Premier League Picks Of The Week 33

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 33

The 33rd week of the Premier League action saw:

28 goals - most by Watford and Leicester = 4 each

278 shots - most by Tottenham = 29

85 on target - most by Man City = 11

121 corners - most by Man City = 17

187 fouls - most by Burnley = 16

39 bookings - most by Liverpool and Arsenal = 4 each

1 red card - Young for Man United

3 penalties - 3 scored (Mooy for Huddersfield, Vardy for Leicester, Milivojeviç for Crystal Palace)

What a game! It was another easy win for Manchester City on Wednesday night, running all over Cardiff and ending 2-0 winners at the Etihad. It's the champions’ eighth league win in a row, putting them back to the top temporarily, a point ahead of Liverpool with six games to go, before the Reds' match on Friday. More to that one below. The Citizens' game was rearranged from the weekend thanks to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Super Sunday?! Super Shambles more like! Arsenal were a shadow of themselves last Sunday, Everton the only side playing and competing, beating Unai Emery’s side comfortably, 1-0 at Goodison Park thanks to Phil Jagielka's cheeky poke in (10'). The English centre back was a last-minute replacement for injured Michael Keane shortly before kick-off, at 36 years and 233 days, he is the oldest player to score in the Premier League this season. 19 out of 20 PL teams have kept an away clean sheet this season... Everyone except the Gunners! Comfy three points after their games in hand for Tottenham** and Chelsea* opened up the race for the top four between the London rivals (see **week 31 and *week 27 respectively under the results for their rearranged games).

What a team! Burnley produced a great comeback against Bournemouth! Sean Dyche's side fell behind early on thanks to Ashley Barnes heading the ball into the back of his own net (OG 10'). But two goals fired in in just two minutes turned the game on its head at the Vitality stadium (Wood 18', Westwood 20') and Barnes himself made sure his side went away with three goals and three points, scoring on the right side of the pitch this time after the break (56'). Does Eddie Howe and co have to be worried? Hardly. The result sees the Cherries in 13th and still ten points clear from the drop zone, the Clarets two points and one place behind them in 14th.
And the fourth consecutive league win for Leicester after thrashing already relegated Huddersfield 1-4 means life’s good for new boss Brendan Rodgers (LWWWW) and man of the match Jamie Vardy (brace 44', pen 84'), their side matching the points total of 2017-18 already after 33 games, the result moving them up to seventh!

What a man! Super sub skipper Jordan Henderson provided one and scored one for Liverpool! The Reds had fallen behind at Southampton early on thanks to Shane Long's composed finish (10'). Naby Keïta levelled the score with a header, his first goal for the club (36'). It looked like Jürgen Klopp's men were going to drop points in the title race, before Mohamed Salah produced a brilliant solo goal with only ten minutes to go (80'), a great run and finish for Momo’s 50th, finally! And Hendo sealed the win from close range (86'), his first goal of the season, making him the first Premier League substitute to score a goal, assist a goal and receive a yellow card since Graziano Pellè did so for Southampton against Crystal Palace in May 2016. The result put the Reds back on top after their fourth successive league win against the Saints for the first time in their club's history, whilst Ralph Hasenhüttl's side fall down to 17th, five points away from the drop zone.
Eden Hazard just ran through everyone and everything on Monday, starring for Chelsea with an excellent brace against West Ham (24', 90'). The Blues won their game in hand on Wednesday (as mentioned above *week 27), the Belgian star also contributing and scoring in that 3-0 win against Brighton, but Monday's victory topped it all, moving the side up to third. What and where would Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri be without him?!

What a goal! Wow Watford, Vicarage Road saw some super goals on Tuesday! And a th-r-ash! Abdoulaye Doucouré's opener was a stunner (23') before Ryan Babel equalised for Fulham (33'). But after the break, the Hornets overran and crushed the Cottagers, smashing goals from Will Hughes (63'), Troy Deeney (69') and Kiko Femenía (75'), condemning the visitors to relegation. Fulham join Huddersfield down and out, making them the earliest two relegated teams ever in the Premier League era!

