Kickoff chronicles

Saturday, 31st of January

The three opening 3pm kickoffs played on Saturday afternoon saw Fabian Huzeler’s Brighton host David Moyes’ Everton at the Amex Stadium, Daniel Farke’s Leeds united host Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at Elland Road and Rob Edwards’ Wolverhampton Wanderers host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at the Molineux Stadium.

The first action came at Elland Road after Noni Madueke whipped in a cross from the right wing in the 27th minute. Martin Zubimendi then rose highest to head the ball into the roof of Leeds’ keeper Karl Darlow’s net, making amends for his error against United last week.

Over in the Midlands, Bournemouth took the lead against Wolves in sublime fashion. Alex Scott made a driving run through the Wolves midfield before playing the ball to Amine Adli. Fresh off scoring the winner against Liverpool last week, Adli flicked the ball into the path of top scorer Eli Kroupi where the young striker took a touch on the edge of the area before thrashing the ball into the top left corner on the half-volley with a wicked strike.

Back at Elland Road, Arsenal doubled their lead in the 38th minute. Madueke whipped in an inswinging corner from the right flag where his cross actually curled all the way into the top right corner, with a crowd of Arsenal and Leeds bodies halting Darlow from coming out to claim the cross as he was only able to parry it into his own net once the ball had crossed the line.

Arsenal kept on top of Leeds and wrapped up all three points in the 69th minute after Gabriel Martinelli whipped the ball in from the right wing. Striker Viktor Gyokeres was then able to get ahead of defender Jayden Bogle to poke Martinelli’s cross past Darlow to end his mini Premier League goal-drought.

Down in the South of England, Brighton finally opened the scoring at the Amex in the 72nd minute. Yasin Ayari drilled the ball across the Everton penalty area where striker Charalampos Kostoulas very intelligently stepped over the ball, leaving it on a plate for Pascal Gross. Gross met Ayari’s pass with a brilliant first-time finish into the bottom left corner, the Brighton legend’s first goal since returning to the club recently from Borussia Dortmund.

The Gunners then made it 0-4 in the 86th minute against Leeds after Martin Odegaard fired the ball into the feet of Gabriel Jesus inside the Leeds penalty area. Jesus brilliantly spun around Pascal Struijk before taking a couple of touches with his body towards goal and firing it into the bottom right corner, easily the best of the bunch.

Back at the Molineux, Bournemouth wrapped up all three points with a 2nd goal despite Wolves dominating the 2nd half. New signing and Brazilian wonderkid, Rayan, showed brilliant play down the left wing before cutting the ball back from the bi-line perfectly to Scott. From a couple of yards out, Scott smashed the ball past Jose Sa to seal a crucial win for the Cherries.

The 3pm action and drama was not quite finished, with Everton equalising at the Amex with the last kick of the game. Jake O’Brien’s volley from inside the penalty area was temporarily saved by Bart Verbruggen, with the ball bouncing off him and perfectly into the path of Everton striker Beto. Beto was quicker to react than the Brighton defenders, scrambling the ball over the line to snatch a point at the death.

Brighton versus Everton finished 1-1, a draw a fair result. Brighton drop to 13th on 31 points after conceding with the last kick of the game yet again. Everton move into 9th on 34 points after a good result away from home.

Leeds United versus Arsenal finished 0-4, with Arsenal putting out a statement victory away, applying the pressure back onto Man.City as they sit 1st on 53 points, seven clear at the top. Leeds will be frustrated about the manner of their loss but not the result overall as they remain 16th, still six points clear of the drop.

Wolves versus Bournemouth finished 0-2, with Wolves losing back-to-back games after a good start to the year, still sitting 20th on eight points, with their relegation all but confirmed. Bournemouth won their 3rd game in four as they continue a good run of form. The Cherries sit 12th on the table with 33 points.

Just a couple of hours later, Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea hosted Nuno Espirito’s West Ham at Stamford Bridge in what was shaping up to be an exciting London Derby. Just seven minutes into the game, 18th placed West Ham took a shock lead. Aaron Wan-Bissaka played the ball to skipper Jarrod Bowen down the right wing where the Englishman cut the ball back onto his left foot before curling a cross into the penalty area. To the surprise of Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, neither a Chelsea or West Ham player made any contact on the cross as it nestled into the bottom left corner, Bowen’s 8th of the season as he continued his individual form. West Ham were solid in the first half and scored another in the 36th minute with Wan-Bissaka claiming his 2nd assist after cutting the ball back from the right bi-line. The ball fell perfectly to Crysencio Summerville on the edge of the area where the Dutchman fired the ball into the top right corner with a crisp strike, his fourth in as many games as he is finally starting to look like a top player in Claret and Blue. The half-time score stood at 0-2 with Chelsea walking off to boos from their own fans.

