Premier League Picks Of The Week 18

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 18

The 18th week of Premier League action saw:

34 goals - most by Tottenham = 6

241 shots - most by Man City = 19

91 on target - most by Man United = 9

97 corners - most by Man City = 13

200 fouls - most by Brighton = 18

33 bookings - most by Burnley = 5

1 red card - Dunk for Brighton

5 penalties - 5 scored (Milivojevic for Palace, Ings for Southampton, Deeney for Watford, Camarasa for Cardiff, Lingard for United)

What a match! 15th-placed Crystal Palace absolutely stunned champions Manchester City with a comeback-and-a-half, ending up 2-3 winners in the Saturday afternoon encounter at the Etihad. Andros Townsend’s smacker from 30 yards out made it 1-2 (35’) after İlkay Gündoğan had given the Citizens the lead (27’) and Jeffrey Schlupp equalised (33’), making it three goals in eight minutes and adding up to a very juicy half of football. The home side dominated but the visitors kept control and made their few chances count (three shots on target = three goals). Luka Milivojević added to the Eagles’ lead making it 1-3 from the spot after the break (51’) before Kevin De Bruyne pulled a nice one back late on - intentional or not - with a cross/shot from distance (85’). It’s the London side’s first win at City for exactly 28 years, taking them up to 14th, six points clear of the drop zone, Roy Hodgson called it “one of those bonanza days”. It’s a very unusual feeling for Pep Guardiola, whose side were 13 points clear at the top last Christmas, but now trail leaders Liverpool by four points after their second defeat in their past three Premier League games - as many losses as in their previous 61 league matches combined. More to the Reds’ top form below.

What a team! Liverpool kept their unbeaten run going on the very rainy Friday night, ending up very wet but quite comfortable 0-2 winners at Wolves. Man of the match Mohamed Salah scored the opener (18’), making the Egyptian the top scorer in the league, and set up the other, Virgil van Dijk and the Dutchman's first goal for the club (68’). No discrediting the home side, they tried, and got the Reds shaking a couple of times, but it was not to be. The 15th win and 11th clean sheet of the season kept Jürgen Klopp’s side at the top for Christmas, with a record of only seven goals conceded after 18 games.

Tottenham took Everton to bits on the only Super Sunday match, thrashing the Merseysiders 2-6 at Goodison Park, taking them to just two points off City in second. Son Heung-min (27’, 61’) and Harry Kane (42’, 74’) starred with a brace each, Dele Alli (35’) and Christian Eriksen (48’) adding their part to the bash. The Toffees are one point worse off after 18 games than after Ronald Koeman’s sacking and Big Sam’s appointment last season. Slipping down to eleventh, does Marco Silva have to be worried? Just a little bit.

What a man! Ralph Hasenhüttl has won two of his three Premier League match in charge after Southampton beat Huddersfield 1:3 - only one victory fewer than Mark Hughes managed in 22 attempts as Saints boss, earning him the nickname “Klopp of the Alps”. Big celebrations for the big Austrian, taking his side up to 16th, three points clear from the drop zone, whilst huge problems are piling up for his counterpart David Wagner after his side's fifth consecutive league defeat keeps them stuck in 19th, four points away from safety. 
Former United stopper Ben Foster saved all seven shots on target, denying West Ham any way back into the match, Watford leaving the London Stadium 0-2 winners, taking them up to seventh, whilst the Hammers fell down to 12th.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær could not have asked for a better start as Manchester United interim manager, watching his side thrash Cardiff 1-5 in Wales. It was the first time since Sir Alex's last match in charge back in 2013 that the Red Devils scored five. Much in contrast to last week, the players looked less chaotic, passive and negative, much better, more organised, liberal, working, positive, taking initiative and control - winning! Mourinwho?!

What a goal! Townsend's belter for Palace mentioned above has to be listed and pointed out here again. You Beauty! 
Marcus Rashford's stunning free-kick opened the scoring for United against the Blue Birds after just three minutes, showing straight away where the afternoon was going at the Cardiff City Stadium. What a difference a week makes.
David Brooks produced two sublime finishes to make it 2-0 and an easy win for Bournemouth against ten-man Brighton, taking the sides to eighth and tenth place respectively. The opener was a low finish with his left foot (21’), the other a teasing flicking header up and over and in (77’) to bag and seal the three points. 

