Premier League Picks Of The Week 3

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 3

Here are my Premier League Picks Of The Week 3:

29 goals - most by Fulham = 4

266 shots - most by Fulham = 25

93 on target - most by Fulham = 12

106 corners - most by Southampton = 10

230 fouls - most by Arsenal & Newcastle & Tottenham = 16 each

33 bookings - most by Watford = 4

4 red cards - Richarlison for Everton, Smith for Bournemouth, Hogg for Huddersfield, Højbjerg for Southampton

2 penalties - 2 scored (King for Bournemouth, Hazard for Chelsea)

What a game! Arsenal recorded their first win of the season against West Ham, coming back from behind. But it was not exactly in the most convincing fashion, thanks to Hammers debutant Issa Diop diverting the ball into his own net. It ended 3-1 at the Emirates, but the Gunners still looked very frail and their manager Unai Emery conceded that much, that his side definitely “need to improve”. Manuel Pellegrini’s side fell to the bottom of the table after their third straight defeat under their new boss despite a much better, guttier and more promising performance.

What a comeback it was by Bournemouth against Everton! The Cherries came from two goals down to grab a point at Dean Court with both sides reduced to ten men! This clash has seen the most goals of any other Premier League fixture after seven meetings between the two. Eddie Howe’s men have grabbed 25 points from losing positions since the beginning of last season, more than any other Premier League side. Comeback kings!

It was goals galore at Craven Cottage as well, end-to-end stuff, Fulham ending 4-2 winners against Burnley. 
And Monday night brought a cracker with plenty of talking points as well, read more on both cracking matches below...

What a team! I’ve said it before and I say it again, Wolves have been brill! Nuno Espírito Santo’s men just got a point against champions Manchester City at Molineux, harsh but better than naught, and as the former Portuguese keeper put it, his side have “nothing to prove”. The Championship winners have lost just two of their 28 home games under Nuno, recording 18 wins and 8 draws. The Wanderers have more than proven they have what it takes to take their game to the Premier League.

Liverpool made it three out of three recording a hard-fought win against Brighton at Anfield, more below. So did Chelsea at Newcastle, just, winning 1-2 thanks to an Eden Hazard penalty (76’) and DeAndre Yedlin's own goal (87’). Tottenham did it in style at Old Trafford, after a difficult first half, they totally smashed Manchester United with two goals in just over two minutes after the restart. Again, read more below.

What a man! Alisson is the coolest keeper on the block! The Reds will have had their hearts in their mouths but the top stopper kept another clean sheet with his cool moves and superb save to deny Pascal Groß and make it three out of three, 100% record start to the season.

Aleksandar Mitrović and André Schürrle were just on fire for Fulham, more to the firing duo and cracking match below.

Ben Foster made a couple of point-blank blocks and saves for Watford against Palace, in the end crucial to keep his side’s 100% record going as they won 2-1, a first for them after three matches in the top flight, more below.

José Mourinho has lost the plot! David de Gea's miserable form continues, having conceded 12 goals against the last 16 shots he has faced for Manchester United and Spain. Harry Kane (50’) and Lucas Moura (52’ and 84’) starred and won it for Tottenham at Old Trafford on Monday night. The Red Devils missed some sitters and were disappointing after the restart to say the least. But the Portuguese boss has made all the headlines with his post-match and press conference antiques. The clock is ticking HERE AND NOW, no matter how many titles he has won in the past!!!

What a goal! Willy Boly’s handball off João Moutinho's cross was obvious, but somehow the goal stood and it was not more than Wolves deserved! City pulled one back thanks to Aymeric Laporte’s header, the 1,500th goal scored by a Frenchman, so, you could say the champions got more than they deserved despite decisions going against them! Well, that would be harsh too after Sergio Agüero hit the woodwork and Rui Patrício’s athleticism denied Raheem Sterling onto the bar, Pep Guardiola will have been wondering just as much how more points were dropped than won!

Mohamed Salah’s winner for Liverpool was a clinical strike to make it 1-0 with his 29th goal in 29 games at Anfield and the 45th Premier League goal the great Egyptian has been directly involved in (34 goals, 11 assists) since the start of last season, 12 more than any other player! 

Ryan Bertrand’s opener for the Saints was a rocket! But it all counted for nothing in the end, more on that defeat against Leicester below.

Jean Michael Seri’s smacker opened the Ivorian's account and kick-started the match for Fulham against Burnley. Mitrović was in the right place at the right time to beat Joe Hart a couple of times to make it 3-1 at half-time. Oh no, sorry, 3-2!!! Mad! The Serbian striker should have had a hat-trick but Schürrle netted the rebound coolest of the cool - touch, move, boom 4-2!

Both Watford goals were impressive and stunning, Roberto Pereyra’s curling opener (53’) and José Holebas from distance (71’). Joel Ward was sooooo close to level for Palace in the last minute after Wilfried Zaha pulled one back (78’), but it was not to be.

