Fulham 5-3 Leicester
Leicester City drop back into the relegation zone after losing an 8-goal thriller against Fulham. Fulham were ahead after 10 minutes through a Willian freekick. Willian was definitely crossing the ball and the goalkeeping by Daniel Iversen was horrendous. Vinicius then made it 2-0 to Fulham after 18 minutes before Tom Cairney scored just before halftime to send Fulham into the break with a 3-goal cushion. 6 minutes into the second half and it was 4-0 to Fulham as Cairney got his second goal of the afternoon. Harvey Barnes was then able to get one back for Leicester in the 59th minute before they were awarded a penalty after Bernd Leno brought down Jamie Vardy. However, Leno made up for it as he denied Vardy from the spot to keep the game at 4-1. In the 70th minute, Willian got his second of the game and Fulham’s 5th with a brilliant strike before Leicester were awarded another penalty. James Maddison stepped up this time and he did score to get one back for Leicester before Harvey Barnes scored in the 89th minute to make it 5-3. It was a bit of a mess by Fulham, but Patson Daka did really well to set the ball up for Barnes. Overall, it’s a good day for Fulham as they close in on 50 points. The Cottagers stay 10th and they play away to Southampton in their next game. As for Leicester, it’s a loss that sees them drop back into the relegation zone (18th). The Foxes host Liverpool in a must-win game next time out.
Nottingham Forest 4-3 Southampton
Nottingham Forest picked up a big win to move out of the relegation zone as Southampton look certain for relegation. Taiwo Awoniyi made it 1-0 to Nottingham Forest after 18 minutes before he quickly made it 2-0 just 3 minutes later. He struck both of his efforts well. In the 25th minute, it was 2-1 as Carlos Alcaraz got one back for Southampton. I’ve been impressed with Alcaraz since he joined Southampton back in January. Notts Forest were then awarded a penalty after Ainsley Maitland-Niles fouled Brennan Johnson which Morgan Gibbs-White took and scored to send Forest into the break with a 2-goal advantage. 6 minutes into the second half, Lyanco got one back for the visitors with a bullet header after a brilliant corner by James Ward-Prowse. In the 73rd minute, Danilo fired Nottingham Forest back into a 2-goal lead. This was a fantastic team goal from Notts Forest. Southampton were then awarded a penalty in additional time at the end of the game after Sam Surridge fouled Romeo Lavia. JWP stepped up and scored to give Southampton a glimmer of hope. Overall, this was a big win for Nottingham Forest as they move out of the relegation zone. Forest now sit 16th in the table and they play away to Chelsea next time out. As for Southampton, this loss all but seals their fate. The Saints are still bottom, 8 points from safety and know anything other than a victory at home to Fulham in their next game will see them be relegated to the Championship.
Brighton 1-5 Everton
Everton put in their performance of the season to stun Brighton and Hove Albion. Everton took the lead after just 32 seconds through Abdoulaye Doucoure. Doucoure then got his second goal of the game in the 29th minute with a nice volley before it was 3-0 to Everton after 35 minutes due to a Jason Steele Own goal. In the second half, Jordan Pickford pulled off a great stop to push Evan Ferguson’s headed effort onto the post before another Ferguson effort clipped the bar. Brighton then hit the crossbar again and it’s pretty clear that it’s not going to be the hosts day. In the 76th minute, Dwight McNeil scored to make it 4-0 to the visitors! Alexis Mac Allister did get one back for Brighton in a pretty comical way before in the 96th minute, Dwight McNeil got his second and Everton’s 5th in an incredible evening for the Toffees. In the end, this was a shambolic day for Brighton and Hove Albion. The Seagulls drop down to 7th in the table and their next game is another big one away to Arsenal. As for Everton, this was definitely their best moment of the season so far. The Toffees move out of the relegation zone and into 17th place and they host league leaders Manchester City next time out.
Bournemouth 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea finally picked up a victory under Frank Lampard by beating Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Chelsea were ahead inside 9 minutes through Connor Gallagher. N’Golo Kante played in a wonderful cross which was met by the head of Gallagher who made it 1-0 to Chelsea. In the 21st minute, Bournemouth were level through Matias Vina. The build-up play by the hosts was really good and the finish was even better. In the second half, Thiago Silva clearly fouled Dominic Solanke, but for some reason, a penalty wasn’t awarded. Bournemouth then created a couple more really good chances that they didn’t take before Benoit Badiashile scored in the 82nd minute to put Chelsea in front. It wasn’t a very good shot by Badiashile so he got lucky that Neto didn’t keep it out (he really should’ve). Joao Felix then scored a few minutes later to seal the 3 points for Chelsea. In the end, Bournemouth will be disappointed that they lost this game. The Cherries have dropped to 14th in the table and they play away to Crystal Palace next time out. As for Chelsea, they needed this win massively. The Blues move back up into 11th and they host Nottingham Forest in their next game.