Jamie Vardy’s first-time finish in the box was a whacker of a winner (51’) and made his 250th appearance for Leicester so much sweeter, downing Chelsea 0-1 at Stamford Bridge, the Blues’ first home defeat of the season. Maurizio Sarri called it “mental confusion” after watching his side blasting and wasting plenty of chances and losing out in the end, the result lifting the Foxes up to ninth, whilst the London club trail the Reds at the top by eleven points. Next on the fixture list for Claude Puel’s men: Manchester City.

What the hell?! Sean Dyche was a very unhappy man reeling down the decisions that have gone against his side after Arsenal beat Burnley 3-1, and he had more than a point. It was the first time this season the Gunners led at the interval thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (14'), but cannot deny a lot of refereeing calls went their way. The Gabonese striker doubled the score shortly after the break (48') before Ashley Barnes pulled one back (63'). It was the latter who got an elbow in the face without any consequences and plenty other diving and close calls clearly went against the visitors at the Emirates. The Clarets have gone 61 Premier League games without a penalty, and with only 12 points after 18 games, it’s their worst start to a top-flight campaign since 1970-71 (10 points), when they ultimately got relegated. Damned.

The dire 0-0 draw at Newcastle was Fulham's first clean sheet in 22 Premier League games! Rafa Benítez watched his side create zero attempts on target. Claudio Ranieri on the other hand, could be much more relieved, a point is better than nothing. Standards.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Wolves 0:3 Liverpool - 0:2

Arsenal 3:0 Burnley - 3:1

Bournemouth 1:1 Brighton - 2:0

Chelsea 2:1 Leicester - 0:1

Huddersfield 1:1 Southampton - 1:3

Man City 4:1 Crystal Palace - 2:3

Newcastle 2:1 Fulham - 0:0

West Ham 3:2 Watford - 0:2

Cardiff 2:2 Man United - 1:5

Everton 1:2 Tottenham - 2:6

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports and live notes.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 17

Sports - Football - Premier League -  Week 17

The 17th week of the Premier League action saw:

28 goals - most by Man City, Watford, Southampton and Liverpool = 3 each

238 shots - most by Liverpool = 36

76 on target - most by Liverpool = 11

90 corners - most by Liverpool = 13

187 fouls - most by Wolves = 15

25 bookings - most by Southampton = 3

0 red cards

0 penalties

What a match! Liverpool played Manchester United off the park on Sunday. The Reds’ 3-1 win at Anfield was a let-off for the Red Devils, they could and should have been thrashed by much more, they were so bad, 36-6 shots, 11-2 on target! The opening goal was created by Fabinho with a beautiful cross and finished with a lovely take off the chest and shot in by Sadio Mané (24’). The visitors only got back into the game thanks to Alisson’s spill, netted by Jesse Lingard (33’), the hosts bossed it before and after. But it was substitute Xherdan Shaqiri who made the difference, with his brace shortly (= 144 seconds) after coming on (73’, 80’), both times helped by deflections, winning it for the Scousers. The Swiss is only the second LFC player to score at least two goals in their first game against United, the first since Nigel Clough in January 1994. The win extended the unbeaten run for Jürgen Klopp’s men and took them back to the top, a record 19 points ahead of their bitter rivals, whilst José Mourinho’s side’s misery continues, equalling their worst start to a top-flight season after 17 games back in 1990-91 (also 26 points). Even the Portuguese conceded how much better the opposition were in the match and are in general. Full. Stop.
Hence, it came to no surprise when the news broke on Tuesday, of the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager's dismissal. The more of a surprise was his replacement, former United forward Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

What a team! Manchester City made an easy recovery from their first league defeat last weekend, brushing aside Everton 3-1 at the Etihad in the early kick-off on Saturday. Gabriel Jesus’ brace (22’, 50’) and Raheem Sterling’s header minutes after coming off the bench (69’) were enough to down the Toffees, Dominic Calvert-Lewin with the only response (65’) against the dominant Citizens. The win put Pep Guardiola’s men back to the top of the table, at least for the day, whilst Marco Silva was left disappointed, with his main men Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson firing blanks and missing sitters, wasting the little and few chances they had, seeing them fail and fall down to eighth. 

