Premier League Notes - Week 12

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 12

The 12th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

28 goals - most by Burnley, Man United and Liverpool = 3 each

285 shots - most by Everton = 24

96 on target - most by Burnley = 12

109 corners - most by Man City = 13

213 fouls - most by Crystal Palace, Burnley and Wolves = 17 each

37 bookings - most by Brighton = 5

1 red card - Kabasele for Watford

0 penalties

#NORWAT

Hornets winger Gerard Deulofeu opened the scoring after just 76 seconds on Friday night, the second fastest by an away side in the Premier League this season, walking through the Canaries' back line. Sub Andre Gray doubled the lead after the break with a cheeky back-footer (52’). Defender Christian Kabasele’s daft second yellow (65’) didn’t make much off a difference, the visitors stayed in control at Carrow Road, despite the hosts pushing and trying. Quique Sánchez Flores' side climb off the bottom of the table with their first win of the season, Norwich taking their place, nicht gut for their German boss Daniel Farke.

#CHECRY

It was a one-sided first half in the lunchtime kickoff at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, all Blues, the Eagles defending well and frustrating the hell out of the hosts. Tammy Abraham broke the deadlock after the break with a fine finish across goal into the bottom right (52’). Christian Pulisic doubled the home side’s lead (78’), relieving the little bit of pressure there was on Frank Lampard’s men and taking them up to third. Comfy three points, sixth consecutive league win, condemning Roy Hodgson’s stubborn side to their fifth defeat of the season, pushing them down to 12th. 

#BURWHU

Ashley Barnes’ tap in gave the home side the lead (11’), what happened to defenders marking anyone?! Chris Wood’s thunderous header was disallowed by VAR (36’), but nothing and no one could deny the home side were bossing it - VAR shambles, giving the corner which led to the first goal and disallowing the second goal on unclear and marginal if any evidence. But Wood made sure the Clarets wouldn’t have to moan about that for too long, slotting the ball home totally unmarked to make it 2-0 shortly before the break (44’). And it got even worse for the visitors, keeper Roberto Jiménez topped his dire display by flapping at a corner and adding an own goal to the scoreboard to make it 3-0 (54’), just embarrassing. Seven league and cup games without a win now for the Hammers, and injuries to skipper Mark Noble and Manuel Lanzini won't help Manuel Pellegrini either. An easy win and just what the doctor ordered after three straight league defeats for Sean Dyche’s men. 

#NEWBOU

Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson finished off and fired home a brilliant corner routine (14’), the Magpies just couldn’t deal with it. Set pieces, hey? Their right-back DeAndre Yedlin made up for it and equalised just before the break with a flying header (42’). Another defender, this time Ciaran Clark, bundled one over the line to give the home side the lead (52’), what a turnaround thanks to an American brace. Steve Bruce will be glowing during the international break after their first successive league wins of the season takes them up to 13th. Who needs strikers?!

#SOUEVE

A totally unmarked Tom Davies headed the Toffees ahead early on (5’), his first for the club in 553 days, Saints defence all over the place, shocking. Again, do they have to Google-search marking?! But the home side were level soon after the break, sub Sofiane Boufal handing former Red Danny Ings an easy poke in to make it 1-1 (50’). But the visitors regained the lead when Richarlison volleyed home the perfect cross by Djibril Sidibé (75’). Marco Silva was in absolute ecstasy after watching his side record their first away win since March, taking them up to 15th, whilst Ralph Hasenhüttl's side slide down to 19th, three points from safety, after losing four consecutive home league games at St Mary's for the very first time. 

