Aston Villa 2-4 Leicester
Leicester City picked up a big win to keep themselves away from the relegation zone. 9 minutes in, Emiliano Buendia’s effort smashed the bar and Ollie Watkins was there to score from the rebound. However, Villa’s lead didn’t last long as James Maddison leveled it up for the visitors just 3 minutes later. I have no idea what Boubacar Kamara was doing. Emi Buendia then came close again as he once again hit the crossbar. This time there was no one to score on the rebound. Villa were able to get back into the lead though as Ollie Watkins’ cross deflected off of Harry Souttar and went past Joel Ward. Not a great debut for the former Stoke City man. Again, they didn’t lead for too long as Kelechi Iheanacho headed home Leicester’s equaliser in the 41st minute. Then, right before halftime, Boubacar Kamara made another mess of things and this allowed Tete to score on his Leicester debut to send the Foxes into the break ahead. In the second half, Dennis Praet capitalised from another defensive mistake (this time by Alex Moreno) to give Leicester the 2-goal advantage and all 3 points. Overall, this was poor from Aston Villa. They stay in 11th place and they go to Manchester City next time out. As for Leicester, this was a big win for them. It sees them stay in 14th position and they host Tottenham this Saturday.
Wolves 3-0 Liverpool
Wolves picked up a huge win to pile more misery over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. It didn’t take Wolves too long to take the lead as they were ahead after just 5 minutes through a Joel Matip own goal. It then got better for Wolves as Craig Dawson scored on his debut to make it two-nil to Wolverhampton Wanderers. I didn’t want to be too critical of Liverpool’s defending the first goal, but the defending from Joe Gomez here was really poor. Darwin Nunez had a half chance at goal, but Jose Sa saved well and Matheus Nunes had a good chance, but he struck his effort straight at Alisson. The defending by Matip was woeful. In the second half, Naby Keita had a good chance, but he poorly struck the ball. Darwin Nunez then had another good chance, but he was once again denied by Jose Sa. In the 71st minute, Wolves sealed the 3 points through Ruben Neves. This was a really good team goal and everyone involved was a main part of the Nuno Espirito Santos’ story (Moutinho, Traore, Neves). Raul Jimenez did have a good chance to make it 4-0, but he completely miss-hit his effort. In the end, this almost feels like a statement victory from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves have moved up to 15th in the table and they go to Southampton next week in a big matchup. As for Liverpool, they are all over the place right now. The loss sees the Reds drop down to 10th in the table and they host rivals Everton in the Merseyside Derby next Monday.
Brentford 3-0 Southampton
Brentford moved into the European places after a comfortable victory at home to the struggling Saints. Yoane Wissa had a great chance to put Brentford in front, but his effort smashed the top of the post and came flying out. Brentford were able to take the lead in the 41st minute though as Ben Mee headed the ball into the top left-hand corner. It didn’t take very long at all for Brentford to go two in front as Bryan Mbeumo scored in the 44th minute to completely change Nathan Jones’ team talk. In the second half, Brentford played a smart set piece, but Ivan Toney wasn’t quite able to add a third for the home side as Mohammed Salisu was able to clear it well. Southampton then had a really good chance to get themselves back in the game, but neither Theo Walcott nor Che Adams were able to find the finishing touch. In the 80th minute, Mathias Jensen headed the ball off the post and in to secure all 3 points for the Bees. Overall, this was another really good day for Thomas Frank’s side. Brentford now find themselves sitting in 7th place and they go to Arsenal next week in a really exciting clash. As for Southampton, they’ve gone back to really struggling again. The Saints sit bottom of the Premier League and they host Wolves next week in what feels like a must-win game.
Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace
Very early in the game, Manchester United were awarded a penalty due to a Will Hughes handball. I really don’t understand why he had his arm raised. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and scored to give United the lead after just 7 minutes. Manchester United then went on to create a few chances that they just weren’t able to take before Marcus Rashford made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute to give United some space. After Antony was taken out, a big brawl ensued and it ended up with Casemiro being sent off. He can have no complaints as he had both hands around Will Hughes’ neck. Marc Guehi then had a really good chance to get Palace back into it, but David De Gea pulled out a strong stop. However, Palace did get one back through Jeffrey Schlupp. His finish was superb. In the end, this was an important 3 points for Manchester United and it moves them up into third place. They host Leeds in the league on Wednesday. As for Crystal Palace, it’s yet another game without a victory, but they still sit in 12th place. The Eagles host Brighton next time out.
