Kickoff chronicles

Brentford vs Burnley

The opening fixture of Matchweek 13 saw Keith Andrews’ Brentford host Scott Parker’s Burnley at the Gtech Stadium, with Burnley looking to end Brentford’s form at home and climb out of the bottom three. The game got off to a slow start, with the best chance coming in the 43rd minute after Zian Flemming saw his long range effort tipped over the bar by Bees’ keeper Caoimhin Kelleher. The half-time score stood at 0-0 after an actionless half of football.

After yet another slow start to the 2nd half, Brentford finally broke through the resilient Burnley defence in the 77th minute and won a penalty after Dango Ouattara was chopped down by Axel Tuanzebe. Despite missing a crucial penalty at Brighton last weekend, Igor Thiago stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner from 12-yards out, his 10th of the season as he continued his brilliant scoring form. Only minutes later, Burnley also won a penalty after Jaidon Anthony pounced on a sloppy touch from Michael Kayode inside the Brentford penalty area. Kayode stuck out a leg, bringing Anthony down resulting in a clear penalty. Fleming dispatched the spot kick confidently, slotting the ball into the bottom right corner to score his 4th of the season. The majority of the game was actionless but both sides fired up in the final 10 minutes, knowing the consequence of not getting a result. Only moments after Burnley had equalised, Brentford regained their lead after Jordan Henderson whipped a cross into the Burnley penalty area. The Clarets failed to clear the ball as it fell into the path of Thiago who thrashed it into the top of the net for his 11th of the season as he chases down Erling Haaland with 13 Premier League goals. The hosts wrapped up all three points in the 2nd minute of stoppage time after Henderson threaded the ball through the Burnley defence once again, this time to Ouattara. Brentford’s record signing made no mistake with his finish, slotting the ball through the legs of Martin Dubraka to win the game. The full-time score finished 3-1, Brentford continuing their amazing home form as Andrews’ side move into 8th on the table with 19 points. Burnley lose their 4th consecutive league game as they remain 19th on 10 points.

Manchester City vs Leeds United

The next game in Matchweek 13 saw Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City host Daniel Farke’s Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium, with City hoping to bounce back after consecutive losses (against Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen) and get themselves back into the title race. City made a rapid start to the game, scoring inside a minute after Matheus Nunes crossed the ball into the penalty area. Phil Foden met the Portuguese international’s cross with a wonderful first time volley, watching as the ball flew into the top left corner. City were just too strong for Leeds in the first half and found a 2nd in the 25th minute from a Foden corner. The ball stopped at the front post where Leeds failed to clear it. City defender Josko Gvardiol was present to punish the Yorkshire side, poking the ball past Lucas Perri to make it 2-0. The half-time score finished 2-0, with Leeds needing a huge 2nd half performance to take them out of the bottom three. 

Farke’s side made a rapid start to the 2nd half, much like City in the 1st, scoring three minutes after the restart. Ao Tanaka played the ball into the path of half-time sub Dominic Clavert-Lewin where the striker’s first touch fell into the path of City defender Nunes. Nunes’ first touch saw the ball fall straight back to the striker though, with Calvert-Lewin slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to half the deficit. Calvert-Lewin was determined to pull Leeds back into the game and won a penalty just after the hour mark, proving how crucial he was to Leeds. Lukas Nmecha stepped up from 12-yards where his initial effort was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma but the Italian keeper was so unfortunate, with the ball falling back perfectly into the path of Nmecha who tapped the ball into an empty net. Just as it looked like Leeds had stolen a point from the eight-time Premier League champions, Manchester City conjured up a brilliant response, scoring late in the 1st minute of stoppage time to win all three points. Foden received the ball in the penalty area from Rayan Cherki where he cut into a central area, dribbling past two Leeds defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner. The full-time score finished 3-2, with City claiming a huge three points, taking them back into 2nd on the table with 25 points. Leeds were desperately unlucky, conceding late once again as they remain in the bottom three, 18th on 11 points.

