Premier League Notes - Week 17

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 17

The 17th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

19 goals - most by Man City = 3

239 shots - most by Man United = 24

78 on target - most by Brighton = 10

103 corners - most by Leicester = 12

230 fouls - most by Man City = 24

39 bookings - most by Norwich = 5

0 red cards

1 penalty - 0 scored

#LIVWAT

Mohamed Salah’s brace (38’, 90') kept the Reds’ winning run going, despite some nerves and sloppy play by the league leaders. It wasn’t their best play, manager Jürgen Klopp was fuming at the officials for some of their decisions as well though, overlooking some fouls by Christian Kabasele on the great Egyptian, and a goal disallowed harshly offside by VAR, denying Sadio Mané. Nigel Pearson’s men played well, but wasted some sitters, another defeat keeping them rock bottom, six points from safety.

#BURNEW

Chris Wood headed the home side ahead (58’), but it wasn't a that clear and simple game. Both managers questioned the official appointed and decisions made. Steve Bruce was unhappy about the corner given that lead to the goal, when the Premier League debutant ref Tim Robinson (he's not even on Wikipedia!!!) originally gave goal kick, to randomly change his mind on advice of his assistant. Wasn’t there a foul anyway? Sean Dyche was not happy either, saying the opposition should have been down to ten men anyway... What is VAR for again?! Pf!

#CHEBOU

The Cherries bossed it, and it took a long VAR check to confirm their deserved lead (84’), Dan Gosling hooking the ball back and over the line - he wasn’t offside! The visitors had plenty of chances, everyone expected the Blues to nick it, but it didn’t happen for Frank Lampard’s men. The result keeps the Londoners in fourth, but the gap closed to three points, whilst Eddie Howe's men climb up to 14th with the deserved win. 

#LEINOR

Tim Krul's own goal off Jamie Vardy’s shot (38’) cancelled out Teemu Pukki’s opener (26’) and ended the top striker's record-breaking scoring run. The game was end-to-end stuff. Brendan Rodgers said he wasn't thinking about the growing gap to the top, now standing at ten points, whilst the Canaries' resilient and stubborn performance made Daniel Farke very happy, even though his side remain 19th, they closed the gap to 18th and 17th to three points. 

#SHUAVI

The game didn’t really start till the second half. John Fleck's brace (50’, 73’) was top quality play and goals, Barca-esque! Villa's penalty came off the woodwork for Jack Grealish (78'), and with that the little hope they had, was gone (0 shots on target). Chris Wilder was all smiles, and understandably so, with his side going up to fifth with the win, having just lost one of their last ten league games, whilst Dean Smith's men are falling oh so close to the bottom three, as mentioned above, just goal difference separating them from the drop zone. Alarm bells.

#SOUWHU

It was a deserved lead for the Hammers after being denied a penalty by the VAR for two fouls in the box, Sébastian Haller with the breakthrough (37’). Michail Antonio doubled their lead after the break - VAR disallowing the goal for handball, but the English winger was fouled with a high boot at the same time! Free kick?! Advantage = goal!!! FFS! FBS! (Let's just say those abbreviations show how much I disagree with those decisions!) Danny Ings saw one golden chance come off the crossbar, the closest the Saints came. The former Liverpool man hit the woodwork again, but it was not to be. It stayed 0-1, the Londoners' recording their second win in 11 games - has it saved Manuel Pellegrini’s job? His side climb up to 15th, whilst Ralph Hasenhüttl's side remain 18th, level on points but 11 goals worse off than Villa in 17th. 

#MUNEVE

The Toffees' pressure paid off with an embarrassing own goal by Victor Lindelöf. The United defender was watching the ball all the way when it came in off a corner, watching, watching and watching it bounce off him and into the back of the net (36’). The Red Devils have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 consecutive top flight matches - for the first time since April to August 1971. Duncan Ferguson liked it, a lot, celebrating like mad with the ball boy. David de Gea and Ole Gunnar Solskjær didn’t, feeling the keeper was fouled in the buildup. VAR checked and saw nothing in it. It would have been a super soft and cruel call, United could and should have just dealt much more and better with that set piece. Shambles. Substitute Mason Greenwood hit a nice leveller across goal, past Jordan Pickford and in from the edge of the box (77’), denying Everton's interim boss a second consecutive win. 

