Fulham 5-0 West Ham
West Ham United got thrashed at Craven Cottage as Fulham scored 5 without reply for the second consecutive game! Fulham found themselves ahead in the 22nd minute as Raul Jimenez headed home to keep his good week going before Fulham went 2-0 up in the 31st minute thanks to Willian’s calm finish. The hosts then scored their third of the afternoon in the 40th minute as Tosin Adarabioyo’s headed effort took a deflection off of Vladimir Coufal who probably should’ve done better (when it comes to heading the ball over the bar). Jarrod Bowen then had a really good chance to get one back for West Ham, but he could only hit the ball into the arms of Bernd Leno before, in the Second Half, Harry Wilson had a great chance to score which he also failed to take. However, Wilson made up for his earlier miss with a terrific goal to score Fulham’s 4th on the hour mark. Jarrod Bowen then had another good chance which he failed to take before Vinicius wrapped up another terrific day for Fulham with an 88th minute goal. Overall, it’s another super day for Fulham. The Cottagers rise into the top half of the Table (10th) and they go to Newcastle next time out. As for West Ham United, what a shocker this was for them. The Hammers remain 9th in the league and they host Freiburg in a big Europa League tie on Thursday before they host Wolves in the league on Sunday.
Tottenham 4-1 Newcastle
Tottenham Hotspur bounced back in some style as they thrashed Newcastle United at home. Alexander Isak should’ve put Newcastle in front early on, but to be fair to Ben Davies, his defending was superb. Miguel Almiron then stopped Cristian Romero from scoring another headed goal before Tottenham were in front (in the 26th minute) thanks to Iyenoma Udogie. In the 38th minute, Tottenham doubled their lead as Richarlison scored from close range after a great bit of play by Heung-Min Son. However, having said that, Kieran Tripper should’ve done better. In the 60th minute, Spurs’ lead stretched to 3 as Richarlison scored again after a terrible bit of goalkeeping by Martin Dubravka. Brennan Johnson was then unlucky as his effort hit the post and came back out before Tottenham were awarded a penalty after Dubravka brought down Heung-Min Son. Son then stepped up and scored to score Tottenham’s fourth of the afternoon in the 85th minute. Joelinton was then able to get one back for Newcastle in the 91st minute, but it really was nothing more than a consolation goal. Overall, this is exactly what Tottenham Hotspur needed. Spurs remain 5th in the league and they go to Nottingham Forest next time out. As for Newcastle United, what a disastrous few days it’s been for them. The Magpies stay 7th in the table and they host A.C. Milan in a must-win Champions League game on Wednesday before they play Fulham in the league on Saturday.
Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth produced a special performance to thrash Manchester United at Old Trafford. Bournemouth got off to a terrific start as Dominic Solanke scored with a lovely flick to give the visitors the lead after just 5 minutes. Neto then pulled out a decent save to push Harry Maguire’s effort over the bar before Dominic Solanke hit the post! Skipping to the 68th minute and Bournemouth doubled their lead as Philip Billing scored a really nice headed finish. 5 minutes later and Bournemouth had their third as Marcos Senesi headed home really well to secure the victory for the visitors. Dango Ouattara then thought he’d made it 4-0 in the 92nd minute, but his goal was ruled out for an unfortunate handball. In the end, it’s another shocking performance by Manchester United. United stay 6th in the table and they have a big week ahead against Bayern Munich (at home) and Liverpool (away). As for AFC Bournemouth, what a run they’re on. The Cherries move up to 14th in the league and they host Luton next time out.
