Premier League Picks Of The Week 38

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 38

The 38th and last week of the Premier League action saw:

36 goals - most by Crystal Palace = 5

281 shots - most by Man United = 26

109 on target - most by Man United = 10

89 corners - most by Man United = 11

170 fouls - most by Everton = 13

23 bookings - most by Burnley = 5

1 red card - Holebas for Watford

2 penalties - 2 scored (Mendez-Laing for Cardiff, Noble for West Ham)

What a game! Whoever thought the last day wouldn’t bring much action or no surprises, think again! The Premier League served plenty of belters and OMGs yet again. And for 83 seconds it looked like there could and would be a major twist at the top as well. But it was not to be. After Glenn Murray’s opener for Brighton (27’), Sergio Agüero didn’t take long to equalise for Manchester City (28’). Aymeric Laporte put the Citizens back in the lead and to the top of the table before the break (38’). There was no looking back after that. Riyad Mahrez (63’) and İlkay Gündoğan (72’) made sure the Blue party could get started at the Falmer Stadium, Pep Guardiola becoming the first boss since Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United in 2008-09 to see his side lift the Premier League title for a second consecutive season. 

Liverpool stayed second on a record 97 points after beating Wolves 2-0 thanks to Sadio Mané’s brace (17’, 81’). The Reds were top for 21 first-half minutes... It was nice for them whilst it lasted! :-P Anfield still stayed loud and proud of their record-achievement and with a Champions League final to look forward to. With more points than the Invincibles and better than Sir Alex in all his years at the top, Jürgen Klopp will be wondering how the hell his side didn’t end up on top and what else he has to do to change and improve on that. The Reds have made the biggest leap up, 22 points better off than last season, see the Premier League comparison table at the bottom of this post, under the results.

Selhurst Park witnessed a football feast, eight goals off 33 shots, 12 attempts on target, Crystal Palace leading by three, then Bournemouth fighting back to 3-2, but the home side made sure they ended the season on a high, 5-3 winners and with a dizzy Roy Hodgson. The Eagles had only scored 14 goals at home before this game and had only taken 17 points from 18 home games, the second-worst record in the league. As Eddie Howe put it, it summarises the Cherries’ season, scoring plenty (= 56, most outside the top six), but conceding too many (= 70, third most after the bottom two).

What a team! Huddersfield scored a goal and nicked a point at Southampton, a little high and nice farewell from the Premier League after a drag of a season, where they have been bottom most of the weeks (24 match weeks out of 38, relegated for the last 7) and lost most of the points compared to last season (-21), see the Premier League comparison table at the bottom of this post, under the results. Main gainers are Liverpool (+22), West Ham (+10) and of course Wolves, the promoted side finishing 7th on 57 points, Nuno Espírito Santo and his side not getting a fraction of the attention and praise they deserve, as the picture of the post-match press conference shows! Burnley will warn them not to party too hard though, the main gainers from last season, also promoted, also ended 7th, got hit hard this season, 14 points and 8 positions worse off in 15th, only relegated Huddersfield (-21) and Manchester United made a worse drop (-15). More to the Red Devils’ misery below.

The draw against Everton was enough for Tottenham to secure their fourth consecutive top-four finish in the top-flight, their best run since a run of five between 1959-60 and 1963-64.

What a man! Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace helped Arsenal beat Burnley at Turf Moor (52, 63’), and put the Gabonese at the top of the Premier League scorers list with Mohamed Salah and Mané on 22 goals each, sharing the Golden Boot between the three of them! The Gunners failed to finish in the top four for the third successive season, the Europa League final against Chelsea on the 29th May being their last chance to grab Champions League qualification. The Golden Glove went to Red stopper Alisson Becker with 21 clean sheets. 

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini was a proud man after watching his side thrash FA Cup finalists Watford 1-4 at Vicarage Road, the Hammers finishing in the top-half of the table for the first time since 2016, 10 points and 3 places better off than last season. Despite their defeat today, the Hornets recorded their highest season finish (11th) in the top-flight of English football since 1986-87 (9th place), not bad at all, including their first cup final in 35 years, their second in the club's history, Javi Gracia has not done too bad in his first season in charge.

