Premier League Notes - Week 3

Sport - Football - Premier League - Week 3

The third week of the Premier League Football action saw:

36 goals - most by Leicester = 5

248 shots - most by Tottenham = 23

96 on target - most by Tottenham = 12

97 corners - most by Tottenham = 10

252 fouls - most by Brighton, Sheff United and Fulham = 18 each

41 bookings - most by Fulham = 6

0 red cards

7 penalties - 7 scored (Maupay for Brighton, Fernandes for Man United, Richarlison for Everton, Wilson for Newcastle, Vardy x 2 and Tielemans for a Leicester )

#BHAMUN Cheeky Maupay pen put the hosts ahead and deservedly so, Fernandes the clumsy offender. Maguire helped Dunk poke in the equaliser soon after, well worked from a free kick, 194 seconds between the two goals. Seconds after the break, Connolly made the most of Pogba’s covering, second pen, ref checked the VAR screen, changed his mind, no pen, it was soft but so many have been given, especially for United in the past, that’s annoying. Rashford whacked the Reds Devils ahead seconds later, of course, disallowed offside, haha, karma. But the number 10 made up for it soon after, the Seagulls unable to mark or close him down, too much time, too much space, 1-2. March hit the inside of the post shortly after another penalty appeal by Connolly got waved off by the ref. Brighton hit the woodwork FIVE times; no team has done so more in a single Premier League game since Opta have this data available (2003-04). The woodwork spared United plenty of blushes. They could and should have been thrashed. Marsh nicked in an equaliser in the final seconds of stoppage time, heading the ball in and down to make it 2-2 after plenty of chances, pushing and trying. A point would have been fully deserved, at least something, OGS’ men were shambles, the hosts on top. Fight fight fight as the ref blew the final whistle, the Red Devils appealing for a penalty, handball against Maupay, VAR check, harsh but right, it did touch his hand. Fernandes netted the spot kick to make it 2-3 with 99:45 on the clock, a very late and very lucky three points for the visitors. Absolute shambles. Five goals. Two penalties. One penalty overturned. Two goals disallowed. Five times hit the crossbar. Two full-time whistles. Good start to this weekend’s action after last week’s madness. 

#CRYEVE An unmarked Calvert-Lewin put the Toffees ahead, banging in Coleman’s pass from the middle of the box in off keeper Ryan. Kouyaté headed in a corner over Pickford to level the score. More VAR handball checks, both against Ward, first one not given as his arm was down and going away, second did hit his hand but he pulled his arm away, still given, another harsh one, Richarlison netting the pen across and in after one of those annoying run ups, 1-2. The second half was less eventful, Ancelotti’s men bagging the three points and continuing their dream start to the season with three wins out of three, leaving Hodgson and co disappointed suffering their first defeat after their win-win start to the season. 

#WBACHE Defensive and goalkeeping nightmare for the Blues! First Alonso gave away the ball to Pereira, who set up Robinson to flash the ball across and in to open the score after just four minutes. Not long after Werner hit the crossbar from close range, debutant skipper Thiago Silva gave the ball away to Robinson on the run down the other end and the number 7 made no mistake of breaking clear and slotting it in to make it a brace for him and 2-0 to the hosts, just over halfway through the first half. And it went from bad to worse for Lampard and co, just a couple of minutes later, West Brom corner, Furlong headed it on to Bartley, who side-footed it into the bottom corner to make it 3-0. No marking. No chance of stopping that. And who’s the keeper? This is the seventh time in the Premier League that Chelsea have shipped three goals to a newly-promoted team, and the second time under Lampard. Double substitution and skipper changed after the break for the visitors helped them take over. Mount pulled one back from outside the box, keeper frozen, ten minutes into the second half. Sub Hudson-Odoi found the gap thanks to a nice one-two with Havertz, ran through the Albion back line and banged in the second to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes to go. Abraham got in the equaliser in stoppage time, from close range, thanks to Havertz’s shot which Johnstone saved but gloved straight to him. I read about a Havertz handball in the buildup, but honestly didn’t see what all the fuss was about, there was a lot going on in the box and play before the goal. Three goals and a point each, first draw of the season, relief for the Blues, a bit sour for West Brom late on. More madness. I wanted to keep my PL Notes short(er) this week. Impossible. 

#BURSOU Ings gave the Saints the lead early on after a bit of a mess in and around the Burnley box, the keeper coming out, defenders all over the place, but Walker-Peters and Adams still able to complete their passes and a perfect buildup for the former Liverpool man to net. A disallowed goal each, clearly offside, not much else to shout about. It ended 0-1, just the one goal, no typo, believe it or not, leaving Dyche crying out for more players.

