Kickoff chronicles

Saturday 24th of January

The Premier League action on Saturday afternoon started in the capital with Nuno Espirito’s West Ham United hosting Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland at the London Stadium. It was a must win for West Ham as they were sitting five points away from safety and they would be looking to capitalise on their back-to-back wins. The Hammers made a perfect start to the game after skipper Jarrod Bowen made a bursting run down the right wing before chipping the ball into the penalty area. Fellow winger and smallest man on the pitch, Crysencio Summerville, rose high in the box to head Bowen’s cross past Robin Roefs, an amazing header to score his 3rd goal in as many games. Just 14 minutes later, the Hammers doubled their advantage after Ollie Scarles made a darting run into the penalty area. He was too quick for Sunderland defender Tray Hume, drawing the foul and winning a penalty. Bowen stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot kick, slotting it into the bottom right corner. It was West Ham’s best start to the game all season and minutes before half-time, they made it three. The ball popped out to Mateus Fernandes who was 30-yards away from goal where the 21-year-old lined up a shot. Fernandes rifled the ball into the top left corner with a wonder strike, definitely a goal of the season contender, to all but seal the three points. The half-time score finished 3-0, just the 3rd game all season that West Ham had led at home on the break.

West Ham definitely took their foot of the accelerator in the 2nd half and Sunderland were able to capitalise on it in the 66th minute and score a consolation. Nori Mukiele whipped the ball in from the right wing where Brian Brobbey jumped up to head the ball past Alphonse Areola, punishing West Ham’s poor marking and stripping them of what would have been just their 2nd clean sheet all season. The hosts were defensively resilient for the final 20 minutes, with the full-time score finishing 3-1. West Ham remained 18th on 20 points, although they finally look like a decent Premier League side under Nuno as they go hunting his old side Nottingham Forest in 17th. Sunderland dropped to 10th on 33 points after one of the worst performances of the season.

The 3pm kickoffs on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League saw Scott Parker’s Burnley host Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor, Marco Silva’s Fulham host Fabian Huzeler’s Brighton at Craven Cottage and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City host Rob Edwards’ Wolves at the Etihad Stadium.

The first action of the 3pm games saw Manchester City take the lead against 20th placed Wolves in the 6th minute. Omar Marmoush, who had been overlooked most of the season, finally opened his Premier League account for City this campaign after prodding Matheus Nunes’ cross in from close range. It was a dream start for City who were hoping to turn around their horrid league form, drawing three and losing one in their last four.

Back in the capital, Brighton took the lead against Fulham just before the hour mark after Yasin Ayari picked the ball up on the left wing. He progressed into the Fulham penalty area before thrashing the ball into the top left corner with a wicked strike, although keeper Benrd Leno should have kept it out having made contact with the shot.

Over at Turf Moor, Spurs took the lead in the 38th minute after a dominant start. A Tottenham corner caused confusion in the Burnley penalty area where the ball was only cleared as far as centre half Micky van de Ven on the edge of the area. Van de Ven, arguably Spurs’ best player this season, then hit the ball on the half volley, slipping as he made contact which actually helped the ball nestle into the bottom right corner and past Martin Dubravka who had been unstoppable so far. Just on the brink of half-time, Burnley equalised after a peach of a cross from Kyle Walker on the right wing. Centre half Axel Tuanzebe was potent in the box and lunged in to place Walker’s wicked ball into the bottom right corner, a deserved goal. 

Back in Manchester, City doubled their lead with virtually the last kick of the half. Bernardo Silva fired the ball into the feet of new signing Antoine Semenyo where the Ghanaian took a touch into a more central area before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner of Jose Sa’s net, his first Premier League goal for the Citizens and 11th this season.

Back over in the capital, Fulham finally scored a deserved equaliser in the 72nd minute to make it 1-1. Joachim Andersen played a wonderful ball over the top of the Brighton defence and into the path of Samuel Chukwueze who was through on goal. The Nigerian, who was returning from AFCON, cut the ball back before slotting the ball into the far left corner with a neat finish and perfect way to announce his return.

Just minutes later in the Burnley versus Tottenham game, the Clarets completed the turnaround after Jaidon Anthony played the ball into Lyle Foster inside the penalty area in what was a brilliant Burnley move. Foster’s initial effort was saved by Guglielmo Vicario but the ball fell straight back to him, with the South African making no mistake with his 2nd effort, slotting it into an uncontested net. Unfortunately for the hosts, they were unable to claim their first win since October after Spurs equalised with the last action in normal time. Ex-Burnley winger and current Tottenham player, Wilson Odebert, whipped the ball in from the left wing where Christian Romero flew in to head the ball past Dubravka, his 3rd goal in as many games as Tottenham’s centre halves seem to be the only good thing going for them at the moment.

Over in Craven Cottage, it looked like it was going to finish all square until the last action of the game, young Fulham star, Joshua King, won a free kick from 25 yards out. Fulham’s player of the season so far, Harry Wilson, then stepped up to take the free kick, curling it beautifully into the top left corner to win all three points for the Cottagers out of absolutely nothing.