What a goal! Jonjo Shelvey’s opener for Newcastle (9’) was a cracker from just inside the box, ending his year-long wait for a goal and contributing to a very comfortable 4-0 win at relegated Fulham. The Magpies end the season on high, but questions still remain about Rafael Benítez’s future at the club. Fans made their feelings clear against owner Mike Ashley in attendance at Craven Cottage, wanting the Spaniard to stay.

Christian Eriksen's equaliser for Spurs, that made it two goals and a point each against the Toffees, was the 1,067th Premier League goal this season, beating the total from any previous 38-game season in the competition.

What the hell?! Cardiff's victory thanks to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s brace (pen 23’, 54’) was their first win over Manchester United since 3rd April 1954, when manager Neil Warnock was just five years old. The relegated side’s keeper Neil Etheridge made save after save against the Red Devils, keeping a clean sheet after facing 26 shots and 10 on target, denying Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men and fans anything to celebrate at Old Trafford. United have finished 32 points behind the champions this season - more than they finished behind the top-flight winners when they were relegated in 1973-74 (30 points). The reaction of the fans, especially towards the title race between their two arch rival teams and towards their most expensive player and French world champion Paul Pogba when he joined them after the match, summarises their flop and frustration. And Ole's quote says it all: "The only positive from today is that the season is over."

Chris Hughton’s sacking seems a bit harsh after seeing Brighton through promotion, a record cup run and avoiding relegation. This tweet lists the 60-year-old's achievements, we will see next season if Albion chairman Tony Bloom's decision is too much of a gamble or it will pay off...

My Predictions - Actual Results

Brighton 1:1 Man City - 1:4

Burnley 1:1 Arsenal - 1:3

Crystal Palace 1:3 Bournemouth - 5:3

Fulham 2:1 Newcastle - 0:4

Leicester 2:1 Chelsea - 0:0

Liverpool 4:1 Wolves - 2:0

Man United 2:1 Cardiff - 0:2

Southampton 2:0 Huddersfield - 1:1

Tottenham 2:1 Everton - 2:2

Watford 1:1 West Ham - 1:4

The Premier League Table compared to last season
1) Man City 98 points = -2 points, same position = 1st
2) Liverpool 97 points = +22 points, up 2 places from 4th
3) Chelsea 72 points = +2 points, up 2 places from 5th
4) Tottenham 71 points = -6 points, down 1 place from 3rd
5) Arsenal 70 points = +7 points, up 1 place from 6th
6) Man United 66 points = -15 points, down 4 places from 2nd
7) Wolves 57 points = not bad at all for a promoted side!!!
8) Everton 54 points = +5 points, same position = 8th
9) Leicester 52 points = +5 points, same position = 9th
10) West Ham 52 points = +10 points, up 3 places from 13th
11) Watford 50 points = +9 points, up 3 places from 14th
12) Crystal Palace 49 points = +5 points, down 1 place from 11th
13) Newcastle 45 points = +1 point, down 3 places from 10th
14) Bournemouth 45 points = +1 point, down 2 places from 12th
15) Burnley 40 points = -14 points, down 8 places from 7th 
16) Southampton 39 points = +3 points, up 1 place from 17th
17) Brighton 36 points = -4 points, down 2 places from 15th
18) Cardiff 34 points = promoted and relegated in consecutive seasons.
19) Fulham 26 points = promoted and relegated in consecutive seasons.
20) Huddersfield 16 points = -21 points, down 4 places from 16th.

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 37

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 37

The 37th week of the Premier League action saw:

25 goals - most by West Ham, Crystal Palace and Liverpool = 3 each
295 shots - most by Man United = 23
101 on target - most by Chelsea = 9
114 corners - most by Arsenal = 16
195 fouls - most by Fulham = 15
31 bookings - most by Tottenham and Arsenal = 5 each
2 red cards - Son and Foyth for Tottenham
2 penalties - 2 scored (Aubameyang for Arsenal, Murray for Brighton)

What a game! Liverpool never make it easy for themselves, but never give up either! The Reds can't spell the word boredom, that's for sure! Anyone who thought Rafael Benítez would make it easy for his former side though, got proven wrong on Saturday night: Five goals, plenty of nerves and drama at St James’ Park, substitute Divock Origi with the late winning header against Newcastle (86'), making it 2-3 and taking the Reds back to the top, till Monday at least (see below MNF summary for details). LFC have scored 18 headed goals in the Premier League this season and 12 goals via substitutes, more than any other team in both categories. This Belgian super-sub had replaced Mohamed Salah after the great Egyptian had been stretchered off with a head injury. Worrying for Jürgen Klopp's men ahead of their second-leg Champions League semi-final tie against Barcelona and the final league match of the season next weekend. Crucial.

