Kickoff chronicles

Chelsea vs Everton

The opening game in Matchweek 16 on Saturday afternoon saw Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea host David Moyes’ Everton at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea winless in their last four games in all competitions. Despite Everton making a positive start to the game, Chelsea snatched the lead in the 21st minute through their superstar, Cole Palmer, returning from injury. Malo Gusto threaded the ball through to Palmer inside the Everton penalty area where Palmer thrashed the ball into the bottom right corner, a dream start to his first appearance at the Bridge since his injury. The hosts then had a huge chance to double their lead through Alejandro Garnacho who intercepted a shocking backpass from Charly Alcaraz. Garnacho rounded keeper Jordan Pickford, doing all the hard work before shooting wide of the Everton goal. The Blues finally found their second after Pedro Neto made a bursting run down the right wing with only stoppage time left to play. Neto cut the ball back to makeshift defensive midfielder Malo Gusto who poked the ball home from close range, a much needed dominant 1st half performance by the hosts as they went into half-time with a 2-0 lead.

Both sides had big chances in the 2nd half, with Jack Grealish forcing a save from Robert Sanchez after his close range header before Reece James’ free kick from 25-yards out was tipped over the bar by Pickford to keep the Toffees in the game. Everton had another huge chance to half the deficit in the 86th minute after Iliman Ndiaye’s shot from close range hit the inside of the post and bounced away from danger. The full-time score finished 2-0, with Everton missing out on the opportunity to stay ahead of Chelsea in the table. The Toffees drop all the way down to 8th on 24 points while Chelsea moved into 4th on 28 points.

Liverpool vs Brighton Hove & Albion

The following game on Saturday afternoon in Matchweek 16 saw Arne Slot’s Liverpool host Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton at Anfield, with Slot hoping his side could build on a brilliant away win at Inter Milan midweek. Liverpool made an electric start to the tie, scoring inside 45 seconds. Yankuba Minteh’s poor clearance fell right to Joe Gomez on the edge of the Brighton area where the full back headed the ball into the path of Hugo Ekitike. The Frenchman took a touch before thrashing the ball into the roof of the net with a devastating volley, the quickest goal of the Premier League this season. Brighton had a huge chance in the 14th minute after Minteh threaded a brilliant through ball to Diego Gomez where the Paraguayan’s effort was saved by Alisson. Mohammed Salah was substituted on after J.Gomez’s injury despite all the midweek controversy about his playing time. Regardless, the Egyptian made an instant impact, going on a brilliant run and playing the ball through to Alexis Mac Allister where the Argentine was unable to make any convincing contact as Bart Verburggen was able to claim the ball. The half-time score stood at 1-0 with Liverpool hoping to extend their unbeaten run to five games.

Brighton should have tied the game in the 51st minute after Mats Wieffer played a wicked ball across the Liverpool 6-yard box in search of D.Gomez. At full stretch, Gomez put the ball wide from a yard out missing what was a huge opportunity for the Seagulls. The hosts all but wrapped up the win just after the hour mark when Salah won his side a corner after his ambitious effort was parried wide by Verbruggen. Salah whipped the ball over to the back post from the right flag where Ekitike was unmarked, rising high to head the ball into the back of the net to secure his brace, his 7th of the league season and 4th in the last two games. Brighton had more chances but were terrible in front of goal which ultimately cost them a result at Anfield. The full-time score finished 2-0, with Liverpool claiming a much needed home win which takes them up to 6th on the table with 26 points. Brighton drop to 9th on 23 points after a poor away performance.

Burnley vs Fulham

The following game in Matchweek 16 saw Scott Parker’s Burnley host Marco Silva’s Fulham at Turf Moor, with Burnley in dire need of a win after a six-game loss streak. Unfortunately for the hosts, Fulham took a deserved lead in the 9th minute from a Harry Wilson corner. Arguably Fulham’s player of the season so far, Wilson noticed that the Burnley defence had switched off for the set piece and he drilled the ball right across the 6-yard box to Emile Smith Rowe who had made an intelligent run. Smith Rowe tapped the ball home from close range to score his 4th goal of the season. Moments after his shot was saved by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno, Burnley’s Lesley Ugochukwu received the ball inside the area from Josh Cullen. Ugochukwu placed the ball into the bottom left corner to tie the game and notch his 3rd of the season. Fulham wrestled back their lead just 10 minutes later in the 31st minute after Antonee Robinson brilliantly spotted  Harry Wilson in the left side of the Burnley penalty area where Wilson met his pass with an equally brillant. The Welshman looped the ball back into the danger area where Fulham centre half Calvin Bassey jumped up high to nod the ball past Martin Dubravka, his 1st of the season. The half-time score stood at 1-2, with Fulham hoping to get back to their winning ways.