Sunderland vs AFC Bournemouth

The following game in Matchweek 13 saw Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light, with the Black Cats hoping to continue their unbeaten run at home consisting of three wins and three draws. Despite Sunderland’s mighty home form, Bournemouth took a shock lead in the 7th after Antoine Semenyo whipped the ball in from the right wing. Evanilson’s strike was brilliantly saved into the post by Robin Roefs before the rebound was smashed into the roof of the net by Amine Adli, his 1st Cherries goal in just his 2nd Premier League start. Bournemouth further silenced the Stadium of Light after Tyler Adams pounced on a lazy pass from Enzo Le Fee. The American was left 1v1 with defender Nordi Mukiele the only man back for Sunderland. Just as he passed the halfway line, Adams saw Roefs off his line and chipped the ball from over 40-yards out. His strike was utter perfection, watching as the ball gracefully floated over Roefs and nestled into the Black Cats’ goal. Just 10 minutes after Adams’ wonder goal, Sunderland halved the deficit after they won a penalty. Reinildo Mandava was chopped down in the penalty area by Alex Scott, resulting in a clear spot kick for the hosts. Le Fee stepped up and converted from 12-yards, smashing the ball into the top left corner to redeem his error from earlier on. The half-time score finished 1-2, with the momentum fully in Sunderland’s favour now.

The hosts made a perfect start to the 2nd half, scoring inside a minute of the restart. Granit Xhaka played the ball into the path of Betrand Traore where the winger drilled the ball into the bottom right corner, a dream start to the half for the Black Cats. Moments after the restart, Bournemouth thought they’d snatched back their lead after Evanilson tapped Semenyo’s cross in from close range but his effort was disallowed by the assistant referee. Sunderland completed the turnaround in the 69th minute after their summer signing, Brian Brobbey, headed home Le Fee’s corner to make it 3-2 and score in consecutive home games, proving how crucial he is to Le Bris’ side. Bournemouth’s best chance to make it 3-3 came in the 85th minute after Tavernier’s strike from outside of the penalty area rattled the woodwork. Bournemouth finished the game terribly, with Lewis Cook elbowing Noah Sadki in the face, a clear red card as the Bournemouth veteran showed his frustration. The full-time score finished 3-2, with Sunderland denying the odds to comeback against Iraola’s Bournemouth. The Black Cats move back into the top four temporarily, sitting 4th on 22 points. Bournemouth failed to win their 4th consecutive game.

Everton vs Newcastle United

The next game in Matchweek 13 saw David Moyes’ Everton host Eddie Howe’s Newcastle at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with both sides coming off the back of wins against the Manchester clubs, Newcastle beating Manchester City at home 2-1 while Everton went to Old Trafford and won 0-1. Much like City, Newcastle made a rapid start to the game and scored inside a minute. The Magpies won a corner 20 seconds in after Anthony Elanga’s solo effort was tipped wide by Jordan Pickford. Lewis Miley was quick to take the corner, whipping it into a dangerous area where Newcastle centre half Malick Thiaw headed the ball past Pickford to score his first ever Premier League goal and first for Newcastle, also the quickest goal of the season. It only went from bad to worse for the hosts, with Newcastle making it 0-2 in the 25th minute. Tino Liveramento’s effort deflected off his own teammate, Dan Burn, with the ball bouncing backward to Miley. The young Newcastle academy graduate drilled the ball straight at Pickford, with the English no.1 making a real mess of Miley’s shot, letting the ball slip through his hands. On the brink of half-time, Newcastle virtually wrapped up all three points when scoring a 3rd. Elanga was finally looking comfortable in a Newcastle shirt and made a brilliant run down the right wing before lobbing the ball over to striker Nick Woltemade. Woltemade took a touch before chipping the ball over Pickford with a classy finish, his 5th of the season. The half-time score stood at 0-3, with Newcastle looking to finally win an away game for the first time this season.

