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 15

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 15

The 15th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

31 goals - most by Liverpool = 5

221 shots - most by Chelsea = 25

95 on target - most by Chelsea and Brighton = 9 each

108 corners - most by Bournemouth, Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton = 9 each

215 fouls - most by Chelsea = 18

31 bookings - most by Palace, Bournemouth, Leicester and Arsenal = 3 each
1 red card - Sakho for Palace

2 penalties - 2 scored (Rashford for Man United, Vardy for Leicester)

#CRYBOU

Eagle Mamadou Sakho is the first Amazon Prime sending off for a dangerous high boot on Adam Smith after not even 19 minutes. Jeffrey Schlupp broke the deadlock against the run of play, a low shot across goal that somehow passed Aaron Ramsdale’s left glove, finishing off a great individual run and dribble to give the ten men the lead (74’). Roy Hodgson’s men held on to the win, the three points shooting them up to 5th for the night, leaving Eddie Howe’s side in 12th before the other fixtures on Wednesday and Thursday, disappointing for then they couldn’t capitalise with the extra man. 

#BURMCI

Gabriel Jesus gave the visitors the lead with the sweetest of the sweet curlers, keeper Nick Pope had no chance of stopping the first Amazon Prime goal (24’). And the number 9 smashed in Bernardo Silva’s fine cross from close range to give him a brace and double the champions’ lead after the break (50’), top quality all the way with both goals. And Rodri made it three goals and three points with a smacker from the edge of the box (68’). Riyad Mahrez added insult to injury with an easy finish, too easy, to make it 0-4 with his 50th PL goal (87’). Wow goals, more woes for Sean Dyche’s men, the defeat dragging them into the bottom half of the table. They did pull one back thanks to Robbie Brady (89’), better than nothing. So, it ended 1-4, not quite perfect for Pep Guardiola and his side, but hey, good enough and back to their old sparkling ways, much better after the last few struggling weeks. 

#CHEAVI

Tammy Abraham wasn’t sure, didn’t celebrate because the Chelsea striker thought he was offside (and/or out of respect because he played for the opponents on loan last season), but (either way) replays showed and VAR confirmed he was fine, the goal stood to give the Blues the lead (24’). But lack of communication at the back gave Trézéguet all the time and space to bundle the ball over the line and equalise for the Villans (41’). They all count. Another Blue academy graduate Mason Mount smashed the ball in soon after the restart (48’) to save the game, points and day for Frank Lampard and his men, the win keeping the gap growing between the top four and the rest, whilst the Villans remain 15th.

#LEIWAT

Jamie Vardy gave the Foxes the lead with a bullet of a penalty to make it his seventh consecutive game on the scoreboard (51’), after Adam Masina had a hand in the face of Jonny Evans. James Maddison doubled the home side’s lead with a quick run and shot across and in (90+5’) to make it two goals and three points for Brendan Rodgers’ men, equalling their club record of seven consecutive wins in the top flight, taking them back up to second, eight points behind the Reds at the top. The Hornets remain rock bottom, seven points from safety.

#MUNTOT

The much anticipated return of José Mourinho to Old Trafford was much anticipated, but ended up quite disappointing. Paulo Gazzaniga’s spill handed Marcus Rashford the opener (6’), giving the home side the lead against their former boss. Dele Alli equalised with a fine individual move = take, turn, control and shot (39’). Rashford was fouled in the box and converted the spot kick soon after the restart (49’), following a long VAR check. The Red Devils ended the Portuguese's three-match winning streak with Spurs, taking Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side up to sixth, one point and two places above the London opposition. 

#SOUNOR

Danny Ings headed the Saints ahead at St Mary's with his eighth goal of the season to make it four in four (22’). Ryan Bertrand converted Shane Long’s header off a corner to double the home side’s lead (43’). Teemu Pukki pulled one back for the visitors with a nice run on the left and take, slam, bam, thank you ma’am, the defenders watching (65’). The result is crucial in the relegation battle as the three points take Ralph Hasenhüttl's side out of the drop zone, whilst the Canaries remain 19th, four points from safety.

#WOLWHU

A tap-in for Leander Dendoncker into the bottom corner opened the scoring for the hosts (23’). Patrick Cutrone doubled the Wanderers’ lead netting from close range with the Hammers all over the place (86’). The win stretches Nuno Espírito Santo’s side's unbeaten league run to ten games, taking them up to fifth, whilst the Hammers remain 13th after their third defeat on the trot - is Manuel Pellegrini next on the sack list?

