Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
Liverpool kicked off the New Year with a 4-2 victory at home against Newcastle United. Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Sven Botman fouled Luis Diaz, and to be honest, I think Diaz was slightly fortunate here as he delayed his fall until after he realised he wouldn’t be able to score. Anyway, Martin Dubravka then denied Mohamed Salah from the spot before Trent Alexander-Arnold poorly blasted the rebound over the bar. Early in the Second Half, Liverpool had the lead as Mo Salah tapped home from close range after a nice assist from Darwin Nunez. Just 5 minutes later though and Newcastle were level as Alexander Isak finished superbly to make it 1-1 after 54 minutes. In the 74th minute, Liverpool retook the lead as it was now Curtis Jones’ turn to tap home from close range before Cody Gakpo made it 3-1 (from just a few yards out) in the 78th minute. However, Newcastle weren’t done there as Sven Botman headed home in the 81st minute before Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Dubravka “brought down” Diogo Jota. In my opinion, this was an appalling decision from the referees. Anyway, Mohamed Salah stepped up again and this time he did convert to seal a New Year’s Day victory for the hosts. Overall, Liverpool will be happy with this win. The Reds remain top of the league and they go to Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday and host Fulham in the Carabao Cup before they play their next league fixture (at Bournemouth). As for Newcastle United, they simply weren’t good enough here. The Magpies stay 9th in the table and their next two games are big ones away to (Rivals) Sunderland and at home to Manchester City.
Aston Villa 3-2 Burnley
A late penalty was enough for Aston Villa to edge out Burnley in what could prove to be a crucial moment in both teams’ seasons. Aston Villa took the lead after 28 minutes thanks to Leon Bailey’s effort taking a slight deflection, but Villa’s lead didn’t last long as Burnley fired straight back with an equaliser through Zeki Amdouni. In the 42nd minute, Villa retook the lead as Moussa Diaby tapped home from close range (after a nice ball across from Ollie Watkins). In the Second Half, Burnley were down to 10 men as Sander Berge was shown a second Yellow card before Jacob Ramsey missed a golden opportunity to give the hosts a 2-goal cushion. Amazingly, in the 71st minute, Burnley were level through Lyle Foster. Foster did really well here to score, but I do think Emiliano Martinez probably should’ve done better. Anyway, in the 89th minute, Aston Villa were awarded a penalty after Aaron Ramsey “brought down” Jhon Duran. Burnley have had some poor decisions go against them this year and this was very much another one! Douglas Luiz then stepped up and scored emphatically to secure a big victory for Aston Villa. Overall, Aston Villa got away with one here big time! Villa move up to second in the league and they go to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup next weekend before they go to Everton for their next league match. As for Burnley, they’ll rightly feel hard done by after this one. The Clarets remain 19th in the table and their next two games are at Tottenham (in the FA Cup) and at home to Luton (in the League).
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
After a terrible pass from Issa Kabore, Cole Palmer fired home to give Chelsea the lead after 12 minutes. In the 37th minute, Chelsea’s lead doubled as Noni Madueke smashed the ball home from inside the Luton penalty area. In the 70th minute, Cole Palmer showed real composure to score his second goal of the game to ultimately make it Luton 0, Chelsea 3. However, Luton weren’t out of it yet as Ross Barkley got one back in the 80th minute before Elijah Adebayo made it 3-2 in the 87th minute (just minutes after Carlton Morris hit the crossbar). In the end, Luton can be pleased with the desire that they showed in the closing phase of the match. The Hatters remain 18th in the table and they host Bolton in the FA Cup next time out before they go to Burnley for an important league clash. As for Chelsea, they just about hung on here! The Blues stay 10th in the league and they play both Preston and Middlesbrough in cup action before they host Fulham in their next league game.
Tottenham 3-1 Bournemouth
After a bit of poor play from Bournemouth, Tottenham found themselves in front after just 9 minutes through Pape Sarr. To be fair to Sarr, he did really well here. Heung-Min Son then had a decent chance which he failed to take before Dominic Solanke’s deflected effort went out off the crossbar. In the Second Half, Guglielmo Vicario pulled out a decent save to deny Solanke before Richarlison had a great opportunity to make it 2-0 to Tottenham, but he somehow managed to put it wide! However, in the 71st minute, Tottenham had their second as Heung-Min Son got on the act. Richarlison then got his goal to make it 3-0 to Spurs in the 80th minute before Alex Scott got one back for the visitors in the 84th minute. Bryan Gil then had an unbelievable chance to make it 4-1 for the hosts, but he somehow headed the ball onto the crossbar from about 2 yards out. Overall, this was a good win for Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs remain 5th in the league and their next two games are at home to Burnley (in the FA Cup) and away to Manchester United (in the League). As for AFC Bournemouth, their unbeaten run has finally come to an end. The Cherries stay 12th in the table and they go to QPR for an FA Cup clash against QPR before they host Liverpool in the league in a couple of weeks time.
Crystal Palace 3-1 Brentford
Crystal Palace picked up an important 3 points as Brentford lost again! After just 2 minutes, Brentford found themselves in front as Keane Lewis-Potter scored a really good team goal. In the 14th minute, Crystal Palace were level as Michael Olise scored after a lovely ball in from Jordan Ayew. In the 39th minute, Palace had the lead for the first time in the game as Eberechi Eze finished well. In the 58th minute, Crystal Palace’s lead stretched to 2 as Michael Olise scored after a really nice solo run. Neal Maupay then smashed the crossbar for Brentford before Yoane Wissa had a great opportunity which he somehow failed to take. Overall, this is more like it from Crystal Palace. The Eagles “saw” to 14th in the league and they play Everton (in the FA Cup) and Arsenal (in the league) in their next two games. As for Brentford, they’re genuinely struggling right now. The Bees are now 16th in the table and they host Wolves in the FA Cup Friday Night before they host Nottingham Forest in a crucial league game.
