Premier League Notes - Week 15

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 15

The 15th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

31 goals - most by Liverpool = 5

221 shots - most by Chelsea = 25

95 on target - most by Chelsea and Brighton = 9 each

108 corners - most by Bournemouth, Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton = 9 each

215 fouls - most by Chelsea = 18

31 bookings - most by Palace, Bournemouth, Leicester and Arsenal = 3 each
1 red card - Sakho for Palace

2 penalties - 2 scored (Rashford for Man United, Vardy for Leicester)

#CRYBOU

Eagle Mamadou Sakho is the first Amazon Prime sending off for a dangerous high boot on Adam Smith after not even 19 minutes. Jeffrey Schlupp broke the deadlock against the run of play, a low shot across goal that somehow passed Aaron Ramsdale’s left glove, finishing off a great individual run and dribble to give the ten men the lead (74’). Roy Hodgson’s men held on to the win, the three points shooting them up to 5th for the night, leaving Eddie Howe’s side in 12th before the other fixtures on Wednesday and Thursday, disappointing for then they couldn’t capitalise with the extra man. 

#BURMCI

Gabriel Jesus gave the visitors the lead with the sweetest of the sweet curlers, keeper Nick Pope had no chance of stopping the first Amazon Prime goal (24’). And the number 9 smashed in Bernardo Silva’s fine cross from close range to give him a brace and double the champions’ lead after the break (50’), top quality all the way with both goals. And Rodri made it three goals and three points with a smacker from the edge of the box (68’). Riyad Mahrez added insult to injury with an easy finish, too easy, to make it 0-4 with his 50th PL goal (87’). Wow goals, more woes for Sean Dyche’s men, the defeat dragging them into the bottom half of the table. They did pull one back thanks to Robbie Brady (89’), better than nothing. So, it ended 1-4, not quite perfect for Pep Guardiola and his side, but hey, good enough and back to their old sparkling ways, much better after the last few struggling weeks. 

#CHEAVI

Tammy Abraham wasn’t sure, didn’t celebrate because the Chelsea striker thought he was offside (and/or out of respect because he played for the opponents on loan last season), but (either way) replays showed and VAR confirmed he was fine, the goal stood to give the Blues the lead (24’). But lack of communication at the back gave Trézéguet all the time and space to bundle the ball over the line and equalise for the Villans (41’). They all count. Another Blue academy graduate Mason Mount smashed the ball in soon after the restart (48’) to save the game, points and day for Frank Lampard and his men, the win keeping the gap growing between the top four and the rest, whilst the Villans remain 15th.

#LEIWAT

Jamie Vardy gave the Foxes the lead with a bullet of a penalty to make it his seventh consecutive game on the scoreboard (51’), after Adam Masina had a hand in the face of Jonny Evans. James Maddison doubled the home side’s lead with a quick run and shot across and in (90+5’) to make it two goals and three points for Brendan Rodgers’ men, equalling their club record of seven consecutive wins in the top flight, taking them back up to second, eight points behind the Reds at the top. The Hornets remain rock bottom, seven points from safety.

#MUNTOT

The much anticipated return of José Mourinho to Old Trafford was much anticipated, but ended up quite disappointing. Paulo Gazzaniga’s spill handed Marcus Rashford the opener (6’), giving the home side the lead against their former boss. Dele Alli equalised with a fine individual move = take, turn, control and shot (39’). Rashford was fouled in the box and converted the spot kick soon after the restart (49’), following a long VAR check. The Red Devils ended the Portuguese's three-match winning streak with Spurs, taking Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side up to sixth, one point and two places above the London opposition. 

#SOUNOR

Danny Ings headed the Saints ahead at St Mary's with his eighth goal of the season to make it four in four (22’). Ryan Bertrand converted Shane Long’s header off a corner to double the home side’s lead (43’). Teemu Pukki pulled one back for the visitors with a nice run on the left and take, slam, bam, thank you ma’am, the defenders watching (65’). The result is crucial in the relegation battle as the three points take Ralph Hasenhüttl's side out of the drop zone, whilst the Canaries remain 19th, four points from safety.

