Wednesday, 25 March 2020

Premier League Notes - Week 29

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 29

It's been a few weeks since my last blog, a couple of weeks since the last ball has been kicked in the English football leagues, a lot has happened since... As explained and lined out on my Twitter thread, I love football, have always blogged and will keep on blogging, until we get there. Number 19. Walk on. Write on. With hope in your heart. YNWA. Here are my notes on the last weekend we were able to enjoy the game, until further notice:

The 29th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

19 goals - most by Chelsea and Leicester = 4 each
215 shots - most by Burnley = 21
100 on target - most by Chelsea = 11
109 corners - most by Man City = 11
222 fouls - most by Watford and Burnley = 16 each
39 bookings - most by Burnley = 5
1 red card - Djenepo for Southampton 
3 penalties - 2 scored (Dele Alli for Tottenham, Vardy for Leicester)

#LIVBOU
Liverpool had to come back from behind against Bournemouth to record their 22nd successive Premier League win at Anfield, breaking the English top-flight record set by Bill Shankly's team in 1972, and taking their unbeaten home run to 55 games (W45, D10). Callum Wilson gave the visitors a controversial lead slotting home Jefferson Lerma's low cross after appearing to push Joe Gomez in the build-up to the goal (9’). But the Reds soon hit back, Mohamed Salah in his 100th league appearance for the club, levelled the score with a low finish (24’). And turning from provider to scorer, Sadio Mané completed the turnaround (33’), latching onto Virgil van Dijk’s through-ball. James Milner denied the Cherries any way back into the game, clearing Ryan Fraser’s attempt off the goal-line, in a very nervous second half. Jürgen Klopp’s men, missing injured skipper Jordan Henderson, hung on to the win, moving them one step closer to their first title in 30 years, whilst Eddie Howe’s side remain in the relegation zone, level on points with Watford and West Ham but with a worse goal difference than their nearest rivals at the bottom.

#ARSWHU
Alexandre Lacazette's goal 12 minutes from time, which had to be confirmed by the video assistant referee to add to the nerves at the Emirates, decided the tie. The win lifted the Gunners up to ninth, five points behind Chelsea in fourth, leaving boss Mikel Arteta optimistic about his side’s chances of finishing in the top four. David Moyes meanwhile, watched his side record their sixth consecutive Premier League defeat on the road despite creating more chances and threats. But it’s only goals that count, leaving the Hammers hovering above the bottom three only on goal difference.

#CRYWAT
Jordan Ayew helped his side Crystal Palace to their third successive Premier League victory and climb into the top half of the table. His smart finish from the edge of the box (28’) and eighth league goal of the season, was enough for Roy Hodgson’s men to beat relegation-threatened Watford. The side that beat the league leaders last week, mourned their missed chances this week, leaving boss Nigel Pearson very disappointed, just goal difference separating his side from the drop zone.

#SHUNOR
Billy Sharp’s header (36’) and Manchester United loanee keeper Dean Henderson’s heroic saves late on, helped Sheffield United beat Norwich to make it 10 points out of the last 12 and take them to sixth, boosting their chances of European football next season. Daniel Farke’s side on the other hand, remain rock bottom, six points from safety, the German boss describing it as "dramatic and tragic for the lads, because they tried everything".

#SOUNEW
Newcastle moved eight points clear of the relegation zone with nine games to go, after beating ten-man Southampton. Allan Saint-Maximin scored the only goal of the game late on (79’), pressuring Yan Valery into a mistake before tucking the ball home beyond hard-working keeper Alex McCarthy. The Saints stopper had made some top saves, including Matt Ritchie's spot kick, and got close to earn his side a hard-fought point after they had been reduced to ten men midway through the first half when Moussa Djenepo's yellow card was upgraded to a red following a VAR review of his foul on Isaac Hayden. But it was not to be, leaving Steve Bruce a very happy man, whilst Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side drop to 14th following a third defeat in their last four Premier League games.

