The 16th week of the Premier League action saw:

27 goals - most by Tottenham = 5
237 shots - most by Crystal Palace = 24
85 on target - most by Tottenham = 11
102 corners - most by Tottenham & Liverpool = 12 each
216 fouls - most by West Brom = 18
39 yellow cards - most by West Ham, Crystal Palace & West Brom = 5 each
1 red card - Zeegelaar for Watford
3 penalties - 2 scored (Milivojevic for Palace, Rooney for Everton)

What a game! Brilliant goals, breath-taking football, action-packed, entertaining, the game had everything at St James' Park. But Newcastle once against ended up on the losing side, 2-3 against Leicester this time, a late Ayoze Pérez own goal costing the Magpies dearly. Foxes boss Claude Puel is doing what Rafael Benítez is looking for, getting the team together and the best out of his players.  The Spaniard has seen his side slump down to 16th collecting just one point from the last seven matches, whilst the Frenchman can be very happy with 14 points taking them up to eighth.
After all the massive build-up all week to the Double Derby Super Sunday - both games weren't the thrillers of the century but certainly hard-fought and no love was lost between any of the sides, that's for sure. Everton got a lucky point at Anfield after utter dominance from Liverpool. Top scorer Mohamed Salah could and should have had a hat-trick, team mate Sadio Mané blew a handful of chances, too. And after all that, it had to be Wayne Rooney who grabbed the point netting his first ever goal against the Reds in the derby from the spot off a very controversial penalty, which both managers disagreed about, to say the least. Click here for my match notes, a lot happened!
League leaders City bossed the show at Old Trafford beating United 1-2 in the later kick-off. The Red Devils only had 35% possession, their lowest figure at home in the Premier League since 2003-4. Brazilian stopper Ederson's stunning double-save topped the lot for me. Everyone is always on about David de Gea, this time the other side stayed in the game and collected the points thanks to the top keeper. More below.

What a team! Tottenham have become the first side in English top-flight history to win four consecutive league games against the same opponent by four or more goals. They must love Stoke City for that, this time crushing their favourite opponent 5-1 at Wembley, including a Harry Kane double. Home sweet home, just when everyone thought Mauricio Pochettino's side were struggling.
City's win at Old Trafford took their winning run to 14 games which is the record best for the most consecutive wins in a single Premier League season and joint-best in the English top-flight alongside Arsenal's run between February and August 2002. United's first home defeat in 41 games takes Pep Guardiola's men 11 points clear at the top. Unstoppable? José Mourinho apparently/allegedly tried to stop the Citizens' party but failed...

What a player! West Ham keeper Joe Hart must have sank in his seat watching his replacement Adrián make some brilliant stops against the champions, more to that game below.
Huddersfield record signing Steve Mounié's double ended his side's run of four consecutive defeats with a 2-0 win against Brighton, leaving manager David Wagner full of praise and deservedly so.
And Wilfried Bony found a late winner to lift Swansea off the bottom of the table after beating West Brom to bank three precious points and ease the pressure on boss Paul Clement.
Charlie Austin made it eight in his last 11 league starts for Southampton, four in his last three, capitalising on Per Mertesacker's giveaway. Arsenal were shambles in the first half in the earliest kick-off on Sunday and could have been four or five goals down at the break. Oriol Romeu hit the bar in the second half. And then of course substitute Olivier Giroud levelled the score in the 88th minute with a superb header, equalling Red Devil Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's record for the most goals by a substitute in the Premier League. It ended 1-1 but could and should have been 6 or 7-1. Lucky lucky lucky Arsène Wenger.

What a goal! It was a sweet finish by Marko Arnautović that gave West Ham the lead against Chelsea and deserved as well. The Hammers stunned the Blues who were all over the place and the home side stayed strong when Antonio Conte's men did recover and form a threat. And unlike against Manchester City, David Moyes' men were able to hang on to their first win under the former Everton and United boss.
Jermain Defoe's equaliser for Bournemouth against Palace was something else. The angle, the distance, it all looked against him, but he tapped it up and in to make it two for him and 2-2 on the scoreboard.
Salah's opening goal for Liverpool was a cracker, his 13th league goal and 19th in all competitions, topping all charts and awards for the Reds, but it was not enough to win it for them as mentioned above. Manager Jürgen Klopp certainly thought Everton's equaliser should have never happened... The German failed to admit his side could and should have killed off the game way before that incident after dominating the derby through and through.

What the hell?! All the diving and whining and complaining by Chelsea at the London Stadium made me sick! The Blues were so lucky just to get away with one booking! Both Mancunian sides were just as bad as each other on Sunday as well being drama queens, and as mentioned above it continued after the match. And I was also annoyed by all the discussions and doubts about Watford's Marvin Zeegelaar's sending off, manager Marco Silva criticising the decision like blaming his side's defeat at Burnley on it. It was a two-footed, dangerous tackle! Accidental or not, it is a red.
Both penalties for Palace against Bournemouth were softer than soft, but what was Christian Benteke thinking?! His boss Roy Hodgson was not happy. First penalty taker and scorer Luka Milivojević and team mate Jeffrey Schlupp were wondering and questioning the striker's decision. Why did they let him take the injury-time spot kick? The Belgian striker has yet to score for the London side this season and it was his third miss out of five from the spot for Palace. And I hope and think it was the last as it cost them two crucial points in the relegation battle.