The Cottagers made the perfect start to the 2nd half, scoring 13 minutes after the restart to all but wrap up the three points. Samuel Chukwueze played a brilliant ball across the penalty area to Wilson on Fulham’s latest counter attack. Wilson took a touch before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner with a wonderful finish, continuing his brilliant start to the campaign. Fulham defended well at 1-3 but with just minutes left to play, Burnley scored again to give the Cottagers something to think about. Quilindschy Hartman whipped the ball in from the left wing where his cross fell kindly into the feet of Oliver Sonne. The substitute then slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to score his first goal since his injury and give Burnley something to fight for in the final minutes. Unfortunately for the hosts, Fulham defended resiliently and the full-time score finished 2-3. Fulham held out for a strong three points away from home as they move into 13th on 20 points. Burnley lose their 7th consecutive game as they remain 19th on the table with just 10 points.

Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The final game played on Saturday evening in Matchweek 16 saw Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Rob Edwards’ Wolves at the Emirates, with Arsenal needing a win after they lost to title rivals Aston Villa last week. It was fair to say the first half was quite boring, with the best chance of the half falling the Gunners’ way in the 36th minute. Bukayo Saka fizzed the ball across the penalty area from the left wing where it travelled all the way over to the back post. It fell into the path of Gabriel Martinelli at the back post where the Brazilian’s effort was heroically blocked by Wolves defender Matt Doherty. The half-time score remained 0-0, with Wolves looking to cause a major upset to Arsenal’s title dreams while also securing a first point since Matchweek 7.

Arsenal were once again dominant in the 2nd half but lacked in the final 3rd. Martinelli had another huge chance in the 56th minute after he did well to beat Doherty down the left side of the penalty area before firing his shot across the face of goal from close range. After over an hour of Arsenal frustration, the Gunners finally took the lead in the 70th minute after a very lucky goal. Saka whipped in Arsenal’s latest corner from the right flag where Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone did well to tip Saka’s cross onto the post. Johnstone was unlucky, with the ball ricocheting off the post and into his back, crossing the line for a Johnstone own goal. With just minutes left to play in normal time, Wolves started to play some good football and scored a huge and deserved goal in the 90th minute. Teenager Mateus Mane crossed the ball into fellow substitute Tolu Arokodare who brilliantly glanced the ball past David Raya with a perfect header, his first ever Premier League goal. Unfortunately for Wolves, Arsenal knew they absolutely had to claim all three points to stay at the peak of the table, and retained their lead almost instantly. Saka, Arsenal’s player of the match, whipped the ball in from the right wing in search of Gabriel Jesus, who was making his first league appearance since January after a cruciate ligament tear. Jesus jumped up to contest Saka’s cross with Wolves’ defender Yerson Mosquera, but the Wolves defender did all the work for the striker, heading the ball past his own keeper Johnstone in what was a horror own goal, costing Wolves a crucial point on the road. The full-time score finished 2-1, with Arsenal grinding out an ugly but needed three points at home. The Gunners’ sit 1st on 35 points, five points clear of City although they are yet to play. It is once again heartbreak for Wolves as they remain winless and 20th with just two points. Edwards will hope this result will give his players and fans some hope and positivity though as they were so close to taking something away from the league leaders.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

The first game played on Sunday afternoon saw Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at Selhurst Park, with City hoping to close the gap on Arsenal again with another win. Palace had a huge chance early on after Jeremy Pino was played in on goal by Adam Wharton . Unfortunately for the hosts, Pino fluffed his lines and thrashed the ball onto the crossbar, a big opportunity missed early on for the Eagles. City slowly started to find their way into the game and finally broke the deadlock in the 41st minute after Matheus Nunes crossed the ball in from the right wing. Erling Haaland was backpedaling at the far post but was still able to rise up high and head the ball into the bottom right corner for his 16th goal of the season. The half-time score stood at 0-1, with Palace needing a much better 2nd half performance if they were to stay in the top four.

