Premier League Notes - Week 34

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 34

The 34th week of the Premier League football action saw:

26 goals - most by Man City = 5

243 shots - most by Man City = 23

79 on target - most by Man City = 9

115 corners - most by Tottenham = 13

209 fouls - most by Norwich and Liverpool = 15 each

33 bookings - most by Norwich and Liverpool = 4 each

1 red card - Nketiah for Arsenal 

2 penalties - 1 scored (Bruno Fernandes for Man United)

#CRYCHE

Olivier Giroud put the Blues ahead controversially, Palace not happy as Gary Cahill went down with an obvious hamstring injury in the buildup (6’), and had to be replaced thereafter. It wasn’t that obvious, the former Chelsea man just couldn’t keep up with the run of the provider Willian, tough luck. Christian Pulisic doubled their lead shortly after the first drinks break with a lovely left-footer, too easy (27’). Wilfried Zaha smacked one back, what a screamer from far out, wow (35’). Tammy Abraham made it 1-3, tight but on and in, VAR confirmed (71’). I hardly finished the last note, Christian Benteke tapped one back, his first goal at Selhurst Park since 2018, brilliantly set up by Patrick van Aanholt, 2-3 and game on (73’). Palace thought they levelled the score in stoppage time, but Scott Dann’s header hit the woodwork! Frank Lampard’s men were relieved to hear the FT whistle.

#WATNOR

Emiliano Buendía put the bottom side ahead early on with a lovely curler after a quick counter by the Canaries (4’), Ben Foster grabbing thin air. Craig Dawson headed the Hornets level point blank soon after (8’). Danny Welbeck’s spectacular overhead kick put the home side ahead (55'), top quality and very very crucial turnaround in their battle for survival. 

#ARSLEI

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got his 20th of the season, set up by Bukayo Saka, quick move, great pickup, quality goal, clinical (21’). Kasper Schmeichel denied Alexandre Lacazette with just over half an hour gone, the Gunners all over the Foxes. Jamie Vardy set up Kelechi Iheanacho from the left, but the goal got disallowed for a foul in the buildup (35’). Arsenal corner by Dani Ceballos, David Luiz header down, Lacazette put it in and was sure of himself, but the flag was up and it was confirmed offside (68’). The ref went to the screen to double-check, rare in the PL! Moments after coming on, Eddie Nketiah was then sent off instead of just a yellow for his lash out at James Justin, on the knee, it wasn’t near the ball, harsh maybe but no surprise (76’). Vardy turn and goal, offside (80’). Four minutes later, lovely ball into the box by Demarai Gray, Vardy netted it, offside again?! Replays, lines and checks and more replays... It stood, 1-1 (87’). EIGHT minutes added on for all that malarkey - it stayed at one goal and one point each, the CL qualification spot chase staying on. It's only Leicester’s second ever away point against Arsenal.

#MCINEW

Gabriel Jesus left unmarked in the box, you’re asking for trouble, a present of an opener, set up by David Silva from the left (10’). The second goal was the same again, this time Kevin De Bruyne from the left, providing an unmarked Riyad Mahrez with an easy finish (21’). Too easy. Quality own goal: Jesus dancing into the box, Magpies defender Federico Fernández tried to nick the ball, curled it into the corner of his own net instead to make it 3-0 (58’). Silva made it four with a left-footed free kick around the wall and in (65’). The same Silva again in the buildup, handed Raheem Sterling a present to make it 5-0 in stoppage time. Th-r-ash.

#SHUWOL

The home side were more threatening at times, but that soon ebbed down. Rúben Neves hit the woodwork with a lovely curling free-kick with just over half an hour played. Goal for Billy Sharp, but offside, shame (53’). John Egan rose the highest off a corner and headed in the winner in the final seconds of stoppage time. A crucial late winner in the race for Europe.

#WHUBUR

Scrappy match, more frustrating for David Moyes watching Burnley take advantage as the Hammers struggled to break down their opponents. Jay Rodriguez snuck in the opener, a header that bounced in off the crossbar, nicely set up by Charlie Taylor (38’). Chris Wood thought he had doubled his side’s lead, to be disallowed, marginally offside (76’). The Hammers kept digging, chance after chance, their own grave in the end as they suffered another defeat. 