#TOTSHU

United were in control, dominating and making much more of the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs being just shadows. But Son Heung-min made the most of the miscommunication between the defenders to give the home side the lead (58’). Seconds later, David McGoldrick levelled the score with a tap-in (60’), but VAR scrubbed it off for offside in the buildup, millimeters, again! For me, the line was even, and if it takes so long to check, it’s NOT offside. Shambles. But George Baldock swept in the deserved equaliser, VAR wasted more time on another offside check, but couldn’t disallow it this time, no matter how many lines were drawn, 1-1 (78’) and game on! It ended a goal and point each, Chris Wilder’s side will be disappointed as they worked and deserved more from this match but still climb up to fifth, whilst Mauricio Pochettino is left wondering and pondering with no wins since September = in the last five league matches, his side crumbling and tumbling down to 14th. 

#LEIARS

Unmarked Jamie Vardy put the home side ahead from inside the box completing a lovely move for the Foxes (67’). James Maddison doubled their lead with a banger, from the edge of the box, you could hear the low shot hit the bottom left of the net (75’). Brendan Rodgers’ men bossed the match in a very rainy King Power Stadium on Saturday evening, climbing up to second with the easy win, downing Unai Emery and his Gunners to yet another defeat, their third of the season, sinking down to sixth, behind Sheffield United in fifth on goal difference.

#MUNBHA

The Red Devils bossed it, only thanks to Albions keeper Mathew Ryan it wasn’t an absolute thrash in the Sunday early afternoon kickoff at Old Trafford. Andreas Pereira (17’) and Marcus Rashford (66’) scored either side of a Davy Pröpper own goal (19’). Ole Gunnar Solskjær described their biggest home win in the Premier League since August as their best performance of the season, taking them to an unbeaten home run of seven games in all competitions, their best since March 2018 (eight games under José Mourinho), and up to seventh. 

#WOLAVL

Wanderers’ first top-flight win over the Villans since 1978 was fully deserved. The hosts dominated and carved open the visitors again and again, but didn’t break the deadlock until shortly before the break thanks to Ruben Neves (41’). Raúl Jiménez doubled the hosts' lead to seal the three points late on (84’). Trézéguet with a late consolation goal (90+2’) could not hide the fact how poor the visitors were, manager Dean Smith conceded that much after the match, whilst Nuno Espírito Santo can be very happy, with his side climbing into the top half of the table for the first time since the opening weekend. 

#LIVMCI

A Fabinho smacker (6’), Mo Salah header off Andrew Robertson's perfect cross (13’) and diving header by Sadio Mané (51’) sealed the deal for the Reds, three points in the bag, at the top, nine points ahead of the champions, Bernardo Silva with the only reply (78’) at loud, shaking, dancing, prancing, glowing, celebrating Anfield. Pep Guardiola's 380th top-flight match as a manager, it was only the fifth time the Spaniard found himself two goals behind at half-time, losing all of them. His outrage against the refs was a bit OTT, (hilarious takes on Twitter) replays showing his players handled and fouled before any of the penalty calls and making the VAR decisions not easy but correct. Remember last season? With or without VAR, Liverpool bossed the champions. There was and always will be close and controversial calls, you either play on to win it (like the Reds did) or moan on and lose it (as the Citizens suffered). Jürgen Klopp meanwhile, can go into the international break smiling, his side in their best home form in 34 years (13 consecutive home league wins) after his ninth career win against Pep. 

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Norwich 3:1 Watford - 0:2

Chelsea 1:2 Crystal Palace - 2:0

Burnley 1:3 West Ham - 3:0

Newcastle 1:0 Bournemouth - 2:1

Southampton 2:1 Everton - 1:2

Tottenham 2:2 Sheffield United - 1:1

Leicester 3:1 Arsenal - 2:0

Man United 1:1 Brighton - 3:1

Wolves 2:1 Aston Villa - 2:1

Liverpool 2:1 Man City - 3:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 32

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 32

The 32nd week of the Premier League action saw:

22 goals - most by Man City, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Man United, Everton, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal = 2 each
237 shots - most by Man City = 24
67 on target - most by Everton = 9
96 corners - most by Man City = 11
191 fouls - most by Man United, Everton and Chelsea = 14 each
20 bookings - most by Chelsea = 3
0 red cards
1 penalty - 1 scored (Milivojević for Crystal Palace)

