Premier League Notes - Week 36

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 36

The 36th week of the Premier League football action saw:

25 goals - most by Tottenham and West Ham = 3 each

255 shots - most by Liverpool = 24

75 on target - most by Liverpool = 8

107 corners - most by Liverpool = 13

113 fouls - most by Everton and Man United = 15 each

26 bookings - most by Tottenham and Arsenal = 3 each

0 red cards

1 penalty - 1 scored (Wood for Burnley)

#CHENOR

Olivier Giroud headed the dominant Blues ahead just before the half-time break (45+3’). Disappointing defending by relegated Norwich after a strong first-half performance frustrating the hosts. The Canaries were a bit more adventurous and pushing in the second half, but not much, Chelsea stayed on top and banked the three points to keep them in third place. 

#BURWOL

The home side made it as cagey and difficult as possible for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men to find any way through. But Raúl Jiménez whacked in the breakthrough for Wolves, netting the rebound off Matt Doherty’s saved shot (75’). Eventful final minutes of stoppage time: Just after they missed a golden chance, headed wide, Burnley won a penalty. Overhead kick?! No foul! Offside? No, handball! The VAR confirmed the spot kick, Chris Wood banged it in to the right side netting to level the score (90+6’). One goal and one point each, Sean Dyche must be the happier.

#MCIBOU 

David Silva’s stunning free kick into the top corner gave the Citizens the lead early on (6’). But the Cherries hit back, Junior Stanislas with a gem of a free kick, but Ederson and the post did enough to keep it out. Seconds later Gabriel Jesus doubled City’s lead, working his way through everyone, finishing nice and low into the far corner (39’). The visitors had the ball in the back of the net again after the break, but the VAR found Joshua King’s toe offside. Jesus’ penalty shout was rightly called off by the VAR as the Brazilian was the one stepping on the defender Steve Cook’s foot, correct call for a change (74’). David Brooks finally pulled one back, fully deserved for the visitors (88’). But it stayed 2-1, harsh on Eddie Howe and his men, who worked harder and produced more, just not the result. That’s what counts most, as the ex-champions know as well.

#NEWTOT

Son Heung-min gave Spurs the lead at St James’ Park, low and through DeAndre Yedlin’s legs (27’). And the South Korean could have had another goal seconds later, hit from 25 yards, pulling a high-flying save out of Martin Dúbravka. But the Magpies didn’t stay down, creating chances, worrying and working Hugo Lloris hard, Dwight Gayle denied by the woodwork. Matt Ritchie found the equaliser after the half-time break, sublime whack across the box and in (56’). Harry Kane restored the visitors’ lead shortly after, unmarked, easy header down and in, his 200th in 350 appearances (60’). And the record striker put another one in to make it 201 and 1-3, off another save off Erik Lamela’s shot, easy central and from close range but painful one clashing with a defender on the way (90’). Costly defeat, points and injuries for Steve Bruce and co, after playing and working so well and hard.

#ARSLIV

Early dominance by the champions was nearly rewarded through Emiliano Martínez’s cock-up with the ball, which found Roberto Firmino’s high leg and went just wide, just, off the post (13’). Sadio Mané broke the deadlock from close range after great buildup by Andrew Robertson and Firmino, bing, bang, boom (20’). Virgil van Dijk was left complaining after he lost the ball off Reiss Nelson for Alexandre Lacazette to whack in the equaliser, seconds after the Frenchman had a goal chalked off for offside (23’). There was nothing there, a rare soft giveaway by the big Dutchman, handing the Gunners their first shot of the match. And Nelson smashed Arsenal ahead, across and into the far corner, off Lacazette from the right, after Liverpool messed up again, a throw-in to Alisson, the keeper gave it away (44’). Two presents, two goals, the hosts ahead against the run of play. The Reds have gone in behind at half-time despite scoring the opening goal for the first time since December 2016 vs West Ham; that game was also the last time they made two errors leading directly to a goal in the opening half. The visitors dominated after the break, possession, chances, but the only real save Martínez had to make wasn’t until added time. Jürgen Klopp was understandably not happy, the champions’ third defeat of the season, lots of records out of the window with it. Click here for ByTheMinLFC coverage.

