Premier League Picks Of The Week 8

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 8

The eighth week of the Premier League action saw:
28 goals - most by Man City = 7!!!
236 shots - most by Burnley & Man City = 20 each
79 on target - most by Man City = 11!!!
92 corners - most by Tottenham = 9
197 fouls - most by West Ham = 14
33 yellow cards - most by Huddersfield = 5
1 red card - Andy Carroll for West Ham (2 yellows)
3 penalties - 3 scored (Troy Deeney for Watford, Wayne Rooney for Everton, Manolo Gabbiadini for Southampton)

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What a game! The much anticipated lunch-time kick-off on Saturday between arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester United ended up goalless and not being the game of the century. But the way Jürgen Klopp's side dominated, possession and chance after chance, it was surprising to see United not even trying to compete. In the first half Romelu Lukaku at least pushed and pressed trying to create a threat. But after the break there was no sign of the Belgian, or anyone else from the visitors. It was obvious José Mourinho was happy with just the point and he could thank star keeper David de Gea that it stayed that way. The Reds will be happy they didn't concede, showed much more strength at the back and front, but still missed the breakthrough and will feel more like two points dropped than one gained. With this draw, the German manager has only lost once in eight competitive meetings against his Portuguese counterpart (W3, D4). The two sides have drawn three consecutive league meetings for the first time since 1921. Click here for my HT and FT match notes, and here for my LFC match report. Much in contrast to that, Southampton's Super Sunday 2-2 draw with Newcastle at St Mary's was much more of a thriller, it had everything. Manolo Gabbiadini's double including the leveller from the spot saw Mauricio Pellegrino grab a point against his former Red boss Rafa Benitez and deservedly so. The game had everything, both sides giving it all! That's full on football! That's entertainment! That's what you go to matches for!

What a team! League leaders Manchester City rolled over Stoke City from the start to the finish, just with a mini scare in-between when the visitors got a couple of goals back to make it 3-2 just after the break. Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was just out of this world, setting up three of the goals, taking his PL total to 32 assists, more than any other player since his debut in September 2015. I could reel down the Sky Blues' line-up, they all starred and outplayed their opponents scoring SEVEN! Yes, 7, sieben, sept, siete!!! That's 17 goals in their last 3 home league games! Mark Hughes' face and reactions on the sideline and post-match said it all... Watford frustrated the hell out of Arsenal! Troy Deeney levelled from the spot which some called a controversial penalty. Skipper Per Mertesacker had given the Gunners the lead in the first half, but the home side crumbled a bit after the break. The Hornets could smell the blood, hitting the woodwork late on and just bossing it. And then Tom Cleverley nicked it, 92nd minute, smashing in the rebound after some pinball in the box to make it 2-1 and Vicarage Road erupt. Oh, how they love late goals! Five of their 15 goals have come after the 90th minute. The win takes Watford up to 4th. Never ever write them off! They have been brill and are more than up for it!

What a man! Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham's double earned Swansea City their first home win of the Premier League season, beating Huddersfield 2-0 and easing some of the pressure on manager Paul Clement. The Blues could have done with him, see below... Harry Kane didn't score!!! But Christian Eriksen did, handing Tottenham their first Premier League win at Wembley, sparing Spurs the blushes and seeing off Bournemouth 1-0. It was not a game to write much about, the paper planes were very missed! Craig Shakespeare has been sacked, with Leicester going six league games without a win, can't say I was surprised. Title winner Claudio Ranieri was given the marching order after a similar run. Big difference: The Foxes are third from bottom after rescuing a point at West Brom on Monday night, clueless where, when and how the next win will come from. The game did not have much to be encouraged or entertained about, apart from Nacer Chadli's sublime free-kick that gave the hard-working Baggies the lead. But Riyad Mahrez levelled the score and snatched a point 10 minutes from time. It was obviously not enough to save his boss. Karma? Just a bit. Sorry, but not sorry. Who will dare to take over?