What a game! Manchester United ended up 2-1 winners at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, but the result definitely doesn’t reflect the game! Watford looked like the home side, dominating, controlling and creating much more (EIGHT shots on target, pulling SEVEN saves from David de Gea, most produced by a visiting side at the ground since 2014). The opener and Marcus Rashford's 10th Premier League goal of the season (38’) came against the run of play, after a superb through-ball from Luke Shaw. And after the Hornets wasted more chances, Anthony Martial made them pay midway through the second half, doubling the Red Devils’ lead from close range (72’). Abdoulaye Doucouré scored a late goal which Javi Gracia’s men more than deserved, but it was too little too late (90’). The result ended a run of successive defeats for new/finally permanent boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and took United level on points with third-placed Tottenham, who travelled to Liverpool on Sunday, before Arsenal's home game against Newcastle on Monday. More to both clashes below.

What a team! Huddersfield’s relegation was confirmed on Saturday after falling to their 24th defeat of the season, 2-0 at Crystal Palace, equalling the record for earliest relegation from the Premier League of Derby County in 2007-08 and Ipswich Town in 1994-95. The Eagles have scored nine penalty goals in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. Luka Milivojević has scored all of those nine spot kicks, including the opener in this match against the Terriers (76’); only four players have scored more in a single season, with Steven Gerrard being the last player to do so in 2013-14 (10). Patrick van Aanholt doubled the lead and secured the win late on (88’), putting Roy Hodgson’s men eight points clear of the drop zone.

Fulham look like they will be the next side to follow the Yorkshire club down after losing 0-2 against Manchester City, their 23rd loss keeping them in 19th, 16 points away from safety, just three points better off than the bottom team. The managerless side failed to direct a single shot on target for the first time in their last 188 home league games, since April 2010 against Wolves in the Premier League. The Citizens could not have had it any easier, the win keeping them that decisive little edge/corner/step ahead in the title race (second, but only two points behind Liverpool, with a game in hand).

What a man! Brendan Rodgers was a very happy man after watching his side shine in a comfortable win against Bournemouth, recording their third consecutive win under the Northern Irishman. The Foxes were under control for most of the match after taking an early lead thanks to Wes Morgan’s flick going in off the post (11’). Jamie Vardy’s header went in off the crossbar to seal the victory for the home side (83’), making it five goals in his last five league appearances. The woodwork helped the 2016 champions move up to eighth, four places better off than when they sacked former boss Claude Puel. The result means the Cherries have lost 10 of their last 11 away games - the only positive result in that run being a win in their last game on the road against now relegated Huddersfield. Eddie Howe was left conceding defeat, disappointed. The Bournemouth boss is winless in eight away league visits to Leicester City during his managerial career (W0 D4 L4).

Unai Emery is not doing bad in his first season as Arsenal boss, watching his side record their 10th home league victory in a row, their best run since a similar sequence from December 1997 to May 1998, under former manager Arsène Wenger. MNF saw the Gunners comfortably beating Newcastle 2-0 at the Emirates, Aaron Ramsey (30’) and Alexandre Lacazette (83’) with deserved goals, bagging the points after a dominant show which saw two goals disallowed for the home side as well. Rafael Benítez still feels the Magpies will be safe, the result just moving them one place down to 14th, seven points clear from the drop zone. Emery’s side overtook rivals Spurs, moving up to third, two points ahead of Manchester United in fifth, Champions League football looking more and more likely next season after a two-year absence.