#SHULEE Leeds scored in the 88th minute after both keepers did a great job! Harrison was the provider and Bamford the scorer again, three in three from him as he headed it home for a hard-fought three points. The Blades still have no points after three games, no goals, they're now bottom. Bielsa's gang are up to sixth with two wins from their first three. Good start for them. The French can't stop drooling over the great Argentine, documentary after preview after documentary after preview, clips here, clips there, clips everywhere, I've lost count how much and many episodes they have on him.

#TOTNEW The opener was made by Kane, whose stepovers bamboozled Hayden and then rolled a cross across the six yard box for Moura to tap it into an open net from a couple of yards out, ending a run of 22 league appearances without a goal. Darlow made save after save after save, superhero stuff, 10 to be exact - the most by an English goalkeeper in a Premier League match since Forster v Man City in Nov 2017 (also 10). It should have been a thrash. But there was yet another VAR fiasco in the final minutes of injury time, Dier deemed to have handled the ball Carroll headed on, harsh as he had his back to it, but according to the law it's right as his arm was in an unnatural position moving to stop the ball. Offside was checked as well, Carroll was fine, in line, his team mate who was further forward was not involved in play. Wilson netted the spot kick to make it a goal and point each after utter Spurs dominance, disgusted boss Mourinho left the pitch as soon as the pen was taken. The Magpies can thank their keeper and VAR that they got anything out of this match. The Spurs coach Santos saw red after the final whistle for their frustrations and aggravations to complete another absolute madness. And despite the result, Newcastle boss Bruce agreed "we have lost the plot" on handball and VAR.

#MCILEI City dominated, but the score was level at the break, Walker's foul on Vardy allowed the striker to score from the spot to equalise after Riyad Mahrez's stunning opener early on. Not long after the restart, Vardy put a cheeky flick in to give the Foxes the lead, lovely footy off Castagne’s low cross. And he completed his hat-trick before the hour-mark, another pen after being pushed clumsily by Garcia, banged in, 1-3, the Citizens all over the place, hitting the self-destruct button. This was only the third ever hat-trick scored against a side managed by Guardiola and two of them have been scored by Vardy - the other was Messi in October 2016 in a Champions League game (I WAS THERE!). And the old Fox is the oldest hat-trick scorer in the PL. Ake pulled one back with six minutes left, heading in a corner. Comeback? Nope, another penalty conceded instead, Mendy hauled back Maddison, who made it 2-5 from the spot, as Vardy had been subbed seconds before that incident. Game over. Pep’s men well and truly busted, Brendan’s side with just 28% of possession but 100% of the spoils = three points, mind-blowing football, the first time the Citizens have conceded five goals in a home game since February 2003. Man City have lost 10 of their last 36 league games. Liverpool have lost 10 of their last 128. Just saying.

#WHUWOL Bowen opened the scoring for the hosts with a lovely run and beautiful finish beating three defenders. Antonio broke away on the counter down the left, to find Fornals whose shot from range came back off the post, falling into the path of Bowen, who made no mistake of an easy tap in unchallenged, brace for him, 2-0 to the Hammers, too easy. Souček made it three off a corner thanks to a deflection off Jiménez, own goal given, actually. Haller headed the fourth down and in off an excellent Massuaku cross, completingtheir first win of the season in a more than convincing way, taking them up from 18th to 10th. Wolves weren’t anywhere near, dropping down to 16th. Thrash.

#FULAVL Dream start for the visitors, taking the lead after just over three minutes, a ball over the top from McGinn, Grealish timed his run perfectly and smashed it past the Fulham keeper. And the Villans doubled their lead just over ten minutes later, Grealish with a cross, McGinn finding Hourihane who slotted it into the bottom corner, too easy. The HT team talk didn’t work well for the hosts, seconds after the restart, a Villa free kick into the box, no Fulham defenders followed Mings in who just got to it, easy peasy again, 0-3. The Cottagers had the ball in the net, but the lovely VAR first checked offside, then a foul, the goal was disallowed for the latter, Mitrović judged to have fouled Konsa in the buildup. Welcome to the PL. Kebano saw an effort blocked and Bryan hit the bar just before the end. But it stayed three goals and three points for Villa, game, set, match, 100% record going, unbeaten in eight games, whilst Fulham are in bits, defensive nightmare, their CEO full of apologies post-match, boss Parker fearing for his side if no changes are made = new players added. 

