Burnley 1-4 Chelsea
Chelsea made it 3 wins on the bounce as they thrashed Burnley at Turf Moor. Burnley took the lead after 15 minutes through Wilson Odobert and this was quite a weird goal as Odobert barely put any power on the finish. Chelsea were then level through a lucky deflected own goal by Ameen Al Dakhil and I do feel very sorry for Burnley in this scenario. Early in the Second Half, Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Vitinho tripped over Raheem Sterling. Cole Palmer stepped up from 12 yards and coolly converted to score both his first goal for Chelsea and the goal to put his side in front. In the 65th minute, Chelsea extended their lead as Raheem Sterling scored a very deserved goal before Nicolas Jackson made it 4-1 after a really calm bit of play. In the end, it’s another tough day for Burnley in the Premier League this season. The Clarets remain inside the Relegation Zone (18th) and they play away to Brentford next time out. As for Chelsea, this is more like it from them. The Blues stay 11th in the table and they host Arsenal in a big game when they return from the International Break.
Fulham 3-1 Sheffield United
Sheffield United’s winless start to the season continued as Fulham picked up an important 3 points. Bobby Decordova-Reid had a good chance for Fulham earlier on which he somehow failed to take Wesley Foderingham pulled out a decent save to deny Willian from putting the hosts in front. Andreas Pereira also had a really good chance in the First Half which he failed to take (he blasted the ball over the bar) before, in the Second Half, Ollie McBurnie had a great chance to put Sheffield United in front, but he headed the ball straight at Bernd Leno in a chance he had to take. In the 53rd minute, Fulham finally took the lead as Bobby Reid coolly slotted the ball past Foderingham. However, in the 68th minute, Sheffield United were level thanks to an Antonee Robinson own goal. Whilst the decision-making from Robinson was pretty poor, the fact that Sheffield United didn’t kick the ball out when Issa Diop pulled up seems a little bit wrong (but maybe that’s just me). In the 76th minute, Fulham were back in front thanks to a comical own goal by Wesley Foderingham. Harry Wilson's slip caused a “balloon effort” that happened to come back off the crossbar and hit Foderingham and go into the back of the net. I’d give up if this happened to me. Harry Wilson then came close for Fulham, but his effort smashed the post before Willian secured the victory for Fulham with a 92nd minute goal that really should’ve been saved. Overall, it’s a win for Fulham and that’s all that really matters at the end of the day. The Cottagers are now 12th in the table and their next game is away to London Rivals Tottenham. As for Sheffield United, nothing’s going right for them at the moment. The Blades remain bottom of the league and they host Manchester United next time out.
Brighton 2-2 Liverpool
After 20 minutes, Brighton took the lead through Simon Adingra. Adingra took the ball away from Alexis Mac Allister after a poor pass from Virgil van Dijk and shot the ball past Alisson who was well away from his goal. In the 40th minute, Liverpool were level through Mohamed Salah before Liverpool were awarded a penalty less than 5 minutes later thanks to Pascal Gross bringing down Dominik Szoboszlai. In fairness to Gross, he wasn’t at all helped by his Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Mo Salah stepped up and scored to send The Reds into the break ahead. In the Second Half, Alisson pulled out a good save to deny Simon Adingra before Ryan Gravenberch missed an absolute sitter as he hit the crossbar when he had an empty net to aim at. In the 78th minute, Brighton got their equaliser through none other than Lewis Dunk. The defending by Andy Robertson was pretty poor (I have to say). In the end, this is a decent point for Brighton and Hove Albion, but they still probably would’ve wanted more. The Seagulls remain 6th in the table and they go to Manchester City for a big game next time out. As for Liverpool, they’ll also be part satisfied, part disappointed, after this result. The Reds remain 4th in the league and they host Everton in the Merseyside Derby when they return from the International Break.