#WOLTOT

What a cracking opener it was by Lucas Moura, seconds after Son Heung-min saw his shot parried out by Rui Patrício (8’). Adama Traoré equalised for the hosts with a wacker from 20 yards, a thunder past Paulo Gazzaniga (67’). And after battering Spurs all over the place, the Wanderers left Jan Vertonghen unmarked to head in the stoppage time winner off Christian Eriksen’s corner (90+1’). José Mourinho celebrated the late win big time, the result seeing them climb up to fifth, three points behind Chelsea and the top four. Nuno Espírito Santo and his men will feel robbed and double-gutted to see their 11-game unbeaten run end like this. Cruel. 

#ARSMCI

The Emirates was silenced after just 90 seconds, Kevin De Bruyne smashing the ball in, totally unmarked, you could hear the ball hit the back of the net, boom, bang, thank you ma’am. And that was after the Gunners made a promising start, Gabriel Martinelli pulling a good save out of Ederson shortly after kickoff. What a start. And Raheem Sterling doubled the Citizens’ lead, again, Arsenal defenders all over the place, leaving the former Red forward unmarked, too easy (15’). It’s the fifth time the Londoners have conceded multiple goals in the opening 15 minutes of a Premier League home match. They lost all of the previous four. De Bruyne smacked in a third from the edge of the box (40’), Freddie Ljungberg waiting to bring on Bukayo Saka for an injured Sead Kolašinac - they had enough time to prepare whilst their player was down. WTF?! And the Belgian hit the woodwork shortly afterwards, smelling blood and looking for his hat-trick. But it didn’t come, second half was just procedure. Arsenal are now seven points behind Chelsea in fourth, and seven points away from Southampton and relegation. Pep Guardiola nearly looked embarrassed heading for the post-match handshake, his side remain third, four points behind Leicester and fourteen points behind Liverpool in second and first respectively. Arsenal have gone six games without a win at the Emirates across all competitions (D3 L3); their longest run without a home win since between December 1994 and February 1995 under George Graham (eight games).

#CRYBHA

The most fouled player in the Premier League this season Wilfred Zaha smashed in an equaliser from the edge of the box for injury-hit Palace (76'), who toiled for 70 minutes and trailed to Neal Maupay's fine finish into the top corner shortly after half time (54'). Roy Hodgson hailed the gutsy performance, his side grabbing a point and extending their unbeaten run to four games after Albion had thrown everything at them. The point takes the Eagles above Arsenal up to ninth, whilst Graham Potter's side remain 13th.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Liverpool 4:0 Watford - 2:0

Burnley 1:1 Newcastle - 1:0

Chelsea 1:0 Bournemouth - 0:1

Leicester 2:0 Norwich - 1:1

Sheff United 2:2 Aston Villa - 2:0

Southampton 2:1 West Ham - 0:1

Man United 2:1 Everton - 1:1

Wolves 2:2 Tottenham - 1:2

Arsenal 2:3 Man City - 0:3

Crystal Palace 2:1 Brighton - 1:1

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 16

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 16

The 16th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

34 goals - most by Tottenham = 5

261 shots - most by Man City and Leicester = 23 each

97 on target - most by Liverpool = 9

91 corners - most by Man City = 16

222 fouls - most by Aston Villa = 21

38 bookings - most by Aston Villa = 6

0 red cards

1 penalty - 1 scored (Rashford for Man United)

#EVECHE

My first prediction went out of the window very quickly! Richarlison gave the Toffees the lead after just five minutes and the home side never looked back or in any trouble after that. Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed the win with his brace (49’, 84’), leaving caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson in wild celebrations at a very happy Goodison Park. The win ended a run of three straight defeats, the three points taking them out of the relegation zone and up to 14th. It was just what the doctor ordered for the blue Scousers after the Merseyside derby thrashing in midweek finally saw Marco Silva sacked. Frank Lampard meanwhile, saw his side lose for the third time in the last four matches, as many as in the previous 20 league matches, and not for the first time thanks to their defensive shambles. Worrying. 

#BOULIV

The Reds cruised to victory at the Vitality Stadium, despite Jürgen Klopp making seven changes, surprising most, worrying some. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain opened the scoring off a top long-range pass from the skipper Jordan Henderson (35’). Naby Keïta doubled the lead with the outside of his boot after a cheeky backheel pass by Mo Salah (44’). The scorer turned provider to set up the great Egyptian to make it three goals and three points for the league leaders (54’). The result extends Liverpool's club record unbeaten run to 33 league games, having won 15 of 16 Premier League matches this season. Boom. The Cherries didn’t record a single shot on target and have now lost five consecutive matches, pushing them down to 15th. Just one point above the drop zone, and with injuries piling up for Eddie Howe and his men, it doesn’t look good. Gloom.

