Premier League Notes - Week 2

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 2

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

25 goals - most by Norwich = 3

262 shots - most by Man City = 30

88 on target - most by Man City = 10

129 corners - most by Man City = 13

44 offsides - most by Arsenal/Aston Villa = 5 each

363 tackles - most by Watford = 34

219 fouls - most by Wolves = 17

29 bookings - most by WAT/NEW/SHU = 3 each

0 red cards

2 penalties - 1 scored (King for Bournemouth)

VAR Stats

Average 6 checks per game

3 overturned decisions

3 disallowed goals (Arsenal, Brighton and Man City)

VAR denied Raheem Sterling a last-second winner! Cruel but correct. Hand ball is hand ball, the (not really) new rule book says. Pep Guardiola was gutted of course, pointing out the deja vue of last season’s Champions League quarter-final drama between the same two sides. The boss' bust-up with scorer and star-man Sergio Agüero on the sideline didn't help polish the match report either. And more than ever, it just showed once again, something I always preach, NEVER LEAVE A GAME EARLY!!! No matter how much you dominate, it’s only the scoreboard that counts!!! Brighton's opening goal was also reviewed and disallowed for offside. Oh so close, but rightly so. That's what VAR was introduced for, no? To make sure goals ARE goals. Or not. 

Liverpool made it 11 consecutive league wins as their record run continued at Southampton, having not dropped a point since March 3. Replacement keeper Adrián's late blunder was a nightmare goal to concede, a present for former Red Danny Ings (83'), but Sadio Mané’s opener was just top class (45'+1')! The Senegalese forward turned from scorer to provider as Roberto Firmino produced a fine finish to double the Reds' lead (71') before their keeper's giveaway spoiled the show, ever so slightly. Still, three points and a 100% start is the main thing for Jürgen Klopp and his men.

It's the first time since 2009-10 that Arsenal have won their opening two league games, beating a fighting Burnley side 2-1 at the Emirates. However, Sean Dyche lauded his side's mentality, his side recording more shots than the home side, and was not impressed and complained about all the diving and whining, and I couldn’t agree more! It's not just the Gunners, but especially with replays available, all the drama queens just look more and more ridiculous! But they still keep on falling as long as they get some advantage and calls their way. Annoying but true. The refs need to toughen them up and punish them more for their acts, especially when it's obvious in the replays!

Teemu Pukki's first hat-trick for Norwich is also a first in 26 years for the club in the top-tier. All three goals were superb finishes, including the cracking opener, downing a miserable Newcastle side at Carrow Road. But, as mentioned above, Mané’s stunner gets my top vote (of course)! Leicester's equaliser at Chelsea, Wilfred Ndidi's banging header, is worth a shout-out as well! Aston Villa shot themselves in the foot straight away, conceding a penalty after 26 seconds, giving the home side no chance for the rest of the race against Bournemouth. What a wonder goal it was to make it 2-1 though! Worth nothing in the end, but just in awe!

And last but definitely not least, on Monday Night Football, Paul Pogba's penalty flop cost Manchester United at bogey team Wolves, the first team to come from behind and avoid defeat in three consecutive Premier League games against United. Why oh why did the number 6 take it?! Marcus Rashford is the usual and most reliable taker! Talk afterwards was all about the racist abuse the Frenchman received on Twitter. I always report and block anything repulsive like that straight away. But, on another note, isn’t it funny how racist insults against a Red Devil gets all the attention and condemnation, suddenly there's all sorts of shout-outs and meetings, but a certain Red Egyptian and plenty of other players have had to deal with it for years, but nothing happened. A fine distraction from a weak display and result, me thinks. 

My Predictions - Actual Results

Arsenal 3:1 Burnley - 2:1

Aston Villa 2:2 Bournemouth - 1:2

Brighton 2:0 West Ham - 1:1

Everton 2:1 Watford - 1:0

Norwich 3:2 Newcastle - 3:1

Southampton 0:3 Liverpool - 1:2

Man City 3:1 Tottenham - 2:2

Sheff Utd 1:1 Crystal Palace - 1:0

Chelsea 1:1 Leicester - 1:1

Wolves 1:2 Man Utd - 1:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, PL app, Sky Sports News and RMC Sport live coverage. 