#EVEAVL

Early injury woos and change for the Toffees, both sides struggled fitness-wise, not much produced, created or shown by either side. This had 0-0 written all over it. But Villa stuck around, created opportunities as well. And the Villans scored with their first shot on target: A free-kick whipped in, cracking delivery from Conor Hourihane, and Ezri Konsa poked out a long leg and just about got it over the line (72’). But it was not to be. A cross to the back post, Theo Walcott looped a header across goal and Konsa did his best to clear it with an overhead kick, but his contact only sent it over the line before Pepe Reina could get anything on it. The ref's watch confirmed the clear goal, 1-1, the hosts’ first shot on target as well (87’). A goal and point each, a bit of pride for one side, heartbreak for the other.

#LEISHU

Leicester on top, took a deserved lead, youngster Luke Thomas with an assist on his debut, picking out Ayoze Pérez with a beauty of a pass from the left, the Spaniard took a touch and then nailed a low shot through the legs of John Egan and into the bottom corner (29’). Demarai Gray doubled the Foxes’ lead with a lovely shot across Dean Henderson and in (79’). The result keeps Brendan Rodgers' men in Champions League qualification, whilst Chris Wilder's side's European hopes are left hanging, two points behind Wolves in 6th.

#CRYMUN

A Palace penalty appeal was ignored shortly before Marcus Rashford gave the Red Devils the lead just before the half-time break with a lovely move into the box and turn around the Eagles defenders and keeper and in (45+1’). Bruno Fernandes the provider, of course. Jordan Ayew’s equaliser was disallowed by the lovely VAR - both his and the defender’s toes were on the same line FFS (55’)! It took over two minutes for the call! Ridiculous! Time out?! Fernandes hit the woodwork a couple of minutes before Anthony Martial on a charge doubled United’s lead (78’). Harsh. Patrick van Aanholt was down and out after that, had to be replaced, Roy Hodgson must have been counting his demons. OGS’ side ended up on top, but with a lot of help from modern technology. 

#SOUBHA

Neal Maupay put the Seagulls ahead, finishing off a fine move off Tariq Lamptey's long throw, headed on by Glenn Murray, through the heart of the Saints’ defence and in by the Frenchman, a nice reverse shot from eight yards out, wrong-footing Alex McCarthy (18’). A great counter saw the home side level, Danny Ings on the charge off Nathan Redmond, left-footer into the bottom right from the centre of the box, nice one (66’). It ended a goal and point each, Brighton edging their way to safety, leaving Southampton more disappointed, dropping points after dominating once again. 

#WHUWAT

Michail Antonio gave the Hammers an early lead, one-touch take nutmegging the Watford keeper Ben Foster (6’). Tomáš Souček doubled the hosts’ lead soon after, heading in a superb cross by Jarrod Bowen (10’). Dream start for David Moyes and co. Declan Rice smashed in the third across and in from over twenty yards out into the top right corner (36’). Beauty. With that, West Ham have scored more Premier League goals in their last five games (12) than in their previous 11 games combined. The Hornets hit back after the break, Troy Deeney smashing in the rebound off Abdoulaye Doucouré’s good run past a couple of defenders and low shot off the post to make it 3-1 (49’). Foster kept out Sébastian Haller’s superb take trying to catch out the keeper out of position from distance, seconds after the West Ham man came on (73’). Nigel Pearson was in agony seeing his side create chance after chance, but just unable to add more to the scoreboard. It ended 3-1, crucial points for the Hammers, leaving Watford sweating, three points separating them from the drop zone with two games left to play. 

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Chelsea 3:0 Norwich - 1:0

Burnley 1:1 Wolves - 1:1

Man City 3:0 Bournemouth - 2:1

Newcastle 2:2 Tottenham - 1:3

Arsenal 2:2 Liverpool - 2:1

Everton 2:1 Aston Villa - 1:1

Leicester 2:1 Sheffield United - 2:0

Crystal Palace 1:2 Man United - 0:2

Southampton 1:0 Brighton - 1:1

West Ham 3:2 Watford - 3:1

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 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 Notes - Week 34

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 34

The 34th week of the Premier League football action saw:

26 goals - most by Man City = 5

243 shots - most by Man City = 23

79 on target - most by Man City = 9

115 corners - most by Tottenham = 13

209 fouls - most by Norwich and Liverpool = 15 each

33 bookings - most by Norwich and Liverpool = 4 each

1 red card - Nketiah for Arsenal 

2 penalties - 1 scored (Bruno Fernandes for Man United)