#WOLWHU

A tap-in for Leander Dendoncker into the bottom corner opened the scoring for the hosts (23’). Patrick Cutrone doubled the Wanderers’ lead netting from close range with the Hammers all over the place (86’). The win stretches Nuno Espírito Santo’s side's unbeaten league run to ten games, taking them up to fifth, whilst the Hammers remain 13th after their third defeat on the trot - is Manuel Pellegrini next on the sack list?

#LIVEVE

This time Divock Origi didn’t even take six minutes to break the deadlock thanks to a super pass across by Sadio Mané, giving his teammate only the keeper to beat and the Belgian did so with ease to give the Reds the lead at Anfield (6’ - 90 minutes less than last time = week 14 last season). And the Senegalese superstar provided again, this time setting up Xherdan Shaqiri inside the box, who made no mistake from close range, doubling the lead (17’). Michael Keane pulled one back for the Toffees after Dejan Lovren tumbled unable to mark his man off a chaotic corner (21’). Origi made it 3-1 off Lovren’s long ball with a beauty of a control and take from inside the box (31’). Mané made it four after a brilliant counter run and finish (45’), helped by a magnificent run and set up with and from TAA. The crazy counter attacking derby continued, Bernard Richarlison heading one back for the visitors, across a helpless Adrián (45+3’), to make it 4-2 at the break, a record SIX GOALS in the first half. It wasn’t till the last minute Georginio Wijnaldum made it five for the hosts, another fine finish off a fine move and set up by cheeky sub Roberto Firmino with one of his trademark blind takes (90’). The result saw the Reds keep their eight-point lead at the top and break their unbeaten record in top-flight history of 32 matches without defeat, whilst Marco Silva finally got the sack.

#SHUNEW

Allan Saint-Maximin broke the deadlock with a strong header, his first goal for the Magpies (15’). Martin Dúbravka made a top save at the other end shortly after, denying Oli McBurnie an equaliser. The keeper showed strong gloves for the rest of the half as well, keeping the visitors ahead. Save. After. Save. After. Save. Jonjo Shelvey doubled the hosts’ lead against the run of play, running clear and netting into the bottom right corner (70’), the United players standing still, thinking offside cause the former Liverpool man was flagged offside, but he kept running, going and scoring. VAR checked and confirmed, onside, 0-2, an odd but nice one for Steve Bruce’s men. Farce. VARce as BBC put it. Chris Wilder was not happy, and understandably so after his side's dominance. The result sees the Magpies climb up to 11th, whilst the Yorkshire side remain ninth. 

#ARSBHA

The Seagulls were dominating, the opening goal was no surprise. The Gunners were all over the place, Adam Webster gave the visitors the lead from close range, fully deserved (36’). A scruffy equaliser shortly after the restart, Alexandre Lacazette’s bundle-tumble over the line was confirmed by the VAR (50’). David Luiz clearly offside when netting a free kick (63’). Neal Maupay headed in the second for the visitors, too easy, again, all the red shirts not moving, just watching, non-existent defense (80’). A top save by Albion's keeper Mathew Ryan kept his side ahead late on, quick reaction. Managerless Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 matches in all competitions, on their worst winless run since 1977, ten points off a Champions League spot in tenth. Brighton meanwhile, climb up to 12th after their first win in four games. 

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Crystal Palace 1:2 Bournemouth - 1:0

Burnley 1:1 Man City - 1:4

Chelsea 2:1 Aston Villa - 2:1

Leicester 4:0 Watford - 2:0

Man Utd 2:2 Tottenham - 2:1

Southampton 1:2 Norwich - 2:1 

Wolves 2:1 West Ham - 2:0 

Liverpool 4:1 Everton - 5:2

Sheff Utd 2:1 Newcastle - 0:2

Arsenal 2:1 Brighton - 1:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 10

