Kickoff chronicles

West Ham United vs Liverpool

The 35th series of the 23/24 Premier League season kicked off at the London Stadium with West Ham hosting Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. The travelling side dominated most of the first half but things changed when Jarrod Bowen won West Ham a corner in the 42nd minute. His deflected effort was saved by the outstretched palm of Liverpool keeper Alisson. It was taken quickly and Mohammed Kudus floated a ball across to the back post for Bowen to beat Alisson this time, and watch his header hit the back of the net. He has now equaled Paolo Di Canio’s record for most Premier League goals for West Ham in one season, 16. Bowen has also taken his tally in all competitions to 20, proving why he should be a candidate for the England squad to take to Germany at the Euros. The half ended 1-0 with Liverpool needing to turn it around if they still wanted to be in contention for the title. They got off to an ideal start 2 minutes into the second period when Andy Robertson tied the game at 1-1. Luis Diaz passed it in to him where he was placed in the left side of the area. Robertson took a touch and then poked it into the bottom left corner of the goal to give the Reds hope. Liverpool completed the turnaround in the 65th minute when they scored from a corner. It was a scrappy ball, pinballing between the West Ham defenders from the shot by Coady Gakpo’s. The ball eventually found the back of the net, going down as an own goal from Hammer’s keeper Alphonse Areola. West Ham made some changes and found an equaliser 10 minutes later. Jarrod Bowen crossed a ball in from the right wing which Michail Antonio brilliantly jumped to head into the far corner. Things ended sourley for Liverpool when Mohamed Salah, who Klopp opted not to start, was pictured arguing with his manager after his substitution was delayed. The game finished all square at 2-2 with Liverpool’s title ambitions now well and truly over, leaving them in 3rd with 2nd placed City having 2 games in hand. West Ham will be disappointed not walking away with all 3 points, missing out on a chance to rise to 7th spot and potentially gain a place in Europe for the 4th season running.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Luton Town

The second game of match week 35 was at the Molineux Stadium with Wolves hosting relegation threatened Luton Town. Wolves dominated the opening exchanges and were blessed with an opener in the 39th minute when Hwang Hee-Chan scored his 11th league goal of the season. He received it down the left wing and progressed into the Luton box. He cut back and calmly passed the ball into the far corner making it 1-0. That was the last notable action of the first half and Luton went into the break down by one. Wolves made the perfect start to the second period when Mario Lemina’s brilliant cross from the right wing to the far post found the head of Toti Gomes, who headed the hosts into a 2 goal advantage. The Hatters did give Wolves something to think about when Carlton Morris halved the deficit in the 80th minute. Alfie Doughty crossed a ball in from the right wing to the back post which Reece Burke headed across goal. Morris lunged at it and poked it with his toe past Wolves keeper Jose Sa, and into the back of the net to give the away end something to cheer about. The experienced Wolves defence held out for a huge three points and the fixture ended 2-1. This takes the home side to 10th place, but with 11th placed Bournemouth yet to play. Luton are running out of time to try and jump out of the drop zone, sitting 18th, but with 17th placed Nottingham Forest clear of the Hatter’s by 1 point. Forest also have a game in hand which could prove vital in the coming weeks.

Manchester United vs Burnley

The next game of Premier League match week 35 was staged at the Theatre of Dreams with Manchester United hosting Burnley. Burnley surprised most of the spectators inside Old Trafford when they began to dominate Manchester United and drew multiple good saves from the United keeper, Andre Onana. The half ended 0-0 but Burnley would have gone into the interval on a high note knowing they were still in this game. Manchester United came out the blocks a different team in the second period and started to create more opportunities. It took them a while, but they eventually found the goal that put them ahead in the 79th minute through the Brazilian Antony. Antony was quick to punish a woeful pass back from Sander Berge and was through on goal. He was strong and held off a challenge from Berge before passing the ball into the bottom right corner, falling as he made contact. Burnley were awarded a lifeline 5 minutes later though when Casemiro dangerously headed the ball back to his keeper Onana. The Cameroonian keeper came to clear it but completely wiped out Zeki Amdouni and made no contact with the ball, smashing his fist down onto the Switzerland international. After a VAR check, the penalty was approved. Amdouni stepped up to take it and calmly placed it into the bottom right corner, winning Burnley a vital point on the road. It all finished 1-1 with Burnley now only 3 points away from Premier League safety. Manchester United still sit 6th but with Newcastle breathing down their neck in 7th.