#BHALIV

Keeper Mat Ryan and Davy Pröpper messed up between each other, handing the ball to Naby Keïta, who put it straight across the box for Mo Salah to bang it in and give the champions the lead (6’). The skipper made it two seconds later: Georginio Wijnaldum to Salah, to Jordan Henderson, who placed it across and into the left corner to make it 0-2 in his 350th PL appearance (8’). Beautiful.‬ Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay pushed the Reds after the first drinks break, Graham Potter said something right, but Red youngster Neco Williams and keeper Alisson and co coped well. ‪The hosts pulled one back eventually, deserved after the drinks break! Whacked in by Trossard off a lovely cross by Pascal Groß, Alisson no chance, game on‬ (44’). After a more settled and even second half restart, Salah headed in a corner, bottom right to make it 1-3 (76’). Not an easy but quality win for Jürgen Klopp’s men, their record-breaking 30th league win of the season. Potter’s side tried their best to stay in the match, but fell to the record breaking champions in the end. Click here for my full ByTheMinLFC coverage.

#BOUTOT

The only thing of note happening in the first half was Harry Kane going down in the box and not getting a penalty for a change! After the break, Adam Smith got knocked out cold after colliding with Ben Davies and had to come off around the hour-mark, a long delay without any replays, you know it’s bad. Hope he's okay. Bournemouth shaken, Tottenham lucky. Callum Wilson’s overhead kick put the hosts ahead in the final minutes of normal time - or so they thought, apparently there was a handball on its way in, harsh, good old VAR. Twelve minutes added on. It ended goalless, not a single shot on target for José Mourinho’s men, Eddie Howe and co will be left wondering how costly the VAR calls and injuries will be in their fight for survival. It was the first time after 186 PL games for the Cherries not to concede a single shot on target. 

#EVESOU

Saints thought they had broken the deadlock when Stuart Armstrong fired the ball into the roof of the net off Ché Adams, but the flag’s up, offside (7’). Softer than soft penalty given against the Toffees, James Ward-Prowse leaning in on André Gomes, goes down, gets the spot kick for it, but he hit the crossbar, relief for Jordan Pickford and co after the visitors kept getting closer and closer, chance after chance, keeping the hosts’ woodwork busy (28’). A couple of minutes later, the flag was up again but the VAR confirmed this time everything and everyone was in line, Danny Ings putting the visitors ahead fair and square (31’). Richarlison pinged in the equaliser over the keeper and in, top finish (44’). Feisty game, end to end, no one holding back. It stayed so high paced after the restart, Pickford with a couple of good saves. Around an hour gone, the VAR spared last man Jan Bednarek from a red, yellow instead for bringing down Richarlison, no goal scoring opportunity from 20 yards out apparently. It stayed a goal and point each.

#AVLMUN

Villa started brightly, stronger, creating chances, but not good enough finishes, Anwar el Ghazi the closest hitting the woodwork (25’). Another penalty to the Red Devils, Bruno Fernandes tripped even though he was was the one treading on the Villan Ezri Konsa’s ankle. Pf. The Portuguese netted the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong way, giving the visitors the lead against the run of play (27’). And Mason Greenwood doubled United’s lead from the semi-circle, bang in after a clinical counter involving Anthony Martial and Fernandes (45+5’). Harsh harsh scoreline, harsh on Villa. Marcus Rashford lined up a shot from outside the box, hammered it home, but Paul Pogba was offside and in the way of keeper Pepe Reina. Goal did not stand (56’). But Pogba netted one seconds later, Villa covering nothing and no one off a corner, too easy for the Frenchman, bang 0-3 (58’). Martial hit the crossbar (61’). Vila boss Dean Smith looked like he was going to kill someone, I suspect the officials and at least half of his team will be on his hit list. Down and out? United move within a point of fourth, Villa stay four points away from safety. They have a huge game against Palace on Sunday.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Palace 1:1 Chelsea - 2:3

Watford 1:0 Norwich - 2:1

Arsenal 2:1 Leicester - 1:1

Man City 2:0 Newcastle - 5:0

Sheff United 2:3 Wolves - 1:0

West Ham 2:2 Burnley - 0:1

Brighton 0:1 Liverpool - 1:3

Bournemouth 2:1 Tottenham - 0:0

Everton 2:2 Southampton - 1:1

Aston Villa 0:2 Man United - 0:3

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 33

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 33

The 33rd week of the Premier League football action saw:

