Premier League Notes - Week 3

Sport - Football - Premier League - Week 3

The third week of the Premier League Football action saw:

36 goals - most by Leicester = 5

248 shots - most by Tottenham = 23

96 on target - most by Tottenham = 12

97 corners - most by Tottenham = 10

252 fouls - most by Brighton, Sheff United and Fulham = 18 each

41 bookings - most by Fulham = 6

0 red cards

7 penalties - 7 scored (Maupay for Brighton, Fernandes for Man United, Richarlison for Everton, Wilson for Newcastle, Vardy x 2 and Tielemans for a Leicester )

#BHAMUN Cheeky Maupay pen put the hosts ahead and deservedly so, Fernandes the clumsy offender. Maguire helped Dunk poke in the equaliser soon after, well worked from a free kick, 194 seconds between the two goals. Seconds after the break, Connolly made the most of Pogba’s covering, second pen, ref checked the VAR screen, changed his mind, no pen, it was soft but so many have been given, especially for United in the past, that’s annoying. Rashford whacked the Reds Devils ahead seconds later, of course, disallowed offside, haha, karma. But the number 10 made up for it soon after, the Seagulls unable to mark or close him down, too much time, too much space, 1-2. March hit the inside of the post shortly after another penalty appeal by Connolly got waved off by the ref. Brighton hit the woodwork FIVE times; no team has done so more in a single Premier League game since Opta have this data available (2003-04). The woodwork spared United plenty of blushes. They could and should have been thrashed. Marsh nicked in an equaliser in the final seconds of stoppage time, heading the ball in and down to make it 2-2 after plenty of chances, pushing and trying. A point would have been fully deserved, at least something, OGS’ men were shambles, the hosts on top. Fight fight fight as the ref blew the final whistle, the Red Devils appealing for a penalty, handball against Maupay, VAR check, harsh but right, it did touch his hand. Fernandes netted the spot kick to make it 2-3 with 99:45 on the clock, a very late and very lucky three points for the visitors. Absolute shambles. Five goals. Two penalties. One penalty overturned. Two goals disallowed. Five times hit the crossbar. Two full-time whistles. Good start to this weekend’s action after last week’s madness. 

#CRYEVE An unmarked Calvert-Lewin put the Toffees ahead, banging in Coleman’s pass from the middle of the box in off keeper Ryan. Kouyaté headed in a corner over Pickford to level the score. More VAR handball checks, both against Ward, first one not given as his arm was down and going away, second did hit his hand but he pulled his arm away, still given, another harsh one, Richarlison netting the pen across and in after one of those annoying run ups, 1-2. The second half was less eventful, Ancelotti’s men bagging the three points and continuing their dream start to the season with three wins out of three, leaving Hodgson and co disappointed suffering their first defeat after their win-win start to the season. 

#WBACHE Defensive and goalkeeping nightmare for the Blues! First Alonso gave away the ball to Pereira, who set up Robinson to flash the ball across and in to open the score after just four minutes. Not long after Werner hit the crossbar from close range, debutant skipper Thiago Silva gave the ball away to Robinson on the run down the other end and the number 7 made no mistake of breaking clear and slotting it in to make it a brace for him and 2-0 to the hosts, just over halfway through the first half. And it went from bad to worse for Lampard and co, just a couple of minutes later, West Brom corner, Furlong headed it on to Bartley, who side-footed it into the bottom corner to make it 3-0. No marking. No chance of stopping that. And who’s the keeper? This is the seventh time in the Premier League that Chelsea have shipped three goals to a newly-promoted team, and the second time under Lampard. Double substitution and skipper changed after the break for the visitors helped them take over. Mount pulled one back from outside the box, keeper frozen, ten minutes into the second half. Sub Hudson-Odoi found the gap thanks to a nice one-two with Havertz, ran through the Albion back line and banged in the second to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes to go. Abraham got in the equaliser in stoppage time, from close range, thanks to Havertz’s shot which Johnstone saved but gloved straight to him. I read about a Havertz handball in the buildup, but honestly didn’t see what all the fuss was about, there was a lot going on in the box and play before the goal. Three goals and a point each, first draw of the season, relief for the Blues, a bit sour for West Brom late on. More madness. I wanted to keep my PL Notes short(er) this week. Impossible. 

#BURSOU Ings gave the Saints the lead early on after a bit of a mess in and around the Burnley box, the keeper coming out, defenders all over the place, but Walker-Peters and Adams still able to complete their passes and a perfect buildup for the former Liverpool man to net. A disallowed goal each, clearly offside, not much else to shout about. It ended 0-1, just the one goal, no typo, believe it or not, leaving Dyche crying out for more players.

