Tottenham 4-3 Leeds
After last week's 4-3 win, Leeds once again played out a seven-goal thriller expect this time, they lost. Leeds were ahead after 10 minutes through another goal by Crysencio Summerville. He’s on top form at the moment. Tottenham then levelled the game up 15 minutes later through Harry Kane. It was a calm finish from Spurs’ number 10, but Illan Meslier was claiming for a foul beforehand which wasn’t given. I’m still not sure as to what the right decision is. Rodrigo then got Leeds back ahead just before halftime with a lovely volley that Hugo Lloris should have done better with. Ben Davies then levelled the game up for Spurs earlier on in the second half; Meslier really should have kept this out. Skipping forward to the 76th minute, Rodrigo once again put Leeds United ahead. This was a truly excellent finish from the former Valencia man, but I don’t really understand how the referee didn’t give Spurs a free kick when Rodrigo Bentancur was fouled in the build-up. It’s almost then fitting that Bentancur was the man who levelled the game up for Spurs just 5 minutes later. His shot deflected off Luke Ayling and that touch took it away from his goalkeeper. And then, just 2 minutes later, Spurs took the lead through another goal by Rodrigo Bentancur. The play from Kulusevski to set up Bentancur was amazing. Tyler Adams then got sent off to sum up what had been a pretty horrible collapse from Leeds United. This was an important win for Tottenham Hotspur as it sees them stay in 4th place. Spurs face Brentford in the first Premier League game after the World Cup. As for Leeds, they shouldn’t have lost this game which is really frustrating for them. They sit 15th in the table and they face Manchester City on the 28th of December.
Liverpool 3-1 Southampton
Three first half goals meant Liverpool were able to cruise past Southampton. Roberto Firmino managed to guide his header into the back of the net to put Liverpool ahead after six minutes but just three minutes later, Southampton were level through Che Adams. Two freekicks, two headed goals. Mo Salah had a really good chance, but he was denied by the arm of keeper Gavin Bazunu. However, Liverpool were able to regain the lead through Darwin Nunez. This was a really nice goal all-round. Just three minutes before halftime, Darwin Nunez got his second goal of the game to put Liverpool in a nice position going into the second half. In the second half, Southampton had three really good chances, but Allison pulled out three excellent saves. In the end, it was a good win for Liverpool who move themselves up into sixth place. They face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup after the World Cup’s finished before they go to Aston Villa. As for Southampton, the loss means they will go into Christmas in 19th place. Nathan Jones now has a good amount of time to work out how he is going to sort out the Saints’ issues before they host Lincoln in the Carabao Cup and Brighton in the Premier League.
Bournemouth 3-0 Everton
Bournemouth have spent the last few days thrashing Everton. Bournemouth took the lead in the 18th minute through Marcus Tavernier. I really have no idea what Jordan Pickford was doing but, in the end, it won’t matter because he’ll still start for England. Kieffer Moore then managed to put Bournemouth two-nil up after some more bad defender from Everton. Midway through the second half, Jaidon Anthony replaced Kieffer Moore and it only took him two minutes to get on the scoresheet. Once again, Jordan Pickford should have done better. In the end, it was a brilliant day for the Cherries who go into the World Cup break in 14th place. When they return, they will play away to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup before they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. As for Everton, it was another bad day for them as they now sit in 17th place. They’re next game sees them host Wolverhampton Wanderers in a game they have to be winning.
Manchester City 1-2 Brentford
Brentford pulled out a famous victory as Ivan Toney showcased what England will be missing at this year's World Cup. Brentford had a couple of early chances that were denied by Ederson but in the 15th minute, Ivan Toney’s header put the Bees in front. Right before halftime, City were level through a lovely strike by Phil Foden. In the second half, Manchester City pilled on so much pressure in the 97th minute, Brentford counterattacked and Ivan Toney put the ball into the back of the net to send out a huge message. Toney then nearly scored a hattrick, but Kevin De Bruyne cleared the ball away. In the end, City weren’t good enough. This performance shows why Ruben Dias has to play every game. The draw means City go into the World Cup break 5 points off the top of the table in second place. They host Liverpool in the Carabao Cup when domestic football returns before they play away to Leeds. As for Brentford, they were superb and they deserved to win that game. Also, what a day for Ivan Toney who could have easily scored a hattrick. Brentford go into the break in 10th place and they host Tottenham when they return.