#TOTBUR

Spurs took Sean Dyche’s side apart, thrashing them 5-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Without a doubt, Son Heung-min’s pitch-length run past everything and everyone and fine finish to make it 3-0 after just over half an hour, not only sweetly sealed the win but is also one of the greatest individual goals of the season (32’). Harry Kane’s brace (5’, 54’), Lucas Moura (9’) and Moussa Sissoko (74’) all added to the thrashing too nice and easy and got José Mourinho’s men back on track = winning ways and up to seventh, whilst their opponents drop down to 13th after their third consecutive defeat. 

#WATCRY

There’s not much to write about after the two lowest scoring Premier League teams played out a disappointing, boring goalless draw at Vicarage Road. The result sees Roy Hodgson’s men drop down to tenth, whilst new manager Nigel Pearson watched from the stands as interim boss Hayden Mullins took charge of his final match with the bottom side still left searching for their first home win of the season. Dire. 

#MCIMUN

I don’t know why I still bother with predictions... Ole Gunnar Solskjær watched Marcus Rashford (pen 23’) and Anthony Martial (29’) fire his side ahead in a breathless start at the Etihad. Nicolás Otamendi pulled one back late on (85’), to set up a tense ending to the clash, but it was too little too late for Pep Guardiola and co, the defending champions falling 14 points behind the league leaders. FOURTEEN! (And it would have been much more of a thrash if it weren’t for City keeper Ederson, who made plenty of top stops!) This is Pep’s worst points return after the first 16 matches of a top-flight season in his managerial career (32’). The Red Devils meanwhile, climb up to fifth, five points off the top four, their Norwegian boss surely having brushed off some of the pressure on him by banking local pride with this result. Tusen takk!

#AVILEI

The Foxes thrashed the Villans at Villa Park, Jamie Vardy’s brace (20’, 75’) making him just the second player in Premier League history to score in eight successive games on two separate occasions, after Ruud van Nistelrooy in January 2002 and August 2003. The club-record eighth consecutive Premier League win keeps Brendan Rodgers and his side eight points behind the Reds at the top and takes them six points ahead of the Citizens in third. Dean Smith on the other hand, was left frustrated, his side improving but not getting the needed results, to be blown away by the 2016 champions, dropping down to 17th, level on points with the Saints in 18th. Worrying.

#NEWSOU

The perfect comeback for the Magpies means they haven’t lost a home league match since the opening day of the season. Federico Fernández’s 87th-minute winner came after Jonjo Shelvey had cancelled out Danny Ings' opener with a second-half header (68’ and 52’ respectively). Since Ralph Hasenhüttl’s first game in charge exactly a year ago, the Saints have lost five league games in which they have opened the scoring - more than any other side, pulling them down into the relegation zone. Steve Bruce must be buzzing and shutting up his critics, his side in 11th having earned 22 points from their opening 16 games this season, nine more than they had at the same stage last season. Comeback-and-a-half!

#NORSHU

Another comeback win, this time the visitors shocked the hosts. Alexander Tettey capitalised on confusion in the United box to lace in a skimming shot and give the home side the lead (27’). But the Blades stepped up after the break and hit back, twice, George Baldock providing the cross for Enda Stevens' equaliser (49’) and then turned to fire in what proved to be the winner (52’) to keep their unbeaten away form in the league this season going. Only league leaders Liverpool can match that run. As Chris Wilder’s side moved up to eighth, two points behind fifth-placed Manchester United. The Canaries, in 19th, and their leaky defence missed the chance to close the gap on Aston Villa and Southampton, who both lost. 

#BHAWOL

It was a crazy first half at Brighton, all four goals falling in a crazy 16 minutes. Diogo Jota scored the opener following a nice and quick counter (28’). Neal Maupay equalised thumping home Dale Stephens’ long ball (34’), and just 96 seconds later, the Seagulls took the lead when Davy Pröpper headed in Leandro Trossard's cross (36’). But Jota levelled the score again shortly before the break (44’), with a nice turn and take to make it a brace for the Portuguese and two goals and one point for each side. And it stayed that way after the second half didn’t live up to the hype and action of the first half, the point moving Wolves up to sixth in the table, whilst the fearless Seagulls remain 12th. An 11th game without defeat means Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are now on their longest unbeaten run in the top flight since 1962 and look well up for the top-six race.