Luton 1-2 Manchester City
Manchester City finally got back to winning ways at the expense of a hard-working Luton Town. Thomas Kaminski pulled out a decent save to keep Phil Foden’s effort out before Julian Alvarez made a mess of a really good opportunity. Despite Manchester City dominating for basically the entire First Half, it was actually Luton who went into the break ahead as Elijah Adebayo headed home in the second minute of additional time. In my opinion, Ederson should’ve done better here. In the Second Half, Thomas Kaminski pulled out a really good save to push Ruben Dias’ effort onto the crossbar before, in the 62nd minute, Man City were level thanks to a terrific finish by Bernardo Silva. Just three minutes later and City found themselves in front as Jack Grealish scored for the second consecutive weekend. Teden Mengi will be gutted about this goal because his defending was awful. VAR then checked for a possible Red card for Jacob Brown after a challenge on Phil Foden. It wasn’t given as a Red and I agree with that, even though I do find it hysterical that he didn’t even get booked. In the end, Luton Town can once again be proud of the spirit they showed in this one. The Hatters stay inside the Relegation Zone (in 18th) and they go to Bournemouth next time out. As for Manchester City, they picked up the victory they very much needed. City stay 4th in the league and their next two games are away to Crvena Zvezda (on Wednesday) and at home to Crystal Palace (on Saturday).
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool left it late at Crystal Palace to become the new League leaders. Alisson pulled out a terrific save to “push” Jefferson Lerma’s effort onto the post before Palace were awarded a penalty due to Virgil van Dijk bringing down Odsonne Edouard. However, the penalty was then overturned by VAR due to Will Hughes fouling Wataru Endo during the build-up. What I don’t like about this decision is the referee clearly didn’t think it was a foul and he basically got forced into a decision by VAR. However, in the Second Half, VAR then awarded Crystal Palace a penalty after Trent Alexander-Arnold clearly fouled Jean-Philippe Mateta. Mateta then stepped up from 12 yards out and scored to give Palace the lead after 57 minutes. Jordan Ayew was then sent off for a slightly odd second Yellow card before Mohamed Salah capitalised on it less than a minute later to give Liverpool their equaliser in the 76th minute. Mo Salah’s effort took a big deflection off Nathaniel Clyne. And then, in the 91st minute, Harvey Elliott scored a really nice goal to “nick” a winner for Liverpool. Joachim Andersen did have a chance to equalise for Crystal Palace in the 100th minute, but his effort was pushed away well by Alisson. In the end, Crystal Palace will be very frustrated to have walked away from this game with nothing. The Eagles drop to 15th in the table and they go to Manchester City next time out. As for Liverpool, it’s another close win for them. The Reds are now top of the league and they go to Union St. Gilloise on Thursday before they host Manchester United on Sunday.
Everton 2-0 Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez had two decent chances to put Chelsea in front early on which he failed to take before Jack Harrison came close to giving Everton the lead with a well-struck shot. In the Second Half, Robert Sanchez pulled out a good save to deny Dwight McNeil before Everton were in front in the 54th minute through Abdoulaye Doucoure. Sanchez made a good initial save to stop Dominic Calvert-Lewin from scoring, but he wasn’t quite able to keep Doucoure’s follow-up effort from hitting the back of the net. Nicolas Jackson then had a decent chance to equalise which he completely made a mess of before Lewis Dobbin sealed the victory for the hosts in the 92nd minute. Overall, it’s another good win for Everton. The Toffees stay 17th in the table and their next game is a big one at Burnley. As for Chelsea, I’m running out of words to describe them this season (and we’re only in December)! The Blues drop to 12th in the league and they host Sheffield United next time out.
Brighton 1-1 Burnley
Johann Berg Gudmundsson came within inches of giving Burnley the lead as his effort fired just wide of the post before James Trafford kept out Pascal Gross’ effort. I’m a little bit surprised Gross didn’t score here. Jan Paul van Hecke then came close to giving Brighton the lead with a headed effort before Burnley took the lead right on half time through Wilson Odobert. Odobert’s effort took a big deflection off of James Milner which made it impossible for Bart Verbruggen to keep it out. In the Second Half, Evan Ferguson had a decent opportunity which he made a mess of before James Trafford made a really good save to deny Simon Adingra. However, Adingra would get another chance and this time he scored to get Brighton back on level terms. The ball from Pascal Gross was absolutely superb. Jack Hinshelwood then nearly won it for Brighton, but his effort was saved well by James Trafford before Trafford pulled out an incredible save to deny Brighton and Kaoru Mitoma a winner. In the end, it’s another frustrating draw for Brighton and Hove Albion. The Seagulls remain 8th in the league and their next two games are big ones away to Marseille and at home to Arsenal. As for Burnley, this is a good point for them. The Clarets stay 19th in the table and they host Everton in a huge game next time out.