And the Molineux stadium witnessed something special on Tuesday night as well! Scott McTominay gave Manchester United the lead (13') with a fine strike from over 20 yards out, his first goal for the club. Diogo Jota was crucial in the host's comeback, equalising 12 minutes later (25') and falling victim to Ashley Young's fouls, two clumsy tackles in a crazy five-minute spell which saw the Red Devils' skipper booked twice and consequently sent off (57'), Mike Dean's 100th PL red card, interesting read and reactions. Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side were all over the place after that and Wolves capitalised. Chris Smalling put the ball into the back of his own net (OG 77') after his keeper David de Gea was unable to collect the ball and it ricocheted. Defence?! Scenes! Man Who?! Ole Ole Ole?! The new permanent boss tasted his first defeat since signing for United, his side falling back down to sixth as a result.

What the hell?! The new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finally saw its first match with an over-spectacular introduction on Wednesday. Better late than never. Shame they couldn’t even fill it. But Tottenham won their first game in the £1bn ground, ending the 689-day wait, 2-0 against Crystal Palace, Son Heung-min opening the scoring (55') and Christian Eriksen sealing the win (80').**week 31
Luka Milivojeviç’s 11th goal in all competitions, his 10th spot kick won it for Palace at Newcastle on Saturday, ending a five-match winning run of Rafael Benítez’s side. Only Andrew Johnson in 2004-05 has scored more penalties in a single PL campaign (= 11, also with Palace). It was against the run of play, the winning side recording the fewest shots. No side has actually won a Premier League game with fewer attempts this season (< 3). Crazy stats. C'est le foot.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Wolves 0:2 Man United - 2:1

Watford 2:1 Fulham - 4:1

(Chelsea 2:1 Brighton - 3:0)*week 27

Man City 3:1 Cardiff - 2:0

(Tottenham 2:1 Crystal Palace - 2:0)**week 31

Southampton 1:2 Liverpool - 1:3

Bournemouth 2:2 Burnley - 1:3

Huddersfield 0:2 Leicester - 1:4

Newcastle 4:2 Crystal Palace - 0:1

Everton 1:2 Arsenal - 1:0

Chelsea 2:0 West Ham - 2:0

(Tottenham 1:0 Brighton was postponed to the 23rd April due to the FA Cup ties, see week 35)

*(Both matches rearranged from *week 27 and **week 31 because of the League Cup final and FA Cup ties respectively, stats added to respective weeks)**

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 32

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 32

The 32nd week of the Premier League action saw:

22 goals - most by Man City, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Man United, Everton, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal = 2 each
237 shots - most by Man City = 24
67 on target - most by Everton = 9
96 corners - most by Man City = 11
191 fouls - most by Man United, Everton and Chelsea = 14 each
20 bookings - most by Chelsea = 3
0 red cards
1 penalty - 1 scored (Milivojević for Crystal Palace)

What a game! Manchester United ended up 2-1 winners at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, but the result definitely doesn’t reflect the game! Watford looked like the home side, dominating, controlling and creating much more (EIGHT shots on target, pulling SEVEN saves from David de Gea, most produced by a visiting side at the ground since 2014). The opener and Marcus Rashford's 10th Premier League goal of the season (38’) came against the run of play, after a superb through-ball from Luke Shaw. And after the Hornets wasted more chances, Anthony Martial made them pay midway through the second half, doubling the Red Devils’ lead from close range (72’). Abdoulaye Doucouré scored a late goal which Javi Gracia’s men more than deserved, but it was too little too late (90’). The result ended a run of successive defeats for new/finally permanent boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and took United level on points with third-placed Tottenham, who travelled to Liverpool on Sunday, before Arsenal's home game against Newcastle on Monday. More to both clashes below.

What a team! Huddersfield’s relegation was confirmed on Saturday after falling to their 24th defeat of the season, 2-0 at Crystal Palace, equalling the record for earliest relegation from the Premier League of Derby County in 2007-08 and Ipswich Town in 1994-95. The Eagles have scored nine penalty goals in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. Luka Milivojević has scored all of those nine spot kicks, including the opener in this match against the Terriers (76’); only four players have scored more in a single season, with Steven Gerrard being the last player to do so in 2013-14 (10). Patrick van Aanholt doubled the lead and secured the win late on (88’), putting Roy Hodgson’s men eight points clear of the drop zone.

Fulham look like they will be the next side to follow the Yorkshire club down after losing 0-2 against Manchester City, their 23rd loss keeping them in 19th, 16 points away from safety, just three points better off than the bottom team. The managerless side failed to direct a single shot on target for the first time in their last 188 home league games, since April 2010 against Wolves in the Premier League. The Citizens could not have had it any easier, the win keeping them that decisive little edge/corner/step ahead in the title race (second, but only two points behind Liverpool, with a game in hand).