#WOLBHA
Nothing happened, only one shot on target in each half at Molineux (they recorded more bookings!). The goalless draw took Wolves up to fifth, leaving Brighton, who have yet to win in 2020, just two points above the relegation zone. Graham Potter was full of praise for his Seagulls keeping a clean sheet on the road and all, whilst Nuno Espírito Santo was not so happy with his Wanderers. Contrast. It's all about perspective.

#BURTOT
Burnley boss Sean Dyche was not a happy man, feeling Chris Wood should have been given a penalty after Spurs' equaliser, but the striker did not go down under Davinson Sánchez's tackle. Dele Alli's 50th Premier League goal came from the spot (50’) after Ben Mee brought down Erik Lamela in the box. It was enough to earn Tottenham a point following Wood’s early opener (13’), an easy tap-in after Hugo Lloris had spilled Jay Rodriguez’s shot from distance. Frustrating for both, José Mourinho's side’s fifth game without a win, leaving them four points behind Chelsea, who have a game in hand. Not good. Dyche's men though, have climbed back into the top half of the table and are unbeaten in the past 14 Premier League matches in which they have led at the break. Not bad.

#CHEEVE
Carlo Ancelotti’s return to Stamford Bridge ended up being a miserable afternoon as the Italian watched his side Everton being thrashed 4-0 by his former employer Chelsea, his joint-heaviest league defeat as a manager. Mason Mount ended an 18-game goal drought by firing the ball past Jordan Pickford at his near post and the Blues ahead (14’). Pedro doubled their lead with his first league goal of the season as Frank Lampard's side took control (21’). Two goals in three minutes shortly after the restart, Willian into the bottom corner (51’) and Olivier Giroud with a tap-in off a short corner (54’), sealed the deal for the hosts, no contest. The result keeps the Toffess in 12th, eight points behind fifth-placed Manchester United, whilst Chelsea stay fourth, three points ahead of the Red Devils.

#MUNMCI
Ole Gunnar Solskjær can and will be over the moon, literally, after Manchester United completed the Premier League double over derby rivals Manchester City for the first time in a decade. The champions’ Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson had a nightmare afternoon at Old Trafford, gifting Anthony Martial the opener, a low shot squeezing through under him (30’). And then in the final seconds (90+6’), the stopper threw a clearance straight to Scott McTominay, who made no mistake, one take into the back of the net, in front of a delirious Stretford End to double the hosts’ lead and secure the win. It was a smashing clash, the VAR denying Pep Guardiola’s men any way back into the game, Sergio Agüero deemed offside, whilst referee Mike Dean made a couple of controversial calls leading up to the goals as well. But the Spaniard couldn’t deny, despite all his side’s possession, the Red Devils bossed the game and capitalised on the Citizens’ flaws to bank the three points with two cracking counters. The result sees United remain fifth, three points behind Chelsea in fourth, whilst City trail the top Reds by 25 points, meaning the league leaders need just two more wins to seal their 19th title. 

#LEIAVI
A brace each for Harvey Barnes (40’, 85’) and Jamie Vardy (pen 63’, 79’) completed Leicester’s thrashing of Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium. The convincing win ended the Foxes’ dire run of two wins in their past eight Premier League games - and two points in their past four matches. Brendan Rodgers was glowing and full of praise for his third-placed side, five points clear of Chelsea, four behind City. Dean Smith's Villans remain in the relegation zone after a fourth consecutive league defeat, and a fifth in all competitions, second from bottom, two points from safety.

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

Rearranged fixture from week 28 Man City vs Arsenal postponed because of the Corona virus.


And it all escalated from there...


Coronavirus: What next in the UK coronavirus fight?