What the hell?! As mentioned above, it was a mad encounter at Dean Court, Richarlison head-butting (41’) and Adam Smith pulling (61’) their ways off the pitch to reduce both teams to 10 v 10 after just over an hour. Everton were 0-2 up thanks to Theo Walcott (56’) and Michael Keane (66’), but Bournemouth completed their comeback through Joshua King from the spot (75’) and a Nathan Aké tap in (79’).

Again, Wolves' winner was a blatant handball!!! Maradona-esque!!! Much in contrast to that, the ref did well at Southampton, not falling for any diving dramas, rightly sending off the drama queen Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, a second yellow for his diving antiques, not exactly helping the Saints as they crumbled 1-2 against Leicester at St Marys. The officials worked well together to deal with the bust-up at Huddersfield as well which saw Jonathan Hogg sent off after clashing with Cardiff’s Harry Arter. Mark Hughes and David Wagner felt hard done by with both decisions respectively, but both calls were maybe a bit harsh but not wrong in my eyes!

All goals at St James Park had an OMG factor, from harsh penalty that was nearly stopped, to boom in-your-face equaliser after an elbow on Olivier Giroud, and an own goal decided the match and win for Chelsea in the end. Fair result??? Don't think Rafael Benítez thinks so...

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Wolves 1:4 Man City - 1:1

Arsenal 2:2 West Ham - 3:1

Bournemouth 1:1 Everton - 2:2

Huddersfield 1:0 Cardiff - 0:0

Southampton 2:1 Leicester - 1:2

Liverpool 3:0 Brighton - 1:0

Watford 1:1 Crystal Palace - 2:1

Fulham 1:2 Burnley - 4:2

Newcastle 1:3 Chelsea - 1:2

Man United 2:3 Tottenham - 0:3

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

FT Match Notes: Saints 0-2 Reds

Sports - Football - Premier League - SOULIV

Saints kick off the action in red and white stripes, Liverpool all glowing orange.

2' First LFC corner, cleared.

3' Firmino goes down, edge of the box, pushed by Hoedt, nothing given, would have been harsh.

5' First corner for the home side, fist punch by Højbjerg, blocked and stopped first hurdle.

6' FIRMINOOOOO NETS IT, left-footer into the bottom right, thanks to Salah's pass back from the right, counter was too quick for the Saints' defenders to make it back in time to cover, 0-1. Boom.

8' Bertrand free kick on the left, headed away and cleared, first hurdle/defender again, Liverpool counter quick again, the Ox with a low deflected shot, McCarthy saves/collects comfortably.

9' Liverpool fans nice & loud MO SALAH MO SALAH MO SALAH! BOBBY FIRMINO!

10' Alexander-Arnold's cross from the right goes too far, out of reach, goal kick.

12' Captain Bertrand with a brilliant run to catch the ball before it went out and win a throw on the left. Commitment.

Southampton have now made nine errors leading to goals, only Arsenal have made more.

15' Tadic clear on the left, flag goes up.

18' Karius blocks and clears Højbjerg chance, face-to-face, head-to-head, just a couple of yards between them in the box, close one!

22' Firmino tries to follow the ball out for a corner, instead accidentally tips and trips it out for a goal kick, sarcastic cheers around St Mary's. Threat cleared, lol.

Halfway through, 2-2 shots, 1-2 on target, advantage Liverpool thanks to Firmino. 66% possession to the home side though! Matip slices and messes up a clearance for a throw as I write that.

25' Firmino goes down in the box way too overdramatic there, Stephens behind him, arm(s) on shoulder, but ref ignores it rightly.

26' Mané shot wide. The Reds keep pushing and pressing on the counter.

29' CARRILLO HEADER bounces straight into Karius' gloves, attempt on target though.

30' Karius gloves Ward-Prowse's header over for a corner, close again. The flag is up against the Saints.

32' Mané not happy with goal kick given, thinks Soares coming across him got the last touch.

34' Robertson with a ball across the box from the left, no one there to connect with it, shame.

36' Third Southampton corner, Liverpool unable to clear the bouncy ball, flag goes up eventually anyways, and breath. Chaotic and nervous stuff there by the Reds.

37' Matip is the first one in the ref's book for hugging and bringing down Tadic.

38' Saints free kick is collected by Karius, just one bounce, no real threat there.

40' Bertrand puts the ball out for a goal kick and they replay the LFC goal, Hoedt the guilty one giving the ball away in the buildup, before Salah passes from the right.

41' Karius collects the ball again, neither side are really in control here.

42' AND SALAH MAKES IT TWOOOOO!!! What a move! Right through the heart of the Saints defense, the Egyptian passes to Firmino, who flicks it back to him with a cheeky back-footer through into the box, for Salah to slash it in with his left foot into the left corner. 0-2. World class. Boom boom.

1 minute added on. Liverpool fans cheering, singing, echoing those names again. Firmino trips and tumbles and loses the force of the break and chance in the box and the ball with it. And that's HT 0-2, Southampton have nothing to show for all their dominance, Liverpool lethal on the counter, Firmino and Salah on the scoresheet.