Burnley versus Tottenham finished 2-2, with Burnley dropping points at the death but still gaining a solid point as they remain 19th on 15 points, 10 away from safety. Tottenham saved themselves from embarrassment in the end but it will still be seen as a poor result by their fans as they sit 14th on 28 points.

Fulham versus Brighton finished 2-1, with Wilson’s last minute screamer taking Fulham into 7th on the table with 34 points. Brighton dropped to 12th on 30 points after a below par second half.

Manchester City verss Wolves finished 2-0, with City finally putting an end to their poor run of form, taking them into 2nd on the table on 46 points, just four away from 1st placed Arsenal. Wolves’ unbeaten start to 2026 finally comes to an end as they remain 20th on eight points, 17 away from safety.

The final game played on Saturday in Matchweek 23 on Saturday evening saw Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth host Arne Slot’s Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth made a brilliant start to the tie, opening the scoring in the 26th minute. Marcos Senesi played a long ball over the top to Alex Scott inside the Liverpool penalty area where captain Virgil van Dijk seemed to have given up as it looked like the ball was out of play. Fortunately for the Cherries, it was still in and Scott hooked it back to striker Evanilson who smashed it past Alissson for 1-0. Just seven minutes later, Bournemouth made it 2-0 after James Hill played a wicked through ball to Alex Jimenez in the right side of the Liverpool penalty area. The full back brilliantly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner for his 1st ever Premier League goal. Liverpool were much better in the closing stages of the 1st half and scored a deserved goal in the 45th minute to half the deficit. Van Dijk made amends for his error for the first Bournemouth goal, rising highest to head Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner into the far right of Djordje Petrovic’s net. The half-time score stood at 2-1, with Slot hoping his side could make a comeback in the 2nd half which would see them move back into the top four of the Premier League.

After a 2nd half of frustration, the Reds finally equalised the game in the 80th minute. After winning a free kick on the edge of the area, Mohamed Salah intelligently flicked the ball to Szoboszlai, giving him a much better angle and allowing him to fire the ball into the bottom right corner with a wonderful strike. Just as Liverpool thought they’d won a point at the death, Bournemouth stole back the lead with the last kick of the game. Hill launched in a long throw  which Liverpool failed to clear it before Amine Adli struck the post. Fortunately for the Cherries, the ball bounced back to Adli who slotted the ball into the far left corner, a brilliant finish to win the game for the hosts. The full-time score finished 3-2, with Bournemouth moving up to 13th on 30 points as they have finally turned their poor form around. Liverpool’s poor form only continues though as they drop into 6th on 36 points, winless in five.

Sunday 25th of January

The three 2pm kickoffs played on Sunday afternoon saw Keith Andrews’ Brentford host Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest at the Gtech Stadium, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace host Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea at Selhurst Park and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle host Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at St.James’ Park.

The first action of the 2pm games came at the Gtech Stadium in West London where Nottingham Forest took a crucial lead against Brentford. Ola Aina chipped the ball in from the right wing in the 12th minute where Brazilian striker Igor Jesus did well to fend off Nathan Collins and chest the cross down. Jesus hit the ball on the spin, with Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher shocked that his defenders let Jesus get a shot away, his effort flying past him and into the bottom left corner.

Up North, Villa then took the lead against Newcastle thanks to a worldie from Emiliano Buendia. Villa had been dominating and found a deserved opener in the 19th minute from a brilliant team move, with Morgan Rogers playing the ball to Buendia right outside the Magpies’ penalty area. The Argentine took a couple of touches before rifling the ball into the top left corner, yet another Villa goal from outside the box this season.

Over on the other side of West London, Chelsea took the lead against Crystal Palace. Jaydee Canvot played a horrible pass back to fellow defender Tyrick Mitchell on the halfway line, allowing young Chelsea star Estevao to intercept his pass and run through on goal. The Brazilian still had a lot to do but made it look simple, driving with pace and purpose into the Palace penalty area before drilling the ball past Dean Henderson with a crisp finish.

Just five minutes into the 2nd half at Selhurst Park, Chelsea doubled their advantage after Estevao played a brilliant first time ball over the Palace defence and into the path of striker Joao Pedro down the right wing. Pedro drove with the ball to the bi-line before chopping back onto his left foot and smashing the ball through the legs of Henderson and into the back of the Palace net. The Blues then sealed all three points with a crucial third in the 64th minute after Pedro’s close range goal-bound effort was blocked by the hand of Canvot, a clear penalty. Enzo Fernandez stepped up to take the spot kick and drilled the ball into the bottom right corner. Less than 10 minutes later, Palace were reduced to 10 after Adam Wharton was shown red for two yellow cards in quick succession, the young Englishman clearly frustrated.

Back at the Gtech, Forest wrapped up a crucial three points after scoring a 2nd goal. Substitute striker Taiwo Awonyi showed brilliant play down the right wing, breezing his way past Brentford centre half Sepp van de Berg before progressing into the penalty area. From an almost impossible angle, he thrashed the ball past Kelleher to make it 2-0 and seal the win. 

