Kickoff chronicles

Burnley vs Chelsea

The opening game in Matchweek 12, and the first fixture after the international break, saw Scott Parker’s Burnley host Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea at Turf Moor with Burnley needing a win to ensure they were not in the bottom three at the end of the round. Chelsea made an unsurprising dominant start to the game and scored the opener just after the half hour mark. Marc Cucurella received the ball into the penalty area where he laid it off to Jamie Gittens. Gittens whipped the ball into the penalty area where Pedro Neto dove in at the back post. Neto’s header flew past Martin Dubravka and nestled into the bottom left corner, making it 0-1 to the travelling side. The half-time score remained 0-1, with Burnley offering up nothing in an attacking sense.

Chelsea were once again superior in the 2nd half, with Neto coming close to a second in the 62nd minute after his close range shot was saved onto the post by Dubravka. Burnley had a half chance in the 68th minute after Zian Flemming blasted his close range effort over the crossbar, fresh off three goals in the last two weekends. After a nervy 2nd half, Chelsea finally wrapped up all three points after Neto played a nice through ball to Marc Guiu. Guiu showed brilliant hold up play in the Burnley penalty area before he slotted the ball backwards to Enzo Fernandez. Fernandez was then left with a tap-in from 12-yards, with all the credit going to the Chelsea striker Guiu. The full-time score finished 0-2, with Chelsea earning a hard-fought three points away from home which sees them move into 2nd on the table with 23 points. With Burnley failing to take anything away from the game, they dropped into the bottom three, sitting 19th on 10 points.

AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham United

The following game of Matchweek 12 saw Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth host Nuno Espirito’s West Ham at the Vitality Stadium, with The Cherries hoping to improve after their back-to-back losses and West Ham hoping to continue after their consecutive wins. The weather was horrible down the South Coast and it benefited West Ham inside just 10 minutes after keeper Alphonse Areola’s goal kick found the chest of ex-Cherries, and now Hammers, striker Callum Wilson. Wilson’s first touch was brilliant and his second was even better, smashing the ball on the volley into the bottom left corner to give West Ham the lead. After a brilliant first goal, Wilson scored again against his former club to make it 0-2. A cleared corner fell to skipper Jarrod Bowen who headed the ball to centre half Jean-Clair Todibo. The French centre half then flicked it onto Wilson. Wilson’s first touch once again set him up for his finish, brilliantly volleying the ball into the bottom left corner. The half-time score stood at 0-2, with West Ham hoping for their 3rd win on the bounce.

Nuno made some terrible changes in the 2nd half, taking off the majority of West Ham’s attacking players, including Wilson, who was on a hat-trick, putting them on the back foot for the whole 2nd half. After many missed chances and crosses into the West Ham penalty area, the Cherries found a deserved goal in the 60th minute after Alex Jimenez made a driving run into the 18-yard box. He threaded the ball through to striker Evanilson who looked destined to score if not for the intervention of West Ham centre half Max Kilman. who slid in and knocked the ball from Evanilson’s feet with his hand, a clear penalty. After Semenyo missed a spot kick to get Bournemouth back into the game last week, Marcus Tavernier made no mistake with his effort, smashing the ball into the roof of the net from 12-yards. Areola was clearly the man of the match, pulling out save after save to keep West Ham in front. Bournemouth finally equalised in the 81st minute after Enes Unal received the ball inside the penalty area from Marcos Senensi with a lovely turn. He smashed the ball past Areola to score his first goal since coming back from a terrible ACL injury. The full-time score finished 2-2, with the sides playing out their 5th consecutive draw in the Premier League. Areola was the clear man of the match, grabbing the first assist of the season for a keeper and denying Bournemouth multiple times to earn the Hammers a point. West Ham finally move out of the relegation zone and into 17th on 11 points. Bournemouth shot back up into 7th place on 19 points as they look towards European qualification for the first time in their history.

Brighton Hove & Albion vs Brentford

The next fixture in Matchweek 12 saw Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton host Keith Andrews’ Brentford at the Amex Stadium, with both sides hoping for a win which would see them move into the top half of the table. Brentford won a penalty early on after Dango Ouattara’s run into the penalty area was stopped by an ill-timed sliding tackle from Carlos Baleba. Brentford striker and top scorer, Igor Thiago, stepped up to take the spot kick and converted from 12-yards, placing the ball into the bottom left corner to score his 9th of the season as he looks to challenge Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot. The half-time score finished 0-1 with Brighton putting out a lackluster first half performance.