Premier League Picks Of The Week 24

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 24

The 24th week of the Premier League action saw:

31 goals - most by Fulham and Bournemouth = 4 each

262 shots - most by Man United = 28

85 on target - most by Wolves and Man United = 9 each

101 corners - most by Man United = 11

184 fouls - most by Arsenal = 14

43 bookings - most by Everton, Wolves and Watford = 4 each

2 red cards - Digne for Everton, Zaha for Palace

3 penalties - 3 scored (Aubameyang for Arsenal, Pogba for Man United, Ritchie for Newcastle)

What a game! It was all about crazy comebacks on Tuesday night! Fulham, Manchester United and Newcastle!!! I have to start with the last, more to the first two below. When Sergio Agüero gave Manchester City the lead after just 24 seconds, everyone expected the worst, a total thrashing at St James’ Park. However, Pep Guardiola was shocked watching his side give the game away, Salomón Rondón netting Isaac Hayden’s header to equalise from close range (66’), before Matt Ritchie converted the penalty (80’) after Fernandinho had fouled Sean Longstaff in the box. It’s an unexpected and crucial result at both ends of the table, relief for Magpies boss Rafael Benítez, disbelief for his blue counterpart. 

And more upsets (less comebacks) followed on Wednesday night! Bournemouth smashed Chelsea! Joshua King’s brace (47’, 74’), either side of David Brooks’ composed finish (63’), and sub Charlie Daniels' injury-time goal, made it 4-0 to the Cherries and two consecutive defeats for the Blues. Maurizio Sarri took the blame, after staying in complete lock-down for nearly an hour after the match - a bit more than just a team talk... Unforgettable win for Eddie Howe, either way, no matter whose fault it is! It was only their second-ever competitive home win against the Londoners, first since September 1988. And it’s just the second time in PL history Chelsea have lost a game by a four-goal margin, after losing 5-1 to Liverpool in September 1996.

Have to mention Tottenham's comeback, with two goals in seven minutes by Son Heung-min (80’) and Fernando Llorente (87’), after Craig Cathcart had given Watford the lead (38') at a very empty Wembley stadium. The win puts Spurs seven points ahead of rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in fourth and fifth, and only two points behind the Citizens.

What a team! Sorry West Ham, it was terrible to watch them, they were just watching themselves as Wolves took them apart 3-0, especially the last goal. Boss Manuel Pellegrini conceded it is impossible to play worse (9-0 attempts on target). The Hammers were swept aside by the Wanderers, Roman Saïss (66’) and Raúl Jiménez (80’, 86’) capitalising on the sleeping and non-existing defence. No discrediting Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, top quality, great team spirit, organisation and play, absolutely smashing the visitors, to complete the double over West Ham for the first time in their history (30th campaign).

Huddersfield’s first match under Jan Siewert ended in defeat, 0-1 against ten-man Everton. Richarlison’s rebound goal early on (3’) was enough for the visitors, despite Lucas Digne’s sending off (66’). David Wagner’s replacement praised Toffee keeper Jordan Pickford, who made some brilliant stops to keep his side ahead. Crucial three points, Marco Silva a very relieved man, finally a win, just their second in the last five league games.

What a man! Sean Dyche has never lost a PL game on a Tuesday as Burnley boss! And they were so close to beat Manchester United as well! The Clarets were two goals ahead thanks to Ashley Barnes (51’) and Chris Wood (81’), but Old Trafford witnessed one of the typical late comebacks by the Red Devils. Paul Pogba from the spot (pen 87’) and Victor Lindelöf with a scramble in injury time (90’+2') pulled a point back for Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side, nicking two from the visitors and denying them their first win at the ground since 1962. First points dropped for the caretaker manager though, but it could have been so much worse!

