Premier League Notes - Week 1

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 1

The first week of the 2020-21 Premier League season saw:

16 goals - most by Liverpool = 4

178 shots - most by Liverpool = 22

61 on target - most by Leicester = 7

78 corners - most by Sheff Utd = 12

168 fouls - most by Tottenham = 15

19 bookings - most by Fulham, Arsenal, Palace, West Ham, Newcastle and Sheff Utd = 2 each 

0 red cards

5 penalties - 5 scored (2 x Salah for Liverpool, 2 x Vardy for Leicester, Jorginho for Chelsea)

TOP

#FULARS Willian had his hand in all the goals, including Aubameyang’s curling beauty to make it 0-3 and three points for the Gunners.

#LIVLEE Hat-trick hero Salah made up for his team mates’ mess ups at the back, Liverpool ended up on top, Leeds gutted.

#BHACHE The Seagulls started brightly against the Blues, until they gave away a spot kick halfway through the first half. Two belters within a couple of minutes made 1:2. An evil deflection sealed the deal 1:3. Harsh result.

FLOP

#CRYSOU With Walker-Peters' not red corrected to a yellow card, the ref and VAR did their job, both players went for the ball, high. Zaha's goal disallowed for offside made up for that though, good old VARce, as replays showed he was on, his other two team mates not, but they had no influence on play, with all the lines drawn. Late Saints push, great save by Palace keeper Guaita against Ings, was too little too late. 

#WBALEI Vardy’s penalty brace condemned the Baggies to defeat. All three newly promoted sides were beaten on the opening weekend, 10-0 on aggregate.

#TOTEVE It was classic Miserinho aka Moaninho after Spurs flopped. The Toffees were on top thanks to Calvert-Lewin’s header and deserved the three points.

WTF?!

#WHUNEW Horrendous refereeing at the London Stadium. Carroll should have been sent off in the first minute for a dangerous elbow hit. No mentioning of that howler anywhere (English nor French telly)?! The Hammers should have had a penalty for Hendrick’s handball in the second half as well. And Newcastle’s goal's questionable, too, with a high boot on the keeper. The second goal was a banger though, completing a miserable evening for Moyes and co. 

#SHUWOL Nightmare defending by the hosts, conceding two goals in three minutes. In the first half Wolves were all over the Blades and could have been three or four goals up. The home side played much better after the break, but couldn’t find a breakthrough.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Fulham 1:2 Arsenal - 0:3

Crystal Palace 1:1 Southampton - 1:0

Liverpool 3:2 Leeds - 4:3

West Ham 3:3 Newcastle - 0:2

West Brom 2:3 Leicester - 0:3

Tottenham 2:2 Everton - 0:1

Sheffield United 1:2 Wolves - 0:2

Brighton 0:3 Chelsea - 1:3

Burnley P:P Man United

Man City P:P Aston Villa

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

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

Match Notes: WHU 0-2 LFC

Sports - Football - Premier League - WHU 0:2 LFC

Liverpool recorded their 15th consecutive Premier League victory, beating 17th-placed West Ham 0-2 in their game in hand at the London Stadium on Wednesday night, to take them to 70 points in the quickest time, 19 points clear at the top of the table, ahead of defending champions Manchester City.

The Reds' historical run continues to 41 league games unbeaten, the third longest run in English top-flight history after Nottingham Forest (42 in 1978) and Arsenal (49 in 2004), having beaten all 19 team they have faced in the league this season.

And I am happy to report, I was there. As an undercover Kop, in the Billy Bonds stand, I can say, the atmosphere was nowhere near Upton Park. Apart from the couple of takes of the bubbles song, the crowd went quiet, frustrated, the Red corner was the loudest.

The visitors had most of the ball, control and chances, but the Hammers were well organised at the back, less so at the front, wasting the few chances they created. David Moyes grew more and more frustrated with all the miscontrol and mess-ups, the fans also, sarcastically cheering the only change the Scotsman made. 

