Premier League Picks Of The Week 29

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 29

The 29th week of the Premier League action saw:

23 goals - most by Man United and Crystal Palace = 3 each

234 shots - most by Man City = 23

80 on target - most by Man City and Chelsea = 7 each

106 corners - most by Man City = 14

204 fouls - most by Tottenham and Watford = 15 each

39 bookings - most by Watford = 5

1 red card - Torreira for Arsenal 

4 penalties - 2 scored (Kane for Tottenham, Noble for West Ham)

What a game! There were goals and action galore at Old Trafford. Southampton scored two crackers, but were still the losers in the end, whilst Manchester United had plenty more chances and misses but were able to end up on top despite more injuries and a missed spot-kick. More details about all the top goals below.

It was derby day on Sunday... More on Chelsea’s win at Craven Cottage below. Disappointing 200th league Merseyside derby for goalless and hopeless Liverpool: Everton were definitely happier after denying Mohamed Salah and Fabinho, the only two that got anything on target for the visitors at Goodison Park. Red boss Jürgen Klopp blamed the wind. Whatever it is, it’s costing his side dearly. Four draws in the last six league games means eight points dropped. For the first time in 14 weeks, the Reds have dropped all the way down to second (ignoring week 26 where Manchester City played the extra game because of the League Cup), one point behind Pep Guardiola's men. Following the Red Twitter world, it seems like all is over, the chance has been blown, the first title in 28 years is gone. The difference between the top two clubs is just ONE point, with NINE games to go. And LFC are TEN points and TWO places BETTER off than last season (whilst City are TEN points DOWN!). PERSPECTIVE!

What a team! More injuries hit Manchester City on Saturday, but they’re still winning, that’s the main thing for the league leaders in the title race. It was one-way traffic at Bournemouth (18%-82% possession, 0-23 shots, 0-7 on target, 0-14 corners). Kevin De Bruyne went off injured, his replacement Riyad Mahrez got the winner (55’), a fine low finish in the bottom right corner after a nice team interplay, his first goal since 4th December, his 11th of the season. That is all that was needed. Crucial. 

And it was another good away win for Crystal Palace, this time at Burnley, Roy Hodgson consolidating his and his sides’ place in the top league. A fine run of three wins in the last five games has seen the London side climb up the table by two places, eight points clear from the drop zone. This time, Phillip Bardsley (OG 15'), Michy Batshuayi (48') and Wilfried Zaha (76') were on the scoreboard, denying Sean Dyche’s side any way back, condemning them to their second defeat on the trot, sucking them down to 16th. Contrast.

What a man! REF!!! Watford's opener was just weird?! Jonathan Moss made a very late call on a free-kick after Troy Deeney broke free into the box... To head it in seconds later off the set-piece, but the English striker looked offside (5’). More iffy goals and decisions are mentioned above and below as well. Ridiculous refereeing! So, Brendan Rodgers’ first match as Leicester boss didn’t start well with that! Kasper Schmeichel made a brill block seconds before. Jamie Vardy and keeper Ben Foster clashed and you can tell when players are really injured and hurt when they lay flat and DON’T ROLL AND MOAN AROUND!!! Both were fine in the end. But OUCH! And the champion striker levelled the score in the second half (75’) after the visitors dominated all round, keeping his record going of scoring under five out of six new Foxes managers and taking his club tally to 99. But Hornets sub Andre Gray nicked an injury-time winner for the home side and got booked for his shirtless celebrations (90’+2’) to spoil the party for the Northern Irishman. Javi Gracia and co meanwhile were over the moon. A tense finish at Vicarage road saw Foster blocking and saving again, but it ended 2-1. BRilliant.

What a goal! Talking about managers, Fulham’s first match after sacking Claudio Ranieri was only against Chelsea at Craven Cottage. The managerless side did well under the circumstances, keeping the pressure on and not making it easy for the Blues. Ryan Sessegnon’s injury-time equaliser was flagged offside - a very close call! It looked fine! Another tense finish. Maurizio Sarri’s men ended up on top 1-2 thanks to Gonzalo Higuaín (20’) and Jorginho (31’) after Calum Chambers' leveller (27’). Cruel. How the latter boss is still hanging on to his job, I do not know... *shaking*my*head*

