Premier League Notes - Week 28

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 28

The 28th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

20 goals - most by West Ham, Watford and Wolves = 3 each 

229 shots - most by Brighton = 24

71 on target - most by Brighton = 8

115 corners - most by Chelsea = 14

158 fouls - most by Leicester = 16

30 bookings - most by Newcastle and Man United = 4 each

0 red cards

0 penalties

#NORLEI

It was goalless at the break, after both sides tried but failed to find a breakthrough. Shortly after the restart, Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho saw his goal disallowed after the VAR showed the ball had come off his arm in the buildup (50’). The hosts had a penalty appeal waved off seconds before that, no replays shown, I honestly thought they had a shout. A Jamal Lewis beauty gave the home side the lead, from the left corner of the box, curled into the bottom right corner of the net, Kasper Schmeichel had no chance of getting anywhere near that (71’). It’s Norwich’s first goal from open play since New Year’s Day. And the Canaries held on to the win this time, giving them hope, giving them a chance. Will Daniel Farke's men survive? Four points from safety with ten games remaining. They more than deserve to. 

#BHACRY

Tense encounter. Both sides had chances, Vicente Guaita was definitely kept the busier of the two keepers. Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke were not making friends in Brighton, that’s for sure, they were lucky to still be on the pitch following their first-half antiques. Jordan Ayew broke the deadlock halfway through the second half (70’), provided by Benteke with a fine run and set up, to send the ball under the keeper and in. Against the run of play, Palace were ahead after plenty of Brighton misses. I'knew it. Zaha hit the woodwork late on. Otherwise it was ALL Albion, so many chances, so many misses, keeper Guaita man of the match, denying the home side anything and everything‬. The 24 shots the hosts had is their best-ever tally in a Premier League game. Roy Hodgson’s men move 12 points clear from the drop zone, whilst Graham Potter's side are only four points away, the other sides still due to play. Brighton remain the only side without a Premier League win in 2020 (D5 L3), with the Seagulls last enjoying a top-flight victory against Bournemouth on 28 December (week 20).

#BOUCHE 

The home side were unable to clear the ball out of the box after Olivier Giroud’s attempt came off the bar, and Marcos Alonso made no mistake of lashing it in from close range (33’). Jefferson Lerma headed in the leveller through Willy Caballero’s gloves off a corner (54’), the keeper will not like to see the replays of that! Game. On. And seconds later, the VAR confirmed Joshua King was NOT offside when he tapped the ball in from close range (57’), Chelsea all over the place, conceding two goals in three minutes. Alonso headed in the rebound after Pedro’s shot was saved to make it 2-2 (86’). The Cherries hung on to at least one point, the Blues denying them a surprise win and themselves some blushes.

#NEWBUR

It ended goalless at St James’ Park, only one win in ten league matches for the Magpies, 21 chances, nothing netted, keeping Steve Bruce’s men in 14th. Burnley’s stubborn defence earned them a point, extending their unbeaten Premier League run to six matches and taking Sean Dyche's side up to ninth.

#WHUSOU

No side had won fewer Premier League points at home than West Ham this season (12 before kick-off). And you could tell*. Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock at the London Stadium (15’), assisted by Pablo Fornals, nice slot through and finish from a tight angle after the Saints lost the ball, putting the Hammers ahead. Michael Obafemi, set up by James Ward-Prowse, the youngster impressing with a tidy finish to level the score (31’). A mistake by keeper Alex McCarthy handed Sébastian Haller an easy finish, sliding in the ball in off Michail Antonio’s cross (40’) to put home side ahead again. David Moyes’ men stayed on top after that, Antonio’s nice low finish off Fornals’ fine cross making it 3-1 (54’) and party time in East London, all tensions released and forgotten.*

#WATLIV 

Weak and frustrating evening for the Reds at Vicarage Road: Ismaïla Sarr tapped in the ball from close range, Abdoulaye Doucouré the provider, fine move and turn to set the scorer up (54’). Too easy. The league leaders were trailing. And deservedly so. Nearly an hour gone, Sarr broke clear and doubled the hosts’ lead! VVD with a shocker there! And it got worse for the Reds: what a giveaway by TAA this time! The top players flopping! Not their night! Troy Deeney ended up with an easy tap up and in past Alisson (72’). And that was it. The unbeaten and winning run ended for Jürgen Klopp’s men. But they’re still 22 points clear at the top. Could be worse. Watford are the first side to beat Liverpool in the Premier League since Manchester City in January 2019 (week 21), ending the joint-longest winning streak (18) and the second longest unbeaten run (44) in English top-flight history. The Reds’ 0-3 loss was the biggest margin of defeat for a side starting the day top of the Premier League since November 2015 (Man City 1-4 Liverpool).