What a man! Ralph Hasenhüttl was entertaining to watch on the sideline in his first match as Southampton manager and could not have asked for a better start, shocking and beating Arsenal 3-2 at St Mary’s. The surprise result ended the Saints’ 14-game winless streak and the Gunners’ 22-match unbeaten run. Charlie Austin’s 85th minute winning header ended a cracking contest, that saw Danny Ings (20’, 44’) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (28’, 53’) keep the competitive encounter going with a brace each for either side, strong headers and capitalising takes. Juicy footy. The victory took the Saints out of the drop zone, up to 17th, their Austrian boss left apologising to his counterpart Unai Emery after forgetting to shake hands as emotional celebrations took over. Who can blame him after that epic win?!

Eden Hazard scored one (33’) after having assisted the opener (Pedro 17’) to make sure Chelsea ended up 1-2 winners at Brighton on Sunday, leaving boss Maurizio Sarri relieved and full of praise for the 27-year-old. Blues defender Marcos Alonso was a very lucky man to remain on the pitch after fouling Solly March late on, who had pulled one back for the home side (66'), making the last half an hour a tense affair. Tough luck for the Seagulls.

What a goal! Captain Luka Milivojeviç's stunning strike from 25 yards out gave Crystal Palace the lead against Leicester and ended up securing a much-needed win for Roy Hodgson’s side. It's the first time the Foxes haven’t scored on the road in the league this season. Jamie Vardy got so close, the ball coming back from the inside of the post and back to the keeper. It stayed 1-0 at Selhurst Park to make it three wins on the trot for the home side, taking them up to 15th, two consecutive defeats for the visitors, pushing them down to 12th.

Salomón Rondón scored his 40th PL goal for his club, Newcastle’s first second-half goal of the season, at Huddersfield. With that the Magpies edged past the Terriers, against the run of play, to move six points clear of the drop zone. David Wagner’s side are falling further and further after their fourth successive defeat despite all the chances they created (15-8).

And it was a delightful day for Watford against Cardiff, youngster Domingos Quina making it 3-0 with a lovely turning curler (68’). It could have been double that score if it weren’t for Neil Etheridge’s solid and exemplary display and saves. The Welsh side hit back late on though and got one beautiful curler of their own back to make it 3-1 (Junior Hoilett 80’). Bobby Reid’s back-heeler was deflected, but poked back in (was it offside though?), making it two goals in two minutes and 3-2 (82’). Too little, too late.

Robert Snodgrass’ opening goal from 20 yards put West Ham ahead at Fulham (17’) in the evening kick-off on Saturday. Michail Antonio doubled the Hammers’ lead from close range (29’), the Cottagers unable to defend and keep control at the back. Or the front. They didn’t offer much after that, an easy win and crucial three points for the Hammers, the Cottagers remaining slumped and dumped at the bottom of the table.

What the hell?! How did Dele Ali miss that last-minute chance for Tottenham against Burnley?! Super sub Christian Eriksen made up for it though, to his team mates' relief, scoring the winner moments later in added time, finally breaking Sean Dyche’s men’s resistance, who failed to record a single shot on target at Wembley. Mauricio Pochettino will be a very happy man, being the first Spurs boss to record 100 PL wins in 169 games (10 matches quicker than a certain Arsène Wenger), and a club-record total of PL points after 17 games = 39.

Bournemouth suffered their sixth defeat in seven at Wolves, who won for the third time in a row in the top flight for the first time since March 1980. Worrying times for one, down to tenth, relieving and encouraging for the other, up to seventh.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Man City 1:0 Everton - 3:1

Crystal Palace 0:1 Leicester - 1:0

Huddersfield 1:1 Newcastle - 0:1

Tottenham 4:1 Burnley - 1:0

Watford 3:1 Cardiff - 3:2

Wolves 0:2 Bournemouth - 2:0

Fulham 2:2 West Ham - 0:2

Brighton 1:1 Chelsea - 1:2

Southampton 2:2 Arsenal - 3:2

Liverpool 2:1 Man United - 3:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, Gillette Soccer Saturday, MOTD, Twitter and Sky Sports match coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 16

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 16

The 16th week of the Premier League action saw:

28 goals - most by Liverpool and Man United = 4 each

234 shots - most by Man United = 20

75 on target - most by Man United = 11

111 corners - most by Man City = 13

233  fouls - most by Huddersfield = 20

40 bookings - most by Wolves and Arsenal = 5 each

2 red cards - Zambo Aguissa for Fulham, Yedlin for Newcastle

2 penalties - 1 scored (Kamara for Fulham)

What a match! Chelsea shocked Manchester City 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, becoming the first team to beat Pep Guardiola’s men in the league this season and knock them off the top spot. The Blues were very well organised, stood back and weathered the storm, stubborn and professionally. The Citizens dominated, but the hosts hit back on the counter when it mattered most, N’Golo Kanté (45’) and David Luiz (78’) finding the gaps and pouncing on them, netting a strong right-footed strike and from a corner (that should have been a goal kick - VAR material) respectively. The more surprising and relieving the result was for the London club after Maurizio Sarri’s side’s shambolic defensive display against Tottenham and defeat at Wolves the previous weeks. 