#WHUARS

The Gunners never make it easy for themselves, do they?! They came from behind to end their nine-match winless streak and let Freddie Ljungberg enjoy his first victory as interim manager at the expense of his former club West Ham. Angelo Ogbonna's deflected first-half opener gave the home side the lead at London Stadium (38’). But three goals in nine minutes turned the game on its head after the visitors took an hour to get into gear and make up for a shambolic start. Eighteen-year-old Gabriel Martinelli marked his full Premier League debut by side-footing in the equaliser (60’), Nicolas Pépé curled in a magnificent second into the top corner (66’) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired in a third to seal the win (69’), piling more pressure on Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini. His side remain a point above the relegation zone in 16th, after losing three in a row at home in the Premier League for the first time since August 2015. Meanwhile, Arsenal move up to ninth, seven points separating them from the top four and bottom three, after coming back from a half-time losing position to win a Premier League away game for the first time since October 2011 (5-3 v Chelsea).

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Everton 1:2 Chelsea - 3:1

Bournemouth 1:2 Liverpool - 0:3

Tottenham 2:1 Burnley - 5:0

Watford 0:2 Crystal Palace - 0:0

Man City 4:2 Man United - 1:2

Aston Villa 1:3 Leicester - 1:4

Newcastle 2:2 Southampton - 2:1

Norwich 1:1 Sheff United - 1:2

Brighton 1:1 Wolves - 2:2

West Ham 2:2 Arsenal - 1:3

Click here for my last Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports and RMC Sport 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 14

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 14

The 14th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

31 goals - most by Tottenham = 3

260 shots - most by Man City = 24

99 on target - most by Man City = 9

122 corners - most by Arsenal = 12

186 fouls - most by Sheff Utd = 18

26 bookings - most by Sheff Utd = 5

1 red card - Alisson for Liverpool

1 penalty - 1 scored (Aubameyang for Arsenal)

#NEWMCI

The Magpies made up for last week’s dire display at Villa Park (week 13), by frustrating the hell out of the champions, and grabbing a point from Pep Guardiola’s men when they thought Kevin De Bruyne found the winner with a smacker from distance, in off the crossbar to make it 1-2 with under ten minutes to go (82’). But ex-Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey produced an unstoppable stunner to make it 2-2 (88’), keeping the unbeaten home run going at six games since losing to Arsenal on the opening weekend (week 1). Steve Bruce had keeper Martin Dúbravka to thank as well for keeping his side in the game with some strong stops. The draw sees City drop eleven points behind the Red league leaders, whilst Newcastle remain 14th, but just a couple of points off the top half, and only four points separating them from the top five.

#BURCRY

Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (45+1’) and sub Jeffrey Schlupp (78’) helped Palace to their first league win in six games. Sean Dyche was disappointed with the result, but not with the display, the hosts kept on pushing, but unlike their opposition, couldn’t break the cage. The Clarets have lost all three home games in which they have conceded. The result took Roy Hodgson’s side up to eleventh, level on points with their opponents in tenth. 

#CHEWHU

Aaron Cresswell’s winning goal (48’) was a top-quality cracker and deserved all the replays and points, ending his side’s seven-game winless run. Hammers third-choice keeper David Martin was in tears after the match, the 33-year-old’s debut in which he starred with an inspired performance and top stops and blocks, embracing his dad, West Ham legend Alvin. It’s the visitors’ first clean sheet since 22 September (week 6) and their first victory at Stamford Bridge for 17 years, the three points taking them up to 13th, four points clear from the drop zone, whilst the Blues fall three points behind Man City in third after back-to-back defeats.

#LIVBHA

The league leaders bossed the show at Anfield in the first half, leading thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s headed brace (18’, 24’). But it wouldn’t be Liverpool without some twists and turns and nervous ending. Jürgen Klopp saw his keeper Alisson sent off for handling the ball outside the box (76’). Sub stopper Adrián was still getting ready and positioning his wall when ref Martin Atkinson blew the whistle allowing sub Leandro Trossard’s quick low take hit the back of the net to make it 2:1 (79’), and make the final ten minutes very nervous and tense. But the Reds held on, the win moving them 11 points clear at the top before Sunday's games, equalling their longest ever unbeaten run in the top flight = 31 games without defeat (also between May 1987 and March 1988).