What a man! Brendan Rodgers was a very happy man after watching his side shine in a comfortable win against Bournemouth, recording their third consecutive win under the Northern Irishman. The Foxes were under control for most of the match after taking an early lead thanks to Wes Morgan’s flick going in off the post (11’). Jamie Vardy’s header went in off the crossbar to seal the victory for the home side (83’), making it five goals in his last five league appearances. The woodwork helped the 2016 champions move up to eighth, four places better off than when they sacked former boss Claude Puel. The result means the Cherries have lost 10 of their last 11 away games - the only positive result in that run being a win in their last game on the road against now relegated Huddersfield. Eddie Howe was left conceding defeat, disappointed. The Bournemouth boss is winless in eight away league visits to Leicester City during his managerial career (W0 D4 L4).

Unai Emery is not doing bad in his first season as Arsenal boss, watching his side record their 10th home league victory in a row, their best run since a similar sequence from December 1997 to May 1998, under former manager Arsène Wenger. MNF saw the Gunners comfortably beating Newcastle 2-0 at the Emirates, Aaron Ramsey (30’) and Alexandre Lacazette (83’) with deserved goals, bagging the points after a dominant show which saw two goals disallowed for the home side as well. Rafael Benítez still feels the Magpies will be safe, the result just moving them one place down to 14th, seven points clear from the drop zone. Emery’s side overtook rivals Spurs, moving up to third, two points ahead of Manchester United in fifth, Champions League football looking more and more likely next season after a two-year absence.

What a goal! A couple of crucial own goals this weekend: Wolves captain Conor Coady scored his third own goal of the season after Chris Wood’s shot came back off the post (2’), opening the scoring for Burnley. Only two players have registered more own goals in a Premier League season - Liverpool's Martin Škrtel in 2013-14 and Brighton's Lewis Dunk in 2017-18, both with four. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men’s four own goals in the league this campaign is the most of any side. 19-year-old Dwight McNeil had set up the early opener and sealed the win with a lovely strike of his own (77’), a low drill into the bottom-right corner, the only shot on target for the visitors. It was a crucial win for Sean Dyche’s men, ending a run of four straight defeats, recording their first clean sheet in nine league games, and moving them five points clear of the relegation zone.

The other own goal went to Toby Alderweireld at Anfield, handing Liverpool an injury-time winner against Tottenham, after watching his keeper Hugo Lloris spill Mohamed Salah’s shot, for the ball to ricochet off the Belgian defender and into the net. The Reds had taken the lead early on thanks to Roberto Firmino’s header (16’), set up by a brilliant Andrew Robertson cross from the left into the box. Lucas Moura levelled the score (70’) and deservedly so after the visitors had improved, dominated and created a lot more after the break. But Jürgen Klopp was the one celebrating at the final whistle, seeing his side return to the top thanks to that last-gasp own goal. It doesn’t matter how you win them, three points is what is important. Liverpool have scored three winning goals in the 90th minute or later in the Premier League this season, their second-most in a single campaign after 2008-09 (four).

What the hell?! West Ham’s toothless display saw a total of just three attempts on goal in the game, their lowest tally in a home Premier League game since the 2005-06 season. Everton ended up comfortable 0-2 winners at the London Stadium, Marco Silva's side dominating and winning the game in the first half thanks to goals from Kurt Zouma (5’) and Bernard (33’). The Hammers have already drawn level with their points total from last season (= 42), but, with games against Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham to come next month, Manuel Pellegrini’s men face dropping, falling and failing to a disappointing end to the season.

And last but definitely not least, what were the officials on at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday?! A certain Russian billionaire’s pay check?! Victor Camarasa’s curling opener gave the home side a deserved lead shortly after the break (46’), as Chelsea were playing a painfully slow and wasteful game. With five minutes left, César Azpilicueta nodded in an equaliser from a clearly offside position and then, in added time, substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in the winner for the Blues to break the Welsh hearts. Throughout the match, the officiating was dubious, obvious free kicks and cautions not given. And how and why Antonio Rüdiger was not sent off after bringing down last man Kenneth Zohore shortly after the equaliser, only they know. How Neil Warnock stayed so calm after the final whistle, I do not know, shouting his face off on the sidelines and to players, but not to the officials, who cost his side three crucial points. Other managers would have been in the refs’ faces, like Mauricio Pochettino did a few weeks ago (Premier League Week 27 to be exact). Warnock's post-match interview says it all, what I have been blogging and shouting my face off about week in, week out. Ridiculous. Disgusting. Outrageous.