MNF saw Leicester making it difficult for Manchester City, holding them for nearly 70 minutes at the Etihad. Skipper Vincent Kompany’s wonder-strike from 30 yards out (70'), the Belgian's first goal of the season, made sure Pep Guardiola’s side stayed top, keeping the title race in their hands in the final week of the season, one point ahead of the Reds. The Citizens have now scored 100 goals in all competitions at the Etihad this season; extending their record for most home goals by an English top-flight team in a single campaign. The defending champions have won each of their last 13 Premier League games - it's the fourth run of a team winning 13+ games in a row in the competition's history, with City the only side to have done so twice. Pep’s men have beaten every team they have faced in the league for the second consecutive season; the only other English top-flight team to achieve this were Preston between 1888-89 and 1889-90. Records tumbling. Just wow.

What a team! West Ham secured a Premier League double over Southampton for the first time since the 2000-01 campaign. Marko Arnautović scored twice (16', 69') - his first goals since January - with Ryan Fredericks adding a third with his first Premier League goal (72'), to make it 3-0 and three points for the home side. It moves the Hammers to within a point of the top half of the table - something that looked less likely after they lost their first four games of the season and stood on just eight points after their opening 10 league matches. 

Wolves secured a seventh place finish beating Fulham 1-0 in their last home game of the season. If City beat Watford in the FA Cup final on the 18th May, then Nuno Espírito Santo's side will land a Europa League place, returning to Europe after a 39-year wait. Not bad for their first season back in the top tier! With 57 points in the Premier League this season, it is the most by a newly promoted side since Ipswich Town in 2000-01 (66 points). Much in contrast to that, the relegated Cottagers have lost 25 Premier League games this season, the most by a newly promoted side since Derby County in 2007-08 (29 defeats).

What a man! Neil Warnock has suffered his third top-flight relegation, going down with three different teams in three different decades – Notts County in 1991-92, Sheffield United in 2006-07 and Cardiff City in 2018-19. Cardiff’s relegation was confirmed after their 2-3 defeat against Crystal Palace in their final home match of the season. The boss had no complaints about his side despite relegation and was emotional after the difficult game, talking about what could have been with Emiliano Sala. Shame his club are denying any such signing! The Bluebirds have been relegated from the Premier League, becoming the only team to play in more than one Premier League season and be relegated in every single one (also down in 2013-14). Drop.

What a goal! "We scored a goal" the Huddersfield fans were singing, watching their bottom club equal Man City's ten goals at home from 2006-07, so, they did not break the record for lowest total in a season. Keeper Jonas Lössl provided the assist, for Montpellier loanee Isaac Mbenza to run clear and beat David de Gea to level the score (60') after Manchester United youngster Scott McTominay's early opener (8'). Too easy. Man Who?! The Red Devils haven’t won their last away league game of the season since the 2011-12 campaign (0-1 at Sunderland), drawing five and losing one since then. Paul Pogba is the first United player to hit the woodwork twice in a Premier League game since Antonio Valencia against Cardiff in January 2014. Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men will have to settle for Europa League football next season after being held by the Terriers. It means United have now gone five games without a win, their worst sequence since they went eight games without a victory under Louis van Gaal between November and December 2015. 
Elsewhere, Watford paid for three mad minutes of defensive blackout, two corners, two goals for Chelsea (Loftus-Cheek 48', David Luiz 51'). Harsh. Arsenal went ahead thanks to a softer than soft penalty against Brighton (Aubameyang pen 9'), but the visitors got a soft one back (Murray pen 61'), 1-1 the final score. The Gunners need a miracle = a lot of goals and Tottenham to lose if they want to grab the fourth spot in the last Premier League week. Less likely.