Newcastle United vs Sheffield United

The following game on Saturday afternoon was played at St. James Park with Newcastle hosting Sheffield United. The Blades made a shock start to the game inside 5 minutes when Anel Ahmedhodzic put them in front. Gustavo Hamer crossed a ball into the back post which Ahmedhodzic ran onto and headed into the back of the net, embarrassing Martin Dubravka as the ball went through his legs. Newcastle hit back 20 minutes later through their top score this season in Alexander Isak who marked the occasion with his 18th league goal of the season. Jacob Murphy released him with a smart ball down the right wing. Isak progressed into the Sheffield United penalty area and drilled the ball into the far corner, levelling the tie. The half ended 1-1 with The Blades needing to restore their lead if they were to still statistically avoid relegation. They got off to a poor start when Bruno Guimaraes was found by Anthony Gordon from a Newcastle free kick. He was at the back post and dived to head the ball past Blades keeper Wes Foderingham. Just minutes afterwards, Gordon was fouled inside the away side’s penalty area resulting in a spot kick for the hosts. Isak stepped up and smashed it into the bottom right, adding his Premier League tally this season to 19. The Magpies sealed the victory 4 minutes later when Ben Osborn scored a quite spectacular own goal. The ball came down from a Gordon corner and was not cleared properly. Osborn tried to flick it with his heel out of the danger zone and out for another corner, but found the bottom corner of his own goal. Newcastle capped off a brilliant display in the 72nd minute when Harvey Barnes made a driving run through the Blade’s defence before flicking it up to Callum Wilson who was placed in the left side of the Sheffield United area. Wilson controlled it and then lashed it into the roof of the net, making it 5-1. That was the last notable action of the tie and it sees Sheffield United as the first statistically confirmed relegated side. They will be playing Championship football next year sitting rock bottom on a drab 16 points. Newcastle stay 7th, but are just one point shy of 6th placed Manchester United.

Fulham vs Crystal Palace

The following game of Premier League match week 35 was played at Craven Cottage with Fulham hosting Crystal Palace in the latest London derby. It was fair to say Oliver Glasner’s side dominated the opening 45 minutes with Michael Olise missing a huge chance in the 5th minute, somehow firing wide of the near post. They created many more chances but failed to convert, meaning the two sides went into the break at 0-0. Fulham gave the Eagles somewhat of a wakeup in the 51st minute when Timothy Castagne’s cross from the right wing was smashed in by Rodrigo Muniz; his header lashing into the back of the net as well as marking his 9th Premier League goal of the season. Palace finally found a well deserved goal in the 87th minute when Jeffrey Schlupp scored an absolute screamer. Adam Wharton found him just outside the Fulham area where he took a touch. It sat up just perfectly for him and he put his laces through the ball, watching it soar into the top corner and level the fixture. It all ended 1-1 with Palace missing out on a chance to go level on points with Fulham. Both teams don’t have much to play for now as they are both safe, but European football is now impossible. They sit 13th and 14th respectively.

Everton vs Brentford

The next game of the match week was an important one down the bottom of the pack with Everton hosting Brentford at Goodison Park. The first half was goaless but still ultimately entertaining. Everton dominated the bulk of the play but Brentford gave them a few reminders here and there that they were still definitely in the tie. Everton found the goal that put them ahead 15 minutes into the second period through their Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye. After a cross into the box was not properly cleared by the Brentford backline, Gueye ran in and smashed the ball into the top left corner. Everton keeper Jordan Pickford definitely proved his worth in the final half hour, making some crucial saves to keep his 12th clean sheet intact. The game finished 1-0 with Everton leapfrogging over Bretford into 15th place; safety in the Premier League now confirmed. Brentford sit 16th one point below the Toffees.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

The last game played on Saturday afternoon was staged at Villa Park with Aston Villa hosting Chelsea. The hosts got off to a brilliant start, opening the scoring after just 4 minutes. Lucas Dinge cut the ball back from the left side of the Chelsea penalty area where John McGinn was placed. The Scottish international didn’t connect with it cleanly but his effort hit the shin of Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, sending it past Djordje Petrocivc and into the bottom corner. Chelsea thought they had levelled the game 10 minutes later when Nichlas Jackson audaciously dinked the ball over outcoming Villa keeper Emi Martinez. Unfortunately for them, VAR ruled it out for offside as he was in front of the last man when Moises Caicedo played the ball over the top of the Villa backline. The hosts actually found themselves going into the break with a two goal lead when Matty Cash found Morgan Rodgers outside the Chelsea area. Rodgers cut inside and drilled the ball into the near corner, celebrating like his old team-mate and opposition player Cole Palmer. The half finished 2-0 with Unai Emery’s side dominating the West London team. Chelsea got off to a good start early in the second period when Cole Palmer won the ball inside the Villa penalty area. He laid it off to Conor Gallagher whose touch found Noni Madueke. Madueke calmly passed the ball into the far corner, giving Chelsea a lifeline. Blues captain Gallagher, who was heavily involved in the first goal then dug out something spectacular in the 81st minute to tie the game. Madueke returned the favour, passing it to him just outside the Villa penalty area. The skipper thought about passing it but then took it on himself, burling it perfectly into the top left corner. The fans inside Villa park were in for an action packed last ten minutes. Cole Palmer had a huge opportunity in the third minute of stoppage time, dribbling through the host’s defence, only to be denied by the outstretched boot of 2nd half goalkeeper substitute, Robin Olsen. Then Chelsea thought they had nicked it at the death when Beniot Badiashile poked the ball across the box for Axel Disasi to head in after a Palmer corner. After a dramatic VAR check, it was ruled out as Badiashile shoved Diego Carlos in the back before crossing it across the 6 yard area. The game came to an end with it all finishing 2-2. Villa held on to a crucial point putting the pressure on Tottenham to win all 3 of their games in hand as they sit 7 points clear of Spurs in 4th. Chelsea stay in 9th, but still have 2 games in hand over most of their European qualification rivals.