#TOTBOU

Just like last week, Spurs were bossing the match and cruising thanks to Deli Alli’s brace (21’, 50’) and Moussa Sissoko’s close-range volley (69’). But José Mourinho saw his men concede a couple of needless late goals again like last week (week 13), Harry Wilson capitalising on some sloppy and sleepy defending (73’, 90+6’). But I’m sure the Portuguese won’t have or receive many complaints after his side’s first back-to-back wins this season, taking them up to fifth. Eddie Howe meanwhile, saw his Cherries lose three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since December 2018, pulling them down to 12th.

#SOUWAT

The Saints produced the perfect comeback at St Mary's, with late goals from Danny Ings (78’) and James Ward-Prowse (83’), after Ismaïla Sarr had given the Hornets a deserved lead in the first half (24’). Their first league win since September eased the pressure on their own boss Ralph Hasenhüttl, his half-time substitutions worked and did the trick. The defeat left the visitors bottom of the Premier League and no other choice than to sack their boss Quique Sánchez Flores after less than three months in charge.

#NORARS

The Gunners nicked a point thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace (29’ pen, 57’), the home side left gutted not to have capitalised fully on some shambolic defending and wasteful play in general. Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg looked frustrated at the full-time whistle. This game showed what difficult job this was for Unai Emery and will be for whoever his permanent replacement is going to be. Daniel Farke’s side outplayed the visitors by far, Teemu Pukki (21’) and Todd Cantwell (45+2’) back on the scoreboard after individual droughts. The result leaves Arsenal eighth in the Premier League, seven points off a place in the top four, while Norwich remain 19th, three points from safety.

#WOLSHU

The Blades bossed the first half and were ahead thanks to Lys Mousset’s early opener (2’). Nuno Espírito Santo's side were second best until Matt Doherty headed in the equaliser (64’), the goal extending their unbeaten run to nine games, their longest run in the top-flight since April 1973, keeping them in sixth. Chris Wilder’s men have not lost away in the league since last January and remain seventh.

#LEIEVE

Djibril Sidibé delivered an absolute beauty from the right side into the six-yard area which Richarlison powered in with a cracking header (23’), an excellent move with an excellent finish. The Foxes were falling all over the place, looking for penalties left, right and centre. VAR got it right for a change when Ben Chilwell’s dive was spotted, the penalty decision overturned, but why wasn’t he booked?! There was no contact! Pf! SIX MINUTES into added time, Kelechi Iheanacho didn’t give a damn about the raised flag, the Nigerian forward was so sure of himself and his sublime finish, he was gone celebrating. VAR confirmed he was onside, Brendan Rodgers over the moon with yet another comeback win, his counterpart Marco Silva understandably devastated (and sacked in the morning?). The result keeps the 2016 champions eight points behind the Reds, whilst the Toffees drop to 17th, two points away from the drop zone. 

#MUNAVI

Jack Grealish was fouled by Andreas Pereira but that didn’t put him off and the Villa man produced an awesome curling finish from an angle to beat David de Gea and stun Old Trafford (11’). Marcus Rashford's header came off the post before bouncing up and hitting Villa keeper Tom Heaton's shoulder on its way over the line, own goal, 1-1 (42’), lucky after a poor first half by Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men. Sub Victor Lindelöf (64’) and Tyrone Mings (66’) added to the scoreboard in a crazy couple of minutes, the linesman corrected by VAR, confirming the latter goal, the English centre-back didn’t celebrate because he thought he was offside, but no more points for either side, two goals and one point each sees them end the weekend in ninth and fifteenth respectively. Dean Smith’s side deserved more than just avoiding defeat at Old Trafford for the first time since 2009. The Red Devils are in their worst form in 30 years with just 18 points after 14 games.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Newcastle 1:1 Man City - 2:2

Burnley 2:0 Crystal Palace - 0:2

Chelsea 2:0 West Ham - 0:1

Liverpool 3:1 Brighton - 2:1

Tottenham 3:1 Bournemouth - 3:2

Southampton 1:2 Watford - 2:1

Norwich 1:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Wolves 2:1 Sheff Utd - 1:1

Leicester 4:1 Everton - 2:1

Man Utd 2:1 Aston Villa - 2:2

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.