#CRYCHE

Olivier Giroud put the Blues ahead controversially, Palace not happy as Gary Cahill went down with an obvious hamstring injury in the buildup (6’), and had to be replaced thereafter. It wasn’t that obvious, the former Chelsea man just couldn’t keep up with the run of the provider Willian, tough luck. Christian Pulisic doubled their lead shortly after the first drinks break with a lovely left-footer, too easy (27’). Wilfried Zaha smacked one back, what a screamer from far out, wow (35’). Tammy Abraham made it 1-3, tight but on and in, VAR confirmed (71’). I hardly finished the last note, Christian Benteke tapped one back, his first goal at Selhurst Park since 2018, brilliantly set up by Patrick van Aanholt, 2-3 and game on (73’). Palace thought they levelled the score in stoppage time, but Scott Dann’s header hit the woodwork! Frank Lampard’s men were relieved to hear the FT whistle.

#WATNOR

Emiliano Buendía put the bottom side ahead early on with a lovely curler after a quick counter by the Canaries (4’), Ben Foster grabbing thin air. Craig Dawson headed the Hornets level point blank soon after (8’). Danny Welbeck’s spectacular overhead kick put the home side ahead (55'), top quality and very very crucial turnaround in their battle for survival. 

#ARSLEI

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got his 20th of the season, set up by Bukayo Saka, quick move, great pickup, quality goal, clinical (21’). Kasper Schmeichel denied Alexandre Lacazette with just over half an hour gone, the Gunners all over the Foxes. Jamie Vardy set up Kelechi Iheanacho from the left, but the goal got disallowed for a foul in the buildup (35’). Arsenal corner by Dani Ceballos, David Luiz header down, Lacazette put it in and was sure of himself, but the flag was up and it was confirmed offside (68’). The ref went to the screen to double-check, rare in the PL! Moments after coming on, Eddie Nketiah was then sent off instead of just a yellow for his lash out at James Justin, on the knee, it wasn’t near the ball, harsh maybe but no surprise (76’). Vardy turn and goal, offside (80’). Four minutes later, lovely ball into the box by Demarai Gray, Vardy netted it, offside again?! Replays, lines and checks and more replays... It stood, 1-1 (87’). EIGHT minutes added on for all that malarkey - it stayed at one goal and one point each, the CL qualification spot chase staying on. It's only Leicester’s second ever away point against Arsenal.

#MCINEW

Gabriel Jesus left unmarked in the box, you’re asking for trouble, a present of an opener, set up by David Silva from the left (10’). The second goal was the same again, this time Kevin De Bruyne from the left, providing an unmarked Riyad Mahrez with an easy finish (21’). Too easy. Quality own goal: Jesus dancing into the box, Magpies defender Federico Fernández tried to nick the ball, curled it into the corner of his own net instead to make it 3-0 (58’). Silva made it four with a left-footed free kick around the wall and in (65’). The same Silva again in the buildup, handed Raheem Sterling a present to make it 5-0 in stoppage time. Th-r-ash.

#SHUWOL

The home side were more threatening at times, but that soon ebbed down. Rúben Neves hit the woodwork with a lovely curling free-kick with just over half an hour played. Goal for Billy Sharp, but offside, shame (53’). John Egan rose the highest off a corner and headed in the winner in the final seconds of stoppage time. A crucial late winner in the race for Europe.

#WHUBUR

Scrappy match, more frustrating for David Moyes watching Burnley take advantage as the Hammers struggled to break down their opponents. Jay Rodriguez snuck in the opener, a header that bounced in off the crossbar, nicely set up by Charlie Taylor (38’). Chris Wood thought he had doubled his side’s lead, to be disallowed, marginally offside (76’). The Hammers kept digging, chance after chance, their own grave in the end as they suffered another defeat. 

