Premier League Picks Of The Week 35

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 35

The 35th week of the Premier League action saw:

28 goals - most by Everton = 4
260 shots - most by Wolves and Chelsea = 22 each
90 on target - most by Chelsea = 9
112 corners - most by Wolves = 14
185 fouls - most by Fulham = 18
28 bookings - most by Arsenal = 4
0 red cards
2 penalties - 2 scored (Mitrović for Fulham, Milner for Liverpool)

What a game! What a massive point for Brighton! Ending a run of five successive defeats! Massive thanks to their keeper Mat Ryan, Wolves had thrown everything at him at Molineux on Saturday, but he kept it goalless, just their second clean sheet of the season! The match stats say it all, 23-5 shots, 5-0 on target, 14-1 corners, 0-8 fouls, but most importantly 0-0 goals = 1-1 points! The result(s) see(s) the Seagulls three points clear of the drop zone and a relieved boss in Chris Hughton. The Wanderers have recorded 47 shots against his side this season without scoring, the most attempts against a single opponent without finding the net since Tottenham against West Ham in 2010-11 (51). But six of the past eight league meetings between the two sides at Molineux have ended in a draw, so, no surprise there really. 

It was a different kind of London derby on Sunday. Arsenal were all over the place, dominating possession but not making it count at all, against a Crystal Palace side that pounced on their errors. The Gunners ended their club record ten-match winning home streak in the Premier League, suffering their first home defeat since the 2-0 defeat against Man City on 12 August. It ended 2-3 at the Emirates, an unmarked Christian Benteke opening the scoring (17') and helping his side to the win with his first goal in over a year (taking him to 70 goals in 200 league appearances). Madness. 
And it was a mad first half at Stamford Bridge on Monday night as well, which saw four goals in 16 minutes, Burnley frustrating the hell out of Chelsea, the match ended two goals and a point each. The Blues threw everything at the Clarets, the result taking them above Arsenal and into the all-important top four, by a point. Again, the stats show the utter dominance, which the result does not reflect: 22-6 shots, 9-3 on target, 10-1 corners, 2-2 goals = 1-1 points. Hard. Life.

What a team! Fulham’s first away win of the season came at Bournemouth thanks to Aleksandar Mitrović's spot-kick, ending his own goalless run of nine games as well, recording his 11th goal of the season. The Cottagers are going down on a high then, after their second win on the trot since their relegation was confirmed, their first consecutive Premier League victory since April 2014. Eddie Howe's 500th' game as Cherries boss was spoilt of course, double-sour after watching his side thrashing Brighton away last weekend, and then this disappointment at home. It's their 18th defeat of the season, equalling their most in a single Premier League campaign (18 in 2015-16). Triple sour. 

Liverpool ended up winners at Cardiff City on Sunday thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum’s whacker (57') and James Milner’s spot kick (81'), but not without some ifs and buts and hick-ups. After a frustrating half, both goals were a great relief and saw the Reds go back to the top, two points clear, but Manchester City with a game in hand (more to their easy win against Tottenham on Saturday and that extra little derby game on Wednesday below). Jürgen Klopp's men have won each of their last 10 Premier League games against promoted sides, scoring 29 and conceding just 3. And the 88 points they're on now, is their best total in a Premier League season, with three matches to go - adjusting to three points per win, they have only earned more in a top-flight campaign in 1978-79 (98) and 1987-88 (90). Records. 

What a man! With just over a minute gone on the clock in the evening kickoff at St James’ Park, the handball was not given against Pierre-Emile Højbjerg as the ball banged off his arm. The ref was right next to it, it was very quick, very close, impossible to get away or avoid, although with his arm being up, we’ve all seen them given as well... Frustration for Newcastle, relief for Southampton. Double relief after James Ward-Prowse was only booked after pushing down Miguel Almirón who was clearly breaking clear on goal (24’). But it was not long after that Ayoze Pérez put the hosts ahead and at ease (27’, 31’), to Rafael Benítez’s relief. Mario Lemina pulled one back (59’) after the Magpies had hit the woodwork for an interesting last half an hour. But Pérez sealed the win with a header (86’), his hat-trick making it 3-1, bagging the three points, taking his side up to 12th! Safer than safe. 
Gerard Deulofeu’s brace (5’, 80’) was enough for Watford at Huddersfield, the three points keeping his side’s European hopes alive, before their game in hand (see below for details).