#SHULEE Leeds scored in the 88th minute after both keepers did a great job! Harrison was the provider and Bamford the scorer again, three in three from him as he headed it home for a hard-fought three points. The Blades still have no points after three games, no goals, they're now bottom. Bielsa's gang are up to sixth with two wins from their first three. Good start for them. The French can't stop drooling over the great Argentine, documentary after preview after documentary after preview, clips here, clips there, clips everywhere, I've lost count how much and many episodes they have on him.

#TOTNEW The opener was made by Kane, whose stepovers bamboozled Hayden and then rolled a cross across the six yard box for Moura to tap it into an open net from a couple of yards out, ending a run of 22 league appearances without a goal. Darlow made save after save after save, superhero stuff, 10 to be exact - the most by an English goalkeeper in a Premier League match since Forster v Man City in Nov 2017 (also 10). It should have been a thrash. But there was yet another VAR fiasco in the final minutes of injury time, Dier deemed to have handled the ball Carroll headed on, harsh as he had his back to it, but according to the law it's right as his arm was in an unnatural position moving to stop the ball. Offside was checked as well, Carroll was fine, in line, his team mate who was further forward was not involved in play. Wilson netted the spot kick to make it a goal and point each after utter Spurs dominance, disgusted boss Mourinho left the pitch as soon as the pen was taken. The Magpies can thank their keeper and VAR that they got anything out of this match. The Spurs coach Santos saw red after the final whistle for their frustrations and aggravations to complete another absolute madness. And despite the result, Newcastle boss Bruce agreed "we have lost the plot" on handball and VAR.

#MCILEI City dominated, but the score was level at the break, Walker's foul on Vardy allowed the striker to score from the spot to equalise after Riyad Mahrez's stunning opener early on. Not long after the restart, Vardy put a cheeky flick in to give the Foxes the lead, lovely footy off Castagne’s low cross. And he completed his hat-trick before the hour-mark, another pen after being pushed clumsily by Garcia, banged in, 1-3, the Citizens all over the place, hitting the self-destruct button. This was only the third ever hat-trick scored against a side managed by Guardiola and two of them have been scored by Vardy - the other was Messi in October 2016 in a Champions League game (I WAS THERE!). And the old Fox is the oldest hat-trick scorer in the PL. Ake pulled one back with six minutes left, heading in a corner. Comeback? Nope, another penalty conceded instead, Mendy hauled back Maddison, who made it 2-5 from the spot, as Vardy had been subbed seconds before that incident. Game over. Pep’s men well and truly busted, Brendan’s side with just 28% of possession but 100% of the spoils = three points, mind-blowing football, the first time the Citizens have conceded five goals in a home game since February 2003. Man City have lost 10 of their last 36 league games. Liverpool have lost 10 of their last 128. Just saying.

#WHUWOL Bowen opened the scoring for the hosts with a lovely run and beautiful finish beating three defenders. Antonio broke away on the counter down the left, to find Fornals whose shot from range came back off the post, falling into the path of Bowen, who made no mistake of an easy tap in unchallenged, brace for him, 2-0 to the Hammers, too easy. Souček made it three off a corner thanks to a deflection off Jiménez, own goal given, actually. Haller headed the fourth down and in off an excellent Massuaku cross, completingtheir first win of the season in a more than convincing way, taking them up from 18th to 10th. Wolves weren’t anywhere near, dropping down to 16th. Thrash.

#FULAVL Dream start for the visitors, taking the lead after just over three minutes, a ball over the top from McGinn, Grealish timed his run perfectly and smashed it past the Fulham keeper. And the Villans doubled their lead just over ten minutes later, Grealish with a cross, McGinn finding Hourihane who slotted it into the bottom corner, too easy. The HT team talk didn’t work well for the hosts, seconds after the restart, a Villa free kick into the box, no Fulham defenders followed Mings in who just got to it, easy peasy again, 0-3. The Cottagers had the ball in the net, but the lovely VAR first checked offside, then a foul, the goal was disallowed for the latter, Mitrović judged to have fouled Konsa in the buildup. Welcome to the PL. Kebano saw an effort blocked and Bryan hit the bar just before the end. But it stayed three goals and three points for Villa, game, set, match, 100% record going, unbeaten in eight games, whilst Fulham are in bits, defensive nightmare, their CEO full of apologies post-match, boss Parker fearing for his side if no changes are made = new players added. 