Manchester City 2-1 Leeds
Manchester City need three more wins (from their last 4 league games) to once again be crowned Premier League Champions. Manchester City were ahead after 19 minutes through Ilkay Gundogan. Riyad Mahrez played a nice ball to the City captain who finished well to put Man City in front. Erling Haaland then missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 to the hosts before in the 27th, Mahrez and Gundogan combined again as the German got his and Manchester City’s second goal of the afternoon. Weston McKennie then had a good chance for Leeds United, but he could only head the ball straight at Ederson. In the second half, Erling Haaland continued his trend of not being able to score against Leeds at the Etihad as he hit the post! Man City were then awarded a penalty after Phil Foden was fouled. Erling Haaland gave the ball to Ilkay Gundogan who could only hit the post. Less than a minute later, it was 2-1 as Rodrigo got one back for Leeds. The defending by City wasn’t great. In the end, it’s another win for Manchester City, but they need to step it up a gear. City remain a point clear at the top of the table and after they play Real Madrid tonight, they play Everton in their next league game. As for Leeds United, they’ve now dropped back into the relegation zone. Leeds are now 19th in the table and they host Newcastle next time out.
Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal picked up a brilliant win away to Newcastle to keep the pressure on title rivals Manchester City. Newcastle nearly scored after just 60 seconds, but Jacob Murphy could only guide his effort onto the post. The referee then awarded Newcastle United a penalty, but after looking at the monitor, he overturned his decision. This definitely wasn’t a clear and obvious error. In the 14th minute, Arsenal took the lead through Martin Odegaard. Nick Pope was clearly a bit blinded by his teammates, but Odegaard’s strike was still good. Joe Willock then had a good opportunity which he didn’t take before Martin Odegaard nearly got his second goal of the game right before halftime. Early in the second half, it was Alexander Isak’s turn to hit the post as he couldn’t quite guide his header into the back of the net. Fabian Schar then had a golden opportunity to level the game up, but he could only head the ball straight at the goalkeeper. What a huge let-off for Arsenal. Gabriel Martinelli then hit the crossbar for Arsenal before in the 71st minute, Martinelli’s cross hit Schar and went in to give Arsenal a two-goal cushion. In the end, it’s a disappointing day for Newcastle as they would’ve wanted more from this game. The Magpies stay third and they go to Leeds next time out. As for Arsenal, this was a really good win for them. The Gunners stay second and they host Brighton in another huge game on Sunday.
West Ham 1-0 Manchester United
West Ham picked up a big win to all but seal their place in the Premier League for next season. Bruno Fernandes came close to putting Manchester United ahead early on before Antony scuffed a really good opportunity to put United in front. In the 27th minute, Said Benrahma put West Ham United in front after a terrible goalkeeping error by David De Gea. Antony then came close again for United, but this time his effort deflected onto the post. 6 minutes into the second half, Michail Antonio put the ball into the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out as it was deemed that Antonio fouled De Gea. No matter what you take is on the decision, De Gea once again had a meh. Anthony Martial created a good opportunity for himself in additional time at the end of the game, but he couldn’t get his effort past Lukasz Fabianski. Overall, this was a great result for West Ham and it should see them stay in the Premier League for another season. The Hammers stay 15th in the table and they play AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa Conference League before they play away to Brentford in the league. As for Manchester United, they’re in trouble of not evening finishing in the Champions League places if they keep this up. United stay 4th and they host Wolves next time out.
Wolves 1-0 Aston Villa
Wolves win the West Midlands Derby as Aston Villa’s European hopes take a hit. Wolves took the lead after 9 minutes through a great header by Toti Gomes. Emiliano Buendia nearly scored for Aston Villa, but his effort was expertly saved by Jose Sa. In the second half, Diego Costa had a decent chance for Wolves, but his effort was saved by Emi Martinez. Tyrone Mings then had a brilliant opportunity to equalise for Villa, but he blasted his effort over the bar. Overall, it’s 4 home wins in a row for Wolverhampton Wanderers as they move up to 13th. Wolves play away to Manchester United in their next game. As for Aston Villa, it’s a disappointing result for them as they stay 8th. Villa host Tottenham in a crucial match next time out.
Liverpool 1-0 Brentford
Liverpool took the lead after 13 minutes through Mohamed Salah. Salah’s effort wasn’t at all convincing, but he managed to bundle it into the back of the net. Darwin Nunez then had a great chance to make it 2-0, but he poorly lobbed it high and wide. Bryan Mbeumo then did really well to put the ball into the back of the net, but his goal was ruled out as he was offside. In the second half, Cody Gakpo somehow failed to put Liverpool two in front and he then had another great chance later on which he once again failed to take. In the end, it’s another win for Liverpool as they close in on the top 4. The Reds stay 5th and they play away to Leicester City next time out. As for Brentford, it’s a loss for them that probably ends their European chances. The Bees stay 9th and they host West Ham in their next game.
Tottenham 1-0 Crystal Palace
Cristian Romero nearly put Tottenham in front in the first half, but his headed effort came back off the bar and got cleared away. In additional time at the end of the first half, Tottenham took the lead through Harry Kane. Pedro Porro put in a good cross which allowed Kane to simply head home to send Spurs into the break ahead. In the second half, both teams created half chances which they didn’t take meaning the game finished 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Overall, it’s a good win for Tottenham as they move back up into 6th. Spurs play away to Aston Villa in a huge game on Saturday. As for Crystal Palace, it’s a loss for them that sees them drop back down to 12th in the table. The Eagles host Bournemouth next time out.
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