Mohamed Salah put the league leaders ahead from the spot after Issa Diop's foul on Divock Origi and the VAR took its time to confirm (pen 35'). And the great Egyptian turned from scorer to provider after the restart, setting up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the counter. 

The former Gunner made no mistake finishing off the superb move started by skipper Jordan Henderson, striking the ball with his right boot into the bottom left corner (52'). Here's my video of that counterattacking goal.

Both sides had chances after that, Salah hit the woodwork for the Reds and should have had at least a brace, and Trent Alexander-Arnold with a bit of frantic defending at the other end, but the result never looked under threat and all the records with it. 

It's only the fourth time a run of 15 wins has been completed (Manchester City 18 in December 2017, Liverpool 17 in October 2019 and City 15 in August 2019), 

It was Jürgen Klopp's 150th victory as LFC boss in all competitions (W150 D58 L39). The German played all these records down as always in the post-match interview: "I'm only happy about the three points." he said. 

"Tonight was a normal performance. I have no idea [if anyone will catch us]. The first target is to get the maximum points - there are still a lot of games. Yes we have 70 points, an incredible number, but so many things can happen. I'm not too much concerned about records. 

"We had a record at [Borussia] Dortmund and Bayern [Munich] beat it the next season. We don't feel as though anything is done, I promise you. We take a deep breath and then Saturday it's Southampton."

But one thing is for sure, us Reds fans are making the most and enjoying every single moment of it, whilst and as long as it lasts. This side is making the unbelievable believable, undoable doable, and just move on and go on. Walk on. Win on. 

Many on social media are trying to argue and melt the records down, saying the league is not as competitive, weak teams, not much competition... Really? Have you seen how many English teams compete in Europe? And reach the last 16 at least?

And how much money and players have been exchanged over the last transfer windows?! The numbers cannot lie. This is still the top spending and playing league. And oh, I nearly forgot to mention, we are the European and World champions for a reason. Simply the best.

WE ARE TOP!!! BOOM!!! YEAH!!! YNWA!!!

XxXXxX

Liverpool Goals: Salah pen 35' and Ox 52'.

West Ham Team: 1 Fabianski; 26 Masuaku, 3 Cresswell, 21 Ogbonna, 23 Diop (booked 33'), 52 Ngakia; 10 Lanzini (18 Fornals 69'), 16 Noble (c) (booked 42'), 41 Rice, 11 Snodgrass; 22 Haller. 5-4-1
Subs not used: 20 Cardoso, 4 Balbuena, 27 Ajeti, 15 Sanchez, 5 Zabaleta, 35 Randolph.

Liverpool Team: 1 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 12 Gomez, 66 TAA (8 Keïta 77'); 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 15 Ox (48 Jones 85'); 27 Origi, 9 Firmino (3 Fabinho 69'),11 Salah. 4-3-3 
Subs not used: 18 Minamino, 13 Adrián, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip.

Match Stats: WHU 0-2 LFC
Possession: 29%-71%
Shots: 7-13
On target: 4-5
Corners: 3-7
Fouls: 6-6
Bookings: 2-0

This game was postponed from match week 18

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

Premier League Notes - Week 4

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 4

The fourth week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw.

31 goals - most by Man City = 4

264 shots - most by Arsenal = 26

96 on target - most by Tottenham = 9

107 corners - most by Crystal Palace = 13

232 fouls - most by Tottenham = 19

37 bookings - most by Tottenham = 5

3 red cards - Danso for Southampton, Trézéguet for Aston Villa, Boly for Wolves

1 penalty - 1 scored (Kane for Tottenham)

#SOUMUN

Again: Man Who?! New boy Daniel James gave the visitors the lead within ten minutes at Southampton with a banger. David De Gea made a fine save off a corner, however, eventually Jannik Vestergaard headed in the equaliser, Red Devils’ defence unable to cope and clear the ball. The red card was fully deserved, it was a stupid tackle by Saints centre-back Kevin Danso, second yellow, scissor-type, clumsy! Second-choice keeper Angus Gunn made some superb late saves to make sure the match ended one goal and one point each. Ole’s at the wheel... Although, however and whoever's at the wheel, in the past three Premier League meetings between the two sides, the team scoring first has failed to win each time (D2 L1).

