Premier League Notes - Week 33

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 33

The 33rd week of the Premier League football action saw:

26 goals - most by Man United = 5

234 shots - most by Man City = 26

79 on target - most by Man United = 10

99 corners - most by Man City = 13

216 fouls - most by Leicester and Liverpool = 18 each

27 bookings - most by Arsenal = 4

0 red cards

3 penalties - 3 scored (Rashford for United, King for Bournemouth, Willian for Chelsea)

#NORBHA

Lovely run and cross by Aaron Mooy from the right, Leandro Trossard swept it in from close range, past all the yellow shirts, keeper Tim Krul nowhere near (25’). Plenty of chances for both sides after that, the woodwork was the busiest at Carrow Road. It stayed at just the one goal, Brighton safe, Norwich gone, surely.

#LEICRY

James Justin hit the woodwork early on for the hosts, but neither side created much, no shots on target at the HT break in the King Power Stadium. Superb Youri Tielemans run and cross from the left, knocked in by Kelechi Iheanacho to open the scoring (50’). Jamie Vardy doubled the Foxes’ lead, an easy tap in against some awful defending, his 100th Premier League goal (76’). And he made it 101, running clear from the halfway line, and finding the right corner with a lovely finish past the hopeless Palace keeper Vicente Guaita (90+4’). Three goals and three much-needed points for Brendan Rodgers and co to stay in the top four.

#MUNBOU

Junior Stanislas gave the Cherries the lead at Old Trafford, from close range, nutmegging Harry Maguire and beating David de Gea at his near post, after another chance got blocked but not cleared, the Red Devils unable to deal with it (17’). Mason Greenwood smashed in the equaliser, in off Aaron Ramsdale (29’). Adam Smith conceded a penalty with an obvious handball off a United corner, Marcus Rashford smashed the spot kick in to turn the game around, 2-1 (35’). It’s his 20th goal this season (all comps) - no English player has reached that total for Man Utd since Wayne Rooney in 2011-2012. Anthony Martial hit in an absolute beauty, across from left outside the box, into the top right corner of the net, to make it 1-3 (47’). And that made it the first time since 2011 that two United players have scored over 20. Wow. Bournemouth came out swinging after the HT break, saw a shot blocked, then Arnaut Danjuma hit the post. A spot kick was given for an Eric Bailly handball, or shoulder, the VAR took their time as always, penalty given eventually. Joshua King beat de Gea, just, to the keeper’s left, 3-2 (49’). Equaliser by Danjuma was flagged offside seconds later, confusing, mad. Greenwood whacked another one in off the keeper’s glove to make it 4-2 (55’). Bruno Fernandes slashed in a free kick from about 15 yards out to make it five for the Red Devils (59’). Rashford poked in the sixth - flagged offside, another VAR check, all the lines concluded, offside, so it stayed 5-2 (66’). No goals the last half an hour-ish, hard defeat for the visitors stuck in 19th, happy smash for OGS and co keeping them in the race for Europe.

#WOLARS

Super save with his left boot by the Portuguese Wolves stopper Rui Patrício against Eddie Nketiah, before ‪Bukayo Saka was left unmarked in the centre of the box, easy swing with his left foot and smash in to put the Gunners ahead (43’). Lovely. His maiden Premier League goal was the first Wolves have conceded in the competition in 448 minutes of action since a Serge Aurier strike in March (Week 28). Rocket. Alexandre Lacazette sealed the win slotting home the second into the far corner (86’). This is Arsenal's first away league win against a team they started the day below in the table since September 2015, putting them up to seventh and back in the European race.

#CHEWAT

Olivier Giroud slashed home the opener, top quality, past a fighting but helpless defense and keeper Ben Foster (29’). Christian Pulisic was charged down by Étienne Capoue in the box, the ref didn’t hesitate, penalty, netted confidently by Willian just before the break to make it 2-0 to the Blues (43’). Kepa Arrizabalaga made some impressive blocks and stops, but Ross Barkley sealed the win in stoppage time (90+2’), nice turn, control and left-footed take, unmarked in the box, to make it three goals and three points for Frank Lampard and co.