The Magpies made another dominant start to the 2nd half and scored again in the 58th minute. Despite never scoring a Newcastle goal before today, Thiaw nodded home his 2nd against the Toffees. Lewis Hall whipped in a wicked cross over to the back post, with the centre back rising high to head the ball past Pickford, proving his worth as Newcastle signed him for big money from AC Milan in the summer. Everton thought they’d scored a consolation just after the hour mark when Thierno Barry thought he’d scored his first ever goal for the club. Unfortunately for the young striker, the ball hit his hand and the goal was chalked off. Everton finally gave the Hill Dickinson something to cheer about after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored a screamer. James Tarkowski played a long ball into the penalty area where Dewsbury-Hall took the ball down with his back to goal brilliantly. He then took another touch to set himself up before prodding the ball into the far corner, easily the goal of the game. Newcastle defended well for the final 20 minutes to ensure Everton were only allowed one goal as the full-time score finished 1-4. The Magpies finally put their horrid away form to bed as they move into 11th on the table with 18 points. Everton’s lackluster display at home means they drop to 14th on the table, also on 18 points.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham

The final game played on Saturday in Matchweek 13 was a London Derby, with Thomas Frank’s Tottenham hosting Marco Silva’s Fulham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs coming off the back of consecutive heavy losses against rivals Arsenal (4-1) and PSG (5-3) in the Champions League. Tottenham’s home form this season is terrible, five points from a possible 18, and they made yet another poor start, conceding inside four minutes. Samuel Chukwueze dribbled down the right wing with the ball before cutting into a central position and playing the ball across the penalty area. His pass wrongfooted a number of Spurs defenders, with Kenny Tete allowed time and space to line up a shot. He drilled the ball at the Tottenham goal, with the ball deflecting off the shin of Destiny Udogie and trickling past Guglielmo Vicario who had already committed. Spurs then well and truly imploded, conceding again just two minutes later. Vicario intercepted a long ball from Fulham where he was closed down by Raul Jimenez. Instead of clearing it, he passed the ball straight into the path of Josh King. The young Fulham academy graduate then played it to Harry Wilson on the sideline who whipped the ball back over to the empty Spurs net. The ball bounced over the line, a wonderful finish from Wilson although Vicario was very much at fault for Spurs as he should have cleared the ball. Fulham should have been up by four goals at half time, with Chukwueze missing two chances before the break. His effort from outside the penalty area in the 10th minute rattled the woodwork before he rounded Vicario in the 20th minute with the goal gaping before Spurs’ centre half Micky van de Ven was able to get back and make a brilliant slide tackle on the Fulham summer signing. The half-time score finished 0-2, with Spurs walking off to boos from their own fans.

Tottenham looked much better in the 2nd half and finally scored with their first shot on target in the 59th minute. Lucas Bergvall chipped the ball over the Fulham defence to Mohammed Kudus who had been the worst player on the pitch so far. Kudus took a touch before thrashing the ball into the top right corner from a tight angle with a wicked strike. Fulham defended heroically in the final minutes, with Jimenez heading a Bergvall header off the line before Kolo Muani saw his backheeled effort just roll by the far corner. The full-time score finished 1-2 with Tottenham unlucky not to get a draw, although Fulham should have wrapped up the game inside the opening 20 minutes. It was a big victory for Silva’s team, moving them into 15th on the table with 17 points. Tottenham lose at home once again as they drop to 10th on 18 points, with real questions being asked of Thomas Frank now.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United

The early kick-off on Sunday in Matchweek 13 saw Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace host Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United at Selhurst Park, Palace winning at Wolves 0-2 last week while United ended their five game unbeaten run with a loss at home to Everton. Manchester United almost scored in the opening minute, which had already happened twice this weekend, with Casemiro drawing a brilliant stop from Dean Henderson. Crystal Palace started to dominate the Red Devils, with Adam Wharton drawing a solid save from Senne Lammens. Crystal Palace were then gifted with a golden opportunity to take the lead after Jean-Phlippe Mateta was clearly fouled inside the penalty area by Leny Yoro. Mateta was actually forced to retake his initial penalty as he kicked the ball twice, an issue that is rarely noticed, but the Frenchman made no mistake with his second effort, slotting the ball into the bottom right corner to give Palace the lead. The half-time score stood at 1-0, with Palace hoping to extend their unbeaten run at home.