#LIVARS The champions bossed the start, the Gunners had David Luiz and keeper Leno to thank for keeping the ball out denying VVD and MOTM Mané respectively. A TAA banger from outside deflected off defenders and off the crossbar, it could have already been 3-0 with just over 20 minutes gone. But of course, totally against the run of play, a present for Lacazette broke the deadlock, after a counter, Robertson mucked up a clearance completely to hand the Frenchman the ball from a couple of yards out, he messed it up but it looped up, over the diving keeper and in, 0-1. Seconds later, a Salah shot was saved but only as far as an on-running Mané, who made no mistake of banging it in from close range, 1-1. 147 seconds between the two goals. Just over ten minutes before the break, Robertson made up for his cockup with a fine control and cheeky low poke in past the keeper to make it 2-1 off a fine Trent cross, that’s better. Alisson had a couple of stops to do after the break, but the visitors’ defence and keeper were definitely the busier again. Constant pressure. Mané, Salah, VVD, sub Jota, all went close. The sub made it three eventually, Trent cross, messed up clearance by David Luiz, received at the edge of the box, nice control and shot across and into the bottom left corner after some odd wet bounces off the ground, 3-1, finally, nice debut goal. Was there a handball? Sleeve? Borderline chest. No VAR necessary. The utter dominance deserved at least another goal, minimum. Liverpool join Everton and Leicester on nine points out of nine, Arsenal remain winless at Anfield since 2012. (And in case you wonder why I haven't mentioned MOTM Mané's booking at the beginning of the match, it's because I don't know what all the fuss is about. Yes, it's a silly foul, arm out and into Tierney, who made the most of it. Nowhere near a red.)

My Predictions - Actual Results

Brighton 1:2 Man United - 2:3

Palace 1:1 Everton - 1:2

West Brom 0:3 Chelsea - 3:3

Burnley 2:2 Saints - 0:1

Sheff United 1:2 Leeds - 0:1

Tottenham 2:2 Newcastle - 1:1

Man City 1:2 Leicester - 2:5

West Ham 1:3 Wolves - 4:0

Fulham 1:2 Aston Villa - 0:3

Liverpool 4:3 Arsenal - 3:1

Click here for my previous PL Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 2

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 2

The second week of the Premier League Football action saw:

44 goals - most by Everton and Tottenham = 5 each 

239 shots - most by Aston Villa = 18

91 on target - most by Man City = 9

122 corners - most by Leicester = 15

239 fouls - most by Tottenham = 18

27 bookings - most by Saints = 4

4 red cards - Gibbs for West Brom, Bissouma for Brighton, Christensen for Chelsea, Egan for Sheff United

8 penalties - 6 scored (Mitrovic for Fulham, Klich for Leeds, Zaha for Palace, Ings for Saints, Maupay for Brighton, De Bruyne for Man City)

#EVEWBA Talk about self-destruction! Brill goal, great start for the visitors, but the Toffees hit back with a cheeky back-foot equaliser, and after Gibbs saw red for a needless push on James Rodriguez seconds after the youngster’s lovely goal made it 2-1, it was game over. Baggies boss Bilic went mad at the officials after the HT whistle and was sent off for his frustrations as well. Shame. Or so I thought. Pereira’s cracking free kick levelled the score again after the restart. Game. On. Keane smacked in the rebound from close range after the keeper saved the initial header off a free kick to, 3-2. Calvert-Lewin tapped in the fourth. And fifth to complete his hat-trick, the thrashing and Albion's misery with it. 

#LEEFUL Costa whacked the hosts ahead off a corner, loud bang off the woodwork/top of the net and in, keeper no chance. Mitrovic levelled from the spot. Klich netted a penalty at the other end to regain the lead for the home side. Lovely low finish by Bamford made it 3-1 after the break. Unmarked Costa whacked in the fourth. Bobby pulled one back for Fulham. A Mitrovic header made it 4-3 and the last quarter so much more interesting... End-to-end stuff, madness, Fulham much better than last week, but still pointless. 

#MUNCRY Townsend put the visitors ahead from close range early on. OGS’ face said it all, he knew his side were in trouble when the VAR call started, handball by Lindelof, pen, De Gea saved Ayew’s soft take easily. To piss on United’s cornflakes even more, it had to be retaken as the keeper was off his line. Zaha banged in the second, 0-2. Sub van de Beek pulled one back after some ping pong in the box. Zaha's turn and shot from the edge of the box sealed the deal, 1-3 and three points to Palace at Old Trafford, happy Hodgson.