26 goals - most by Man United = 5

234 shots - most by Man City = 26

79 on target - most by Man United = 10

99 corners - most by Man City = 13

216 fouls - most by Leicester and Liverpool = 18 each

27 bookings - most by Arsenal = 4

0 red cards

3 penalties - 3 scored (Rashford for United, King for Bournemouth, Willian for Chelsea)

#NORBHA

Lovely run and cross by Aaron Mooy from the right, Leandro Trossard swept it in from close range, past all the yellow shirts, keeper Tim Krul nowhere near (25’). Plenty of chances for both sides after that, the woodwork was the busiest at Carrow Road. It stayed at just the one goal, Brighton safe, Norwich gone, surely.

#LEICRY

James Justin hit the woodwork early on for the hosts, but neither side created much, no shots on target at the HT break in the King Power Stadium. Superb Youri Tielemans run and cross from the left, knocked in by Kelechi Iheanacho to open the scoring (50’). Jamie Vardy doubled the Foxes’ lead, an easy tap in against some awful defending, his 100th Premier League goal (76’). And he made it 101, running clear from the halfway line, and finding the right corner with a lovely finish past the hopeless Palace keeper Vicente Guaita (90+4’). Three goals and three much-needed points for Brendan Rodgers and co to stay in the top four.

#MUNBOU

Junior Stanislas gave the Cherries the lead at Old Trafford, from close range, nutmegging Harry Maguire and beating David de Gea at his near post, after another chance got blocked but not cleared, the Red Devils unable to deal with it (17’). Mason Greenwood smashed in the equaliser, in off Aaron Ramsdale (29’). Adam Smith conceded a penalty with an obvious handball off a United corner, Marcus Rashford smashed the spot kick in to turn the game around, 2-1 (35’). It’s his 20th goal this season (all comps) - no English player has reached that total for Man Utd since Wayne Rooney in 2011-2012. Anthony Martial hit in an absolute beauty, across from left outside the box, into the top right corner of the net, to make it 1-3 (47’). And that made it the first time since 2011 that two United players have scored over 20. Wow. Bournemouth came out swinging after the HT break, saw a shot blocked, then Arnaut Danjuma hit the post. A spot kick was given for an Eric Bailly handball, or shoulder, the VAR took their time as always, penalty given eventually. Joshua King beat de Gea, just, to the keeper’s left, 3-2 (49’). Equaliser by Danjuma was flagged offside seconds later, confusing, mad. Greenwood whacked another one in off the keeper’s glove to make it 4-2 (55’). Bruno Fernandes slashed in a free kick from about 15 yards out to make it five for the Red Devils (59’). Rashford poked in the sixth - flagged offside, another VAR check, all the lines concluded, offside, so it stayed 5-2 (66’). No goals the last half an hour-ish, hard defeat for the visitors stuck in 19th, happy smash for OGS and co keeping them in the race for Europe.

#WOLARS

Super save with his left boot by the Portuguese Wolves stopper Rui Patrício against Eddie Nketiah, before ‪Bukayo Saka was left unmarked in the centre of the box, easy swing with his left foot and smash in to put the Gunners ahead (43’). Lovely. His maiden Premier League goal was the first Wolves have conceded in the competition in 448 minutes of action since a Serge Aurier strike in March (Week 28). Rocket. Alexandre Lacazette sealed the win slotting home the second into the far corner (86’). This is Arsenal's first away league win against a team they started the day below in the table since September 2015, putting them up to seventh and back in the European race.

#CHEWAT

Olivier Giroud slashed home the opener, top quality, past a fighting but helpless defense and keeper Ben Foster (29’). Christian Pulisic was charged down by Étienne Capoue in the box, the ref didn’t hesitate, penalty, netted confidently by Willian just before the break to make it 2-0 to the Blues (43’). Kepa Arrizabalaga made some impressive blocks and stops, but Ross Barkley sealed the win in stoppage time (90+2’), nice turn, control and left-footed take, unmarked in the box, to make it three goals and three points for Frank Lampard and co.