#LIVARS The champions bossed the start, the Gunners had David Luiz and keeper Leno to thank for keeping the ball out denying VVD and MOTM Mané respectively. A TAA banger from outside deflected off defenders and off the crossbar, it could have already been 3-0 with just over 20 minutes gone. But of course, totally against the run of play, a present for Lacazette broke the deadlock, after a counter, Robertson mucked up a clearance completely to hand the Frenchman the ball from a couple of yards out, he messed it up but it looped up, over the diving keeper and in, 0-1. Seconds later, a Salah shot was saved but only as far as an on-running Mané, who made no mistake of banging it in from close range, 1-1. 147 seconds between the two goals. Just over ten minutes before the break, Robertson made up for his cockup with a fine control and cheeky low poke in past the keeper to make it 2-1 off a fine Trent cross, that’s better. Alisson had a couple of stops to do after the break, but the visitors’ defence and keeper were definitely the busier again. Constant pressure. Mané, Salah, VVD, sub Jota, all went close. The sub made it three eventually, Trent cross, messed up clearance by David Luiz, received at the edge of the box, nice control and shot across and into the bottom left corner after some odd wet bounces off the ground, 3-1, finally, nice debut goal. Was there a handball? Sleeve? Borderline chest. No VAR necessary. The utter dominance deserved at least another goal, minimum. Liverpool join Everton and Leicester on nine points out of nine, Arsenal remain winless at Anfield since 2012. (And in case you wonder why I haven't mentioned MOTM Mané's booking at the beginning of the match, it's because I don't know what all the fuss is about. Yes, it's a silly foul, arm out and into Tierney, who made the most of it. Nowhere near a red.)

My Predictions - Actual Results

Brighton 1:2 Man United - 2:3

Palace 1:1 Everton - 1:2

West Brom 0:3 Chelsea - 3:3

Burnley 2:2 Saints - 0:1

Sheff United 1:2 Leeds - 0:1

Tottenham 2:2 Newcastle - 1:1

Man City 1:2 Leicester - 2:5

West Ham 1:3 Wolves - 4:0

Fulham 1:2 Aston Villa - 0:3

Liverpool 4:3 Arsenal - 3:1

Click here for my previous PL Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 2

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 2

The second week of the Premier League Football action saw:

44 goals - most by Everton and Tottenham = 5 each 

239 shots - most by Aston Villa = 18

91 on target - most by Man City = 9

122 corners - most by Leicester = 15

239 fouls - most by Tottenham = 18

27 bookings - most by Saints = 4

4 red cards - Gibbs for West Brom, Bissouma for Brighton, Christensen for Chelsea, Egan for Sheff United

8 penalties - 6 scored (Mitrovic for Fulham, Klich for Leeds, Zaha for Palace, Ings for Saints, Maupay for Brighton, De Bruyne for Man City)

#EVEWBA Talk about self-destruction! Brill goal, great start for the visitors, but the Toffees hit back with a cheeky back-foot equaliser, and after Gibbs saw red for a needless push on James Rodriguez seconds after the youngster’s lovely goal made it 2-1, it was game over. Baggies boss Bilic went mad at the officials after the HT whistle and was sent off for his frustrations as well. Shame. Or so I thought. Pereira’s cracking free kick levelled the score again after the restart. Game. On. Keane smacked in the rebound from close range after the keeper saved the initial header off a free kick to, 3-2. Calvert-Lewin tapped in the fourth. And fifth to complete his hat-trick, the thrashing and Albion's misery with it. 

#LEEFUL Costa whacked the hosts ahead off a corner, loud bang off the woodwork/top of the net and in, keeper no chance. Mitrovic levelled from the spot. Klich netted a penalty at the other end to regain the lead for the home side. Lovely low finish by Bamford made it 3-1 after the break. Unmarked Costa whacked in the fourth. Bobby pulled one back for Fulham. A Mitrovic header made it 4-3 and the last quarter so much more interesting... End-to-end stuff, madness, Fulham much better than last week, but still pointless. 

#MUNCRY Townsend put the visitors ahead from close range early on. OGS’ face said it all, he knew his side were in trouble when the VAR call started, handball by Lindelof, pen, De Gea saved Ayew’s soft take easily. To piss on United’s cornflakes even more, it had to be retaken as the keeper was off his line. Zaha banged in the second, 0-2. Sub van de Beek pulled one back after some ping pong in the box. Zaha's turn and shot from the edge of the box sealed the deal, 1-3 and three points to Palace at Old Trafford, happy Hodgson.