Fulham 1-2 Manchester United
For the second week running, Fulham conceded a late goal to lose to a side from Manchester. Manchester United were ahead inside 15 minutes through Christian Eriksen before Anthony Martial had a great chance to make it 2-0. Right before halftime, Christian Eriksen had a great chance, but he put the ball wide of the target. In the second half, Tim Ream came close for Fulham, but his effort was excellently saved by David De Gea. And then, in the 61st minute, Fulham were level through Dan James who managed to put the ball past his former teammate. Skipping to the 93rd minute, Manchester United stole one from Fulham through Alejandro Garnacho. It’s another loss that is going to hurt Fulham. They go into the World Cup break in 9th place and they play away to Crystal Palace on Boxing Day. As for Manchester United, a big win for them sees them stay in 5th place. They host Vincent Kompany’s Burnley in their return to football before they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Brighton 1-2 Aston Villa
Unai Emery is now 2 for 2 in the Premier League as Aston Villa manager. After mistakes from both Emiliano Martinez and Douglas Luiz, Alexis Mac Allister made it 1-0 for the Seagulls inside the first 60 seconds. Just under 20 minutes later, Lewis Dunk brought down John McGinn inside the penalty area. Danny Ings stepped up and put the ball home to level the game up at one all. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will be slightly disappointed at the fact that he wasn’t able to keep it out. In the second half, Emiliano Buendia’s header smashed off of the post but in the same sequence, Brighton were too casual, lost the ball and Danny Ings managed to score to fire the visitors ahead. His shot also deflected off of youngster Levi Colwill which just finished it off for Brighton. Brighton will then feel hard done by at the fact that they weren’t given a penalty. I wasn’t sure about it but one angle clearly shows that Digne fouled the Brighton man. Levi Colwill then had a great chance in the 89th minute but his header went high and wide. In the end, Brighton’s good run of results has come to an end. They sit 7th in the Premier League and when they return to action, they will do battle with Charlton and then Southampton. As for Aston Villa, back-to-back league wins mean they sit 12th going into the World Cup. Their face game back is against Liverpool.
Wolves 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal made sure that they go into the World Cup break with a 5-point gap at the top of the table. Wolves showed a bit of desire to go forward in the first half, but they never got a clear-cut opportunity. Gabriel Jesus then came close, but his effort hit the bar and went over. 10 minutes into the second half, Arsenal were ahead through Martin Odegaard. Fabio Viera played a nice ball across and Odegaard was able to simply tap the ball home from just a few yards out. And then, in the 75th minute, the ball came back to Martin Odegaard and the captain got himself his second game to secure the Gunners all three points. The loss for Wolves means they go into the World Cup break bottom of the Premier League. Julen Lopetegui will have to work very hard to turn things around and his first games in charge are against Gillingham and Everton. As for Arsenal, the win means they go into the break top of the table by 5 points. It’s been an incredible first part of the season for the Gunners and when they return, they will take on London rivals West Ham.
West Ham 0-2 Leicester
Leicester City picked up their 3rd consecutive win to end the first part of the season on a more positive note. Leicester took the lead inside 8 minutes through James Maddison; what a season that man is having. Late on in the first half, Craig Dawson conceded a penalty, but Youri Tielemans’ effort was saved by Lukasz Fabianski. With just over 10 minutes to play, Ayoze Perez played a lovely ball through to Harvey Barnes and the English winger put the ball past Fabianski to seal all three points for the Foxes. The Hammers have lost three times at home in the past week and they sit in 16th place, just 1 point above the relegation zone. When the Premier League returns, West Ham have to play away to Arsenal. As for Leicester, their recent good form means they go into the break in 13th spot. They play away to MK Dons in the Carabao Cup on the 20th of December before they host Newcastle in their first premier league match for well over a month.
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
Newcastle go into the World Cup break on the back of 5 successive league victories. In the first half, Newcastle were claiming for a penalty after the ball hit the arm of Trevor Chalobah. It’s one of those where it did hit his arm but there isn’t really anywhere it could be. Conor Gallagher then had a half chance in the second half, but his shot was well saved by his World Cup teammate Nick Pope. And then, midway into the second half, Joe Willock smashed the ball past Edouard Mendy to put Newcastle 1-0 in front. In the end, that goal was enough to see Newcastle pick up all 3 points. It’s another great result for them and they go into the World Cup break 3rd in the Premier League table. They host Bournemouth in the cup next time out before they play away to Leicester City. As for Chelsea, the Blues have now lost their last 3 Premier League games and they sit 8th in the table. In 43 days, Chelsea return to action by hosting Bournemouth.
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest made sure to go into the break not at the bottom of the Premier League. Brennan Johnson effort came super close to not only going into the back of the net but also into Jesse Lingard who would have had a simple tap-in. In the last 5 minutes of the first half, Joe Worrall stupidly brought down Wilfred Zaha meaning the referee had no choice but to award Crystal Palace a penalty. Wilfred Zaha stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the other way. However, it hit the post and went wide. A really poor effort from Zaha. 10 minutes into the second half, Morgan Gibbs White looked to have put Forest in front, but his goal was ruled out for offside. However, VAR decided to overturn the decision. What happened to the “Clear and obvious errors” rule? Just a few minutes later, Ryan Yates received a yellow card. In my opinion, his studs were high and it should have been a straight red. In the end, this was a big victory for Notts Forest. They now sit 18th in the table and when they return, they will play away to Blackburn in the Carabao Cup before they go to Old Trafford for a clash with Manchester United. As for Crystal Palace, they missed a penalty in the first half and had key decisions go against them in the second. Patrick Viera’s men go into the break in 11th place and they will take on Fulham in their next matchup on Boxing Day.
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