I watch every minute of every game, here is my summary below.
Week 3 Premier League Review
Arsenal vs Brighton
The only change for Arsenal came with Trossard on for Martinelli after his brilliant substitute performance the previous week. Meanwhile for Brighton the two changes come with Verbruggen replacing Steele in goal and Baleba replacing the recently departed Billy Gilmour. Both sides came with a perfect start 2 weeks in.
Similar to week 2 in possession for Arsenal it was a 3 at the back with Timber in the middle when they had the ball. Saka provided the early threat, getting to the byline past Hinshelwood forcing Verbruggen to come out . Brighton tried to play a high line when they could. Odegaard and Saka had good combo play with Saka’s next chance being comfortably at Verbruggen. Instead of going for power Saka tried to pass it and hit it tamely. All the play for Arsenal came down the right side with Hinshelwood struggling for Brighton. A Ben White shot that was heading goalward hit Dunk on the arm and went out for a corner (11th). It was not given because the arm was in a natural position however it has been given plenty of times prior to this season. We shall see if there is any consistency with the referees this season as it has already been called into question. A brilliant crossfield switch by Ben White found Trossard who played a brilliant left footed cross that Odegaard tamely hit at the keeper and should have done better. A follow through by Minteh on a challenge that ended with the studs in Odegaard’s leg came to nothing, we will see if the Refs continue to be lenient. The game seemed to lose its intensity from the 25th minute after the early back and forth. Later on, from a nothing clearance Saka pressured Dunk who should have done so much better before allowing the ball to bounce which forced Van Hecke to challenge and play in Havertz who scooped over the commiting Verbruggen from just outside the eighteen. Partey got given a very soft yellow card for his first foul and Brighton got small periods of possession but did nothing with it all half. Arsenal didn’t play particularly well but were better in the first half and the lead was deserved.
After coming out of the half the referee seemed to have it in for Arsenal as a foul was called which led to Veltman rolling the ball into Rice who nudged it away. It was followed by Veltman kicking him despite seeing and knowing the ball wasn’t there. While a yellow can be given to Rice for nudging the ball away Veltman doesn’t look at the ball and kicks Rice full force foot clearly above the ground and away from where the ball would have been and got away with it. The coaches, commentators referee’s and everyone else seemed to forget or avoid that part for some reason. For the second week in a row Veltman got away with deliberate acts without punishment, a deliberate handball just outside his own eighteen preventing the opponent from attacking in a dangerous situation last week and then kicking the opponent full force without the ball this week with no punishment. The stupid thing about this is that referee Chris Kavanagh didn’t give a yellow card in the first half to Joao Pedro who dribbled out of bounds and then kicked the ball halfway down the pitch to the Arsenal keeper preventing a quick restart. If he had given a yellow for that no one would be outraged. Instead he showed leniency there but not this time. Even in the post match press conference Brighton Coach Fabian Hurzeler lied through his teeth and did everything to avoid the topic and question when asked about whether the sending off was fair when if it was other way around he would be calling out the refs shouting screaming and complaining which I have seen him do in all 3 of the Brighton’s matches thus far this year. It completely changed the outcome of a game in which Brighton had done nothing.
Brighton obviously were now in control with all of the ball and Arsenal sitting deep. Then Arteta didn’t react fast enough and delayed getting a substitute on to change the formation. Despite only losing 1 of 2 defensive midfielders I personally would think Arteta should have got a substitute on earlier because you can’t defend as a unit of 10 with four attackers in Trossard, Saka, Odegaard and Havertz. By waiting 10 minutes Arsenal got caught lacking in transition higher up the pitch and out of position allowing Dunk to play a simple pass down the middle to a streaking Minteh who made a great run between Gabriel and Saliba. He got through and Gabriel didn’t fully commit to the challenge allowing Minteh to get the shot off that was saved by Raya straight into the path of Joao Pedro following it up who tapped home (58th). Raya could have done much better in directing the ball after the save but really it was on Saliba and Gabriel who had a big gap between them and Saliba did a very poor job of tracking his runner. Arsenal then finally got Calafiori on for Trossard and moved to a back 5 defending with 4 in front. Even with 10 men Arsenal were able to break and be just one pass away from a very good chance. Mitoma got to the byline a few times and put good low crosses in that didn’t have anybody there to finish. Then Arsenal got a brilliant chance from a clearance from their back line with Havertz staying high. He took a brilliant first touch and was through on goal 1v1 after bodying away Van Hecke but hit a poor shot saved by Verbruggen’s foot. It was one of those chances you would expect a world class number 9 to score. No matter how many goals Havertz scores he is not a lethal finisher which is why Arsenal will always be behind Manchester City. Then immediately after that Arsenal sit off a little too much allowing Van Hecke to take a strike that deflects to Ayari who with Raya on the ground and struggling to recover has a near open goal to hit, but hit it back towards the side of the goal Raya was on leading to a save. Then immediately afterwards Havertz was found on the wing and played a ball across to a stretching Saka who could only direct it straight to Verbruggen. Brighton were very lucky to get a draw out of the game, other than the goal they didn’t create a single chance despite being up a man for 45 minutes. Poor game from the referee looked like he didn’t want to be there and didn’t care, escorted off by security for how shit of a game he refereed.