The hosts came so close to equalising just minutes after the restart when Wharton’s powerful effort from outside the penalty area rattled onto the post, with City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma thankful to see his shot bounce away from danger. City all but sealed the win in the 67th minute after Rayan Cherki made a bursting run through the middle of the pitch and into the Palace final 3rd, creating plenty of space. He played the ball to Phil Foden on the edge of the area where Foden took a touch before drilling the ball into the bottom right corner, a lovely finish and his sixth goal in just four Premier League games. Palace were pushing in the final 10 minutes in hope to score a goal that might see them come back, but in going for a potential goal, they left themselves vulnerable. A ball came out from the City penalty area where it looked like Palace would pick the ball back up and reapply the pressure back onto City. Unfortunately for the Eagles, Pino and Tyrick Mitchell seemed to miscommunicate and Savinho intercepted the ball and sprinted from his own half into the Palace penalty area. The Brazilian winger was then brought down by keeper Dean Henderson in the penalty area, resulting in an obvious spot-kick. Haaland stepped up to take the penalty and slotted it into the bottom right corner to wrap up another win for the Citizens and score his 17th of the season. The full-time score finished 0-3, with City making it four wins on the bounce as they stay 2nd on the table on 34 points, two behind Arsenal. Palace lose a rare home game as they drop to 5th on the table with 26 points.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

The following game in Matchweek 16 saw Sean Dyche’s Forest host Thomas Frank’s Spurs at the City Ground, with Dyche needing a win to take Forest away from the bottom three while Frank needed a win to keep his job. Despite their league position, Forest made a quick start to the game and almost scored twice in succession in the 5th minute. Ibrahima Sangare’s initial header rattled onto the woodwork before Neco Williams’ volley on the follow up was parried wide by Spurs’ keeper Guglielmo Vicario. Forest scored a deserved goal in the 27th minute, although it came from an array of Spurs’ errors. Vicario played a hospital ball to midfielder Archie Gray on the edge of his own penalty area, where the young player’s touch was poor, allowing Sangare to intercept him. The Ivory Coast international was then unselfish, poking the ball across the penalty area to Callum Hudson-Odoi who tapped the ball in from close range to make it 1-0. The score at half-time finished 1-0, with Tottenham once again putting in a lackluster performance. 

The travelling side made another horror start to the 2nd half, conceding five minutes after the restart. Hudson-Odoi whipped the ball in from the left wing, in search of striker Igor Jesus, where his cross actually found the top right corner of the Spurs goal, with the home fans in the City Ground erupting in celebration while the away side was left stunned. Forest were just too strong for Tottenham in the 2nd half and wrapped up all three points in the 79th minute after Hudson-Odoi cut in from the left wing again. This time, Hudson-Odoi opted not to shoot or cross and poked the ball out to Sangare on the edge of the penalty area. Sangare, who had already assisted Hudson-Odoi twice, scored a deserved goal, rifling the ball into the top right corner with a wicked strike, easily the goal of the afternoon. The full-time score finished 3-0, with Forest putting on a brilliant performance at home which sees them move into 16th place on 18 points, now five clear of the relegation zone. Tottenham drop into 12th on 22 points, missing out on a huge chance to move into the top five in the Premier League as Frank’s time is surely up.

Sunderland vs Newcastle United

The next game in Matchweek 16 was the most anticipated of the week and the season so far, with Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland hosting Eddie Howe’s Newcastle at the Stadium of Light, the first league Tyneside Derby since 2016, with a win so important for either side. The 1st half was very cagey, with both sides knowing the sheer importance of a result today and also understanding what it truly means to their respective supporters. There were no real chances in the first 45 minutes although there were tackles flying in from both sets of players, with referee Peter Banks left with a tough job. The half-time score stood at 0-0, with the game yet to really open up.