What the hell?! A crazy few minutes for Tottenham at Bournemouth saw a man sent off each side of the break - yes, you read right, TWO straight reds in the early kick-off at Dean Court on Saturday! Son Heung-min was sent off for a daft tackle and the pushing and fighting in the aftermath (43’), then sub Juan Foyth was just super-daft with a dangerous and late challenge (48’), just a couple of minutes after coming on (two minutes and 13 seconds to be exact). And it could have been more dismissals with all the bust-ups at the end! Booking points galore! Man of the match Mark Travers did well in his first game as Cherries’ stopper, making impressive saves and good cover, even his counterpart Hugo Lloris congratulated him after the match. Nathan Aké scored the winner in stoppage time (90'+1'), all the pressure finally paid off and made the nine men of Spurs leak and pay for it. Please mind the gap, Eddie Howe’s men are up to 12th on 45 points, 14 points clear of the relegation zone, whilst Mauricio Pochettino’s side went down to fourth, 25 points behind the league leaders, after Chelsea overtook them with their win mentioned above. Spurs have lost 13 (THIRTEEN) matches in the Premier League this season. And they are still fourth with 70 points. Crazy. 

My Predictions - Actual Results
Everton 1:0 Burnley - 2:0
Bournemouth 1:1 Tottenham - 1:0
West Ham 2:1 Southampton - 3:0
Wolves 2:0 Fulham - 1:0
Cardiff 1:3 Crystal Palace - 2:3
Newcastle 1:4 Liverpool - 2:3
Chelsea 2:1 Watford - 3:0
Huddersfield 1:2 Man United - 1:1
Arsenal 2:1 Brighton - 1:1
Man City 2:2 Leicester - 1:0

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 34

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 34

The 34th week of Premier League action saw:

28 goals - most by Bournemouth = 5
262 shots - most by Tottenham = 22
83 on target - most by Bournemouth, Burnley and Liverpool = 7 each
97 corners - most by West Ham = 11
180 fouls - most by Man United = 14
32 bookings - most by Bournemouth = 4
2 red cards - Knockaert for Brighton, Deeney for Watford
2 penalties - 2 scored (Pogba for Man United x 2)

What a game! A Super Sunday it was! Manchester City were easy winners in the early kick-off at Crystal Palace after only a hint of a fightback late on by the home side. Raheem Sterling missed a sitter, but then scored from a more difficult angle soon after (15'). The former Redman doubled the lead after the break (63'), before Luka Milivojević's free kick made it 1-2 (81') and a tense ending at Selhurst Park. But sub Gabriel Jesus made sure all three points went to the Citizens with a fine finish to make it 1-3 (90'). But Pep Guardiola's men didn't stay top for long:

Liverpool blasted Chelsea away at Anfield with two goals in two minutes after the restart on Sunday afternoon. It was a tense first half, lots of clumsy footy, giving the ball away, missing and messing up by both sides. Both managers will have had a rant-and-a-half during the interval. It worked wonders for the Reds. Sadio Mané banged in a header off some wonderful team play in the buildup and bang-on Jordan Henderson cross into the box (51'). And seconds later, Mohamed Salah smashed in his 9th Premier League goal of the season from 25 yards out into the top right corner, stunning everyone. The great Egyptian enjoyed it and showed it with his celebration. Jürgen Klopp could not be more chuffed with his side's first home win against the Blues since 2012 in his 200th game in charge, taking them back to the top. Maurizio Sarri meanwhile, continues his miserable run against the top teams, having lost their past six away Premier League matches against fellow 'big six' opponents, conceding 16 goals across those defeats.

What a team! Everton?! Beat Arsenal one week, downed by Fulham the next?! Tom Cairney gave the home side the lead after just 30 seconds after the restart at Craven Cottage. Ryan Babel doubled the lead in the 69th minute, both goals ripping through a sleepy Toffees defence. The Cottagers’ first Premier League win since January after nine consecutive defeats has started talks and hopes to see caretaker Scott Parker's permanent appointment. Marco Silva's men have won just one of their past 12 Premier League away games in London (D3 L8). Travel sick.

Southampton should be safe, eight points clear from the drop zone (reduced to five after the Bluebirds played their game in hand *see below*), after downing high-flying Wolves 3-1 thanks to Nathan Redmond’s brace (2', 30'). The Saints have won eight of their 18 Premier League games under Ralph Hasenhüttl, as many as they had won in 52 games under their two previous permanent managers combined (Mark Hughes managed three from 22 and Mauricio Pellegrino managed five from 30). Nuno Espírito Santo’s side could still finish seventh which would be the highest placed finish by a newly promoted team to the Premier League since Ipswich came fifth in the 2000-01 season. 
And last but not least, Bournemouth are booming and capitalised against ten men Brighton, who completely lost it yet again?! 0-5!!!!! The Cherries scored five goals in a Premier League away game for the first time and equalled their biggest top flight victory, a 6-1 home win against Hull City on 15 October 2016.