#CHESHU

A howler by keeper Dean Henderson gave away Chelsea’s opener (19’), Tammy Abraham pounced and capitalised on the rebound before banging in his brace to make it 2-0 a couple of minutes before the break at Stamford Bridge. Instant response by Sheffield United after the interval came with a sweet right-footed finish by Callum Robinson. A super save by the stopper made up for the howler. The late leveller was scored seconds/minutes after substitute Lys Mousset came on, the Blues leaving too much space, playing too comfy? Kurt Zouma ended up heading Robinson’s cross towards the sub into the back of his own net to make it 2-2 in the final minute of normal time, undoing all the Blues’ good and hard work. Chris Wilder’s side have won five points from their four Premier League games this season - only in 1993-94 (6) have they had a better start in the competition.

#CRYAVL

Trézéguet was sent off, second yellow for a late challenge on Wilfried Zaha, crucial at 0-0, not helping Aston Villa after the restart (54'). It was a lovely creation and finish by Jordan Ayew, the Ghana international could have gone down, but made and scored the chance instead, getting Crystal Palace the win and three points. Roy Hodgson's thanks can go to the VAR as well, disallowing Henri Lansbury’s injury-time equaliser, deeming Jack Grealish was diving in the buildup. Harsh.

#LEIBOU

It was good old Leicester at their best, feisty start, 12 minutes gone, WHAT A GOAL! Cross, one touch, two touches, Jamie Vardy, BOOM! 1-0! But Bournemouth got back in it a couple of minutes later, Kasper Schmeichel beaten from the tightest of tight angles by Callum Wilson, 1-1. But that wasn't it. 2-1 tight again, reflex goal by Youri Tielemans (41’). And when Wilson went down, OUCH! It looked like a career-ending challenge by Tielemans! Ankle gone! How was that not red?! WTF?! VAR?! Vardy made it 3-1 from inside the box (73'), natural, glorious for the Foxes, battering the poor Cherries.

#MCIBRI

The champions were ahead just after 68 seconds, Kevin De Bruyne with the quickest goal so far this season. Sergio Agüero doubled the lead before the break. Too easy. Acceleration. Top quality finish. Again and again = 3-0 after 55 minutes. The great Argentine is leading the Premier League top scorers list with six already after just four games, 29 in the last 23 appearances! From scorer to provider = Bernardo Silva making it 4-0 in the 79th minute. Ruthless Citizens. Only downer for Pep Guardiola and co: Aymeric Laporte was taken off on the carrier, injured, didn’t look good.

#NEWWAT

Will Hughes slotted the opener in from distance for the visitors after not even two minutes at St James’ Park, Watford's second quickest goal in the Premier League. Fabian Schär banged in the equaliser just before the break (41'), under Ben Foster from inside the box, his first of the season. The Hornets remain bottom despite gaining their first point of the season. *Breaking news Saturday evening end of the first half of the England Euro qualifier against Bulgaria, Javi Gracia was sacked by the bottom club. Surprised?! Na. Sad but true. Half an hour later, the new boss Quique Sánchez Flores was announced. Not new really, the Spaniard has been here before, in 2015-16. That was a surprise. How long will he be given, this month? Will he make Christmas?

#WHUNOR

First home goal for striker Sébastien Haller, the record signing got off the mark at home halfway through the first half against Norwich (24'). Andriy Yarmolenko made it two after the break, doubling the hosts’ lead with a beautiful goal (56')! Happy Hammers move up to fifth. Daniel Farke was not happy with a couple of things VAR missed. Same old problem, with or without new technology, the officials are just not up to scratch. 