#EVEMUN

Taxi for David de Gea! The Spanish stopper banged the ball off Dominic Calvert-Lewin into the back of his own net, failing to deal with the pass back, no threat whatsoever (3’). More chances came close for both sides in an intense start at Goodison Park, de Gea denying DCL this time before Nemanja Matić hit the woodwork (7’). The Toffees bossed the game early on, but then the Red Devils took over. Skipper Séamus Coleman had to be replaced by Djibril Sidibé (28’) because of injury. Jordan Pickford was beaten at his near post by a shot from distance, Bruno Fernandes finding the unlikely equaliser (32’). Not a good day for goalkeepers. Gylfi Sigurðsson hit the post with a lovely free kick (57’). Pickford made up for the earlier mistake with a double save in the final minute (90’). DCL’s last-minute winner was disallowed by the VAR for offside, despite the ball taking a massive deflection to beat de Gea (93’). It was not to be. It ended a goal and point each, Carlo Ancelotti fuming with the officials, OGS a lucky bugger to get anything out of this game. Madness. 

#TOTWOL

Wolves corner, Raúl Jiménez's flick causing some panic in the Spurs defence, but then the hosts broke, suddenly the visitors were in all sorts of trouble. Dele Alli eventually got a shot away, which was saved, Steven Bergwijn there to net the rebound (13’). Wolves have conceded the first goal in a Premier League game for the 18th time this season, more than any other side; they avoided defeat on 11 of the previous 17 occasions. Matt Doherty levelled the score, banging in the ball after Spurs were unable to deal with it and clear it (27’). Serge Aurier put the home side back ahead just before the break (45’). The Spurs right-back with his first goal of the season, cutting in from the right side of the Wolves box and bending into the far corner. But the visitors hit back, clinically punishing the dominant Spurs, Diogo Jota left with a tap in after Adama Traoré and Jiménez did all the hard work in the buildup to make it 2-2 (57’). And what a goal to put the Wanderers ahead: Jota turned in his own half and then just kept going, leaving Spurs behind him, to set up Jiménez, who cut inside his marker and produced a beautiful left-footer into the far corner to make it 2-3 (73’). The result moves Nuno Espírito Santo’s side level on points with the Reds Devils in fifth.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Norwich 0:2 Leicester - 1:0

Brighton 1:1 Crystal Palace - 0:1

Bournemouth 1:1 Chelsea - 2:2

Newcastle 1:2 Burnley - 0:0

West Ham 1:3 Southampton - 3:1

Watford 0:3 Liverpool - 3:0

Everton 1:1 Man United - 1:1

Tottenham 1:1 Wolves - 2:3

Matches postponed because of the Carabao Cup final:

Aston Villa P:P Sheff United

Man City P:P Arsenal 

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Saints Outclass Reds To Reach Cup Final

Sports - Football - EFL Cup - LFC 0:1 SFC

Southampton reached their first final in 38 years beating Liverpool 1-0 in the EFL Cup semi final second leg at Anfield, 2-0 on aggregate, confidently, convincingly and deservedly so over the two legs.

Jürgen Klopp's side did not come out all guns blazing as expected being 1-0 down from the first leg.

The Saints, without key defender Virgil van Dijk due to injury, looked solid at the back and threatening on counters, the scorer of the first-leg goal Nathan Redmond breaking and bossing from the left.

Dusan Tadic came closest in the first half, spurning a chance at point blank, Loris Karius blocking and holding on gratefully.

The under-fire German keeper also denied skipper Steven Davis, who fired another good chance high and over.

The Reds missed Sadio Mané, youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold the only one pressuring, covering and creating anything on the right flank for the home side.

Not much changed after the interval, the home side enjoying more possession, pushing and pressing, but not creating much threat.

The closest Liverpool came was when Fraser Forster punched away Emre Can's attempt, to watch it bounce over him, sending him scrambling back to stop it from crossing the line.

It was a good recovery from what could have ended up very embarrassing for the English stopper.