#BURSHU

James Tarkowski put the home side ahead with a slide in from close range (43’). John Egan levelled the score late on, unmarked, across and into the top far corner of the net (80’). Share of spoils, Burnley moved up to ninth, overtaking United who played better but not good enough to take the lead. 

#NEWWHU

Michail Antonio gave the Hammers an early lead thanks to some awful defending and fine cross into the box by Jarrod Bowen (4’). Miguel Almirón was left with an easy touch in to level the score for the Magpies after some lovely buildup play by Allan Saint-Maximin and Emil Krafth (17’). Pace and play stayed relentless after that competitive start, David Moyes’ men with more chances and possession of the ball. But Saint-Maximin was everywhere for the hosts, keeping Steve Bruce’s side competing in the match. Tomáš Souček smashed in the rebound of Declan Rice’s header that came back off the woodwork to put the visitors ahead (66’). Jonjo Shelvey levelled the score seconds later, hitting the ball across and in, after slashing through the Hammers’ back line thanks to a nice one-two with Dwight Gayle in the buildup (67’). Moyes and co couldn’t believe their eyes. His side kept pushing, pressing, trying, but it ended two goals and a point each.

#LIVAVL

The ref Paul Tierney was poor, but more to Villa’s advantage, Mo Salah was fouled more than once, but nothing given. Dire half overall, the Reds nowhere, the Villans definitely the happier of the two. Naby Keïta's pass found Sadio Mané in the box, after a bit of ping pong, the ball went off the crossbar and in, from close range (71’). Finally, the Villa deadlock was broken, something to cheer about for the Reds. It's the Senegalese’s 50th goal at Anfield. ‪His Egyptian team mate headed the ball down to young sub Curtis Jones in centre of the box, unmarked, had enough time and space to put it into the bottom left corner and make it 2-0 with his first goal for the club (89’)‬. Three more points for Jürgen Klopp’s record breakers, keeping their unbeaten run at home going and points total rolling. Click here for my full ByTheMinLFC coverage.

#SOUMCI

Ché Adams payed more attention than anyone else, won the ball near the centre circle, saw Ederson out of position, right foot shot up and over the City keeper and in to give the Saints the lead (16’). It’s his first ever PL goal in his 25th appearance and 22nd shot. The other stopper Alex McCarthy made save after save after save, sublime. Philip Foden and Kevin De Bruyne came on with just under an hour gone (59’). But the Saints kept blocking, blocking and blocking, whatever the Sky Blues fired at them. Outstanding defending. Unbelievable. With that win, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men are safe on 43 points, condemning Pep Guardiola’s side to their ninth defeat of the season. 

#TOTEVE

Scabby opener, Everton unable to clear the ball, Giovani Lo Celso effort went in off Michael Keane, giving Jordan Pickford no chance and putting Spurs ahead (24’). The Toffees enjoyed more possession and chances end of the first half, but the Londoners stayed ahead at the break, however there was a bust-up between two of their players on their way out. Keeper and skipper Hugo Lloris had to be held back by his own team mates having a dispute with Son Heung-min. That was the only thing worth mentioning that happened on the pitch. After the break, nothing of note happened, dire game, the own goal the decider, that says it all. The drag win saw José Mourinho’s side up to ninth, whilst Carlo Ancelotti and co stay 11th.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Norwich 1:2 Brighton - 0:1

Leicester 1:1 Palace - 3:0

Man United 2:0 Bournemouth - 5:2

Wolves 1:2 Arsenal - 0:2

Chelsea 1:1 Watford - 3:0

Burnley 1:1 Sheff United - 1:1

Newcastle 3:2 West Ham - 2:2

Liverpool 4:0 Aston Villa - 2:0

Southampton 0:2 Man City - 1:0

Tottenham 2:2 Everton - 1:0

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. 

Premier League Notes - Week 18

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 18

The 18th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

18 goals - most by Southampton and Man City = 3 each
197 shots - most by Man City = 23
67 on target - most by Man City = 12
83 corners - most by Wolves = 11
217 fouls - most by Burnley = 21
41 bookings - most by Burnley, Wolves and Spurs = 4 each
1 red card - Son Heung-min for Spurs
2 penalties - 2 scored (Gündogan for City, Deeney for Watford, Willian for Chelsea)

#EVEARS

The lunchtime kickoff was a dire game, dismal to watch. Both new bosses have a hell of a job ahead of them. Carlo Ancelotti looked miserable in the crowd, watching the Toffees not produce a single shot on target in Duncan Ferguson's last game as caretaker manager, whilst Mikel Arteta looked on pondering, his Gunners firing blanks, the result dragging them down to 11th. 