What a goal! Everton cracked, smashed and banged through Manchester United on Sunday and added another one to add salt onto the wound = 4-0 thrash at Goodison Park! Brilliant goals. Non-existent defending. And iffy keeping. Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær was left to pick up the pieces and a steep mountain to climb to have any chance in the derby game on Wednesday and the race for the top four (see games in hand info and links below). The players were just not good enough. Always lacking and staying behind, just watching, as the Toffees were able to pounce and bounce on, off and right through them. Richarlison's acrobatic opener (13'), Gylfi Sigurðsson's low drive (28'), Lucas Digne's long-range effort (56') and former Gunner Theo Walcott's fine run and slide in (61') saw United torn to pieces, suffering their sixth defeat in the last eight games in all competitions, their fifth consecutive away defeat for the first time since 1981, David de Gea chasing shadows, including his own. Goalkeeper's nightmare.

It was a controversial finish at the London Stadium! At 2-1 and only a few minutes to go, Lucas Pérez’s fine individual run and goal was disallowed although replays showed the West Ham forward was nowhere near offside. That should have been a brace for the Spanish forward and 3-1 and three points to the Hammers. But as cruel as the football world always is, and useless referees, seconds later, Leicester got a goal back, Harvey Barnes with the leveller, 2-2, in stoppage time (90'+2') to nick a point for the Foxes. Double cruel. Who needs VAR, ey?!?!?!

What the hell?! Manchester City defender Kyle Walker knew exactly what he was doing with his arm, putting the ball out for a corner against Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli, who couldn’t believe the referee didn’t punish the handball. No penalty. Crucial at 1-0 and half an hour to go in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff at the Etihad. Again, who needs VAR, ey?!?!?! Tense end to the game, Spurs with the better chances, but the Citizens held on, 18-year-old Phil Foden’s early header off Sergio Agüero (5’) was enough in the end. The youngster's first goal for the club could prove crucial in the title race. City's tenth consecutive league win was enough to take Pep Guardiola’s side back to the top, before Liverpool's game on Sunday, see above. Could there be more twists and turns?!?!?!
(The last games in-hand added a lot of fuel to the Premier League fire! Tottenham and Man City gained and are leading the way in the top-four and title race respectively, whilst Arsenal and Man United failed miserably; Watford and Wolves are still able to dream about Europe, Southampton and Brighton left behind, reeling. See the results below for details, stats added to the respective weeks, see links for more.)

My Predictions - Actual Results
Man City 2:2 Tottenham - 1:0
Bournemouth 2:1 Fulham - 0:1
Huddersfield 0:3 Watford - 1:2
West Ham 1:2 Leicester - 2:2
Wolves 2:1 Brighton - 0:0
Newcastle 3:2 Southampton - 3:1
Everton 2:1 Man United - 4:0
Arsenal 2:1 Crystal Palace - 2:3
Cardiff 1:5 Liverpool - 0:2
Chelsea 2:0 Burnley - 2:2
(Tottenham 2:0 Brighton - 1:0)*week 33
(Watford 1:0 Southampton - 1:1)*week 31
(Wolves 1:2 Arsenal - 3:1)*week 31
(Man United 1:1 Man City - 0:2)*week 31 

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 30

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 30

The 30th week of Premier League action saw:

33 goals - most by Liverpool = 4

237 shots - most by Liverpool = 23

81 on target - most by Man City = 9

103 corners - most by Chelsea = 13

220 fouls - most by Brighton and Man United = 18 each

38 bookings - most by Brighton = 5

0 red cards

3 penalties - 2 scored (Milivojević for Crystal Palace, Aubameyang for Arsenal)

What a game! It was a super comeback by Newcastle against Everton, their best, winning a Premier League game from two goals down for the first time since October 2003 against Fulham under Sir Bobby Robson. Rafael Benítez's men were 0-2 down and showed no sign of any threat at half-time, however, the Magpies took the Toffees apart after the break. Ayoze Pérez was the controversial hero with a brace (81’, 84’) plus an assist (Rondón 65’), for a perfect second-half comeback, including a Jordan Pickford flop. More to the England keeper's disastrous performance below.

It was a Super Sunday indeed, three games, plenty of goals, including two braces at Anfield, later than late equaliser at Stamford Bridge and end of a run at the Emirates. More to the first two below. The Gunners shot down and ended the Red Devils' unbeaten run in the league under caretaker Ole Gunnar Solskjær, thanks to Granit Xhaka's swerving shot making David de Gea look like a fool (12') and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converting a super-soft penalty (69'). The visitors had hit the woodwork a couple of times before the break and didn't go down easily, so it was a sweet win for Unai Emery's men, their ninth home win in a row, which takes them above United and back up to fourth, just one point behind Tottenham in third.

What a team! Liverpool kept the title race going thrashing Burnley 4-2 at Anfield, but not without controversies and tensions. Roberto Firmino (19’, 67’) and Sadio Mané (29’, 90’+3’) with a brace each made up for Ashley Westwood’s controversial opener (6’), where Alisson looked like being fouled before the corner went into the back of the net. The Red keeper was booked for his objections against the decision, double argh! Sub Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson pulled one back late on (90’+1’), but the home side sealed and bagged the three points despite all ups and downs. Manchester City had kept the pressure on with a win the day before, more to the questionable calls at the Etihad against Watford below.