#ARSWHU Lacazette banged the Gunners ahead, loved the Dirty Dancing celebration with provider Aubameyang. VAR check for offside in the buildup, would have been super harsh. Antonio turned in the equaliser from close range just before the break. Sub Nketiah put the Gunners ahead late on. Super sub record: Arsenal have scored six Premier League goals through substitutes in 2020, more than any other team in the division.

#SOUTOT After three disallowed goals, two for the visitors, Ings gave the Saints the lead with a banger. Miserinho aka Moaninho’s face said it all. The home side dominated, Lloris made some crucial saves. Son levelled the score just before the break, clinical finish set up by Kane. First shot, first goal for Spurs. And seconds after the restart, Son burst forward and banged in the second. Another killer counter, the same duo, made it a hat-trick for the South Korean and 1-3 on the scoreboard after the home side missed chances to level the score. And the same combo made it FOUR. Lethal. Four assists for Kane, four goals for Son. Kane made it 1-5 netting the rebound off the woodwork from sub Lamela’s shot, just to add salt onto Hasenhüttl’s wounds. Who needs Bale?! VAR check by the ref, handball against Doherty, gave the hosts a pen for Ings to make it 2-5. The French commentators absolutely lambasted that call, he was covering a player, how could he have beamed his arm away before the ball bounced and smacked onto it?! C'est le foot.

#NEWBHA Penalty after not even a couple of minutes, Saint-Maximin bringing down Tariq Lamptey in the box, clumsy footy. Maupay banged it right into the middle. His second goal was flagged offside seconds later. It took nearly two minutes for the VAR to override that call, lines drawn, close call, goal given, 0-2. Sweet curler by Connolly made it 0-3, the miserable Magpies didn’t get anything on target. Bissouma’s weird high back-heel kick into Lewis’ face saw him off after the ref revised the yellow to a straight red in the final minute of normal time. Accidental or not, dangerous is dangerous. Brighton still bossed it, three goals, three points, too easy.

#CHELIV Christensen's rugby tackle deserved red and cost the Blues, and Kepa’s shaky keeping, leading to Mané’s brace. Jorginho was denied from the spot by Alisson after a softer than soft pen call for Thiago’s slightest of slight brush on Werner. It could and should have been four or five goals for the Reds. “Not definitely a red card," said Chelsea boss Lampard. WTF?! What was he watching?! He also said he needs to try and "give Kepa Arrizabalaga confidence." Good luck on that one.

#LEIBUR Poor defending in the both incidents, Wood’s opener and Barnes’ equaliser. Pieters deflected a Castagne shot/cross into the back of his own net to give the Foxes the lead after the break. Justin made it 3-1 totally unmarked from close range despite eight Burnley players in the box. Dunne banged one back off a free kick, 3-2. Whacker from the edge of the box by Praet, 4-2. Burnley still didn’t give up, keeping Schmeichel and the woodwork busy, but still ended pointless.

There were 39 goals scored across eight games this weekend at an average of 4.9 per game. This is the highest goals-per-game rate on a Saturday and Sunday of Premiers League football (with a minimum of five games).

#AVLSHU Red after not even 13 minutes, Egan was sent to an early shower denying Watkins a goal-scoring opportunity, similar to Christensen on Mané as mentioned above. The VAR checked, but the ref was very sure of himself. Targett was booked for a tumbling Basham in front of him, harsh penalty given, looooooong VAR check, ref was having non of it, Villa debutant Martinez saved the spot kick denying Lundstrum, muchas gracias. Konsa headed the opener off a deflected corner just past the hour-mark. That ended up being the only goal of the match. The Villans produced 18 shots, that’s one more than Everton, Man United and Liverpool = 17 each, but just three on target, making the penalty save oh so crucial. 

#WOLMCI Manchester City equalled Aston Villa's record of winning 10 consecutive opening fixtures to a top-flight season, set between 1891 and 1900, the first timeit's been achieved in the PL era. After Saiss' late tackle on De Bruyne on the edge of the box and/or inside the area, the ref pointed to the spot without hesitation, the Belge banged it into the bottom right corner without a hint of a doubt. Foden slashed in the second past everyone in the box, Sterling the provider from the left. Jimenez headed one back. Jesus sealed the three-point deal in the final seconds of stoppage time, deflected shot in, 1-3. And that late goal meant, we have had 44 goals in this round of matches, more than any other game-week since the league turned to 20 teams. I hope I got my math right with all the stats after all the madness. Are you not entertained?!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Everton 1:0 West Brom - 5:2