What a goal! A couple of crucial own goals this weekend: Wolves captain Conor Coady scored his third own goal of the season after Chris Wood’s shot came back off the post (2’), opening the scoring for Burnley. Only two players have registered more own goals in a Premier League season - Liverpool's Martin Škrtel in 2013-14 and Brighton's Lewis Dunk in 2017-18, both with four. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men’s four own goals in the league this campaign is the most of any side. 19-year-old Dwight McNeil had set up the early opener and sealed the win with a lovely strike of his own (77’), a low drill into the bottom-right corner, the only shot on target for the visitors. It was a crucial win for Sean Dyche’s men, ending a run of four straight defeats, recording their first clean sheet in nine league games, and moving them five points clear of the relegation zone.

The other own goal went to Toby Alderweireld at Anfield, handing Liverpool an injury-time winner against Tottenham, after watching his keeper Hugo Lloris spill Mohamed Salah’s shot, for the ball to ricochet off the Belgian defender and into the net. The Reds had taken the lead early on thanks to Roberto Firmino’s header (16’), set up by a brilliant Andrew Robertson cross from the left into the box. Lucas Moura levelled the score (70’) and deservedly so after the visitors had improved, dominated and created a lot more after the break. But Jürgen Klopp was the one celebrating at the final whistle, seeing his side return to the top thanks to that last-gasp own goal. It doesn’t matter how you win them, three points is what is important. Liverpool have scored three winning goals in the 90th minute or later in the Premier League this season, their second-most in a single campaign after 2008-09 (four).

What the hell?! West Ham’s toothless display saw a total of just three attempts on goal in the game, their lowest tally in a home Premier League game since the 2005-06 season. Everton ended up comfortable 0-2 winners at the London Stadium, Marco Silva's side dominating and winning the game in the first half thanks to goals from Kurt Zouma (5’) and Bernard (33’). The Hammers have already drawn level with their points total from last season (= 42), but, with games against Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham to come next month, Manuel Pellegrini’s men face dropping, falling and failing to a disappointing end to the season.

And last but definitely not least, what were the officials on at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday?! A certain Russian billionaire’s pay check?! Victor Camarasa’s curling opener gave the home side a deserved lead shortly after the break (46’), as Chelsea were playing a painfully slow and wasteful game. With five minutes left, César Azpilicueta nodded in an equaliser from a clearly offside position and then, in added time, substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in the winner for the Blues to break the Welsh hearts. Throughout the match, the officiating was dubious, obvious free kicks and cautions not given. And how and why Antonio Rüdiger was not sent off after bringing down last man Kenneth Zohore shortly after the equaliser, only they know. How Neil Warnock stayed so calm after the final whistle, I do not know, shouting his face off on the sidelines and to players, but not to the officials, who cost his side three crucial points. Other managers would have been in the refs’ faces, like Mauricio Pochettino did a few weeks ago (Premier League Week 27 to be exact). Warnock's post-match interview says it all, what I have been blogging and shouting my face off about week in, week out. Ridiculous. Disgusting. Outrageous.

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

Click here for the previous 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 28

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 28

The 28th week of the Premier League action saw:

29 goals - most by Arsenal and Liverpool = 5 each

251 shots - most by Man City = 22

65 on target - most by Liverpool = 10

102 corners - most by Man City = 13

176 fouls - most by Southampton = 15

30 bookings - most by Cardiff, Burnley and Man United = 3 each

0 red cards

1 penalty - 1 scored (Agüero for Man City)

What a game! Arsenal and Liverpool were on fire! The Gunners took Bournemouth apart at the Emirates, 5-1 with five different scorers including recalled Mesut Özil with the opener after just four minutes. Substitute Alexandre Lacazette sealed the win making it five with a superb free-kick (78’), condemning the Cherries to their ninth consecutive away defeat for the first time since the 1933-34 season. The result keeps Unai Emery’s men in the top four, one point ahead of Manchester United. More to the Red Devils' impressive win and run below.

