Premier League Notes - Week 14

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 14

The 14th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

31 goals - most by Tottenham = 3

260 shots - most by Man City = 24

99 on target - most by Man City = 9

122 corners - most by Arsenal = 12

186 fouls - most by Sheff Utd = 18

26 bookings - most by Sheff Utd = 5

1 red card - Alisson for Liverpool

1 penalty - 1 scored (Aubameyang for Arsenal)

#NEWMCI

The Magpies made up for last week’s dire display at Villa Park (week 13), by frustrating the hell out of the champions, and grabbing a point from Pep Guardiola’s men when they thought Kevin De Bruyne found the winner with a smacker from distance, in off the crossbar to make it 1-2 with under ten minutes to go (82’). But ex-Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey produced an unstoppable stunner to make it 2-2 (88’), keeping the unbeaten home run going at six games since losing to Arsenal on the opening weekend (week 1). Steve Bruce had keeper Martin Dúbravka to thank as well for keeping his side in the game with some strong stops. The draw sees City drop eleven points behind the Red league leaders, whilst Newcastle remain 14th, but just a couple of points off the top half, and only four points separating them from the top five.

#BURCRY

Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (45+1’) and sub Jeffrey Schlupp (78’) helped Palace to their first league win in six games. Sean Dyche was disappointed with the result, but not with the display, the hosts kept on pushing, but unlike their opposition, couldn’t break the cage. The Clarets have lost all three home games in which they have conceded. The result took Roy Hodgson’s side up to eleventh, level on points with their opponents in tenth. 

#CHEWHU

Aaron Cresswell’s winning goal (48’) was a top-quality cracker and deserved all the replays and points, ending his side’s seven-game winless run. Hammers third-choice keeper David Martin was in tears after the match, the 33-year-old’s debut in which he starred with an inspired performance and top stops and blocks, embracing his dad, West Ham legend Alvin. It’s the visitors’ first clean sheet since 22 September (week 6) and their first victory at Stamford Bridge for 17 years, the three points taking them up to 13th, four points clear from the drop zone, whilst the Blues fall three points behind Man City in third after back-to-back defeats.

#LIVBHA

The league leaders bossed the show at Anfield in the first half, leading thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s headed brace (18’, 24’). But it wouldn’t be Liverpool without some twists and turns and nervous ending. Jürgen Klopp saw his keeper Alisson sent off for handling the ball outside the box (76’). Sub stopper Adrián was still getting ready and positioning his wall when ref Martin Atkinson blew the whistle allowing sub Leandro Trossard’s quick low take hit the back of the net to make it 2:1 (79’), and make the final ten minutes very nervous and tense. But the Reds held on, the win moving them 11 points clear at the top before Sunday's games, equalling their longest ever unbeaten run in the top flight = 31 games without defeat (also between May 1987 and March 1988).

#TOTBOU

Just like last week, Spurs were bossing the match and cruising thanks to Deli Alli’s brace (21’, 50’) and Moussa Sissoko’s close-range volley (69’). But José Mourinho saw his men concede a couple of needless late goals again like last week (week 13), Harry Wilson capitalising on some sloppy and sleepy defending (73’, 90+6’). But I’m sure the Portuguese won’t have or receive many complaints after his side’s first back-to-back wins this season, taking them up to fifth. Eddie Howe meanwhile, saw his Cherries lose three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since December 2018, pulling them down to 12th.

#SOUWAT

The Saints produced the perfect comeback at St Mary's, with late goals from Danny Ings (78’) and James Ward-Prowse (83’), after Ismaïla Sarr had given the Hornets a deserved lead in the first half (24’). Their first league win since September eased the pressure on their own boss Ralph Hasenhüttl, his half-time substitutions worked and did the trick. The defeat left the visitors bottom of the Premier League and no other choice than to sack their boss Quique Sánchez Flores after less than three months in charge.

#NORARS

The Gunners nicked a point thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace (29’ pen, 57’), the home side left gutted not to have capitalised fully on some shambolic defending and wasteful play in general. Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg looked frustrated at the full-time whistle. This game showed what difficult job this was for Unai Emery and will be for whoever his permanent replacement is going to be. Daniel Farke’s side outplayed the visitors by far, Teemu Pukki (21’) and Todd Cantwell (45+2’) back on the scoreboard after individual droughts. The result leaves Arsenal eighth in the Premier League, seven points off a place in the top four, while Norwich remain 19th, three points from safety.