Saints defender Yan Valery’s first professional goal (26’) and United’s first equaliser by Andreas Pereira, the Brazilian's first Premier League goal (53’), were both just unstoppable, breathtaking takes. To add to the iffy list mentioned above, the 2-1, Romelu Lukaku’s first (59’), looked a hint offside though? The second equaliser (2-2 in case you can't keep track) was a beautiful free-kick by James Ward-Prowse (75'), into the top corner, who’s the keeper again?! However, Lukaku snuck in the late low winner (88’), a cruel one into the bottom right corner, 3-2. And that was not all! A later than late penalty to the Red Devils, after Stuart Armstrong brought down Marcus Rashford from behind, saw Paul Pogba selfishly take it, not giving Lukaku a chance of a hat-trick, keeper Angus Gunn kicking the central shot away with his left boot. Top match. Top goals. Plenty of flops as well. Never boring. Another win for Ole Gunnar Solskjær, to make it 10 wins out of 12 league games for the Norwegian temp boss.

What the hell?! Another soft penalty call went Tottenham's way in the London derby Saturday lunch-time, and it was offside in the build-up to the foul as well?! An easy equaliser for Harry Kane out of nowhere against Arsenal (74’) after Aaron Ramsey’s opener (16’). The Gunners got a spot-kick back late on, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made a soft mess of the take and Hugo Lloris the hero, and Jan Vertonghen’s defending in the aftermath controversial as the Belgian defender looked way over the line when the penalty was taken, denying the visitors a winner. The game exploded into life in the final minutes, seeing Lucas Torreira sent off. As mentioned above, numerous times, I know I am repeating myself, but that is because the bad calls and refereeing overlooks and errors are piling up, again and again, every game, every week! If you like VAR or not, at least that is SOMETHING to check and double-check all these iffy calls!!!

After Cardiff boss Neil Warnock revealed that Nuno Espírito Santo is his wife's favourite manager, there could only be one winner on the day at the Molineux Stadium... ;-) I LMAO AT THE CHANTS!!!

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Tottenham 0:1 Arsenal - 1:1

Bournemouth 2:2 Man City - 0:1

Brighton 0:1 Huddersfield - 1:0

Burnley 2:3 Crystal Palace - 1:3

Man United 1:1 Southampton - 3:2

Wolves 2:1 Cardiff - 2:0

West Ham 2:1 Newcastle - 2:0

Watford 1:1 Leicester - 2:1

Fulham 1:2 Chelsea - 1:2

Everton 1:2 Liverpool - 0:0

Click here for the previous Picks Of The Week.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 25

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 25

The 25th week of Premier League action saw:

23 goals - most by Chelsea = 5

249 shots - most by Chelsea = 23

84 on target - most by Man City = 12

86 corners - most by Chelsea and Palace = 11 each

209 fouls - most by Cardiff = 17

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

0 red cards

5 penalties - 5 scored (Barnes for Burnley, Hazard for Chelsea, Milivojević for Palace, Neves for Wolves, Reid for Cardiff)

What a game! The early(er) Sunday kick-off saw the fifth consecutive away win for Manchester United, nine wins out of ten for Ole Gunnar Solskær, despite Leicester’s dominance in the second half. The referee didn’t cover himself in glory, but in the end, the blunders evened themselves out, more to that below. The Foxes just didn’t get there, despite all their efforts, Marcus Rashford's 10th goal of the season was enough to bank the three points for his side (9'). The Red Devils went up to fifth, before Arsenal’s Super Sunday clash at Manchester City. But the Gunners didn’t help themselves. Sergio Agüero’s hat-trick (1’, 44’, 61’), his 14th for the club, was enough to down the visitors at the Etihad after a promising first but useless second half - although one goal was offside and the other a handball! Laurent Koscielny's header (11') was the only lonely reply for the Londoners. The Citizens must have been glad watching West Ham frustrating the hell out of Liverpool, the officials’ dismal performance not helping neither side in the Monday night match either. It ended 1-1 at the London Stadium after plenty of blunders, misses, muck-ups and giveaways, sloppy stuff on both sides. Sadio Mané's goal was given despite James Milner being obviously offside in the build-up (22'), before Michail Antonio levelled the score with a low finish off the post (28'). The Reds are still top, three points clear, but Pep Guardiola’s side are five goals better off. More below...

What a team! The Huddersfield fans were brilliant at Stamford Bridge! 3-0 down against Chelsea, with just over an hour gone, they could still be heard chanting, cheering and singing over the blue lot! “We’re gonna win 4-3!” made me laugh! There was a fourth and fifth goal - but it all went to the home side, five goals and three points to take Maurizio Sarri's men above Arsenal and back into the top four, whilst the Terriers remain rock-bottom, 13 points from safety.