Wolves 1-1 Nottingham Forest
After just 14 minutes, Nottingham Forest found themselves ahead as Harry Toffolo headed home from close range. Honestly, I do feel like Craig Dawson should’ve cleared the ball off the line better than he did. Anyway, Wolves equalised in the 32nd minute as Matheus Cunha finished off what was a really well-worked goal. Jose Sa was then forced to pull out a good save to deny Cheikhou Kouyate from restoring Forest’s lead after what was a terrible bit of play by Max Kilman. In the Second Half, Harry Toffolo had a golden chance to score his and Forest’s second goal of the game, but he somehow headed the ball over from just 3 yards out! In the end, Wolverhampton Wanderers will be disappointed with themselves that they didn’t win this game. Wolves remain 13th in the league and they go to West Ham next time out. As for Nottingham Forest, they could’ve won this game. Forest stay 16th in the table and their next game is at home to Tottenham Friday Night.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
Aston Villa kept up their incredible home record as they edged out Arsenal at Villa Park. Aston Villa got off to a great start as John McGinn fired them in front after just 7 minutes. McGinn’s turn and finish was excellent. Martin Odegaard was then denied by a good stop from Emiliano Martinez before, in the Second Half, Arsenal wanted a penalty after a coming together between Gabriel Jesus and Douglas Luiz. VAR didn’t see it as a foul which really surprises me because Luiz clearly kicks Jesus. Anyway, Ollie Watkins then nearly scored an own goal as the ball hit him and came back off the post before Martin Odegaard missed a great opportunity to make it 1-all. And then, in the 90th minute, Eddie Nketiah poked the ball into the back of the Aston Villa net, but the goal was ruled out due to a handball against Kai Havertz. It’s unfortunate for Arsenal that this goal was ruled out, but I totally understand why it was. Overall, are Aston Villa genuine Title contenders? Villa stay third in the league and their next two games are both away from home against Zrinjski Mostar and Brentford. As for Arsenal, they’ll be frustrated that they lost this game. The Gunners drop to second in the table and they play away to PSV tomorrow evening before they host Brighton on Sunday.
Sheffield United 1-0 Brentford
Sheffield United finally kept a Clean Sheet as they edged out Brentford for their second win of the season. William Osula had a decent chance early on which saw him hit the side netting before VAR checked for a possible Red card for Frank Onyeka after he caught Vinicius de Souza Costa. It was decided that a Yellow card was the right decision for the challenge and I agree. Neal Maupay then had a decent chance for Brentford, but he just couldn’t quite sort his feet out before Sheffield United took the lead in additional time at the end of the First Half courtesy of a brilliant James McAtee finish. You have to go and watch this because I’m not going to be able to do McAtee’s goal justice. In the Second Half, Anis Ben Slimane had a good opportunity to double United’s lead, but he could only guide the ball straight at Mark Flekken before Flekken kept out Cameron Archer. Ben Slimane then had a great chance to wrap up the three points for the hosts, but he terribly blasted the ball into the side netting. Overall, this is a good win for Sheffield United. The Blades remain bottom of the league and their next game is away to Chelsea (on Saturday). As for Brentford, they’ll be really disappointed with their performance in this one. The Bees stay 11th in the table and they host Aston Villa next time out.
Premier League Table at the End of Gameweek 16
Liverpool: 37pts (+21)
Arsenal: 36pts (+18)
Aston Villa: 35pts (+15)
Manchester City: 33pts (+20)
Tottenham: 30pts (+10)
Manchester United: 27pts (-3)
Newcastle: 26pts (+12)
Brighton: 26pts (+5)
West Ham: 24pts (-4)
Fulham: 21pts (0)
Brentford: 19pts (+1)
Chelsea: 19pts (0)
Wolves: 19pts (-5)
Bournemouth: 19pts (-9)
Crystal Palace: 16pts (-8)
Nottingham Forest: 14pts (-11)
Everton: 13pts (0)
Luton: 9pts (-15)
Burnley: 8pts (-18)
Sheffield United: 8pts (-29)
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