#WOLSHU

The Blades bossed the first half and were ahead thanks to Lys Mousset’s early opener (2’). Nuno Espírito Santo's side were second best until Matt Doherty headed in the equaliser (64’), the goal extending their unbeaten run to nine games, their longest run in the top-flight since April 1973, keeping them in sixth. Chris Wilder’s men have not lost away in the league since last January and remain seventh.

#LEIEVE

Djibril Sidibé delivered an absolute beauty from the right side into the six-yard area which Richarlison powered in with a cracking header (23’), an excellent move with an excellent finish. The Foxes were falling all over the place, looking for penalties left, right and centre. VAR got it right for a change when Ben Chilwell’s dive was spotted, the penalty decision overturned, but why wasn’t he booked?! There was no contact! Pf! SIX MINUTES into added time, Kelechi Iheanacho didn’t give a damn about the raised flag, the Nigerian forward was so sure of himself and his sublime finish, he was gone celebrating. VAR confirmed he was onside, Brendan Rodgers over the moon with yet another comeback win, his counterpart Marco Silva understandably devastated (and sacked in the morning?). The result keeps the 2016 champions eight points behind the Reds, whilst the Toffees drop to 17th, two points away from the drop zone. 

#MUNAVI

Jack Grealish was fouled by Andreas Pereira but that didn’t put him off and the Villa man produced an awesome curling finish from an angle to beat David de Gea and stun Old Trafford (11’). Marcus Rashford's header came off the post before bouncing up and hitting Villa keeper Tom Heaton's shoulder on its way over the line, own goal, 1-1 (42’), lucky after a poor first half by Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men. Sub Victor Lindelöf (64’) and Tyrone Mings (66’) added to the scoreboard in a crazy couple of minutes, the linesman corrected by VAR, confirming the latter goal, the English centre-back didn’t celebrate because he thought he was offside, but no more points for either side, two goals and one point each sees them end the weekend in ninth and fifteenth respectively. Dean Smith’s side deserved more than just avoiding defeat at Old Trafford for the first time since 2009. The Red Devils are in their worst form in 30 years with just 18 points after 14 games.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Newcastle 1:1 Man City - 2:2

Burnley 2:0 Crystal Palace - 0:2

Chelsea 2:0 West Ham - 0:1

Liverpool 3:1 Brighton - 2:1

Tottenham 3:1 Bournemouth - 3:2

Southampton 1:2 Watford - 2:1

Norwich 1:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Wolves 2:1 Sheff Utd - 1:1

Leicester 4:1 Everton - 2:1

Man Utd 2:1 Aston Villa - 2:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 5

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 5

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

32 goals - most by Chelsea = 5

267 shots - most by Watford = 31

98 on target - most by Watford = 10

116 corners - most by Man City = 16

200 fouls - most by Tottenham = 19

32 bookings - most by Tottenham and Everton = 4

2 red cards - Sharp for Sheff United and Masuaku for West Ham

2 penalties - 2 scored (Rashford for Man United, Pereyra for Watford)

#LIVNEW

Liverpool set a new club record of 22 consecutive Premier League matches unbeaten (W18, D4, L0), after coming back from behind at St. James' Park. This is also the Reds’ longest top-flight unbeaten streak since March to November 1990 (23). Newcastle’s shock lead came thanks to Jetro Willems’ (7’), the first goal for the Eintracht Frankfurt loanee. Jürgen Klopp’s men are the first team in PL history to win 14 consecutive matches while scoring more than once. Sadio Mané is the first player to play 50 PL games at Anfield without losing a single one. The Senegalese’s brace (28’, 40’) was helped by sub Roberto Firmino’s masterclass! Mohamed Salah was also part of the dance (72’) to make it 3-1 and a jolly front trio! Class, class and class, three goals and three points, helping LFC stay at the top with five wins out of five. In the last 16 months, the Reds have had more CL finals than PL defeats!!! BOOM!!!

#BRIBUR

Substitute Jeff Hendrick fired in an injury-time equaliser from 20 yards out to earn Burnley a point with their only shot on target, denying Brighton their first home win since 2 March and keeping the Clarets' unbeaten run down South going, not having lost in their last seven Premier League games on the South coast (W4 D3).