My Predictions - Actual Results:
Fulham 1:3 Man City - 0:2
Brighton 0:0 Southampton - 0:1
Burnley 1:1 Wolves - 2:0
Crystal Palace 2:0 Huddersfield - 2:0
Leicester 2:0 Bournemouth - 2:0
Man United 3:0 Watford - 2:1
West Ham 2:2 Everton - 0:2
Cardiff 1:2 Chelsea - 1:2
Liverpool 2:1 Tottenham - 2:1
Arsenal 4:2 Newcastle - 2:0

Click here for the previous Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 31

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 31

The 31st week of the Premier League action saw:

31 goals - most by West Ham = 4

249 shots - most by Tottenham = 26*

78 on target - most by Tottenham = 10*

93 corners - most by Liverpool = 10

208 fouls - most by Everton = 17

33 bookings - most by Watford = 5*

1 red card - Maguire for Leicester

4 penalties - 3 scored (King for Bournemouth, Noble for West Ham, Milner for Liverpool)

What a game! There were not many games this weekend thanks to the FA Cup ties, only three matches on Saturday, but plenty of action and goals, very late goals and awesome comebacks! Huddersfield scored three at West Ham! But still ended up on the losing end yet again as the Hammers hit four, three of them in the last 15 minutes, and turned everything and everyone on their heads at the London Stadium. The Terriers looked like they would climb off the bottom of the Premier League for the first time since December when Karlan Grant's brace (30', 65') had put the visitors 1-3 ahead, adding to Juninho Bacuna's headed equaliser (17') in reply to captain Mark Noble's opener from the spot (pen 15'). But after Angelo Ogbonna's header made it 2-3 with 15 minutes to go, half-time substitute Javier Hernández made all the difference with two goals in seven minutes to make it 4-2 (84', 90'+1'). His boss Manuel Pellegrini showed how decisive changes and experience can be, whilst the Yorkshire club which the Chilean upset remain rock bottom and are still looking for their first win on the road since November. Counterpart Jan Siewert was understandably distraught and angry. Gutted. 

What a team! Chelsea are falling to bits! No discrediting Everton and Jordan Pickford’s strong performance with some solid stops and keeping a clean sheet. But after dominating the first half at Goodison Park, the Blues were well beaten thanks to Richarlison's header off a corner (49') and Gylfi Sigurðsson netting the rebound of his own soft penalty take (72'). As a result, Chelsea failed to capitalise on their game in hand and remain in sixth, one point behind Manchester United in fifth, three behind Arsenal in fourth. Blues boss Maurizio Sarri was chewing his fag end as always, saying his side "have reached their mental limit". Looking at the usual lack of patience at the club, the Italian must be sweating through his hotter than hot seat (although I have said that before, so, am surprised he lasted this long)! Much in contrast to that, Marco Silva was finally able to smile, seeing his side record their first home win in nine weeks after four defeats in the last six home games. Finally.

What a man! It was a roller coaster ride at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon! I covered all the action on Twitter for ByTheMinLFC. It was so easy in the first half for Liverpool, Sadio Mané with the opener, a nice side-footer set up by Roberto Firmino, his 20th in all competitions, 11th in 11 games (26'). But then, after the break, the normally strong duo of super keeper Alisson and stubborn third-skipper Virgil van Dijk messed up and mixed up the ball between each other and handed Ryan Babel the equaliser for still managerless Fulham (74'). But sub and vice-captain James Milner had the last laugh, scoring the winning goal from the spot after the other keeper Sergio Rico had a nightmare of his own, dropping Mohamed Salah's curling shot and fouling Mané in the aftermath, conceding the penalty (81'). The great Egyptian did everything else, but just couldn't hit the back of the net. The Reds still went to the top of the table for the international break, to Jürgen Klopp's relief, the German looking tense watching his league leaders topple the relegation-doomed London side. Too tense. Just two points separating the top two, Manchester City with a game in hand.

