Premier League Notes - Week 34

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 34

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

26 goals - most by Man City = 5

243 shots - most by Man City = 23

79 on target - most by Man City = 9

115 corners - most by Tottenham = 13

209 fouls - most by Norwich and Liverpool = 15 each

33 bookings - most by Norwich and Liverpool = 4 each

1 red card - Nketiah for Arsenal 

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

#CRYCHE

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

#WATNOR

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

#ARSLEI

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

#MCINEW

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

#SHUWOL

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

#WHUBUR

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

#BHALIV

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

#BOUTOT

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

#EVESOU

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

#AVLMUN

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

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Palace 1:1 Chelsea - 2:3

Watford 1:0 Norwich - 2:1

Arsenal 2:1 Leicester - 1:1

Man City 2:0 Newcastle - 5:0

Sheff United 2:3 Wolves - 1:0

West Ham 2:2 Burnley - 0:1

Brighton 0:1 Liverpool - 1:3

Bournemouth 2:1 Tottenham - 0:0

Everton 2:2 Southampton - 1:1

Aston Villa 0:2 Man United - 0:3

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 30

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 30

And YEAH, WE’RE BACK! After 100 eventful and challenging roller-coaster days without football, the Premier League has finally returned! It’s been over three months since my last blog and emotional Twitter thread explaining my addiction and dedication to the game. So, here we are, BACK WHERE WE BELONG! Here’s my summary of what happened in the 30th week of the Premier League, just some key facts and stats and notes, because there’s a lot more action coming thick and fast:

28 goals - most by Man City (v SHU) = 5

263 shots - most by Saints = 22

97 on target - most by Man City (v ARS) = 12

143 corners - most by Villa (v SHU) = 12

278 fouls - most by Man United = 18

29 bookings - most by Bournemouth = 3

2 red cards - David Luiz for Arsenal (v MCI), John Egan for Sheffield United (v NEW)

3 penalties  - 3 scored (De Bruyne for Man City (v ARS), Bruno Fernandes for Man United, Mahrez for Man City (v BUR))

All games were played in empty stadiums with one minute's silence before kickoff in memory of all those who passed away due to COVID-19. #ThankYouNHS And everyone knelt down for the first eight seconds of every match remembering George Floyd and playing with Black Lives Matter on the back of their shirts instead of their names, giving me goosebumps every single time. #YNWA

(Two games in hand were played on Wednesday, postponed from week 28 due to the Carabao Cup final.)

(#AVLSHU)

(And of course, football is back, and with it officiating controversy - COCK-UP! The ref’s watch and VAR were unable to detect and see that the ball had gone over the line with tumbling fumbling Villa goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland off Oliver Norwood’s free kick a few minutes before the break. Everyone saw and knew, just not the officials. Michael Oliver knew as well, but kept pointing to his watch, because it didn't go off. Technology is supposed to just be there for back-up in case you didn’t see anything or aren’t sure, and not be the one and only decider. The Villans did play better after the restart, keeping MOTM United stopper Dean Henderson busy, but the Blades will still feel robbed of two crucial points in the European qualification race.)

(#MCIARS)

(The Citizens dominated from the start, but the Gunners coped and controlled them well. Until David Luiz came on for an injured Pablo Marí and spoiled the show, giving away a goal to Raheem Sterling (45+2’), a penalty (netted by Kevin De Bruyne 51’) after being sent off for pulling back Riyad Mahrez in the box (49’) - what a hat-trick to have within the 26 minutes the Brazilian had on the pitch - another BIG FLOP! It could not have been more one-sided after that. Sub Phil Foden added a third goal off a rebound from Sergio Agüero’s saved strike late on (90+1’), to make it three goals and three points for the still-just-about reigning champions. The result meant Man City closed the gap to the top to 22 points, meaning the Merseyside derby on Sunday wouldn’t be the title decider. See below for more updates and details)

#NORSOU

The home side started strong, the first 10-20 minutes, then it was all Saints. Goalless at the break, there was some hope for the struggling hosts, but it didn’t last long. Danny Ings bashed (49’), Stuart Armstrong boomed (54’) and Nathan Redmond banged the visitors on top (79’), keeping their side in 14th, but ten points safe from the drop zone. The Canaries just couldn’t cope, let themselves down and are most probably out, rock bottom, six points from safety. 