Wolves 3-0 Everton
Hwang Hee-Chan lacked composure when trying to give Wolves the lead early on, but the same could not be said for Max Kilman who poked the ball home from close range to give Wolves the lead after 25 minutes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin then had a decent chance which he failed to take before, in the Second Half, Wolves’ lead doubled as Matheus Cunha tapped home from close range after a lovely ball across from Hwang. Hwang Hee-Chan then came close to scoring as he hit the post before the hosts had their third of the afternoon through Craig Dawson. Dwight McNeil then delivered a smashing strike which came back out off the post before Jordan Pickford pulled out a good save to deny Hwang getting a goal. Overall, Wolverhampton Wanderers are flying right now! Wolves remain 11th in the league and they go to Brentford for an FA Cup clash on Friday before they go to Brighton some 17 days later! As for Everton, this was a bad result for them. The Toffees stay 17th in the table and they play Crystal Palace (in the FA Cup) and Aston Villa (in the league) in their next two games.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Fulham pulled out a stunning result as Arsenal slipped up again. It didn’t take long for Arsenal to go in front as Bukayo Saka scored on the rebound to put the visitors in front after just 5 minutes. Whilst David Raya was able to keep Raul Jimenez out once, he couldn’t do it twice as after a superb ball across from Tom Cairney, Jimenez scored from close range to make it 1-1 after 29 minutes. Gabriel Martinelli then came close to retaking the lead for Arsenal, but his effort went just wide of the target before, in the 59th minute, Bobby Reid scored to give Fulham a 2-1 lead! Arsenal didn’t defend this corner well at all. Bukayo Saka then had a golden chance to equalise which he poorly blasted over the bar before Andreas Pereira hit the crossbar for Fulham with a really nice free-kick effort. Overall, this is a great for Fulham. The Cottagers stay 13th in the table and they face Rotherham (FA Cup), Liverpool (Carabao Cup), and Chelsea (League) in their next 3 games. As for Arsenal, they’re struggling right now. The Gunners drop to 4th in the league and they host Liverpool in a big FA Cup clash on Sunday before they play Crystal Palace in their next league fixture.
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Manchester United
In the Second Half, Diogo Dalot was unlucky as his effort blasted back off the post before Nottingham Forest took the lead through Nicolas Dominguez. This was a really well-worked goal by Forest, but you have to question how and why Manchester United made it so easy for them. Anyway, in the 78th minute, Manchester United were level as Marcus Rashford finally got himself a goal after a terrible bit of play by Forest Goalkeeper Matt Turner. And then, in the 82nd minute, after Turner denied Christian Eriksen from giving Man United the lead, Nottingham Forest went up the other end and Morgan Gibbs-White scored to give the hosts their lead back in dramatic fashion! Overall, what a great for Nottingham Forest. Forest rise to 15th in the table and they face Blackpool and Brentford in their next two matches. As for Manchester United, they can’t seem to find any sort of momentum whatsoever! United drop to 8th in the league and their next two games are at Wigan and at home to Tottenham.
Manchester City 2-0 Sheffield United
After just 14 minutes, Manchester City went ahead as Rodri scored with a really nice finish. Wesley Foderingham then pulled out a decent save to deny Bernardo Silva from doubling Man City’s lead before Julian Alvarez made it 2-0 in the Second Half after a really well-worked team move. Overall, this was as simple as simple can get for Manchester City! City are now third in the league and they face Huddersfield and Newcastle in their next two games. As for Sheffield United, they won’t be too disappointed about this game. The Blades remain bottom of the league and they face Gillingham and West Ham in the next few weeks.
West Ham 0-0 Brighton
Jason Steele pulled out a decent save to deny James Ward-Prowse before Pascal Gross had a great chance to make it 1-0, but he could only guide his headed effort straight at Alphonse Areola. In the Second Half, Areola pulled out a couple more decent saves to keep Brighton off the scoresheet before Tomas Soucek had a great chance to give West Ham the lead, but he could only poke the ball wide of the target. Jakub Moder then had a great chance to put Brighton in front which he failed to take before Areola pulled out his best save of the game to deny Adam Lallana. In the end, West Ham United were slightly fortunate that they didn’t lose this game. The Hammers remain 6th in the league and they face Bristol City and Sheffield United in their next two games. As for Brighton and Hove Albion, they’ll be disappointed with themselves for not winning this game. The Seagulls rise to 7th in the table and they go to Stoke on Saturday before they host Wolves in the league some 16 days later.
Premier League Table at the End of Gameweek 20
Liverpool: 45pts (+25)
Aston Villa: 42pts (+16)
Manchester City: 40pts (+24)
Arsenal: 40pts (+17)
Tottenham: 39pts (+13)
West Ham: 34pts (+3)
Brighton: 31pts (+5)
Manchester United: 31pts (-5)
Newcastle: 29pts (+10)
Chelsea: 28pts (+3)
Wolves: 28pts (-1)
Bournemouth: 25pts (-7)
Fulham: 24pts (-7)
Crystal Palace: 21pts (-7)
Nottingham Forest: 20pts (-11)
Brentford: 19pts (-5)
Everton: 16pts (-4)
Luton: 15pts (-14)
Burnley: 11pts (-21)
Sheffield United: 9pts (-34)
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