The Seagulls were much better in the 2nd half and should’ve converted in the 55th minute after top scorer Danny Welbeck blasted the ball over the bar from close range. The Englishman soon made up for his error, scoring in the 71st minute. Yankuba Minteh whipped the ball in from the right wing where Welbeck met the Gambian’s cross with a wonderful cushioned finish into the bottom right corner with his left boot. Brighton then completed a quick turnaround, scoring in the 84th minute with Minteh at the heart of it again. Minteh cut in from the right wing where his shot was deflected perfectly into the path of the returning Jack Hinshelwood. The local lad volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner, with Brentford’s keeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s view clearly obstructed by a group of players. With just minutes left to play in injury time, Brentford won another penalty after Kevin Schade was pulled down by Maxim De Cuyper. Thiago stepped up to take the spot kick yet again but was denied this time by a brilliant save from Bart Verbuggen, diving the right way and holding onto the ball to earn Brighton all three points. The full-time score finished 2-1, with Brighton moving into 5th on the table with 19 points. Brentford remain 12th on 16 points, missing out on a huge chance to steal a point at the death.

Fulham vs Sunderland

The following game in Matchweek 12 saw Marco Silva’s Fulham host Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland at Craven Cottage, with Sunderland hoping to claim another victory, after they upset Arsenal at home, which would see them potentially go 3rd on the table. Despite Sunderland’s good run of form, Fulham were by far the more dominant side in the first half, defending well and creating multiple attacking opportunities. Their best chances came in the 20th and the 22nd minute with Harry Wilson making a darting run down the right wing on a Fulham counter before his shot just whistled wide of the far post while Kevin’s solo run and shot from just outside the Sunderland penalty area was comfortably saved by Robin Roefs. Just minutes later, Kevin forced another save from Roefs, this time a header at the back post with the Brazilian still in search of his first Premier League goal. The half-time score remained 0-0, with Fulham so unlucky not to be ahead.

Sunderland were once again slow and stationary in the 2nd half and Fulham should have taken the lead just after the hour mark when Harry Wilson scrapped his shot wide from close range. After a very frustrating game for the Fulham fans, they were finally given their greatly desired goal in the 84th minute after substitute Samuel Chukwueze whipped a ball in from the left wing. Striker Raul Jimenez then showed all his Premier League experience and know-how to lunge in between the two Sunderland centre halves and poke the ball past Roefs, a true poachers goal. The full-time score finished 1-0, with Fulham very much deserving the win and unlucky they were unable to score more than just the single goal. The Cottagers move up into 15th on 14 points, three clear of the relegation zone as they look further up in the table. Sunderland’s run of form finally comes to an end as they drop down to 7th on 19 points.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

The next fixture in Matchweek 12 saw Arne Slot’s Liverpool host Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest at Anfield, with Liverpool needing a win if they were to keep their title hopes alive. Liverpool made a better start to the game, with Alexis Mac Allister having an early effort blocked by centre half Murillo before Milos Kerez blazed the ball over the crossbar from close range after the brilliant wide play from Mohamed Salah to set him up. Totally against the run of play, Forest snatched the lead in the 33rd minute thanks to a corner kick. The ball was flicked over to the back post by Igor Jesus where it fell perfectly to Murillo. The defender took a touch before quickly unleashing a strike, watching as his shot rifled into the bottom left corner. Jesus then put the ball into the back of the net just seconds later, thinking he’d made it 0-2, only for referee Andy Madley to disallow the goal as the ball had struck the Brazilian’s arm. The half-time score finished 0-1, with Forest hoping for back-to-back wins at Anfield.

Dyche’s side scored inside the opening minute of the 2nd half to make it 0-2, with Slot’s Liverpool well and truly imploding and making the worst possible start after the break. Neco Williams received the ball inside the Liverpool penalty area, executing a brilliant pivot against some of his former team mates before playing the ball into a central area. Unmarked and unnoticed in the Liverpool penalty area was Nicolo Savona who met Williams’ cross with a lovely first time strike to score his 2nd goal for Forest. The relegation threatened side then sealed all three points after they scored their third in the 78th minute. Omari Hutchinson brilliantly danced through two Liverpool defenders to progress into the penalty area from the right wing where his shot was saved by Alisson. The ball then fell kindly to Morgan Gibbs-White who smashed it into an uncontested net to score his 3rd goal in as many games. The full-time score finished 0-3, with Dyche’s side claiming back-to-back wins as they shot out of the relegation zone and into 16th on 12 points. Liverpool have now lost 6 out of their last 7 league games as they drop into 11th on the table with 18 points.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace

The next tie in Matchweek 12 saw newly appointed manager Rob Edwards’ Wolves host Oliver Glasner’s Palace at the Molineux Stadium, with Edwards’ hoping with a win at home to start his tenure in the Midlands. Palace should’ve taken the lead inside a quarter of an hour, with Jean-Philippe Mateta putting the ball wide of Sam Johnstone’s goal despite being through on goal with no pressure around him. Palace remained dominant and came close again after Daichi Kamada’s effort on the half volley forced a good save from Johnstone, with Wolves just hanging on. The half-time score finished 0-0, with Edwards hoping for a better 2nd half in his debut as Wolves manager.