#TOTMUN

A David de Gea howler put Red Devils behind (27'), the Spanish keeper should have stopped Steven Bergwijn's shot, but let it through. A soft penalty netted by Bruno Fernandes pulled the visitors back into the game (81'), and United nearly got another spot kick, but VAR correctly turned that crap call down. It ended a goal and point each, keeping the sides in 8th and 5th respectively, OGS smiling, José Mourinho fuming, the Premier League is well and truly back. Oh, and Roy Keane’s rant on Sky Sports about his former side was priceless! 

#WATLEI

For all Leicester’s dominance, Watford had the best/only real chance in the first half, Abdoulaye Doucouré denied by Kasper Schmeichel (35’). The Foxes had just not clicked yet, the Hornets could smell blood, for the same Frenchman to be denied by the great Danish stopper again with a brilliant spread-body-block shortly after halftime. Whatever Nigel Pearson said during the interval, it worked, his side were much more on top. Brendan Rodgers’ men put on the pressure later on, Marc Albrighton rattling the woodwork before James Maddison forced Ben Foster into an excellent save (75’). Both keepers definitely earned their money at Vicarage Road! Until the 90th minute, and what a hit it was by Ben Chilwell! From the left corner of the box, curled up and into the top right corner - off the post and in, Foster had no chance getting anywhere near that. Wow! Football can be so cruel! Or so I thought. Acrobatic Craig Dawson had a better idea and levelled the score off a corner and Schmeichel’s glove and in during the final seconds of added time. It ended a goal and point each, a fairer result. 

#BHAARS

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both missed early chances, then Bukayo Saka smacked the crossbar, it was all Gunners in the first ten minutes. The Seagulls created a couple of chances as well after that, but not much to shout about. Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno had to come off just before the break with a bad looking injury, his shouts of pain echoed around the ground and the reaction of the other players said it all. His replacement Emiliano Martínez made a fine save seconds later. I’m still wondering how come the Brighton player Neal Maupay, who the injured keeper clashed with leading to the awkward fall, didn’t see any punishment?! Nicolas Pépé gave the Gunners a beautiful lead just before the second drinks break with a beauty, from the right corner of the box, into the top left corner of the net! Both keepers made some good saves beforehand, even-ish game, the visitors will have been relieved. But not for long, this time the ref’s watch worked: Brighton corner, ping pong in the box, Arsenal all over the place, the Seagulls skipper Lewis Dunk tapped the ball over the line to level the score (75’). And then non-other than Maupay nicked it in the final seconds, up and over Martínez and in (95’). The Gunners gutted, the Seagulls flying away with the three points. The Frenchman had his cheeky say after the final whistle as well, to rub it under everyone's noses.

#WHUWOL

The Hammers stayed back, Wolves dominated with double the possession at times, but not enough to find a breakthrough. The only shots on target in the first half were by the visitors, but all soft, Pablo Fornals blasting one good chance high and away for the hosts. Super sub Adama Traoré found Raúl Jiménez in the box, who made no mistake of heading it down and in from close range, to finally get the visitors a deserved breakthrough with just over 15 minutes to go. Ten minutes later, Traoré in the buildup again, to Matt Doherty, who provided Pedro Neto with a perfect cross, from the right, brilliant take, smash in, keeper no chance, exemplary Wolves in 6th, Hammers down and out in 17th, level on points with Bournemouth in 18th. 

#BOUCRY

Luka Milivojević gave the visitors the lead with a perfect free kick, over the wall, into the top left corner, keeper full stretch but no chance (12’). A lovely low finish by Jordan Ayew doubled the Eagles’ lead just before the first drinks’ break (23’). Gary Cahill was a lucky man not having his name added to the ref’s book for taking Joshua King out - a nasty ankle shock, not even a yellow was surprising and despite VAR. Not the start the home side were looking for shortly after the interval. And they never got into the game, the ref didn’t help, but that’s no excuse. It ended 0-2, with a happy hairy Roy Hodgson, worrying headache for Eddie Howe with his side in the drop zone on goal difference.