What a goal! CRYSTAL PALACE HAVE SCORED A GOAL! NO, TWO!!! OMG!!! Their first goals of the season. Their first win of the season. Their first points of the season. Against champions Chelsea!!! Just shocking. Roy Hodgson has certainly worked some wonders there! Wilfried Zaha scored the winner after Tiemoue Balayoko had cancelled out Cesar Azpilicueta's own goal, which ended Palace's 731 minute wait for a league goal. Anthony Knockaert's emotional reaction to his first ever Premier League goal said it all, Everton were just watching rather than defending, downed by Brighton and deservedly so. But experienced skipper Bruno was just daft handing the Toffees a penalty with a big fat elbow, Wayne Rooney netting the equaliser from the spot, pulling his side back from the gutter, in the 90th minute! Lucky bugger! Reckless from the Seagull. Mathew Ryan's late double-save for the home side kept the share at a point each, what a blast of a finish it was to a below-par game!

What the hell?! West Ham manager Slaven Bilić was very "disappointed and angry" with Andy Carroll and rightly so after the striker's daft sending off in just the 27th minute, seeing him booked twice within 99 seconds for using his elbow again and again. How stupid can you be?! Burnley got a draw out of the clash thanks to Chris Wood's late header in the 85th minute cancelling out Michail Antonio's opener to make it 1-1 and a point each. The draw keeps the Hammers dangling down in 15th, just two points from safety.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Liverpool 1:2 Man United - 0:0 or click here for my match report and notes
Burnley 2:2 West Ham - 1:1
Crystal Palace 0:5 Chelsea - 2:1
Man City 4:1 Stoke City - 7:2
Swansea 0:0 Huddersfield - 2:0
Tottenham 3:1 Bournemouth - 1:0
Watford 1:2 Arsenal - 2:1
Brighton 1:1 Everton - 1:1
Southampton 2:1 Newcastle - 2:2
Leicester 1:1 West Brom - 1:1

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

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

Reds Down Foxes In 5-Goal Thriller

Sports - Football - Premier League - LCFC 2:3 LFC

Liverpool ended their dire run of four games without a win, beating Leicester 2-3 in the Premier League Saturday evening kick-off at the King Power Stadium, surviving a fightback with Simon Mignolet denying Jamie Vardy from the spot.

Click here for my full ByTheMinute match coverage.

Both sides made loads of changes from their cup clash on Tuesday, eight each, including Riyad Mahrez, Shinji Okazaki and Vardy all starting for the Foxes, Philippe Coutinho for the Reds with Sadio Mané still suspended.

It started tense, both sides not showing too much confidence with the ball, making the game more open, end-to-end stuff.

Vardy and Mahrez missed a couple of chances early on, the prior denied by Mignolet before the latter saw his rebound shot go wide.

Emre Can hit the post with Kasper Schmeichel on full-stretch, Mohamed Salah putting the rebound wide.

Okazaki headed wide after Liverpool were unable to clear the ball, seconds before Salah broke the deadlock with just over a quarter of an hour gone.

Coutinho set up the Egyptian with a lovely cross from the left, Salah heading it into the right corner from a tight angle, Schmeichel could only tap the ball into the goal with his finger tips.

The Brazilian star doubled the score halfway through the first half with a brilliant free kick from the little semi-circle just outside the box, right-footer into the left corner, no chance for the keeper.

So, 0-2 up, the Red dominance in possession and play was reflected by the score line for a change.

But the home side ended the half pushing and pressing more, seeing Okazaki's goal flagged and disallowed offside.

It would have been too good to be true to go into the break with a two-goal lead AND a clean sheet for Jürgen Klopp's men after bossing most of the half thanks to Salah and Coutinho.

A scruffy end to the half saw Okazaki pull one back for Leicester deep into injury time:

The Japanese forward had the last touch before the ball crossed the line after it looked like Mignolet had been fouled trying to defend a Mahrez corner, Vardy heading the ball away from the keeper.

The goal stood, it was 1-2 at the break, the Reds' high spirit dampened a bit whilst Craig Shakespeare had something to grasp on.

In the second half, Liverpool continued dominating, but not controlling the game, nerves showing and shaking again and again. With just under 25 minutes gone, all madness broke out.

Under-fire skipper Jordan Henderson made it 1-3 with an easy right-footed shot from the centre of the box.

Seconds later, Vardy pulled one back to make it 2-3, heading the ball in from a tight angle on the left, after Mignolet had pushed substitute Demarai Gray's shot to the striker.

Defence was lacking in both build-ups to the goals, unable to mark, tackle or even just close in on their opponents.