What a goal! Matt Ritchie’s last-breath equaliser for Newcastle against his former side Bournemouth handed Rafael Benítez’s men a crucial point. It was a a spectacular take, super volley, into the top corner, no chance for anyone to stop, cover or recover, to make it 2-2 four minutes into stoppage time! Salomón Rondón had put the visitors ahead at Dean Court with a lovely free-kick deep into injury time as well (45'+5). Joshua King turned the game on its head and completed the comeback for the Cherries with his brace (pen 48', 81'). Or so we thought. Benítez was not happy with the officials decisions, especially with the spot kick, but the Spaniard was left more than consoled with a point thanks to the last-second smacker. "The job is not done" he said after the match. His side are sitting in 13th, on 35 points, seven points clear from the drop zone, two behind Everton in 12th. Not done, but more than alright.

What the hell?! In the only other game played over the FA Cup weekend, last man Harry Maguire was sent off after just four minutes at Turf Moor, a straight red for felling down goal-bound Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson. How daft can you be?! Ten-man Leicester still fought on and ended up 1-2 winners against a stubborn Burnley side. Foxes captain Wes Morgan’s 90th minute header handed new boss Brendan Rodgers his second consecutive win, the Northern Irishman full of praise for his side. Sean Dyche on the other hand, is watching his side continue to struggle, tumbling through their fourth successive defeat and falling down to 17th, just two points away from the drop zone. Only Fulham (68) have conceded more goals than the Clarets (59). Worrying.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Bournemouth 1:1 Newcastle - 2:2

Burnley 2:2 Leicester - 1:2

West Ham 1:0 Huddersfield - 4:3

Fulham 1:3 Liverpool - 1:2

Everton 1:2 Chelsea - 2:0

(Brighton 0:1 Cardiff - 0:2 - see week 34)*

(Man United 0:2 Man City)*week 35

(Tottenham 2:0 Crystal Palace - see week 33)*

(Watford 1:1 Southampton)*week 35

(Wolves 3:1 Arsenal)*week 35

*(Postponed due to the FA Cup ties. All stats added to this week = week 31 after the fixtures have been played.)

Click here for the previous week’s Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, Twitter 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

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

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

Premier League Picks Of The Week 29

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 29

The 29th week of the Premier League action saw:

23 goals - most by Man United and Crystal Palace = 3 each

234 shots - most by Man City = 23

80 on target - most by Man City and Chelsea = 7 each

106 corners - most by Man City = 14

204 fouls - most by Tottenham and Watford = 15 each

39 bookings - most by Watford = 5

1 red card - Torreira for Arsenal 

4 penalties - 2 scored (Kane for Tottenham, Noble for West Ham)

What a game! There were goals and action galore at Old Trafford. Southampton scored two crackers, but were still the losers in the end, whilst Manchester United had plenty more chances and misses but were able to end up on top despite more injuries and a missed spot-kick. More details about all the top goals below.

It was derby day on Sunday... More on Chelsea’s win at Craven Cottage below. Disappointing 200th league Merseyside derby for goalless and hopeless Liverpool: Everton were definitely happier after denying Mohamed Salah and Fabinho, the only two that got anything on target for the visitors at Goodison Park. Red boss Jürgen Klopp blamed the wind. Whatever it is, it’s costing his side dearly. Four draws in the last six league games means eight points dropped. For the first time in 14 weeks, the Reds have dropped all the way down to second (ignoring week 26 where Manchester City played the extra game because of the League Cup), one point behind Pep Guardiola's men. Following the Red Twitter world, it seems like all is over, the chance has been blown, the first title in 28 years is gone. The difference between the top two clubs is just ONE point, with NINE games to go. And LFC are TEN points and TWO places BETTER off than last season (whilst City are TEN points DOWN!). PERSPECTIVE!

What a team! More injuries hit Manchester City on Saturday, but they’re still winning, that’s the main thing for the league leaders in the title race. It was one-way traffic at Bournemouth (18%-82% possession, 0-23 shots, 0-7 on target, 0-14 corners). Kevin De Bruyne went off injured, his replacement Riyad Mahrez got the winner (55’), a fine low finish in the bottom right corner after a nice team interplay, his first goal since 4th December, his 11th of the season. That is all that was needed. Crucial. 

And it was another good away win for Crystal Palace, this time at Burnley, Roy Hodgson consolidating his and his sides’ place in the top league. A fine run of three wins in the last five games has seen the London side climb up the table by two places, eight points clear from the drop zone. This time, Phillip Bardsley (OG 15'), Michy Batshuayi (48') and Wilfried Zaha (76') were on the scoreboard, denying Sean Dyche’s side any way back, condemning them to their second defeat on the trot, sucking them down to 16th. Contrast.

