Kickoff chronicles

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

The 32nd match of this thrilling Premier League campaign kicked off in the capital with Crystal Palace hosting current holders, Manchester City. Crystal Palace shocked the world in the opening 4 minutes when they found an opener. Adam Wharton released Jean Phillipe-Mateta down the right wing where he progressed into the area, and placed his shot into the bottom left corner. This only fired the champions up as they equalised just 5 minutes later. Kevin De Bruyne received the ball in the left side of the area and curled a shot beautifully into the top right corner. Both teams shared huge chances to go ahead before the interval but neither were taken and it was all square at half time. It didn’t take long for City to go ahead in the second period when Rico Lewis volleyed in a cross from Jack Grealish on the left side of the area. They soon doubled their advantage in the 66th minute when Erling Haaland buried De Bruyne’s poke across the area to take his Premier League season tally up to 19. 4 minutes later, De Bruyne made it a brace for himself and scored his 100th goal in a Manchester City kit. Grealish played the ball into the box for Rodri to lay up for the Belgian. He sliced it with the outside of his boot, watching it curl into the near corner. Palace didn’t back away, scoring in the 86th minute but with not enough time to spark a comeback. Jeffrey Schlupp crossed the ball in from the left wing which Odsonne Edouard poked in with his outstretched toe. The game ended 2-4 with Man.City returning back to the top of the table with Arsenal’s game later on in the day. Palace stay 14th.

Aston Villa vs Brentford

The second game of the match week was staged at Villa Park with Unai Emery’s Villa taking on Thomas Frank’s Bees. It took them a while but Aston Villa eventually found the lead in the 38th minute. John McGin crossed in a ball from the right wing which the in form Ollie Watkins headed at the bottom corner. His effort was saved by Mark Flekken into the post where Leon Bailey tapped in the rebound. It was later found out Watkins’ effort had crossed the line and it goes towards his rising season tally. The half ended 1-0 with the home side dominating. Villa soon found a second when Morgan Rogers scored in the first minute of the second period. Youri Tielemans found him just outside the box with a good through ball where Rogers turned brilliantly and powered the ball into the near side netting. Brentford found a way back into the game 13 minutes later when an unlikely source of goals in Zanka found the back of the net. Mikkel Damsgaard drilled the ball across the area which Zanka swung at but missed. Instead the ball hit his planted foot, finding the bottom corner somehow. The Bees pounced on this opportunity and found an equaliser 2 minutes later. Sergio Reguilon crossed a ball into the box from the left wing into Bryan Mbuemo. Mbuemo jumped high and stuck out his leg, volleying the ball into the side netting and squaring the game. The travelling side then completed a miraculous 9 minute turn-around when Yoanne Wissa tapped the ball in from point blank range after Reguilon played another perfect ball across the area. Watkins rescued a point for the Villians in the 80th minute when he jumped high to head home Bailey’s deflected cross. After the full 90 minutes, the score was 3-3 with Aston Villa missing out on a huge chance to tighten their grip on 4th place. Brentford also could have done with the full 3 points as they sit in 16th, only 4 points clear of the drop.

Everton vs Burnley

The third game of the weekend was played at Goodison Park with Everton hosting Burnley in a battle at the bottom of the table. The first half was fairly quiet but just before the break, Everton were gifted an opener. Dominic Calvert-Lewin went to press Burnley keeper, Arijanet Muric. Muric was slow on the ball and panicked, clearing it into the calf of Calvert-Lewin, and watching as it bobbled into the Burnley goal. The half ended 1-0 with Sean Dyche needing his team to hold onto all points if they were to stay up this season. The early exchanges of the second period were dominated by the Toffees but they failed to punish another Burnley mistake which could have potentially wrapped up the game for them. It went from bad to worse for Burnley when Dara O’Shea was shown red. He lost the ball in a vulnerable position in his own half and when Dwight McNeil went to take it around him and progress into the box uncontested, he brought him down. Everton saw out the rest of the game with no real struggle but the home support would have liked to see them knock in one more, making it a more convincing win. The 1-0 result sees the Toffees climb to 15th in the table and Burnley stay in 19th, now 6 points away from safety after Luton’s home win.

Fulham vs Newcastle

The next game played on Saturday afternoon was at Craven Cottage with Fulham hosting Newcastle in the capital. Fulham dominated the opening half hour but failed to find the final touch in the Newcastle 18 yard area that would have put them ahead. Thanks to Anthony Gordon, Newcastle found a way back into the tie with lots of positive movement and chances created sparking from the young Englishman. Ultimately, the half ended 0-0 but both teams had opportunities to have gone ahead. It always looked like a game that would be decided by only one goal and in the 81st minute, that goal was found. Newcastle thought they had scored 7 minutes prior when Fabian Schar smashed in from close range but it was soon ruled out for a foul on Calvin Bassey which prevented him from coming out and potentially blocking Schar’s effort. The winner eventually came when Harvey Barnes’ cross from the left wing was cleared out to the edge of the 18 yard area, only as far as Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian thundered a volley at Fulham keeper, Bernd Leno, watching the unstoppable shot bounce and find the back of the net, winning the game for the Magpies. The 0-1 results sees Newcastle stay in 8th, but a game in hand over European qualification rivals West Ham. Fulham stayed 13th, missing out on a chance to climb higher in the table.