#ARSWHU Lacazette banged the Gunners ahead, loved the Dirty Dancing celebration with provider Aubameyang. VAR check for offside in the buildup, would have been super harsh. Antonio turned in the equaliser from close range just before the break. Sub Nketiah put the Gunners ahead late on. Super sub record: Arsenal have scored six Premier League goals through substitutes in 2020, more than any other team in the division.

#SOUTOT After three disallowed goals, two for the visitors, Ings gave the Saints the lead with a banger. Miserinho aka Moaninho’s face said it all. The home side dominated, Lloris made some crucial saves. Son levelled the score just before the break, clinical finish set up by Kane. First shot, first goal for Spurs. And seconds after the restart, Son burst forward and banged in the second. Another killer counter, the same duo, made it a hat-trick for the South Korean and 1-3 on the scoreboard after the home side missed chances to level the score. And the same combo made it FOUR. Lethal. Four assists for Kane, four goals for Son. Kane made it 1-5 netting the rebound off the woodwork from sub Lamela’s shot, just to add salt onto Hasenhüttl’s wounds. Who needs Bale?! VAR check by the ref, handball against Doherty, gave the hosts a pen for Ings to make it 2-5. The French commentators absolutely lambasted that call, he was covering a player, how could he have beamed his arm away before the ball bounced and smacked onto it?! C'est le foot.

#NEWBHA Penalty after not even a couple of minutes, Saint-Maximin bringing down Tariq Lamptey in the box, clumsy footy. Maupay banged it right into the middle. His second goal was flagged offside seconds later. It took nearly two minutes for the VAR to override that call, lines drawn, close call, goal given, 0-2. Sweet curler by Connolly made it 0-3, the miserable Magpies didn’t get anything on target. Bissouma’s weird high back-heel kick into Lewis’ face saw him off after the ref revised the yellow to a straight red in the final minute of normal time. Accidental or not, dangerous is dangerous. Brighton still bossed it, three goals, three points, too easy.

#CHELIV Christensen's rugby tackle deserved red and cost the Blues, and Kepa’s shaky keeping, leading to Mané’s brace. Jorginho was denied from the spot by Alisson after a softer than soft pen call for Thiago’s slightest of slight brush on Werner. It could and should have been four or five goals for the Reds. “Not definitely a red card," said Chelsea boss Lampard. WTF?! What was he watching?! He also said he needs to try and "give Kepa Arrizabalaga confidence." Good luck on that one.

#LEIBUR Poor defending in the both incidents, Wood’s opener and Barnes’ equaliser. Pieters deflected a Castagne shot/cross into the back of his own net to give the Foxes the lead after the break. Justin made it 3-1 totally unmarked from close range despite eight Burnley players in the box. Dunne banged one back off a free kick, 3-2. Whacker from the edge of the box by Praet, 4-2. Burnley still didn’t give up, keeping Schmeichel and the woodwork busy, but still ended pointless.

There were 39 goals scored across eight games this weekend at an average of 4.9 per game. This is the highest goals-per-game rate on a Saturday and Sunday of Premiers League football (with a minimum of five games).

#AVLSHU Red after not even 13 minutes, Egan was sent to an early shower denying Watkins a goal-scoring opportunity, similar to Christensen on Mané as mentioned above. The VAR checked, but the ref was very sure of himself. Targett was booked for a tumbling Basham in front of him, harsh penalty given, looooooong VAR check, ref was having non of it, Villa debutant Martinez saved the spot kick denying Lundstrum, muchas gracias. Konsa headed the opener off a deflected corner just past the hour-mark. That ended up being the only goal of the match. The Villans produced 18 shots, that’s one more than Everton, Man United and Liverpool = 17 each, but just three on target, making the penalty save oh so crucial. 

#WOLMCI Manchester City equalled Aston Villa's record of winning 10 consecutive opening fixtures to a top-flight season, set between 1891 and 1900, the first timeit's been achieved in the PL era. After Saiss' late tackle on De Bruyne on the edge of the box and/or inside the area, the ref pointed to the spot without hesitation, the Belge banged it into the bottom right corner without a hint of a doubt. Foden slashed in the second past everyone in the box, Sterling the provider from the left. Jimenez headed one back. Jesus sealed the three-point deal in the final seconds of stoppage time, deflected shot in, 1-3. And that late goal meant, we have had 44 goals in this round of matches, more than any other game-week since the league turned to 20 teams. I hope I got my math right with all the stats after all the madness. Are you not entertained?!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Everton 1:0 West Brom - 5:2

Leeds 3:1 Fulham - 4:3

Man United 1:0 Palace - 1:3

Arsenal 3:1 West Ham - 2:1

Saints 1:2 Spurs - 2:5

Newcastle 2:0 Brighton - 0:3

Chelsea 1:3 Liverpool - 0:2

Leicester 3:1 Burnley - 4:2

Aston Villa 1:0 Sheff United - 1:0

Wolves 1:2 Man City - 1:3

Click here for my previous PL Notes.

