The Premier League returned for another weekend, with plenty of more emotions rolling on the field. On the spotlight the Manchester derby, opposing Pep Guardiola’s City to Ole Solskjaer’s United.
The Citizens were deemed as favorites, but they were surprised by the Red Devils, who had no pressure on themselves.
Besides that, Leicester continues to be the only team to keep the title race alive and Chelsea was surprised by Everton, who just sacked their manager on Friday. Check out all the latest Premier League news.
Manchester City 1 x 2 Manchester United
Pep’s Manchester City had 3 games in a week and it’s fair to say that the outcome has not been ideal. The team has won midweek against Burnley (1-4), but have lost points before against Newcastle (2-2).
Now they had a vital test against their rivals Man United and, despite the Red Devils having a trembling season, they were able to get the 3 points from the Etihad.
Guardiola started the match rumbling against a potential handball done by Lindelof, but VAR reviewed it and decided it had hit the Swedish’s body first and then the arm.
No penalty was given there, but on the other side, VAR actually decided to point at the spot, after Bernardo Silva fouled Rashford in the box. The Englishman took the opportunity himself and broke the deadlock.
Minutes later, United made it 2, as James and Martial combined, with the French winger shooting an apparently easy shot for Ederson. The Brazilian keeper was unable to pick it though, and the score was doubled.
There weren’t many more highlights until the end of the second half when Nico Otamendi scored from a corner with just the extra time remaining.
United was able to keep their defense tight for the minutes left and City lost yet another game and are 14 points away from Liverpool.
Bournemouth 0 x 3 Liverpool
There is no stopping Liverpool, as the Reds continue their nonstopping run to the Premier League title. Midweek they defeated Everton 5×2, in a victory that made the Toffees coach end up sacked. Now they extended their win streak with a comfortable away win against Bournemouth.
They opened the score with an incredible through ball pass from Henderson to Oxlade-Chamberlain, which left the Englishman with an easy way to finish.
Later on, another breathtaking Liverpool attack, with Salah backheeling to Naby Keita to finish.
In the second half the roles inverted, but the outcome was the same. Salah received the pass from Naby Keita, who replaced the injured Fabinho in the lineup, and the Egyptian made it 3.
Henderson was close to make it 4, if his free kick hadn’t been supremely defended away by Ramsdale, Bournemouth’s keeper.
The Reds continue 8 points away from the 2nd placed Leicester, but are now 14 points away from the 3rd place (Manchester City). They have now 7 consecutive Premier League wins and are still undefeated.
Aston Villa 1 x 4 Leicester City
Brendan Rodgers continues his sensational season run with Leicester City, as the Foxes extended their victory streak to 8. They are now 6 points away from the 3rd place and it is now fair to say they are aiming at a top 4 spot.
Aston Villa was the opponent this time and the Villains started the game more dangerously, as El Ghazi hit the crossbar. However, it was the visitors who stroke first, with Ilheanacho serving Jamie Vardy for the Englishman to round up the keeper and produce a clumsy finish.
Before the halftime whistle, Ilheanacho, who seems reborn after he was given a chance in the Everton game, enjoyed a cross from Maddison to put Leicester 2 goals ahead.
Aston Villa thought they were back in the game, after Jack Grealish stroke early during second half. But, Leicester was back immediately, as Jonny Evans nodded in after a corner.
There was still time to Jamie Vardy cement his place as Premier League top scorer, with 16 goals in 16 games. The Englishman, 32 years old, has scored in the last 8 games, equalling a feat he had already done in 2016.
Leicester is roaring and if they win their next test against Norwich, they will then have an important double test at Christmas. Manchester City and Liverpool, consecutively. Are the Foxes title contenders?
Tottenham 5 x 0 Burnley
Mourinho had his first upset since he was appointed Spurs manager, as he lost midweek against his former club Manchester United. However, the Tottenham fans might put it behind their backs immediately, as Spurs answered with a brilliant goalfest against Burnley.
Kane broke the deadlock with a stunning finish from outside the box, before Lucas Moura making it 2. The magic moment was reserved for the 3rd goal of the afternoon, as Son Heung-Min broke Burnley’s entire team, with a solo effort crossing one goal to the other.
An unbelievable run that ended up with a goal and should be likely the goal of the season so far.
In the second half, another two more goals: first Kane with a brace, then the English striker offering the finish to Moussa Sissoko.
Despite the midweek loss, Tottenham seems reborn under Mourinho and looking at the current City and Chelsea’s form, it is not far fetched to claim for a top 4 finish.
West Ham 1 x 3 Arsenal
Arsenal’s board has been under pressure, after the club having sacked Unai Emery. Freddie Ljungberg was unable to help the team change its results, with a draw at Norwich and a defeat to Brighton extending their winless streak to 8.