Both sides missed huge chances early on in the 2nd half, with Marshall Munetsi blazing the ball over the bar from close range before Ismaila Sarr skyed his effort from inside the Wolves penalty area. The Eagles finally took a deserved advantage just after the hour mark when Adam Wharton’s long range shot was deflected into the path of Daniel Munoz. With Johnstone committed to Wharton’s effort expecting to make a save, Munoz was left with an uncontested net to smash the ball into. Palace wrapped up all three points just minutes later after Yeremy Pino scored his first ever Premier League goal. The Spaniard received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, after Wharton’s interception, where he fired the ball into the top right corner with an absolute world class strike. The full-time score finished 0-2, with the Eagles claiming a huge three points as they move into 5th on the table with 20 points, a potential Champions League qualification place. Wolves remain rock bottom, still winless and nine points away from safety.

Newcastle United vs Manchester City

The final game played on Saturday night in Matchweek 12 saw Eddie Howe’s Newcastle host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at St. James’ Park, with Newcastle hoping to turn their horrid form around with a brilliant home win against City. Despite their terrible start to the season, Newcastle were all over City in the first half and should have taken the lead. Striker Nick Woltemade had two close range chances kept out by City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before Harvey Barnes put Jacob Murphy’s ball across the penalty area wide despite having an uncontested net from a couple of yards out. Right at the end of the half, City also missed a big chance after Phil Foden played the ball out to Rayan Cherki. Cherki fired the ball straight back into his path where Foden put the ball wide from 12-yards out. Against all odds, the half-time score remained 0-0 with a total of five big chances missed in the first half.

After more missed chances by the Magpies early on in the half, they finally broke the deadlock just after the hour mark thanks to a driving run into the City final 3rd by skipper Bruno Guimaraes. Just as he made it to the edge of the penalty area, he laid the ball off to Barnes who smashed it into the bottom left corner, a wonderful finish. Just minutes after Newcastle’s opener, City silenced St. James’ Park when scoring off a cross in the 68th minute. Doku’s cross fell into the path of Cherki at the back post where he fired a ball across the penalty area where it was deflected right into the path of Ruben Dias. Dias met the ball with a crisp and clean volley, watching as the ball spun perfectly into the far corner, a rare but beautiful goal from the centre half. Just two minutes later, Newcastle took back their advantage, with Barnes securing his brace and scoring the third goal in the space of seven minutes. Woltemade’s header across the goal was smashed onto the crossbar by Guimaraes before the ball fell into the feet of Barnes. Barnes took a touch before rifling the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-1. Newcastle defended strongly in the final 20 minutes and held out for a brilliant 2-1 home win. After their poor run of form, Newcastle will hope this result will boost their confidence and be a turning point in their season. Howe’s side move into 14th on the table with 15 points. City drop points yet again as they move into 3rd on the table, now seven points away from their title rivals Arsenal.

Leeds United vs Aston Villa

The first game played on Sunday afternoon in Matchweek 12 saw Daniel Farke’s Leeds host Unai Emery’s Villa at Elland Road, with Leeds hoping for a win at home which would see them safe from the bottom three for now. Leeds took an early advantage in a very controversial and scrappy fashion, with a cross deflected high into the stadium, making it difficult for Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez to catch as the ball fell out of his grasp and bobbled towards goal. Enzri Konsa was able to clear the ball off the line, only for Leeds striker Lukas Nmecha to stick out a foot and poke the ball back into the Villa net. The goal stood, despite multiple potential offside calls involved in the build up. Leeds came so close to making it 2-0 just before the break, with Brenden Aaronson’s effort on the volley forcing a solid save from Martinez. The half-time score finished 1-0, with Villa needing a big 2nd half performance if they were to win and move into the top four.

Villa made an ideal start to the 2nd half, scoring inside two minutes of the restart to tie the game. Donyell Malen, who had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, claimed an assist off the bench after he fired the ball across the penalty area, with Morgan Rogers sticking out a boot from close range as the ball flicked off his foot and into the top left corner. It was turning out to be Rogers’ day, with the Englishman scoring in the 75th minute to complete the Villa turnaround and make it 1-2. Much like Emiliano Buendia’s free kick last week from inside the ‘D’, Rogers chipped the ball over the wall and into the top right corner, with Lucas Perri left stationary. Straight from kick-off, Leeds thought they’d equalised after Dan James’ ball across the penalty area was flicked into the goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin but it was chalked off as the ball clearly hit the striker’s hand. Martinez was forced into some big saves in stoppage time as the full-time score finished 1-2. Villa secured a hard fought three points away from home as they moved into 4th on the table with 21 points, just eight away from league leaders Arsenal. Leeds drop into the relegation zone after another defeat, sitting 18th with 11 points.