And there are still people out there who believe we're all just over-panicking, it's a conspiracy, fooling us and taking control over us, all for their own profits and gains. Whoever they are. OPEN YOUR EYES!!! No one is gaining anything from this atm. Either way, whatever, whoever, for whatever reason, the main and clear thing is, people are dying! If you don't believe that, then you can join the Flat-Earthers, Holocaust- and 9/11 deniers, etc. Everyone else, welcome to the real world, STAY HOME, STAY SAFE!!! YNWA

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

Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Premier League Notes - Week 28

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 28

The 28th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

20 goals - most by West Ham, Watford and Wolves = 3 each 
229 shots - most by Brighton = 24
71 on target - most by Brighton = 8
115 corners - most by Chelsea = 14
158 fouls - most by Leicester = 16
30 bookings - most by Newcastle and Man United = 4 each
0 red cards
0 penalties

#NORLEI
It was goalless at the break, after both sides tried but failed to find a breakthrough. Shortly after the restart, Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho saw his goal disallowed after the VAR showed the ball had come off his arm in the buildup (50’). The hosts had a penalty appeal waved off seconds before that, no replays shown, I honestly thought they had a shout. A Jamal Lewis beauty gave the home side the lead, from the left corner of the box, curled into the bottom right corner of the net, Kasper Schmeichel had no chance of getting anywhere near that (71’). It’s Norwich’s first goal from open play since New Year’s Day. And the Canaries held on to the win this time, giving them hope, giving them a chance. Will Daniel Farke's men survive? Four points from safety with ten games remaining. They more than deserve to. 

#BHACRY
Tense encounter. Both sides had chances, Vicente Guaita was definitely kept the busier of the two keepers. Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke were not making friends in Brighton, that’s for sure, they were lucky to still be on the pitch following their first-half antiques. Jordan Ayew broke the deadlock halfway through the second half (70’), provided by Benteke with a fine run and set up, to send the ball under the keeper and in. Against the run of play, Palace were ahead after plenty of Brighton misses. I'knew it. Zaha hit the woodwork late on. Otherwise it was ALL Albion, so many chances, so many misses, keeper Guaita man of the match, denying the home side anything and everything‬. The 24 shots the hosts had is their best-ever tally in a Premier League game. Roy Hodgson’s men move 12 points clear from the drop zone, whilst Graham Potter's side are only four points away, the other sides still due to play. Brighton remain the only side without a Premier League win in 2020 (D5 L3), with the Seagulls last enjoying a top-flight victory against Bournemouth on 28 December (week 20).

#BOUCHE 
The home side were unable to clear the ball out of the box after Olivier Giroud’s attempt came off the bar, and Marcos Alonso made no mistake of lashing it in from close range (33’). Jefferson Lerma headed in the leveller through Willy Caballero’s gloves off a corner (54’), the keeper will not like to see the replays of that! Game. On. And seconds later, the VAR confirmed Joshua King was NOT offside when he tapped the ball in from close range (57’), Chelsea all over the place, conceding two goals in three minutes. Alonso headed in the rebound after Pedro’s shot was saved to make it 2-2 (86’). The Cherries hung on to at least one point, the Blues denying them a surprise win and themselves some blushes.

#NEWBUR
It ended goalless at St James’ Park, only one win in ten league matches for the Magpies, 21 chances, nothing netted, keeping Steve Bruce’s men in 14th. Burnley’s stubborn defence earned them a point, extending their unbeaten Premier League run to six matches and taking Sean Dyche's side up to ninth.

#WHUSOU
No side had won fewer Premier League points at home than West Ham this season (12 before kick-off). And you could tell*. Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock at the London Stadium (15’), assisted by Pablo Fornals, nice slot through and finish from a tight angle after the Saints lost the ball, putting the Hammers ahead. Michael Obafemi, set up by James Ward-Prowse, the youngster impressing with a tidy finish to level the score (31’). A mistake by keeper Alex McCarthy handed Sébastian Haller an easy finish, sliding in the ball in off Michail Antonio’s cross (40’) to put home side ahead again. David Moyes’ men stayed on top after that, Antonio’s nice low finish off Fornals’ fine cross making it 3-1 (54’) and party time in East London, all tensions released and forgotten.*

#WATLIV 
Weak and frustrating evening for the Reds at Vicarage Road: Ismaïla Sarr tapped in the ball from close range, Abdoulaye Doucouré the provider, fine move and turn to set the scorer up (54’). Too easy. The league leaders were trailing. And deservedly so. Nearly an hour gone, Sarr broke clear and doubled the hosts’ lead! VVD with a shocker there! And it got worse for the Reds: what a giveaway by TAA this time! The top players flopping! Not their night! Troy Deeney ended up with an easy tap up and in past Alisson (72’). And that was it. The unbeaten and winning run ended for Jürgen Klopp’s men. But they’re still 22 points clear at the top. Could be worse. Watford are the first side to beat Liverpool in the Premier League since Manchester City in January 2019 (week 21), ending the joint-longest winning streak (18) and the second longest unbeaten run (44) in English top-flight history. The Reds’ 0-3 loss was the biggest margin of defeat for a side starting the day top of the Premier League since November 2015 (Man City 1-4 Liverpool).