Leeds 3:1 Fulham - 4:3

Man United 1:0 Palace - 1:3

Arsenal 3:1 West Ham - 2:1

Saints 1:2 Spurs - 2:5

Newcastle 2:0 Brighton - 0:3

Chelsea 1:3 Liverpool - 0:2

Leicester 3:1 Burnley - 4:2

Aston Villa 1:0 Sheff United - 1:0

Wolves 1:2 Man City - 1:3

Click here for my previous PL Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 37

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 37

The 37th week of the Premier League football action saw:

25 goals - most by Liverpool = 5

227 shots - most by Man City = 26

76 on target - most by Man City = 10

116 corners - most by Leicester = 13

249 fouls - most by Everton and Arsenal = 19 each

33 bookings - most by Brighton and Arsenal = 4 each

2 red cards - Buendía and Drmić for Norwich

3 penalties - 1 scored (Antonio for West Ham)

#NORBUR

Chris Wood acrobatically connected to Jóhann Guðmundsson’s cross into the box to put it past Tim Krul from close range and open the scoring for Burnley (45+5’). Wood is the first player to score 13 goals in a top division season for the club since Peter Noble and Ray Hankin in 1975-76. Norwich had made a strong start pulling a couple of saves out of Nick Pope. But like so many times this season, the Canaries then pressed the self-destruct button. First Emi Buendía was sent off for an elbow into the back of Ashley Westwood's head, ref Kevin Friend checked the VAR screen himself to confirm the red (36’). And the bottom club went down to nine men after Josip Drmić’s dangerous lunge in with studs up on Erik Pieters, no replay or VAR needed for that one (45+3’). There was a lot of discussions about the harshness of both decisions, but I think both calls were clear and obvious. The goal then just added salt onto Daniel Farke and co’s wounds, confirming the obvious, just not controlled nor good enough. Norwich are the first team to have multiple players sent off in the first half of a Premier League game since August 2015 (two Stoke red cards v West Brom). Capitulation. And to add to their misery, Ben Godfrey added an own goal into the bottom right to make it 0-2 (81’). No team have scored more own goals in the Premier League this season than Norwich (three). And the Canaries have conceded 37 home goals in the Premier League this season - in their league history they have only shipped more at Carrow Road once (48 in 1946-47). It’s the ninth consecutive defeat for the relegated side. Sean Dyche’s men meanwhile, climbed up to ninth after their club record 15th league win of the season, their most in a top-flight campaign since 1974-75. Records.

#BOUSOU

Who else but Danny Ings broke the deadlock in the South-coast derby, off Nathan Redmond, cutting onto his right foot, taking the ball past two players and squeezing it around Jack Stacey and into the bottom right corner (41’). It’s his 12th goal on the road for the Saints, matching Matt Le Tissier’s club record for the most away goals in a season. The Cherries must have been gutted at the break after playing well for most of the half, but recording no shot on target. Important HT team talk for Eddie Howe. The VAR awarded a penalty deeming the ball came off Harry Wilson’s arm, harsh one. Aaron Ramsdale dived the right way, his left, and saved the spot kick to deny Ings the club record (59’). Bournemouth thought they had found a dramatic late leveller when after a scramble Sam Surridge squeezed the ball inside the post - for the beloved VAR to disallow it offside (90+4’). Howe closed his eyes, Ramsdale’s celebrating run across the pitch was spoilt, but it summarised their season: all fight, no result, no points. And to add salt onto the wounds, Michael Obafemi slipped it through to Ché Adams in the box, who took one touch to beat the defender and smash it beyond Ramsdale to make it 0-2 (90+8’). The result sees the Cherries drop to 19th, three points from safety with one game to go at Everton.

#TOTLEI

Son Heung-min broke the deadlock after just seven minutes, running and dancing through the Foxes' back line, his shot coming off James Justin into the bottom left. The VAR checked offside against Harry Kane when the shot was taken, but the goal stood, the striker not involved at all. And it was given as an own goal anyways in the end. The Foxes kept pushing, Jamie Vardy kept missing, Kane ended up scoring, doubling the Londoners’ lead with his left foot across into the bottom right corner (38’). And seconds later, the top scorer added to his and his side’s account, again across and into the bottom right, lovely take (40’). Three counter goals, lacking any marking or defending. Since January Leicester have amassed 17 out of 48 points. Thrown it away completely. Hugo Lloris did his job in the second half, Brendan Rodgers' side with double the attempts and shots on target, but nothing on the scoreboard. It was the lowest possession for Spurs at home in eight years with only 30%, but I don’t think José Mourinho and co will care about any of that after banking three comfy points taking them up to sixth (before Wolves played, see below). 