Crystal Palace won convincingly against Fulham thanks to captain Luka Milivojević's spot kick (pen 25') and Jeff Schlupp's late tap in (87'). The Cottagers were surprisingly flawed and condemned after their convincing comeback win against Brighton last week, but only 2 points from 13 matches on the road this season speak for themselves! 
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock was a very proud and emotional man after watching his side win their first home game since Emiliano Sala’s disappearance. It ended a crucial 2-0 win against Bournemouth thanks to Bobby Reid’s double (5’ pen, 46’). Cherries manager Eddie Howe was left down and wondering what happened after his side had thrashed Chelsea just a few days before. With the win the Bluebirds remain 18th, but five points clear of Fulham in 19th and only two points behind Burnley in 17th. 

What a man! New signing Peter Crouch came on late to make his debut for Burnley and made the difference, involved in the incident that lead to the penalty, their first in 68 games, Ashley Barnes snatching the Clarets a last-gasp goal from the spot and point against Southampton (90’+4’). Barnes was brought down in the first half by Saints keeper Alex McCarthy, it should have been a penalty then, but he was booked for simulation instead! It was an absolute howler by the ref! And what was the assistant doing?! More to the unbelievable refereeing in general above and below. Nathan Redmond gave the visitors the lead against the run of play after the break, but Sean Dyche did get some justice back. A point each it was in the end.

Watford’s keeper Ben Foster did very well with a string of top-notch saves to keep it goalless at the Falmer Stadium and deny Brighton their first win of the year. Hornets boss Javi Gracia was full of compliments for the opposition's stopper in the post-match interview, which says it all really. 

What a goal! Newcastle worked so hard to keep a clean sheet at Tottenham in the early kick-off on Saturday, and threatened a few times on the counter, just to be broken by non-other than Son Heung-min (83’), off super-sub Fernando Llorente, who has been involved in seven goals in his last eight appearances for the side (5 goals, 2 assists). It was a calamity goal by the keeper Martin Dúbravka, who should have blocked and stopped the goal, but it somehow went through the Czech stopper. One cannot say Spurs didn’t deserve it, they dominated, and are now 29 matches without a draw, a new Premier League record. But the Magpies will still be gutted, more points dropped in the fight for survival, seeing them fall down to 15th, level on points with Southampton and Burnley in 16th and 17th, only two points away from the drop zone.

What the hell?! Everton boss Marco Silva once again watched his side fail and fall 1-3 at home against high-flying Wolves. The only highlight for the home side at Goodison Park was a cat. Yes, A CAT!!! The Toffees have lost three of their last four Premier League home games, as many defeats as in their previous 23, and just won one of their last nine league matches this season against teams starting the day higher in the table (W1 D2 L6), losing the last five in a row. No discrediting the Wanderers, who are doing brilliantly sitting comfortable four points clear in seventh.

The refs were once again absolute shambles! As already ranted above, in nearly every match and category, plenty of decisions were more than dubious, just blatantly wrong, what the hell are they doing?! Offside goals, handballs and plenty of other obvious stuff are being overlooked again and again, not just on Monday night! It's costing sides precious points, that lead to titles or relegations - can the officials be relegated or just disqualified, sent off or substituted like the teams and players when they are doing that bad?! ARGH!!!

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Tottenham 1:2 Newcastle - 1:0

Brighton 2:2 Watford - 0:0

Burnley 2:1 Southampton - 1:1

Chelsea 2:1 Huddersfield - 5:0 

Crystal Palace 3:3 Fulham - 2:0

Everton 2:2 Wolves - 1:3

Cardiff 2:1 Bournemouth - 2:0

Leicester 1:1 Man United - 0:1

Man City 4:3 Arsenal - 3:1

West Ham 1:2 Liverpool - 1:1

Click here for the previous Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 12

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 12

The 12th week of the Premier League action saw:

19 goals - most by Man City = 3

247 shots - most by Leicester = 22

83 on target - most by Huddersfield & Liverpool = 7 each

113 corners - most by Leicester = 12

222 fouls - most by Brighton = 21

30 bookings - most by Chelsea = 4

1 red card - Stephens for Brighton

1 penalty - 1 scored (Martial for United)

What a game! When Manchester City took the lead against United thanks to David Silva in the 12th minute, the Red Devils had attempted only 11 passes in that time and only five of those had been successful. The champions had made 104 with 92% accuracy in the same period. Worlds apart! Sergio Agüero doubled the home side’s lead with a smacker shortly after the restart (48’). Anthony Martial got the visitors’ hopes up for a comeback from the spot (58’) after Romelu Lukaku won a penalty seconds after coming on. But José Mourinho’s men were just outplayed. A massive 44 passes in the buildup formed an awesome move which sub İlkay Gündoğan netted from to make it 3-1 and three points to Pep Guardiola’s side. The result takes the champions to the top, past Liverpool, leading by two points and 13 goals! More to the Reds’ win in the early Super Sunday kick-off, which took them to the top temporarily, below. Chelsea meanwhile dropped two points in a scrappy goalless draw against Everton, squeezed in-between the other top two’s wins on Sunday.