Fulham join Huddersfield in deep trouble after a flopping defeat at Leicester. West Ham have to be careful not to join the two clubs in the drop zone after yet another disappointing result at Cardiff! Consistently inconsistent! More below.

What a man! The double-century for Harry Kane was set up by Dele Alli (26’), but was all for nothing thanks to the super goal by Southampton mentioned below. The Spurs star looked offside anyways. More to the usual useless refereeing below, as always. 

Jamie Vardy’s 100th and 101st banked Brendan Rodgers his first win as Leicester boss against Fulham. The managerless London side look doomed and down with Huddersfield.

And it was Eden Hazard of course, who else, to spare Chelsea from yet another miserable defeat against Wolves. His 92nd minute equaliser was like scripted, fitting to the top player he is, curled in to the bottom corner to nullify Raul Jiménez’s opener on the counter (56’). It was the only shot on target for the Blues. Cruel. More to Manchester City's hat-trick-man below. 

What a goal! Brighton’s and Southampton’s second goals were both unstoppable crackers into the top corner, no chance for either keeper. The prior was Anthony Knockaert’s winner at Crystal Palace (74’), whilst the latter was James Ward-Prowse’s incredible free-kick that shocked Tottenham (81’) after Yan Valery’s equaliser (76’). The prior was especially outraging for Roy Hodgson after the Brighton winger got booked with just 28 seconds on the clock, lucky it wasn’t red! Glenn Murray’s 100th was double-sweet/sour after that (depending which side you're on)! 
The first Manchester City goal looked offside: The defender made contact with the ball, yes, but when the cross was made, Raheem Sterling was offside. The long debate between the linesman and ref was double-annoying. The Watford bus was broken after that. Sterling doubled the lead, Sergio Agüero looking offside in that buildup. The hat-trick was no doubt though, the former Red running through the Hornets defence, to make it three goals in 13 minutes (46’, 50’, 59’), 3-1 to the Citizens, keeping them at the helm. For now

What the hell?! Everton keeper Pickford should have been sent off. He was the last man, didn’t go for the ball and took the man out, in this case Rondón, in a goalscoring opportunity. Penalty was given, but the England stopper was lucky to stay on the pitch. Matt Ritchie's poor take of the spot kick was an easy stop, the more aggrieving and annoying it was for the home side. And was Newcastle’s late winning goal offside? Marco Silva was not happy but cannot ignore his side's inconsistencies and lack of oomph. Just poor all round. The Portuguese cannot deny that his side did not deserve more and had lucky calls of their own. He is not alone with his frustrations about the officials, I rant on about them every week! Week in week out there are too many errors. In any other profession, one would expect consequences if someone would make so many bad calls! Penalties, suspensions, sackings... I am not gonna repeat all the bad calls I mentioned above... And there were more! Cardiff’s second goal was just as questionable as City’s opener. As well as Burnley’s first. Etc. Etc. So. Many. Calls. JUST WRONG! AGAIN! ARGH! BOO! WTF?!

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Crystal Palace 2:1 Brighton - 1:2

Cardiff 2:0 West Ham - 2:0

Huddersfield 1:0 Bournemouth - 0:2

Leicester 2:1 Fulham - 3:1

Newcastle 2:1 Everton - 3:2

Southampton 1:2 Tottenham - 2:1

Man City 2:0 Watford - 3:1

Liverpool 3:0 Burnley - 4:2

Chelsea 3:1 Wolves - 1:1

Arsenal 3:2 Man United - 2:0

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 15

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 15

The 15th week of the Premier League action saw:

30 goals - most by Brighton, West Ham, Liverpool and Tottenham = 3 each

274 shots - most by Fulham = 25

113 on target - most by Liverpool = 12

124 corners - most by Everton = 14

203 fouls - most by Newcastle and Wolves = 18 each

35 bookings - most by Newcastle = 5

1 red card - Duffy for Brighton

3 penalties - 2 scored (Murray for Brighton, Milivojevic for Palace)

What a game! It was a good old clash between rivals Manchester United and Arsenal on Wednesday night, first half more than the second, with bookings galore! I don’t know how all 22 players stayed on the pitch after a brutal first 45 minutes, which saw six bookings (three each), none after the restart! The clash had everything, howlers, bangers, smashers, grabbers... Each time the Gunners took the lead, thanks to Shkodran Mustafi's tame header (26') and Marcos Rojo's own goal (68'), the Red Devils hit back promptly, through Anthony Martial (30') and Jesse Lingard (69'), both pouncing on keeping and defensive errors respectively. After Alexandre Lacazette's cheeky header off keeper David de Gea's loose gloves was disallowed in the last couple of minutes of the match, many followers and the MOTD commentator pointed out Gary Crosby’s goal that stood much in contrast to this decision. A big and crucial call. It meant it stayed at two all and one point each. Shared spoils. It was the first time José Mourinho saw real fight in his side, whilst Unai Emery was happy with the performance but will still have been gutted to have seen two points dropped.

