2023/24 Premier League Roundup: Gameweek 22

Wolves 3-4 Manchester United

A dramatic ending to proceedings saw Manchester United snatch a late victory at the expense of Wolverhampton Wanderers. After just 5 minutes, Manchester United were in front through a nice strike from Marcus Rashford. In the 22nd minute, Man United had their second goal of the game through Rasmus Hojlund after some poor goalkeeping by Jose Sa. In the Second Half, Jose Sa pulled out a good stop to deny Hojlund from making it 3-0 before Wolves were awarded a penalty after Casemiro fouled Pedro Neto. This was definitely a close call! Anyway, Pablo Sarabia then stepped up and scored to give Wolves a lifeline in the match. Just 4 minutes later though and Man U’s 2-goal lead was restored thanks to a calm headed finish from Scott McTominay. However, Wolves were able to get one back through Max Kilman in the 85th minute before the hosts scored a dramatic equaliser in the 95th minute courtesy of a bit of Pedro Neto brilliance! And then, somehow, in the 97th minute, Kobbie Mainoo scored a superb goal to somehow win the game for Manchester United! In the end, Wolverhampton Wanderers will be kicking themselves after this defeat. Wolves stay 11th in the table and they go to Chelsea next time out. As for Manchester United, what a big result this could turn out to be for them. United rise to 7th in the league and their next game is an important one at home to West Ham.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

Liverpool thrashed Chelsea at Anfield to retain their 5-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Chelsea really should’ve been awarded a penalty early on after Virgil van Dijk brought down Conor Gallagher, and I’d honestly really like to know how the referee didn’t give this decision. Anyway, Darwin Nunez then clipped the crossbar for Liverpool before Nunez saw another effort tipped onto the post by Djordje Petrovic. In the 23rd minute, Liverpool did have their lead through Diogo Jota, but I really have to question the defending by Chelsea. Anyway, Liverpool then went 2-0 in front thanks to a great strike from Conor Bradley before the hosts were awarded a penalty after Benoit Badiashile caught Jota. Darwin Nunez then stepped up from 12 yards, but he could only smash the post (again)! In the 65th minute, Liverpool had their third of the night through Dominik Szoboszlai (after a brilliant ball in from Bradley) before Chelsea got one back through Christopher Nkunku. Nkunku did so well here! Chelsea then should’ve had another penalty after van Dijk fouled Nkunku, but once again the referee didn’t give it. Amazingly, Darwin Nunez managed to hit the woodwork again before Liverpool finally wrapped up the 3 points as Luis Diaz tapped home from close range. Overall, this was a good win for Liverpool. The Reds remain top of the league and they go to Arsenal for a huge game next time out. As for Chelsea, whilst they had some poor decisions go against them, they still weren’t nearly good enough to get anything from this game. The Blues drop to 10th in the table and their next game is at home to Wolves.

Tottenham 3-2 Brentford

After Tottenham lost the ball in midfield, a Brentford counterattack ultimately resulted with Neal Maupay putting the visitors in front after 15 minutes. Ivan Toney then had a good chance to make it 2-0, but he headed the ball too close to Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario before Tottenham got their equaliser just three minutes into the Second Half through Iyenoma Udogie. Brentford were pretty unlucky here. Just a minute later and Tottenham actually had the lead as Brennan Johnson tapped home from close range. In the 56th minute, more bad luck for Brentford resulted in Richarlison making it 3-1 to Spurs, but the visitors were able to get one back (in the 67th minute) through Ivan Toney. What on earth Udogie was doing here I will never know! Overall, this was a good win for Tottenham. Spurs are now up to 4th in the league and they go to Everton next time out. As for Brentford, it’s another game for them that ends 3-2! The Bees drop to 15th in the table and their next game is at home to Manchester City Monday Night.

Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheffield United

After less than 25 seconds, Sheffield United had the lead thanks to a brilliant goal from Ben Brereton Diaz! In the 17th minute, Crystal Palace were level through Eberechi Eze. From a Palace point of view, this was a great goal! However, in my opinion, the goalkeeping by Ivo Grbic was terrible! Anyway, Sheffield United were then back in front just three minutes later thanks to James McAtee’s effort taking a big deflection before Eze scored again to make it 2-2 after 27 minutes! This was an unbelievable finish from Palace’s Number 10! In the 67th minute, Crystal Palace had the lead as Michael Olise scored with a great finish. Anel Ahmedhodzic then had a great chance to gain Sheffield United a crucial point, but his headed effort could only come back off the crossbar. In the end, this was a much-needed win for Crystal Palace. The Eagles climb to 14th in the table and they go to Brighton next time out. As for Sheffield United, they were unlucky to lose this game. The Blades remain bottom of the league and their next game is at home against Aston Villa.

Luton 4-0 Brighton

Luton Town pulled out a stunning display to destroy Brighton and Hove Albion at Kenilworth Road! Luton got off to an amazing start as Elijah Adebayo headed home from close range to give the hosts the lead after just 20 seconds! Amazingly, just two minutes later and Luton were 2-0 to the good as Chiedozie Ogbene scored after a poor bit of goalkeeping by Jason Steele. In the 42nd minute, Luton had their third as Adebayo scored again! In the 56th minute, Luton made it 4-0 as Elijah Adebayo completed his stunning hat-trick! Tariq Lamptey then had a good chance to get one back for Brighton, but he could only smash the side netting. Overall, what a special day for Luton Town! The Hatters climb out of the Relegation Zone (and into 17th) and they go to Newcastle next time out. As for Brighton and Hove Albion, what a shocker for them! The Seagulls drop to 9th in the table and they host Rivals Crystal Palace in their next game.

Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle

Newcastle United pulled out a superb performance to end Aston Villa’s unbeaten home run! Anthony Gordon came close to giving Newcastle the lead early on, but the visitors did go ahead in the 32nd minute through Fabian Schar. This was a really good finish from the Centre Half. In the 36th minute, Newcastle’s lead doubled as Fabian Schar scored again! Gordon’s effort took a big deflection which came back off the crossbar and into the path of Schar who tapped home for his second goal in 4 minutes! In the 52nd minute, Newcastle had their third thanks to an Alex Moreno own goal. Aston Villa then came close with a couple of chances before they got one back in the 71st minute through Ollie Watkins. Emiliano Martinez then pulled out a good save to deny Sean Longstaff before Ollie Watkins scoffed a decent opportunity. In the end, it’s a disappointing day for Aston Villa. Villa drop to 5th in the league and they go to Sheffield United in their next game. As for Newcastle United, what a win for them! The Magpies now sit 8th in the table and they host Luton next time out.

Manchester City 3-1 Burnley

After 16 minutes, Manchester City had the lead as Julian Alvarez headed home after a lovely ball across from Matheus Nunes. In the 22nd minute, it was 2-0 Man City as Alvarez scored again after a brilliant pass from Kevin De Bruyne. Lyle Foster then had a half chance for Burnley late in the First Half, before at the start of the Second Half, City had their third thanks to a good strike from Rodri. However, Burnley fans would have at least something to celebrate on the way home thanks to a nice 93rd minute goal from Ameen Al Dakhil. Overall, it’s another comfortable victory for Manchester City. City stay second in the league and they face Brentford in their next game Monday Night. As for Burnley, they really didn’t do much in this game. The Clarets remain 19th in the table and they host Fulham next time out.

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal

Bukayo Saka came close to giving Arsenal the lead on a couple of different occasions before Gabriel Jesus smashed the woodwork. However, Jesus would get his goal in the 65th minute to finally break the deadlock. I have to say, the goalkeeping by Matt Turner is really, really poor. 7 minutes later and Arsenal’s lead doubled as Bukayo Saka finally got his goal. However, Taiwo Awoniyi was able to get one back for Nottingham Forest in the 89th minute before David Raya had to make an important save to deny Awoniyi a second. In the end, Nottingham Forest didn’t do nearly enough in this game to deserve anything from it. Forest remain 16th in the table and they go to Bournemouth next time out. As for Arsenal, they can be happy with this result. The Gunners stay third in the league and their next game is a huge Super Sunday clash at home against Liverpool.

West Ham 1-1 Bournemouth

After just 3 minutes, Bournemouth had the lead through Dominic Solanke. Amazingly, Solanke’s goal came from a terrible mistake between both Kurt Zouma and Kalvin Phillips! Bournemouth then had a great chance to make it 2-0, but nobody was quite able to head the ball towards the goal before Alphonse Areola pulled out a big save to deny Antoine Semenyo. In the Second Half, West Ham were awarded a penalty after Lloyd Kelly brought down Mohammed Kudus. James Ward-Prowse then stepped up and scored to make it 1-1 after 61 minutes. In the end, West Ham United were fortunate to get a point from this game. The Hammers stay 6th in the league and their next game is an important one at Manchester United. As for AFC Bournemouth, they really should’ve won this game. The Cherries remain 12th in the table and they host Nottingham Forest next time out.

Fulham 0-0 Everton

Joao Palhinha had a good chance to give Fulham the lead early on, but he could only head the ball over the bar before Everton hit the crossbar after the ball deflected off of Issa Diop. Raul Jimenez then had a great chance to give Fulham the lead, but he somehow scuffed the ball wide of the target! In the Second Half, Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit the bar for Everton before Timothy Castagne hit the bar for Fulham. Jordan Pickford then pulled out a great save to keep out Tosin Adarabioyo’s headed effort before Beto missed an absolute sitter to win the game for Everton! In the end, I don’t Fulham will be too happy with themselves after this one. The Cottagers stay 13th in the table and they go to Burnley next time out. As for Everton, they had some really good chances to win this game. The Toffees are now inside the Relegation Zone (in 18th place) and their next game is at home to Tottenham tomorrow.

Premier League Table at the End of Gameweek 22

1. Liverpool: 51pts (+32)

2. Manchester City: 46pts (+27)

3. Arsenal: 46pts (+23)

4. Tottenham: 43pts (+14)

5. Aston Villa: 43pts (+14)

6. West Ham: 36pts (+3)

7. Manchester United: 35pts (-4)

8. Newcastle: 32pts (+11)

9. Brighton: 32pts (+1)

10. Chelsea: 31pts (+1)

11. Wolves: 29pts (-2)

12. Bournemouth: 26pts (-11)

13. Fulham 25pts (-8)

14. Crystal Palace: 24pts (-11)

15. Brentford: 22pts (-5)

16. Nottingham Forest: 20pts (-13)

17. Luton: 19pts (-10)

18. Everton: 18pts (-4)

19. Burnley: 12pts (-23)

20. Sheffield United: 10pts (-35)