What a team! Newcastle are on a roll after recording consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since April, beating Bournemouth 2-1 at St James' Park thanks to Salomón Rondón’s brace (7’, 40’), Jefferson Lerma with the only reply (45’+6’). It's only the second time this season the Magpies have scored more than one goal in a league match and the three points give Rafa Benítez's men a massive boost, taking them up to 14th, one point clear of the drop zone. Meanwhile the other strugglers Huddersfield fought out a goal and point each against West Ham, putting and keeping the sides into 18th and 13th respectively, Alex Pritchard being the first Terrier to score at home in 726 minutes of action! The relegation battle is on with just four points separating the bottom seven!

Arsenal were oh so lucky to stretch their unbeaten run to 16 matches in all competitions thanks to sub Henrikh Mkhitaryan who found a late leveller (86’) against Wolves to deny Nuno Espírito Santo's side a famous win at the Emirates after Ivan Cavaleiro’s close-range finish had given the visitors a shock lead.

What a man! Leicester remembered their owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabhain before their first home game since the helicopter crash. The goalless draw against Burnley followed after a two-minutes silence at the King Power stadium. Maybe the Foxes deserved more after all their chances and dominance, but for once it mattered less. It is understandable Fulham left their managerial change till the international break. The news broke on Wednesday, former LCFC boss Claudio Ranieri replacing Slaviša Jokanović with the Cottagers rock-bottom in the league table. It was an interesting read and quite a surprise about the PL and dismissals, this is the first sacking of the season,  much in contrast to the last few campaigns where there had already been up to five or six p45s handed out at this stage already!

Defender Juan Foyth turned from the zero last week, conceding two penalties, to the hero this week, scoring the one and only and winning goal for Tottenham (66’) at Crystal Palace on Saturday evening. A career first.

What a goal! Sol Bamba’s last-minute ping-pong winner for Cardiff against 10-man Brighton is massive! Their second win of the season pulled the Welsh side out of the relegation zone in Neil Warnock’s 100th game in charge. More to that goal below...

Southampton were not happy to see Charlie Austin’s goal disallowed (66’)- incorrectly! José Holebas’ late equaliser (82’) rescued a point for Watford, levelling after Manolo Gabbiadini had given the home side the lead from close range (20’). More to the officials’ incompetence below.

There were just 14 seconds between Aleksandar Mitrović’s disallowed header for Fulham and Mohamed Salah’s opener on the counter for Liverpool (41’), the Egyptian’s sixth league goal of the season. Another questionable decision by the officials... Xherdan Shaqiri doubled the Reds' lead with a lovely individual finish from inside the box not long after the break (53’). Jürgen Klopp’s men dominated and had chance after chance but still couldn’t fully capitalise, the final click and boom still missing with some sloppy takes/misses and clumsy connections. But it was still enough to sink the London club to their sixth consecutive league defeat and to the rock bottom of the Premier League. No real surprise about the managerial change mentioned above.

What the hell?! Brighton’s Dale Stephens' sending off at Cardiff was harsh, but his tackle on Greg Cunningham was reckless and dangerous, yes, so, red was correct. If only the officials could be more consistent and make correct decisions like that more often! Oh, and talking about decisions, Bamba did look offside in the buildup to the match-winning goal for the Welsh side, and took his shirt off celebrating without any further consequences... Lucky bugger! Like I said last week, and lots of other weeks, EVERY GOAL IS OH SO CRUCIAL. And consistency is oh so missed! Poor refs, ey?! Austin’s extraordinary post-match outburst at St Mary’s reflects and summarises my feelings about that topic = refs and VAR very well!