What a team! Liverpool are the last team left in the country standing unbeaten in the league after thrashing Bournemouth 0-4 at Dean Court thanks to a Mohamed Salah hat-trick (25’, 48’, 77’) and Steve Cook's own goal (68’). The great Egyptian showed great character, staying up and scoring rather than tumbling and rolling on the floor whining after being fouled by Cook, and last but not least, sharing his man-of-the-match award with James Milner after his 500th Premier League match. Respect. Jürgen Klopp’s men went into their crucial Champions League decider against Napoli at Anfield on Tuesday much more confident, top of the Premier League, with their firing boots fit and set and yet another clean sheet on record. And the Reds made it through to the last 16, maybe not comfortable, but solid and deserved.

What a man! Paul Pogba looked a very sad and lonely man not featuring at all in Manchester United’s confident and comfortable 4-1 win against struggling Fulham at Old Trafford. Much in contrast to that, Juan Mata starred with his 50th Premier League goal that made it 2-0 and his 50th league assist. Manager José Mourinho did not shy from complimenting the Spaniard and pointing out the difference - “the quality, the brain,... he plays for the team.”. Something the Portuguese has been missing from the Frenchman and club record £89 million signing. Even Romelu Lukaku ended his goalless drought of 997 minutes at home in all competitions, scoring his first goal at Old Trafford since March that made it 3-0 before the break and easy going from there for the hosts.

What a goal! Lucas Torreira left it late at the Emirates but his winning goal was a spectacular acrobatic take and the only starring light in a very dozy, grey and gloomy day, game and display for Arsenal against Huddersfield (83’). The result takes the Gunners' unbeaten run to 21 games in all competitions, their longest since 2007. Unai Emery’s men are yet to have a league game where they lead at the break though, only two games off West Ham’s and Cardiff’s season total records of 18 games in 1994-5 and 2013-14 respectively, totalling 17 points after 16 games, whilst Arsenal are on 34 points. Worrying? Not really, it is the result that matters most. No?

Felipe Anderson’s sublime finish made it 3-2 and completed a fine comeback for West Ham against Crystal Palace (65’). The Brazilian winger’s fifth in six games added to Robert Snodgrass’ (48’) and Javier Hernández’s (62’) goals to overturn James McArthur’s early opener (6’). Jeffrey Schlupp pulled one back for Roy Hodgson’s men (76’), but it was too little too late. It’s the Hammers’ third win on the trot for the first time in two years and scoring three goals in three consecutive games for the first time in 36 years!

What the hell?! Ten-man Newcastle fell to their seventh home defeat in nine thanks to Matt Doherty’s 94th minute header to make it 1-2 to Wolves at St James' Park. Rafael Benítez was fuming, pointing out VAR cannot come soon enough, and understandably so. Referee Mike Dean was annoyingly inconsistent, sending off Magpies defender DeAndre Yedlin for pulling back Diogo Jota, even-though he was not the last man, but letting off Wolves defender Willy Boly scot-free despite elbowing Ayoze Pérez in the face. The result sees Rafa’s men remain 15th, three points above the drop zone, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side tenth. 
The former LFC and CFC Spaniard is not the only one counting down to VAR time!!! Watford manager Javi Gracia insisted the dramatic late 2-2 draw at Everton on Monday night would have definitely ended differently if the most crucial calls would have been made correctly, like the Toffees’ offside opening goal by Richarlison (15’) and Yerry Mina escaping a red card. Lucas Digne’s delightful curl five minutes into stoppage time earned the home side the point at Goodison Park, leaving the Londoners reeling after a dramatic game that saw two goals and a missed penalty in five action-packed minutes with just over an hour gone. The result takes the Hornet's winless run on the blue side of the Mersey to 13 in the league (D2 L11). Damn.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Bournemouth 1:2 Liverpool - 0:4