#BHANEW

Half an hour gone, Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard linked-up well, the latter seeing his right footed shot from the centre of the box saved by Martin Dúbravka. Dwight Gayle came close, putting his chance just over for the visitors at the end of the first half. The Magpies went close again shortly after the break, Miguel Almirón squeezing a shot away under pressure from Tariq Lamptey for Mat Ryan to save. Frustrating game to watch. Bookings left, right and centre. But nothing from it. It ended goalless, no surprises at the Amex Stadium.

#SHUEVE

Not much happened at Bramall Lane, the home side giving the Toffees no break. A couple of minutes before the half-time break, Theo Walcott in a world of space on the right, found Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the box, whose header from close range came crashing off the post. The visitors should’ve been ahead. Seconds after the restart, Richarlison banged in a header into the bottom left to give Everton the lead (46’). Carlo Ancelotti said something right during the interval. Both sides had chances to add to the scoreboard, most wasted, the home side producing more but nothing on target. Frustrating result for them, blowing their European hopes, dropping to eighth, five points ahead of Everton.

#WOLCRY

The only thing worth reporting in the first quarter was Mamadou Sakho having to be replaced having obviously pulled something. A couple of shots, but nothing of note. End of the first half, Daniel Podence headed the Wanderers ahead off a nice run and cross by Matt Doherty, after Jeffrey Schlupp gave the ball away to João Moutinho (41’). His first goal for the club. Lovely buildup. All Wolves in the second half. What a beauty by Jonny, turn and hit from the centre of the box, doubled the visitors’ lead, Adama Traoré an absolute monster in the buildup once again (68’). Palace had some chances after that, nothing to worry Rui Patrício much. It ended 2-0, Roy Hodgson’s seventh consecutive league defeat for the first time in his long managerial career sees his side remain 14th, whilst Nuno Espírito Santo’s side stay 6th and in the tight race for Europe. 

#WATMCI

Sunday the news broke: Watford sacked Nigel Pearson with only two games left to play?! The third manager of the season to be given the chop by the owners, that makes it an average of 11ish points per sacking this season. Rumours were growing of bust-ups between players and the manager. No surprise on Tuesday then: Raheem Sterling's first half double (31’, 40’), then in the second half Phil Foden (63’) and Aymeric Laporte (66’) got in on the fun. The Hornets are in big trouble, handing Villa a lifeline, see below for more.

#AVLARS

Aston Villa were fighting, Arsenal just awful. From a corner, whipped in by Conor Hourihane, Tyrone Mings got a touch and the ball found Trézéguet in space in the box, who connected with it beautifully WHACK to give the Villans the lead (27’). It was enough to bag the three crucial points. After seeing his side losing in miserable fashion against the relegation battlers, not producing a single shot on target and heading to their worst finish in 25 years, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said that winning the FA Cup final on 1 August is even more important for the club now as it's the only way they can qualify for Europe next season. Duh! Massive performance and win for Dean Smith and his men, dropping Watford into the relegation zone on goal difference, three points ahead of Bournemouth in 19th, taking the fight against the drop into the last week. 

#MUNWHU

Dull match until a controversial penalty call: It took the VAR a while and a few replays to decide Paul Pogba handled the ball. Some (the French commentators) argued the Frenchman protected himself, but especially the angle from behind showed it looked more like a volleyball move with both arms up. A rare call going against United, and Michail Antonio made no mistake, banging the spot kick in sending David de Gea the wrong way just before the HT break (45’). Mason Greenwood smashed in the equaliser from the centre of the box, the Hammers defence giving him too much time and space (51’). Big point for David Moyes and co to make 100% sure they stay up, whilst OGS and his men will need a point against Leicester in the final matchweek to qualify for Europe next season. 