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 10

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

38 goals - most by Leicester = 9

272 shots - most by Leicester and Man City  = 25 each

118 on target - most by Leicester = 15

113 corners - most by Man City = 13

201 fouls - most by Arsenal = 18

38 bookings - most by Watford = 5

3 red cards - Bertrand for Saints, Fernandinho for City, Longstaff for Newcastle 

6 penalties - 4 scored (Vardy for Leicester, Maupay for Brighton, Milivojevic for Palace, Salah for Liverpool)

#SOULEI

It started bad enough at St Mary’s, rain bashing, smashing, blowing down and around on Friday night. Initially a good save by Angus Gunn against Jamie Vardy, but Ben Chilwell netted the rebound (10’) to open the scoring. It went from bad to worse and crashed totally to bits from there for the Saints with Ryan Bertrand sent off as VAR spotted a really bad tackle on Ayoze Pérez (12’) in the buildup to the goal. The Foxes pressed and pounced and never stopped, to record their first win on a Friday, equalling the biggest PL win with the biggest top flight victory on the road. Youri Tielemans (17’), Pérez (19’, 39’, 57’), Vardy (45’, 58’, pen 90+4’) and James Maddison (85’) all added up and on to the home side’s misery, with FIVE goals scored before the break alone! It ended NINE-nil (in case you lost count). The ground emptied very quickly with every goal added in the torrential rain! I loved the songs of the leftover Saints faithfuls though, records tumbling all over the place. Wow. Just wow. Brendan Rodgers has produced wonders, seeing his side flourish and climb up to second before the weekend's matches kicked off.

#MCIAVL

The Villans frustrated the hell out of the champions in the goalless first half of the Saturday lunchtime kickoff at the Etihad. But that changed 20 seconds after the restart, Raheem Sterling breaking the deadlock (46’), David Silva (65’) and İlkay Gündoğan (70’) sealing the win and three points to take Pep Guardiola’s men back up to second, three points behind the Reds before their Super Sunday clash against Tottenham, see below for my notes on that clash. VAR played it’s part again, a lot of close calls, handball and offside decisions that could have gone either way, Dean Smith’s lads will feel hard done by, all their hard work for nothing. 

#BHAEVE

Two own goals, a VAR penalty, plenty of twists and turns, but despite a promising comeback from 1-0 down to 1-2, the Toffees threw it away and suffered yet another defeat. The Marco Silva curse of no comeback-wins continues. Lucas Digne's injury-time own goal (90+4') just added salt to the very deep wound, dragging the visitors down to 16th, whilst Graham Potter's side climbed up to 12th. Tough luck.

#WATBOU

The bottom side were left waiting for their first win, held to a goalless draw at home after both sides were denied by the woodwork, the visitors having failed to score in their last three games, Ben Foster denying them with five top-notch saves. Hornets boss Quique Sánches Flores feels his side are getting closer to their first league victory after ten games, a run stretching back to April and keeping them rock-bottom, four points from safety.

#WHUSHU

Lys Mousset was the hero again (69'), like last week, this time nicking a point, levelling the score after Robert Snodgrass had given the home side the lead shortly before the interval (44'). The super sub kept the Blades unbeaten on the road, whilst the Hammers were left ruing missed chances and dropped points once again. Both side climbed up to ninth and seventh respectively thanks to the shared point. 

#BURCHE

Christian Pulisic’s perfect hat-trick, left, right and header (21’, 45’, 56’), helped beat Burnley comfortably, despite a couple of late goals spoiling the perfect Blue picture, but too late to turn the game on its head completely. Frank Lampard can be a very happy after watching his side records their seventh consecutive win in all competitions, keeping them in the top four, four points clear of the Gunners before their Sunday derby.  

#NEWWOL

So close but yet so far... Both sides dropped points yet again. It was clumsy footy, that's the best way to summarise it. Sean Longstaff can have no complaints after his high boot was punished with a straight red card (82'). The visitors could have nicked the three points late on, with the man advantage after fighting back from behind, but it was not to be. The battle ended a goal and point each, keeping the Magpies in 17th, just a point separating them from the relegation zone, whilst Nuno Espírito Santo's side climbed up to 12th.