#BURSHU

James Tarkowski put the home side ahead with a slide in from close range (43’). John Egan levelled the score late on, unmarked, across and into the top far corner of the net (80’). Share of spoils, Burnley moved up to ninth, overtaking United who played better but not good enough to take the lead. 

#NEWWHU

Michail Antonio gave the Hammers an early lead thanks to some awful defending and fine cross into the box by Jarrod Bowen (4’). Miguel Almirón was left with an easy touch in to level the score for the Magpies after some lovely buildup play by Allan Saint-Maximin and Emil Krafth (17’). Pace and play stayed relentless after that competitive start, David Moyes’ men with more chances and possession of the ball. But Saint-Maximin was everywhere for the hosts, keeping Steve Bruce’s side competing in the match. Tomáš Souček smashed in the rebound of Declan Rice’s header that came back off the woodwork to put the visitors ahead (66’). Jonjo Shelvey levelled the score seconds later, hitting the ball across and in, after slashing through the Hammers’ back line thanks to a nice one-two with Dwight Gayle in the buildup (67’). Moyes and co couldn’t believe their eyes. His side kept pushing, pressing, trying, but it ended two goals and a point each.

#LIVAVL

The ref Paul Tierney was poor, but more to Villa’s advantage, Mo Salah was fouled more than once, but nothing given. Dire half overall, the Reds nowhere, the Villans definitely the happier of the two. Naby Keïta's pass found Sadio Mané in the box, after a bit of ping pong, the ball went off the crossbar and in, from close range (71’). Finally, the Villa deadlock was broken, something to cheer about for the Reds. It's the Senegalese’s 50th goal at Anfield. ‪His Egyptian team mate headed the ball down to young sub Curtis Jones in centre of the box, unmarked, had enough time and space to put it into the bottom left corner and make it 2-0 with his first goal for the club (89’)‬. Three more points for Jürgen Klopp’s record breakers, keeping their unbeaten run at home going and points total rolling. Click here for my full ByTheMinLFC coverage.

#SOUMCI

Ché Adams payed more attention than anyone else, won the ball near the centre circle, saw Ederson out of position, right foot shot up and over the City keeper and in to give the Saints the lead (16’). It’s his first ever PL goal in his 25th appearance and 22nd shot. The other stopper Alex McCarthy made save after save after save, sublime. Philip Foden and Kevin De Bruyne came on with just under an hour gone (59’). But the Saints kept blocking, blocking and blocking, whatever the Sky Blues fired at them. Outstanding defending. Unbelievable. With that win, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men are safe on 43 points, condemning Pep Guardiola’s side to their ninth defeat of the season. 

#TOTEVE

Scabby opener, Everton unable to clear the ball, Giovani Lo Celso effort went in off Michael Keane, giving Jordan Pickford no chance and putting Spurs ahead (24’). The Toffees enjoyed more possession and chances end of the first half, but the Londoners stayed ahead at the break, however there was a bust-up between two of their players on their way out. Keeper and skipper Hugo Lloris had to be held back by his own team mates having a dispute with Son Heung-min. That was the only thing worth mentioning that happened on the pitch. After the break, nothing of note happened, dire game, the own goal the decider, that says it all. The drag win saw José Mourinho’s side up to ninth, whilst Carlo Ancelotti and co stay 11th.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Norwich 1:2 Brighton - 0:1

Leicester 1:1 Palace - 3:0

Man United 2:0 Bournemouth - 5:2

Wolves 1:2 Arsenal - 0:2

Chelsea 1:1 Watford - 3:0

Burnley 1:1 Sheff United - 1:1

Newcastle 3:2 West Ham - 2:2

Liverpool 4:0 Aston Villa - 2:0

Southampton 0:2 Man City - 1:0

Tottenham 2:2 Everton - 1:0

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 32

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 32

The 32nd week of the Premier League football action saw:

34 goals - most by Arsenal, Newcastle and Man City = 4 each

219 shots - most by Palace and Chelsea = 17 each

74 on target - most by Arsenal = 8

74 corners - most by Palace = 9

226 fouls - most by Watford = 18

26 bookings - most by Norwich = 4

0 red cards

3 penalties - 3 scored (Sigurdsson for Everton, Willian for Chelsea, De Bruyne for City)

#AVLWOL

Adama Traoré starred again, making all the difference after coming on for Wolves (60’). The big Spaniard was involved in the buildup to Leander Dendoncker’s fine low finish inside the post (62’), to give the visitors the lead at Villa Park, Dean Smith watching on, looking fed up of it all. The Villans didn’t respond much after that, Nuno Espírito Santo completing a fine run of three wins out of three games since the restart, keeping them in the chase for European qualification. 