#LIVCHE

Naby Keïta opened the scoring from the edge of the semi-circle into the top right, lovely first shot on target after a quiet opening with each side feeling each other out (23’). Another lovely lovely goal, TAA curled a free kick from right outside the semi-circle up and over everyone into the right corner of the net (37’). And Georginio Wijnaldum made it three, whacking the ball in after a corner bounced off Mo Salah and a couple of defenders, a bit of ping pong, but super finish (43’). Chelsea pulled one back in the final seconds of the first half, Willian's shot was saved by Alisson, but Olivier Giroud slid in to net the rebound to make it 3-1 (45+3’). Perfect cross by Trent from the right and Bobby Firmino entering the box bang middle made no mistake of heading it in to make it four for the Reds (55’). The Blues doubled their score, sub Tammy Abraham unmarked from close range, after a lovely run and cross from the left by the other sub Christian Pulisic (61’). What a turn and take by Pulisic unmarked in the box to make it 4-3 and game on (73’). The Ox made it five, after a super quick counter, Andy Robertson from the left, long cross, BANG, the sub made no mistake from close range (84’). BOOM. Unbeaten at Anfield for three seasons. CHAMP19NS. Fireworks and party started. Click here for full ByTheMinLFC coverage. 

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Norwich 0:1 Burnley - 0:2

Bournemouth 2:1 Southampton - 0:2

Tottenham 1:1 Leicester - 3:0

Brighton 1:1 Newcastle - 0:0

Sheffield United 2:1 Everton - 0:1

Wolves 2:0 Crystal Palace - 2:0

Watford 1:1 Man City - 0:4

Aston Villa 0:2 Arsenal - 1:0

Man United 2:1 West Ham - 1:1

Liverpool 3:2 Chelsea - 5:3

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 33

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 33

The 33rd week of the Premier League football action saw:

26 goals - most by Man United = 5

234 shots - most by Man City = 26

79 on target - most by Man United = 10

99 corners - most by Man City = 13

216 fouls - most by Leicester and Liverpool = 18 each

27 bookings - most by Arsenal = 4

0 red cards

3 penalties - 3 scored (Rashford for United, King for Bournemouth, Willian for Chelsea)

#NORBHA

Lovely run and cross by Aaron Mooy from the right, Leandro Trossard swept it in from close range, past all the yellow shirts, keeper Tim Krul nowhere near (25’). Plenty of chances for both sides after that, the woodwork was the busiest at Carrow Road. It stayed at just the one goal, Brighton safe, Norwich gone, surely.

#LEICRY

James Justin hit the woodwork early on for the hosts, but neither side created much, no shots on target at the HT break in the King Power Stadium. Superb Youri Tielemans run and cross from the left, knocked in by Kelechi Iheanacho to open the scoring (50’). Jamie Vardy doubled the Foxes’ lead, an easy tap in against some awful defending, his 100th Premier League goal (76’). And he made it 101, running clear from the halfway line, and finding the right corner with a lovely finish past the hopeless Palace keeper Vicente Guaita (90+4’). Three goals and three much-needed points for Brendan Rodgers and co to stay in the top four.

#MUNBOU

Junior Stanislas gave the Cherries the lead at Old Trafford, from close range, nutmegging Harry Maguire and beating David de Gea at his near post, after another chance got blocked but not cleared, the Red Devils unable to deal with it (17’). Mason Greenwood smashed in the equaliser, in off Aaron Ramsdale (29’). Adam Smith conceded a penalty with an obvious handball off a United corner, Marcus Rashford smashed the spot kick in to turn the game around, 2-1 (35’). It’s his 20th goal this season (all comps) - no English player has reached that total for Man Utd since Wayne Rooney in 2011-2012. Anthony Martial hit in an absolute beauty, across from left outside the box, into the top right corner of the net, to make it 1-3 (47’). And that made it the first time since 2011 that two United players have scored over 20. Wow. Bournemouth came out swinging after the HT break, saw a shot blocked, then Arnaut Danjuma hit the post. A spot kick was given for an Eric Bailly handball, or shoulder, the VAR took their time as always, penalty given eventually. Joshua King beat de Gea, just, to the keeper’s left, 3-2 (49’). Equaliser by Danjuma was flagged offside seconds later, confusing, mad. Greenwood whacked another one in off the keeper’s glove to make it 4-2 (55’). Bruno Fernandes slashed in a free kick from about 15 yards out to make it five for the Red Devils (59’). Rashford poked in the sixth - flagged offside, another VAR check, all the lines concluded, offside, so it stayed 5-2 (66’). No goals the last half an hour-ish, hard defeat for the visitors stuck in 19th, happy smash for OGS and co keeping them in the race for Europe.

#WOLARS

Super save with his left boot by the Portuguese Wolves stopper Rui Patrício against Eddie Nketiah, before ‪Bukayo Saka was left unmarked in the centre of the box, easy swing with his left foot and smash in to put the Gunners ahead (43’). Lovely. His maiden Premier League goal was the first Wolves have conceded in the competition in 448 minutes of action since a Serge Aurier strike in March (Week 28). Rocket. Alexandre Lacazette sealed the win slotting home the second into the far corner (86’). This is Arsenal's first away league win against a team they started the day below in the table since September 2015, putting them up to seventh and back in the European race.