#ARSCRY

Good old derby drama! And add the new technology to it, you have an even hotter spicy dish! Two goals off two corners in two minutes settled the derby nerves for the Gunners early on, Sokratis (7’) and David Luiz (9’). But Palace hit back, VAR overturning the ref to give a penalty and retract Wilfried Zaha’s booking for diving. But then the video assistant denied the hosts three points: After Jordan Ayew’s equaliser (52') and skipper Granit Xhaka’s brainless antiques as he was subbed (61'), the tech ref disallowed Sokratis' late winner (83') for a foul on Calum Chambers. WTF?! There were more pushes on red shirts than vice versa! Absolute shambles! Boos all round at the Emirates, for the players and the refs, all as bad as each other, they should all be ashamed of each other but most for themselves!

#LIVTOT

48 seconds is all it took to open the scoring! The ball came from a great Son Heung-Min pass, pinged off Dejan Lovren and the post, before the rebound was headed in by Harry Kane! Spurs' replacement keeper Paulo Gazzaniga made save after save after that, it could have been 6-1 at the break, the Reds firing on the target but not into the back of the net thanks to the Argentinian stopper (13 shots on target in total!). But the hosts hit and came back after the break, skipper Jordan Henderson levelling and making up for the early error (52'), and Mohamed Salah hitting his 50th to make it 2:1 from the spot (75'). Son was denied a couple of times, once by the woodwork, and by Alisson as well. Jürgen Klopp’s unstoppable men keep their unbeaten home run going and six-point lead at the top of the table, whilst Spurs drop down to 11th.

#NORMUN

The Red Devils missed TWO spot kicks, the Canaries' keeper Tim Krul starred, saved and denied Marcus Rashford (29') and Anthony Martial (44'), but was he off the line? VAR? However, the visitors still enjoyed a comfortable lead by then thanks to Scott McTimonay (21') and Rashford (30'). With or without question marks over the VAR decisions, Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men stayed in control and ended the game 1-3 and with the three points, taking them up to seventh, whilst the hosts remain in the relegation zone. 

My Predictions - Actual Results

Southampton 1:2 Leicester - 0:9

Man City 4:1 Aston Villa - 3:0

Brighton 2:1 Everton - 3:2

Watford 1:3 Bournemouth - 0:0

West Ham 2:2 Sheff United - 1:1

Burnley 1:3 Chelsea - 2:4

Newcastle 1:1 Wolves - 1:1

Arsenal 2:1 Crystal Palace - 2:2

Liverpool 3:1 Tottenham - 2:1

Norwich 2:1 Man United - 1:3

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 9

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 9

The ninth week of the Premier League action saw:

35 goals - most by Chelsea = 4
243 shots - most by Arsenal = 30!
92 on target - most by Arsenal = 14!
103 corners - most by West Ham = 10
209 fouls - most by Stoke = 17
31 yellow cards - most by Huddersfield & Newcastle = 4 each
1 red card - Idrissa Gueye for Everton (second yellow)
3 penalties - 3 scored (Glenn Murray for Brighton, Sergio Agüero for Man City, Junior Stanislas for Bournemouth)

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What a game! Chelsea and Watford shared six goals between each other and it could have been more. The Blues were lucky the result swung their way, 4-2 at Stamford Bridge in the end thanks to Michy Batshuayi's double and a César Azpilicueta header. Pedro's opener was a smacker, curled across into the top corner, unstoppable. Both goals by the visitors in reply to that, Abdoulaye Doucouré and Roberto Pereyra either side of the interval, were also top quality. Marco Silva will have felt the score as very harsh on his side, the Hornets showing what they are made of and that they can more than compete against top sides, they could have scored four or five themselves. They will have kicked themselves for all the misses and then giving the game away late on. Antonio Conte's reaction showed how much the win meant to them, especially after losing to Crystal Palace last week and not playing very convincingly again this time round.