AND THE NEWS BROKE TODAY: IT WILL FINALLY BE INTRODUCED HALLELUJAH!!! WE WILL HAVE VAR IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE FROM NEXT SEASON!!! 🎉👊⚽️👊🎉

My Predictions - Actual Results

Cardiff 0:0 Brighton - 2:1

Huddersfield 0:1 West Ham - 1:1

Leicester 2:1 Burnley - 0:0

Newcastle 1:3 Bournemouth - 2:1

Southampton 0:0 Watford - 1:1

Crystal Palace 0:2 Tottenham - 0:1

Liverpool 4:0 Fulham - 2:0

Chelsea 2:2 Everton - 0:0

Arsenal 2:0 Wolves - 1:1

Man City 3:1 Man United - 3:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 36

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 36

The 36th week of the Premier League action saw:

22 goals - most by Crystal Palace = 5

229 shots - most by Liverpool & Man City = 19 each

70 on target - most by Palace = 9

77 corners - most by Liverpool & Man United = 9 each

202 fouls - most by Brighton = 17

23 yellow cards - most by Southampton = 5

1 red card - Albrighton for Leicester

1 penalty - 1 scored (Benteke for Palace)

What a game! Arsenal have not won at Old Trafford in the league for a decade and José Mourinho has never lost a home league game against Arsène Wenger. No surprise then when the Gunners suffered their sixth away defeat in a row for the first time since January 1966 losing 2-1 late on against United on Sunday afternoon. That means the Londoners are the only side left in the top four divisions in England without a single point on the road in 2018 (P6 W0 D0 L6). The French boss lined up the youngest starting eleven (average age 24y 67d) in the league since August 2011 - when they were thrashed 8-2 at the same ground. The match was not much of a contest, unlike the rivalry battles from the past as recounted in the previews and buildup, more like a training game, not much speed nor physicality. Paul Pogba fired the home side ahead after 16 minutes before former Red Devil Henrikh Mkhitaryan levelled the score soon after the interval and it looked like the visitors were able to get something out of the game. But Maroune Fellaini smashed in the winner in injury time seconds after Marcus Rashford had a goal disallowed, serving Wenger a bitter final farewell. “We want you to stay!” was the chant from the home fans. OUCH!

What a team! It was not Leicester’s day on Saturday afternoon at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace led comfortably in the first half thanks to man of the match Wilfried Zaha and James McArthur. Marc Albrighton’s last-man tackle earned him a straight red and added to his side’s misery shortly after the break. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Patrick van Aanholt sealed the deal 4-0 later on, Christian Benteke topped it 5-0 from the spot, their joint-biggest win in the top-flight since December 1972 (when they thrashed Manchester United 5-0), thank you very much, leaving Roy Hodgson and co all smiles after going up to 11th with this win, 99.9% safe. What relegation worries?! Who would have thought a couple of months ago?! Claude Puel meanwhile, after his side's third defeat in the last four games, is under hotter than hot fire walking on super-thin melting ice...

Newcastle didn’t have much to cheer about either on Saturday afternoon losing 0-1 to West Brom thanks to Matt Phillips, the season trickling away for the Toons with their second defeat on the trot, whilst the bottom side are experiencing a remarkable upturn in form since Darren Moore has taken over as caretaker, four games unbeaten. Shame it has all come a bit too late for the Baggies, needing a miracle to survive, five points from safety with two games left to play and some other teams with a game in hand.

What a man! Dušan Tadić was outstanding for Southampton in their crucial 2-1 win against Bournemouth on Saturday. The Serb’s brace made the difference, the first a low finish after a counter attack, the second a superb run and drilled-in winner after Joshua King had fired in an equaliser for the visitors. Mark Hughes seems to be making a difference for the Saints, this win being vital in their fight for safety, taking them to just one point behind the Swans in 17th.

Huddersfield were pulled closer to the relegation zone after Everton beat them too comfortably at home, Cenk Tosun and Idrissa Gueye sealing the 0-2 win for the Toffees. What was all the negative fuss around Big Sam when he took over at Goodison Park?! The Toffees went up to eighth with this win, totalling 14 points from the last seven games as the boss himself pointed out as he departed from the post-match interview. Point. Made. David Wagner and his Terriers meanwhile are dangling in 16th, just three points from the drop with Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal left to play. TRIPLE OUCH!!!