#EVEMUN
Taxi for David de Gea! The Spanish stopper banged the ball off Dominic Calvert-Lewin into the back of his own net, failing to deal with the pass back, no threat whatsoever (3’). More chances came close for both sides in an intense start at Goodison Park, de Gea denying DCL this time before Nemanja Matić hit the woodwork (7’). The Toffees bossed the game early on, but then the Red Devils took over. Skipper Séamus Coleman had to be replaced by Djibril Sidibé (28’) because of injury. Jordan Pickford was beaten at his near post by a shot from distance, Bruno Fernandes finding the unlikely equaliser (32’). Not a good day for goalkeepers. Gylfi Sigurðsson hit the post with a lovely free kick (57’). Pickford made up for the earlier mistake with a double save in the final minute (90’). DCL’s last-minute winner was disallowed by the VAR for offside, despite the ball taking a massive deflection to beat de Gea (93’). It was not to be. It ended a goal and point each, Carlo Ancelotti fuming with the officials, OGS a lucky bugger to get anything out of this game. Madness. 

#TOTWOL
Wolves corner, Raúl Jiménez's flick causing some panic in the Spurs defence, but then the hosts broke, suddenly the visitors were in all sorts of trouble. Dele Alli eventually got a shot away, which was saved, Steven Bergwijn there to net the rebound (13’). Wolves have conceded the first goal in a Premier League game for the 18th time this season, more than any other side; they avoided defeat on 11 of the previous 17 occasions. Matt Doherty levelled the score, banging in the ball after Spurs were unable to deal with it and clear it (27’). Serge Aurier put the home side back ahead just before the break (45’). The Spurs right-back with his first goal of the season, cutting in from the right side of the Wolves box and bending into the far corner. But the visitors hit back, clinically punishing the dominant Spurs, Diogo Jota left with a tap in after Adama Traoré and Jiménez did all the hard work in the buildup to make it 2-2 (57’). And what a goal to put the Wanderers ahead: Jota turned in his own half and then just kept going, leaving Spurs behind him, to set up Jiménez, who cut inside his marker and produced a beautiful left-footer into the far corner to make it 2-3 (73’). The result moves Nuno Espírito Santo’s side level on points with the Reds Devils in fifth.

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

Matches postponed because of the Carabao Cup final:
Aston Villa P:P Sheff United
Man City P:P Arsenal 


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

Friday, 28 February 2020

Premier League Notes - Week 27

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 27

The 27th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League Football season saw:

28 goals - most by BUR, MUN, WOL, ARS and LIV = 3 each
269 shots - most by Southampton = 28
101 on target - most by Burnley = 10
115 corners - most by Liverpool = 16
213 fouls - most by Aston Villa = 17
38 bookings - most by Newcastle = 6
1 red card - Lazaro for Newcastle
3 penalties - 2 scored (Jay Rodriguez for Burnley, Bruno Fernandes for Man United)

#CHETOT
The Blues were bossing it at Stamford Bridge. Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock off a rebound (15’), after the ball came off the woodwork from Ross Barkley’s shot, following Hugo Lloris' save against the ex-Arsenal man’s first attempt. Brilliant goal! Marcos Alonso doubled their lead shortly after the break (49’), a yard outside the area, with his left foot, across goal and into the bottom right corner. BOSS! Frank Lampard’s choices and lineup were definitely vindicated. And it could have been a much worse thrashing for José Mourinho’s men, if it weren’t for their French stopper, and Giovani Lo Celso should have been sent off for an aweful challenge on Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, but the VAR didn't feel it was worth anything - the officials at Stockley Park later admitting it was a mistake and should have been a red card. But there will be no retrospective action taken as it was all in the referee’s report. Absolute farce. VARce. Erik Lamela’s shot/cross was deflected in by Antonio Rüdiger to pull one back for Spurs (90’), which made added time more interesting (and my prediction bang-on). But Mourinho is still winless as an away manager at the Bridge, and Spurs have only won one of the last 34 clashes at the ground. The great Portuguese didn’t see or comment anything of note in the match. Yeah, rrrrright. Liar liar, you’re gonna get fired! Again.