#MUNLEI

David de Gea made a great save against James Maddison early on! The penalty that was given after not even eight minutes, really? Marcus Rashford ran across and fell, the Leicester defender Çağlar Söyüncü didn’t have much say or play in it! Pf! The early goal spoilt the encounter straight away. De Gea saved and Maddison was close again after the break. Manchester United held on and scraped through, ending Leicester's unbeaten start to the season and bagging three points for the first time since the opening day. Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men have had 40% of the penalties in the Premier League so far this season. The Foxes have lost nine of their last ten league matches at Old Trafford (W0 D1 L9). Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has conceded more goals from penalties (16) in the Premier League in 176 appearances than his dad former United stopper Peter Schmeichel conceded in 310 appearances (15).

#SHUSOU

Southampton’s summer signing Moussa Djenepo scored the deciding goal beating Sheffield United’s defence with a brilliant move and take (66’). The Blades had a goal ruled out for offside by the VAR when Oliver McBurnie thought he had put them in front shortly after the break. Chris Wilder was not happy with a handball decision given against his side, who have now won just one of their opening five games on their Premier League return. Tough luck.

#TOTCRY

Son Heung-Min has scored in all four of his Premier League home games against Crystal Palace (four goals), with Tottenham going on to win each of the previous three. The South Korean's brace (10’, 23’) helped Mauricio Pochettino’s men thrash Crystal Palace 4-0 and take them back into the top four. It’s their biggest league victory over the Eagles, as well as their joint-biggest against them across all competitions (also 4-0 in January 1987 in the FA Cup fourth round).

#WOLCHE

Stunning skill from Tammy Abraham on the edge of the box, to drive the ball in past Rui Patrício for a superb hat-trick (34', 41', 55'). The 21-year-old England striker is now the Premier League‘s leading goalscorer, the youngest ever Chelsea player to score a PL hat-trick, and the youngest Englishman to do so in the competition since Raheem Sterling (v Bournemouth) in October 2015. He joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Dele Alli in becoming only the third PL player aged 21 or younger to score two or more goals in three consecutive appearances. Outstanding, oh, and he is the first player in PL history to score a hat-trick and an own goal in the same game. It ended Wolves 2-5 Chelsea btw. Goals and action galore in the Wanderers' boss Nuno Espírito Santo's 300th match as a manager.

#NORMCI

ELEVEN players out injured vs ONE, newly promoted against defending champions, it ended 3-2! How many millions of pounds worth of difference between the two as well?! Good old footy won! Daniel Farke’s men kept marking, pressure on the ball, running, surrounding, pushing non-stop, both ends of the pitch and match! Thrilling win! Shocker for Manchester City! Especially playing from the back, the Citizens were absolute shambles! Hopefully everyone watched and learned! The rare defeat, their first since January, leaves Pep Guardiola's side five points behind Liverpool. The Canaries registered only their second win in their last 15 Premier League meetings with the reigning champions (W2 D1 L12) - their other win was also against the Citizens in May 2013.

#BOUEVE

It was too easy for Bournemouth, defensive shambles by Everton, no discrediting Callum Wilson’s brace (23’, 72’), his first Premier League goals since January. Having lost their previous two league home games, against Leicester and Manchester City, the Cherries kick-started their campaign with a thoroughly deserved first home league win, lifting them to eighth in the table. The Toffees meanwhile, were left reeling, having conceded seven goals in their past three league games, as many as they had in their previous 13 Premier League fixtures, and dropping down to 11th. 

#WATARS

It was a game of two halves at Vicarage Road. All started so well for Arsenal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace (21’, 32’), but bottom-side Watford took over after the break, Tom Cleverley (53’) and Roberto Pereyra (pen 81’) hitting back to make it 2-2. The Gunners faced 31 shots, a club record for the home side and the most their opponents have ever faced in a Premier League fixture since Opta began collecting such data in the division in 2003-04. Unai Emery’s men also hold the record of most errors leading to goals since the start of last season = 14, and failed to win seven of the last ten league games across two seasons. This was the first time in 22 meetings across all competitions that the Hornets and Arsenal have drawn against each other, having last done so in December 1984 (1-1). New Watford manager Quique Sánchez Flores has only lost one of his eight managerial meetings with Emery in all competitions (W3 D4 L1).