Not even three minutes after that, Mignolet conceded a penalty bringing down Vardy in the box, some pointing out his luck just to see a yellow card for the challenge, his contact with the ball most probably to thank for that.

But the Belgian keeper made up for it, pushing away Vardy's right-footed shot, too central to make it past and in.

Mignolet has now saved seven of his 15 penalties faced since joining LFC in the 2013-14, more than any other stopper.

Schmeichel denied Sturridge late on with a full-stretched save, whilst Vardy put a chance wide before a last-minute free-kick to the home side with their keeper in the Red box was cleared.

It ended 2-3, to the Reds' relief. The Foxes have now only won two of the last 11 Premier League meetings with the Reds, losing seven.

Liverpool have lost just one of their last eight Premier League away games. However, they have conceded ten goals in their opening three games on the road for the first time since 1965.

One does not have to point out the problem(s). Again. Rather appreciate the three points and hope it's just the start to the change of fortune and form. #COYR XxXxX #YNWA

LCFC goals: Okazaki 45'+3 & Vardy 69'.

LFC goals: Salah 15', Coutinho 23' & Henderson 68'.

LCFC team: 1 Schmeichel, 2 Simpson, 5 Morgan, 15 Maguire, 3 Chilwell, 10 King, 25 Ndidi (booked 22'), 11 Albrighton (booked 17') (19 Slimani 80'), 26 Mahrez (7 Gray 61'), 9 Vardy (booked 90'+2), 20 Okazaki (8 Iheanacho 74'). 4-4-1-1
LCFC subs not used: 12 Hamer, 18 Amartey, 21 Iborra, 28 Fuchs.

LFC team: 22 Mignolet (booked 72'), 12 Gomez, 6 Lovren (booked 56'), 32 Matip (booked 45'+2), 18 Moreno, 14 Henderson, 23 Can (7 Milner74'), 5 Wijnaldum, 10 Coutinho (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 79'), 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 64'), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
LFC subs not used: Bench: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

HT stats: LCFC 1:2 LFC
Possession: 41%-59%
Shots: 6-10
On target: 4-3
Corners: 3-3
Fouls: 8-5
Yellow cards: 2-1

FT stats: LCFC 2-3 LFC
Possession: 43%-57%
Shots: 12-23
On target: 7-6
Corners: 3-6
Fouls: 13-14
Yellow cards: 3-3

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Man of the match: Philippe Coutinho
Stadium: The King Power

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All the pictures, facts and stats are taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and SFR match coverage.

Liverpool Knocked Out At The King Power

Sports - Football - League Cup - LCFC 2:0 LFC

Leicester rediscovered their winning ways, seeing Liverpool fall once again after dominating most of the play and wasting chance after chance, the League Cup clash ending 2-0 at the King Power Stadium.

Click here for my full ByTheMinute match coverage.

It was an impressive comeback by the Foxes after being dominated in the first half. The stats speak for themselves. The Reds didn't make their chances count and their defence made them trip and fall once again.

Both sides had made a lot of changes, as normal for the early stages of the cup competition. But it was the substitutions during the match that cost dearly, top for the hosts, flop for the visitors, the Reds eliminated OUT of the League Cup, first hurdle, third round.

The match started very competitive, a professional clash, high-tempo but missing the edge, the Reds on top but with still no lead at the break, Craig Shakespeare's men holding on solid and strong.

Andy Robertson created a lot with some fine runs and crosses, Philippe Coutinho showed some of his good old magic with some awesome moves and Dominic Solanke shared plenty of chances with both of them.

But LFC just could not find a breakthrough. Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looked more clumsy and wasteful, frustrating to watch, losing the ball too many times.

Why Jürgen Klopp opted to replace Coutinho with youngster Ben Woodburn after the break, hell knows. The Brazilian had created most and produced most quality and chances.

And the Reds were punished for their wastefulness just past the hour-mark.

Substitute Shinji Okazaki, who had come on for an injured Leonardo Ulloa not long after the interval, made no mistake. It was a scruffy finish after a couple of headers and Liverpool failing to clear a corner, Vicente Iborra the last one to head it straight into Okazaki, who put in the rebound.

Klopp then took off Georginio Wijnaldum and gave Danny Ings a run-around. Another questionable move, especially looking at the contrasting experience... And score-line!