Arsenal 3:1 Huddersfield - 1:0

Burnley 1:1 Brighton - 1:0

Cardiff 2:1 Southampton - 1:0

Man United 2:1 Fulham - 4:1

West Ham 2:1 Crystal Palace - 3:2

Chelsea 1:3 Man City - 2:0

Leicester 1:2 Tottenham - 0:2

Newcastle 2:1 Wolves - 1:2

Everton 1:1 Watford - 2:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, Times newspaper, MOTD, BT and Sky Sports coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 15

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 15

The 15th week of the Premier League action saw:

30 goals - most by Brighton, West Ham, Liverpool and Tottenham = 3 each

274 shots - most by Fulham = 25

113 on target - most by Liverpool = 12

124 corners - most by Everton = 14

203 fouls - most by Newcastle and Wolves = 18 each

35 bookings - most by Newcastle = 5

1 red card - Duffy for Brighton

3 penalties - 2 scored (Murray for Brighton, Milivojevic for Palace)

What a game! It was a good old clash between rivals Manchester United and Arsenal on Wednesday night, first half more than the second, with bookings galore! I don’t know how all 22 players stayed on the pitch after a brutal first 45 minutes, which saw six bookings (three each), none after the restart! The clash had everything, howlers, bangers, smashers, grabbers... Each time the Gunners took the lead, thanks to Shkodran Mustafi's tame header (26') and Marcos Rojo's own goal (68'), the Red Devils hit back promptly, through Anthony Martial (30') and Jesse Lingard (69'), both pouncing on keeping and defensive errors respectively. After Alexandre Lacazette's cheeky header off keeper David de Gea's loose gloves was disallowed in the last couple of minutes of the match, many followers and the MOTD commentator pointed out Gary Crosby’s goal that stood much in contrast to this decision. A big and crucial call. It meant it stayed at two all and one point each. Shared spoils. It was the first time José Mourinho saw real fight in his side, whilst Unai Emery was happy with the performance but will still have been gutted to have seen two points dropped.

Tuesdays matches were madder than expected! Bournemouth’s “mojo” has returned according to their boss Eddie Howe after their 2-1 against Huddersfield, who threw everything at the Cherries (6-23 shots, 2-6 on target), but it was just not enough. Brighton crushed Crystal Palace 3-1 despite being down to ten men for over an hour after Shane Duffy was sent off for a stupid headbutt (28’). Chris Hughton’s side did brilliantly well keeping control, scoring some beauties, and can be very happy about the three points. Sour for Roy Hodgson though after his side had double the chances (9-18) and with the extra man, but couldn’t make anything of it.

What a team! Abdoulaye Doucouré scrambled one over the line in the 85th minute for Watford to make it a nervous finish for Manchester City at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night. Both sides recorded the same number of shots on target = seven each, the home side pushing and creating most in the dramatic final minutes. But Leroy Sané (40’) and Riyad Mahrez (51’) had done enough each side of the interval to bag yet another win and keep the Citizens at the top, five points ahead of Liverpool before the Reds played the next day, Burnley did get them worried as well, more to their win below.

What a man! New Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri's pre-match programme notes, facing his former side Leicester, beat them all! So touching and true after the tragedy that hit his ex-club. The one-all draw was a fair result, in the end, although James Maddison's equaliser (74') must have hurt after the hosts looked on course for a win after Aboubakar Kamara had given them the lead before the break (42'). The Cottagers's unwanted record of no clean sheets this season continues... They had 25 chances! But just seven on target, and one scored. The result keeps the London side at the bottom of the table. Worrying for their Italian boss.

Sub Lucas Pérez came off the bench to score two goals in five minutes to bank a very special win for West Ham against Cardiff. It ended 3-1, thanks to Hammers keeper Łukasz Fabiański’s first-half penalty save as well, denying Joe Ralls and any chance for the Welsh side to take the lead. The win takes the London club up to 12th, whilst Neil Warnock’s men have only taken one point from seven away games this season and are just two points above the drop zone.

What a goal! James Milner’s equaliser for Liverpool at Burnley was a fine low finish and crucial as hell (62’). The home side had taken a shock lead thanks to Jack Cork capitalising on Alisson’s blunder, unable to gather the ball off a corner (54’). Jürgen Klopp had named a much very different lineup after the Merseyside derby on Sunday, but that was changed after the break, Roberto Firmino’s first touch put the visitors ahead, the second goal just as banging as the first, a decisive tap in (69’)! And Xherdan Shaqiri added an extra boom late on (90’+1) to make it 1-3 and keep the Reds in the title race, two points behind league leader City. The only downside to the comeback was the injury blow to Jo Gomez, who had to be replaced halfway through the first half and will be out for over a month with a fracture.