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

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.

Premier League Notes - Week 38

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 38

As explained in my pinned Tweet thread @Sonjahaha, it’s the end of an era for me, after waiting 30 years and writing/reporting/blogging/tweeting/predicting/losing for over 20 years, I can finally retire my pen from my bible and say: WE ARE THE CHAMP19NS! 

(And sorry, Google and Blogger updates have screwed up my last post, no links nor pics, ARGH! - edited and added a couple of links months later)

The 38th and final week of the 2019-2020 Premier League football season saw:

33 goals - most by Man City = 5

237 shots - most by Man City = 31

77 on target - most by Man City = 10

85 corners - most by Man City and Saints = 9 each

217 fouls - most by Wolves, Sheff United and West Ham = 16 each

32 bookings - most by Man United = 5

1 red card - Evans for Leicester

5 penalties - 5 scored (Aubameyang for Arsenal, Deeney for Watford, King for Bournemouth, Bruno Fernandes for Man United, Ings for Saints)

#ARSWAT

3-0 down after 33 minutes at the Emirates, managerless Watford confirmed the obvious: relegation. The Gunners fired home their first three shots on target: MOTM Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted their penalty for Craig Dawson’s clumsy foul on Alexandre Lacazette (5’ pen), assisted Kieran Tierney (24’), and then topped it all off with an overhead kick (33’). The Hornets tried their best and pulled one back from the spot, Troy Deeney converting it after David Luiz’s foul on Danny Welbeck (43’ pen), the former Arsenal man making it 3-2 from close range (66’). The hosts’ keeper Emiliano Martínez denied the former Gunner a late equalizer, leaving the relegated side gutted. All eyes are on their owners after last week’s sacking, whilst Mikel Arteta’s eighth-placed side ended their worst league season for 25 years on a high, all their eyes and European hopes now resting on the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday.

#BURBHA

Yves Bissouma (20’) and Aaron Connolly (50’) helped Brighton to victory, which saw the Seagulls finish 15th on 41 points, their highest total in the Premier League, one better than 2017-18. The Clarets did make a match of it, Chris Wood firing in the equalizer just before the HT-break (44’), and Jay Rodriguez seeing his second equalizer chalked off thanks to the beloved VAR (59’). Their first home league defeat since New Year’s Day saw Sean Dyche’s men finish tenth, still an achievement despite the disappointing end to the season. The Burnley boss’ future at the club still remains in doubt, his frustration with the board and lack of squad depth and investment obvious and well known. 

#CHEWOL

Frank Lampard’s men made sure they finished in the top four with a comfortable win against Wolves. MOTM Mason Mount’s beautiful curling free-kick (45+1’) and Olivier Giroud’s finish from close range (45+4’), sealed the victory within 144 seconds just before the HT-break, placing the Londoners in fourth, behind Man United in third on goal difference. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side never really made a match of it at Stamford Bridge, having lost five of their six closing-day PL matches (winning only against Sunderland in 2009-10). The defeat saw the Wanderers finish seventh behind Tottenham on goal difference, but they still have some chance of European qualification if the Blues beat the Gunners in the FA Cup final on Saturday (or they win the Europa League themselves of course). 

#CRYTOT

Crystal Palace kept their unbeaten run of five final-day PL games going with a hard-fought draw against Tottenham (making it four wins and one draw the last five seasons’ final days). Harry Kane opened the scoring (13’), but Roy Hodgson’s men kept digging and looking to end their dire run of seven previous defeats. Jeffrey Schlupp capitalised on some poor Spurs defending, finishing from close range to level the score (53’). The visitors had more chances, but it stayed a goal and point each, the former England boss mourning the lack of quality and strength, especially upfront. The result saw José Mourinho’s side leapfrog Wolves into sixth and Europa League qualification. Not bad, to say that when the Portuguese took over last season’s Champions League finalists, they were 14th.