What a man! Lucas Moura’s hat-trick (27', 87', 90'+3') did it for Tottenham against Huddersfield, everyone enjoying the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Spurs winger is the fourth Brazilian to score three in a Premier League match (with Afonso Alves, Robinho and Roberto Firmino). Who needs Harry Kane or Son Heung-min?! The Terriers have lost all nine of their league encounters against the established top six clubs this season, conceding 26. So, no surprise there.
Ayoze Pérez’s header (32') was enough for Newcastle on Friday night and fully deserved, despite all Leicester’s dominance. Crucial. The win put the Magpies ten points clear from the drop zone. Safe.

What a goal! Paul Pogba netted a softer than soft penalty at Old Trafford, plus the “offense” took place outside the area, not long after West Ham saw a goal disallowed for offside although the line was fine, lucky United. Pf. Double lucky: The second penalty. After all the Hammers’ dominance with chance after chance to go ahead after Felipe Anderson’s deserved equaliser, hitting the bar and pulling a full-stretch save out of David de Gea. Pogba netted the second spot kick. 2-1. Luckier than lucky. The Frenchman has now taken as many penalties (10) as Salah, Sergio Agüero and Kane combined (10). In fact, no team have taken more Premier League penalties than the Red Devils this season (11, level with Crystal Palace). Indeed, in no other Premier League campaign have the Mancs taken more spot kicks (also 11 in 2011-12). Dotty. At least Ole Gunnar Solskjær conceded they got away with it!!!

What the hell?! The refs let down Cardiff again on Saturday! No discrediting Burnley, they deserved the win overall, Chris Wood’s brace was enough to seal the three points (31', 90'+2'). But Neil Warnock was understandably fuming, screwed by the officials yet again (like week 32), keeping them in the drop zone, the gap to safety staying at five points. The FA should be very ashamed! And Mike Dean especially! Very ashamed! (LOVE THE KISS PIC! Ashley Barnes on Joe Bennett, love love love!) The more crucial/deserved/bombastic the win at Brighton on Tuesday was, closing the gap to two points *(see game in hand below)*!

Mad mad mad mad couple of minutes at Watford! First Ben Foster made a mess of a back-pass and handed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang his first goal of the year for Arsenal (10’). Since his debut in February 2018, the Gabonese has been directly involved in 37 Premier League goals for the Gunners (28 goals, 9 assists), 11 more than any other of his team mates. And then Troy Deeney was given a straight red for elbowing Lucas Torreira (11’). Those two moments of madness decided the tie, 0-1, keeping Unai Emery's side in fourth, ahead of Chelsea in fifth by goal difference. Crucial crunch.

My Predictions - Actual Results 
Leicester 1:0 Newcastle - 0:1
Tottenham 2:0 Huddersfield - 4:0
Brighton 1:0 Bournemouth - 0:5 
Burnley 2:1 Cardiff - 2:0
Fulham 1:2 Everton - 2:0
Southampton 1:1 Wolves - 3:1 
Man United 2:1 West Ham - 2:1 
Crystal Palace 1:3 Man City - 1:3
Liverpool 3:1 Chelsea - 2:0 
Watford 1:2 Arsenal - 0:1
(Brighton 0:1 Cardiff - 0:2 - a crucial result in the relegation battle, it was rescheduled due to cup ties, all stats added to the original week = week 31)

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks. 

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 32

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 32

The 32nd week of the Premier League action saw:

22 goals - most by Man City, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Man United, Everton, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal = 2 each
237 shots - most by Man City = 24
67 on target - most by Everton = 9
96 corners - most by Man City = 11
191 fouls - most by Man United, Everton and Chelsea = 14 each
20 bookings - most by Chelsea = 3
0 red cards
1 penalty - 1 scored (Milivojević for Crystal Palace)

What a game! Manchester United ended up 2-1 winners at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, but the result definitely doesn’t reflect the game! Watford looked like the home side, dominating, controlling and creating much more (EIGHT shots on target, pulling SEVEN saves from David de Gea, most produced by a visiting side at the ground since 2014). The opener and Marcus Rashford's 10th Premier League goal of the season (38’) came against the run of play, after a superb through-ball from Luke Shaw. And after the Hornets wasted more chances, Anthony Martial made them pay midway through the second half, doubling the Red Devils’ lead from close range (72’). Abdoulaye Doucouré scored a late goal which Javi Gracia’s men more than deserved, but it was too little too late (90’). The result ended a run of successive defeats for new/finally permanent boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and took United level on points with third-placed Tottenham, who travelled to Liverpool on Sunday, before Arsenal's home game against Newcastle on Monday. More to both clashes below.