Newcastle’s great counter equaliser spoilt the night for Everton, who rued lots of missed chances,to then drop two points (19-8 shots to be exact, and 14 corners!).

Charlie Austin’s goal for Saints against Spurs was just a consolation as they lost 3-1 at Wembley, but it was top quality and worth a smile for their new manager Ralph Hasenhüttl (I had to Google the name, it's a funny one and I am half German!).

What the hell?! Wolves 2-1 Chelsea, yes, you read right! What a comeback it was by Nuno Espírito Santo’s men... I was surprised not too see this surprise on first on MOTD! The Blues had dominated with 70% possession and 17 chances in total and it was no surprise when Ruben Loftus-Cheek 25-yard effort was deflected in and gave Maurizio Sarri's men the lead they deserved (18'). But everything changed after the restart, with two goals in four minutes, Raul Jiménez (59') and Diogo Jota (63') turning the game and Molineux on its head. The win takes Nuno's men up to 12th, just four points behind Everton in sixth, whilst Chelsea have suffered back-to-back league defeats on the road and drop to fourth, level on points with Arsenal in fifth, ten points off the top.
And an interesting final note, for the first time in eight years, every single team scored!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Bournemouth 0:0 Huddersfield* - 2:1

Brighton 0:0 Crystal Palace* - 3:1

West Ham 3:1 Cardiff - 3:1

Watford 1:2 Man City - 1:2

Burnley 0:3 Liverpool - 1:3

Everton 3:1 Newcastle - 1:1

Fulham 1:2 Leicester - 1:1

Wolves 0:2 Chelsea - 2:1

Man United 2:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Tottenham 2:0 Southampton - 3:1

*prediction failed to save, damn it, was doing so well!

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 14

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 14

The 14th week of the Premier League action saw:

30 goals - most by Arsenal = 4

254 shots - most by Crystal Palace = 29

85 on target - most by Crystal Palace & Chelsea = 9 each

107 corners - most by Crystal Palace = 10

201 fouls - most by Fulham & Tottenham = 17 each

38 bookings - most by Southampton & Man United = 4 each

3 red cards - Mounié for Huddersfield, Capoue for Watford, Vertonghen for Tottenham

3 penalties - 3 scored (Vardy for Leicester, Aubameyang for Arsenal, Kane for Tottenham)

What a game! The Super Derby Sunday was super duper! All three derbies were entertaining to watch, Chelsea ending up comfortable 2-0 winners against a spirited Fulham in the earliest kick-off of the day, followed by definitely-not-shining Liverpool leaving it later than late to find a winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby. But the other London derby between those two matches smashed all expectations, Arsenal firing Tottenham to bits, 4-2 the final score, the Emirates going absolutely mad, goals, cards, penalties, bust-ups galore! The Gunners were relentless, pushing and pressing throughout, absolutely bossing the first half an hour, taking the lead early on thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's penalty after Jan Vertonghen handled the ball in the area (10’). But then a crazy four minutes ensued, Spurs hitting back twice, Eric Dier’s glance and a Harry Kane penalty after Son Heung-min’s pathetic dive in the box, referee Mike Dean falling for it hook, line, and sinker. But Unai Emery’s men did not give up, drew level shortly after the break with Aubameyang’s second (56’) and two crucial substitutions making a big difference: Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman set up the equaliser and the Frenchman gave the home side the lead (74’), three minutes before Lucas Torreira settled and sealed it with an outstanding run and finish (77’). Vertonghen’s sending off later on (84’) condemned Mauricio Pochettino’s men to their fourth defeat of the season, their arch rivals taking their place in the top four whilst they slide down to fifth, both sides just separated by goal difference. Tense.

What a team! Bournemouth did brilliantly well and made it very hard for Manchester City, but the league leaders continued their bulldozing run, winning 3-1 to maintain their 100% home record in the league this season and take their unbeaten run to a total of 20 games in the league, sending them five points clear at the top, for just under 24 hours, before the Reds kept the gap down to two points with their late late late winner. More to that goal below.