Islam Slimani doubled the score a few minutes later with an unstoppable beauty, a left-footer into the top left corner, from the edge of the box. That was game over.

Simple: Liverpool hadn't taken their chances. Leicester have. The Coutinho substitution didn't help. And the defence was lacking and leaking once again.

Danny Ward made a couple of strong saves late one, denying Okazaki a double and Demarai Gray, who both starred for the home side.

Liverpool's defence let them down once again, no marking, too much space and question marks everywhere.

It will be the same clash again on Saturday, Liverpool back at the King Power Stadium, for the Premier League evening kick-off. Leicester will be on a confident high after this win.

The line-ups will surely change a lot, but will this trend of frustration, misses and leaks stop for the Reds??? It's getting too much!!! It's just not good enough! Beam me back to the Arsenal game, please! :-S #FFS

Was soll das Jürgen?!?!?! Scheiß-Dreck-Kack!!! -.- #COYR #ARGH

Leicester Goals: Okazaki 65' & Slimani 78'.

Leicester Line-Up: 12 Hamer, 18 Amartey, 16 Dragovic, 5 Morgan, 3 Chilwell, 11 Albrighton, 21 Iborra (booked 90'), 25 Ndidi (38 Choudhury 84'), 7 Gray, 19 Slimani, 23 Ulloa (20 Okazaki 55').
Subs not used: 8 Iheanacho, 13 Musa, 17 Jakupovic, 26 Mahrez, 29 Benalouane.

Liverpool Line-Up: 52 Ward, 38 Flanagan, 12 Gomez, 17 Klavan (booked 75'), 26 Robertson, 14 Henderson, 16 Grujic (booked 57'), 5 Wijnaldum (Ings 73'), 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 10 Coutinho (58 Woodburn HT), 29 Solanke.
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 7 Milner, 18 Moreno, 50 Markovic, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

HT Stats: LCFC 0-0 LFC
Possession: 24%-76%
Shots: 2-13
On target: 1-3
Corners: 2-3
Fouls: 3-5

FT Stats: LCFC 2-0 LFC
Possession: 30%-70%
Shots: 8-20
On target: 5-3
Corners: 4-6
Fouls: 9-10
Yellow cards: 1-2

Referee: Stuart Attwell
Man of the match: Shinji Okazaki
Ground: King Power Stadium

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, stats and facts were taken from the BBC match report, BBC Radio and Sky Sports match coverage.

Liverpool Lift PL Asia Trophy

Sports - Football - PL Asia Trophy - LFC 2:1 LCFC

Liverpool lifted the Premier League Asia Trophy after beating Leicester 2-1 at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Click here to relive all the action with my ByTheMin coverage.

The 2016 champions took the lead after 12 minutes with a lovely goal.

Defender Christian Fuchs got to the byline, crossed from the left, finding Algerian forward Islam Slimani towards the far post, who headed it in, to complete a nicely worked goal.

Another Algerian midfielder was the shining light for Leicester in an action-packed opening 15-20 minutes.

Riyad Mahrez created and produced most, team mates Daniel Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy helping him out nicely, with some lovely team play.

Liverpool looked more clumsy, defender Joel Matip especially, not having a clue what to do with the ball, taking too long, giving it away, too much, too many times.

Red boss Jürgen Klopp was going mental on the side-lines, ranting at one of the officials.

The crowd was having their fun with it, chanting and cheering to see if the loud German would be cautioned...

But he remained in the technical area. Jawohl.

It was hard to believe this was a friendly.

A nice run and great cross by Barca target Philippe Coutinho set up striker Mohamed Salah to head it past Kasper Schmeichel and level the score 1-1 with 20 minutes gone.

And just before the break, the little magician was at it again.

A right-footed smacker of a strike by the Brazilian from the edge of the left corner of the box gave Schmeichel no chance and made it 2-1.

The crowd were on their feet and in awe, and Klopp much happier.

The second half saw a bulk of substitutions and more changes throughout, continuously changing the flow of play and action.

Liverpool kept dominating possession and play though, Leicester missing most opportunities.

It was not to be for Craig Shakespeare's men, the Reds seeing them out of the competition holding on to their fine lead.