#AVISOU

Danny Ings put the visitors ahead with a cheeky side-footer after Shane Long’s shot was saved but not cleared (21’). Jack Stephens doubled the lead nodding the ball past the diving Tom Heaton (31’). Ings was gifted his brace and it sealed the victory shortly after the break (55’), making it seven goals in the last seven games for the former Liverpool striker. The Saints were on fire! Jack Grealish did pull one back for the Villans (75’), but the home side couldn’t avoid their fourth defeat on the trot, a disappointing run after their well deserved point at Old Trafford at the beginning of the month (week 14), taking them down to 18th.

#BOUBUR

Like the early kickoff, there wasn’t much action to write about in this match at the Vitality Stadium. Until the final minute. Jay Rodriguez with the winner (89’), a powerful header to break the deadlock, his first goal in eight games for the visitors. It was the only shot on target. Three points is what counts most, taking the Clarets up to tenth, whilst the Cherries remain 14th.

#BHASHU

John Egan’s early goal for United (8’) was disallowed by VAR for handball (9’). Neal Maupay saw his tap-in disallowed for offside, provider Martin Montoya not keeping his line right. The visitors were ahead eventually, record signing Oli McBurnie with a really strong finish (22’), his third goal of the season. Jack O’Connell thought he had doubled the lead (56’), but was disallowed for offside, again, busy flags and VAR! The Blades have now had four Premier League goals awarded on the field only to be ruled out by VAR this season, more than any other club. Overruled, but still worthy winners, climbing up to fifth.

#NEWCRY

The visitors were pinned back by the Magpies for most of the first half, but both sides didn’t make much happen in front of goal. Miguel Almirón broke the deadlock with a top-notch winner (82’), totally unmarked, his first goal for the club after 27 games and 47 shots, the wild celebrations reflected the relief. Roy Hodgson will have been gutted after his men worked hard creating more chances, making up for a disappointing start, but the Eagles just let themselves down overall, dropping down to 12th, whilst Steve Bruce's men climb up to ninth.

#NORWOL

The Canaries bossed the first half. Todd Cantwell gave the home side the lead they fully deserved (17’) after Alex Tettey hit the woodwork early on. Teemu Pukki could and should have had a hat-trick, so many clear chances wasted wide or softly, not discrediting the keeper Rui Patrício’s top saves. Romain Saïss made the home side pay for all those misses, capitalising on poor defending and heading in the equaliser (61’). Raúl Jiménez had enough time and space in the box to net the rebound off Tim Krul’s save (81’). Just one win in the last 13 for Norwich sees them remain stuck in 19th, the Wolves coming back and hurting them, the win taking them up to 6th.

#MCILEI

Jamie Vardy opened the scoring for the Foxes dinking the ball over Ederson with a top-draw finish (22’). Riyad Mahrez levelled against his former team with a fine low take turning/deflecting the ball around and past Kasper Schmeichel (31’). And İlkay Gündoğan turned the game around from the spot, softer than soft penalty, Raheem Sterling making the most of Ricardo Pereira’s contact (43’). Tap-in for Gabriel Jesus off a perfect setup from the right by Kevin De Bruyne made it 3-1 (69’). If it weren’t for Leicester's top stopper, it would have been an absolute thrashing. Brendan Rodgers and his men’s momentum’s halted, their gap in second place is closed to within a point by Pep Guardiola and co in third, ten and 11 points away from the top spot respectively.