Arsenal were poor this game but still looked better than Brighton even when they had 10 men and probably should have still won it anyway. Brighton have been very lucky to start this season with the Everton red card handing them the game, the Arsenal red card giving them a chance in a game that they otherwise were very poor in and the offside on the goalline for United that would have flipped the result from last week. 7 points out of 9 is a very good start for them but it will be interesting to see how they fare when the luck tilts the other way. Next up they face newly promoted Ipswich who they will be looking to demolish.
Brentford vs Southampton
The only standout squad decision was the start for new signing Ramsdale for Southampton looking to help out a struggling defense. The game started quickly with Damsgard showing some good footwork at the halfway line before finding Mbuemo who drove all the way into the box from the right side before finding a late runner in Damsgard who touched it brilliantly past Bendnarek before being smothered by Ramsdale. The resulting corner led to nothing. Southampton then got a good spell of possession with a couple crosses and Walker Peters shot from a tight angle for a corner(6th). The resulting corner was hit towards the front post where Brentford were caught flat footed allowing a Southampton player to get a touch that hit the crossbar. The next action came with Brerton Diaz having a free header that he hit straight at the keeper. Already a much better start from Southampton having Armstrong in the box waiting for a cross. Brerton DIaz still stayed out wide but not nearly as much as last week. Southampton was really putting pressure on Brentford 10 minutes in playing out from the back fairly well creating a bunch of shooting opportunities. Brentford meanwhile pressed high when they could, which led to opportunities early. Both teams played the same, trying to play out and break each other fairly well, surprised there wasn’t a goal in the first 20 minutes. Ramsadale looked like a big upgrade from Mcarthy. After the first 15 minutes Brentford were the more dangerous with lots of dangerous crosses and shots while Southampton weren’t able to do anything other than get to the final third. Their best opportunity came in the 38th minute with a bundle of bodies and Harwood- Bellis hitting his header over the bar. Then brilliant play between Diaz and Aribo gave Armstrong a half chance but he took an extra touch which allowed Pinnock to catch up and shield the ball to Flekken. Walker Peters then played a terrible pass that allowed Damsgard to run in 2v1 with Wissa but Harwood-Bellis didn’t commit daring him to shoot but he tried to square it and failed miserably. Then 30 seconds later Southampton commit another error playing out from the back with Stephans playing to Harwood-Bellis who has 2 players charging at him and instead of clearing tries to take a touch and play and gets caught on the ball allowing Schade to get a shot off that hits the inside of the post and falls perfectly to Mbuemo who hits it first time past the ailing Walker-Peters on the goal line giving Brentford the 1-0 lead (“43”). Yet another self-inflicted wound by Southampton and while playing out looks good and is the philosophy of the coach they don’t seem to be able to do it consistently enough. Their troubles were further compounded in stoppage time when another good Sugawara cross fell to Armstrong by himself just inside the six yard box who miscued it completely trying to volley it home and ended up hitting the ball backward. The only positive for Southampton was that both Sugawara and Aribo have been hitting a variety of dangerous crosses that were waiting for a finisher. Brentford were clearly the better team at half and probably should have been ahead by more. Russell Martin made two changes at half time with Mateus Fernandes and Cameron Archer coming on for Smallbone and Armstrong respectively. The first chance of the second half comes 45 seconds in Brentford breaking through the entire SOuthampton team from keeper to rb to lw cut back to Damsgard who finds Jensen running in the box whose shot / cross flashes across the goal. A poor giveaway by Harwood Bellis for no reason leads to a free header for Sharde straight at Ramsdale. Russell Martin took the gamble taking off a cb and bringing on another Midfielder changing the formation to try and get more creative players on the pitch. And it looked to be having a positive effect getting Southampton more play in the box but yet another calamity at the back this time between Bednarek and Stephens while trying to play out left a wide open space for Jansen to play in Mbuemo who finishes past Ramsdale who doesn;t even have a chance. All the promise of the first 20 minutes went down the drain. Then a long throw by Jansen causes chaos with a flick on by Collins looping over Ramsdale who just claws it out but the following up Wissa bundled it over the line. The Southampton defense just crumbled, not helping their keeper at all who has the talent to arguably be top 5 in the league and had made a number of saves in the game already. Finally 3 minutes into stoppage time Southampton had good interplay in the eighteen and created an opportunity for Fernandes which was saved by Verbruggen. Then Dibling played in to Lallana who nodded down to Sugawara who volleyed with the outside of his left to score Southampton’s first goal of the season from their best player thus far this season. Southampton looked much better in attack with the substitutes, especially Dibling, if they can find a way to get up to midfield without giving the ball away they might have a glimmer of hope of staying up. Because heading into the international break they have 0 points with 5 goals conceded with 3 of those having come from playing out from the back while the other 2 have come from set pieces