Apart from that, the evening grew more and more frustrating for the hosts, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana wasting chances and giving away the ball again and again.

Klopp left the changes late, bringing on Divock Origi the Kop were chanting for, replacing Can with just over ten minutes to go.

And why Georginio Wijnaldum came on for Philippe Coutinho with only a couple of minutes remaining and not earlier, only the German manager knows.

Anfield was just as furious as their boss, watching Southampton wasting time and a handball appeal against substitute Shane Long denied by referee Ben Atkinson.

Replays showed it was a close call, the ball coming off the top of the arm/shoulder, a 50/50 call, the officials staying consistent as in not giving much.

It was too little, too late for the Reds, and when Origi went down in the box challenged by Jack Stephens in injury time, it just looked desperate.

The corner that followed taken by James Milner was dire and led up to another Southampton counter, started by substitute Josh Sims with a great run and pass, finished off nicely by Long.

This win means Saints manager Claude Puel is unbeaten in six against Liverpool (W3, D3), whilst it's Klopp's first semi-final defeat in seven as a manager.

The result drags down Liverpool's form so far this year, the only win coming against League Two side Plymouth Argyle in their FA Cup third round replay, losing three and drawing three of the seven games played so far this year.

Southampton will be going to the final at Wembley on the 26th February to meet either Manchester United or Hull City, having not conceded a single goal in the competition.

They are looking to win their second major trophy since beating the Red Devils in the 1976 FA Cup final. History in the making?

Southampton Goal: Long 90:44min.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 7 Milner, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 20 Lallana, 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can (27 Origi 78'); 10 Coutinho (5 Wijnaldum 87'), 15 Sturridge, 11 Firmino. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 21 Lucas, 22 Mignolet, 58 Woodburn.

Southampton Team: 1 Forster; 21 Bertrand, 3 Yoshida, 24 Stephens, 2 Soares; 8 Davis, 14 Romeu, 16 Ward-Prowse (23 Hojbjerg 59'); 11 Tadic, 9 Rodriguez (7 Long 45'), 22 Redmond (39 Sims 81'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 4 Clasie, 15 Martina, 38 McQueen, 41 Lewis.

Match Stats: HT & FT Liverpool-Southampton
Possession: 72%-28% & 73%-27%
Attempts: 4-5 & 13-7
On target: 2-1 & 3-2
Corners: 1-2 & 8-4
Fouls: 5-2 & 8-2
Bookings: 0-0 & 0-0

Referee: Ben Atkinson
Man of the match: Oriel Romeu
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 52,238

Pictures and stats taken from BBC match report and Sky Sports live coverage.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Saints Outplay Liverpool In Semi First Leg

Sports - Football - EFL Cup - SFC 1:0 LFC

Southampton outshone and -played record winners Liverpool in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, beating the Reds 1-0 at St Mary's.

It could and should have been a much worse score for the Reds, under-fire and second-choice keeper Loris Karius making some crucial saves, especially in the first half.

The Saints had taken the lead thanks to Nathan Redmond's fine finish off Jay Rodriguez just 20 minutes into the clash.

The English midfielder could have had a hat-trick if it weren't for the 23-year-old German stopper denying him again and again, keeping the visitors in the tie.

Jürgen Klopp conceded defeat after the match and that it should have been 3-0, leaving Saints boss Claude Puel happy with the display but a bit disappointed with the result.

It was by far the worst performance under the German boss, the Reds dominating possession but recording less shots and only two on target, leaving Fraser Forster with not much to do.

Man of the match  Virgil van Dijk bossed the show from the back, frustrating the visitors, Roberto Firmino the only Red to get an attempt on target.

Southampton will be desperate to keep hold of the popular centre-half throughout and beyond the January transfer window.

Liverpool will be desperate to come back from this dire defeat, lucky to have just one goal between the two when they meet again at Anfield in just over two weeks.

(The game was so bad, there is not more to write about. No discrediting Southampton, it was a great win for them!)

Southampton Goal: Redmond (20').

