Wolves 2-4 Leeds
Leeds United picked up a huge win at the Molineux to move out of the relegation zone. After just 6 minutes, Leeds were in front after Jack Harrison scored for the second successive game. Wolves were then screaming for a penalty after Junior Firpo and Nelson Semedo “collided”. No penalty was given and I think that was the right call. 4 minutes into the second half, Leeds were 2-0 up through Luke Ayling. The defending by Wolverhampton Wanderers was absolutely dreadful and it was made even worse as Ayling’s headed effort was pretty poor. Rasmus Kristensen then came on for Leeds and he almost instantly put the visitors three in front. Again, the defending by Jonny and the goalkeeping by Jose Sa was really bad. Jonny then got one back for Wolves from a mile away as Illan Meslier was well outside his box and in the 73rd minute, Wolvers were right back into the game as Matheus Cunha made it 3-2. In the 82nd minute, Jonny picked up a yellow card for a bad challenge, but VAR rightly overturned it into a red card. In the 97th minute, Rodrigo scored to seal the win for Leeds United. There probably was a foul on Adama Traore in the build-up, but that doesn’t excuse Wolves completely stopping. Matheus Nunes then got himself sent off to make life even more miserable in Wolverhampton. Overall, Wolves were a complete shambles in this game. One of my friends went to the game and he said it’s the worst performance he’s ever seen watching Wolves. They stay in 13th place and they go to Nottingham Forest for a huge game after the international break. As for Leeds, this was a massive win for them as they move all the way up into 14th place. Leeds play away to Arsenal next time out.
Southampton 3-3 Tottenham
Southampton scored late to earn a big point whilst Tottenham drop two. In additional time in the first half, Pedro Porro smashed the ball off the crossbar and in to give Tottenham Hotspur the lead. A minute into the second half, Southampton were level through Che Adams. In the 65th minute, Spurs were back in front through a headed effort by Harry Kane before Ivan Perisic scored in the 74th minute to all but secure the 3 points for Tottenham. However, Theo Walcott got one back for the Saints just a few minutes later and unbelievably, in additional time, Southampton were awarded a penalty. James Ward-Prowse stepped up and smashed the ball “top bins” to rescue a point at St. Mary’s. In the end, this was a really good result for Southampton all things considered. The Saints are still bottom of the league however and they play away to West Ham in a huge match next time out. As for Tottenham, it’s more disappointment for them as they stay 4th in the table. Spurs’ next game is away to Everton.
Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
Arsenal thrashed Crystal Palace to move 8 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Wilfried Zaha came super close to firing Crystal Palace in front, but his effort was ever so slightly tipped onto the post by Aaron Ramsdale. In the 28th minute, Arsenal got themselves in front through Gabriel Martinelli. It’s almost laughable how poor the defending by Tyrick Mitchell was. A few minutes before halftime, it was 2-0 to the Gunners as Bukayo Saka got on the act. In the second half, Granit Xhaka made it 3-0 to Arsenal. All of Arsenal’s goals have been good from their perspective. Palace on the other hand is another story. However, in the 63rd minute, Jeffrey Schlupp got one back for Crystal Palace, but it never materialised into anything and in the 74th minute, Bukayo Saka got his second and Arsenal’s fourth in another convincing display. Overall, this was a great performance all around from the Gunners. Arsenal are now 8 points clear of Manchester City and they return from the international break with a home match against Leeds United. As for Crystal Palace, they are a complete shambles right now! The Eagles are STILL 12th in the table and they host Leicester City in a big “relegation” clash next time out.
Chelsea 2-2 Everton
In the first half, Chelsea created a few decent chances from corners, but neither Mateo Kovacic nor Kai Havertz were able to take their chances. In the second half, Jordan Pickford pulled off a solid stop to deny Kai Havertz, but he wasn’t able to stop Joao Felix from firing Chelsea into the lead in the 52nd minute. The finish from Felix was superb. In the 69th minute, Abdoulaye Doucoure’s headed effort did cross the line meaning the game was now all square at one each. In the 76th minute, Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Reece James was fouled by both James Tarkowski and Ben Godfrey. Kai Havertz stepped up and finished well to put Chelsea back in front. However, in the 89th minute, Ellis Simms scored his first-ever Everton goal to rescue a point for the visitors. Simms did really well, but Chelsea's defence can not allow that to happen. In the end, it’s disappointment for Chelsea as they stay 10th in the table. The Blues host Aston Villa in an interesting game after the international break. As for Everton, this point could be huge for their survival hopes. The Toffees have stayed in 15th place and they host Tottenham next time out.
Aston Villa 3-0 Bournemouth
Aston Villa managed to get themselves in front after just 7 minutes through Douglas Luiz. Ollie Watkins then had a good chance to make it 2-0 to the hosts, but he couldn’t lift his effort above Neto. In the second half, Dominic Solanke was in one-on-one with the keeper, but his lack of conviction meant he failed to take advantage of the situation. In the 80th minute, Jacob Ramsey made it 2-0 to Aston Villa to wrap up the 3 points. Emiliano Buendia then decided to get on the act with an 89th-minute goal. Overall, this was a great performance from Aston Villa. Villa stay 11th in the table and they go to Chelsea next time out for the opportunity to move into the top half of the table. As for Bournemouth, they were comfortably second-best in this game. The Cherries have dropped down to 19th in the table and they host Fulham in their next league game on April 1st.
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Newcastle
Newcastle scored a huge late goal to boost their Champions League dreams. Joe Willock had a great chance for Newcastle early on, but he blasted his effort high and wide from close range. After a clever freekick routine by Newcastle, Renan Lodi nearly scored an own goal, but luckily for him, the ball came off the bar and went into Keylor Navas’ hands. In the 26th minute, Sven Botman made a mistake that allowed Emmanuel Dennis to finish brilliantly to put Nottingham Forest in front. Newcastle then hit the crossbar again as Sean Longstaff’s effort deflected onto the bar and came out. In additional time in the first half, Alexander Isak leveled the game for the visitors with a truly world-class finish. In the second half, Newcastle thought they’d taken the lead through Elliot Anderson, but VAR ruled it out for offside. I think this was a terrible decision. However, in additional time in the second half, Newcastle were awarded a penalty after the ball struck the hand of Moussa Niakhate. He arguably could’ve and maybe should’ve been sent off. Anyway, Alexander Isak stepped up and smashed the ball home to score Newcastle the victory in the 93rd minute. He’s definitely a Champions League-level player. In the end, it’s disappointment for Nottingham Forest. Forest have moved down to 16th in the table and they host Wolves in a huge game next time out. As for Newcastle, this was a big victory for them as they move to within 3 points of third place (currently 5th). Speaking of third place, the Magpies host Manchester United in their first game back from the international break.
Brentford 1-1 Leicester
Leicester City had a few half chances in the first half that they didn’t take and they were punished for it as Mathias Jensen fired Brentford into the lead after 32 minutes. Jensen’s effort did take multiple deflections. In the second half, Leicester were able to get their goal as Harvey Barnes leveled for the visitors in the 52nd minute. In the 92nd minute, Brentford’s Shandon Baptiste was shown a second yellow card after only being on the pitch for 17 minutes. In the end, it’s a disappointing result for Brentford as they stay 8th in the table. The Bees go away to Brighton for a really big game next time out. As for Leicester, this was a good point for them and it ends their 5-game losing streak. The Foxes have dropped down to 17th however and they play away to Crystal Palace in a big Premier League clash on the 1st of April.
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