Everton vs Bournemouth
Everton came out with a good work rate after the first two games, better interplay and creativity while also playing balls over the top. The Keving Cambell tribute in the 9th minute goes to show the everlasting love and respect the fans have for him. Everton got good low crosses across the box between the goalkeeper and the defense begging for someone to finish. No clear chances for either team 15 minutes in. Everton played much better with more possession in the final third keeping the pressure on Bournemouth not allowing them to get out. Gueye and Harrison with two half chances at the top of the box and both failed to trouble the keeper. Game was fairly open just waiting for a bit of quality in the final third from either team. Everton seemed to be winning all the fifty fifty balls and had much more intent of playing forward and breaking lines. Neither team pressed very well. Evertons’s main goal when the ball is at the back with Pickford is to find Calvert Lewin with a long ball around 90% percent of the time. Everton had the momentum for the first 20 then it fizzled out. They were consistently winning headers on set pieces which led to the first clear chance of the game when a Calvert Lewin header of a corner is hit back across the goal to Tarkowski who’s flailing leg got a touch to divert it directly to Ndiaye who volleys as it falls from the sky from 8 yards out (31st). Bournemouth was very poor and loose with their passes in the first half and grew into the game. Ndiaye is very positive on the ball taking people on. Everton had a much better first half compared to the previous two match weeks and didn’t take advantage of their pressure and create enough opportunities.
2nd Half
Everton get an early free kick that is partially cleared before being worked back around for a Harrison cross that Calvert Lewin beautifully controlled to Micheal Keane who was wide open and smashed home past Kepa to give Everton the 1-0 lead. Everton kept the pressure on with brilliantly interplay allowing Coleman to be in 1v1 vs Kepa but somehow managesd to chip it over the bar from 7 yards out rather than pass it into the net (54). Then Iregobounam does extremely well to hold off a challenge and drive forward before being tackled allowing the ball to find Dwight Mcneil who plays a simple through pass from the top of the box to find a run from Calvert Lewin who managed to chip over the sliding Kepa to give Everton the 2-0 lead (57). Bournemouth didn’t do anything for the first 15 of the second half other than getting one corner. Everton continued to look to punish Bournemouth and got a 4v2 but Dwight Mcneil tried to be too clever inside the box and play the extra pass when he should have taken a touch and shot. The pass ends up allowing one of the Bournemouth retreating players to clear for a corner. ll game Everton were setting up a clever back post delivery on corners involving screens that they were constantly winning the header for but couldn’t convert. Ndiaye then gets a chance to run at the Bournemouth defense and gets a shot off that is deflected close enough to kepa to allow him to save but should have been scored. Bournemouth with a triple substitution in the 66th minute. Ndiaye yet again with another run at Araujo from a beautiful pass from Harrison that he cuts onto his favored right and should score to put the game to bed but blasts over(70th). Then another corner to the back post and Tarkowski should do better, nearly having a free header but heads wide. Bournemouth looked out of it unable to create anything looking really lost barely even able to get to the final third(80th). They finally get a couple of chances for shots from outside the box with some careless play from Everton dribbling and playing out from the back. Everton finally run out of steam and started to sit back in 85th and are made to pay from the first dangerous cross of the game for Bournemouth that is easily allowed to be played in the narrow space between the defenders and Pickford from the left Flank with Semenyo finishing on the back post after Everton had been comfortable all game. Everton then get on the front foot playing two similar crosses as to the one that Bournemouth scored from but have no one there to tap in. Everton looked really nervous after that and were unable to manage the ball in the opposition half and got countered on with a 3v3 allowing Sinisterra to play a floated cross in that is headed home by the late run of Lewis Cook to equalize. The panic set in and Everton struggled to do anything forcing Pickford into a point blank save and save from the top of the box to try and salvage a point. And then with less than 15 seconds left to go Kluivert picks the ball up on the left wing and swings in a good cross that is headed home by a wide open Sinisterra on the back post. 3 goals in the last 9 minutes and Bournemouth claim victory from the jaws of defeat. Everton should have put this game away and won 4 or 5 nil instead they end up with the biggest collapse of the season.