Sunderland made an electric start to the 2nd period and sent the Stadium of Light into celebration, scoring less than 60 seconds after the restart. Nordi Mukiele received the ball down the right wing from Granit Xhaka where he whipped the ball into the penalty area. Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade, who had been so good for the Magpies this season, then made arguably the worst mistake of his career, heading the ball into the back of his own net despite no Sunderland players around him. It was a horror own goal, and one that will live long in the memory of Woltemade as well as the Sunderland fans who were ecstatic with his interference. Newcastle had a couple of half chances afterwards through their skipper Bruno Guimaraes, although both were long range efforts that were easily claimed by Black Cat’s keeper Robin Roefs. New signing Yoanne Wissa finally made his first appearance for Newcastle after signing from Brentford in the summer. Wissa came close to scoring after he slid in to try to knock in Jacob Murphy’s deflected cross. Unfortunately for the Magpies, Wissa was denied a dream debut goal by Roefs who was able to claim his effort. The full-time score finished 1-0, with Sunderland comfortably holding onto the win in the end, their biggest win all season against their fiercest rivals. Sunderland just keep getting better and better as the season progresses, they now sit 7th on 26 points as they aspire for European football. Just as it looked like Newcastle had turned a corner, they have now lost their biggest game of the season and it was all their own doing in the own goal. The only way the Newcastle players will be able to redeem themselves to their fans after such a terrible performance is to go out and win the reverse fixture in March as well as win the majority of the games in between. Newcastle drop to 12th on 22 points.

West Ham United vs Aston Villa

The following fixture in Matchweek 16 saw Nuno Espirito’s West Ham host Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at the London Stadium, with West Ham unbeaten in five of their last six games while Villa had won nine out of their last 10 league games. West Ham made a rapid start to the game, scoring inside 30 seconds. West Ham pressed the Villa defence straight from kick-off and it paid off as Mateus Fernandes dispossessed Ezri Konsa inside his own penalty area. Fernandes could have played the ball to his captain Jarrod Bowen but went alone, thrashing the ball into the top right corner to give the Hammers a priceless lead against the title contenders. Villa had been coming back from behind all season and it only took them eight minutes against West Ham to tie the game. John McGinn whipped the ball in from the right wing in search of striker Ollie Watkins. Watkins was unable to make contact with the Scotsman’s cross, but the ball deflected off the head of West Ham centre half Konstantinos Mavropanos and into the back of his own net, a very unlucky own goal. It was a crazy start to the game from both sides and in the 23rd minute, West Ham snatched back their lead. El Hadji Malick Diouf whipped the ball in from the left wing where Konsa headed the ball out only as far as West Ham academy graduate Freddie Potts. Potts met the ball with a powerful first time volley, with Bowen sticking out a foot to divert his cross past Villa keeper Marco Bizot and into the back of the Villa net. The score at half-time stood at 2-1, with West Ham hoping for a 3rd win in four games at home.

Villa made yet another comeback in the 2nd half, scoring just five minutes after the restart. Youri Tielemans crossed the ball in from the right wing where Morgan Rogers was allowed time to control the ball down before smashing it into the bottom left corner to make it 2-2. The next 20 minutes was very even with Bowen scoring for West Ham, only for it to be ruled out by the assistant referee for offside, before Villa also had some chances saved by West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola. Villa were too strong for the Hammers in the end and completed the turnaround in the 79th minute thanks to another Rogers goal. The Englishman received the ball from Victor Lindelof in a central area where he drove to the West Ham penalty area. Rogers fired the ball into the top right corner of Areola’s goal with a wonderful strike, a brilliant goal to all but seal the win for Villa. The full-time score finished 2-3, with West Ham once again blowing a lead. They remain 18th on 13 points, now three away from safety although there were once again positives to take away. Villa make it 10 wins in their last 11 league games as they remain 3rd on the table with 33 points, just three away from Arsenal.

Brentford vs Leeds United

The final game played in Matchweek 16 on Sunday afternoon saw Keith Andrews’s Brentford host Daniel Farke’s Leeds at the Gtech Stadium in what was a huge relegation six-pointer. Leeds made a positive start to the game, with Noah Okafor coming so close to scoring in the 22nd minute. The Swiss international drove down the left wing before drilling a shot at Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s near post, forcing a brilliant save from the Irishman. Moments after having a penalty overturned, Brentford also had a big opportunity, with Keane Lewis-Potter drawing a solid save from Lucas Perri after his powerful effort from inside the penalty area. The half-time score stood at 0-0, with both sides capable of taking all three points. 