What a goal! Most of the goals at the London Stadium were just comical, Manchester City all over West Ham. First Leroy Sané’s cross/shot was deflected in by former Red Devil Patrice Evra’s head, then Declan Rice and Pablo Zabaleta ping ponged Kevin De Bruyne’s low cross into the back of their own net. The Hammers did hit one back, Aaron Cresswell curling a free kick in nicely around the ball (which should have actually been a penalty as the foul was committed inside the box), but crumbled to bits after that. Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho were too quick and netted two more from close range after the restart, th-r-ash - and the Citizens could have had a penalty in between as well, Raheem Sterling chopped to ground. It ended 1-4, taking Pep’s men’s total to 102 goals in the PL and leaving no question who’s on top, all sorts of records tumbling (goals, points, away and in total). But the only downer was that it seemed like the ref didn’t know any rules - what’s offside? And what are the lines and box for?! Pf. More to the flopping refereeing standards below.

It was a scrappy one at Wembley on Monday night, Watford keeper Orestis Karnezis handing Dele Alli the opener before Harry Kane doubled Tottenham’s lead and secured the three points to the home side, moving them one step closer to Champions League qualification, 4th placed, five points ahead of Chelsea in 5th and just one point behind Liverpool in 3rd with a game in hand on the Reds. The Hornets meanwhile are still not completely safe, in 13th, six points clear from the drop zone, but other teams with games in hand. Next week will be crunch time for a lot of teams, top and bottom four/five/six/seven/eight/you get my drift...

What the hell?! The refereeing was below par once again as mentioned above, at Anfield as well, not excusing Liverpool’s tired display against Stoke City, but just pointing out how crucial the officials’ decisions can be and are. Click here for my full LFC match report of the frustrating goalless lunchtime kickoff on Saturday. ARGH!!!

Burnley had a couple of penalty appeals waved away as well, both clear handballs, Brighton grabbing a point from them at Turf Moor, the prior needing just one more point to secure their place in the Europa League, whilst the latter slip to 14th, five points clear of the relegation places.

Chelsea’s Gary Cahill was a very lucky man not to concede a spot kick for his tackle on Swansea’s Nathan Dyer in Wales in the Saturday evening kickoff. The Blues ended up 0-1 winners thanks to Cesc Fàbregas’ early goal and bad refereeing, leaving the Swans dangling just one point above the drop zone, all the questionable decisions keeping the battle to safety wide open, as detailed above.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Liverpool 3:1 Stoke City - 0:0 or my match report

Burnley 1:1 Brighton - 0:0

Crystal Palace 2:1 Leicester - 5:0

Huddersfield 1:1 Everton - 0:2

Newcastle 1:0 West Brom - 0:1

Southampton 2:1 Bournemouth - 2:1

Swansea 1:3 Chelsea - 0:1

West Ham 2:3 Man City - 1:4

Man United 2:1 Arsenal - 2:1

Tottenham 2:0 Watford - 2:0

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 33

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 33

The 33rd week of the Premier League action saw:

29 goals - most by Man United & Arsenal = 3 each
220 shots - most by Chelsea = 23
74 on target - most by Southampton = 8
96 corners - most by Bournemouth = 11
188 fouls - most by Stoke City = 19
34 yellow cards - most by Man City = 6
3 red cards - Pröpper for Brighton, Stephens for Southampton, El Neny for Arsenal
0 penalties

What a game! The weekend started with Merseyside derby disappointment, a goalless training game at Goodison Park, click here for my full match report! To Manchester madness in the evening, it was a game of two halves all right!!! City were bossing it in the first half, Vincent Kompany and İlkay Gündoğan putting the Citizens on top and it could have been so much more, no reply whatsoever from the Red Devils. Until the second half, two goals in two minutes by man of the match Paul Pogba (53' & 55') and Chris Smalling with just over 20 minutes to go completed the comeback for the visitors. Pep Guardiola's men had more chances, including substitute Sergio Agüero and Raheem Sterling, but the woodwork and David de Gea saved the day for José Mourinho's team. That's the blue side of Manchester's title celebrations postponed for now, whilst the red part widened the gap to their Scouser rivals in third place.

What a team! Newcastle recorded their third Premier League win on the trot beating Leicester thanks to goals from Jonjo Shelvey and Ayoze Pérez, Jamie Vardy pulling one back late on. More below. Boss Rafa Benítez feels his side are "nearly" safe, in tenth place, ten points from the drop zone, with a game in hand, I think Rafa is right with his assumption. Muy bien. The Foxes meanwhile, have lost momentum, remaining stuck in eighth, six points behind Burnley in seventh after their 1-2 comeback at Watford. The two sides meet next weekend, a win is a must for Claude Puel's side if they want to stay in the race for Europa League qualification. A far cry from the title-winning side two years ago... Très triste!