#NEWSHU

Goalless at the break, Sheffield United pressed the self-destruct button after the restart at St James Park. Down to ten men after John Egan’s clumsy second yellow (51’), the Magpies capitalised on every mistake after that. The visitors were all over the place for Allan Saint-Maximin to net the opener (55’). Matt Ritchie doubled the hosts’ lead with a lovely finish to punish United’s clumsiness (68’). And Joelinton ended his long wait for a goal to make it three goals and three points for Steve Bruce’s men (78’), unmarked, from close range, even he can’t miss that one! 

#AVLCHE

Sleepy game, Chelsea on top, until a couple of minutes before the break, totally out of the blue, the Villans nicked one in. Ping pong in the visitors’ box, Kepa Arrizabalaga blocking one chance, defenders nowhere, three Villa players free to play, for Kortney Hause to smash it home to give the hosts the unexpected lead. Chelsea were having 90% of the ball after the interval, so it was no surprise when sub Christian Pulisic tapped one back from close range on the hour, a couple of minutes after coming off the bench. And two minutes later Olivier Giroud turned and saw a deflected shot into the bottom left corner to turn the game on its head, Villa just watching as the Blues slashed through them in a lovely buildup. Villa remain 19th, one point from safety, whilst the Chelsea stay fourth, widening the gap to United in fourth to five points.

#EVELIV

What a letdown. After all the buildup to the Merseyside derby and what it means to the league leading Reds especially, nothing happened. Alisson did make some crucial stops and blocks, the few minutes the Toffees did play. The Reds should have done better with the opportunities Takumi Minamino, Naby Keïta and Sadio Mané created. It was a frustrating watch and result, Jürgen Klopp was fuming on the sideline. Fans were definitely missed, neither team got really going, so, the draw is the fairer result. Carlo Ancelotti will be the happier of the two bosses, that is for sure. The point meant Klopp's side will need to wait till at least Wednesday and WIN to be crowned champions. Click here for my full ByTheMin LFC coverage.

#MCIBUR

Foden’s lovely low smacker from outside the box into the bottom right corner gave the Citizens the lead bang on drinks break (22’). Belter. Mahrez danced and pranced past anyone and everyone in and around the Burnley box and fired the ball across and into the far corner to double the hosts’ lead (42’). And into injury time, Agüero went down and out, had to be subbed, signaled hamstring, Pep Guardiola looked gutted. It was still harsh to punish Ben Mee, he went for the ball, and made marginal contact with the Argentinian’s foot. But penalty was still given, which Mahrez made no mistake of netting to make it 3-0 just before HT (45+3’). Game. Set. Match. Foden and both Silvas combined well for David to make it 4-0 shortly after the interval (51’), top quality all round. Foden made it five but looked very unhappy about a foul in the buildup, Gabriel Jesus setting him up (64’). I was disgusted by the pre-match message by a Burnley plane flying above the ground whilst the players were kneeling down, my tweet(s) say it all! Act now Burnley!!! Club statement and skipper Ben Mee’s words put it right. Let's hope whoever did this, gets found out and punished.

My Predictions - Actual Results

(Aston Villa 0:0 Sheff United - 0:0)

(Man City 1:2 Arsenal - 3:0)

Norwich 1:2 Southampton - 0:3

Tottenham 2:0 Man United - 1:1

Watford 0:2 Leicester - 1:1

Brighton 1:1 Arsenal - 2:1 

West Ham 2:3 Wolves - 0:2

Bournemouth 2:2 Palace - 0:2

Newcastle 0:0 Sheff United - 3:0

Aston Villa 1:2 Chelsea - 1:2

Everton 1:3 Liverpool - 0:0

Man City 3:0 Burnley - 5:0

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

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