Ipswich Fulham
Cagey start to the game, Ipswich’s first dangerous moment came form a corner kick in the 5th headed back across forcing a fairly comfortable save for Leno. Ipswich allowed Fulham to have the ball pressing high in certain moments and especially on Bassey on the left. Muric looked uncomfortable on the corner and had trouble with Burnley in the past off of set pieces. Couple of sloppy passes from Fulham allowed Ipswich to break and Liam Delap did brilliantly after receiving the ball from Leif Davis on the left just past the halfway line and driving diagonally forward riding the challenge from Pereira. He then in stride finished to the top left corner with brilliant strike that Leno got fingertips to 15th. Then less than 3 minutes later he gets a stellar chance to double his tally from inside the six yard box off of a corner that should at least hit the target if not be a goal but is instead headed wide. A sloppy pass led to the goal and Fulham continued to struggle to break Ipswich down with the midfield playing quite a few poor passes allowing Ipswich spells of possession which kept the home crowd roaring. Fulham finally started to exert control and got back into the game around the 26th minute and after a sustained spell with the ball it went all the way back to Leno and the team perfectly played out from the back leading to a Robinson low and hard cross across the box that found Traore who steered it home first time (31st). Then similarly to Ipswich Fulham stayed on the front foot and got another chance less than 3 minutes later that should have been scored but was instead headed straight at Muric by Muniz from six yards out in the center of the goal. Fulham defend very narrow so after breaking a line or beating a player there was lots of space to switch and keep the ball but it was difficult to play forward through the lines. Ipswich had multiple spells of possession early while Fulham grew into the game and took more command the longer the game went on, getting some crosses into the box and being dangerous. Both teams lacked the final ball and couldn’t create much in the first half other than the goals.
Ipswich started the second half better looking lively, breaking lines and being far more threatening than the first half. Fulham look slow, sloppy and not yet ready like the start of the game. Delap looked very good, really bossing the final third. Fulham finally got into the game in the 65th minute getting a positive bit of play leading to Traore playing a perfect cross that falls to Iwobi who should have volleyed it first time but instead opted to take a touch and lay off to Smithe- Rowe whos shot was blocked for a corner. The next chance is a brilliant break after winning the ball from a checking Muniz that falls to Delap who drives and plays a ball through that was a fraction to straight and hard that allowed Leno to close Ogbenna right as he got to the ball. The last 20 minutes of the game had plenty of substitutions and the game opened up a little more but no one was able to break each other down and get that final ball or shot. Stoppage time the game opened up and Ipswich were just unable to produce that little bit of extra quality in the final third with a couple shots falling wide or straight at Leno. Ipswich were by far the better team over the course of the match and frustrated Fulham, but will be happy to enter the International break with 1 point on the board and out of the relegation zone.