The Red fans are left hoping and definitely believing that this is just the first of many trophies, just a warm-up of what is to come.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 66 Alexander-Arnold*, 32 Matip*, 6 Lovren*, 7 Milner* (c); 5 Wijnaldum*, 20 Lallana*, 10 Coutinho*; 11 Salah*, 9 Firmino*, 27 Origi*. 4-3-3
Substitutes: 12 Gomez*, 14 Henderson*, 15 Sturridge*, 16 Grujic*, 17 Klavan*, 18 Moreno*, 22 Mignolet, 29 Solanke*, 38 Flanagan*, 40 Kent*, 58 Woodburn*.

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 18 Amartey*, 5 Morgan* (c), 15 Maguire, 28 Fuchs; 26 Mahrez* (booked), 22 James*, 4 Drinkwater*, 11 Albrighton*; 19 Slimani*, 9 Vardy*. 4-4-2
Substitutes: 2 Simpson*, 10 King*, 13 Musa*, 16 Lawrence*, 17 Jakupovic, 20 Okazaki, 21 Iborra*, 23 Ulloa*, 25 Ndidi* (booked), 29 Benalouane*, 31 Elder, 32 Barnes, 33 Moore.

*Subs made, most in the second half

HT Stats: LFC 2-1 LCFC
Possession: 58%-42%
Shots: 6-3
On target: 3-1
Blocked: 3-1
Offside: 1-1
Passes: 220-161
Touches: 311-231
Tackles: 8-6

FT Stats: LFC 2-1 LCFC
Possession: 64%-36%
Shots: 11-6
On target: 6-2
Blocked: 4-2
Offside: 2-1
Passes: 541-314
Touches: 704-450
Tackles: 12-15 

Referee: R. Madley
Man of the match: Philippe Coutinho
Ground: Hong Kong Stadium

Click here to read my last LFC match report.

Pictures, stats and facts taken from the LCFC and LFC matchday blog and Sky Sports match coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 36

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 36

The 36th week of the Premier League action saw:
217 shots - most by Man City = 26
25 goals - most by Man City = 5
175 fouls - most by Stoke = 15
25 bookings - most by West Ham = 4
0 red cards
1 penalty - 0 scored

What a game! Sunderland's win over Hull came just as surprising as Arsenal beating Manchester United, and comfortably so! From the relegated side doing their one and only double of the season, dragging their opponents down with them, to the old senior manager beating his special rival for the first time, keeping both sides' hopes of breaking into the top four super-slim. Looking at the table, these results were welcomed by winners Swansea and strugglers Liverpool respectively.

What a team! Chelsea sealed Middlesbrough's faith with a comfortable 3-0 win, putting one hand on the trophy themselves. Respect to Antonio Conte for lauding and applauding the Boro fans for staying at Stamford Bridge despite facing the dire result and drop. No one can deny the passionate Italian guy has done something right, learning from mistakes and finding formation with form and consistency, something all the other sides and bosses have been missing. Champions Leicester meanwhile recorded another win which takes them to the top half of the table, back where they belong their fans will feel, surely Craig Shakespeare too, underlining his right for a longterm deal.

What a man! West Ham keeper Adrián made save, after save, after save, denying Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier, amongst others. Manuel Lanzini won it for the Hammers, unmarked inside the six-yard box, netting his ninth goal in 14 London derbies, ending Spurs' nine-game winning run and their real threat and shout in the title race as the gap to Chelsea re-opens to seven points with three games left to play for both sides.

What a goal! It took City under two minutes to take the lead against Crystal Palace and the game was over as the hosts bossed the match from then on to the final whistle, thrashing their opponents 5-0 at the Etihad. Why couldn't Liverpool do that at Anfield?! It just shows the gulf between the two sides, from top to bottom, from top three/four to the rest... Your guess is as good as mine where the Reds fall between all this after yet another frustrating display in the goalless draw after James Milner's penalty miss against Southampton at Anfield. Here is my full LFC match report.