#BURLIV

Only Agüero (18) has more Premier League goals in 2019 than Sadio Mané (16), who has scored four in his last three league games against Burnley, making it 0-2 (37’) after Chris Wood opened the scoring with an own goal off Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross (33’). Roberto Firmino became the first Brazilian to score 50 Premier League goals, making it 0-3 ten minutes from time. However, not everything's fine and dandy with the Reds, as Mané was pissed off with Mohamed Salah as the prior was subbed off at the end of the match, after twice the Egyptian wasted chances rather than passing and providing for the Senegalese. Nobody’s perfect. In the last two weeks Jürgen Klopp has set two new club records. One set by Sir Kenny Dalglish by reaching 300 points in the least amount of games (146) as Liverpool manager, and the smiley German has guided the Reds to 13 consecutive league victories for the first time ever. Close enough to perfect.

#EVEWOL

This is the first time there have been three goals inside the first 12 minutes of a Premier League game since Leicester were thrashed 4-2 by Everton in April 2017. This clash against Wolves ended 3-2 to the Toffees, Richarlison’s brace (5’, 80’) starting and deciding the encounter at Goodison Park. Since the start of last season, no side has gained more points from losing positions in the Premier League than Wolves, but it was just not to be this time. Nuno Espírito Santo’s winless men remain 17th, having gone on to be relegated the last four times they have failed to win any of their four opening top-flight games (1964-65, 1975-76, 1984-85 and 2003-04). 

#ARSTOT 

Arsenal have recorded 13 errors leading to goals in the Premier League since the start of last season, the most of any club in the competition. In fact, Bernd Leno has made the most of any player in this period (6). Christian Eriksen reached his Premier League half century (10’), most by any Danish player. Harry Kane's penalty (40’) was the 19th scored in games between the two bitter rivals in the Premier League, the most in a single fixture actually. Spurs were in total control. The second half changed that. Gunner Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back just before the break (45’+1’). Hugo Lloris made some fine saves after the restart, the home side laying into the visitors, total onslaught, no remorse or rest for the wicked. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser in the 70th minute takes his scoring run to seven successive Premier League starts at the Emirates. Only Thierry Henry in October 2000 went on a longer run at home for the Gunners in the competition (nine at Highbury). The fiery derby ended 2-2 btw. Spurs are winless in eight consecutive Premier League away matches for the first time since December 2011 to April 2012 under Harry Redknapp, gaining just two points from those eight games.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Southampton 1:2 Man United - 1:1

Chelsea 2:1 Sheff United - 2:2

Crystal Palace 1:0 Aston Villa - 1:0

Leicester 1:1 Bournemouth - 3:1

Man City 3:1 Brighton - 4:0

Newcastle 2:1 Watford - 1:1

West Ham 2:2 Norwich - 2:0

Burnley 1:3 Liverpool - 0:3

Everton 1:1 Wolves - 3:2

Arsenal 1:1 Tottenham - 2:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 3

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 3

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

30 goals - most by CHE/WHU/LIV/MCI = 3 each

284 shots - most by Liverpool = 25

79 on target - most by West Ham = 10

101 corners - most by CHE/BRI/MUN/WAT = 8 each

199 fouls - most by CRY/EVE = 18 each

33 bookings - most by Crystal Palace = 4

1 red card - Andone for Brighton

4 penalties - 3 scored (Noble for West Ham, Salah for Liverpool, Jiménez for Wolves)

#ASTEVE

It was a miserable Friday night for Marco Silva and his men. Goals from club record £22m signing Wesley and Anwar El Ghazi lifted Dean Smith's side up to 11th in the table and gave Aston Villa their first win in the top flight since February 2016. Everton have failed to come from behind at the interval to win a Premier League game since September 2015 at West Brom (W0 D5 L33 since), suffering only their third league defeat in their past 14 matches in the competition (W7 D4 L3).

#NORCHE

Frank Lampard’s first win came with Chelsea’s youngest starting line-up in the Premier League since February 1994. But Norwich didn’t make it easy for them at Carrow Road, equalising twice, despite all the visitors’ dominance! Tammy Abraham is the youngest Blues player to score a Premier League brace since Mark Nicholls in January 1998, helping his side to the three points.