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

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 34

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 34

The 34th week of the Premier League action saw:
158 shots - most by Bournemouth = 21
19 goals - most by Bournemouth = 4
155 fouls - most by Burnley = 17
28 bookings - most by Hull & Middlesbrough = 4
2 red cards - Oumar Niasse for Hull & Gaston Ramirez for Middlesbrough
1 penalty - 0 scored (Arnautovic for Stoke)

What a game! It took Everton nearly 70 minutes to register their first attempt and did not manage to get a single shot on target in the goalless draw at West Ham. Not much to write about there as you can gather. Their Red Scouse neighbours didn't do any better, failing and falling miserably 1:2 at home against a reborn Crystal Palace (click here for my full LFC match report). A lot of negatives for both sides of Liverpool... United meanwhile are sneaking and creeping their way closer and closer to their bitter rivals in the top four after their comfortable 2-0 win at Burnley, just three points behind Liverpool in third with two games in hand, and two behind City in fourth, who they play next in one of their games in hand!

What a team! As mentioned above, Crystal Palace made it six wins out of eight league games after seeing Christian Benteke's double haunt and down his former side Liverpool 2-1. The win at Anfield sees Big Sam's side onto 38 points, seven clear of danger, whilst Jürgen Klopp is left scratching his head. Apart from Philippe Coutinho's fine free-kick halfway through the first half, there was not much to cheer for the Reds, looking worn and torn, labouring 72% possession but not creating much. Palace have now won on their last three league trips to Anfield - the first team to do so since Chelsea in October 2005. Again, click here for my full LFC match report.

What a man! Gastón Ramírez should be very ashamed! The Middlesbrough midfielder got booked twice within 20 minutes, once for diving and another for a reckless tackle on Marc Pugh. Two stupid actions that cost his side, who were already 2-0 down early on at Bournemouth, making an already difficult game in their battle for survival close to impossible. Reckless and hopeless, Boro got thrashed 4-0 and are stuck in 19th, nine points from safety with five games remaining. Cherries meanwhile, will be very happy to have ended their four-match winless run with a win and three points that shoot them four places up the table to 12th, seven points safe from the drop. Surely Eddie Howe and his men are well set for their third season in the Premier League.

What a goal! How crucial will Marko Arnautović's penalty miss be? Just 60 seconds after he blasted the spot kick high for Stoke, Tom Carroll doubled Swansea's lead with a deflected strike from long range after Fernando Llorente had headed the home side ahead early on. The Liberty Stadium erupted in joyous celebrations and deservedly so after their first victory since March gave the Swans a boost in the relegation battle, keeping them 18th in the table, just two points behind Hull and safety. At the top meanwhile, Chelsea enjoyed a convincing home win over Southampton, with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa impressing as always, both on the scoreboard in the 4-2 win that puts the Blues seven points ahead of Spurs at the top, having played one game more due to the FA Cup ties.

What the hell?! Talking about the Tigers, they had a nightmare start against Watford at the KCOM Stadium, seeing Oumar Niasse sent off harshly for his challenge on M'Baye Niang in the 25th minute. Marco Silva's men also saw a decent penalty shout denied by referee Bobby Madley, but came back courageously and stunningly in the second half. Lazar Marković netted the rebound after his header came back off the bar, before Sam Clucas doubled the score and sealed the deal with a breathtaking smacker from 25 yards out. Hull have now won 19 out of a possible 21 points at home under Silva, defying all the refereeing howlers and odds against them in the relegation battle, staying two points above the drop zone.

My Predictions - Actual Results
(Forgot to make some predictions, which then we're automatically set to 1:0)
Arsenal P:P Sunderland*
Bournemouth 1:0 Middlesbrough - 4:0
Hull City 1:0 Watford - 2:0
Swansea 1:0 Stoke - 2:0
West Ham 1:0 Everton - 0:0
Burnley 1:0 Man United - 0:2
Liverpool 1:0 Crystal Palace - 1:2 or click here for my LFC match report
Chelsea 2:1 Southampton - 4:2
Leicester P:P Tottenham*
Man City P:P West Brom*
*Postponed due to FA Cup Semi Finals

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

All pictures and stats taken from the BBC match reports.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 33

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 33

The 33rd week of the Premier League action saw:
256 shots - most by Everton = 29
30 goals - most by Tottenham = 4
239 fouls - most by Chelsea = 20
27 bookings - most by Southampton & West Brom & Man United & Chelsea = 3 each
1 red card - Byram for West Ham
1 penalty - 1 scored (Vokes for Burnley)

What a game! Palace fought back from two goals down to earn a crucial point against Leicester in an absorbing draw at Selhurst Park. A Robert Huth header and a good combo between Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy had given Craig Shakespeare's side a convincing lead, the Foxes looking on top, 0-2. But defensive cracks showed and cost again, giving Yohan Cabaye an easy sweep home before Christian Benteke levelled the score on 70 minutes, converting Andros Townsend's cross with sheer power and stubbornness.