#LIVEVE

This time Divock Origi didn’t even take six minutes to break the deadlock thanks to a super pass across by Sadio Mané, giving his teammate only the keeper to beat and the Belgian did so with ease to give the Reds the lead at Anfield (6’ - 90 minutes less than last time = week 14 last season). And the Senegalese superstar provided again, this time setting up Xherdan Shaqiri inside the box, who made no mistake from close range, doubling the lead (17’). Michael Keane pulled one back for the Toffees after Dejan Lovren tumbled unable to mark his man off a chaotic corner (21’). Origi made it 3-1 off Lovren’s long ball with a beauty of a control and take from inside the box (31’). Mané made it four after a brilliant counter run and finish (45’), helped by a magnificent run and set up with and from TAA. The crazy counter attacking derby continued, Bernard Richarlison heading one back for the visitors, across a helpless Adrián (45+3’), to make it 4-2 at the break, a record SIX GOALS in the first half. It wasn’t till the last minute Georginio Wijnaldum made it five for the hosts, another fine finish off a fine move and set up by cheeky sub Roberto Firmino with one of his trademark blind takes (90’). The result saw the Reds keep their eight-point lead at the top and break their unbeaten record in top-flight history of 32 matches without defeat, whilst Marco Silva finally got the sack.

#SHUNEW

Allan Saint-Maximin broke the deadlock with a strong header, his first goal for the Magpies (15’). Martin Dúbravka made a top save at the other end shortly after, denying Oli McBurnie an equaliser. The keeper showed strong gloves for the rest of the half as well, keeping the visitors ahead. Save. After. Save. After. Save. Jonjo Shelvey doubled the hosts’ lead against the run of play, running clear and netting into the bottom right corner (70’), the United players standing still, thinking offside cause the former Liverpool man was flagged offside, but he kept running, going and scoring. VAR checked and confirmed, onside, 0-2, an odd but nice one for Steve Bruce’s men. Farce. VARce as BBC put it. Chris Wilder was not happy, and understandably so after his side's dominance. The result sees the Magpies climb up to 11th, whilst the Yorkshire side remain ninth. 

#ARSBHA

The Seagulls were dominating, the opening goal was no surprise. The Gunners were all over the place, Adam Webster gave the visitors the lead from close range, fully deserved (36’). A scruffy equaliser shortly after the restart, Alexandre Lacazette’s bundle-tumble over the line was confirmed by the VAR (50’). David Luiz clearly offside when netting a free kick (63’). Neal Maupay headed in the second for the visitors, too easy, again, all the red shirts not moving, just watching, non-existent defense (80’). A top save by Albion's keeper Mathew Ryan kept his side ahead late on, quick reaction. Managerless Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 matches in all competitions, on their worst winless run since 1977, ten points off a Champions League spot in tenth. Brighton meanwhile, climb up to 12th after their first win in four games. 

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Crystal Palace 1:2 Bournemouth - 1:0

Burnley 1:1 Man City - 1:4

Chelsea 2:1 Aston Villa - 2:1

Leicester 4:0 Watford - 2:0

Man Utd 2:2 Tottenham - 2:1

Southampton 1:2 Norwich - 2:1 

Wolves 2:1 West Ham - 2:0 

Liverpool 4:1 Everton - 5:2

Sheff Utd 2:1 Newcastle - 0:2

Arsenal 2:1 Brighton - 1:2

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 4

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 4

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

31 goals - most by Man City = 4

264 shots - most by Arsenal = 26

96 on target - most by Tottenham = 9

107 corners - most by Crystal Palace = 13

232 fouls - most by Tottenham = 19

37 bookings - most by Tottenham = 5

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

1 penalty - 1 scored (Kane for Tottenham)

#SOUMUN

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

#CHESHU

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

#CRYAVL

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

#LEIBOU

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

#MCIBRI

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

#NEWWAT

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

#WHUNOR

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

#BURLIV

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

#EVEWOL

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

#ARSTOT 

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

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

Chelsea 2:1 Sheff United - 2:2

Crystal Palace 1:0 Aston Villa - 1:0

Leicester 1:1 Bournemouth - 3:1

Man City 3:1 Brighton - 4:0

Newcastle 2:1 Watford - 1:1

West Ham 2:2 Norwich - 2:0

Burnley 1:3 Liverpool - 0:3

Everton 1:1 Wolves - 3:2

Arsenal 1:1 Tottenham - 2:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 30

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 30

The 30th week of Premier League action saw:

33 goals - most by Liverpool = 4

237 shots - most by Liverpool = 23

81 on target - most by Man City = 9

103 corners - most by Chelsea = 13

220 fouls - most by Brighton and Man United = 18 each

38 bookings - most by Brighton = 5

0 red cards

3 penalties - 2 scored (Milivojević for Crystal Palace, Aubameyang for Arsenal)

What a game! It was a super comeback by Newcastle against Everton, their best, winning a Premier League game from two goals down for the first time since October 2003 against Fulham under Sir Bobby Robson. Rafael Benítez's men were 0-2 down and showed no sign of any threat at half-time, however, the Magpies took the Toffees apart after the break. Ayoze Pérez was the controversial hero with a brace (81’, 84’) plus an assist (Rondón 65’), for a perfect second-half comeback, including a Jordan Pickford flop. More to the England keeper's disastrous performance below.