#BRISOU

Brighton's sending off came from what looked like a career ending tackle! Florian Andone was shown a straight red card on the half-hour mark following a high, rash challenge on Saints defender Yan Valery. Albion manager Graham Potter said he "can't defend" the Romanian’s challenge. The Seagulls were out of the game after that, unable to form much opposition nor competition. Southampton's opening goal was a stunner! Moussa Djenepo broke the deadlock with a fine strike moments after coming on as a second-half substitute. Another super sub!

#MUNCRY

Man Who? Crystal Palace pounced, making all the home side’s dominance count for zero. Daniel James thought he had rescued a point for the home side in the final minute of normal time. But full-back Patrick van Aanholt netted in the 93rd minute equaliser off Wilfried Zaha's burst forward, becoming only the second player to score a 90th-minute winner against United in the Premier League after Thierry Henry for Arsenal in January 2007, and the first to do so at Old Trafford. Roy Hodgson’s men like to travel, 60% of their points last season came on the road. This was their first victory at the famous Manchester ground since 1989, making Marcus Rashford rue his missed spot kick earlier in the second half - deja vue for the Red Devils after Paul Pogba’s missed penalty last week. Manchester United have won only one of their past nine matches, scoring just eight goals and conceding 16. Ole’s at the wheel...

#SHULEI

Super subs at Sheffield United as well: Harvey Barnes snatched the winner from the edge of the box six minutes after coming on, recording the Foxes’ first league win of the season and Chris Wilder's side only their second defeat in 21 matches. Former Wednesday player and boo man Jamie Vardy had given Leicester the lead at Bramall Lane, before club record signing Oliver McBurnie headed in the equaliser for the home side and the sub's heart-breaker. 

#WATWHU

There was a penalty within the opening couple of minutes at Watford! Like Aston Villa conceded last week, making the mountain too high to climb straight away. West Ham pounced and won comfortable thanks to the spot kick and record signing Sébastian Haller’s brace. Despite all the chances and effort, it’s been a miserable start for the Hornets, three defeats out of three games. Javi Gracia's side, who sit bottom of the table, have now lost seven successive games in all competitions for the first time since 1999.

#LIVARS

Liverpool recorded their 12th consecutive Premier League win, equalling their best sequence in the top flight under Sir Kenny Dalglish between April and October 1990. Mohamed Salah has been involved in 77 goals in 77 games, 57 goals and 20 assists. It was a comfortable home win against Arsenal, Joël Matip with the opening header before the great Egyptian added his brace, helped by David Luiz’s idiotic foul in the box, pulling him down by the shirt and handing the Reds a penalty. And then Mo embarrassed the former blue again out on the touchline at the start of a dazzling run that ended with a low, curling finish into the bottom corner just before the hour. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has faced Arsenal eight times without defeat in the Premier League (W5 D3). Vielen Dank!

#BOUMCI

Manchester City cruised to a win at Bournemouth, no shocks or surprises there. David Silva starred in his 400th appearance for the club, contributing to all three goals = Sergio Agüero’s brace taking him to 400 goals for club and country, 235 of them for City, and Raheem Sterling’s poke in. The Cherries, who drop to 10th place, continued a miserable run against the Citizens, that has seen them concede 28 times in their last nine league meetings. Pep Guardiola's side has won all nine of their top-flight games against Bournemouth - the best 100% win record by a team over an opponent in top-flight history.

#TOTNEW

Club record £40m signing Joelinton with his first Newcastle goal served Steve Bruce his first points as Magpies manager, stunning Tottenham at Wembley. The Brazilian striker took advantage of sleepy defending to control substitute Christian Atsu's pass beautifully before drilling past Hugo Lloris. Spurs lacked the creativity to break down a resolute Newcastle side, whose four-man midfield kept sitting deep in front of a back five. Bruce hopes Newcastle win "will shut a few people up". Tell that the fans who have travelled more than 1,000 miles over the past two weekends. But hey, they definitely weren't complaining on their way back from London this time!