Leicester vs Aston Villa
Early chance for Villa with their first time on the ball after a cheap giveaway from Leicester allowed Tielmans to play a through ball straight through the middle of the Leicester defense. Watkins stretched and just reached the ball before an onrushing Hermansen who did well to claw the ball away as Watkins tried to round him. Leicester on the ball play in a 3-2-5. Positive but frantic start with plenty of fouls within the first 15 minutes showing the aggression. Unfortunate hamstring injury for Leon Bailey early in the game. Leicester did well not allowing Villa to get in a rhythm with a good high press early. The first shot of the game came from a quick move that was worked to McGinn just inside the right side of the eighteen and he tried to place the ball in the top left but hit it high and wide. Then less than a minute later Leicester get caught on the ball with Faes taking far too long allowing Rogers to play in Ollie Watkins for a 1 on 1 that he hit to close allowing Hermansen to make the save down to his right. Should have been 1-0 the struggles of Watkins continued as he failed to score for the eighth straight game.. Leicester get caught on the ball at the halfway line and it forced Skipp to take down Watkins as he was driving at the last defender. Then from the ensuing free kick Leicester hold a very high line and allowed two runners from Villa to run through on the near post with Tielmans perfectly sliding the pass into Ramsey who took a touch and slid across to Onana to tap in. As if Leicester wasn’t already poor on normal set pieces they got done in by perfectly played training ground trickery for a tap in. Even possession but no shots or chances created for Leicester in the first half as they mostly had the ball in the middle third of the pitch while Villa were constantly getting into the final third breaking lines with ease. Three very defensive Midfielders and no one seemingly able to link up play between the midfield and front line for Leicester. Nearly the only time Leicester enter the Villa box is off of a free kick in the 40th minute that bounces before reaching Okoli who tries to control but can do nothing but chest it goalward allowing Martinez to make a comfortable save. Then Skipp gets a shooting opportunity from the top off the box that he scuffs straight at Martinez. Leicester finally had some urgency in the last 10 minutes of the half that they were able to convert to more opportunities to play in the final third. Villa were lucky and got away with 12 fouls in the first half with only 2 yellow cards handed out. Just for the sheer number of them and how many restarts there were there should have been more handed out. The second half starts with what was nearly one of the moves of the season by Villa from their own goalline before being cleared by Faes on the final ball across. Very back and forth entertaining action, neither side able to keep the ball. Referee seems to have lost control of the game constant stream of fouls. Ndidi playing high doesn’t seem to provide anything for Leicester. A stoppage for a pair of Villa substitutions in the 62nd minute leads to a 3 minute spell of brilliant 1 and 2 touch passing creating chances that leads to Jhon Duran heading a brilliantly from the just inside the penalty spot looping over Hermansen to the right hand side of the goal from a perfectly placed Digne cross. Villa continued to exert their dominance with ease in possession and playing through Leicester till the 70th minute and then the substitutes for Leicester finally got into the game with a good spell of possession allowing Mavididi to drive at Bogarde who dives in and is beaten far to easily allowing a looping cross that falls to Buenanote who volleyed home from 8 yards out. Bogarde was lucky to not be sent off minutes later with a borderline second yellow. Onfield referees with a poor game in a hostile atmosphere that was tense from the start. Much better from Leicester trying to get bodies forward after getting the first goal but Villa did just enough defensively and in possession the last 20 to see the game out.
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves
Early opportunity for wolves came within the 1st minute Larsen holding the ball well for Cuhna who drove at the Forest defense before playing a perfect pass behind Nico Williams that Ait Nouri ran onto. Instead of striking it first time or trying to play across to Larsen he took another touch allowing Sels to come out and save for a corner. Forest get their first corner of the game from the right hand side in the 10th minute and the ball played into the back post area where a free header from Chris Wood back across the goal bounces into the net with Johnstone being thrown off by Elanga who nearly diverted the ball just in front of him could do nothing about it despite the header not being very powerful. It was a good start for Forest if only they didn’t concede an absolute screamer from Bellegarde less than a minute after the restart. A throw-in led to the ball bouncing around in the middle of the pitch before falling to Bellegarde who from the top of the box doesn’t even take a touch and beats Sels who is beaten by the power (12th). Very back and forth for the first 15 minutes, Forest did well to get Nico Williams in behind onto the goaline playing the ball across waiting for a tap in but was cleared by Semedo. Forest were in the ascendancy after the Wolves goal , having more possession and getting to the final third and putting crosses in. Cuhna was the spark finding space and getting on the ball linking play. Neither team defended particularly well but was also unable to find that killer pass. What could have been the best chance for the game came from a Cuhna driving through the middle of the Forest defense before taking a shot while falling over that he skied over the bar. He instead should have played a pass to either of two players who would have been able to tap in for the lead. Instead they headed into halftime level. Coming out from half Forest sustained pressure for the first 15 minutes apart from one incisive run by Cunha that resulted in a collision with the Forest keeper. Wolves finally got a spell of possession in the second half at the 60th minute but were unable to do anything and Forest continued to pile on the pressure with a moment of brilliance by Gibbs White scooping the ball towards Wood whose header forced a brilliant save from Johnstone (64th). Forest got more chances with Chris Woods volley of a cross straight at Johnstone and Nico Williams who skied it over. Additionally Chris Wood nearly gave Forest the winner in the 85th minute but was ruled just offside. Wolves got pinned back for the 10 minutes of extra time and did well getting bodies in the way of the multitude of shots. In the end the points were split between the two and what was probably a fair result though Forest will be slightly disappointed they didn’t do more with how much time they spent being dangerous.