The 2nd half was very tight, with very little opportunities as it looked like both sides would be relatively happy with a point. With just 20 minutes left to play, Brentford finally broke the deadlock after Rico Henry fired the ball in from the left wing. Henry’s cross was deflected kindly into the path of Jordon Henderson who fired the ball into the bottom left corner, his first goal for the Bees. Henderson’s goal really opened the game up and Leeds equalised just 12 minutes later. Willy Gnonto whipped the ball in from the right wing in search of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin where the striker brilliantly jumped up to head the ball into the far left of Kelleher’s net, his 4th goal in as many games as he is looking back to his best under Farke. Both sides had chances to win the game late on, Ethan Ampadu (Leeds) and Dango Ouattara (Brentford) missing chances for their respective sides, with the full-time score finishing 1-1. It was a fair result, with Leeds moving three points clear of the relegation zone on 16 points despite dropping into 17th while Brentford sit 14th on 20 points, relatively safe from the drop zone.

Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth

The final game of Matchweek 16, played on Monday night, saw Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at Old Trafford, with United hoping for a win which could see them move into top five while Bournemouth were hoping to put an end to their six game winless run. United made a brilliant start to the game, opening the scoring inside 13 minutes. Diogo Dalot whipped the ball in from the left wing where Matheus Cunha leapt up to attempt to head his cross past Bournemouth keeper Djordje Petrovic. Cunha failed to make contact with the ball though, as fortunately it deflected off Petrovic and into the path of Amad Diallo who headed the ball in from a yard out. United were the better side in the first half, but just before the break, Bournemouth equalised totally against the run of play. Antoine Semenyo received the ball from Adam Smith where he drove with pace and determination down the right wing. The Ghanaian then cut into the United penalty area before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner, a brilliant finish to tie the game. United hit back almost instantly, scoring with virtually the last kick of the half to restore their lead. Skipper Bruno Fernandes whipped the ball in from the left flag where Casemiro jumped up high at the back post to head the ball towards the Bournemouth goal. The ball bounced off the turf, making it tough for Petrovic to save as it sprung through his grasp and into the back of the net. The half-time score finished 2-1, with United walking into the break with positive roars and cheers from their fans in Old Trafford, a huge difference from the usual boos.

Bournemouth made an absolutely electric start in the 2nd period, equalising yet again, just 38 seconds after the break. Marcus Tavernier picked the ball up just outside the United penalty area and threaded the ball through to striker Evanilson. The Brazilian striker took a great touch on his right boot before burying the ball into the far bottom corner with a brilliant strike on his left. Just six minutes later, Bournemouth led the game for the first time, continuing a crazy Monday night fixture. Tavernier made a driving run into the Red Devils’ final 3rd before he was chopped down right on the edge of the area by Casemiro. Tavernier won the free kick and took it, brilliantly slotting the ball through the wall and into the bottom left corner of Senne Lammens’ goal. Bournemouth held the lead for 25 minutes but in the 77th minute, United pegged the Cherries back with a free kick of their own. It was unfairly given, with Fernandes kicking the ball into Smith’s shoulder, with referee Simon Hooper awarding the free kick from 25 yards believing the ball hit Smith’s arm. Fernandes stepped up to take the set piece and, like a true captain, superbly curled the ball into the top right corner to drag his team back into the game. Just over 2 minutes later, United led for the third time on the night after substitute striker Benjamin Sesko drove down the left wing on a United counter attack before playing the ball across the penalty area. The ball was not properly cleared by Bournemouth and fell perfectly into the path of Cunha who smashed the ball past Petrovic from close range to make it 4-3. Five minutes later, Bournemouth showed great character once again after equalising for the 3rd time. Alex Jimenez drove through the middle of the pitch before poking the ball through to substitute striker Eli Kroupi inside the United penalty area. Kroupi took a touch before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner for 4-4, another goal in a thrilling Premier League tie. Bournemouth could have gone on to take three points in the end, with David Brooks forcing two huge saves from Lammens in stoppage time. The full-time score finished 4-4, yet another amazing ad for the drama and excitement of the Premier League. United once again show how good they can be in an attacking sense, but also how vulnerable they are defensively. They miss out on the chance to move into the top five as they sit 6th on 26 points. Bournemouth fail to win for the 7th game in a row as they sit 13th on 21 points.

Written by Ollie Wade