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

The final game played on Sunday evening was the most anticipated of the week, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal hosting Thomas Frank’s Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium in the latest North London Derby. The Gunners were the favourites for the derby and made a strong start to the game with Declan Rice forcing a big save from Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario inside three minutes. After Spurs were on the backfoot for the majority of the first half, defending for their lives, Arsenal finally made the breakthrough just after the half hour mark when Mikel Merino chipped the ball over to Leandro Trossard. Trossard’s first touch was brilliant, allowing him the time to pivot around the ball and poke it into the bottom left corner. Just before half-time, Arsenal all but wrapped up the three points after Eberechi Eze (who was almost signed by Tottenham in the summer) further pushed the dagger into the hearts of the Spurs’ fans. Jurrien Timber’s cross from the right wing looked destined to find Eze but it was temporarily cleared by Christian Romero who headed the ball into the path of Rice. Rice found the feet of Eze with his first touch before Eze showed brilliant individual talent to dance through an array of Tottenham players before smashing the ball into the bottom left corner. The half-time score stood at 2-0, with Arsenal threatening to embarrass Spurs in the 2nd half.

Tottenham made the worst possible start to the second half, conceding just 30 seconds after the restart. Timber fired the ball into the path of Eze just outside the Spurs’ penalty area where the Englishman brilliantly took the ball into his stride before placing it perfectly into the bottom left corner. Tottenham finally registered their first shot in the 55th minute and to the shock of the Emirates, they scored. Spurs striker Richarlison picked the pocket of Zubemendi just inside the Arsenal half where he looked to chip keeper David Raya from about 40 yards out. The execution of his chip was perfect, the ball floating over Raya and into the top right corner, the Brazilian’s 5th of the season. It proved to only be a consolation for Tottenham as Arsenal found their 4th in the 76th minute. Trossard received the ball from Merino where he played the ball into the path of Eze on the edge of the penalty area. Much like his second goal, Eze took a touch before finding the bottom right corner with a lovely strike, Eze’s hat-trick and the cherry on top of what was a dominant Arsenal North London derby performance. The full-time score finished 4-1, with Eze the clear man of the match as Arsenal extended their lead at the top by six points. Richarlison’s wonder goal stopped the Arsenal white wash but only painted over the cracks for Spurs as they put out another lackluster display. Frank’s side drop to 10th on 19 points.

Manchester United vs Everton

The curtain draw for Matchweek 12, played on Monday night, saw Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United host David Moyes’ Everton at Old Trafford, with United hoping to maintain their five game unbeaten run. Everton made a horrible start to the tie after midfielder Idrissa Gueye gave the ball away on the edge of his penalty area to United skipper Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes narrowly missed the top corner but that wasn’t the end, with the Everton defender offering a hand of encouragement to Gueye before the Senegalese international lashed out, pushing Keane before slapping him in the face. Despite the assault on his own teammate, it was still violent conduct and referee Tony Harrington was still forced to show Gueye a red card, meaning the Toffees’ were down to 10-men with just 12 minutes played. Even though United now had the one man advantage, Everton still looked comfortable and silenced Old Trafford just before the half hour mark. James Garner fired the ball into the feet of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who turned before driving into the United penalty area. Dewsbury-Hall held off the challenge from Fernandes and Leny Yoro before cutting into a central area and rifling the ball into the top right corner, a moment of individual brilliance from Dewsbury-Hall. United failed to create any meaningful chances in the final 15 minutes of the half as Moyes’ 10-men went into half-time brandishing a 0-1 lead.

United were better in the 2nd half after some substitutions and tweaks, but still failed to really penetrate the Everton defence. Their best chance came in the 79th minute after Joshua Zirkzee’s header from Luke Shaw’s cross looked destined for the bottom corner. Unfortunately for the hosts, Toffees’ keeper Jordan Pickford leapt down to his left, showing his brilliant reflexes as he somehow managed to parry the ball away with an out-of-this-world save. Pickford was Everton’s savior in the final 10 minutes, tipping a long-range Fernandes effort over the bar along with another Zirkzee header before, with almost the last kick of the game, he leapt down low to his left to deny Matthijs De Ligt back-to-back late goals in the Premier League. The full-time score finished 0-1, with Everton putting on a heroic away performance, winning at Old Trafford for just the 2nd time in the Premier League era against all odds. Manager David Moyes has now won his first game at the Theatre of Dreams since he left Manchester United as a manager, taking him a total of 17 attempts. The Toffees move into 11th on 18 points, level with Manchester United who sit 10th. United’s good run of form comes to an end as they lose their 4th game of the season with a gutless performance at home. 

Written by Ollie Wade