HT Stats: SOU 0-2 LIV
Possession: 54%-46%
Shots: 5-5
On target: 4-3
Corners: 3-1
Fouls: 2-3
Yellow cards: 0-1

Liverpool kick off the second half, no changes made by either team.

46' Free kick given against Can, even though the Red skipper looked more hurt when Højbjerg tripped and fell over him, clumsy yellow.

47' Saints waste that chance, flag goes up once again. Play is stopped, Lemina doesn't look well...

50' SALAH SHOT high and out for a goal kick after Mané's acrobatic take was blocked off Firmino's cross from the left.

54' Cross goes out for a throw, Saints unable to keep the ball for long, Reds keeping the pressure up and going, but not top-quality flowing nor glowing.

55' Firmino gives the ball away, Matip wins it back, Højbjerg concedes a free kick, it goes out for a goal kick.

57' Ball goes out for a throw, first change of the game is made by the home side, unwell Lemina is replaced by Boufal.

59' Free kick to the Saints on the left, Ward-Prowse takes, Hoedt puts it just wide from close range. Chance. Gone.

60' Klopp brings on Milner for Oxlade-Chamberlain, first Red/orange change, like for like, or more defensive? Takes the captain's armband off Can.

62' Liverpool get pulled back to retake the free kick, way too quick there, Romeu booked, he looked the one in pain chasing the Reds. Wijnaldum kicks high and out for a goal kick, he has never scored away from home.

64' Mané to Firmino, Hoedt clears.

65' Van Dijk stops Saints' move forward, Liverpool with much more of the ball this half.

66' Can whacks the ball way high from distance after another charge, Milner on the right, Mané and Firmino threats were cleared from the box.

67' Flag is up against the Saints again. After four shots on target in the first half, nothing so far since the restart. Disappointing. For them.

71' FIRMINO SHOT saved by McCarthy, after Højbjerg's error, Salah puts the rebound into the side netting. Point blank stuff.

72' Long comes on for Ward-Prowse, second change for the home side, Saints fans shouting "you don't know what ye doing".

75' Mané and Robertson shots blocked, they are all lining up for Liverpool!

76' MANEEEEE denied AGAIN, actually, slipped it well wide himself, no one else to blame. Chance.

77' Van Dijk is beaten on the left (attacking that is), Saints fans cheer, throw to the Reds/orange.

79' Firmino is replaced by former Saint Lallana, second change made by Klopp. Free kick given against Liverpool, another attack stopped, Mané the culprit.

80' Last change made by Pellegrino, Davis on for Romeu, again "you don't know what ye doing" echoing around. Too little too late?

82' Karius punches away a rare Southampton chance, some chanting "when the Saints go marching in", which there hasn't been too much of this afternoon, chants nor marches.

85' LALLANAAAAA puts a chance across goal and wide of the far post, set up by Salah of course. 6-16 shots, 4-4 on target, all Red/orange this half!

89' Last change for the Reds, Salah applauded off, former Saint Lovren on, more boos by the Southampton fans, surprised they have any breath/voice/nerve left.

4 minutes added on, kick about for the visitors. YNWA echoes in the background, St Mary's emptying.

Van Dijk heads away the ball, Saints with the ball, backed into their own half, can't get into the red/orange box, and the full time whistle finally blows.

It couldn't have been easier for Klopp's men, the bit of competition there was in the first half was totally gone after the break, it could have been four or five for the Reds, Mané missing and wasting most.

0-2 at the end thanks to Firmino and Salah, their pressing and pushing and wonderful football enough to flatten and beat the Saints.

The Reds go up to third thanks to the win, two points behind United in second after their defeat at Newcastle, whilst Southampton drop into the relegation zone, 18th, one point behind Huddersfield in 17th.

FT Stats: SOU 0-2 LIV
Possession: 51%-49%
Shots: 6-16
On target: 4-4
Corners: 3-1
Fouls: 5-8
Yellow cards: 1-2

Liverpool Goals: Firmino 6', Salah 42'.

Southampton Team: 13 McCarthy; 21 Bertrand (c), 6 Hoedt, 5 Stephens, 2 Soares; 18 Lemina (19 Boufal 57'), 14 Romeu (booked 62') (8 Davis 80'); 11 Tadic, 23 Højbjerg, 16 Ward-Prowse (7 Long 72'); 9 Carrillo. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 3 Yoshida, 20 Gabbiadini, 22 Redmond, 44 Forster.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 32 Matip (booked 37'), 66 Alexander-Arnold; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can (c) (booked 46'), 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (7 Milner 60'); 19 Mané (6 Lovren 89'), 9 Firmino (20 Lallana 79'), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 28 Ings, 29 Solanke.

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: Mohamed Salah
Ground: St Mary's
Attendance: 31,915

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All info, stats and facts were taken from the Sky Sports app, Twitter and SFR match coverage.