The Reds thrashed Watford 5-0 at Anfield, which was just what the doctor ordered for them in the title race and after their disappointing and frustrating goalless draw at Old Trafford on Sunday. Sadio Mané (9’, 20’) and Virgil van Dijk (79’, 82’) starred with a brace each - the prior’s second the cheekiest of cheeky back-healers, absolute stunner, the latter’s both headers. Injured Roberto Firmino's replacement Divock Origi contributed one as well in-between (66’), adding up to their biggest win of the season. But the real star was man of the match and night Trent Alexander-Arnold. Left out at the weekend, the youngster showed how much he was missed, producing top passes, crosses, control and precision, becoming the youngest player ever at 20 years and 143 days to get three assists in a Premier League game. Just wow! The win helped Jürgen Klopp’s men and their goal difference, just one point clear at the top ahead of Manchester City in second. More to the Citizens' lucky winner below.

What a team! Chelsea beat Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino’s men slumped and bumped out of the title race too easily. The Blues had dropped goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after his League Cup antiques at the weekend, but his replacement Willy Caballero didn’t have anything to do = 0 shots on target produced by Spurs. The embarrassing scenes were in the opposing goal this time, Hugo Lloris letting the opener by Pedro go through his legs (57’) before watching his team mate Kieran Trippier pass the ball past him and into his own net (OG 84’). That makes it two own goals in their last six Premier League games, as many as in their previous 113 in the competition. They are still in third, but now eight points behind City in second and nine away from the top.

Manchester United recorded their eighth consecutive away win - not even the great Sir Alex Ferguson was able to achieve that! Ole Gunnar Solskjær (still only caretaker) saw his side beat Crystal Palace convincingly despite their looooong list of injuries (of eight first-team players!). Romelu Lukaku stepped up and scored twice (33’, 52’), and Ashley Young drilled in a third (83’), to hand the Red Devils yet another win and keep them in fifth and in the race for the top four, just one point separating them from Arsenal in fourth. Surely, the Norwegian boss will be made permanent, a question of when.. Not if... ?!

What a man! Brendan Rodgers was announced as the new Leicester boss hours before their match against Brighton at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night. The news of his talks with the club was no real surprise, but the speed of his departure from Celtic caught out everyone. It seemed like the Northern Irishman couldn’t wait to get away! The Foxes recorded their first home win in five on the night, beating the Albions 2-1, thanks to goals by Demarai Gray (10’) and Jamie Vardy (63’), Davy Pröpper with a cracking but the only reply for the visitors (66’). But most of the main focus and attention was on the new man in the stands. The 2016 champions are up to 11th, on 35 points, ten points clear of the drop zone, 18 away from the top six. What will the new boss' ambition/aim/target be without any silverware in sight (unlike in Scotland)?!

What a goal! Newcastle’s opener against Burnley at St James’ Park by Fabian Schär (24’) was sublime! Sean Longstaff pounced on the visitors' weak defense to double the home side’s lead (38’). Both goals were clinical and crucial in the relegation battle, ending Sean Dyche’s side’s eight-game unbeaten run in the league and easing the Magpies’ relegation worries.

Everton’s team work goals at Cardiff were top-quality, all three of them. Gylfi Sigurðsson's brace (41’, 66’) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late finish (90’+3’) ended the Toffees’ league run of three successive defeats. The win takes them up to ninth, four points behind Watford in eighth and level on points with West Ham in tenth.

Manchester City’s penalty against the Hammers was softer than soft, which was otherwise a very frustrating night for Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad. Sub Bernardo Silva went down without any contact, seconds after coming on. Surrounded by West Ham players, replays showed, if anything, the Portuguese midfielder twisted and tripped over his own feet. But the spot kick was given, and of course Sergio Agüero made no mistake of netting it (pen 59’) and the three points for the Citizens with it, to keep them in the title race, one point behind the Reds. Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini was understandably less happy with that call and result.