#CHEWAT

Olivier Giroud slashed home the opener, top quality, past a fighting but helpless defense and keeper Ben Foster (29’). Christian Pulisic was charged down by Étienne Capoue in the box, the ref didn’t hesitate, penalty, netted confidently by Willian just before the break to make it 2-0 to the Blues (43’). Kepa Arrizabalaga made some impressive blocks and stops, but Ross Barkley sealed the win in stoppage time (90+2’), nice turn, control and left-footed take, unmarked in the box, to make it three goals and three points for Frank Lampard and co.

#BURSHU

James Tarkowski put the home side ahead with a slide in from close range (43’). John Egan levelled the score late on, unmarked, across and into the top far corner of the net (80’). Share of spoils, Burnley moved up to ninth, overtaking United who played better but not good enough to take the lead. 

#NEWWHU

Michail Antonio gave the Hammers an early lead thanks to some awful defending and fine cross into the box by Jarrod Bowen (4’). Miguel Almirón was left with an easy touch in to level the score for the Magpies after some lovely buildup play by Allan Saint-Maximin and Emil Krafth (17’). Pace and play stayed relentless after that competitive start, David Moyes’ men with more chances and possession of the ball. But Saint-Maximin was everywhere for the hosts, keeping Steve Bruce’s side competing in the match. Tomáš Souček smashed in the rebound of Declan Rice’s header that came back off the woodwork to put the visitors ahead (66’). Jonjo Shelvey levelled the score seconds later, hitting the ball across and in, after slashing through the Hammers’ back line thanks to a nice one-two with Dwight Gayle in the buildup (67’). Moyes and co couldn’t believe their eyes. His side kept pushing, pressing, trying, but it ended two goals and a point each.

#LIVAVL

The ref Paul Tierney was poor, but more to Villa’s advantage, Mo Salah was fouled more than once, but nothing given. Dire half overall, the Reds nowhere, the Villans definitely the happier of the two. Naby Keïta's pass found Sadio Mané in the box, after a bit of ping pong, the ball went off the crossbar and in, from close range (71’). Finally, the Villa deadlock was broken, something to cheer about for the Reds. It's the Senegalese’s 50th goal at Anfield. ‪His Egyptian team mate headed the ball down to young sub Curtis Jones in centre of the box, unmarked, had enough time and space to put it into the bottom left corner and make it 2-0 with his first goal for the club (89’)‬. Three more points for Jürgen Klopp’s record breakers, keeping their unbeaten run at home going and points total rolling. Click here for my full ByTheMinLFC coverage.

#SOUMCI

Ché Adams payed more attention than anyone else, won the ball near the centre circle, saw Ederson out of position, right foot shot up and over the City keeper and in to give the Saints the lead (16’). It’s his first ever PL goal in his 25th appearance and 22nd shot. The other stopper Alex McCarthy made save after save after save, sublime. Philip Foden and Kevin De Bruyne came on with just under an hour gone (59’). But the Saints kept blocking, blocking and blocking, whatever the Sky Blues fired at them. Outstanding defending. Unbelievable. With that win, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men are safe on 43 points, condemning Pep Guardiola’s side to their ninth defeat of the season. 

#TOTEVE

Scabby opener, Everton unable to clear the ball, Giovani Lo Celso effort went in off Michael Keane, giving Jordan Pickford no chance and putting Spurs ahead (24’). The Toffees enjoyed more possession and chances end of the first half, but the Londoners stayed ahead at the break, however there was a bust-up between two of their players on their way out. Keeper and skipper Hugo Lloris had to be held back by his own team mates having a dispute with Son Heung-min. That was the only thing worth mentioning that happened on the pitch. After the break, nothing of note happened, dire game, the own goal the decider, that says it all. The drag win saw José Mourinho’s side up to ninth, whilst Carlo Ancelotti and co stay 11th.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Norwich 1:2 Brighton - 0:1

Leicester 1:1 Palace - 3:0

Man United 2:0 Bournemouth - 5:2

Wolves 1:2 Arsenal - 0:2

Chelsea 1:1 Watford - 3:0

Burnley 1:1 Sheff United - 1:1

Newcastle 3:2 West Ham - 2:2

Liverpool 4:0 Aston Villa - 2:0

Southampton 0:2 Man City - 1:0

Tottenham 2:2 Everton - 1:0

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.