It was all about Emiliano Sala in Cardiff’s first match since the striker’s disappearance. It ended in a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, neither side producing anything on target in the first half, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty (66’) and Alexandre Lacazette’s fine low finish (83’) changed and ended the match after the break. Neil Warnock was still proud of his side and praised their conduct and performance. The Bluebirds did pull one back late on, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing with a sweet curler (90’+3’). But it was too little too late. Very emotional. Goosebumps. #PrayForSala

What a goal! Fulham’s first and last goal, wow! Individual and team class and finish! I don't know why it was only the sixth game on MOTD!!!!! The Cottagers were trailing Brighton by 0-2 after just 17 minutes, Glenn Murray giving the visitors a comfortable lead with his brace (3’, 17’). Calum Chambers’ superb strike started the dream comeback shortly after the break (47’). Aleksandar Mitrović’s double (58’, 74’) turned the match and Craven Cottage on its head. And Luciano Vietto put the icing on the cake, heading home Fulham’s fourth (79’) after Tom Cairney’s effort from distance had come off the crossbar. Claudio Ranieri was all smiles, praising his side’s fighting spirit. Chris Hughton on the other hand, was gobsmacked and lambasted his team’s second-half collapse. It was an extraordinary game!

Southampton's equaliser against Crystal Palace was a lovely team move and goal! More to that clash below.

What the hell?! Wilfried Zaha was just being an idiot, applauding the referee whilst receiving a booking = asking for a second yellow = sending off (87’)! Fully deserved! The Crystal Palace forward had given his side the lead at Southampton, his first goal since September, four minutes before the interval. But the Saints were level thanks to James Ward-Prowse (77’), an outstanding team goal as mentioned above, despite the visitors’ dominance and number of chances. No other PL side have drawn more games than Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team = eight. Roy Hodgson’s men meanwhile, have dropped 13 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season - only Fulham and Southampton have lost more (15 each).

Jürgen Klopp blamed the snow for Liverpool’s draw at Anfield against Leicester. It’s a point gained in the title race after City’s defeat, but was a frustrating display and two points dropped on the night. And the result could have been so much worse! Keeper Alisson had some iffy moments again, but also made some crucial stops, including a sublime ping-pong block against his own team mate Roberto Firmino! The Brazlian stopper and star defender Virgil van Dijk looked uncharacteristically clumsy throughout. The Reds were ahead early on thanks to Sadio Mané (3’ - after 121 seconds to be exact), but the rest of the match stayed slow, slippy and clumsy, the home side unable to take control. Harry Maguire equalised in front of the Kop just before the break (45’+2’). The German boss had a point about the weather and the officials didn't help his side either. Referee Martin Atkinson made a couple of questionable calls and decisions, on both sides. Clear penalties not given after Mané and Mohamed Salah were clearly fouled in the box, a couple of cards not shown, that could have added up to more against certain players... But, United got a penalty whilst these players just always pretend, right?! As I wonder every week: Who needs VAR?! Claude Puel was a happy man with the result. Of course. Leicester are the first team outside the top six that Liverpool have failed to beat in the Premier League this season. The Reds have conceded in their past three home league games, after only conceding in two of their opening nine league matches at Anfield this season. Still, going into February five points clear at the top is not too bad, ey?

My Predictions - Actual Results

Arsenal 3:1 Cardiff - 2:1

Fulham 1:2 Brighton - 4:2

Huddersfield 1:2 Everton - 0:1

Wolves 2:1 West Ham - 3:0

Man United 3:1 Burnley - 2:2

Newcastle 1:2 Man City - 2:1

Bournemouth 1:2 Chelsea - 4:0

Southampton 2:1 Crystal Palace - 1:1

Liverpool 1:0 Leicester - 1:1

Tottenham 2:0 Watford - 2:1

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 18

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 18

The 18th week of Premier League action saw:

34 goals - most by Tottenham = 6

241 shots - most by Man City = 19

91 on target - most by Man United = 9

97 corners - most by Man City = 13

200 fouls - most by Brighton = 18

33 bookings - most by Burnley = 5

1 red card - Dunk for Brighton

5 penalties - 5 scored (Milivojevic for Palace, Ings for Southampton, Deeney for Watford, Camarasa for Cardiff, Lingard for United)

What a match! 15th-placed Crystal Palace absolutely stunned champions Manchester City with a comeback-and-a-half, ending up 2-3 winners in the Saturday afternoon encounter at the Etihad. Andros Townsend’s smacker from 30 yards out made it 1-2 (35’) after İlkay Gündoğan had given the Citizens the lead (27’) and Jeffrey Schlupp equalised (33’), making it three goals in eight minutes and adding up to a very juicy half of football. The home side dominated but the visitors kept control and made their few chances count (three shots on target = three goals). Luka Milivojević added to the Eagles’ lead making it 1-3 from the spot after the break (51’) before Kevin De Bruyne pulled a nice one back late on - intentional or not - with a cross/shot from distance (85’). It’s the London side’s first win at City for exactly 28 years, taking them up to 14th, six points clear of the drop zone, Roy Hodgson called it “one of those bonanza days”. It’s a very unusual feeling for Pep Guardiola, whose side were 13 points clear at the top last Christmas, but now trail leaders Liverpool by four points after their second defeat in their past three Premier League games - as many losses as in their previous 61 league matches combined. More to the Reds’ top form below.