#ASTWHU

Eight of the 41 Premier League meetings between Aston Villa and West Ham have ended goalless, the highest proportion (19.5%) of any fixture in the competition that's been played 30-plus times. So what did we expect? It was a physical but disappointing encounter, the final touch missing, so bad, that even team mates clashed in frustration.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Liverpool 3:0 Newcastle - 3:1

Brighton 1:1 Burnley - 1:1

Man United 1:1 Leicester - 1:0

Sheff United 1:2 Southampton - 0:1

Tottenham 1:0 Crystal Palace - 4:0

Wolves 1:2 Chelsea - 2:5

Norwich 1:4 Man City - 3:2

Bournemouth 1:1 Everton - 3:1

Watford 0:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Aston Villa 1:2 West Ham - 0:0

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 2

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 2

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

25 goals - most by Norwich = 3

262 shots - most by Man City = 30

88 on target - most by Man City = 10

129 corners - most by Man City = 13

44 offsides - most by Arsenal/Aston Villa = 5 each

363 tackles - most by Watford = 34

219 fouls - most by Wolves = 17

29 bookings - most by WAT/NEW/SHU = 3 each

0 red cards

2 penalties - 1 scored (King for Bournemouth)

VAR Stats

Average 6 checks per game

3 overturned decisions

3 disallowed goals (Arsenal, Brighton and Man City)

VAR denied Raheem Sterling a last-second winner! Cruel but correct. Hand ball is hand ball, the (not really) new rule book says. Pep Guardiola was gutted of course, pointing out the deja vue of last season’s Champions League quarter-final drama between the same two sides. The boss' bust-up with scorer and star-man Sergio Agüero on the sideline didn't help polish the match report either. And more than ever, it just showed once again, something I always preach, NEVER LEAVE A GAME EARLY!!! No matter how much you dominate, it’s only the scoreboard that counts!!! Brighton's opening goal was also reviewed and disallowed for offside. Oh so close, but rightly so. That's what VAR was introduced for, no? To make sure goals ARE goals. Or not. 

Liverpool made it 11 consecutive league wins as their record run continued at Southampton, having not dropped a point since March 3. Replacement keeper Adrián's late blunder was a nightmare goal to concede, a present for former Red Danny Ings (83'), but Sadio Mané’s opener was just top class (45'+1')! The Senegalese forward turned from scorer to provider as Roberto Firmino produced a fine finish to double the Reds' lead (71') before their keeper's giveaway spoiled the show, ever so slightly. Still, three points and a 100% start is the main thing for Jürgen Klopp and his men.

It's the first time since 2009-10 that Arsenal have won their opening two league games, beating a fighting Burnley side 2-1 at the Emirates. However, Sean Dyche lauded his side's mentality, his side recording more shots than the home side, and was not impressed and complained about all the diving and whining, and I couldn’t agree more! It's not just the Gunners, but especially with replays available, all the drama queens just look more and more ridiculous! But they still keep on falling as long as they get some advantage and calls their way. Annoying but true. The refs need to toughen them up and punish them more for their acts, especially when it's obvious in the replays!

Teemu Pukki's first hat-trick for Norwich is also a first in 26 years for the club in the top-tier. All three goals were superb finishes, including the cracking opener, downing a miserable Newcastle side at Carrow Road. But, as mentioned above, Mané’s stunner gets my top vote (of course)! Leicester's equaliser at Chelsea, Wilfred Ndidi's banging header, is worth a shout-out as well! Aston Villa shot themselves in the foot straight away, conceding a penalty after 26 seconds, giving the home side no chance for the rest of the race against Bournemouth. What a wonder goal it was to make it 2-1 though! Worth nothing in the end, but just in awe!

And last but definitely not least, on Monday Night Football, Paul Pogba's penalty flop cost Manchester United at bogey team Wolves, the first team to come from behind and avoid defeat in three consecutive Premier League games against United. Why oh why did the number 6 take it?! Marcus Rashford is the usual and most reliable taker! Talk afterwards was all about the racist abuse the Frenchman received on Twitter. I always report and block anything repulsive like that straight away. But, on another note, isn’t it funny how racist insults against a Red Devil gets all the attention and condemnation, suddenly there's all sorts of shout-outs and meetings, but a certain Red Egyptian and plenty of other players have had to deal with it for years, but nothing happened. A fine distraction from a weak display and result, me thinks. 