Manchester United meanwhile were terrible to watch, going 2-0 down inside the opening 20 minutes at Southampton, including an awesome curler by Cédric Soares (20') that put a big fat surprised grin on his boss’ face. But Marcus Rashford inspired a comeback before the break, setting up two goals in six minutes, including Romelu Lukaku’s first goal since September ended his goal drought of 12 games or 981 minutes (33'). It all looked like Mark Hughes’ men were going to collapse and give it away after the restart, but the Red Devils only produced one shot on target in the second half and were a drag to watch. José Mourinho can moan, complain, point and blame as much as he likes, like last week, his job is to manage the team and it will be very surprising if the Portuguese lasts much longer.

What a man! Jürgen Klopp’s celebrations after super sub Divock Origi’s crazy injury-time winner (90’+6’) may be criticised by some, but the fans love him for it. Different to other managers (naming no names), the German just ran on the pitch to celebrate with his keeper, he wasn’t in anyone else’s face from the opposing team nor fans. It shows passion and heart and how much the derby win means to them, keeping the Reds in second, two points behind the Citizens, as mentioned above. Even Toffee boss Marco Silva understood that. Their keeper Jordan Pickford will have woken up today hoping his error was just a nightmare but having to realise it was his fumbling giveaway off the crossbar that cost his side a point and the Merseyside derby honours.

Despite the point against United mentioned above, Saints boss Hughes received the marching orders earlier today. Can’t say it’s a surprise with the side stuck in the relegation zone. As mentioned above, a certain Portuguese manager should be very worried, especially with the high-firing Gunners next on their fixture list!

What a goal! Soares' curler for Southampton mentioned above was a dream. So was Andros Townsend's opener for Crystal Palace against Burnley, an awesome smacker, more to their win below.

It took only 55 seconds for Huddersfield’s Mathias Jørgensen to open the scoring against Brighton, but it went all down hill from there for the home side. Steve Mounié was sent off for a dangerous high challenge (32’), from then on everything and every call went against David Wagner's men, the German-American boss was not happy with Michael Oliver. Shane Duffy equalised deep into injury time before the break. Florin Andone completed the comeback and won it for Brighton with a strong header {69'), his first goal in English football, his club’s first comeback win.

James Maddison’s superb goal (23’) made it 2-0 for Leicester against Watford and his manager Claude Puel a very proud manager, comparing the English youngster to Glenn Hoddle.

And last but definitely not least, Aron Gunnarson’s acrobatic finish (65’) and Junior Hoilett’s curler from distance (77’) completed a perfect comeback for Cardiff after they had fallen behind against Wolves thanks to Matt Doherty (18’) in the Friday night match. Sweet for Neil Warnock to see his side move out of the relegation zone ahead of his 70th birthday, sour for Nuno Espírito Santo, his men dropping down to 12th with the defeat.

What the hell?! After a run of three consecutive wins, Newcastle came crashing down losing 0-3 against West Ham, taking their total of defeats to six of their opening eight Premier League games at St James’ Park this season (W2), the last time that happened was 1953-54. Rafael Benítez blamed the lack of money, the Hammers having spent five times the sum of the Magpies’ investment in the transfer market in the last window. It was very frustrating as the home side had over doubled the chances (16-7 shots). Manuel Pellegrini was full of praise and will surely argue against those numbers, having nowhere near the budget of other sides, and his side in overall control throughout the match.

Crystal Palace scored their first goal from open play and recorded their first home win of the season beating Burnley 2-0. It was a shocking display by the Clarets! It could have been a much worse thrashing if it weren’t for Joe Hart’s saves and Wilfried Zaha’s misses! 29-4 shots, 9-0 on target!!! As mentioned above, Townsend’s goal that sealed the win (77') was an absolute belter! Is Sean Dyche in trouble? Eagles boss Roy Hodgson on the other hand, can be very happy, that’s for sure, his side up to 14th after this win.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Cardiff 1:1 Wolves - 2:1

Crystal Palace 1:2 Burnley - 2:0

Huddersfield 2:2 Brighton - 1:2

Leicester 2:1 Watford - 2:0

Man City 5:0 Bournemouth - 3:1

Newcastle 1:0 West Ham - 0:3

Southampton 1:1 Man United - 2:2

Chelsea 3:0 Fulham - 2:0

Arsenal 1:1 Tottenham - 4:2

Liverpool 3:1 Everton - 1:0

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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