What a team! Liverpool kept their unbeaten run going on the very rainy Friday night, ending up very wet but quite comfortable 0-2 winners at Wolves. Man of the match Mohamed Salah scored the opener (18’), making the Egyptian the top scorer in the league, and set up the other, Virgil van Dijk and the Dutchman's first goal for the club (68’). No discrediting the home side, they tried, and got the Reds shaking a couple of times, but it was not to be. The 15th win and 11th clean sheet of the season kept Jürgen Klopp’s side at the top for Christmas, with a record of only seven goals conceded after 18 games.

Tottenham took Everton to bits on the only Super Sunday match, thrashing the Merseysiders 2-6 at Goodison Park, taking them to just two points off City in second. Son Heung-min (27’, 61’) and Harry Kane (42’, 74’) starred with a brace each, Dele Alli (35’) and Christian Eriksen (48’) adding their part to the bash. The Toffees are one point worse off after 18 games than after Ronald Koeman’s sacking and Big Sam’s appointment last season. Slipping down to eleventh, does Marco Silva have to be worried? Just a little bit.

What a man! Ralph Hasenhüttl has won two of his three Premier League match in charge after Southampton beat Huddersfield 1:3 - only one victory fewer than Mark Hughes managed in 22 attempts as Saints boss, earning him the nickname “Klopp of the Alps”. Big celebrations for the big Austrian, taking his side up to 16th, three points clear from the drop zone, whilst huge problems are piling up for his counterpart David Wagner after his side's fifth consecutive league defeat keeps them stuck in 19th, four points away from safety. 
Former United stopper Ben Foster saved all seven shots on target, denying West Ham any way back into the match, Watford leaving the London Stadium 0-2 winners, taking them up to seventh, whilst the Hammers fell down to 12th.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær could not have asked for a better start as Manchester United interim manager, watching his side thrash Cardiff 1-5 in Wales. It was the first time since Sir Alex's last match in charge back in 2013 that the Red Devils scored five. Much in contrast to last week, the players looked less chaotic, passive and negative, much better, more organised, liberal, working, positive, taking initiative and control - winning! Mourinwho?!

What a goal! Townsend's belter for Palace mentioned above has to be listed and pointed out here again. You Beauty! 
Marcus Rashford's stunning free-kick opened the scoring for United against the Blue Birds after just three minutes, showing straight away where the afternoon was going at the Cardiff City Stadium. What a difference a week makes.
David Brooks produced two sublime finishes to make it 2-0 and an easy win for Bournemouth against ten-man Brighton, taking the sides to eighth and tenth place respectively. The opener was a low finish with his left foot (21’), the other a teasing flicking header up and over and in (77’) to bag and seal the three points. 

Jamie Vardy’s first-time finish in the box was a whacker of a winner (51’) and made his 250th appearance for Leicester so much sweeter, downing Chelsea 0-1 at Stamford Bridge, the Blues’ first home defeat of the season. Maurizio Sarri called it “mental confusion” after watching his side blasting and wasting plenty of chances and losing out in the end, the result lifting the Foxes up to ninth, whilst the London club trail the Reds at the top by eleven points. Next on the fixture list for Claude Puel’s men: Manchester City.

What the hell?! Sean Dyche was a very unhappy man reeling down the decisions that have gone against his side after Arsenal beat Burnley 3-1, and he had more than a point. It was the first time this season the Gunners led at the interval thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (14'), but cannot deny a lot of refereeing calls went their way. The Gabonese striker doubled the score shortly after the break (48') before Ashley Barnes pulled one back (63'). It was the latter who got an elbow in the face without any consequences and plenty other diving and close calls clearly went against the visitors at the Emirates. The Clarets have gone 61 Premier League games without a penalty, and with only 12 points after 18 games, it’s their worst start to a top-flight campaign since 1970-71 (10 points), when they ultimately got relegated. Damned.

