Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Arsenal continued where they left off in the first half of the season with a good win over London rivals West Ham. In the middle part of the first half, William Saliba brought down Jarrod Bowen in the penalty area before Said Benrahma stepped up and coolly converted to put West Ham 1-0 up at the Emirates. Afterwards, Michael Oliver awarded the Gunners a penalty but after a VAR check, the decision was overturned. It clearly hit the defender's head so I don’t understand how Oliver gave it a penalty in the first place. In the second half, Martin Odegaard fired a horrendous shot but it ended up falling perfectly to Bukayo Saka who calmly placed the ball past Lukasz Fabianski. Just 5 minutes later, Arsenal were ahead through Gabriel Martinelli. Fabianski really should have saved this. Arsenal were then 3-1 up just 10 minutes later through Eddie Nketiah. The build-up and the finish were both excellent from the young Arsenal striker. A win for Arsenal shows they really are contenders for the Premier League title. They sit top of the league and they face Brighton on New Year’s Eve in their next game. As for West Ham, Arsenal were just too good for them in this game. The Hammers currently sit 16th in the table and they host Brentford next time out in a game they need to be winning.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
Liverpool returned to the Premier League with a good win away to Aston Villa. Just 5 minutes in, Liverpool were ahead through Mohamed Salah. This was a terrific team goal. Aston Villa then created a really good chance but Leon Bailey completely miss-kicked his strike. Ollie Watkins then got a really good chance of his own but his header went straight into Alisson’s hands. Ezri Konsa then made a terrible mistake but luckily for him, Darwin Nunez’s first-time volley went straight at Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen. Liverpool then managed to score from another set piece, this time Virgil Van Dijk was able to get his name on the scoresheet. It was actually a pretty decent finish from the Netherlands captain. In the second half, Aston Villa were able to get one back through Ollie Watkins. Douglas Luiz played a nice ball into the box and Watkins calmly headed it into the bottom corner. Darwin Nunez was then in one-on-one and he once again put his shot wide (this guy) before Liverpool wrapped the game up in the 81st minute through a Stefan Bajcetic goal. He deserves a lot of credit because it was as if he was the £85m striker. It was a tough day for Unai Emery and Aston Villa but they still sit in a solid 12th place. They are tasked with an away game in Tottenham next time out on New Year’s Day. As for Liverpool, it was a good win for them and it sees them stay in sixth place. They host Leicester City next time out.
Southampton 1-3 Brighton
Brighton returned to the Premier League with a bang on Boxing Day! 14 minutes in, Adam Lallana scored against his old club to put the Seagulls in front. The goalkeeping by Gavin Bazunu was absolutely shocking. 20 minutes later, Brighton were two-nil up through an own goal by Romain Perraud. It was more poor defending from the Saints goalkeeper and Perraud really couldn’t do anything about it. 10 minutes into the second half, Brighton were 3-0 up through a Solly March screamer. He couldn’t have hit it any better than he did. In the 70th minute, Samuel Edozie won a penalty for Southampton but James Ward Prowse missed from the spot. However, he headed in the rebound to give the Saints a little bit to smile about. It was another bad day for Southampton that now sees them sit bottom of the Premier League. Their next game sees them face a pretty good Fulham team. As for Brighton, it was a good win for them and it means they stay in 7th place. They host Arsenal in a really exciting New Year’s Eve matchup next time out.
Leeds 1-3 Manchester City
Manchester City got back to winning ways in the Premier League with a good performance at Elland Road. Illan Meslier did a good job at keeping out Erling Haaland in the first half whilst Jack Grealish missed 3 brilliant chances! However, City were able to take the lead in the first half through Rodri. Meslier saved Mahrez’s shot but he pushed the ball right into Rodri’s path and the Spanish defensive midfielder couldn’t really miss. In the second half, Leeds were too casual at the back and Jack Grealish punished them by winning the ball before he squared it to Erling Haaland who made it 2-0 to the Champions. In the 64th minute, Grealish once again combined with Haaland and the Norwegian became the fastest player in history to score 20 Premier League goals. Leeds fans got something to cheer about though as Pascal Struijk scored a header from a corner to bring the game back to 3-1. In the end, Leeds didn’t play particularly well but I don’t think this game is going to define their season. Leeds United sit 15th in the table right now and it doesn’t get any easier for them as they go to Newcastle next time out. As for Manchester City, this was a game they needed to win and they did. City sit second in the PL table and they host Everton in their next fixture.
Brentford 2-2 Tottenham
Brentford hosted Tottenham in the first Premier League match for 43 days. 15 minutes in, Brentford were in front through Vitaly Janelt. Fraser Forster was forced to save a deflected effort and the ball then fell perfectly for Janelt to tap home. Skipping to the second half, Harry Kane looked to have clearly been brought down by Ben Mee but the referee and the VAR team didn’t deem it to be a foul. Their back everybody! Brentford then made things even worse for Spurs as Ivan Toney tapped the ball in to make it two-nil to the Bees. However, Tottenham got back into it through a great header by Harry Kane before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg made it 2-2 just 6 minutes later. With less than 10 minutes to go, Harry Kane came so close to winning it for Spurs but his header hit the bar and came out. A point for Brentford isn’t bad but it isn’t great given the fact that they were 2-0 up. Brentford currently sit in 10th place and their next game sees them play away to London rivals West Ham. As for Tottenham, it was a good recovery and who knows just how important that point could end up being come the end of the season. Spurs sit just inside the top 4 and their next game sees them host Aston Villa in the first Premier League game of 2023.