West Ham vs Manchester CIty
Manager Julen Lopetegui made 2 changes to his lineup with Wan Bissaka making his full premier league debut and their backbone Edson Alvarez playing in his first game since getting injured during the Copa America. For City meanwhile the only change comes with Jack Grealish replacing the injured Savinho.
City survived an early scare where Kudus’s deflected cross looped to the back post with Gvardiol doing just enough to prevent Antonio from getting to the ball. West Ham started very well for the first four minutes trying to ensure they didn’t settle. Then with their first spell of possession they created an easy chance for Haaland who was somehow left wide open on the six yard box but headed over the bar. Despite sitting deep West Ham did not look very good in defense allowing City players tons of space on the left hand side where De Bruyne and Grealish took turns waiting for the ball. The fullbacks are trying to stay narrow to not allow the ball to go between them and their center backs but that is allowing so much space out wide that City can just walk into the eighteen yard box. As with every team thus far this season when trying to play out they make a mistake with a wayward touch from Paqueta allowing Bernanrdo Silva to play in Haaland who is easily able to take his time with West Ham center backs being wide and slot past Areola. Even when West Ham have the ball up the pitch a cheap give away by Mavropanos on the half way line allows City to break 3v2 where an uncharacteristically poorly played pass allows West Ham to recover and force a corner. Off the ensuing corner De Bruyne plays it short before receiving it back and taking a first time shot that is well saved by Areola after everyone thought it was going to be a cross. City keep moving the ball with ease Doku cuts back to De Bruyne at the top of the box who hits the post before falling back to Grealish who then hits over. (17th). West Ham looked lost and almost like cones just getting played through. The first time that City’s press doesn’t work well is in the 18th minute where after getting broken through Bowen drives and puts a cross in that deflects off Diaz past a helpless Ederson. West Ham had not entered the City final third since the 4th minute and looked completely out of it and were handed a lifeline from nowhere. West Ham allowing Kovacic all the space and time on the ball he wants is very odd. The entire West Ham team is in a defensive block no more than 15 yards in length and 20 yards wide which is almost too tight. Yet again the space on the left is taken advantage of Grealish driving before finding Rico Lewis at the top of the box who plays Haaland who takes a simple touch to his left catching defenders out before rifling a powerful shot past Areola who could do nothing. (29th). When West Ham had the bal they werel very wasteful with a bunch of forced passes rather than trying to hold the ball and give their defense a break. Haaland nearly gives the favor back to Rico Lewis playing through the static West Ham defense before Lewis Blasts over the bar from a position he should score. The game kind of stalls out for the remainder of the half until West Ham get a half chance with a long crossfield ball that finds Kudus who drove at Rico Lewis and got a shot away that split the difference between the goal and a streaking Antonio. City deserved to be in front probably by more with an xG at half time of 2.11 compared to .05 for West Ham.