#WATMUN

After a quite uneventful first half, both sides unable to get anything on target, a mad four minutes saw the Red Devils pushing the self-destruct button, which the Hornets gratefully accepted and capitalised on. First David de Gea let Ismaïla Sarr’s weak shot slip through his gloves and into the goal (50’) - since the start of last season, no player has made more errors leading to Premier League goals than the Spanish stopper. Then Aaron Wan-Bissaka brought down the scorer very clumsily in the box, Troy Deeney smacking the spot kick into the back of the net to make it 2-0 (54’). That woke up Vicarage Road, witnessing their first home victory and only their second win of the season. Not bad at all for new boss Nigel Pearson’s first home game! Merry Christmas! How much longer will Ole stay at the wheel after his fifth defeat in the league? They’re eighth, their lowest position at this stage of a season since 1989. Where’s Santa when you need him?

#TOTCHE

Form went out of the window in this Super Sunday London derby. Willian gave the visitors the lead with an absolute cracker (11’), a lovely unstoppable curler from just inside the box into the far corner, beauty. From cracker to comical: the penalty - what was Paulo Gazzaniga and the referee thinking? The keeper bashed into Marcos Alonso with a high boot, the ref Anthony Taylor gave a free kick against the Blue, the French commentators were laughing. VAR revised and corrected it, definite penalty and booking. Willian made it 0:2 from the spot to end the half, which the visitors bossed. And it went from bad to worse for Spurs when Son Heung-min received a straight red after the VAR revised his daft kick-out at Antonio Rüdiger following a fowl by the Blue defender (62’), his third sending off in his last 17 league starts. I don’t know what José Mourinho was arguing about with the fourth official, it looked clear to me and the VAR. Racist chants followed, and eight minutes added on to top it all off! Frank Lampard celebrated thoroughly with the away fans after the FT-whistle, the win against his former boss widens the gap between the top four and the rest to four points.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Everton 1:2 Arsenal - 0:0
Aston Villa 2:1 Southampton - 1:3
Bournemouth 2:2 Burnley - 0:1
Brighton 1:1 Sheff United - 0:1
Newcastle 2:2 Crystal Palace - 1:0
Norwich 1:2 Wolves - 1:2
Man City 1:2 Leicester - 3:1
Watford 1:3 Man United - 2:0
Tottenham 3:1 Chelsea - 0:2
West Ham P:P Liverpool - postponed because of the Club World Cup.

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Spurs Thrash LFC 4-1 At Wembley

Sports - Football - Premier League - THFC 4:1 LFC

Harry Kane scored two and set up one as Tottenham downed Liverpool 4-1 at Wembley in the Super Sunday afternoon kick-off.

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The super striker didn't even take four minutes to rip through the Red back line and round keeper Simon Mignolet to break the deadlock.

Eight minutes later, the 24-year-old set up Son Heung-min to double the score, the Red defence just lagging behind.

Mohamed Salah pulled one back for the visitors just over halfway through the first half, putting away Jordan Henderson's through ball.

But just before the interval Dele Alli's volley from the edge of the area made it 3-1.

Kane sealed the deal just over ten minutes after the break after Mignolet flapped and failed to clear a free-kick, the rebound of Jan Vertonghen's shot falling to the Ballon d'Or nominee to make it 4-1.

Liverpool's defence was just over-stretched. All goals were due to leaks, massive gaps, lack of physical presence, speed and any kind of cover.

Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren were nowhere near good enough, too slow, too sloppy, clueless, Joe Gomez and Alberto Moreno unable to cope.

It said it all when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought on for Lovren with just over half an hour gone.

But the visitors were unable to get back into the game, despite Salah's and Philippe Coutinho's best attempts and dominance in possession.

Spurs stopper Hugo Lloris showed the opposition how it's done with some great stops, quick reaction, strong and solid presence. Something the Reds are missing!!!

Their Belgian stopper has made 13 errors leading to goals in the league since making his Liverpool debut in 2013, three more than anyone else.

The London side's boss Mauricio Pochettino was very happy for his fans, in front of Diego Maradona and Kobe Bryant, "Wembley starts to feel home" with a Premier League record crowd of 80,827.

Tottenham are up to third on 20 points, level with United in second, four points ahead of Chelsea in fourth, after their second consecutive win at their new home.

LFC manager Jürgen Klopp took "100% responsibility" pointing out the "bad, bad, bad defence. Their desire was better than ours."

Sad but true. It was no contest. The Reds are left slumbering in ninth on 13 points, trailing the top by 12 points.

Liverpool have conceded 16 goals in the league this season, their worst defensive record after nine top-flight games since 1964-65.