What a man! REF!!! Watford's opener was just weird?! Jonathan Moss made a very late call on a free-kick after Troy Deeney broke free into the box... To head it in seconds later off the set-piece, but the English striker looked offside (5’). More iffy goals and decisions are mentioned above and below as well. Ridiculous refereeing! So, Brendan Rodgers’ first match as Leicester boss didn’t start well with that! Kasper Schmeichel made a brill block seconds before. Jamie Vardy and keeper Ben Foster clashed and you can tell when players are really injured and hurt when they lay flat and DON’T ROLL AND MOAN AROUND!!! Both were fine in the end. But OUCH! And the champion striker levelled the score in the second half (75’) after the visitors dominated all round, keeping his record going of scoring under five out of six new Foxes managers and taking his club tally to 99. But Hornets sub Andre Gray nicked an injury-time winner for the home side and got booked for his shirtless celebrations (90’+2’) to spoil the party for the Northern Irishman. Javi Gracia and co meanwhile were over the moon. A tense finish at Vicarage road saw Foster blocking and saving again, but it ended 2-1. BRilliant.

What a goal! Talking about managers, Fulham’s first match after sacking Claudio Ranieri was only against Chelsea at Craven Cottage. The managerless side did well under the circumstances, keeping the pressure on and not making it easy for the Blues. Ryan Sessegnon’s injury-time equaliser was flagged offside - a very close call! It looked fine! Another tense finish. Maurizio Sarri’s men ended up on top 1-2 thanks to Gonzalo Higuaín (20’) and Jorginho (31’) after Calum Chambers' leveller (27’). Cruel. How the latter boss is still hanging on to his job, I do not know... *shaking*my*head*

Saints defender Yan Valery’s first professional goal (26’) and United’s first equaliser by Andreas Pereira, the Brazilian's first Premier League goal (53’), were both just unstoppable, breathtaking takes. To add to the iffy list mentioned above, the 2-1, Romelu Lukaku’s first (59’), looked a hint offside though? The second equaliser (2-2 in case you can't keep track) was a beautiful free-kick by James Ward-Prowse (75'), into the top corner, who’s the keeper again?! However, Lukaku snuck in the late low winner (88’), a cruel one into the bottom right corner, 3-2. And that was not all! A later than late penalty to the Red Devils, after Stuart Armstrong brought down Marcus Rashford from behind, saw Paul Pogba selfishly take it, not giving Lukaku a chance of a hat-trick, keeper Angus Gunn kicking the central shot away with his left boot. Top match. Top goals. Plenty of flops as well. Never boring. Another win for Ole Gunnar Solskjær, to make it 10 wins out of 12 league games for the Norwegian temp boss.

What the hell?! Another soft penalty call went Tottenham's way in the London derby Saturday lunch-time, and it was offside in the build-up to the foul as well?! An easy equaliser for Harry Kane out of nowhere against Arsenal (74’) after Aaron Ramsey’s opener (16’). The Gunners got a spot-kick back late on, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made a soft mess of the take and Hugo Lloris the hero, and Jan Vertonghen’s defending in the aftermath controversial as the Belgian defender looked way over the line when the penalty was taken, denying the visitors a winner. The game exploded into life in the final minutes, seeing Lucas Torreira sent off. As mentioned above, numerous times, I know I am repeating myself, but that is because the bad calls and refereeing overlooks and errors are piling up, again and again, every game, every week! If you like VAR or not, at least that is SOMETHING to check and double-check all these iffy calls!!!

After Cardiff boss Neil Warnock revealed that Nuno Espírito Santo is his wife's favourite manager, there could only be one winner on the day at the Molineux Stadium... ;-) I LMAO AT THE CHANTS!!!

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Tottenham 0:1 Arsenal - 1:1

Bournemouth 2:2 Man City - 0:1

Brighton 0:1 Huddersfield - 1:0

Burnley 2:3 Crystal Palace - 1:3

Man United 1:1 Southampton - 3:2

Wolves 2:1 Cardiff - 2:0

West Ham 2:1 Newcastle - 2:0

Watford 1:1 Leicester - 2:1

Fulham 1:2 Chelsea - 1:2

Everton 1:2 Liverpool - 0:0

Click here for the previous Picks Of The Week.

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