#WOLBUR

Raúl Jiménez's penalty in the 97th minute was the latest ever Premier League goal by Wolves, just their second shot on target in the game, grabbing his side a point against Burnley. Ashley Barnes looked to have won it for the Clarets after pouncing from around 25 yards - his fourth goal in three Premier League games this season - against a disjointed Wolves side playing their third game inside a week. Nuno Espírito Sante's side has drawn their first three games of a league campaign for the first time since 1938-39, when they finished second in the top flight. Good omen? The Wanderers are unbeaten in their last 10 home games in the Premier League (W6 D4); their longest run without defeat in the top flight since April to October 1979 (also 10 games). Brilliant run!

So, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Wolves were the only three home sides not to suffer defeat! #HomeSweetHome

My Predictions - Actual Results

Aston Villa 1:2 Everton - 2:0

Norwich 1:1 Chelsea - 2:3

Brighton 2:2 Southampton - 0:2

Man United 2:0 Crystal Palace - 1:2

Sheff United 1:1 Leicester - 1:2

Watford 0:0 West Ham - 1:3

Liverpool 4:2 Arsenal - 3:1

Bournemouth 0:4 Man City - 1:3

Tottenham 2:1 Newcastle - 0:1

Wolves 2:2 Burnley - 1:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Let’s Talk About Six Baby

Sports - Football - CL Final - THFC 0:2 LFC 

LFC Make It Six

XxXXxX 

A week to go till the UEFA Super Cup in good old Istanbul (oh yes, we LOVE Istanbul), I thought I would go through my notes to recap and relive the night we became European Champions for the SIXth time:

That Saturday night, Madrid turned red, the whole of Europe and the football world was covered in red, cheers, songs and fire works.

After last year’s heart break against Real Madrid in Kiev, Liverpool came to the Spanish capital to make sure it will all be rectified, by beating Tottenham 0-2.

It took just over 22 seconds for the Reds to get a breakthrough. Handball given against Moussa Sissoko, blocking Sadio Mané’s take, penalty! VAR confirmed the arm moved towards the ball after it bounced off the player’s chest.

Mohamed Salah banged the spot kick in, leaving Hugo Lloris uselessly blank, 0-1 (2’). 

Jürgen Klopp’s men were in control from then on, but had Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker to thank for keeping their cool and very solid on a handful of occasions.

Spurs dominated possession and chances, Christian Erikson’s late free kick was the top pick of the saves, full-stretch (85’). Gulp.

The more relieving and satisfying it was to see sub Divock Origi double the Reds’ lead (87’) and get the party started. Boom!

This encounter was maybe less thrilling, shocking, unbelievable than the semi-finals and THAT 2005 final  (the last time LFC won the CL in case you needed reminding, in Istanbul, I thought maybe just to mention), but still unforgettable. 

The stories leading up to the night, fans and players, of both sides, made this night oh so sweet! That's why we love football! :-D And that YNWA at the end, goosebumps! #YNWA

XxXXxX 

I enjoyed the night in a casino in the South-West of France, I was not the only Red full of joy (and my Gunner husband was happy as well).

The drive back up North was good fun, sharing the motorway with happy Red and not so happy Spurs vans and busses. Again, unforgettable.

I followed the victory parade on my phone, couldn't get the smile off my face and still can't. #LetsTalkAboutSixBaby

And what makes this even better, I am so sure it is just the start, the first, just the opening chapter of an even more glorious, joyous, and oh so happy story. #WalkOn #WithHopeInYourHeart #YNWA

Lots of fans are worried because of the lack of summer transfer activity at the club. WHY? Have you already forgotten what Klopp and co have done?! Why chop and change the record-breaking kings of Europe?! #WeAreTheChampions #WeWillKeepOnFighting

Click here for my last post.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC live match and parade coverage and report.