What a team! The promoted sides marked their worth and place in the top league this weekend! Huddersfield downed Manchester United to their first defeat of the season thanks to the first-half goals from former City man Aaron Mooy and Lauren Depoitre. Their German boss David Wagner celebrated wilth the fans and correctly called it "nearly perfect" after the match. The Red Devils never looked in or near it despite almost 80% possession and even after Marcus Rashford's goal, serving the Terriers their first win against them in 65 years to end their unbeaten start to the season. Newcastle left it late against Palace, substitute Mikel Merino grabbing the winner in the 86th minute and helping the Magpies to their best Premier League start since 2011-12. Eagle Yohan Cabaye was a very lucky man not to receive a straight red for his scissor tackle! More to Brighton's great win below. Meanwhile, two goals in 133 seconds stunned Stoke City as they lost 1-2 against Bournemouth, sucking them too close to the relegation zone, just goal difference separating them, whilst the Cherries avoided the unwanted record of the worst start to a league campaign. And managerless Leicester impressed winning 1-2 at Swansea. All my predictions went out the window, but it was great to watch. The unpredictable Premier League never fails to surprise and entertain!

What a man! Sergio Agüero was lucky to get the spot kick but definitely deserves his name in Manchester City's history books equalling their all-time goalscoring record with his 177th for the club, levelling up with Eric Brook. The Citizens "only" won 3-0 this weekend, proving Burnley aren't an easy opposition to break. It's only the second time in the league this season they have conceded two or more, Nicolás Otamendi and Leroy Sané adding two more in two second-half minutes (73'/75') sealing City's 11th straight win, equalling another club record. Sean Dyche was right to criticise the soft penalty, I loved his dig at Bernardo Silva for making the most of keeper Nick Pope's approach. But the Clarets' boss also rightly pointed out Pep Guardiola's men are a top-class side. Can anyone stop them?!

What a goal! Brighton's second! Record-signing José Izquierdo's right-footed diagonal smacker from the edge of the box, West Ham keeper Joe Hart full stretch, could only glove it in. This beauty came between Glenn Murray's headed opener and penalty through the middle. The Seagulls rode the waves with great organisation and hit back with some top-class moves, being lethal sealing a fine 0-3 win. Top-quality football, watching them it's hard to believe they were the promoted side and the visitors at London Road, and it's their first top-flight away win since 1983! The Hammers were nowhere near, awful, Slaven Bilić looked baffled and clueless. The ground emptied very quickly. His clock is ticking very loud. Tick. Tock. No matter how loud they turn up the music, the boos and "bye bye Bilić" chants still echo around! Southampton's winner against West Brom was a great individual run and goal by substitute Sofiane Boufal and lit up an otherwise boring game.

What the hell?! I don't think I've ever seen or heard Mister José Mourinho be so honest, to the point and bang on! His side were poor and deserved to lose. The best team won. For all those who already crowned them champions, ha! That is all I will say to that.  There were 12 goals in the two Super Sunday clashes, the two London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham thrashing their Scouser opponents 9-3 on aggregate, Everton 2-5 and 4-1 Liverpool at Goodison Park and Wembley respectively. Can't keep up?! Neither could I! The Gunners banged in 30 shots, 14 on target after Wayne Rooney gave the Toffees the lead which proved to be a very false dawn! Bon anniversaire Monsieur Wenger! Tot ziens Ronald Koeman! Can't say I was too surprised... The Reds were just overrun by Spurs, their lethal attack proving deadly from the start. Click here for my full LFC match report. The defeat dragged Everton down into the relegation zone, dangling in 18th on eight points but just goal difference separating them from safety, whilst Jürgen Klopp's side slumber in ninth on 13 points, trailing the top by 12 points.

My Predictions - Actual Results
West Ham 2:1 Brighton - 0:3
Chelsea 1:2 Watford - 4:2
Huddersfield 0:1 Man United - 2:1
Man City 4:2 Burnley - 3:0
Newcastle 2:1 Crystal Palace - 1:0
Stoke City 2:1 Bournemouth - 1:2
Swansea 2:2 Leicester - 1:2
Southampton 2:1 West Brom - 1:0
Everton 0:1 Arsenal - 2:5
Tottenham 1:1 Liverpool - 4:1 or click here for my LFC match report

Click here for my last Picks Of The Week.