What the hell?! I was very annoyed by Phil Neville on Match Of The Day and the BBC website this weekend, ranting and whining about how bad the Premier League and meaningless the games have become... Hm... Ok, the last couple of weeks haven't been the most exciting... But... Funny the former Manchester United player should fire such criticising shots whilst his team is flopping! Frustrated, are we? Boring for you as your team isn't getting anything in the league (despite 25 games unbeaten, dropping more points than gaining compared to the sides above them thanks to a record number of draws). Comparing and contrasting the top Premier League sides to the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid - look at their leagues! Booooooring! Bayern have already won the league months ago, whilst both Barca and Real have no serious competition apart from each other, thrashing one opposition after another week in, week out, year in, year out! And Italy and Scotland have been marred by more financial and political affairs and points deductions downing and deleting competitors and the whole competition with them. Not even mentioning all the diving and whining and lack of pace that spoils most European leagues (and I hate to see more and more in the Premier League too! But that's a whole new separate topic to discuss...)! And Leicester made it to the quarter finals of the Champions League! Not bad for a side that only just climbed back into the top half of the Premier League! But wait, it wasn't United, so it doesn't count, right Neville? (And hang on, aren't the Red Devils in the semi-final of the Europa League?! That doesn't count either, does it? Unless they win of course... Then it will be all wow and glory! Hypocrite!) So, it's not the same team winning the title every season... Sorrrrrrry!!! Yes, Chelsea have been the best this season, but hey, after the last three/four seasons, who dares to predict where Conte and Co will be next season?! Fiver on sacking? But who cares, right Neville?

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

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

All pictures and stats are taken from the BBC match reports and MOTD.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 30

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 30

The 30th week of the Premier League action saw:

261 shots - most by Chelsea = 24
19 goals - most by Liverpool = 3
229 fouls - most by Liverpool = 17
41 bookings - most by Stoke = 4
0 red cards
1 penalty - 0 scored (Harry Arter missed that one for Bournemouth sky-high!)

What a game! The Merseyside derby was a feisty, competitive encounter that more than entertained. The goals were top quality, from Sadio Mané's stubborn, strong, low left-footer, to man of the match Philippe Coutinho's right-foot curler into the corner of the net. Matthew Pennington's first senior goal for Everton had not levelled the score for long. And substitute Divock Origi put the icing on the cake for Liverpool soon after coming on for an injured Mané, making it 3-1. Both Ross Barkley and substitute Gareth Barry were lucky to escape further bookings and dismissals with a lot of misplaced, mistimed, over-physical challenges. Any more chances Everton had, Simon Mignolet kept solid for the rest of the match. And the man in form Romelu Lukaku was kept mute throughout. Reds manager Jürgen Klopp is the first Liverpool boss to win his first three league derbies. Toffees boss Ronald Koeman left Anfield less happy, more annoyed with the officials, but his side were outclassed in the end and haven't seen an away win here since 1999.

What a team! Crystal Palace surprised everyone, especially Chelsea, recording their fourth consecutive league win against the league leaders. It was a top quality, mind-blowing performance. Everyone thought it would be an obvious result after Cesc Fàbregas opened the scoring and gave the Blues the lead. But man of the match Wilfried Zaha was scorer and then provider to Christian Benteke seconds later, turning the home defence, fans and scoreline on their heads in an explosive start at Stamford Bridge, which saw three goals in the opening 11 minutes! The Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey was outstanding too, keeping the scoreline at 1-2 and making Big Sam the first boss to win a Premier League match against Chelsea with four different clubs!

What a man! And United boss José Mourinho drew all the attention onto him again with a dismissive, bewildering post-match interview after his side's goalless draw against West Brom at Old Trafford. Yes, his side had more possession and chances. But, and that's a big but, they did not score! It's the Red Devils' 11th draw, a top-flight record. They are now 19 games unbeaten, but the Portuguese's points tally after 28 games doesn't read well against his predecessors at United = his 53 v David Moyes' 59 v LVG's 63! So, maybe that's why the Special One is being more like the Stroppy One!

What a goal! Both Leicester's goals against Stoke were fantastic! Wilfred Ndidi opened the scoring out of the blue with a cracking beauty, a right-foot shot into the top corner. Jamie Vardy doubled the score for the defending champions with his right foot, Potters defender Glen Johnson just standing and watching on like frozen. Both goals were set up by a glowing Danny Simpson. The Tigers keep flying high with their fourth consecutive win under Craig Shakespeare, making him the first British manager to win his opening quadruple and taking his side up to 13th.