Newcastle 1-1 West Ham
Newcastle dropped two more points in their fight to finish in the Champions League places. After just 1 minute, Newcastle thought they were ahead through Joe Willock, but it was rightly ruled out after the replays showed that the ball had already gone out. Just two minutes later, Newcastle did have their lead through Callum Wilson. This was a really good and simple goal from the hosts. In the 32nd minute, West Ham were level through Lucas Paqueta. This was the first time Newcastle have conceded in the Premier League since the 6th of November. In the second half, Callum Wilson looked to be through on goal, but Naif Aguerd’s excellent defender stopped the striker from having an attempt at goal. Callum Wilson then had another good chance, but he headed his effort straight into Lukas Fabianski’s hands. In the end, this was a frustrating result for the Magpies. They’ve now dropped down to 4th in the league and they go to Bournemouth in next week’s Saturday Night Football. As for West Ham, they should be pretty happy with a point here. The Hammers stay 16th and they host Chelsea next time out.
Tottenham 1-0 Manchester City
Harry Kane scored his 267th goal to become Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer. Rodri was being fair to casual on the ball and he ended up giving the ball away to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who played the ball through to Harry Kane to score his 267th goal in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt. Right before halftime, Riyad Mahrez’s effort smashed the bar and came out. He really couldn’t have come much closer to scoring. Manchester City created a lot of chances, but none of them were clear cut and that really cost them. Harry Kane had a chance to make it two-nil to Spurs, but Ederson denied him well. In the 87th minute, Cristian Romero was given a second yellow card meaning he was off, but it didn’t make much difference to the match because Manchester City just didn’t ever give the ball to Erling Haaland. Overall, this was a good day and overall weekend for Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have moved to within a point of the top 4 (currently 5th) and they go to Leicester next time out. As for Manchester City, they can’t score at this ground to save their life. City stay 5 points behind leaders Arsenal (in second place) and they host Aston Villa this Sunday.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
Sean Dyche got off to the perfect start as Everton manager as his side stunned league leaders Arsenal. Eddie Nketiah had a good chance to put Arsenal in front after half an hour, but he sliced the ball high and wide. Abdoulaye Doucoure then had a really good chance for Everton, but he poorly sent his header wide of the mark. Bukayo Saka also came close for Arsenal, but his shot was well cleared by Conor Coady. DCL then had a good chance, but his headed effort went wide. In the 60th minute, Everton took the lead through James Tarkowski. In the end, this was a hell of a result for Everton Football Club. The Toffees move up to 18th place and their next game sees them face huge rivals Liverpool at Anfield. As for Arsenal, this was a slight bump in the road as far as their title challenge concerns. They are still top of the league by 5 points though (with a game in hand) and they host Brentford in a really exciting clash this Saturday.
Brighton 1-0 Bournemouth
Kaoru Mitoma scored a late goal that could have massive implications for both sides come the end of the season. Bournemouth keeper Neto stupidly passed the ball straight to Brighton’s Deniz Undav, but somehow, he failed to score despite having 3 back-to-back-to-back chances. His first effort was blocked, his second was saved and his third one hit the post. Jefferson Lerma then had an amazing chance for Bournemouth, but somehow, his effort went wide of the post. Bournemouth were then appealing for a penalty after Pervis Estupinan brought down Dango Ouattara. I wouldn’t have given it a penalty, but I also understand why Bournemouth fans might be a little bit frustrated with the decision. Danny Welbeck had a good chance for Brighton, but his headed effort went straight at the goalkeeper. In the second half, Antoine Semenyo did a brilliant solo run, but his effort was blocked well by Estupinan. And then, in the 87th minute, Kaoru Mitoma’s headed effort went over the line to give Brighton and Hove Albion all 3 points. I really have no idea what Neto was doing in goal. Overall, that late goal could be crucial for Brighton’s European hopes. The win sees the Seagulls move up into 6th place and they play away to Crystal Palace in their next league fixture. As for Bournemouth, that late goal will really hurt them. Bournemouth have now dropped down to 19th place and they host Newcastle United this Saturday.
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leeds
Luis Sinisterra had a decent chance early on, but his effort was well-saved by Keylor Navas. After 14 minutes, Nottingham Forest were ahead through Brennan Johnson. After a freekick, the ball fell to Brennan Johnson who smashed the ball home on the volley to give the home side the lead. Sinisterra then had another good chance and he really, really should’ve scored. Both teams then went on to create good chances, but none of them were taken so the game finished Nottingham Forest one, Leeds United nil. Overall, this was another good win for Notts Forest. They stay in 13th place and Forest go to Fulham in their next match. As for Leeds, they had more than enough chances to get a result from this game. Leeds have now dropped down to 17th place and they go to Manchester United this Wednesday.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
Chelsea and Fulham played out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. Andreas Pereira struck a really nice shot in the first half, but he was denied well by Kepa Arrizabalaga. Kai Havertz then had a decent chance, but he blasted the ball high and wide before he hit the post a little bit later on. In the second half, Enzo Fernandez wasn’t too far off scoring his first goal for Chelsea whilst Tim Ream expertly blocked David Datro Fofana’s effort. In the end, it was another frustrating day for Chelsea. They have however moved up into 9th place and they go to West Ham next time out. As for Fulham, it’s an ok point, but they probably would’ve been wanting more. Fulham have dropped down to 8th place in the table and they play Sunderland in an FA Cup 4th Round replay on Wednesday.
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