Chelsea came out much better for the 2nd half and halved the deficit in the 57th minute. Wesley Fofana whipped a cross in from the right wing where Joao Pedro rose highest at the back post to head the ball past Alphonse Areola, making it 1-2. Chelsea then tied the game in the 70th minute after Malo Gusto headed the ball right across the West Ham 6-yard box. His header was actually going in, with Max Kilman heading the ball onto the crossbar and off the line, only for Marc Cucurella to dive and head the ball over the line to make it 2-2. Chelsea were by far the better side in the 2nd half and completed a brilliant 2nd half turnaround in the 2nd minute of stoppage time. Pedro cut the ball from the right side of the West Ham penalty area into a more central position where Chelsea skipper Enzo Fernandez smashed the ball into the back of Areola’s goal, a captain’s contribution. Just before the full-time whistle, there was a big fight after West Ham new signing Adama Traore threw Cucurella to the ground, with Jean-Clair Todibo sent off after it all cooled down for throwing his hands around the neck of Pedro. The final score finished 3-2, with Chelsea completing a brilliant comeback against one of their biggest rivals and making it five wins in six under Rosenior. The Blues move into 5th on 40 points. West Ham once again drop points from a winning position as they remain 18th on 20 points, five away from safety with Forest yet to play.

The late night game and final match played on Saturday saw Arne Slot’s Liverpool host Edddie Howe’s Newcastle at Anfield. Despite Liverpool’s dominant start to the game, the Magpies took the lead totally against the run of play in the 36th minute. Anthony Gordon received the ball in the right side of the Liverpool penalty area from Harvey Barnes where the ex-Everton lad cut back onto his left boot before smashing the ball into the far left corner. Liverpool only took a couple of minutes to come up with a response though after Florian Wirtz took the ball through the Newcastle defence and to the bi-line. The German cut the ball back to striker Hugo Ekitike where the big Frenchman poked the ball past Nick Pope for 1-1. Just two minutes later, Liverpool completed the turnaround on the brink of half-time after Milos Kerkez played a brilliant through ball to Ekitike down the left wing. Ekitike looked to be waiting for more support but opted to go alone, progressing into the Newcastle penalty area with a quick burst of pace before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner with a brilliant finish using the outside of his right boot, his 10th of the season. The half-time score stood at 2-1, with Ekitike’s brace completing the comeback.

The Reds all but sealed the win in the 67th minute after Wirtz drove at the Newcastle defence. He played the ball to Mohamed Salah down the right wing before receiving it back from the Egyptian on the edge of the box. The German then met the ball with a clean strike, watching as his effort rolled effortlessly into the bottom left corner, a nice finish. Liverpool added a fourth to their tally late on after Pope failed to punch Wirtz’s corner away. Ibrahima Konate was present to tap the ball over the line and score an emotional goal for the Reds having lost his father just days before. The full-time score finished 4-1, with Liverpool finally putting an end to their winless run, moving into 6th on 39 points. Newcastle lose back-to-back games as they drop to 10th on 33 points.

Sunday the 1st of February

The three 2pm games played on Sunday afternoon in Matchweek 24 saw Unai Emery’s Aston Villa host Keith Andrews’ Brentford at Villa Park, Michael Carrick’s Manchester United host Marco Silva’s Fulham at Old Trafford as well as Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest host Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace at the City Ground.

The first action on the 2pm kickoffs came at the City Ground in the 5th minute where Nottingham Forest took the lead against Crystal Palace. An Ola Aina long throw wasn’t cleared properly by the Palace defenders, with Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White taking the ball on his chest before poking it into the bottom left corner.

Over at Old Trafford, Manchester United took the lead in the 19th minute from a free kick on the bi-line. Skipper Bruno Fernandes floated in a cross where United’s senior midfielder, Casemiro, headed the ball into the top right corner leaving Fulham keeper Bernd Leno with no chance. 

Over in the Midlands, there was a huge series of actions in the Brentford versus Villa match. Kevin Schade was tackled by Matty Cash, with both players going to the ground before Schade unnecessarily lashed out and kicked Cash while he was still on the floor. It was a blatant red card and easy decision for referee Tim Robinson.

Back at the City Ground, Forest were also reduced to 10-men after Nico Williams made a brilliant save, leaping to his right to claw Jefferson Lerma’s header out of the top corner. Unfortunately for Forest, Williams is a full-back and not a goalkeeper as he was given his marching order and Palace were given a penalty. Ismaila Sarr stepped up and slotted the ball down the middle of Sels’ goal.

Despite being down to 10-men, Brentford took the lead from Villa in 1st half stoppage time. Kristoffer Ajer played a brilliant ball over the Villa backline to winger Dango Ouattara. Ouattara initially tried to play the ball across the penalty area and to striker Igor Thiago but his pass was blocked by defender Pau Torres. Fortunately, the ball fell back to Ouattara who rifled the ball into the top left corner with a wicked strike from a near impossible angle.