#BHALIV

Keeper Mat Ryan and Davy Pröpper messed up between each other, handing the ball to Naby Keïta, who put it straight across the box for Mo Salah to bang it in and give the champions the lead (6’). The skipper made it two seconds later: Georginio Wijnaldum to Salah, to Jordan Henderson, who placed it across and into the left corner to make it 0-2 in his 350th PL appearance (8’). Beautiful.‬ Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay pushed the Reds after the first drinks break, Graham Potter said something right, but Red youngster Neco Williams and keeper Alisson and co coped well. ‪The hosts pulled one back eventually, deserved after the drinks break! Whacked in by Trossard off a lovely cross by Pascal Groß, Alisson no chance, game on‬ (44’). After a more settled and even second half restart, Salah headed in a corner, bottom right to make it 1-3 (76’). Not an easy but quality win for Jürgen Klopp’s men, their record-breaking 30th league win of the season. Potter’s side tried their best to stay in the match, but fell to the record breaking champions in the end. Click here for my full ByTheMinLFC coverage.

#BOUTOT

The only thing of note happening in the first half was Harry Kane going down in the box and not getting a penalty for a change! After the break, Adam Smith got knocked out cold after colliding with Ben Davies and had to come off around the hour-mark, a long delay without any replays, you know it’s bad. Hope he's okay. Bournemouth shaken, Tottenham lucky. Callum Wilson’s overhead kick put the hosts ahead in the final minutes of normal time - or so they thought, apparently there was a handball on its way in, harsh, good old VAR. Twelve minutes added on. It ended goalless, not a single shot on target for José Mourinho’s men, Eddie Howe and co will be left wondering how costly the VAR calls and injuries will be in their fight for survival. It was the first time after 186 PL games for the Cherries not to concede a single shot on target. 

#EVESOU

Saints thought they had broken the deadlock when Stuart Armstrong fired the ball into the roof of the net off Ché Adams, but the flag’s up, offside (7’). Softer than soft penalty given against the Toffees, James Ward-Prowse leaning in on André Gomes, goes down, gets the spot kick for it, but he hit the crossbar, relief for Jordan Pickford and co after the visitors kept getting closer and closer, chance after chance, keeping the hosts’ woodwork busy (28’). A couple of minutes later, the flag was up again but the VAR confirmed this time everything and everyone was in line, Danny Ings putting the visitors ahead fair and square (31’). Richarlison pinged in the equaliser over the keeper and in, top finish (44’). Feisty game, end to end, no one holding back. It stayed so high paced after the restart, Pickford with a couple of good saves. Around an hour gone, the VAR spared last man Jan Bednarek from a red, yellow instead for bringing down Richarlison, no goal scoring opportunity from 20 yards out apparently. It stayed a goal and point each.

#AVLMUN

Villa started brightly, stronger, creating chances, but not good enough finishes, Anwar el Ghazi the closest hitting the woodwork (25’). Another penalty to the Red Devils, Bruno Fernandes tripped even though he was was the one treading on the Villan Ezri Konsa’s ankle. Pf. The Portuguese netted the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong way, giving the visitors the lead against the run of play (27’). And Mason Greenwood doubled United’s lead from the semi-circle, bang in after a clinical counter involving Anthony Martial and Fernandes (45+5’). Harsh harsh scoreline, harsh on Villa. Marcus Rashford lined up a shot from outside the box, hammered it home, but Paul Pogba was offside and in the way of keeper Pepe Reina. Goal did not stand (56’). But Pogba netted one seconds later, Villa covering nothing and no one off a corner, too easy for the Frenchman, bang 0-3 (58’). Martial hit the crossbar (61’). Vila boss Dean Smith looked like he was going to kill someone, I suspect the officials and at least half of his team will be on his hit list. Down and out? United move within a point of fourth, Villa stay four points away from safety. They have a huge game against Palace on Sunday.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Palace 1:1 Chelsea - 2:3

Watford 1:0 Norwich - 2:1

Arsenal 2:1 Leicester - 1:1

Man City 2:0 Newcastle - 5:0

Sheff United 2:3 Wolves - 1:0

West Ham 2:2 Burnley - 0:1

Brighton 0:1 Liverpool - 1:3

Bournemouth 2:1 Tottenham - 0:0

Everton 2:2 Southampton - 1:1

Aston Villa 0:2 Man United - 0:3

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 32

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 32

The 32nd week of the Premier League football action saw:

34 goals - most by Arsenal, Newcastle and Man City = 4 each

219 shots - most by Palace and Chelsea = 17 each

74 on target - most by Arsenal = 8

74 corners - most by Palace = 9

226 fouls - most by Watford = 18

26 bookings - most by Norwich = 4

0 red cards

3 penalties - 3 scored (Sigurdsson for Everton, Willian for Chelsea, De Bruyne for City)

#AVLWOL

Adama Traoré starred again, making all the difference after coming on for Wolves (60’). The big Spaniard was involved in the buildup to Leander Dendoncker’s fine low finish inside the post (62’), to give the visitors the lead at Villa Park, Dean Smith watching on, looking fed up of it all. The Villans didn’t respond much after that, Nuno Espírito Santo completing a fine run of three wins out of three games since the restart, keeping them in the chase for European qualification. 