What a team! Tottenham made it seven top-flight wins in a row for the first time in half a century, staying in hot pursuit of league leaders Chelsea, cutting the gap to four points. Spurs dominated Bournemouth left, right and centre, and the result reflects that, a comfortable 4-0 home win. Boom! The Blues meanwhile looked a shadow of themselves being well beaten 2-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford, Antonio Conte looking shocked, close to crying or bursting out in tears at times, seeing his side lose for the second time in four outings. Doom and gloom?

What a man! Harry Kane became just the fourth player to score 20 Premier League goals in three consecutive seasons, joining the elite list of strikers of Alan Shearer, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Thierry Henry. Another guy on a high, Romelu Lukaku scored for a ninth successive home game, the first man to do so for Everton since Dixie Dean in 1934, to make it eight league wins in a row for the Toffees beating Burnley 3-1 at Goodison Park. And last but not least, Roberto Firmino scored a winner for the second weekend running as Liverpool edged past West Brom 1-0 to go third.

What a goal! Xherdan Shaqiri's beauty of a strike from 30 yards out sealed a first league win in six games for Stoke City, downing Hull City 3-1 and seeing his side climb up to 11th. The Tigers could still hold their heads up high despite staying winless in 16 away games as they end the weekend with their fate in their own hands with two points separating them from the bottom three with five games remaining thanks to Swansea's 1-0 defeat at Watford. The Welsh side's defender Alfie Mawson took too much time in a dangerous area and Étienne Capoue pounced and scored sealing the home win at Vicarage Road.

What the hell?! West Ham have been shown more red cards than any other side in the Premier League season, seeing their fifth player sent off in their 2-2 draw at Sunderland, giving away a goal and throwing away two points late on. It is just not the Hammers' season, manager Slaven Bilić knows and has conceded that much. Southampton looked just as subdued, giving away three goals and three points at home against Man City, seeing them remain in ninth. Arsenal meanwhile, have finally had something to smile about again, beating Middlesbrough 1-2 at the Riverside in a dull encounter. The win is only the Gunners' third in their past nine league games, moving them up to sixth, seven points behind City in fourth with a game in hand. Boro remain deep in trouble six points from safety. Still cheering loud you Gooners?!

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

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

All pictures and stats are taken from the BBC match reports.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 6

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 6

The 6th week of Premier League action saw:

268 shots - most by Liverpool = 32

34 goals - most by Liverpool = 5

252 fouls - most by Sunderland, Swansea and Watford = 15 each

44 bookings - most by West Ham = 5

1 red card - Elmohamady for Hull City

3 penalties - 3 scored

Mike Phelan's birthday spoilt - only one manager has lost on a bigger margin on their birthday = Colin Todd at Bolton 0:5 Man United

Mane Sakho's social media rants are destroying the bridge back into the team which he was trying and supposed to rebuild

What a game! It was goals galore this weekend! My vote goes to Crystal Palace's dramatic comeback. All other games were thrashes, the results not surprising much after one-sided games. This was a true contest, until Sunderland crumbled to bits. Jermain Defoe's double put the Black Cats ahead and feeling confident about bagging their first league win of the season. But that was dashed very quickly, Joe Ledley pulling one back a minute later before James MacArthur's equaliser in the 76th minute and Christian Benteke's last-minute header to kill off the home side with the Eagles flying high all over them.

What a team! Man City are still top dogs keeping their 100%-record spotlessly shiny. Liverpool and Arsenal showed their worth though as well, all impressing and dominating their opponents. The results could have been even more damning and thrashing. The Reds have scored more goals since Jürgen Klopp's takeover on the 8th October 2015 than any other side = 71.

What a man! Daniel Sturridge, Benteke and Pogba, all under fire, were on the scoreboard and on fire, slapping their opponents and critics in the face. The prior and latter's goals may have been less decisive, but all part of the same reassuring and convincing form and status.

What a goal! Philippe Coutinho's unstoppable right-footed cut and smash into the top corner was breath-taking. Demarai Gray's spectacular long-range consolation goal for Leicester did not mean much but oh what a beauty. Arsenal's second goal was a brilliant team goal, completed by Theo Walcott to give the Gunners a 2-0 lead after just 14 minutes.

What the hell?! It was not a weekend for defenders. Marking was awful, back-passes cringe-worthy and keepers - well, let's just say it won't be a display they'll like to remember. Overall, it was a weekend to forget for the backlines. It's been especially devastating for West Ham and Hull after four straight defeats for the prior and four out of three defeats and just one point in the last four games for the latter.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Man United 2:2 Leicester - 4:1
Bournemouth 1:2 Everton - 1:0
Liverpool 3:1 Hull City - 5:1 - clicke her for my match report
Middlesbrough 1:3 Tottenham - 1:2
Stoke City 0:0 West Brom - 1:1
Sunderland 1:2 Crystal Palace - 2:3
Swansea 1:5 Man City - 1:3
Arsenal 0:0 Chelsea - 3:0
West Ham 1:3 Southampton - 0:3
Burnley 0:0 Watford - 2:0

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All images taken from the BBC match reports