What a team! Huddersfield’s relegation was confirmed on Saturday after falling to their 24th defeat of the season, 2-0 at Crystal Palace, equalling the record for earliest relegation from the Premier League of Derby County in 2007-08 and Ipswich Town in 1994-95. The Eagles have scored nine penalty goals in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. Luka Milivojević has scored all of those nine spot kicks, including the opener in this match against the Terriers (76’); only four players have scored more in a single season, with Steven Gerrard being the last player to do so in 2013-14 (10). Patrick van Aanholt doubled the lead and secured the win late on (88’), putting Roy Hodgson’s men eight points clear of the drop zone.

Fulham look like they will be the next side to follow the Yorkshire club down after losing 0-2 against Manchester City, their 23rd loss keeping them in 19th, 16 points away from safety, just three points better off than the bottom team. The managerless side failed to direct a single shot on target for the first time in their last 188 home league games, since April 2010 against Wolves in the Premier League. The Citizens could not have had it any easier, the win keeping them that decisive little edge/corner/step ahead in the title race (second, but only two points behind Liverpool, with a game in hand).

What a man! Brendan Rodgers was a very happy man after watching his side shine in a comfortable win against Bournemouth, recording their third consecutive win under the Northern Irishman. The Foxes were under control for most of the match after taking an early lead thanks to Wes Morgan’s flick going in off the post (11’). Jamie Vardy’s header went in off the crossbar to seal the victory for the home side (83’), making it five goals in his last five league appearances. The woodwork helped the 2016 champions move up to eighth, four places better off than when they sacked former boss Claude Puel. The result means the Cherries have lost 10 of their last 11 away games - the only positive result in that run being a win in their last game on the road against now relegated Huddersfield. Eddie Howe was left conceding defeat, disappointed. The Bournemouth boss is winless in eight away league visits to Leicester City during his managerial career (W0 D4 L4).

Unai Emery is not doing bad in his first season as Arsenal boss, watching his side record their 10th home league victory in a row, their best run since a similar sequence from December 1997 to May 1998, under former manager Arsène Wenger. MNF saw the Gunners comfortably beating Newcastle 2-0 at the Emirates, Aaron Ramsey (30’) and Alexandre Lacazette (83’) with deserved goals, bagging the points after a dominant show which saw two goals disallowed for the home side as well. Rafael Benítez still feels the Magpies will be safe, the result just moving them one place down to 14th, seven points clear from the drop zone. Emery’s side overtook rivals Spurs, moving up to third, two points ahead of Manchester United in fifth, Champions League football looking more and more likely next season after a two-year absence.

What a goal! A couple of crucial own goals this weekend: Wolves captain Conor Coady scored his third own goal of the season after Chris Wood’s shot came back off the post (2’), opening the scoring for Burnley. Only two players have registered more own goals in a Premier League season - Liverpool's Martin Škrtel in 2013-14 and Brighton's Lewis Dunk in 2017-18, both with four. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men’s four own goals in the league this campaign is the most of any side. 19-year-old Dwight McNeil had set up the early opener and sealed the win with a lovely strike of his own (77’), a low drill into the bottom-right corner, the only shot on target for the visitors. It was a crucial win for Sean Dyche’s men, ending a run of four straight defeats, recording their first clean sheet in nine league games, and moving them five points clear of the relegation zone.

The other own goal went to Toby Alderweireld at Anfield, handing Liverpool an injury-time winner against Tottenham, after watching his keeper Hugo Lloris spill Mohamed Salah’s shot, for the ball to ricochet off the Belgian defender and into the net. The Reds had taken the lead early on thanks to Roberto Firmino’s header (16’), set up by a brilliant Andrew Robertson cross from the left into the box. Lucas Moura levelled the score (70’) and deservedly so after the visitors had improved, dominated and created a lot more after the break. But Jürgen Klopp was the one celebrating at the final whistle, seeing his side return to the top thanks to that last-gasp own goal. It doesn’t matter how you win them, three points is what is important. Liverpool have scored three winning goals in the 90th minute or later in the Premier League this season, their second-most in a single campaign after 2008-09 (four).