Back in Manchester, United had a two-goal cushion after Casemiro turned from goal-scorer to provider, playing a brilliant through ball to his Brazilian international teammate Matheus Cunha in the right side of the Fulham penalty area. Cunha took a touch before thrashing the ball into the top right corner with a strike of pure force, his 2nd in as many weeks. With less than 10 minutes to go, Fulham were gifted a lifeline after United defender Harry Maguire hacked down Cottagers’ striker Raul Jimenez in the penalty area. Jimenez stepped up to take the penalty and showed his composure, perfectly slotting the ball into the top left corner, a world class spot kick. Late in stoppage time, Fulham looked to have snatched a point at the death after Cottagers’ winger Kevin finally opened his Premier League account. The Brazilian played a swift 1-2 with Ryan Sessegnon in the left side of the Manchester United penalty area before beautifully curling the ball into the top right corner, easily the goal of the matchweek. Unfortunately for Fulham, United were a different team under Carrick and stole the lead back almost instantly after Kevin’s worldie. Fernandes brilliantly turned Calvin Bassey down the right wing before drilling the ball into the penalty area to substitute striker Benjamin Sesko. Sesko took a touch with his back to goal before rifling it into the top right corner with a sublime strike and a worthy match winner.

The full-time score in the Aston Villa versus Brentford game finished 0-1, with Brentford successfully holding out in the 2nd half to make it back-to-back wins against the Villains thanks to an Ouattara goal. Brentford move into 7th on 36 points while Villa remain 3rd on 46 points, now seven away from 1st placed Arsenal. 

Manchester United versus Fulham finished 3-2, with Carrick making it three league wins in a row against three top Premier League clubs as United move into 4th on 41 points. Fulham drop to 8th on 34 points after conceding late on.

Nottingham Forest versus Crystal Palace finished 1-1, with Palace failing to take advantage of Forest being down to 10-men in the 2nd half. Forest claim a solid point at home as they move six points clear of 18th placed West Ham. They sit 17th on 26 points while Palace sit 15th on 29.

The late kick-off on Sunday evening in Matchweek 24 saw Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Tottenham made a dreadful start to the game and it was just all too easy for Manchester City who opened the scoring after just 10 minutes. Erling Haaland laid the ball off to Rayan Cherki on the edge of the area. Cherki then waltzed into the 18-yard box uncontested before neatly striking the ball into the bottom left corner, a nice goal from Cherki but horrible defending from Tottenham Hotspur. City were dominating and had a 2nd goal just before the interval. Rodri played a direct ball into the path of Bernardo Silva in the right side of the Spurs’ penalty area. Silva then poked the ball across to Antoine Semenyo in a more central area who thrashed the ball into the top left corner to score his 4th goal for the club despite having been at City for less than a month. The half-time score stood at 0-2, with the Spurs players walking off to boos from their own fans.

Tottenham made a much better start to the 2nd half and had the ball in the back of the City net just eight minutes after the restart. Dominic Solanke managed to get on to the end of Xavi Simons’ brilliant through ball in the City penalty area while strongly fending off the challenge from Abdukodir Khusanov. Solanke’s next touch was quite heavy, allowing Marc Guehi to intercept the ball and get his foot in the road. The controversy then came as Solanke kicked Guehi’s foot into the ball, resulting in an own goal and what the City fans thought was a clear foul. VAR missed the foul as they were only checking for offside and the goal was given. With 20 minutes still to play, Tottenham completed the comeback after Solanke scored his first of the game. Conor Gallagher intercepted the ball down the right wing before whipping a cross in. It was a bit behind Solanke, with the English striker throwing out a hopeful leg at the cross. He made perfect contact, with the ball looping over Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the top left corner, a wonderful scorpion kick goal. Both sides could have won the game but in the end it finished 2-2, with the draw a fair result. City drop points in the title race as they remain 2nd on 47 points, six away from Arsenal. Tottenham remain 14th on 29 points but will be able to build much confidence on a solid performance and comeback at home.

Monday the 2nd of February

The curtain draw of Matchweek 24, played on Monday night, saw Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland host Scott Parker’s Burnley at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland were keen to keep their unbeaten record at home in-tact and made the perfect start in doing so, scoring in the opening 10 minutes. Habib Diarra played a brilliant one-two with striker Brian Brobbey, receiving the ball in the Burnley penalty area. His eventual strike caught a big deflection off defender Axel Tuanzebe, wrongfooting Martin Dubravka and bobbling over the line, a clear Tuanzebe own goal. Diarra was up for the game given his recent absences due to injuries and AFCON and finally scored his first ever Premier League goal for Sunderland in the 32nd minute. Nordi Mukiele whipped the ball in from the right wing where it fell kindly for Diarra. The club record signing then thrashed the ball at Dubraka first time, with the keeper unable to react to his piledriver of a shot as he could only parry it further into his own net. The half-time score stood at 2-0, with Burnley needing a miracle in the 2nd half if they were to claim a much needed win.

After yet another dominant start to the 2nd half, Sunderland wrapped up all three points in the 72nd minute after Chemsdine Talbi received the ball down the left wing from Reinildo before driving into a more central area. On the edge of the box, Talbi then decided to crack a shot, watching as his effort curled beautifully into the top right corner, most definitely the best of the bunch. The full-time score finished 3-0, with Sunderland continuing their brilliant home form (the only club in the Premier League this season who remain unbeaten at home) as they move into 8th on 36 points. Relegation is looking more and more certain for Burnley every week as they are months without a win and sitting 19th on 15 points, nine away from safety.

Written by Ollie Wade