Leicester 0-3 Newcastle
This was a statement of intent from Newcastle United. Newcastle were awarded a penalty after just 90 seconds due to Daniel Amartey’s poor challenge on Joelinton. Chris Wood stepped up and smashed the ball down the middle. Just 4 minutes later, Newcastle were 2-0 up! Miguel Almiron was superb for Newcastle in the first few months of the season and he picked it up straight away by scoring a fantastic goal. Joelinton then managed to get his head on a corner and he was able to guide it past Joel Ward to make it 3-0 to the Magpies after just 32 minutes. In the end, it was a pretty horrendous day for the Foxes. They ended their first part of the season well but this performance was dreadful. Leicester currently sit in 13th place and they go to Liverpool next time out. As for Newcastle, the World Cup clearly hasn’t hurt them. They sit third in the league table and they host Leeds next time out.
Crystal Palace 0-3 Fulham
Fulham continued where they left off with a fantastic away thumping of Crystal Palace. Midway through the first half, Jordan Ayew smashed the ball onto the bar and just 5 minutes later, Bobby Reid made it 1-0 to the visitors. Things quickly got worse for Palace as Tyrick Mitchell was given a straight red for a dangerous challenge. I haven’t seen many angles but it certainly didn’t look great. In the second half, Crystal Palace were down to nine men after James Tomkins used his arm/elbow to block off Aleksandar Mitrovic. Again, not 100% sure about this decision but it was still silly from Tomkins. Andreas Pereira had a great chance to seal the game but his effort smashed the post. However, Fulham were able to get their second through Tim Ream. Aleksandar Mitrovic then decided that it was his turn to get on the scoring act as he headed home from close to range to finish off a brilliant day for Fulham Football Club. This wasn’t a good day for Crystal Palace though and they need to improve when they face Bournemouth next time out. They do still sit 11th though. As for Fulham, they are doing so well this season, I’m really impressed. Fulham sit 9th in the table and they will expect to pick up another victory next time out against Southampton.
Manchester United 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Manchester United moved closer to the top four with a comfortable victory over Nottingham Forest. Notts Forest got loads of players behind the ball early on and Tyrell Malacia’s effort ended up being saved onto the post by Wayne Hennessey. Manchester United were able to get in front though through Marcus Rashford. United performed a really good corner kick routine and Marcus Rashford thumped the ball home to put Man U 1-0 up. United were then quickly 2-0 up through Anthony Martial. I have to question the goalkeeping from Wayne Hennessey though as it wasn’t very good. Forest thought they had gotten themselves back into the game before halftime but Ryan Yates/Willy Boly’s goal was disallowed for offside. Man United probably should have scored more goals in the second half but Hennessey did a good job at keeping them out. However, the Welsh goalkeeper couldn’t stop Brazil’s Fred from making it 3-0 to Manchester United. United played well in this match and the win keeps them in 5th place, just 1 point off the top 4. They go to the Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in their next fixture. As for Nottingham Forest, it wasn’t a great day for them but it also wasn’t a game where you really expected them to get anything out of it. They sit 19th in the table and they host Chelsea to kick off the new year.
Everton 1-2 Wolves
Late drama saw Wolverhampton Wanderers pick up a gigantic victory in Merseyside. After just 7 minutes, Everton were ahead through Yerry Mina. Fun fact, this was the first time Everton had scored from a corner all season. 15 minutes later, Wolves were level through Daniel Podence. I have to say, if this goal was planned on the training ground, it’s one of the best goals I have seen in a long time. Podence took the corner kick and he finished the set piece off by scoring. Fantastic! Anthony Gordon then had a great chance to make it 2-1 to the Toffees but his effort was saved well by Jose Sa. In the second half, both teams had half chance but the real moment came in additional time. Wolves hit Everton on the counterattack before Adama Traore played a ball across the box which Rayan Ait Nouri met before he brilliantly put the ball past Jordan Pickford to give Wolves the biggest win of their season. It was another bad day for Everton and that loss sees them stay in 17th place. They go to Manchester City next time out! As for Wolves, this was a brilliant result and a perfect way to start under new manager Julen Lopetegui. The win moves Wolves up into 18th place and they host Manchester United on New Year’s Eve.
Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth
Chelsea returned to action by picking up an important victory over AFC Bournemouth. Early on, Chelsea were claiming for a penalty after Adam Smith held onto Christian Pulisic’s shirt. For me, there wasn’t enough contact for Pulisic to go down. However, Chelsea were able to get in front through Kai Havertz. I thought this was a pretty good team goal. Things got even better for the Blues as just 8 minutes later, Mason Mount made it 2-0 through a lovely finish. Both teams then created some decent chances but neither team were able to find the back of the net so the game finished 2-0 to Chelsea. After a tough final week before the break, this was exactly how Chelsea needed to start off. The win sees them stay in 8th place and they go to Nottingham Forest in their next matchup. As for Bournemouth, it wasn’t a great day for them but they can’t be too disheartened. The Cherries sit 14th in the table and they host Crystal Palace next time out.
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