#WATSOU

Danny Ings opened the scoring in style for the Saints, surrounded by yellow shirts, the former Liverpool man slotted the ball home nice and low, cool as you like, from outside the box into the bottom right corner (17’). Ben Foster looked totally lost, probably wondering what his team mates were doing. And Ings made it two in the 70th minute, pouncing on a failed Foster throw, wham bam thank you ma’am, 0-2. Not the keeper’s day. Jan Bednarek tapped the ball into his own net to make it 1-2 (79’). But a couple of minutes later, James Ward-Prowse curled a beautiful free kick in from the tip of the semi-circle outside the box. The wall and keeper were all useless, the two-goal cushion reestablished. And it could have been a much bigger cushion, helping the Saints to 40 points with six games spare, whilst Watford stay in deep trouble.

#CRYBUR

The skipper Ben Mee opened the scoring, heading Ashley Westwood’s free kick just past the hour-mark, keeper Vicente Guaita flapping at it but not getting his full glove on it. It was an even-ish clash beforehand, both sides at it but not on it. A late Palace onslaught, Nick Pope and co dealt with it. Roy Hodgson was rambling at himself at HT. Just before FT the former England boss had a weird schoolgirl smile on him. Don’t think he’s happy. Sean Dyche was loud as always, can be more than satisfied, with his side staying solid, determined, on the ball throughout.

#BHAMUN

Mason Greenwood gave the dominant Red Devils the lead, with too much space despite having four Brighton players around him in the box, fine low finish, cool as you like, into the right corner of the net (16’). Keeper Mat Ryan could have done better, but so should have his team mates. Bruno Fernandes doubled United’s lead (29’), the Seagulls all over the place again, giving their visitors way too much freedom in and around the box, and it ended up near the semi-circle, the deflected shot finding the bottom right corner again. A couple of minutes after the break, just when it looked like the home side were creating more, United were lethal on the counter, quick and quality move, Fernandes netting his second, OGS’ side’s third. The hosts did improve after the break, but it stayed at three goals and three points for the visitors, too easy. 

#ARSNOR

Goalkeeper Tim Krul needlessly took his time on the ball for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to nick it and give the Gunners the lead (33’). Then the hosts ran all over the Canaries, Granit Xhaka with a fine but easy finish from inside the box to double their lead (37’). Another Norwich giveaway at the back made it two for Aubameyang and three for Arsenal (67’). The visitors couldn’t clear a corner, for Cédric Soares to slash in his debut goal to make it four goals and three points for Mikel Arteta’s side (81’), keeping them in the race for a European qualification place.

#BOUNEW

Dwight Gayle (4’) and Sean Longstaff (30’) put the Magpies on top down South, dancing all over the Cherries, leaving them down in the dumps. Sub Miguel Almirón made it three goals and three points, charging at and shooting past the back line (57’), to pile on the misery at the Vitality Stadium. Allan Saint-Maximin set up all three of those goals. Valentino Lazaro made it four (goals not points - 76’) = a hammering. And it could have been worse, Lazaro hitting the woodwork late on. The hosts got a consolation goal thanks to Dan Gosling from close range (90+3’). Eddie Howe’s men are in big trouble after four defeats on the trot, whilst it was a too comfortable, too easy night for Steve Bruce’s side.

#EVELEI

The Toffees bossed it thanks to Richarlison’s smashing finish (10’) and a VAR penalty that took a while to be given, harsh handball against Wilfred Ndidi, but rules are rules (but can and should be changed asap); Gylfi Sigurðsson netted his side’s first spot kick of the season gratefully (16’). Kelechi Iheanacho pulled one back shortly after the break (50’) after some ping pong in the box, both the Foxes’ forward nor the Toffee keeper Jordan Pickford knew much about where the ball was going, it ended in, 2-1, game on. Carlo Ancelotti’s side held on to the three points, leaving Brendan Rodgers and his men gutted, winless since the restart, and hanging on to their Champions League qualification hopes.