What the hell?! HUDDERSFIELD WON!!! SCORED AND WON!!! Celebrations galore!!! Lots of sickies up North on Wednesday, I bet. Yes, they are still bottom, but sweeter than sweet it still was for them. Only the third win of the season. First since November. After seven consecutive defeats at home. Sweet home. After African striker Steve Mounié scored the winner in the 91st minute, he got buried under his team mates as a thanks. Boss Jan Siewert was also taken over by wild celebrations with his backroom staff after the German's first win in charge of the club. Wolves were their victims, having lost eight of their last nine league matches against the Terriers and seven of their 12 against teams starting the day at the bottom of the Premier League. Southampton meanwhile moved out of the relegation zone after beating Fulham 2-0, and with Cardiff’s defeat, will have added to the bottom club’s celebrations and the tiniest of tiny glimmer of hope that has returned for them in their chance of somehow climbing out of the deep and dark relegation swamp they’re in.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Cardiff 0:0 Everton - 0:3

Huddersfield 1:2 Wolves - 1:0

Leicester 1:1 Brighton - 2:1

Newcastle 2:2 Burnley - 2:0

Arsenal 2:0 Bournemouth - 5:1

Southampton 2:1 Fulham - 2:0

Chelsea 3:1 Tottenham - 2:0

Crystal Palace 1:3 Man United - 1:3

Liverpool 2:0 Watford - 5:0

Man City 3:0 West Ham - 1:0

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 27

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 27

The 27th week of the Premier League action saw:

29 goals - most by Watford = 5

243 shots - most by Newcastle = 29

84 on target - most by Newcastle = 12

110 corners - most by West Ham and Newcastle = 12 each

213 fouls - most by Liverpool = 17

29 bookings - most by Wolves = 5

1 red card - Smith for Huddersfield 

3 penalties - 2 scored (King for Bournemouth, Jiménez for Wolves)

What a game! The Super Sunday clash between arch rivals Manchester United and Liverpool ended goalless, quite disappointing after all the hype and buildup, but not a big surprise. The Red Devils defended well, held solid against all the Red pressing, whilst the visitors were unable to get the breakthrough at Old Trafford and had their keeper Alisson and defender Virgil van Dijk to thank for a breathtaking save against sub Jesse Lingard and a masterclass in stopping, blocking and denying Paul Pogba any look into the game. United stopper David de Gea kept his 100th clean sheet, which wasn't too difficult on the day, having just faced one shot on target, his side just producing three of their own at the other end as well. Mohamed Salah looked very clumsy, losing the ball too easily and too often, and it was no surprise when the

Egyptian was subbed off as well. Not much action, but plenty of injuries saw Ole Gunnar Solskjær forced to use up all his substitutions in the first half! 
And to add frustration to injuries, his men dropped two points and one place down to fifth after Arsenal’s comfortable 2-0 win against Southampton. That victory saw the Gunners overtake the Red Devils. Jürgen Klopp’s side meanwhile, returned to the top, one point ahead of the Citizens. Pep Guardiola's men won the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on the same day after some penalty drama, having played and won the scheduled Premier League fixture of this weekend a couple of weeks ago, ending up 0-2 winners at Everton on the 6th February.*(See the note in brackets at the bottom of this blog.)

What a team! Leicester have lost four consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since January 2000. The oldest ever manager in the Premier League with 71 years and 198 days = Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace meanwhile, are in dreamland after thrashing the Foxes 1-4 in their own backyard on Saturday evening. Claude Puel was sent packing not even 24 hours later, no surprise there, sad but true. The home side had over four times the attempts (27-7), but just the same on target (5-5), the scoreboard reflecting the sour and fruitless times. The more surprising his replacement is: Brendan Rodgers, surprising everyone including his Celtic players with the news of his departure.

Huddersfield are down and out. Nothing new there, they have been rock bottom for months now, but the way they lost at Newcastle, there was just no chance, no way, not even half a penny of hope, outdone and outplayed in every way, especially after (but not because of) the sending off. Good result for Rafael Benítez’s men, taking them up to 15th. The Magpies have recorded a league double over the Terriers for the first time since 1964-65 with their third successive Premier League win at St James’ Park for the first time since April.