West Ham came out from the half with a change at goalkeeper with experienced veteran Lukasz Fabianski replacing Areola. West Ham make a brilliant goal line block and clearance that catches City on the break and 1-2 between Kudus and Bowen results in a strike that hits the crossbar. West Ham had a good spell of possession from the 50th to the 60th, starting to take more risks and get forward trying to find that equalizer. City just kept the ball, not really attacking, just casually trying to slow the game to a walk before slowly moving up the pitch. Haaland hasn’t touched the ball in over 30 minutes. City being very patient probing and prodding trying to get West Ham to come out and press which they don’t. West Ham getting some possession but unable to create chances and the game just stalling. From nowhere as the the game got stretched a tiring West Ham defense gets caught by 1 through ball that Haaland comfortably takes into stride and clips over Fabianski
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Chelsea with possession Palace sitting in a mid block. Chelsea players flopping and getting calls for it. First good chance comes from Palmer cutting in off the left and curling a shot just wide (12th). With their first real foray forward Kamada and Munoz combined well to give Wharton a chance for a shot at the top of the box that was comfortably saved by Sanchez. Slow tempo on the ball by Chelsea early allowed Palace to settle in and gain possession. In the 21st minute a hopeful long ball forward towards Jackson isn’t dealt with by Guehi with it bouncing over him to Madueke who is in 1v1 and had to score but hits it wide (21st). Then 2 minutes later Enzo plays a perfect ball in beyond that Madueke does well to get something in it forcing Henderson into a fine save. Then the next chance comes for Chelsea again with Guehi winning the ball and driving forward giving it away allowing Chelsea to break 4 on 2 with Madueke going past Will Hughes who was already on a Yellow playing in Palmer who toe pokes across to Jackson who taps in from 3 yards out (25th). Will Hughes keeps getting caught in positions unable to tackle being on a yellow after Mitchell gets forward. Palace when they got the ball were not committing forward due to the effort put in trying to defend. Chelsea’s majority of the possession was very slow and methodical borderline lazy at times.
2nd Half
Chelsea come out the same as the first half, get a corner in the 49th minute that Colwill gets a free header and should score but inexplicably heads straight down and wide. Inevitably Chelsea are punished after a cheap freekick is put into the box and doesn’t get cleared far enough away allowing the ball back in which falls perfectly to Eze all alone on the top of the box who calmly first time curls it past Sanchez’s left hand halfway up the side netting to (53rd). Palace with a little more effort and dangerousness in the final third after that goal. Chelsea still on the ball slow and lazy with no urgency clearly how Maresca wants to play but infuriating to watch. Colwill with another chance in the 76th minute of a freekick where he scuffed the half volley. Then down the other end Palace work it well leading to a Kamada strike wide open from the top of the box that is straight at Sanchez. Game finally started to open up around the 80th minute. Chelsea not fluid since Gusto went off along with a couple of careless mistakes. Then Jackson three minutes into extra time is through 1v1 but takes a little too long allowing Henderson to close the angle and save the shot. Palace hanging on in extra time got the draw but Chelsea should be very disappointed that they didn’t come away with the win
Newcastle vs Tottenham
Newcastle defended in a 5-4-1 just a few yards outside the eighteen when they didn’t have the ball. Tottenham have no true number 9 putting Kulesevski in the center. Isak nearly catches Vicario out with a cross that turned into a shot from well wide that skipped off the crossbar (5th). Early back and forth through ball to Kulusevski that was just too long and the clearance fell straight to Anthony Gordon whose brilliant first touch put Newcast in on a counter 3v3 with Harvey Barnes cutting in and taking a strike that went wide (9th). A short corner for Tottenham caught Newcastle napping but they did well stepping up their defensive line well catching Romero offside who did header it in the net. Tottenham looked vulnerable on set pieces with the height of newcastle. Tottenham had a few dangerous balls in the box that had they had a number 9 there would be there to tap it in. The first real chance of the game for Newcastle came off a clearance from a corner that went out for a throw-in that was taken quickly. Tottenham were slightly uncoordinated with a line of 6 defenders allowing Harvey Barnes to be slightly behind them where the ball was played from the goal line allowing him to calmly finish into the far right corner. Tottenham had more possession and were more dangerous but all their shots came from outside the box either comfortable for Pope or with bodies in the way