After a quiet first half, United came out strong for the second and scored just eight minutes after the restart. Bruno Fernandes played an intelligent free kick over the top to striker Joshua Zirkzee who took a touch on his chest before volleying the ball into the bottom right corner from what looked an impossible angle. It was a much needed goal for the striker who finally put an end to his goal drought. United completed a nine minute turnaround thanks to another set piece. From just outside the penalty area, Fernandes knocked the ball a couple of yards in front of Mason Mount who drove the ball under the Palace wall. It was a brilliantly executed free kick, with the wall blinding Henderson who was oblivious to Mount’s strike. United then flexed their defensive muscle for the final half an hour, defending strongly to end their three game winless run. The full-time score finished 1-2, United moving up to 7th on the table with 21 points while Palace dropped down to 9th with 20, clearly exhausted in the 2nd half due to their European game on Thursday night.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The following game in Matchweek 13 was a big derby, with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa hosting Midlands rivals Rob Edwards’ Wolves at Villa Park. Wolves thought they’d found the lead after just 15 minutes when Jorgan Strand Larsen had the ball in the back of Emiliano Martinez’s net from Jackson Tchatchoua’s cut back but unfortunately for the travelling side, Jhon Arias was obstructing the view of Martinez from an offside position and the goal was chalked off. Just before the break, Wolves came so close again after Yerson Mosquera’s header off a corner was somehow tipped onto the crossbar and then parried away by Martinez, who ensured the score was still 0-0 at the break. 

Villa came out much better in the 2nd half and it was Wolves who were on the backfoot. The hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute after a strike from the football heavens. John McGinn received the ball out wide before dribbling past a couple of Wolves defenders and cutting the ball back to Boubacar Kamara on the edge of the penalty area. Kamara’s first touch set him up for the volley before he smashed the ball into the top right corner, a wonderful strike. Villa were also tired from midweek European action and were exposed late in stoppage time after a cross fell into the path of Joao Gomes at the back post. Gomes’ strike then forced a solid save again from Martinez, who had single handedly won the derby for Villa. The full-time score finished 1-0, with Villa claiming a huge win to take them into 4th on the table with 24 points, a brilliant turnaround to their season after failing to score in the first four games. Edwards’ Wolves are yet to score a goal since the departure of Vitor Pereira, although they are looking slightly better defensively. The odds are still heavily stacked against Wolves as they remain 20th with two points.

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton Hove & Albion

The next game in Matchweek 13 saw Sean Dyche’s in-form Nottingham Forest host Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton Hove & Albion at the City Ground, with Forest coming off the back of consecutive wins in the league and in Europe as they are now finally out of the bottom three. Brighton were by far the better side in the early stages and came so close to scoring just before the half hour mark after Diego Gomes’ header at the back post was cleared off the line by Neco Williams to keep it at 0-0. Forest almost scored from a rare venture forward on the counter attack after Nicolas Dominguez crossed the ball in from the left wing. Morgan Gibbs-White jumped up acrobatically to volley the ball towards Bart Verbruggen’s goal, with his effort only just missing the top right corner. With virtually the last kick of the half, Brighton took a deserved lead in 1st half stoppage time after Georginio Rutter picked up the ball just outside the Forest penalty area. It then looked like he played the ball to striker Danny Welbeck, with Welbeck tricking the Forest defenders when stepping over the ball and letting it run through to Maxim De Cuyper who slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, a brilliant team goal. The half-time score stood at 0-1, with Brighton hoping for a huge win on the road.

Brighton came so close to 0-2 early on in the second period, with Matz Sels forced into a double stop after an initial close range effort from Gomez, before he recovered to jump up and deny Ferdi Kadioglu on the rebound. Verbruggen was then forced to make a rare save in the 80th minute after he flung out a right leg to deny Igor Jesus of his first Premier League goal. The Seagulls finally wrapped up all three points in the 89th minute after Verbruggen blasted the ball from inside his own penalty area to the edge of the Forest area. It looked like a routine header for Forest defender Morato back to his keeper Sels, but the Brazilian centre half made a mess of it, failing to make contact with Brighton sub Brajan Gruda through on goal. Morato was then actually able to recover and halt Gruda with a brilliant tackle although it was not enough as fellow substitute Stefanos Tzimas passed the ball into an empty Forest net to seal the win. The full-time score finished 0-2, with Brighton putting out a dominant display, taking them into 5th on the table with 22 points. Forest remain 16th on 12 points after a disappointing result at home.