#WATSOU

Danny Ings opened the scoring in style for the Saints, surrounded by yellow shirts, the former Liverpool man slotted the ball home nice and low, cool as you like, from outside the box into the bottom right corner (17’). Ben Foster looked totally lost, probably wondering what his team mates were doing. And Ings made it two in the 70th minute, pouncing on a failed Foster throw, wham bam thank you ma’am, 0-2. Not the keeper’s day. Jan Bednarek tapped the ball into his own net to make it 1-2 (79’). But a couple of minutes later, James Ward-Prowse curled a beautiful free kick in from the tip of the semi-circle outside the box. The wall and keeper were all useless, the two-goal cushion reestablished. And it could have been a much bigger cushion, helping the Saints to 40 points with six games spare, whilst Watford stay in deep trouble.

#CRYBUR

The skipper Ben Mee opened the scoring, heading Ashley Westwood’s free kick just past the hour-mark, keeper Vicente Guaita flapping at it but not getting his full glove on it. It was an even-ish clash beforehand, both sides at it but not on it. A late Palace onslaught, Nick Pope and co dealt with it. Roy Hodgson was rambling at himself at HT. Just before FT the former England boss had a weird schoolgirl smile on him. Don’t think he’s happy. Sean Dyche was loud as always, can be more than satisfied, with his side staying solid, determined, on the ball throughout.

#BHAMUN

Mason Greenwood gave the dominant Red Devils the lead, with too much space despite having four Brighton players around him in the box, fine low finish, cool as you like, into the right corner of the net (16’). Keeper Mat Ryan could have done better, but so should have his team mates. Bruno Fernandes doubled United’s lead (29’), the Seagulls all over the place again, giving their visitors way too much freedom in and around the box, and it ended up near the semi-circle, the deflected shot finding the bottom right corner again. A couple of minutes after the break, just when it looked like the home side were creating more, United were lethal on the counter, quick and quality move, Fernandes netting his second, OGS’ side’s third. The hosts did improve after the break, but it stayed at three goals and three points for the visitors, too easy. 

#ARSNOR

Goalkeeper Tim Krul needlessly took his time on the ball for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to nick it and give the Gunners the lead (33’). Then the hosts ran all over the Canaries, Granit Xhaka with a fine but easy finish from inside the box to double their lead (37’). Another Norwich giveaway at the back made it two for Aubameyang and three for Arsenal (67’). The visitors couldn’t clear a corner, for Cédric Soares to slash in his debut goal to make it four goals and three points for Mikel Arteta’s side (81’), keeping them in the race for a European qualification place.

#BOUNEW

Dwight Gayle (4’) and Sean Longstaff (30’) put the Magpies on top down South, dancing all over the Cherries, leaving them down in the dumps. Sub Miguel Almirón made it three goals and three points, charging at and shooting past the back line (57’), to pile on the misery at the Vitality Stadium. Allan Saint-Maximin set up all three of those goals. Valentino Lazaro made it four (goals not points - 76’) = a hammering. And it could have been worse, Lazaro hitting the woodwork late on. The hosts got a consolation goal thanks to Dan Gosling from close range (90+3’). Eddie Howe’s men are in big trouble after four defeats on the trot, whilst it was a too comfortable, too easy night for Steve Bruce’s side.

#EVELEI

The Toffees bossed it thanks to Richarlison’s smashing finish (10’) and a VAR penalty that took a while to be given, harsh handball against Wilfred Ndidi, but rules are rules (but can and should be changed asap); Gylfi Sigurðsson netted his side’s first spot kick of the season gratefully (16’). Kelechi Iheanacho pulled one back shortly after the break (50’) after some ping pong in the box, both the Foxes’ forward nor the Toffee keeper Jordan Pickford knew much about where the ball was going, it ended in, 2-1, game on. Carlo Ancelotti’s side held on to the three points, leaving Brendan Rodgers and his men gutted, winless since the restart, and hanging on to their Champions League qualification hopes.