#BURBOU
After consulting the VAR, referee Mike Dean overturned Josh King’s opener because there was a handball by Philip Billing in the build-up (24’). Matěj Vydra controlled Dwight McNeil's through-ball, ran at the defence and hammered his strike home (53’). And then again, Dean chalked a Bournemouth goal off, Harry Wilson denied this time after a counter, Adam Smith this time the one handling the ball in the build-up - and a penalty was given to Burnley instead! Absurd! Jay Rodriguez netted the spot kick in the top corner to double the home side’s lead (61’). Mad. McNeil’s left-foot drive into the bottom corner made it three (87’). Absolute misery for the Cherries. Ridiculous refereeing. Clear win for the Clarets, taking them up to eighth, whilst Eddie Howe's men remain 16th, just two points away from the drop zone 

#CRYNEW
Patrick van Aanholt bent in a brilliant free-kick to open the scoring just before the break (45’). In the final minutes, Valentino Lazaro was given a straight red card for bringing down Wilfried Zaha, pulled him back as he was through on goal. It all helped Roy Hodgson’s men to their first win in 2020, ending their run of three league defeats, the two sides exchanging places to 13th and 14th respectively. Magpies boss Steve Bruce summarised it well in the post-match interview: "The better team won."

#SHUBHA
Smashing opener into the roof of the net by Enda Stevens to give the Blades the lead (26’). The visitors instantly replied, United unable to deal with a free kick, Neal Maupay headed it home to level the score 3:09 minutes after the opener (30’). The VAR checked a coming together between John Lundstram and Lewis Dunk (85’): No red card was given for the Blades midfielder. Of course. They are asking for broken legs before they take action. FFS. Four years ago this month Sheffield United lost to Wigan, Bury and Rochdale in a League One north-west nightmare as Chris Wilder was on his way to winning League Two with Northampton. Now, this draw keeps them in sixth, level on points with Spurs in fifth, definitely in contention for a European qualifying spot. Mad.

#SOUAVL
The Saints controlled the match, Shane Long kneed them ahead early on (9’), poor from the Villans. Stuart Armstrong doubled the home side’s lead in the final seconds, easy one on an empty goal (90+5’). The Villa boss Dean Smith didn’t hold back in his disappointment and understandably so, saying some of his players had “played their way out” of next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. The result keeps the sides in 12th and 17th respectively, the winners level on points with Arsenal in 11th, the losers just one point away from the drop zone. 

#LEIMCI
Gabriel Jesus made the difference, coming off the bench to score the winner at the King Power Stadium (80'). Both sides wasted a lot of chances, Jamie Vardy hitting the woodwork in the first half, the Foxes should have been on top at the break. Kasper Schmeichel was kept the busier after the restart, denying Sergio Agüero from the spot, continuing the Blues' penalty woes. It was the stopper's fourth Premier League penalty save - one more than his father Peter made in his entire PL career. Not bad. But it all counted for nothing in the end, the super-sub making the difference for Pep Guardiola and his men, cutting the gap to the top to 19 points. Brendan Rodgers was left bitterly disappointed meanwhile, and rightly so, the VAR missing out a few calls for penalties and harder cautions, missing or just ignoring replays of handballs and fouls. Pf. The Foxes stay third, six points ahead of Chelsea in fourth, seven points behind the Citizens.