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

Reds Drop 2 Points In PL Opener

Sports - Football - Premier League - WFC 3:3 LFC

Liverpool's all too familiar defensive frailties showed as they dropped two points in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Watford in the early kick-off on Saturday.

Manager Marco Silva will have been very happy seeing his side fight out a draw with some great stamina and character in his debut match at Vicarage Road.

The home side took an early lead after eight minutes thanks to Italian striker Stefano Okaka's header and the Reds' non-existent defence.

Red forward Sadio Mané levelled the score with just under half an hour gone, a moment of brilliance, a fantastic diagonal finish from inside the box into the top right corner of the net.

But not even three minutes later, youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold was unable to clear and French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré put the Hornets ahead again ruthlessly.

Man of the match Roberto Firmino's penalty kick levelled the score again shortly after the break, sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-2.

And it was debutant Mohamed Salah again, minutes after winning the penalty, who pounced and tapped one in to give Jürgen Klopp's men the lead for the first time, 2-3.

The visitors pushed and dominated from there, Joel Matip hit the bar and Dejan Lovren forced a good save out of Heurelho Gomes, before Simon Mignolet made a crucial save, conceding a corner late on.

And it was that set piece that broke Liverpool once again, headed over the line by Uruguayan defender Miguel Britos after the Red keeper had gloved it, making it 3-3 in the 93rd minute.

Thoughts: Clumsy, cringy goals, but they all count!

Some argued the latter two Watford goals should have been flagged and disallowed offside.

I feel it still doesn't cover how Liverpool were torn to bits at the back, Mignolet just left picking up the pieces.

The Reds have a great, hungry, dangerous attack at the front, but are all worthless and cracked to bits with the defence unable to do their job.

No one covered the opposition players, they were left free to roam.

By the time any one even just thought of intervening, it was too late.

Familiar failings by the Reds, even Klopp didn't show any reaction at the late enqualiser.

And of course Philippe Coutinho was the hot topic after his transfer request was rejected on Friday, not even 24 hours before kick-off.

Will he stay? Will he go? Yes or no, before or after, the Reds knew before and know after which positions need filling and strengthening... And the transfer window is open till end of the month... So... A lot can still happen...!!!

Anyhow, anyway, this was a faire result for Silva and Co, who worked hard and didn't deserve to lose, denying the Reds their fifth consecutive season opening win!

And there is not much rest for the Reds, as they face Hoffenheim in their Champions League qualifier on Tuesday.

Watford Goals: Okaka 8', Doucouré 32', Britos 90'+3.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 29', Firmino pen 55', Salah 57'.

Watford Team: 1 Gomes, 2 Janmaat (21 Femenía Far 18'), 4 Kaboul, 3 Britos, 25 Holebas, 8 Cleverley, 16 Doucouré, 14 Chalobah, 7 Amrabat, 33 Okaka (18 Gray 63'), 37 Pereyra (11 de Andrade 49').
Subs not used: 5 Prödl, 23 Watson, 29 Capoue, 30 Pantilimon.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet (booked 88'), 66 Alexander-Arnold (booked 61') (12 Gomez 90+1'), 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno, 23 Can, 14 Henderson, 5 Wijnaldum, 11 Salah (7 Milner 86'), 9 Firmino (27 Origi 81'), 19 Mané (booked 37').
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 16 Grujic, 17 Klavan, 29 Solanke.

Match Stats: WFC 3-3 LFC
Possession: 46%-54%
Shots: 9-14
On target: 4-5
Corners: 3-3
Fouls: 14-8
Yellow cards: 0-3

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Man of the match: Roberto Firmino
Ground: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 20,407

Click here to read my previous LFC match report.

Pictures, facts and stats taken from the MOTD coverage and BBC match report.