Tuesdays matches were madder than expected! Bournemouth’s “mojo” has returned according to their boss Eddie Howe after their 2-1 against Huddersfield, who threw everything at the Cherries (6-23 shots, 2-6 on target), but it was just not enough. Brighton crushed Crystal Palace 3-1 despite being down to ten men for over an hour after Shane Duffy was sent off for a stupid headbutt (28’). Chris Hughton’s side did brilliantly well keeping control, scoring some beauties, and can be very happy about the three points. Sour for Roy Hodgson though after his side had double the chances (9-18) and with the extra man, but couldn’t make anything of it.

What a team! Abdoulaye Doucouré scrambled one over the line in the 85th minute for Watford to make it a nervous finish for Manchester City at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night. Both sides recorded the same number of shots on target = seven each, the home side pushing and creating most in the dramatic final minutes. But Leroy Sané (40’) and Riyad Mahrez (51’) had done enough each side of the interval to bag yet another win and keep the Citizens at the top, five points ahead of Liverpool before the Reds played the next day, Burnley did get them worried as well, more to their win below.

What a man! New Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri's pre-match programme notes, facing his former side Leicester, beat them all! So touching and true after the tragedy that hit his ex-club. The one-all draw was a fair result, in the end, although James Maddison's equaliser (74') must have hurt after the hosts looked on course for a win after Aboubakar Kamara had given them the lead before the break (42'). The Cottagers's unwanted record of no clean sheets this season continues... They had 25 chances! But just seven on target, and one scored. The result keeps the London side at the bottom of the table. Worrying for their Italian boss.

Sub Lucas Pérez came off the bench to score two goals in five minutes to bank a very special win for West Ham against Cardiff. It ended 3-1, thanks to Hammers keeper Łukasz Fabiański’s first-half penalty save as well, denying Joe Ralls and any chance for the Welsh side to take the lead. The win takes the London club up to 12th, whilst Neil Warnock’s men have only taken one point from seven away games this season and are just two points above the drop zone.

What a goal! James Milner’s equaliser for Liverpool at Burnley was a fine low finish and crucial as hell (62’). The home side had taken a shock lead thanks to Jack Cork capitalising on Alisson’s blunder, unable to gather the ball off a corner (54’). Jürgen Klopp had named a much very different lineup after the Merseyside derby on Sunday, but that was changed after the break, Roberto Firmino’s first touch put the visitors ahead, the second goal just as banging as the first, a decisive tap in (69’)! And Xherdan Shaqiri added an extra boom late on (90’+1) to make it 1-3 and keep the Reds in the title race, two points behind league leader City. The only downside to the comeback was the injury blow to Jo Gomez, who had to be replaced halfway through the first half and will be out for over a month with a fracture.

Newcastle’s great counter equaliser spoilt the night for Everton, who rued lots of missed chances,to then drop two points (19-8 shots to be exact, and 14 corners!).

Charlie Austin’s goal for Saints against Spurs was just a consolation as they lost 3-1 at Wembley, but it was top quality and worth a smile for their new manager Ralph Hasenhüttl (I had to Google the name, it's a funny one and I am half German!).

What the hell?! Wolves 2-1 Chelsea, yes, you read right! What a comeback it was by Nuno Espírito Santo’s men... I was surprised not too see this surprise on first on MOTD! The Blues had dominated with 70% possession and 17 chances in total and it was no surprise when Ruben Loftus-Cheek 25-yard effort was deflected in and gave Maurizio Sarri's men the lead they deserved (18'). But everything changed after the restart, with two goals in four minutes, Raul Jiménez (59') and Diogo Jota (63') turning the game and Molineux on its head. The win takes Nuno's men up to 12th, just four points behind Everton in sixth, whilst Chelsea have suffered back-to-back league defeats on the road and drop to fourth, level on points with Arsenal in fifth, ten points off the top.
And an interesting final note, for the first time in eight years, every single team scored!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Bournemouth 0:0 Huddersfield* - 2:1

Brighton 0:0 Crystal Palace* - 3:1

West Ham 3:1 Cardiff - 3:1

Watford 1:2 Man City - 1:2

Burnley 0:3 Liverpool - 1:3

Everton 3:1 Newcastle - 1:1

Fulham 1:2 Leicester - 1:1

Wolves 0:2 Chelsea - 2:1

Man United 2:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Tottenham 2:0 Southampton - 3:1

*prediction failed to save, damn it, was doing so well!

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.