Southampton Team: 1 Forster; 2 Soares, 3 Yoshida, 17 van Dijk (c), 21 Bertrand; 14 Romeu, 4 Clasie (23 Hojbjerg 73'), 8 Davis (16 Ward-Prowse 82'); 9 Rodriguez (booked 81') (7 Long 82'), 22 Redmond, 11 Tadic (booked 65'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 24 Stephens, 38 McQueen, 39 Sims, 41 Lewis.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 2 Clyne, 6 Lovren, 17 Klavan, 7 Milner (c); 21 Lucas, 5 Wijnaldum (10 Coutinho 61'), 23 Can; 15 Sturridge, 20 Lallana, 11 Firmino (27 Origi 83'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 12 Gomez, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 35 Stewart, 58 Woodburn.

Match Stats: SFC-LFC
Attempts: 11-9
On target: 5-2
Corners: 2-5
Fouls: 11-5
Bookings: 2-0

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Ground: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 31,480

Pictures and stats taken from the BBC match report.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Woodburn Shoots Reds Into Semis

Sports - Football - EFL Cup - LFC 2:0 LUFC 

Liverpool progressed to their 17th League Cup semi-final - more than any other side - after beating Leeds 2-0 at Anfield.

Divock Origi put the home side ahead on 76 minutes off youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold's fine cross moments after Georgino Wijnaldum had hit the woodwork.

The Dutch midfielder then set up the second goal five minutes later, Ben Woodburn smashing home from close range, his first goal for the club, breaking Liverpool's club record becoming the youngest scorer in the Reds' history with 17 years and 45 days, beating none other than Michael Owen by 98 days.

Garry Monk's men had not made it easy for the home side, coming close a couple of times earlier on in the match.

Hadi Sacko was denied by a fine Simon Mignolet save, and man of the match Kemar Roofe hit the post, but it was not to be for the Sky Bet Championship side.

Jürgen Klopp made eight changes, being without Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge, and confirming Philippe Coutinho will be out for five weeks with ankle ligament damage.

The German counted on his youngsters, who didn't get into gear till after the break.

But after the Whites lost Eunan O'Kane to injury in the first half, it looked more difficult for the visitors.

Despite all that, they still challenged the Reds, Kyle Bartley heading wide and Roofe coming close a couple of times.

But it all was to no avail, the Red youngsters ended up on top, and even late on when Leeds thought they had pulled one back, substitute Chris Wood was flagged offside to see his goal denied. It was not their day.

Liverpool will face Southampton in the semis, travelling there for the first leg on the 11th January, the return leg at home scheduled two weeks after that.

Liverpool Goals: Origi 76' & Woodburn 81'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 18 Moreno, 17 Klavan, 21 Lucas (c), 66 Alex-Arnold; 23 Can, 35 Stewart (58 Woodburn 67'), 51 Ejaria (7 Milner 82'); 19 Mané, 27 Origi (booked 90'+1') (16 Grujic 90'+1'), 5 Wijnaldum. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 2 Clyne, 6 Lovren, 14 Henderson.

Leeds United Team: 12 Silvestri; 21 Taylor, 6 Cooper (c) (2 Ayling 45'), 5 Bartley, 28 Berardi; 14 O'Kane (23 Philips 28'), 25 Vieira; 15 Dallas (9 Wood 62'), 7 Roofe, 24 Sacko; 11 Doukara (booked 56'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Green, 10 Antonsson, 16 Grimes, 27 Mowatt.

Match Stats: Liverpool-Leeds United
Attempts: 13-13
On target: 4-4
Offsides: 1-5
Corners: 3-5
Fouls: 4-12
Possession: 71.5%-28.5%

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Kemar Roofe
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 52,012

Pictures taken from the BBC match report

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Sturridge double downs Spurs

Sports - Football - EFL Cup - LFC 2:1 THFC

Daniel Sturridge's double ended up being enough to eliminate Tottenham from the EFL Cup in the fourth round with Liverpool beating Spurs 2-1 at Anfield.

The much criticised striker was on fire, could and should have had a hat-trick with chances galore for the Reds, but had to settle for "just" the two goals and the man-of-the-match award.

Both managers made plenty of changes from the weekend, the whole 11 by Jürgen Klopp, 10 by Mauricio Pochettino, showing faith in their youngsters.

21-year-old Divock Origi impressed, producing, creating and providing plenty of chances. Liverpool proved themselves the more dominant and took the lead early on thanks to Sturridge's instinctive strike from six yards after just nine minutes.

And the home side took control in the second half, Origi and Sturridge combining well, the prior sending the latter clear to slide his second goal under Michel Vorm.

The England striker had wasted a couple of sitters beforehand, curled another chance against the bar late on, so, had plenty of opportunities to make it three and the Matchball his.