#EVEBOU

The Cherries ended up heartbroken despite winning 1-3 at Goodison Park, the other results going against them and confirming their five-year stay in the top-tear has come to an end. Eddie Howe’s men gave it their all and took the lead thanks to Joshua King’s penalty after Richarlison handled the ball in the box (13’ pen). Moise Kean equalised against the run of play, tapping in Theo Walcott’s cross (41’). But Dominic Solanke headed Bournemouth back in front just before the HT-break (45+1’). It was a tense second half until Jordan Pickford let through Junior Stanislas’ soft shot to make it 1-3 and give the visitors a nice cushion (80’). The win ended a run of nine consecutive away PL defeats. But the fight they showed was too late, the Cherries falling, 18th, whilst the Toffees failed, finishing 12th, their lowest place at the end of a season in 16 years. Carlo Ancelotti has a lot of work to do. 

#LEIMUN

The Foxes flopped and dropped out of the top four, where they had sat for 325 days this season, handing the Red Devils the Champions League spot after a disappointing defeat at the King Power Stadium. Plenty of chances were wasted by the hosts before Bruno Fernandes gave OGS’ side the lead from the spot after Anthony Martial tumbled between Wes Morgan and Jonny Evans (71’). Surprise, surprise: It was United’s 14th penalty of the season, the most for a side in PL history. The latter Fox saw red late on to add to Brendan Rodgers’ and co’s misery (90+4’). And sub Jesse Lingard put salt onto the wound, robbing the ball off keeper Kasper Schmeichel to net the second goal (90+8’). A miserable end to the season for Leicester, whilst it will be a happy return to Old Trafford for the visitors, feeling they’re back where they belong. 

#MCINOR

Talking about miserable: Bottom side Norwich were taken apart at the Etihad, Man City thrashing Daniel Farke’s men 5-0 as a farewell present from the Premier League. Gabriel Jesus (11’), MOTM Kevin de Bruyne (45+1’, 90’), Raheem Sterling (79’) and Riyad Mahrez (83’) all added to the show, legend and skipper David Silva’s last appearance for the club after ten glittering years. The Citizens have scored 100+ league goals in a top-flight season for a fifth time, an English record (also 1936-37, 1957-58, 2013-14 and 2017-18). Boss Pep Guardiola will now focus on the Champions League with Real Madrid being their next visitors in the second leg of their last-16 clash next week. 

#NEWLIV

Dwight Gayle gave the Magpies an unexpected lead after just 25 seconds off Jonjo Shelvey’s quickly taken free-kick (1’), the quickest goal on a PL final day. That’s the only time the hosts touched the ball in the Reds’ box in the first half. The champions, starting without their star front three, were level before the break thanks to MOTM VVD’s header (38’). Divock Origi banged the Reds ahead from 20 yards out (59’), before sub Sadio Mané curled in a late third to seal the win (89’). Jürgen Klopp’s men finished top on 99 points after their club record 14th PL away win this season, 18 points ahead of City in second, whilst Steve Bruce is left sour and waiting about Newcastle’s takeover (breaking news today that the Arabs have pulled out), his side safe from the drop but picking up only two points from the last six games. Contrast. 

#SOUSHU

MOTM Ché Adams’ brace (50’, 71’) and Danny Ings' penalty (84’) turned the game around for Southampton to beat Sheffield United 3-1 at St Mary’s. John Lundstram had given the visitors the lead from close range as the Blades were on top (26’). But for only the second time this season, the Saints overturned a HT-deficit, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men finishing the season in 11th, whilst Chris Wilder’s side dropped to ninth, still their highest finish in the Premier League, in their first season back in the top tier since 2007. Not bad. 

#WHUAVL

Aston Villa ensured their survival at the cost of Bournemouth after a draw at West Ham was enough to avoid the drop. Skipper, hero and MOTM Jack Grealish had put the Villans ahead with a smacker of a strike (84’). 100 seconds later, Andriy Yarmolenko’s deflected shot levelled the score (85’) and shot up the nerves for the final minutes at the London Stadium (and false hopes for the Cherries). But Dean Smith’s men survived and could breathe a sigh of relief, whilst the Hammers had already secured their safety in 16th last match-week. In his 19 games in charge, David Moyes has recorded one more PL point than his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini did in the previous 19 games (20-19). The former Everton boss was full of praise for the young and fresh - hinting on more, as in more newbies incoming?

My Predictions - Actual Results

I was working on Sunday, made it home just in time for the second half, then realising that for the first time this season I forgot to make my predictions. So, I just put 0:0 on all. I’m happy I beat my dad in our final season of predictions - end of an era after 20 years! See my Twitter thread mentioned at the top for more on that, just search Sonjahaha and you'll find me.