What a man! Christian Eriksen's brace helped Tottenham to their sixth consecutive league win consolidating their place in the top four by beating Stoke 1-2 increasing the home side's relegation fears stuck in 19th, four points from safety. Swansea meanwhile came from behind to grab a point at West Brom, the Baggies ending their eight-game run of straight defeats in Darren Moore's first match as caretaker manager in place of Alan Pardew after just 21 matches in charge (W3 D5 L14).
Joe Hart made a couple of top-class saves for West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, taking two points off Chelsea and bagging their own thanks to sub Chicharito's goal seconds after coming on. The point took the Hammers four points clear of the drop zone in 14th.

What a goal! Joshua King's last-minute goal for Bournemouth nicked a point against Palace after the London side had come back twice at Dean Court! The draw keeps the Eagles in 17th, widening the gap to the drop zone ever so slightly but crucially to three points. A crazy couple of minutes at the Amex Stadium saw Jonas Lössl give Brighton the lead seeing the ball rebound off his head and into his own net before Steve Mounié pounced on Shane Duffy's back pass to equalise for Huddersfield. Davy Pröpper's late sending off gave the visitors some hope of grabbing a late winner, but it stayed 1-1, a crucial point in the relegation battle for the sides in 13th and 16th respectively.
Danny Welbeck scored two and made one, sealing the win for Arsenal, just, 3-2 against Southampton on Sunday, which saw both teams reduced to ten men in injury time. Both sides scraped and scratched, punched and hit, the Gunners dealing the Saints the final blow, it was not an easy watch for either side.

What the hell?! The referees did not make many friends again this weekend!!! Foxes defender Harry Maguire was lucky not to be sent off for his hand on Toon Dwight Gayle's face. The following bust-up didn't help either side. And Leicester's penalty appeal for Paul Dummett's collision with Riyad Mahrez was overlooked/ignored as well. You could argue things evened themselves out... There was a handball before West Brom's goal, which could/should have been a red card in the end. Was it just a bit of luck for the caretaker boss?! And City should have had a penalty after Ashley Young's two-footed tackle on substitute Agüero. Various booking decisions by the officials were very questionable at the Etihad. The derby is a difficult and challenging clash to officiate and keep control over, but come on! The Merseyside derby saw no bookings for the first times since 1992, but there were numerous questionable decisions there as well, clashes, fouls, etc. It was like the referees were just reluctant to make any decisions!!! Did they have any bets on?!

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

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 29

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 29

The 29th week of the Premier League action saw:

24 goals - most by Swansea = 4

233 shots - most by Leicester = 22

82 on target - most by Burnley & Swansea = 8 each

118 corners - most Southampton = 15

189 fouls - most by West Ham = 14

23 yellow cards - most by West Ham, Brighton, Arsenal & Man United = 3 each

1 red card - Ashley Williams for Everton

2 penalties - 2 scored (Joshua King for Bournemouth, Jordan Ayew for Swansea)

What a match! Liverpool outplayed and outshone Newcastle with a top-class convincing 2-0 home win in the Saturday evening kick-off, and that could have easily been more, the front trio starring and shining once again. Click here for my full LFC match report.

Super Sunday started with super shambles by Arsenal, well beaten by Brighton for the first time since 1982, 2-1 thanks to Lewis Dunk and Glenn Murray of course, recording the Londoners' fourth successive defeat for the first time since 2002, their eighth defeat in 2018 and 11th league game without a clean sheet, their longest run since 2002. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did pull one back and the referee did his best to help the Gunners with some ridiculous calls and decisions, more to that below. No discrediting the Seagulls and their spirit and fight, but Arsène Wenger has lost it, it = this game, his team, his fans and all his marbles if he doesn't do everyone a favour and go!!! 

The other Super Sunday match could not have been more one-sided, Manchester City riding and bossing it, Chelsea parking and watching, the miss-match ending 1-0, Bernardo Silva with the winner, taking the Citizens 18 points clear at the top for the day. The Blues failed to register a single shot in the first half of a league game for the first time since 2003-04 and got nothing on target for the whole 90 minutes for the first time this season. Have they forgotten their job? PLAY FOOTBALL!!!