What a man! Watford’s Gerard Deulofeu is only the third player to score a Premier League hat-trick on a Friday, after Dean Windass for Bradford (April 2000) and Thierry Henry for Arsenal (two in April 2004). The Spaniard did not just score three (18’, 61’, 63’), but also set up Troy Deeney (73’), who finished off with a brace of his own (91’), taking Cardiff apart. Sol Bamba was on the score-sheet (82’), a mere consolation, as 1-5 was the full-time score in Wales. It was the Hornets’ first top-flight hat-trick since Mark Falco v Aston Villa in October 1986, and the first time the side scored five in a top-division encounter since winning 5-1 against Leicester in November 1986. History.

What a goal! Was is really a corner in the buildup to the first Burnley goal or should it have been a goal kick? Chris Wood headed in the set-piece to open the scoring for the Clarets against Tottenham (57’). It doesn’t really matter, as the home side scored another one and you can’t say they didn’t deserve it. Ashley Barnes' tap-in (83’) won it for Sean Dyche’s men after Harry Kane, back from injury, had equalised and given the visitors hope of a comeback (65’). That equaliser was off a dodgy throw as well, but I’m sure Mauricio Pochettino didn’t mention that to referee Mike Dean when he stormed, shouted and pointed at the official after the full-time whistle. The boss was in the man's face! As it turned out, the temperamental Argentine accepted all charges and apologised. Meanwhile, Burnley are on their best = longest unbeaten top-flight run since 1966, unbeaten in eight (W5, D3), picking up 18 points in the last 8 games after just gaining 14 from their previous 24! This glorious run takes them up to 14th on 30 points, six clear from the drop zone. More controversial goals and decisions below...

What the hell?! The last time Fulham won an away game in the Premier League, David Moyes was still the manager of Manchester United. And the London side have still no clean sheet - even lovely Claudio Ranieri was outraged and having a go at the fourth official after West Ham’s Javier Hernández had bundled the ball over the line with his hand but the goal was still given to make it 1-1 (29’). The visitors had opened the scoring at the London Stadium just a couple of minutes into the match (3’), Ryan Babel’s first Premier League goal since 6 December 2010, exactly 3000 days ago. After the handled equaliser, Issa Diop put the Hammers ahead before the break (40’), and Michail Antonio made it 3-1, sealing the win and points in injury time (90’+1’). Any kind of confidence the Cottagers had was shattered after clear incompetence, ignorance, sheer blindness by the referees! VAR would have undoubtedly cleared that decision within seconds! 
More dubious calls were made at Bournemouth by referee Roger East, handing out penalties here, there and everywhere, leaving Wolves boss Nuno Espírito Santo scratching his head. But the Spaniard refused to blame the ref, pointing out the lying, diving, whining, cheating players (no exact quote, he was too nice about it in my opinion!). It ended 1-1, Joshua King hitting and missing one (pen 14’ and pen 85’ respectively), and Raúl Jiménez levelling from the spot (pen 83’), consistency not being in the officials' dictionary whatsoever! The first one was soft, the last one not even in the box! The other one was soft as well, whilst a clear handball was overlooked. Ridiculous! I could go on and on... As always! Every week it's the same shambles! Argh!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Cardiff 1:2 Watford - 1:5

West Ham 3:0 Fulham - 3:1

Burnley 1:2 Tottenham - 2:1

Bournemouth 2:2 Wolves - 1:1

Newcastle 3:0 Huddersfield - 2:0

Leicester 1:2 Crystal Palace - 1:4

Arsenal 2:0 Southampton - 2:0

Man United 2:3 Liverpool - 0:0

*(Everton 0:2 Man City was rearranged to the 6th February due to the League Cup final on Sunday; Chelsea 3:0 Brighton to the 3rd April, see PL week 33; both match stats have been to this week they were scheduled for)*

Clicker here for the previous Premier League Picks.

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