But the Spurs youngsters were not to be downed that easily and made it a more nervous finish for the Reds after they conceded a penalty when substitute Erik Lamela was fouled and saw Vincent Janssen send keeper Simon Mignolet the wrong way to make it 2-1 with just under 15 minutes to go.

Both sides missed chances late on, leaving Pochettino on his knees in frustration and defeat, Klopp the happier, obviously, seeing his side extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches, 8 of them wins, taking them to the EFL Cup quarter final.

Liverpool Goals: Sturridge 9' & 64'.

Tottenham Goal: Janssen pen 76'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet, 66 Alexander-Arnold (booked) (2 Clyne 68'), 21 Lucas, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 5 Wijnaldum, 35 Stewart, 53 Ejaria, 16 Grujic (booked) (23 Can 89'), 15 Sturridge, 27 Origi (28 Ings 68' (booked)).
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 6 Lovren, 19 Mané, 20 Lallana.

Tottenham Team: 13 Vorm, 16 Trippier, 38 Carter-Vickers, 27 Wimmer (booked), 33 Davies, 15 Dier (12 Wanyama 67'), 29 Winks (booked), 25 Onomah, 28 Carroll (11 Lamela 61'), 14 Nkoudou (39 Harrison 83'), 9 Janssen.
Subs not used: 5 Vertonghen, 30 López Sabata, 45 Walkes, 46 Amos.

Match Stats: Liverpool-Tottenham
Attempts: 18-9
On target: 9-5
Corners: 6-6
Fouls: 12-19
Possession: 46%-54%

Referee: Jonathan Mass
Man of the match: Daniel Sturridge
Attendance: 53,501

Pictures taken from the BBC match report

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Sturridge double seals EFL Cup progress

Sports - Football - EFL Cup - BAFC 0-5 LFC

Liverpool started their EFL Cup campaign successfully and comfortably with a 0-5 win at Burton Albion.

Coming back off a Premier League defeat at Burnley on Saturday, and still hurting from their League Cup final defeat against Manchester City last season, Jürgen Klopp's men came back all guns blazing.

Well, not quite. The score line over-compliments the Reds, a match that was less thrilling, entertaining and impressive, more like a kick in the park.

Divock Origi opened the scoring at the Pirelli Stadium, 15 minutes in, netting Sadio Mané's cross from close range with a cheeky back-heel flick.

Roberto Firmino doubled the score seven minutes later, keeper Stephen Bywater throwing the ball into Nathaniel Clyne's path whose surge down the right wing provided the Brazilian with a perfect cross to head in.

Just when it looked like Nigel Clough's men may be able to grind back something out of the match, taking more possession in the second half, a Tom Naylor own goal just past the hour made it 0-3.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge added two more to the Brewers' misery, 78' and 83', being in the right place at the right time, in the box, central, seemingly proving a point to those watching.

The only worry for Klopp's men on an easy night out came with Emre Can's injury who went down without any tackle or contact and had to be replaced just over halfway through the second half.

The next big test comes Saturday, lunch time, at White Hart Lane, where they can really prove what they are made of! (I'll be covering the Premier League match live on ByTheMinute.co)

Liverpool Goals: Origi 15', Firmino 22', Naylor OG 61', Sturridge 78' & 83'.

Burton Albion Team: 13 Bywater; 14 McCrory, 5 McFadzean (c), 15 Naylor; 11 Dyer (21 Fox 65'), 36 Irvine (16 Palmer 45'), 19 Choudhury (booked 57'), 7 Williamson (booked 61'), 10 Akins (22 Harness 65'); 9 Butcher, 12 Beavon. 3-5-2
Subs not used: 6 Turner, 23 Delaney, 1 McLaughlin, 8 O'Grady.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can (35 Stewart 71'), 20 Lallana (5 Wijnaldum 64'); 11 Firmino (15 Sturridge 64'), 27 Origi, 19 Mané. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 13 Manninger, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 28 Ings.

Match Stats: Burton Albion-Liverpool
Possession: 41%-59%
Attempts: 4-15
On target: 0-8
Corners: 6-3
Offsides: 0-5
Fouls: 4-7
Bookings: 2-0

Referee: Simon Hooper
Ground: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 6,450

Pictures taken from the BBC match report, stats taken from Sky Sports app

Click here for my previous LFC match report