West Ham 2-2 Newcastle
A late goal for West Ham United was enough for them to snatch a victory out of the hands of Newcastle United. West Ham took the lead after 8 minutes through Tomas Soucek and it was all thanks to a terrible bit of Goalkeeping by Nick Pope. Pope misread everything and this allowed Soucek to tap the ball into the back of the net after a ball across from Emerson. Bruno Guimaraes then received a Yellow Card and he was very lucky not to receive a second Yellow just a few minutes later. In the Second Half, Edson Alvarez’s poor header landed straight at the feet of Alexander Isak who finished well to level the game up at 1-1. Just 5 minutes later and Newcastle were in front as Isak got his second goal of the game. This time it was Nayef Aguerd’s turn to defend in a poor manner. Alexander Isak then went round the Goalkeeper, but he could only hit the post in a huge chance for him to get a hattrick and seal the win for Newcastle and in the end, it cost the visitors as in the 89th minute, Mohammed Kudus scored to rescue a point for the hosts. However, West Ham probably should’ve won it as Said Benrahma failed to get a touch on the ball when he was about 3 yards out. In the end, it’s a decent result for West Ham United, but it could’ve been more. The Hammers stay 7th in the table and their next game is a big one away to Aston Villa. As for Newcastle United, they won’t be happy with this at all. The Magpies now find themselves in 8th place and they host Crystal Palace next time out.
Everton 3-0 Bournemouth
Everton finally picked up a win on their own patch as they thrashed AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park. Everton found themselves in front after just 8 minutes through a goal by James Garner that all came from a slip by Illia Zabarnyi. Also, the goalkeeping by Neto wasn’t great either. In the 37th minute, Everton’s lead doubled as Jack Harrison scored with a lovely finish which hit the underside of the bar and went in. However, I have to once again question Neto as I feel like he could’ve dealt with the ball a lot sooner. Dominic Calvert-Lewin then hit the bar for Everton late in the First Half before Amadou Onana just barely missed the target with his effort. In the 60th minute, Everton had their third of the game thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure, but I do have to wonder whether a foul should’ve been given against Everton earlier in the build-up. Overall, this is more like it from Everton. The Toffees stay 16th in the table and their next game is a big away day against Merseyside Rivals Liverpool. As for AFC Bournemouth, they are really struggling right now. The Cherries remain inside the Relegation Zone (19th) and their next game is must-win at home to Wolves.
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
Two late goals from Scott McTominay was enough for Manchester United to pick up a much-needed victory at home to Brentford. After a poor mistake by Casemiro, Brentford went up the field and eventually scored with Mathias Jensen to take the lead after 26 minutes. More questions will have to be asked about Andre Onana though as he really should’ve kept Jensen’s effort out. Skipping all the way to the 93rd minute, Manchester United got the equaliser they were craving thanks to Scott McTominay. The goalkeeping by Thomas Strakosha was poor and Brentford should’ve gotten rid of the ball a lot better than they did. And then, in the 97th minute, Scott McTominay scored again to send Old Trafford into a frenzy! This is the first time I’ve ever seen Strakosha, and I have to say I’m not very impressed as he really should’ve saved this. In the end, this is a big win for Manchester United. United remain in 10th spot and they go to Sheffield United when the Premier League returns after the International Break. As for Brentford, this will be a gutting loss for them, but they can only have themselves to blame. The Bees drop to 15th in the table and they host Burnley in a must-win game next time out.
Wolves 1-1 Aston Villa
After Jose Sa pulled out a couple of decent saves to deny Aston Villa from taking the lead, Wolves found themselves in front after 53 minutes thanks to another goal from Hwang Hee-Chan. Hwang and Pedro Neto are proving to be absolutely crucial for Wolves this season. However, the hosts’ lead didn’t last long as Pau Torres equalised for Villa less than two minutes later. The goalkeeping by Jose Sa was pretty questionable. Mario Lemina was then shown a second Yellow Card in the 94th minute before Ollie Watkins hit the post with the last “kick” of the game. In the end, it’s a decent point for Wolverhampton Wanderers all things considered. Wolves move up to 14th in the table and they go to Bournemouth next time out. As for Aston Villa, they’ll be disappointed to have not come away from this game with maximum points. Villa remain in 5th spot and their next game is an exciting one at home to West Ham.