Over at Selhurst Park, Palace scored a late consolation in the 88th minute, despite being down to 10 men, to make it 3-1 after Chris Richards headed the ball home from close range from a scrappy corner.

Up North, Villa also made it 0-2 against their opponents, with Ollie Watkins scoring in the 88th minute to seal a huge three points for the Midlands side. Lucas Digne whipped a cross in from the left wing, with the ball flying across the face of Nick Pope’s goal before Watkins met Digne’s cross with a bullet header, capitalising on Newcastle’s poor marking. 

Brentford versus Nottingham Forest finished 0-2, with Forest claiming a huge three points away from home, the perfect response to West Ham’s win as they remain 17th, five points clear of the Hammers again. Brentford miss out on the chance to move back into the European spots as they sit 8th on 33 points.

Crystal Palace versus Chelsea finished 1-3, with Palace continuing their horrid run of form while Rosenior continued his brilliant start as Chelsea manager with four wins in his first five games. Palace drop to 15th on 28 points while Chelsea move into 5th on 37 points.

Newcastle versus Aston Villa finished 0-2, meaning all the 2pm kickoffs resulted in away wins. Newcastle continue their inconsistency as they drop to 9th on 33 points. Villa apply the pressure back onto Arsenal as they remain 3rd, only four points adrift of the Gunners.

The late kickoff on Sunday in Matchweek 23 was the most anticipated game of the week, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal taking on Michael Carrick’s Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. After a dominant start to the game by the Gunners, they took a deserved lead in the 29th minute. Bukayo Saka chipped the ball in from the right wing to skipper Martin Odegaard where he drilled Saka’s cross at the United goal. His effort actually took a deflection off the boot of Lisandro Martiez before being diverted by Senne Lammens, an unfortunate own goal for the defender. Less than 10 minutes after Arsenal’s opener, United equalised the game after Martin Zubimendi played a horrible pass back to his keeper David Raya, with Bryan Mbeumo intercepting the ball with ease. Mbeumo rounded Raya and slotted the ball into an empty net making it two goals in as many games since his return from AFCON. The score at half-time stood at 1-1, with Arsenal at threat of going winless three games in a row in the league.

Just five minutes into the 2nd half, United snatched the lead and completed the turnaround thanks to a wonder goal from temporary left winger, Patrick Dorgu. Dorgu cut in from the left, playing two return passes with captain Bruno Fernandes before receiving the ball back on the bounce just outside the Arsenal penalty area. Dorgu controlled the ball before unleashing a wicked strike, watching his effort crash into the crossbar and fizz over the goal line, his 2nd goal in as many weeks as he continues to shine under Carrick. Just as it looked like United might have held on for a 1-2 win, Arsenal equalised thanks to another corner, meaning four of their last five league goals against the Red Devils have been from a set piece. Saka whipped the ball in from the right flag where United failed to clear it before substitute Mikel Merino was present and ready to tap the ball over the line. The game just continued to grow in drama and minutes after Arsenal’s leveller, United had the lead again with not long left to play. Kobbie Mainoo poked the ball through the Arsenal midfield to substitute Matheus Cunha, leaving the Red Devils with a 3v3. Cunha had options to either side of him but decided to go alone, taking a couple of touches before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner with a crisp and clean strike, a worthy winner. Arsenal failed to conjure up another late equaliser with the full-time score finishing 2-3, a Premier League classic. Arsenal drop points once again and finally lose their first home game, completely opening up the Premier League title race. They remain 1st on 50 points, although Man.City and Villa are only four adrift. United made consecutive wins against 1st and 2nd in the table as they continued their brilliant form under Carrick. They moved into 4th on 38 points. 

Monday 26th of January

The sole game played on Monday night in Matchweek 23 and curtain draw for the weekend saw David Moyes’ Everton host Daniel Farke’s Leeds United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. To the disappointment of the home fans, Leeds were by far the better side in the opening half an hour and scored a deserved goal in the 29th minute after Anton Stach drilled the ball in from the right wing. Ex-Everton striker and current Leeds bagsman, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, was unable to make any contact with the cross, with the ball fizzing over to the back post where left back James Justin had made a late run in. Justin was under pressure from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford but still managed to beat him to the ball, drilling it into the Everton goal. The half-time score finished 0-1, with Moyes’ side putting out a lackluster display in the first half.

The Blues were much better in the 2nd half and had Leeds on the backfoot straight from the off. Just 15 minutes after Thierno Barry had his trivela effort brilliantly saved by Karl Darlow, the Frenchman left his calling card in the 76th minute with his 5th goal this season. Much like Leeds’ goal veteran and now AFCON Champion with Sengegal, Idrissa Gueye, drilled the ball into the penalty area from the right wing. Barry was alert and beat Sebastiaan Bornauw to the ball before smashing it into the roof of Darlow’s net. Gueye came so close just moments later to winning the game for Everton after his long range effort hit the crossbar, with that being the final action of the game. It finished all square at 1-1, with a draw a fair result. Everton remain in the top half of the table, 10th on 33 points, while Leeds pick up a solid point on the road, still leaving them in 16th, now on 26 points and six points clear of the drop.

Written By Ollie Wade