West Ham United vs Liverpool

The next game in Matchweek 13 saw Nuno Espirito’s West Ham United host Arne Slot’s Liverpool at the London Stadium, with West Ham taking seven points out of a possible nine in their last three game while Slot’s Liverpool have now lost nine of their last 12 games. Liverpool had a huge chance inside 20 minutes through Alexander Isak after he received the ball from Cody Gakpo in the West Ham 6-yard area. His touch and shot was brilliantly saved by Alphonse Areola, the Swedish Premier League record transfer fee still yet to get off the mark for Liverpool. West Ham had some good spells late on in the half, but their final ball and cross to penetrate the Liverpool defense was lacking, with the score at half-time standing at 0-0.

West Ham made a horror start to the 2nd half, conceding before the hour mark. Florian Writz threaded the ball through to Gakpo down the left side of the West Ham penalty area who cut it back to Isak. Isak met the cross with a nice finish into the bottom left corner, the striker finally putting an end to his goal drought as he opened his account for the season. West Ham then ruined their chances of a comeback despite dominating in the final minutes. Lucas Paqueta, who was rumored to have placed bets on himself across the previous two seasons, was given a very suspicious red card in the 84th minute, receiving his first yellow for complaining about a foul before complaining about the first yellow card and receiving yet another for dissent, resulting in a red card and a sending off, pretty much losing the game for West Ham. Liverpool wrapped up all three points in stoppage time after Joe Gomez crossed the ball into the West Ham penalty area, with Gakpo taking a touch on his chest before smashing the ball into the back of the West Ham net with a crisp volley, his annual goal against the Hammers. The full-time score finished 0-2, with West Ham putting out a pathetic performance despite the passing of legend Billy Bonds, their record appearance holder with 799 games over a 21-year spell at West Ham. He would have been disgusted with their performance. West Ham remain 17th on 11 points, safe only on goal difference. Liverpool return to their winning ways after a hard fought win on the road. They move up into 8th on 21 points.

Chelsea vs Arsenal

The final game in Matchweek 13 was the most anticipated of the week, with Enzo Maresca’s 2nd placed Chelsea hosting Mikel Arteta’s 1st placed Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, with both sides coming of the back of big wins against Champions League favourites midweek; Arsenal beating Bayern Munich 3-1 at home while Chelsea battered Barcelona 3-0 at the Bridge. Chelsea dominated Arsenal in the opening half an hour, with Estevao blazing the ball over the bar from close range just minutes in, before Enzo Fernandez saw his long range effort comfortably saved by David Raya in the 30th minute. Chelsea then all but ruined their chance of beating the league leaders after their most influential player, Moises Caicedo, was sent off after a horror challenge on Mikel Merino. It was a clear red card, with Caicedo’s studs high on the shin of Merino. The half-time score stood at 0-0, although Arsenal had the one man advantage in the 2nd period. 

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Chelsea had two huge chances from Reece James set pieces early on in the 2nd half. The first saw his free kick over to the back post fall onto the head of Joao Pedro who drew a solid save from Raya before his 2nd from a corner was flicked on at the near post and into the far corner from Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah to give the Blues the lead. Arsenal conjured up an almost immediate response, equalising just 10 minutes later. Buyako Saka showed brilliant play down the right wing before crossing the ball into the Chelsea penalty area. Mikel Merino made the most of Arsenal’s one man advantage, rising up to head the ball past Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal with no defender close to him. Merino came so close to securing his brace and winning all three points for Arsenal in the 89th minute after his shot from the edge of the penalty area drew a brilliant save from Sanchez. The full-time score finished 1-1, a fair result. Chelsea earned a heroic point at home against all odds which sees them drop to 3rd on the table, only one point away from Manchester City in 2nd and six points away from Arsenal in 1st. Arsenal drop points again, but won’t be too bothered as they are still six points clear at the top of the table.

Written by Ollie Wade