What a team! West Ham were taken to bits by Swansea, 4-1 thanks to Ki Sung-yueng, Mike van der Hoorn, Andy King and Jordan Ayew, sealing Carlos Carvahal's fourth win in six Premier League games. Loved this BBC video about his metaphors in interviews, lol! It could have been eight or nine goals for the Welsh side, who have surprised everyone how they have ripped and gripped themselves up and away from the bottom of the table. I'm sure David Moyes doesn't feel so comfortable any more. 13th and 14th respectively, only three points from the drop zone, the Swans on their way up, whilst the Hammers are caught in the downward spiral.
Southampton slipped down to 17th after their goalless draw against relegation rivals Stoke City, making it a new Premier League club record of eight consecutive home matches without a win. And Watford heaped more misery on bottom-side West Brom, Troy Deeney's goal enough to slump Alan Pardew's club to their fifth successive league defeat, eight points from safety.

What a man! Everton's Jordan Pickford definitely put his name on the England team sheet making some sublime saves at Burnley with Gareth Southgate watching in the stands in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff. If it weren't for him it would have ended a total thrash. 2-1 was the result, Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood turning the game around for the Clarets in the second half after Turkish forward Cenk Tosun had given the Toffees the lead after 20 minutes. It was a competitive match, both teams creating chances and making the keepers work, Ashley Williams' late sending off for reckless swinging around with his elbow on Barnes adding to the visitors' misery, no protest. Whatever Sean Dyche said at the break in his 250th game for the club (W98 D73 L79 with this result), it worked, completing the double in the league against Big Sam's side. It was the first win for Burnley in 2018, their first comeback after going behind in 61 Premier League games under Dyche (D12 L48), and the first time they won both league games against Everton in a season since 1959-60, when they won the title!

What a goal! Tottenham's star men Dele Alli and Harry Kane set up Son Heung-min in the first and the second half respectively, beautiful crosses, exemplary conversions, making it 2-0 and giving Huddersfield no chance of a comeback at Wembley. 

And it had to be Riyad Mahrez nicking the last-minute equaliser for Leicester against Bournemouth (90'+7!!!), curling a free kick around the wall and in to make it 1-1 after the Cherries were ahead thanks to Joshua King's first-half penalty. It's never over till that annoying one bloke whistles!

That unstoppable injury-time Nemanja Matić smacker of a strike, his first goal for Manchester United, shattered Crystal Palace, mentally and physically at Selhurst Park on Monday night keeping them in the drop zone. Roy Hodgson's men had worked so hard and shocked everyone when Andros Townsend gave them lead in the first half and Patrick van Aanholt doubled the score straight after the interval. It was the first time Palace had ever taken the lead over United in the PL, they were in control. But whatever José Mourinho said at the break, it had its effects. The Red Devils finally turned up, played and broke the home side eventually, Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku evening out the scoreline and wounds. But once again David de Gea was the main man for United, keeping them in the game with crucial stops and avoiding a total thrash, until the last-minute winner. The visitors had two shots on goal in the first half, fewest any away team has had at Selhurst Park this season, bad, and 15 in the second half, the most, mad. The Eagles have never beaten United in 18 attempts and it was the first time United's Portuguese boss has won after being two goals behind in the PL. But if the Mancs play like this against their bitter rivals Liverpool next weekend they will get battered!!!

What the hell?! No, that wasn't a penalty at Wembley, just because Son tumbled to the ground doesn't mean he was fouled! The South Korean scored a great brace as mentioned above, but should have been booked for his diving antiques!!! FFS!

Talking about spot kicks, don't they have to be taken from the spot?! It was just stupid how the ref didn't spot that at the King Power Stadium! King got the penalty spot-on to give Bournemouth the lead, but Leicester will be glad they evened it out as mentioned above, a goal and point each in the end.

All the best wishes go to Hammer Winston Reid who was stretchered off at Swansea after landing awkwardly on his leg and taking a knock to his head on landing, I hope he will be okay. Same with Brighton's Ezequiel Schelotto after being taken out by Arsenal's Sead Kolašinac, who was lucky to escape any punishment for his reckless actions! Something serious like this makes me even more annoyed about the divers and whiners making a scene of nothing!!! Appreciate what you've got and make the most of it instead of looking for any excuse to fall!!! And referees, please, please, please be more consistent with your punishments! It is just too ridiculous what too many players get away with, fouling and diving!!!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Burnley 1:1 Everton - 2:1

Leicester 1:1 Bournemouth - 1:1

Southampton 1:1 Stoke City - 0:0

Swansea 1:1 West Ham - 4:1

Tottenham 4:0 Huddersfield - 2:0

Watford 2:1 West Brom - 1:0

Liverpool 3:1 Newcastle - 2:0 or my LFC match report 

Brighton 1:1 Arsenal - 2:1

Man City 3:1 Chelsea - 1:0

Crystal Palace 0:0 Man United - 2:3

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

Pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR coverage.