They have struggled most on the road, conceding 15 goals, the most in the league this season.

Next on the fixture list: A little break as the Reds are out of the League Cup, until they host Huddersfield at Anfield on Saturday.

The Tigers are high-flying after beating Manchester United 2-1 in a very convincing, strong, organised and confident display.

Again, something the Reds are missing!!!

Tottenham Goals: Kane 4' & 56', Son Heung-min 12' & Alli 45'+3.

Liverpool Goal: Salah 24'.

Tottenham Team: 1 Lloris, 4 Alderweireld, 6 Sánchez, 5 Vertonghen, 2 Trippier, 23 Eriksen (15 Dier 81'), 29 Winks, 20 Alli, 24 Aurier, 10 Kane (18 Llorente 88'), 7 Son Heung-min (17 Sissoko 69').
Subs not used: 3 Rose, 13 Vorm, 14 Nkoudou, 33 Davies.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet, 12 Gomez, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 31'), 18 Moreno, 7 Milner, 14 Henderson, 23 Can (booked) (16 Grujic 83'), 10 Coutinho, 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 77'), 11 Salah.
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Match Stats: THFC 4-1 LFC
Possession: 36%-64%
Shots: 14-12
On target: 6-7
Corners: 3-5
Fouls: 2-8
Yellow cards: 0-1
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Harry Kane
Ground: Wembley
Attendance: 80,827

Click here for my previous LFC match report. 

All pictures, quotes, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, MOTD2, Twitter and SFR match coverage.

Mané Double Downs Spurs

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

Man of the match Sadio Mané's double helped Liverpool to their much missed winning selves to beat Tottenham 2-0 at Anfield.

The Senegal forward's return from the Africa Cup of Nations served the Reds their first win of the year, injecting much missed energy, speed and determination.

Mauricio Pochettino's men don't like the top six as form shows (recording just 1 win in the last 17 games), whilst Jürgen Klopp can be a very relieved man.

Most of the action happened in the first half, the Reds dominating the show, making Spurs look clumsy and all over the place.

Mané fired the home side ahead after 16 minutes, beating left-back Ben Davies to Georginio Wijnaldum's pass.

138 seconds later, the £34m former Saints man doubled the lead from close range after a fine double save by Hugo Lloris denying Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino.

If it weren't for the French stopper, the score could have been much worse at the interval, Liverpool recording 13 attempts, 8 on target, keeping him very busy.

At the other end, Simon Mignolet didn't have much to do, but was alert enough to deny Son Heung-min one-on-one shortly after Mané's double.

The second half was less eventful, the Reds happy and comfortable with the lead, Spurs not threatening nor creating much.

The win takes Liverpool back up to fourth, whilst second-placed Tottenham see the gap to the top widen to nine points, with both Chelsea and Man City still to play on Sunday and Monday respectively.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 16' & 18'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 2 Clyne, 33 Matip (booked 56'), 21 Lucas (17 Klavan 82'), 7 Milner (booked 68'); 20 Lallana, 14 Henderson (c) (booked 53'), 5 Wijnaldum; 19 Mané (66 Alex-Arnold 90'+2'), 11 Firmino, 10 Coutinho (23 Can 77'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 15 Sturridge,  18 Moreno,  27 Origi.

Tottenham Team: 1 Lloris (c); 2 Walker, 4 Alderweireld (booked 83'), 15 Dier (booked 78'), 33 Davies; 19 Dembele (17 Sissoko 77'), 12 Wanyama; 23 Eriksen (29 Winks 68' (booked 71')), 20 Alli, 7 Son (booked 28') (9 Janssen 82'); 10 Kane (booked 67'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 13 Vorm, 14 Nkoudou, 16 Trippier,  27 Wimmer.

HT & FT stats: LFC-THFC
Possession: 54%-46% & 51%-49%
Attempts: 13-5 & 17-7
On target: 8-2 & 9-2
Offsides: 0-0 & 2-1
Corners: 8-2 & 10-3
Fouls: 5-5 & 14-14
Yellow cards: 0-1 & 3-5
Red cards: 0-0 & 0-0

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Man of the match: Sadio Mané
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,159

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

Click here for my previous LFC match report.