The dire 0-0 draw at Newcastle was Fulham's first clean sheet in 22 Premier League games! Rafa Benítez watched his side create zero attempts on target. Claudio Ranieri on the other hand, could be much more relieved, a point is better than nothing. Standards.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Wolves 0:3 Liverpool - 0:2

Arsenal 3:0 Burnley - 3:1

Bournemouth 1:1 Brighton - 2:0

Chelsea 2:1 Leicester - 0:1

Huddersfield 1:1 Southampton - 1:3

Man City 4:1 Crystal Palace - 2:3

Newcastle 2:1 Fulham - 0:0

West Ham 3:2 Watford - 0:2

Cardiff 2:2 Man United - 1:5

Everton 1:2 Tottenham - 2:6

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports and live notes.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 38

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 38

The 38th week of the Premier League action saw:

31 goals - most by Tottenham = 5

247 shots - most by Swansea = 26

93 on target - most by Liverpool & Swansea = 11 each

98 corners - most by Man City = 12

193 fouls - most by Burnley = 14

22 yellow cards - most by Man United = 4.

0 red cards

1 penalty - 0 scored

What a game! Leicester and Tottenham could just not stop scoring. The two sides shared NINE GOALS between each other!!! What a comeback it was by the London side, trailing three times, 3-1 down at the break to lead 4-3, see Gazza dancing, the Foxes equalising and Harry Kane netting his second and the match winner - not enough to clinch the Golden Boot though. With Erik Lamela’s double and Christian Fuchs’ own goal, it ended 5-4 at a very entertained Wembley and with a very happy Mauricio Pochettino seeing his side end up third. Jamie Vardy’s brace, together with Riyad Mahrez and Kelechi Iheanacho all on the scoreboard, was still not enough and just another defeat at the end of a disappointing season for the 2016 champions. Claude Puel called the match crazy, which it was, but it cannot hide the fact that finishing 9th after their 15th defeat is just not good enough and it remains to be seen who will be the boss and stay part of the team at the King Power Stadium next season.

What a team! Newcastle took Chelsea apart with the great help of Ayoze Pérez’s brace, two goals in four minutes, after Dwight Gayle’s header from close range gave the home side the lead at St James’ Park. The little chance the Blues had of sneaking into the top four was blown away by the Magpies, manager Antonio Conte taking the blame for such a disappointing campaign. The Londoners still have the FA Cup final to play next weekend, but either way, no matter how that ends, I would be very surprised to see the Italian still at the Stamford Bridge helm next season, given their Russian owner's managerial record, not exactly the patient one... Newcastle on the other hand would love for their boss Rafa Benítez to stay after the Spaniard guided their side back up into the PL and up to 10th, but his relationship with the hierarchy puts doubt on that as well...

The miracle of a 10-goal swing was not to be for Swansea, no matter how much they tried at the Liberty Stadium (26 shots!). After taking the lead early on thanks to Andy King, the Welsh side fell behind Stoke after Badou Ndiaye's equaliser and Peter Crouch's winner turned the game around within ten minutes, all in the first half. And it could have been worse, the visitors missing a penalty in Wales, Martin Olsson penalised for handball, Xherdan Shaqiri’s spot kick saved by Łukasz Fabiański in the bottom left corner. Just like their run under Carlos Carvalhal, 17 points from the first 9 games, to only three from the last 8, the Swans’ run went from top to flop, just not good and consistent enough to stay up.

What a man! Will the 3-1 defeat and plenty of bubbles for Everton at West Ham put another nail in Big Sam’s coffin? The Hammers moved up two places to finish 13th after this fine win, inspired by Manuel Lanzini once again with two goals and Marko Arnautović adding to the Toffees misery and making Oumar Niasse’s goal count for nothing. David Moyes’ men ended a very topsy turvy campaign on a high, finishing 13th after beating his former side who appointed Allardyce on a slide and fall of their own. The big boss will point out the blue side of Liverpool have finished in 8th, top half of the table, much better than expected after their nightmare start, but I will be very surprised to see him still in the same job in August.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once again like in their last home game last weekend served Arsène Wenger with a perfect send-off, this time at Huddersfield, his goal completing the Gunners’ first away win in 2018. It was a nice touch by the Terriers to display "Merci Arsène" and join in the standing ovation after 22 minutes to celebrate the Frenchman’s 22 years at the London club, a reign of 1,235 matches (707 wins, 280 draws, 248 defeats). The John Smith’s Stadium was the 48th different ground Wenger has won at in the PL - a record (breaking Sir Alex Ferguson’s 47). Who will dare to fill those shoes I wonder...