#WHUCHE

In a competitive start, the Blues had more chances, but Łukasz Fabiański saved, kept and coped well for the hosts. The Hammers thought they got the breakthrough off a corner, César Azpilicueta unable to clear the ball, causing a scramble with Michail Antonio and Tomáš Souček just in front of goal, for the latter to stab it in, but the VAR analysed the prior as offside and disallowed it after four minutes (34’-38’). Farce. The Blues won a penalty a couple of minutes later, Christian Pulisic bumped down by Issa Diop on the left corner of the box, clumsy. Willian sent the keeper the wrong way to put the visitors ahead (42’). Cruel. But the Hammers did hit back seconds later, off a corner again, headed in by Souček on the 6-yard line to make it 1-1, no doubt about this one (48’). Deserved. Antonio smashed one in after being denied a penalty call against Antonio Rüdiger seconds beforehand (51’). Karma. Willian equalised with a lovely free kick across and in off the far post, keeper so close but yet so far (72’). What a counter, what a finish, controlled and bang on and in, Andriy Yarmolenko made it 3-2, set up by an awesome Antonio, in the final minute of normal time. Wow, what a cracker! Only West Ham (22) and Aston Villa (19) have dropped more points from leading positions this PL season than Chelsea (18). Blues.

#SHUTOT

My luck, boring game, I go to the toilet, goal by Sander Berge (31’), I go to the kitchen, goal by Harry Kane (33’), both unmarked but fine low finishes; I come back into the living room, the latter's goal disallowed for handball in the buildup by a tumbling Lucas Moura = 1-0 (34’). It continued less riveting after that early drama. Lys Mousset doubled the hosts’ lead with the cheekiest of cheeky finishes, from close range, set up nicely by Chris Basham, unmarked, Spurs just watching (69’). At least this time I was inside the room, José Mourinho not happy, ranting on during the drinks break and about the VAR after the match. Kane saw his second goal flagged off correctly (77’). And another one for a foul (79’). Hat-trick of a different kind. Not. His/Their. Day. Oli McBurnie made it three goals and three points after Berge walked and put his pass through the heart of the Spurs back line to give his team mate an easy finish (84’). Kane pulled one back late on (90’). Top performance for Chris Wilder and co, flop for his Portuguese counterpart. 

#MCILIV

Jo Gomez got booked for a clumsy challenge just inside the box on Raheem Sterling, and rightly so. After a promising start for the Reds, Kevin De Bruyne put the Citizens ahead from the spot, sending Alisson the wrong way, just before the first drinks break (25’). Sterling doubled the hosts’ lead, Phil Foden and De Bruyne part of a fine counter and buildup into the Red box, Liverpool all over the place, the former Red winger had too much time and space and nicked one in, his first against his ex-club (35’). Foden made it three just before before the HT break, Andrew Robertson unable to cope, again, De Bruyne in the buildup, again, fine finish under Alisson from outside the box. Harsh scoreline on the Reds, but can’t say the Citizens didn’t deserve it. Lethal. Foden's chance was cleared off the line by VVD after a crazy restart with more lethal counters. ‪Another City counter, De Bruyne with a super cross again, providing Sterling, who saw it in off the Ox to make FOUR! Nightmare complete for the Reds (66’). And it could have been much worse, more City counters, chances, misses, offsides, VAR disallowing a Riyad Mahrez goal in stoppage time for a handball in the buildup. Jürgen Klopp’s men are still 20 points clear at the top, receiving a guard of honour before and hugs after the match by Pep Guardiola. CHAMP19NS hangover. Click here for the full ByTheMinLFC coverage.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Aston Villa 0:2 Wolves - 0:1

Watford 1:2 Southampton - 1:3

Crystal Palace 1:0 Burnley - 0:1

Brighton 1:1 Man United - 0:3

Arsenal 3:0 Norwich - 4:0

Bournemouth 2:2 Newcastle - 1:4

Everton 1:2 Leicester - 2:1

West Ham 0:2 Chelsea - 3:2

Sheffield United 0:1 Tottenham - 3:1

Man City 2:3 Liverpool - 4:0

Click here for my previous PL Notes.