What the hell?! West Ham’s toothless display saw a total of just three attempts on goal in the game, their lowest tally in a home Premier League game since the 2005-06 season. Everton ended up comfortable 0-2 winners at the London Stadium, Marco Silva's side dominating and winning the game in the first half thanks to goals from Kurt Zouma (5’) and Bernard (33’). The Hammers have already drawn level with their points total from last season (= 42), but, with games against Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham to come next month, Manuel Pellegrini’s men face dropping, falling and failing to a disappointing end to the season.

And last but definitely not least, what were the officials on at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday?! A certain Russian billionaire’s pay check?! Victor Camarasa’s curling opener gave the home side a deserved lead shortly after the break (46’), as Chelsea were playing a painfully slow and wasteful game. With five minutes left, César Azpilicueta nodded in an equaliser from a clearly offside position and then, in added time, substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in the winner for the Blues to break the Welsh hearts. Throughout the match, the officiating was dubious, obvious free kicks and cautions not given. And how and why Antonio Rüdiger was not sent off after bringing down last man Kenneth Zohore shortly after the equaliser, only they know. How Neil Warnock stayed so calm after the final whistle, I do not know, shouting his face off on the sidelines and to players, but not to the officials, who cost his side three crucial points. Other managers would have been in the refs’ faces, like Mauricio Pochettino did a few weeks ago (Premier League Week 27 to be exact). Warnock's post-match interview says it all, what I have been blogging and shouting my face off about week in, week out. Ridiculous. Disgusting. Outrageous.

My Predictions - Actual Results:
Fulham 1:3 Man City - 0:2
Brighton 0:0 Southampton - 0:1
Burnley 1:1 Wolves - 2:0
Crystal Palace 2:0 Huddersfield - 2:0
Leicester 2:0 Bournemouth - 2:0
Man United 3:0 Watford - 2:1
West Ham 2:2 Everton - 0:2
Cardiff 1:2 Chelsea - 1:2
Liverpool 2:1 Tottenham - 2:1
Arsenal 4:2 Newcastle - 2:0

Click here for the previous Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 28

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 28

The 28th week of the Premier League action saw:

29 goals - most by Arsenal and Liverpool = 5 each

251 shots - most by Man City = 22

65 on target - most by Liverpool = 10

102 corners - most by Man City = 13

176 fouls - most by Southampton = 15

30 bookings - most by Cardiff, Burnley and Man United = 3 each

0 red cards

1 penalty - 1 scored (Agüero for Man City)

What a game! Arsenal and Liverpool were on fire! The Gunners took Bournemouth apart at the Emirates, 5-1 with five different scorers including recalled Mesut Özil with the opener after just four minutes. Substitute Alexandre Lacazette sealed the win making it five with a superb free-kick (78’), condemning the Cherries to their ninth consecutive away defeat for the first time since the 1933-34 season. The result keeps Unai Emery’s men in the top four, one point ahead of Manchester United. More to the Red Devils' impressive win and run below.

The Reds thrashed Watford 5-0 at Anfield, which was just what the doctor ordered for them in the title race and after their disappointing and frustrating goalless draw at Old Trafford on Sunday. Sadio Mané (9’, 20’) and Virgil van Dijk (79’, 82’) starred with a brace each - the prior’s second the cheekiest of cheeky back-healers, absolute stunner, the latter’s both headers. Injured Roberto Firmino's replacement Divock Origi contributed one as well in-between (66’), adding up to their biggest win of the season. But the real star was man of the match and night Trent Alexander-Arnold. Left out at the weekend, the youngster showed how much he was missed, producing top passes, crosses, control and precision, becoming the youngest player ever at 20 years and 143 days to get three assists in a Premier League game. Just wow! The win helped Jürgen Klopp’s men and their goal difference, just one point clear at the top ahead of Manchester City in second. More to the Citizens' lucky winner below.