Roy Hodgson meanwhile was celebrated at Crystal Palace after a comfy 2-0 win against already relegated West Brom, pulling the side out of trouble and much higher than anyone would have expected after their pointless and goalless start to the season, losing their opening seven games. But the ex-England boss was still sad to see his former side Albion go down, especially after their impressive resurgence under caretaker manager Darren Moore, this being their only defeat in his six matches in charge. The Baggies still finished bottom, for a record 10th season in the top flight and second time in the Premier League era (also 2008-09).

What a goal! Dominic Solanke finally opened his account for Liverpool with a smacking finish and thanks to an unselfish Mohamed Salah setting him up with his pass in the box after he had scored the opener - his record 32nd goal of the season, most by any player in a 38-game PL season. Much-criticised defender Dejan Lovren rose to head in the third, his celebration showing how much it meant to him. And Andrew Robertson scored his first for the Reds as well to make it 4-0. It was the great Egyptian of course who collected all the records and awards after the match, but it was an exemplary team display. Brighton were left watching in awe, Jürgen Klopp’s men all over them, just what the Merseyside’s doctor ordered before their Champions League final in 13 days.

Marcus Rashford showed how to tap it in and win it for Manchester United against Watford, there was not much else notable that happened in the match. Like the rest of the season, the Red Devils weren’t much to watch but still got the points, typical José Mourinho - who had made nine changes for this match. United ended the season in second place on 81 points, their highest finish since Fergie retired in 2013. I’m sure their current Portuguese boss will underline, frame and point that out to anyone who dares to criticise him and his less-entertaining style.

What the hell?! If that was not typical Manchester City, Gabriel Jesus whacking in the winner Agüero-style in the dying seconds of added time (94’) at Southampton as the commentators were already lauding the point and draw. But it ended 0-1 at St Mary’s, three points and the full century of points for Pep Guardiola’s men, a record 100 points from 38 games, 50 at home, 50 away, muchas gracias!!! What an achievement! And the Saints were still happy too, nice and safe after the Swans’ defeat, mentioned above.

And Jermain Defoe set up Bournemouth’s last-second winner in injury time as well, unselfishly serving Callum Wilson the goal to make it 1-2 at Burnley after Joshua King’s delicious curling equaliser levelled Chris Wood’s opener. Sean Dyche can still be happy with his side’s best league finish since 1973-74 and Europa League qualification in 7th place, returning to European football for the first time in 51 years.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Burnley 1:1 Bournemouth - 1:2

Crystal Palace 2:1 West Brom - 2:0

Huddersfield 1:0 Arsenal - 0:1

Liverpool 3:0 Brighton - 4:0

Man United 1:0 Watford - 1:0

Newcastle 1:1 Chelsea - 3:0

Southampton 2:4 Man City - 0:1

Swansea 2:1 Stoke City - 1:2

Tottenham 3:1 Leicester - 5:4

West Ham 1:2 Everton - 3:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Late Drama & LFC Winner At Burnley

Sports - Football - Premier League - BUR 1:2 LIV

Late drama with two goals in the final minutes saw Liverpool destroy any kind of Burnley fight back and clinch a 1-2 win at Turf Moor.

The Reds were sloppy in the goalless first half, Sadio Mané especially wasting and giving away the ball a lot.

The Clarets had a couple of chances, tight tight tight, challenging the Reds in their dominance of possession.

The weather did not help, wet wet wet, players slipping all over the place.

The only stop Nick Pope had to make in the first half was against Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

And Simon Mignolet denied Scott Arfield with an easy dive to his right, the only other shot on target before the break.

With an hour gone, finally a breakthrough came for the visitors, Mané turning on the edge of the box and sending a rocket into the back of the net with his left foot to make it 0-1, his eighth goal of the season.

Red youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold stretched Pope to the keeper's top left, a brilliant save with just over 15 minutes left in the game.

Ashley Barnes put a chance wide for the home side late on, testing the Reds again and again.