Arsenal 0:0 Watford - 3:2

Burnley 0:0 Brighton - 1:2

Chelsea 0:0 Wolves - 2:0

C Palace 0:0 Tottenham - 1:1

Everton 0:0 Bournemouth - 1:3

Leicester 0:0 Man United - 0:2

Man City 0:0 Norwich - 5:0

Newcastle 0:0 Liverpool - 1:3

Southampton 0:0 Sheff United - 3:1

West Ham 0:0 Aston Villa - 1:1 

All facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, ByTheMin, RMC and Sky Sports coverage - see the previous posts for links.

Premier League Notes - Week 34

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 34

The 34th week of the Premier League football action saw:

26 goals - most by Man City = 5

243 shots - most by Man City = 23

79 on target - most by Man City = 9

115 corners - most by Tottenham = 13

209 fouls - most by Norwich and Liverpool = 15 each

33 bookings - most by Norwich and Liverpool = 4 each

1 red card - Nketiah for Arsenal 

2 penalties - 1 scored (Bruno Fernandes for Man United)

#CRYCHE

Olivier Giroud put the Blues ahead controversially, Palace not happy as Gary Cahill went down with an obvious hamstring injury in the buildup (6’), and had to be replaced thereafter. It wasn’t that obvious, the former Chelsea man just couldn’t keep up with the run of the provider Willian, tough luck. Christian Pulisic doubled their lead shortly after the first drinks break with a lovely left-footer, too easy (27’). Wilfried Zaha smacked one back, what a screamer from far out, wow (35’). Tammy Abraham made it 1-3, tight but on and in, VAR confirmed (71’). I hardly finished the last note, Christian Benteke tapped one back, his first goal at Selhurst Park since 2018, brilliantly set up by Patrick van Aanholt, 2-3 and game on (73’). Palace thought they levelled the score in stoppage time, but Scott Dann’s header hit the woodwork! Frank Lampard’s men were relieved to hear the FT whistle.

#WATNOR

Emiliano Buendía put the bottom side ahead early on with a lovely curler after a quick counter by the Canaries (4’), Ben Foster grabbing thin air. Craig Dawson headed the Hornets level point blank soon after (8’). Danny Welbeck’s spectacular overhead kick put the home side ahead (55'), top quality and very very crucial turnaround in their battle for survival. 

#ARSLEI

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got his 20th of the season, set up by Bukayo Saka, quick move, great pickup, quality goal, clinical (21’). Kasper Schmeichel denied Alexandre Lacazette with just over half an hour gone, the Gunners all over the Foxes. Jamie Vardy set up Kelechi Iheanacho from the left, but the goal got disallowed for a foul in the buildup (35’). Arsenal corner by Dani Ceballos, David Luiz header down, Lacazette put it in and was sure of himself, but the flag was up and it was confirmed offside (68’). The ref went to the screen to double-check, rare in the PL! Moments after coming on, Eddie Nketiah was then sent off instead of just a yellow for his lash out at James Justin, on the knee, it wasn’t near the ball, harsh maybe but no surprise (76’). Vardy turn and goal, offside (80’). Four minutes later, lovely ball into the box by Demarai Gray, Vardy netted it, offside again?! Replays, lines and checks and more replays... It stood, 1-1 (87’). EIGHT minutes added on for all that malarkey - it stayed at one goal and one point each, the CL qualification spot chase staying on. It's only Leicester’s second ever away point against Arsenal.

#MCINEW

Gabriel Jesus left unmarked in the box, you’re asking for trouble, a present of an opener, set up by David Silva from the left (10’). The second goal was the same again, this time Kevin De Bruyne from the left, providing an unmarked Riyad Mahrez with an easy finish (21’). Too easy. Quality own goal: Jesus dancing into the box, Magpies defender Federico Fernández tried to nick the ball, curled it into the corner of his own net instead to make it 3-0 (58’). Silva made it four with a left-footed free kick around the wall and in (65’). The same Silva again in the buildup, handed Raheem Sterling a present to make it 5-0 in stoppage time. Th-r-ash.

#SHUWOL

The home side were more threatening at times, but that soon ebbed down. Rúben Neves hit the woodwork with a lovely curling free-kick with just over half an hour played. Goal for Billy Sharp, but offside, shame (53’). John Egan rose the highest off a corner and headed in the winner in the final seconds of stoppage time. A crucial late winner in the race for Europe.

#WHUBUR

Scrappy match, more frustrating for David Moyes watching Burnley take advantage as the Hammers struggled to break down their opponents. Jay Rodriguez snuck in the opener, a header that bounced in off the crossbar, nicely set up by Charlie Taylor (38’). Chris Wood thought he had doubled his side’s lead, to be disallowed, marginally offside (76’). The Hammers kept digging, chance after chance, their own grave in the end as they suffered another defeat. 