What the hell?! Arsenal came back twice against Manchester City earning them a point with their 2-2 draw at the Emirates. Sounds good, competitive and quality, but it wasn't. The game was everything else but not good, competitive nor quality. The Gunners lost their coordination and connection, were just not on the ball, it was more than evident that something isn't right. The Sky Blues were not much better but seemed to be more content with the draw. Especially the first equaliser by Theo Walcott was peculiar as it did not cause much celebration. It didn't help that the home side conceded again seconds later, but the whole feel and atmosphere to the goal and the whole game... Weird... Bad... Sad... Just negative! Amongst the players and fans! They should be very ashamed! For or against Arsène Wenger, you should always be in it and play the game to win it. Reminds me a bit of Leicester and Claudio Ranieri this season. Shame on all of them!

My Predictions - Actual Results
Liverpool 3:2 Everton - 3:1
Burnley 1:1 Tottenham - 0:2
Chelsea 2:1 Crystal Palace - 1:2
Hull City 1:1 West Ham - 2:1
Leicester 3:1 Stoke City - 2:0
Man United 2:1 West Brom - 0:0
Watford 0:0 Sunderland - 1:0
Southampton 1:1 Bournemouth - 0:0
Swansea 0:0 Middlesbrough - 0:0
Arsenal 2:2 Man City - 2:2

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

All stats and pictures are taken from MOTD and the BBC match reports.

FT Summary LCFC 3-1 LFC

Sports - Football - PL - LCFC 3:1 LFC

Craig Shakespeare in temporary charge after Claudio Ranieri's dismissal, looking for Leicester's first league win since Boxing Day, Jamie Vardy not on the scoreboard since 10th December.

Liverpool wanting to build on their first win of the year against Tottenham, 16 days ago, Philippe Coutinho having not scored nor provided in the last seven games since his return from injury.

The opening 20ish minutes were all Leicester, 4-0 attempts, 2-0 on target, Vardy coming the closest, one-on-one versus Simon Mignolet, the Belgian stopper's legs denying the striker.

But the 30-year-old forward pounced on Georginio Wijnaldum's giveaway, with enough time and space off Marc Albrighton to compose himself and put the Foxes ahead with his right foot, nice and comfy after 28 minutes, the champions' first league goal since New Year's Eve!

Kasper Schmeichel denied Coutinho just over a minute later after a lovely buildup, first real chance for the Reds.

Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi fed off Vardy to be denied by Mignolet with just over half an hour gone.

Liverpool producing some quality, but Leicester comfortably on top...

And what a strike it was that doubled the lead for the Foxes, Danny Drinkwater whacking it in with his right foot from distance after James Milner thought he had cleared the danger, no chance for the keeper.

Two minutes added on, The King Power sounding loud and proud, a bit mocking. What crises?!?!?! Nicht gut for Red boss Jürgen Klopp.

Leicester continued on top after the break, Liverpool just curving out but messing up half chances, Coutinho and Sadio Mané looking desperate at the front.

With an hour gone, Vardy headed in his second off a Christian Fuchs cross, the Foxes' third. Oh, just like in the good old days (= last season).

Shortly after Liverpool made a double-change, and Ranieri's name rang around the stadium, the Reds ripped the home side open for the first time, Coutinho pouncing and netting the chance to make it 3-1, his sixth league goal of the season.

Drinkwater put one chance wide not long before conceding a corner which was headed wide eventually by Lucas Leiva.

Vardy received treatment after a clash of heads with Wijnaldum, just under ten minutes left on the clock, Klopp bringing on youngster Ben Woodburn to replace Lucas.

Schmeichel spilled Coutinho's shot out for a corner, which Liverpool could not make much of, keeping the score at 3-1 in the final minutes.

Nathaniel Clyne won another corner for the Reds, blocked out, for Leicester to counter, losing out possession eventually.

Feisty challenges left, right and centre late on, the referee Michael Oliver let the play flow.

Five minutes added on after the Foxes made their final change, tired legs out there.

A free kick given away by Milner in the final minute, Fuchs tried to beat Mignolet cheekily high from distance, sending the ball out, just.

Seconds later, the whistle went, cheers rang through the King Power celebrating their first win of the year.

Man of the match Vardy back how and where he belongs, on the scoreboard, with two goals, Drinkwater adding to that with a beauty.

Possession may have been dominated by the visitors, but they never took over any control, the hosts bossing it from start to finish.

Or as Klopp put and summarised it for the Reds in the post-match interview, it was a bad start, bad middle, bad end.