1 minute into the second half Livramento plays through Isak who runs 30 yards with his head down taking far too long to get a shot off allowing Dragusin to make up the ground and make a brilliant tackle. Had he had his head up Isak would have seen Harvey Barnes streaking down the left hand side waiting for the square ball to tap in and double Newcastle’s lead. Immediately following that on the other end Porro puts another ball right across the face with no one there to tap in yet again. Tottenham come out really putting on the pressure forcing Newcastle to sit deep inside their own eighteen. In the 52nd minute Johnson puts a cross in that is deflected wickedly up and looping down on the back post and Odobert awkwardly jumps up to try and tap in with his leg but it hits his knee and goes wide. He should have used his head for a diving header and it would have been a much easier chance. Then Son on the break had options either side for a better chance but chooses to go alone and get a corner. From that a deflected Porro cross catches Pope out but hits the crossbar. Then the brilliant 7 minute spell is rewarded with a bouncing shot by Maddison being parried wide to Johnson whose effort is parried away by Pope who is on the ground but unfortunately is bundled into his own net by Dan Burn when trying to clear (56th). Johnson, a very good substitution, created a lot for Tottenham. Newcastle are able to counter and create chances. Murphy forced Vicario to make a near post save from 12 yards out at a right angle. Playing out and Newcastle get caught but Odebert squanders the chance and is only able to get a corner. Gordon then gets caught a few minutes later on the halfway line allowing Johnson to drive at the Newcastle defense but his cross is put out for a corner. Tottenham were too wasteful with the sheer number of counter attacking opportunities unable to find the final ball. More shots from outside the box by Porro and Maddison were saved well by Pope (74th). Then Brennan Johnson does well after a cleared corner is worked back in and has a clear opportunity that he shanks straight over the bar and should have at least hit the target. Newcastle were very lucky to not have conceded more goals riding their luck. After riding the storm for nearly 20 minutes they caught Tottenham sleeping with a high line as Romero was flat footed and climbing while the rest of the defense was dropping back. After Joelinton turned past Maddison easily he played the through ball straight down the middle between Romero and Udogie to Murphy who glided into the box holding off Udogie before squaring to Isak to tap in to give Newcastle the undeserved lead. Seems like referees are determined to give yellow cards every time people slide tackle even if they win the ball first, really diminishing the physicality. Newcastle defended well in the last 15 getting bodies in front. Tottenham looked dangerous but looked a little gassed and yet again were entertaining to watch and created chances but came out on the losing end.
Manchester United vs Liverpool
United start well getting the home fans cheering loud but Liverpool’s first chance of the game came from one incisive pass breaking lines from Van Dijk to Gravenberch who dribbles straight through the united defense allowing Diaz to play a cross in that is deflected by a an offside Mo Salah before being smashed home by Trent. United were really let off the hook there after being dominant to start. United continued to pressure Liverpool looking good to start (15th). United pressed well when losing the ball, not letting Liverpool settle and create good interplay. Casemiro having moments of indecision and being slow on the ball giving it away. Game is far more open than either manager would like with big gaps between Defense and attack allowing attacking midfielders to drive at either defense. Both teams have just been missing the final ball on multiple occasions to just unlock the defense with plenty of opportunities for both sides to break with how open it was. Finally a very poor pass from Casemiro is taken advantage of with Gravenberch driving down the right and playing Salah in who lofts the cross to the back post where Diaz manages to call of Szobslai to head home into the open net with no one marking on the back post after trying to get forward. Liverpool start to take a little more control and stifle United trying to play out and Casemiro gets caught dribbling the ball which could have been called for a foul right in front of the referee but isn’t. And the ball is quickly played out to Salah who then plays a simple pass to Luis Diaz who’s first time strike is perfectly hit into the near post quite brilliantly.
United have the ball and create their second shot of the game, but then a cheap giveaway by Mainoo allows Liverpool to quickly play a ball into Salah who hits it first time past a helpless Onana whose position is questionable at best . United are rattled and immediately after the restart Salah is in again and should score but takes too long. United look like they have lost all confidence are playing trying to not make a mistake allowing Liverpool to have wave after wave of pressure. Zirkzee gets a header that he should score but hits it too close to Alisson. Liverpool just sitting back inviting pressure waiting to pounce on a mistake to counter attack. Liverpool cut apart United again beautifully but Szoboszlai inexplicably took a touch and tried to dribble nearly inside the six yard box instead of smashing home and punishing them. Then Rashford plays another good cross on that Zirkzee is reaching for and should score but hits wide. The game went back and forth for the remaining time slowly fizzling out. Arne Slot’s side looked like title contenders but we shall wait and see if that is really the case with how elite City are. Meanwhile United yet again are embarrassed at home by Liverpool for another year and still look far away from the top four.