What a team! Chelsea beat Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino’s men slumped and bumped out of the title race too easily. The Blues had dropped goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after his League Cup antiques at the weekend, but his replacement Willy Caballero didn’t have anything to do = 0 shots on target produced by Spurs. The embarrassing scenes were in the opposing goal this time, Hugo Lloris letting the opener by Pedro go through his legs (57’) before watching his team mate Kieran Trippier pass the ball past him and into his own net (OG 84’). That makes it two own goals in their last six Premier League games, as many as in their previous 113 in the competition. They are still in third, but now eight points behind City in second and nine away from the top.

Manchester United recorded their eighth consecutive away win - not even the great Sir Alex Ferguson was able to achieve that! Ole Gunnar Solskjær (still only caretaker) saw his side beat Crystal Palace convincingly despite their looooong list of injuries (of eight first-team players!). Romelu Lukaku stepped up and scored twice (33’, 52’), and Ashley Young drilled in a third (83’), to hand the Red Devils yet another win and keep them in fifth and in the race for the top four, just one point separating them from Arsenal in fourth. Surely, the Norwegian boss will be made permanent, a question of when.. Not if... ?!

What a man! Brendan Rodgers was announced as the new Leicester boss hours before their match against Brighton at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night. The news of his talks with the club was no real surprise, but the speed of his departure from Celtic caught out everyone. It seemed like the Northern Irishman couldn’t wait to get away! The Foxes recorded their first home win in five on the night, beating the Albions 2-1, thanks to goals by Demarai Gray (10’) and Jamie Vardy (63’), Davy Pröpper with a cracking but the only reply for the visitors (66’). But most of the main focus and attention was on the new man in the stands. The 2016 champions are up to 11th, on 35 points, ten points clear of the drop zone, 18 away from the top six. What will the new boss' ambition/aim/target be without any silverware in sight (unlike in Scotland)?!

What a goal! Newcastle’s opener against Burnley at St James’ Park by Fabian Schär (24’) was sublime! Sean Longstaff pounced on the visitors' weak defense to double the home side’s lead (38’). Both goals were clinical and crucial in the relegation battle, ending Sean Dyche’s side’s eight-game unbeaten run in the league and easing the Magpies’ relegation worries.

Everton’s team work goals at Cardiff were top-quality, all three of them. Gylfi Sigurðsson's brace (41’, 66’) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late finish (90’+3’) ended the Toffees’ league run of three successive defeats. The win takes them up to ninth, four points behind Watford in eighth and level on points with West Ham in tenth.

Manchester City’s penalty against the Hammers was softer than soft, which was otherwise a very frustrating night for Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad. Sub Bernardo Silva went down without any contact, seconds after coming on. Surrounded by West Ham players, replays showed, if anything, the Portuguese midfielder twisted and tripped over his own feet. But the spot kick was given, and of course Sergio Agüero made no mistake of netting it (pen 59’) and the three points for the Citizens with it, to keep them in the title race, one point behind the Reds. Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini was understandably less happy with that call and result.

What the hell?! HUDDERSFIELD WON!!! SCORED AND WON!!! Celebrations galore!!! Lots of sickies up North on Wednesday, I bet. Yes, they are still bottom, but sweeter than sweet it still was for them. Only the third win of the season. First since November. After seven consecutive defeats at home. Sweet home. After African striker Steve Mounié scored the winner in the 91st minute, he got buried under his team mates as a thanks. Boss Jan Siewert was also taken over by wild celebrations with his backroom staff after the German's first win in charge of the club. Wolves were their victims, having lost eight of their last nine league matches against the Terriers and seven of their 12 against teams starting the day at the bottom of the Premier League. Southampton meanwhile moved out of the relegation zone after beating Fulham 2-0, and with Cardiff’s defeat, will have added to the bottom club’s celebrations and the tiniest of tiny glimmer of hope that has returned for them in their chance of somehow climbing out of the deep and dark relegation swamp they’re in.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Cardiff 0:0 Everton - 0:3

Huddersfield 1:2 Wolves - 1:0

Leicester 1:1 Brighton - 2:1

Newcastle 2:2 Burnley - 2:0

Arsenal 2:0 Bournemouth - 5:1

Southampton 2:1 Fulham - 2:0

Chelsea 3:1 Tottenham - 2:0

Crystal Palace 1:3 Man United - 1:3

Liverpool 2:0 Watford - 5:0

Man City 3:0 West Ham - 1:0

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