During the visit to East London to face West Ham, Freddie decided to change the lineup. Martinelli and Pepe got their places in the starting XI, Lacazette got benched.
However, things got sour before halftime, as West Ham took the lead through a header by Ogbonna. The Gunners’ fate seemed to be repeating again but, in the second time, things changed.
Martinelli got the equalizer, scoring his first goal in the Premier League and minutes later Nicolas Pepe did the same. Arsenal’s record signing with a curled finish sealed the comeback.
There was still time for Aubameyang to wrap it up and give the 3 points finally to Arsenal, who end the nightmare for now.
They have an important game coming up already on Thursday as they face Standard Liege and they need a win to get through the Europa League groups.
Everton 3 x 1 Chelsea
The Toffees’ manager Marco Silva finally got the sack on Friday as a heavy defeat in the Merseyside derby made it an urgency. The board assigned the interim position to former club legend Duncan Ferguson, who led the club from the sidelines against Chelsea.
The Blues, who had two surprise consecutive defeats against City and West Ham, had a midweek win over Burnley to boost their morale. They departed to this match as heavy favorites but were surprised by the home side.
Just 5 minutes in, Richarlison nodded in to open the hostilities. Then in the second half, atrocious defensive chaos, started by Zouma’s lazy tackle, left Calvert-Lewin open to score the second.
Kovacic made Chelsea believe they still had a word to say, as he took a long shot to made it 2×1. However, once again, some sloppy defense, with a miscalculated pass from Kepa to Zouma, gave Everton the edge to make a run and Calvert Lewin to score the 3rd.
Everton leaves the relegation places as they still wait for a new manager. Frank Lampard’s Chelsea seems urgently needing reinforcements, as lack of focus is costing them essential points.
Watford 0 x 0 Crystal Palace
Watford has sacked last weekend another coach, Quique Flores and appointed Nigel Pearson for its place. An experienced coach in the Premier League, Nigel’s last job was in Belgium Jupiler League, where he was fired in February.
He did, however, not have the worst debut as a coach, since Watford was able to hold Roy Hodgson’s to a 0x0 draw in Vicarage Road. In fact, the Hornets had a couple of chances, but Deulofeu was not with the keenest accuracy.
Watford claimed a penalty, for a foul on Troy Deeney, but VAR did not agree to the claims. The Hornets continue in the last place and will need a miracle to take them from relegation places.
Newcastle United 2 x 1 Southampton
After a draw against Manchester City and a victory over Sheffield United midweek, Newcastle was eager to get 3 games unbeaten as they took on a struggling Southampton side.
The Magpies had to come back after Danny Ings found a break and made his 11th goal of the season.
But Newcastle equalized before the interval, as Shelvey scored for the 3rd game in a row with a brilliant header.
Steve Bruce had to wait until the last minute to see his side claim the 3 points. Federico Fernandez enjoying a loose ball, after a long-range free-kick.
To the ones predicting Newcastle to go down this season, their current 11th position might say otherwise.
Brighton & Hove Albion 2 x 2 Wolverhampton
Wolves got their 10th consecutive league without defeat, after a midweek home win against West Ham. They searched for another game without dropping points when they visited Brighton, who was moralized following a victory against Arsenal.
A combination of Jota and Jimenez saw the Portuguese strike first blood in the game. However, Brighton would turn the tables, as Maupay beat Rui Patricio first and then Davy Propper betrayed the keeper with a header that flicked cheekily.
Propper turned into the villain, as a bad pass from the Dutch left Wolves with a chance to counter. Jota finished it perfectly and scored a brace, after having spent 10 games without goals.
Wolves are now 6th and they have already assured their qualifying to the next stage of Europa League. Another good season for Nuno Espirito Santos’ squad.
Norwich City 1 x 2 Sheffield United
Sheffield United has been having a steady season and are now comfortable in the top 10 of the league. However, midweek they got an upset as they lost at home against Newcastle (0x2).
Their chance for redemption was a visit to Norwich, who are struggling to keep punching over the danger zone. Norwich opened the score in the first 25 minutes after Alexander Tettey found a loose ball to make his first goal in this season.
The ‘Blades’ made the comeback in just 5 minutes. At the beginning of the second half, Enda Stevens headed to level the game and George Baldock put Sheffield in front instants later.
VAR revoked the third goal for Sheffield, as goalscorer Basham was penalized for an alleged foul. The same technology redeemed itself, as they corrected a red card sentence that Basham had received.
The game ended 1×2 for Sheffield, with Norwich close to Watford in the relegation battle, as Sheffield is now 8th.
Be the first to comment