The Ox got denied by Pope after Liverpool took too long to make something out of the ball in the Burnley box.

Substitute Sam Vokes' header was kept out and away by Mignolet shortly afterwards. The biggest drama was left for last.

Three minutes left on the clock, Vokes' wide header to his right found Berg Gudmundsson who made no mistake of a diving header past the back post to make it 1-1, the Reds defense caught sleeping.

With four minutes added on, Clarets manager Sean Dyche was much more on his toes, whilst Reds boss Jürgen Klopp looked more frustrated.

In the dying seconds, man of the match Dejan Lovren's header off a free-kick found Ragnar Klavan who headed the ball in to make it 1-2.

It was the first goal scored by an Estonian player in Premier League history.

Relief for Liverpool, after recording their 16th game unbeaten, grief for Burnley, losing after they fought so hard till the end.

HT Stats: BUR 0-0 LIV
Possession: 37%-63%
Shots: 6-7
On target: 1-1
Corners: 1-1
Fouls: 2-8
Action areas: BUR 18.3%-57.2%-24.5% LIV

FT Stats: BUR 1-2 LIV
Possession: 42%-58%
Shots: 13-19
On target: 4-5
Corners: 3-9
Fouls: 4-12

Burnley Goal: Gudmunsson 87'.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 61' & Klavan 90'+4.

Burnley Team: 29 Pope, 26 Bardsley, 5 Tarkowski, 6 Mee, 3 Taylor, 17 Berg Gudmunsson, 4 Cork, 16 Defour, 37 Arfield (21 Wells 86'), 13 Hendrick (9 Vokes 71'), 10 Barnes.
Subs not used: 2 Lowton, 18 Westwood, 19 Walters, 22 Lindegaard, 28 Long.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet, 66 Alexander-Arnold, 6 Lovren, 17 Klavan, 12 Gomez, 23 Can, 5 Wijnaldum, 19 Mané (9 Firmino 72'), 20 Lallana (7 Milner 86'), 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (32 Matin 90'+6'), 29 Solanke.
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 26 Robertson, 28 Ings, 58 Woodburn.

Referee: Roger East
Man of the match: Dejan Lovren
Ground: Turf Moor
Attendance: 21,756

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, MOTD, Twitter and SFR match coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 10

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 10

The tenth week of the Premier League action saw:

23 goals - most by Liverpool & Man City = 3 each
114 shots - most by Crystal Palace = 19
68 on target - most by Crystal Palace = 9
92 corners - most by Crystal Palace = 11
195 fouls - most by Crystal Palace = 18
29 yellow cards - most by Watford & Stoke = 4 each
0 red cards
2 penalties - 1 scored (Mohamed Salah missed for Liverpool, Luka Milivojevic for Crystal Palace)

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What a game! West Brom against Manchester City started with a flood of goals, three in under 15 minutes! Leroy Sané opened the scoring for the visitors with a vicious strike from 15 yards. Jay Rodriguez levelled the score for the hosts three minutes later lifting the ball past Ederson off Gareth Barry's cross. But seconds later Fernandinho restored the Citizens' lead, seeing the ball deflect off a couple of players and in off the post. Former LFC winger Raheem Sterling made it 1-3 with just over an hour gone after the game calmed down a bit. The home side pulled one back late on, what a massive mistake it was by Nicolás Otamendi, Matt Phillips capitalizing well on it, but it was too little too late for the Baggies. The blue league leaders keep flying high five points clear at the top even after not exactly their best performance.

What a team! Just when Arsenal looked to be on top of their game after taking Everton apart 5-2 last week, they were humbled by Swansea, in the first half. The Swans took the lead when Sam Clucas slotted one in against the run of play halfway through the opening half. And it could have been worse if it weren't for Petr Čech's stops, denying Jordan Ayew, who came closest to double the Welsh side's lead. But the Gunners hit back and completed a great turnaround after the break, thanks to two goals in seven minutes by Sead Kolašinac (51') and Aaron Ramsey (58'). It's the third successive game the Londoners have fought back from behind, ending manager Arsène Wenger's 800th Premier League game on top, remaining fifth in the league table, level on points with Chelsea in fourth.
Newcastle definitely don't like Mondays after losing their 10th consecutive top-flight match on this miserable opening day of the week. Burnley deserved the win thanks to Jeff Hendrick's second league goal of the season, sealing a nice fifth anniversary present for manager Sean Dyche, who has been linked with the vacant Everton job. I don't think he'd be that stupid: Burnley are sitting high and happy in seventh, whilst the Toffees are stuck in the bottom three, more to their defeat below.