My Predictions - Actual Results

Arsenal 3:1 Burnley - 2:1

Aston Villa 2:2 Bournemouth - 1:2

Brighton 2:0 West Ham - 1:1

Everton 2:1 Watford - 1:0

Norwich 3:2 Newcastle - 3:1

Southampton 0:3 Liverpool - 1:2

Man City 3:1 Tottenham - 2:2

Sheff Utd 1:1 Crystal Palace - 1:0

Chelsea 1:1 Leicester - 1:1

Wolves 1:2 Man Utd - 1:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 1

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 1 

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

27 goals - most by Man City = 5
228 shots - most by Tottenham = 31
78 on target - most by Man City = 9
91 corners - most by Tottenham = 14
34 offsides - most by Norwich/Burnley = 5 each
359 tackles - most by Aston Villa = 29
225 fouls - most by Sheff Utd = 19
28 bookings - most by Chelsea = 4
1 red card - Schneiderlin for Everton
2 penalties - 2 scored (Agüero for City, Rashford for United) 

VAR Stats 
Average of 7 checks per game 
3 overturned decisions: 
2 disallowed goals (City and Wolves) and Agüero’s penalty retake

The first game of the season was Liverpool's convincing win against Norwich on Friday night, thrashing the newly promoted side in the first half, and keeping them at bay after the break. An injury to Red keeper Alisson didn't help Jürgen Klopp's men, his replacement and LFC debutante Adrián did a good job under the circumstances. VAR went totally unnoticed, surprisingly. Click here for my ByTheMin Twitter live match coverage. 

Manchester United thrashed Chelsea in the Super Sunday clash. But the scoreline is very harsh and doesn’t reflect the game at all. It was much more competitive, cagey and close in the first hour, just fell to bits with two quick goals. Same with Tottenham against newly promoted Aston Villa, Harry Kane making the crucial difference with two goals in the final four minutes (86', 90').

Manchester City took West Ham apart, making my prediction look more ridiculous with every goal. I honestly thought the Hammers could surprise us after having a very active and positive summer. Pf. Fool me. Dream starts for Burnley and Brighton went pretty unnoticed with all the focus just on the top teams, both sides recording convincing 3-0 wins against Southampton and at Watford respectively.

Raheem Sterling starred for the champions with a hat-trick (51', 75', 90'+1'), Kane and Marcus Rashford (18' pen, 67'), as mentioned above, helped their sides to opening wins with a brace each. Mohamed Salah scored and provided (19', 28') in an explosive first half at Anfield. Same old names at the top, ey?
Billy Sharp’s last-minute equaliser for Sheffield United broke Bournemouth hearts (88'). In only his third PL appearance, the local lad scored with his first top-flight shot. One to remember. Tanguy Ndombele’s leveller for Spurs against Villa was a cracker as well.

As mentioned above, it has been confirmed and was quite clear from the offset, Alisson went down and will be out for a while! It looked like the Brazilian stopper was hit by a ghost?! He looked and searched for the culprit behind him  But it was obvious, he had pulled something. Worrying for Klopp and co. The Schadenfreude of the opposition fans was all over the social media afterwards.

And last but definitely not least, the beloved, VAR! See stats above. It has finally arrived in the Premier League and of course still needs getting used to. But I expected worse to be honest. The interruptions weren't half as long and bad as in the trials. And the reviews and overturned decisions were clear. I am sure especially Wolves boss Nuno Espírito Santo and also City manager Pep Guardiola see it differently, the prior's disallowed goal costing his side two points. It is just impossible to get everything right, but everything can at least be double-checked now. In the end, there is still human beings sitting in front of the screens, so, the decisions are, though more objective, still subjective. So we can and will still curse the officials. Same old. Even with the new technology.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Liverpool 5:1 Norwich - 4:1
West Ham 2:1 Man City - 0:5
Bournemouth 2:1 Sheff Utd - 1:1
Burnley 1:0 Southampton - 3:0
Crystal Palace 0:1 Everton - 0:0
Watford 0:0 Brighton - 0:3
Tottenham 3:1 Aston Villa - 3:1
Leicester 2:1 Wolves - 0:0
Newcastle 0:1 Arsenal - 0:1
Man United 1:1 Chelsea - 4:0

Click here for my previous Premier League Picks Of The Week.

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