#BHALIV

Keeper Mat Ryan and Davy Pröpper messed up between each other, handing the ball to Naby Keïta, who put it straight across the box for Mo Salah to bang it in and give the champions the lead (6’). The skipper made it two seconds later: Georginio Wijnaldum to Salah, to Jordan Henderson, who placed it across and into the left corner to make it 0-2 in his 350th PL appearance (8’). Beautiful.‬ Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay pushed the Reds after the first drinks break, Graham Potter said something right, but Red youngster Neco Williams and keeper Alisson and co coped well. ‪The hosts pulled one back eventually, deserved after the drinks break! Whacked in by Trossard off a lovely cross by Pascal Groß, Alisson no chance, game on‬ (44’). After a more settled and even second half restart, Salah headed in a corner, bottom right to make it 1-3 (76’). Not an easy but quality win for Jürgen Klopp’s men, their record-breaking 30th league win of the season. Potter’s side tried their best to stay in the match, but fell to the record breaking champions in the end. Click here for my full ByTheMinLFC coverage.

#BOUTOT

The only thing of note happening in the first half was Harry Kane going down in the box and not getting a penalty for a change! After the break, Adam Smith got knocked out cold after colliding with Ben Davies and had to come off around the hour-mark, a long delay without any replays, you know it’s bad. Hope he's okay. Bournemouth shaken, Tottenham lucky. Callum Wilson’s overhead kick put the hosts ahead in the final minutes of normal time - or so they thought, apparently there was a handball on its way in, harsh, good old VAR. Twelve minutes added on. It ended goalless, not a single shot on target for José Mourinho’s men, Eddie Howe and co will be left wondering how costly the VAR calls and injuries will be in their fight for survival. It was the first time after 186 PL games for the Cherries not to concede a single shot on target. 

#EVESOU

Saints thought they had broken the deadlock when Stuart Armstrong fired the ball into the roof of the net off Ché Adams, but the flag’s up, offside (7’). Softer than soft penalty given against the Toffees, James Ward-Prowse leaning in on André Gomes, goes down, gets the spot kick for it, but he hit the crossbar, relief for Jordan Pickford and co after the visitors kept getting closer and closer, chance after chance, keeping the hosts’ woodwork busy (28’). A couple of minutes later, the flag was up again but the VAR confirmed this time everything and everyone was in line, Danny Ings putting the visitors ahead fair and square (31’). Richarlison pinged in the equaliser over the keeper and in, top finish (44’). Feisty game, end to end, no one holding back. It stayed so high paced after the restart, Pickford with a couple of good saves. Around an hour gone, the VAR spared last man Jan Bednarek from a red, yellow instead for bringing down Richarlison, no goal scoring opportunity from 20 yards out apparently. It stayed a goal and point each.

#AVLMUN

Villa started brightly, stronger, creating chances, but not good enough finishes, Anwar el Ghazi the closest hitting the woodwork (25’). Another penalty to the Red Devils, Bruno Fernandes tripped even though he was was the one treading on the Villan Ezri Konsa’s ankle. Pf. The Portuguese netted the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong way, giving the visitors the lead against the run of play (27’). And Mason Greenwood doubled United’s lead from the semi-circle, bang in after a clinical counter involving Anthony Martial and Fernandes (45+5’). Harsh harsh scoreline, harsh on Villa. Marcus Rashford lined up a shot from outside the box, hammered it home, but Paul Pogba was offside and in the way of keeper Pepe Reina. Goal did not stand (56’). But Pogba netted one seconds later, Villa covering nothing and no one off a corner, too easy for the Frenchman, bang 0-3 (58’). Martial hit the crossbar (61’). Vila boss Dean Smith looked like he was going to kill someone, I suspect the officials and at least half of his team will be on his hit list. Down and out? United move within a point of fourth, Villa stay four points away from safety. They have a huge game against Palace on Sunday.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Palace 1:1 Chelsea - 2:3

Watford 1:0 Norwich - 2:1

Arsenal 2:1 Leicester - 1:1

Man City 2:0 Newcastle - 5:0

Sheff United 2:3 Wolves - 1:0

West Ham 2:2 Burnley - 0:1

Brighton 0:1 Liverpool - 1:3

Bournemouth 2:1 Tottenham - 0:0

Everton 2:2 Southampton - 1:1

Aston Villa 0:2 Man United - 0:3

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

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