What a man! Super sub Anthony Martial won the early kick-off on Saturday for Manchester United, beating two Spurs defenders to slot the ball home off Romelu Lukaku's headed cross with 81 minutes on the clock, just over ten minutes after coming on. Too easy. With this victory, the hosts have won their last six league games at Old Trafford, conceding zero, keeping them second in the league table. The last time they recorded such a strong league run at home was March 2010 under Sir Alex Ferguson. The weather was just as dire as the entertainment value and quality of the match though. The first half saw the visitors on top, the home side were poor, but took more control after the interval, José Mourinho's substitution(s) proved to be crucial. Harry Kane and Victor Wanyama were ruled out due to injury and certainly missed, both scorers in Tottenham's win over the Red Devils the last time the two sides met in an emotional farewell at White Hart Lane. The result put an end to Mauricio Pochettino's men's unbeaten run on the road this season, recording their second defeat in the league, keeping them in third place, local rivals Chelsea and Arsenal closing the gap to just a point. The London side definitely don't like this ground, having lost 21 of their 26 Premier League trips to Old Trafford. (After this match, Manchester City will surely not be all too worried though, neither side looking half as threatening and lethal as the league leaders.)

What a goal! Both West Ham goals impressed, from nice team play to top quality individual effort! Javier Hernández broke the deadlock with a nice finish and André Ayew doubled the Hammers' lead with a stunner driven from 20 yards out. But a spot kick by Luka Milivojević and late late late late late Wilfried Zaha goal grabbed a point back for Crystal Palace (90'+7!!!), who had also hit the woodwork twice and pulled numerous saves from Joe Hart. It ended a point each for Roy Hodgson and Slaven Bilić, but very different feelings, the fourth point of the season for Palace, denying West Ham a first Premier League away win in six attempts.
Eden Hazard made it three in three for Chelsea, as many goals as in his previous 17 games, to beat Bournemouth 0-1 at the Vitality Stadium. Clinical. Asmir Begović was beaten from a tight angle on the side the Bosnian keeper should have had covered. The Cherries fought hard, but just could not find a breakthrough. Cruel.
And what a run and goal Leicester's opener was against Everton! Jamie Vardy banged the chance in from close range after the Foxes broke and ripped through the Toffees, Demarai Gray with the run past Tom Davies and two more Evertonians, followed by a Riyad Mahrez cross, top top top counter attack. Jonjoe Kenny's deflection added to the visitor's misery, awarded to Gray, who was on fire and involved again with a fine run and shot. The Claude Puel era is up and running, it was certainly a Super Sunday for he Frenchman. Not sure caretaker David Unsworth will get nor want the job at the Merseyside club permanently at this rate, watching his side nowhere near competing, moulding in 18th.

What the hell?! Only Jürgen Klopp knows why Mohamed Salah took the spot kick for Liverpool. James Milner and Roberto Firmino left watching as Huddersfield keeper Jonas Lössl denied the Egyptian from the spot. It just added to the frustrations, the last league win difficult to remember. It was over a month ago to be exact, 2-3 at Leicester, felt like years ago! A slice of luck saw Daniel Sturridge capitalize on Terriers captain Tommy Smith's misplaced header to give the Reds the lead and relieve them of a lot of pressure!!! Firmino doubled the lead with a strong header off a corner. Georginio Wijnaldum made it three with a rifle of a shot, past four defenders, the 150th PL goal under Klopp. What was I ranting about again? The Reds turned on the style at Anfield in the second half, finally!!! Something/someone finally clicked and turned the switch on, and keeping only their fourth clean sheet in ten league games will boost the confidence more, too. The win takes Klopp's men up to sixth, three points behind the top four. It was the first league meeting between the two sides since February 1972 and there was a lot covered in the buildup to the match about the close friendship between the two managers, Klopp and David Wagner. History. The last time the Terriers beat the Reds was 1959 under non-other than Bill Shankly before his LFC era! History-and-a-half.

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

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