It was a Super Sunday indeed, three games, plenty of goals, including two braces at Anfield, later than late equaliser at Stamford Bridge and end of a run at the Emirates. More to the first two below. The Gunners shot down and ended the Red Devils' unbeaten run in the league under caretaker Ole Gunnar Solskjær, thanks to Granit Xhaka's swerving shot making David de Gea look like a fool (12') and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converting a super-soft penalty (69'). The visitors had hit the woodwork a couple of times before the break and didn't go down easily, so it was a sweet win for Unai Emery's men, their ninth home win in a row, which takes them above United and back up to fourth, just one point behind Tottenham in third.

What a team! Liverpool kept the title race going thrashing Burnley 4-2 at Anfield, but not without controversies and tensions. Roberto Firmino (19’, 67’) and Sadio Mané (29’, 90’+3’) with a brace each made up for Ashley Westwood’s controversial opener (6’), where Alisson looked like being fouled before the corner went into the back of the net. The Red keeper was booked for his objections against the decision, double argh! Sub Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson pulled one back late on (90’+1’), but the home side sealed and bagged the three points despite all ups and downs. Manchester City had kept the pressure on with a win the day before, more to the questionable calls at the Etihad against Watford below.

Fulham join Huddersfield in deep trouble after a flopping defeat at Leicester. West Ham have to be careful not to join the two clubs in the drop zone after yet another disappointing result at Cardiff! Consistently inconsistent! More below.

What a man! The double-century for Harry Kane was set up by Dele Alli (26’), but was all for nothing thanks to the super goal by Southampton mentioned below. The Spurs star looked offside anyways. More to the usual useless refereeing below, as always. 

Jamie Vardy’s 100th and 101st banked Brendan Rodgers his first win as Leicester boss against Fulham. The managerless London side look doomed and down with Huddersfield.

And it was Eden Hazard of course, who else, to spare Chelsea from yet another miserable defeat against Wolves. His 92nd minute equaliser was like scripted, fitting to the top player he is, curled in to the bottom corner to nullify Raul Jiménez’s opener on the counter (56’). It was the only shot on target for the Blues. Cruel. More to Manchester City's hat-trick-man below. 

What a goal! Brighton’s and Southampton’s second goals were both unstoppable crackers into the top corner, no chance for either keeper. The prior was Anthony Knockaert’s winner at Crystal Palace (74’), whilst the latter was James Ward-Prowse’s incredible free-kick that shocked Tottenham (81’) after Yan Valery’s equaliser (76’). The prior was especially outraging for Roy Hodgson after the Brighton winger got booked with just 28 seconds on the clock, lucky it wasn’t red! Glenn Murray’s 100th was double-sweet/sour after that (depending which side you're on)! 
The first Manchester City goal looked offside: The defender made contact with the ball, yes, but when the cross was made, Raheem Sterling was offside. The long debate between the linesman and ref was double-annoying. The Watford bus was broken after that. Sterling doubled the lead, Sergio Agüero looking offside in that buildup. The hat-trick was no doubt though, the former Red running through the Hornets defence, to make it three goals in 13 minutes (46’, 50’, 59’), 3-1 to the Citizens, keeping them at the helm. For now

What the hell?! Everton keeper Pickford should have been sent off. He was the last man, didn’t go for the ball and took the man out, in this case Rondón, in a goalscoring opportunity. Penalty was given, but the England stopper was lucky to stay on the pitch. Matt Ritchie's poor take of the spot kick was an easy stop, the more aggrieving and annoying it was for the home side. And was Newcastle’s late winning goal offside? Marco Silva was not happy but cannot ignore his side's inconsistencies and lack of oomph. Just poor all round. The Portuguese cannot deny that his side did not deserve more and had lucky calls of their own. He is not alone with his frustrations about the officials, I rant on about them every week! Week in week out there are too many errors. In any other profession, one would expect consequences if someone would make so many bad calls! Penalties, suspensions, sackings... I am not gonna repeat all the bad calls I mentioned above... And there were more! Cardiff’s second goal was just as questionable as City’s opener. As well as Burnley’s first. Etc. Etc. So. Many. Calls. JUST WRONG! AGAIN! ARGH! BOO! WTF?!

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Crystal Palace 2:1 Brighton - 1:2

Cardiff 2:0 West Ham - 2:0

Huddersfield 1:0 Bournemouth - 0:2

Leicester 2:1 Fulham - 3:1

Newcastle 2:1 Everton - 3:2

Southampton 1:2 Tottenham - 2:1

Man City 2:0 Watford - 3:1

Liverpool 3:0 Burnley - 4:2

Chelsea 3:1 Wolves - 1:1

Arsenal 3:2 Man United - 2:0

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