The win takes Leicester out of the relegation zone, up to 15th, Liverpool stay in 5th with just one point between them and bitter rivals Manchester United in 6th with a game in hand.

Leicester Pre-Match Form: LLWLLL

Liverpool Pre-Match Form: LLLDLW

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 28 Fuchs, 6 Huth, 5 Morgan (c), 17 Simpson; 25 Ndidi, 4 Drinkwater; 11 Albrighton (3 Chilwell 90'), 20 Okazaki (13 Amartey 69'), 26 Mahrez (22 Gray 80'); 9 Vardy. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 10 King, 19 Slimani, 21 Zieler, 23 Ulloa.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner (c), 21 Lucas (58 Woodburn 84'), 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 20 Lallana (27 Origi 66'); 10 Coutinho, 11 Firmino, 19 Mané (18 Moreno 66'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 35 Stewart, 66 Alex-Arnold.

Leicester Goals: Vardy 28' & 60, Drinkwater 39'.

Liverpool Goal: Coutinho 68'.

HT & FT stats: LCFC-LFC
Score: 2-0 & 3-1
Possession: 38.6%-62.2% & 30.9%-69.1%
Attempts: 9-6 & 13-17
On target: 5-3 & 7-7
Offside: 2-1 & 3-2
Corners: 5-6 & 5-12
Free kicks: 6-4 & 8-5
Yellow cards: 0-0 & 0-0
Red cards: 0-0 & 0-0

Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy
Ground: The King Power Stadium
Attendance: 32,034

Click here my HT Summary LCFC 2-0 LFC.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Pictures taken from the BBC match report, stats and facts taken from the Sky Sports app and live coverage.

HT Summary LCFC 2:0 LFC

Sports - Football - PL - LCFC 2:0 LFC

Craig Shakespeare in temporary charge after Claudio Ranieri's dismissal, looking for Leicester's first league win since Boxing Day, Jamie Vardy not on the scoreboard since 10th December.

Liverpool wanting to build on their first win of the year against Tottenham, 16 days ago, Philippe Coutinho having not scored nor provided in the last seven games since his return from injury.

The opening 20ish minutes were all Leicester, 4-0 attempts, 2-0 on target, Vardy coming the closest, one-on-one versus Simon Mignolet, the Belgian stopper's legs denying the striker.

But the 30-year-old forward pounced on Georginio Wijnaldum's giveaway, with enough time and space off Marc Albrighton to compose himself and put the Foxes ahead with his right foot, nice and comfy after 28 minutes, the champions' first league goal since New Year's Eve!

Kasper Schmeichel denied Philippe Coutinho just over a minute later after a lovely buildup, first real chance for the Reds.

Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi fed off Vardy to be denied by Mignolet with just over half an hour gone.

Liverpool producing some quality, but Leicester comfortably on top...

And what a strike it was that doubled the lead for the Foxes, Danny Drinkwater whacking it in with his right foot from distance after James Milner thought he had cleared the danger, no chance for the keeper.

Two minutes added on, The King Power sounding loud and proud, a bit mocking. What crises?!?!?! Nicht gut for Jürgen Klopp.

Leicester Pre-Match Form: LLWLLL

Liverpool Pre-Match Form: LLLDLW

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 28 Fuchs, 6 Huth, 5 Morgan (c), 17 Simpson; 25 Ndidi, 4 Drinkwater; 11 Albrighton, 20 Okazaki, 26 Mahrez; 9 Vardy. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 3 Chilwell, 10 King, 13 Amartey, 19 Slimani, 21 Zieler, 22 Gray, 23 Ulloa.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner (c), 21 Lucas, 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 20 Lallana; 10 Coutinho, 11 Firmino, 19 Mané. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 27 Origi, 35 Stewart, 58 Woodburn, 66 Alex-Arnold.

Leicester Goals: Vardy 28', Drinkwater 39'.

HT stats: LCFC-LFC
Score: 2-0
Possession: 38.6%-62.2%
Attempts: 9-6
On target: 5-3
Offside: 2-1
Corners: 5-6
Free kicks: 6-4
Yellow cards: 0-0
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Michael Oliver
Ground: The King Power Stadium

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Pictures taken from the BBC match report, stats and facts taken from Sky Sports app and coverage.