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

Premier League Notes - Week 31

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 31

The 31st week of the Premier League football action saw:

LIVERPOOL CROWNED CHAMP19NS!!!!!!

19 goals - most by Liverpool = 4

227 shots - most by Liverpool = 21

65 on target - most by Chelsea = 10

112 corners - most by Man United = 10 

209 fouls - most by Newcastle and Watford = 15 each

25 bookings - most by Wolves and Bournemouth = 3 each

2 red cards - Jack Stephens for Southampton, Fernandinho for Man City 

2 penalties - 1 scored (Willian for Chelsea)

#LEIBHA

Brighton started brightly at the King Power stadium, won a penalty early on after James Justin was punished for sliding in on Aaron Connolly, but Kasper Schmeichel denied Neal Maupay from the spot (14’). Not much else happened.The Foxes dominated the second half, had a last-minute penalty-shout for a handball against Lewis Dunk. The ball did hit the skipper's arm, but he was falling with his back to the ball, not having a clue of where he or that round thing was. It ended a staler than stale-mate, a point each, important for the Seagulls as it takes them six points clear from the drop zone, whilst Brendan Rodgers’ side have only won one in the last seven. Disappointing.

#TOTWHU

Again, nothing happened. Tottenham dominated, the Hammers kept them at bay. Until the final minutes before the interval, when Son Heung-min hit the back of the net, but the VAR disallowed the goal offside, just. So, it stayed 0-0. The visitors came back out more attacking and pressing, plenty of misses and nearlies at both ends. Over a depressing hour gone, Tomáš Souček tangled with his legs and led the quick ball into the back of his own net off a Spurs corner to make it 1-0. And Harry Kane doubled the hosts’ lead with under ten minutes to go after a quick counter (83’), in his 200th PL appearance for the club. José Mourinho has never lost in 14 matches against sides managed by David Moyes (W9, D5). After seven games without a win, even the miserable Portuguese has to be happy! Moyes condemned the VAR for missing the handball in the buildup to the opener and rightly so. Harsh on the Hammers

#MUNSHU

The Red Devils were on top from the start, chances, possession. No surprise then after just eight minutes: Throw in, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford move, the latter putting a low ball in from the byline, really sharp finish from the prior, Simon Moore didn't have a chance. And Martial whacked in the second a couple of minutes from the interval, unmarked in the centre of the box. Were the visitors respecting social distancing a bit too much?! Poor, just poor. Zonal marking. And Martial completed his first senior hat-trick, again with another easy run through the whole white-shirted back-line, a fine finish, tap over the keeper and in (74’). And that's also Man United's first PL hat-trick since Robin van Persie in 2013 under Sir Alex. Loved Gary Lineker’s tweet on Rashford. Three goals, three points, too easy, Chris Wilder and his side all over the place.

#NEWAVL

The Villans bossed the game early on against very poor Magpies at St James’ Park. But both sides had chances and will have been frustrated not to see anything or anyone on the scoreboard. Moments after coming on, sub Dwight Gayle put the home side ahead, easy tap in with loads of space, through the keeper’s legs, the other sub Andy Carroll with an instant assist (68’). Impact. Talking about subs and impact, Ahmed Elmohamady levelled the score six minutes after coming on (83’), his header sliding underneath and past Jonjo Shelvey and Martin Dúbravka. Who complained about extra subs, ey?! Aston Villa have conceded 36 goals in the second half of Premier League matches this term - no side has conceded more. At least they got a crucial goal and point back this time.

#NOREVE

The hosts enjoyed a bright start again, but the Toffees soon went through the gears, taking over more and more, Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming closest in the first quarter. Both sides kept cancelling each other out up until the HT break. Everton started the second half much better and took the lead off Lucas Digne's corner, headed in at the near post by Michael Keane (55). Whatever Carlo Ancelotti said during the interval, it worked. And zonal marking flopped, again. Pf. No PL side has conceded and scored more goals off a corner, I’ll let you guess which side respectively.