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City
A fortunate deflection was enough for Arsenal to pick up a huge victory over Manchester City. Declan Rice cleared the ball off the line after just 3 minutes before Nathan Ake missed a golden chance to put Manchester City ahead. David Raya then got rather fortunate that the ball that was blocked by Julian Alvarez only hit the side netting as it could’ve easily ended up in the back of the net. Eddie Nketiah then had a decent chance for Arsenal which he wasted before Mateo Kovacic was booked for a poor tackle on Martin Odegaard. For me, this probably should’ve been a Red Card, but there is no doubt in my mind that Kovacic should’ve been sent off for a second Yellow Card just a few minutes later. However, Kovacic again got away with it and still, nearly 3 full days later, I still have no idea who was acting more delusional between Kovacic and the referee. And then, in the 86th minute, Gabriel Martinelli’s effort blasted off the face of Nathan Ake and went flying into the back of the net to give Arsenal a crucial lead. Overall, this is a big win for Arsenal because you need to beat Man City if you’re going to go on and win the Premier League. The Gunners rise to second in the league and they play away to Chelsea in a big London Derby next time out. As for Manchester City, it’s back-to-back Premier League defeats for them. City are now third in the league and they host Brighton in a big game after the International Break.
Luton 0-1 Tottenham
One goal was enough for Tottenham Hotspur to return to the top of the Premier League! Tottenham should’ve taken the lead inside two minutes, but Richarlison shockingly missed from about two yards out. Richarlison then had another good opportunity, but this time he was denied by Thomas Kaminski before Kaminski then pulled out a great save in the 28th minute to stop Dejan Kulusevski from scoring. Tom Lockyer then thought he’d put Luton in front in the 39th minute, but his goal was ruled out due to a foul by Elijah Adebayo before Yves Bissouma was shown a second Yellow Card just before Halftime for simulation. Diving has to be one of the stupidest ways to get yourself sent off, but Bissouma managed to achieve it! Right at the start of the Second Half, Adebayo had a golden opportunity to put Luton in front, but he completely made a mess of it. When you’re a side like Luton, you cannot afford to miss many chances let alone one as easy as this. In the 52nd minute, Tottenham made their opponents pay as Micky van de Ven scored his first goal for the club to put the visitors in front. Really, Kaminski in the Luton goal should’ve done better. In the end, it’s another game at home without a win for Luton Town. The Hatters remain in 17th place and their next game is away at Nottingham Forest. As for Tottenham Hotspur, this wasn’t a pretty game for them, but they still managed to eke out a victory which is the most important thing. Spurs are now top of the league and they host London Rivals Fulham next time out.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Morgan Gibbs-White had a good chance to put Nottingham Forest ahead in the first half, but he could only guide his lobbed effort onto the post. Jordan Ayew then had a decent chance, but he scuffed his volley high and wide before, in the Second Half, Jean-Phillippe Mateta had a great opportunity to score for Crystal Palace, but he failed to even hit the target. Nicolas Dominguez then had a chance late on to win for Nottingham Forest, but his effort was saved well by Sam Johnstone. In the end, this wasn’t a great result for Crystal Palace. The Eagles remain in 9th spot and they go to Newcastle for their next game. As for Nottingham Forest, this is an alright point for them. Forest are now 13th in the table and their next game is a big one at home to Luton.
Premier League Table at the End of Gameweek 8
Tottenham: 20pts (+10)
Arsenal: 20pts (+10)
Manchester City: 18pts (+11)
Liverpool: 17pts (+9)
Aston Villa: 16pts (+7)
Brighton: 16pts (+5)
West Ham: 14pts (+3)
Newcastle: 13pts (+11)
Crystal Palace: 12pts (0)
Manchester United: 12pts (-3)
Chelsea: 11pts (+4)
Fulham: 11pts (-5)
Nottingham Forest: 9pts (-2)
Wolves: 8pts (-5)
Brentford: 7pts (-1)
Everton: 7pts (-3)
Luton: 4pts (-9)
Burnley: 4pts (-13)
Bournemouth: 3pts (-13)
Sheffield United: 1pt (-16)
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