Bournemouth vs Brighton

The first game played on Sunday afternoon was down the South Coast with Bournemouth hosting Brighton at the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries found an early lead in the 13th minute when Enes Unal’s corner found the head of Argentinian centre back Marcos Senesi. Bournemouth went into the break up by 1 but probably felt disappointed that they had not gone in with 2 or 3 on the scoresheet. They did however make the perfect start to the second period by doubling their advantage. Dango Ouattara rescued a ball from the left wing and floated it into the Brighton penalty area. Unal jumped high and headed it powerfully at the Brighton goal, firing over the outstretched palms of Seagulls keeper Bart Verbruggen. They sealed the game in the 87th minute when Ryan Christie found Justin Kluivert down the right wing in acres of space. The Dutchman progressed into the area and cut inside, smashing his shot into the top right corner and scoring his 9th goal this season, capping off a brilliant Bournemouth display. It all finished 3-0 with Bournemouth breaking their record of Premier League points in a season, now on 48 and sitting in the top half of the table, (10th). Brighton’s woeful form continues as they sit 12th.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal

The second game played on Sunday afternoon was the most anticipated of the match week; Tottenham hosting Arsenal in the latest North London derby. The Gunners opened the scoring inside a quarter of an hour when Bukayo Saka crossed in their latest corner. Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg jumped to clear Saka’s corner, but he mistimed his jump and ended up heading the ball into his own net, gifting Arsenal an early advantage. Spurs then thought they had equalised 6 minutes later when a cross popped out to Pedro Porro who drilled the ball back into the 18 yard box. It pin-balled through the Arsenal defence to Micky Van de Ven who was left one on one with Arsenal keeper David Raya, and placed his shot into the bottom left corner. After a long VAR check, it was ruled out as when Porro’s shot came in, Van de Ven’s foot was in an offside position. 5 minutes later, Arsenal doubled their advantage. Just after Dejan Kulusevski went down inside the Gunner’s penalty area appealing for a spot kick, Kai Havertz received the ball from Saka in his own half. He looked up and saw the Englishman had made a run down the right wing and he played the ball across to him. Saka’s first touch was immaculate and he progressed into the penalty area. Saka cut in and passed it into the far corner, capping off a brilliant counter attack and making it 0-2. The Gunners soon made it 0-3 when Declan Rice’s corner was headed in at the near post by the German international, Havertz. It was a perfect first half performance by Arsenal with Tottenham left with a mountain to climb in the next 45 minutes. They made the right start early on in the second period when David Raya gave Tottenham an unmissable opportunity. The Spaniard was almost caught in two minds when he tried to chip it over Spurs centre back Christian Romero and the ball fell kindly for the Argentinian. Romero had a quick glance up and passed it into the bottom left corner, giving the hosts a lifeline. After soaking up attack after attack, Arsenal eventually made a mistake when Declan Rice fouled Ben Davies inside the 18 yard box. Initially it was not given by referee Michael Oliver but after a quick VAR check, he awarded the penalty. In the 87th minute, Son Hueng-Min stepped up to take it and smashed it into the top left corner. Spurs had 3 minutes of normal time plus time added on but they were unable to find a 3rd goal that would have tied the game. It all finished 2-3 with Arsenal putting the pressure back on Manchester City to beat Forest later on in the afternoon, sitting 4 clear of the Citizens at the top but having played 2 more games. Tottenham stay 5th and are still 7 points behind top 4 rivals, Aston Villa.

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City

The final game of Premier League match week 35 was staged at the City Ground with Nottingham Forest hosting Manchester City. Forest shocked Pep’s team by creating quite a few chances and coming close to scoring, Chris Wood missing multiple opportunities. City eventually opened the scoring in the 32nd when Kevin De Bruyne’s corner was headed in at the near post by Josko Gvardiol. Forest continued to pressure the City goal but were unable to find the final predator touch in the 6 yard box. The half ended 0-1 but the fixture not decided just yet. The hosts came out the blocks strongly, but their main man who had been in good form recently, Chris Wood, was having a poor day at the office. The travelling side eventually sealed the game in the 71st minute when De Bruyne released 2nd half sub Erling Haaland into the Forest penalty area. The Norwegian took it to his right and drilled the ball into the far corner, doubling City’s advantage. The game ended 0-2 with City closing the gap between themselves and Arsenal to just 1 point. They also have a game in hand over the Gunners which could prove vital at the end of the season. Forest still sit 17th, only 1 point away from the relegation zone.

Written by Ollie Wade About Me