#WOLBOU

Deadlocked at Molineux, both sides struggling to create or produce anything of note, Adama Traoré with the only notable attempt of the first half. Raúl Jiménez broke that dead deadlock with his head on the hour mark, into the top of the net after Adama made space on the right side and provided him with a deep cross, the tenth time this season these two have combined. Aaron Ramsdale denied Willy Boly later on with a fine save to his lower left and stopped Wolves from doubling their lead. But all for nothing, another poor game and zero points for the Cherries, leaving them in the drop zone on goal difference.

#LIVCRY

Just before the first drinks break, Red free kick about 25 yards out, TAA took and banged it in, what a goal! Into the right corner of the net, heard it bang in, keeper no chance (23'). Trent has been directly involved in 30 Premier League goals since his debut in August 2016. At least five more than any other defender in the same time period. The Reds doubled their lead just before the break, Fabinho with the cross up and in to Mo Salah who took it into the centre of the box and completed the move with a lovely finish, Palace keeper or defence no chance (44'). Fabinho made it three with a beautiful right foot curler from outside the box, into the right corner, keeper no chance, again (55'). ‪Provided by Salah on the counter, Sadio Mané put a brilliant shot across goal into the bottom right (69'), 9th in 11 games against this side for the Senegalese master, and the French commentators compared it to the mastery of Thierry Henry. All beauties! Why couldn’t they do that at Goodison? ‪Since Palace won 2-1 at Anfield in April 2017, Liverpool are unbeaten in 56 home Premier League games (W46, D10), winning their last 23. Boom. Jürgen Klopp and his men just needed City to drop points next to clinch the title, see below for more details or click here for my full ByTheMinLFC coverage. Yeah.

#BURWAT

The hosts fired everything at Watford in the first quarter, keeper Ben Foster out of position and Josh Brownhill sweeping his shot wide, after Craig Dawson cleared Jay Rodriguez’s chance off the line brilliantly, all just before the first drinks break. Shortly before the second round of drinks. it was Dwight McNeil who made a big clearance off the line against Troy Deeney, Will Hughes putting the rebound wide. Jay’s lovely header across the goal and into the bottom right corner of the net that finally gave the Clarets the lead off an excellent assist by McNeil (73’). Nice bounce back after their thrash against City, which takes them up to 11th, whilst the Hornets will be looking over their shoulders, just one point clear of the relegation zone.

#SOUARS

The young Gunners started brightly, keeping the Saints defense and stopper busy, until the latter totally screwed up. Alex McCarthy had a back-pass from his defender, Eddie Nketiah charged the clearance down and scored (20’), a real gift. Jack Stephens saw a second yellow late on, the last man bringing down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the run clear through on goal (86’). The consequential free kick was blocked by the wall, the rebound saved, the second rebound netted by youngster Joe Willock (87’). A much needed win for the Gunners, Mikel Arteta’s first victory on the road, lifting them up to 9th, Saints stuck in 14th, ten points clear from the drop zone. 

#CHEMCI

The ball was loose from the Chelsea box after Antonio Rüdiger’s clearance, two City defenders totally messed up, Christian Pulisic capitalised from their giveaway, ran off with the ball and made a lovely low finish to give the home side the lead (36’). Cheers from Merseyside. Kevin De Bruyne smashed in the equaliser with a superb free kick (55’). Tension rising for the Reds. Raheem Sterling hit the post shortly afterwards. Mason Mount put a chance wide at the other end. Pulisic moved around the keeper, his take cleared off the line by Kyle Walker (72’), Liverpool fans’ reactions shown everywhere. Tense. Ping pong in the City box, saved, scramble all over the place, cleared. VAR check showed clear handball by Fernandinho, good save actually. The ref had no choice, red and pen. Willian converted sending the keeper the wrong way to make 2-1 to the Blues and party time in and around Liverpool after 30 long years. And the Red party went ahead indeed. 

My Predictions - Actual Results

Leicester 1:1 Brighton - 0:0

Tottenham 2:1 West Ham - 2:0

Man United 2:0 Sheffield United - 3:0

Newcastle 2:1 Aston Villa - 1:1

Norwich 1:3 Everton - 0:1

Wolves 2:0 Bournemouth - 1:0

Liverpool 2:1 Crystal Palace - 4:0

Burnley 0:1 Watford - 1:0

Southampton 1:1 Arsenal - 0:2

Chelsea 2:2 Man City - 2:1

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

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