#WHUCHE

In a competitive start, the Blues had more chances, but Łukasz Fabiański saved, kept and coped well for the hosts. The Hammers thought they got the breakthrough off a corner, César Azpilicueta unable to clear the ball, causing a scramble with Michail Antonio and Tomáš Souček just in front of goal, for the latter to stab it in, but the VAR analysed the prior as offside and disallowed it after four minutes (34’-38’). Farce. The Blues won a penalty a couple of minutes later, Christian Pulisic bumped down by Issa Diop on the left corner of the box, clumsy. Willian sent the keeper the wrong way to put the visitors ahead (42’). Cruel. But the Hammers did hit back seconds later, off a corner again, headed in by Souček on the 6-yard line to make it 1-1, no doubt about this one (48’). Deserved. Antonio smashed one in after being denied a penalty call against Antonio Rüdiger seconds beforehand (51’). Karma. Willian equalised with a lovely free kick across and in off the far post, keeper so close but yet so far (72’). What a counter, what a finish, controlled and bang on and in, Andriy Yarmolenko made it 3-2, set up by an awesome Antonio, in the final minute of normal time. Wow, what a cracker! Only West Ham (22) and Aston Villa (19) have dropped more points from leading positions this PL season than Chelsea (18). Blues.

#SHUTOT

My luck, boring game, I go to the toilet, goal by Sander Berge (31’), I go to the kitchen, goal by Harry Kane (33’), both unmarked but fine low finishes; I come back into the living room, the latter's goal disallowed for handball in the buildup by a tumbling Lucas Moura = 1-0 (34’). It continued less riveting after that early drama. Lys Mousset doubled the hosts’ lead with the cheekiest of cheeky finishes, from close range, set up nicely by Chris Basham, unmarked, Spurs just watching (69’). At least this time I was inside the room, José Mourinho not happy, ranting on during the drinks break and about the VAR after the match. Kane saw his second goal flagged off correctly (77’). And another one for a foul (79’). Hat-trick of a different kind. Not. His/Their. Day. Oli McBurnie made it three goals and three points after Berge walked and put his pass through the heart of the Spurs back line to give his team mate an easy finish (84’). Kane pulled one back late on (90’). Top performance for Chris Wilder and co, flop for his Portuguese counterpart. 

#MCILIV

Jo Gomez got booked for a clumsy challenge just inside the box on Raheem Sterling, and rightly so. After a promising start for the Reds, Kevin De Bruyne put the Citizens ahead from the spot, sending Alisson the wrong way, just before the first drinks break (25’). Sterling doubled the hosts’ lead, Phil Foden and De Bruyne part of a fine counter and buildup into the Red box, Liverpool all over the place, the former Red winger had too much time and space and nicked one in, his first against his ex-club (35’). Foden made it three just before before the HT break, Andrew Robertson unable to cope, again, De Bruyne in the buildup, again, fine finish under Alisson from outside the box. Harsh scoreline on the Reds, but can’t say the Citizens didn’t deserve it. Lethal. Foden's chance was cleared off the line by VVD after a crazy restart with more lethal counters. ‪Another City counter, De Bruyne with a super cross again, providing Sterling, who saw it in off the Ox to make FOUR! Nightmare complete for the Reds (66’). And it could have been much worse, more City counters, chances, misses, offsides, VAR disallowing a Riyad Mahrez goal in stoppage time for a handball in the buildup. Jürgen Klopp’s men are still 20 points clear at the top, receiving a guard of honour before and hugs after the match by Pep Guardiola. CHAMP19NS hangover. Click here for the full ByTheMinLFC coverage.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Aston Villa 0:2 Wolves - 0:1

Watford 1:2 Southampton - 1:3

Crystal Palace 1:0 Burnley - 0:1

Brighton 1:1 Man United - 0:3

Arsenal 3:0 Norwich - 4:0

Bournemouth 2:2 Newcastle - 1:4

Everton 1:2 Leicester - 2:1

West Ham 0:2 Chelsea - 3:2

Sheffield United 0:1 Tottenham - 3:1

Man City 2:3 Liverpool - 4:0

Click here for my previous PL Notes.

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