#MUNWAT
Bruno Fernandes was brought down by Ben Foster in the box, clear penalty, and the fouled was the taker, converting from the spot to score his first goal for the club, giving the Red Devils the lead at the end of a less threatening and more frustrating half (42’). That goal ended a wait of 235 minutes for a Premier League goal by Manchester United at Old Trafford. Mason Greenwood got the last one, in a 4-0 win against Norwich on 11 January (PL Week 22). Watford’s ping-pong equaliser off a corner was disallowed and correctly so by the VAR as it came off Craig Dawson’s arm before bouncing off the woodwork for Troy Deeney to net the rebound (52’). It would have been a deserved leveller, but it was not to be. And shortly after that Anthony Martial doubled the hosts’ lead with a lovely looping finish over and in after Foster saved his first attempt (58’). Martial has scored in three successive games now. The Frechman has not done that since September 2017. A lovely run, take and finish by Greenwood made it three (75’). The win took United up to fifth, just three points separating them from Chelsea in fourth, whilst the Hornets remain 19th, one point from safety. 

#WOLNOR
Norwich played well, dominated the game early, just to fall behind. That summarises their season. A lovely flowing Wolves counter attack ended with Matt Doherty collecting the ball in the D, spinning and finding Diogo Jota running on, who nutmegged Tim Krul to break the deadlock (19’). And the Portuguese forward tapped in Romain Saïss’ cross to double the hosts’ lead (30’). Raúl Jiménez made it three after the restart banging in the rebound off Jota’s shot that came off the post (50’). The comfortable victory takes the Wanderers up to eighth, just two points behind the Red Devils in fifth, whilst the Canaries are stuck rock-bottom, seven points from safety.

#ARSEVE
23 games without defeat for the Gunners against the Toffees, but it didn't come easy: Dominic Calvert-Lewin broke the deadlock after 49 seconds, overhead-kicking the ball in after Arsenal were unable to deal with Gylfi Sigurðsson’s free kick, David Luiz seeing the ball come off his back, the defence all over the place. Bukayo Saka produced the perfect cross from the left, Eddie Nketiah netted it with a fine leap and right-footed connection to level the score from the centre of the box, a lovely recovery after a poor start for the hosts (27’). Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke clear and poked Luiz’s lovely through-ball across and in to turn the score around (33’). Richarlison beat the keeper to Mina’s flick-on, or did Bernd Leno touch it into his own net?! It was an equaliser just before the break either way (45+4’), a messy one to end a crazy half. And 25 seconds after the restart, Aubameyang headed the Gunners ahead, Carlo Ancelotti looked absolutely gob-smacked, his HT-team-talk out of the window. This was the third game in Premier League history to see a goal scored inside the opening minute of both halves, after Newcastle v Arsenal in January 1996 and Charlton v Leeds in March 2001. Leno made a couple of good stops denying DCL. Nketiah hit the woodwork late on in a tense ending, which saw DCL head a chance wide as well. Mikel Arteta's men ended up banking the three points, to the Spaniard's relief, taking his side up to ninth, four points away from the fifth spot. 

#LIVWHU
Liverpool equalled Manchester City's all-time English top-flight record of 18 league wins in a row with their 21st successive league victory at Anfield, which also equalled their own English top-flight record for consecutive home wins, set between January and December 1972. The Reds are unbeaten in eight league matches against West Ham (W6, D2), scoring four goals in four of those eight matches. The Hammers have won only three of their 58 top-flight away matches against the Merseysiders (D15, L40). Georginio Wijnaldum's header put the league leaders ahead (9’), before Issa Diop levelled the score with a nod in of his own soon after (12’). 174 seconds between the two goals. All Reds were just watching in the box when Pablo Fornals banged the Hammers ahead (54’). Mo Salah beat Łukasz Fabiański unmarked in the box, putting the ball through the keeper’s legs for the second equaliser (68’). And Sadio Mané poked the third into an empty net from close range after the visitors were just unable to clear or do anything with the ball, a bit all over the place (81’). That was the turnaround completed by Jürgen Klopp's men and their record(s) kept in tact, as mentioned above. Top. David Moyes' side have won only three of their last 21 Premier League fixtures - as many as in their opening six games. They have lost 22 points from a winning position this season. Their last league win was on New Year's Day. Flop.

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


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