Luton vs Bournemouth

The next game of the weekend was played at Kenilworth Road with Luton Town hosting Bournemouth. The last clash between these two was an all time Premier League classic with the Cherries coming back from 0-3 down at half time to win 4-3. Bournemouth dominated the opening 45 minutes, hitting the outright a number of times. The half ended 0-0 but the away support would have been more positive the way their side was playing. Their hopes were justified in the 7th minute of the second period when Marcus Tavernier put the Cherries in front. Justin Kluivert played the ball to him just outside the area. Tavernier ran up to it and thundered his strike into the bottom far corner. Luton drew level 21 minutes later through Jordan Clark. Clark dribbled into the area, played a 1-2 with Luke Berry who was fouled but Clark played on and scored, smashing Berry’s pass into the bottom right corner. It looked as though the game would finish level but Carlton Morris had other ideas. In the 90th minute, Cauley Woodrow crossed a ball from the left wing, deep into the Cherries 6 yard area for Morris to side foot into the back of the net. By doing so, he picked up a vital three points for the Haters, with the 2-1 win still leaving them in 18th, but now level points with Nottingham Forest. Bournemouth lost all points but they still sit in a comfortable position of 12th.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs West Ham United

The next game played on the Saturday afternoon was at the Molineux Stadium with Wolves hosting West Ham United. A win here was crucial for both sides as the two sides looked for a European qualification spot. Wolves made the most of West Ham’s defensive style of play, winning a penalty on the half hour mark when Emerson brought down Wolves midfielder Rayan Ait-Nouri. Pablo Sarabia stepped up to take it and dispatched it nicely, watching it hit the inside of the post and roll into the bottom corner. West Ham had no response and the two teams went into the interval with Wolves ahead by one goal to nil. Emerson thought he had redeemed himself from the first half when he scored early on in the second period, but it was ruled out as when he ran into head in the cross from Ben Johnson, he was said to have fouled Nelson Semedo as he was running in. The Italian was soon given another chance to make amends for his error when his cross from the right wing hit the hand of Max Kilman, winning the Hammers a penalty. Lucas Paqueta stepped up to take it and didn’t disappoint, stuttering his run up and watching his penalty roll down the side netting. After watching two brilliantly placed penalties decide the tie so far, another set piece was to come next in this game. West Ham won a corner and up to take it was James Ward-Prowse, one of the best if not the best set-piece individuals in the Premier League. His inswinging corner caught the blistering wind in the Midlands which curled over Wolves keeper Jose Sa and into the far corner. It was a bizarre goal but ultimately a deserved one as West Ham had dominated the second half. There was yet more action and drama to follow as Wolves won a corner in the last seconds of the game. Kilman headed it in and thought he had earned Wolves a point. VAR looked closer and found that Tawanda Chirewa was blocking West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski’s view and the goal was chalked off. West Ham held out for the last few seconds and won the game 1-2, picking up a crucial 3 points in the process. The officials and players left the pitch to the boos of the home crowd who thought they had scored a late equaliser. The result sees the Hammers retain their 7th place after Newcastle won their tie earlier. Wolves miss out on a huge chance to climb to 9th, so they stay in 10th, keeping in mind Chelsea are yet to play.

Brighton vs Arsenal

The last game on Saturday was played at the AMEX Stadium with Brighton hosting Arsenal. After a dominant start from the Gunners, they were rewarded with a penalty when Gabriel Jesus was chopped down by Tariq Lamptey inside Brighton’s area. Bukayo Saka stepped up to take it and scored, placing it into the bottom left corner. The half ended 0-1 with Brighton’s only positive player Julio Enciso who came close to scoring at the end of the half. Arsenal doubled their advantage early on in the second period when Jorginho’s cut back from the right side of Brighton’s penalty area was nicely tucked away by German Kai Havertz. The Gunners ended the tie in a strong fashion when they punished Brighton’s high defensive line. Havertz played a ball through the middle to ex Seagull, Leandro Trossard. The Belgian was uncontested and had all the time in the world to dribble into the area and score against his former employer. The game finished 0-3, taking Arsenal to the top of the table again. Brighton dropped down further in the table, now in 10th, missing out on a chance to pick up more points in the race for a European qualification spot.

Manchester United vs Liverpool

The first Premier League game played on Sunday afternoon was arguably the biggest fixture in world football; Manchester United vs Liverpool at Old Trafford. United thought they had opened the scoring after just 90 seconds when Alejandro Garnacho was played through the Liverpool defence by Bruno Fernades. He then rounded Liverpool keeper Coaimhin Kelleher and passed the ball into the net only to look over and see the assistant referee’s flag raised. Liverpool were the first to go ahead in the highly anticipated game when they won a corner. Andy Robertson’s corner found the head of Darwin Nunez who flicked it onto the back post. Waiting unmarked was Luis Diaz who smashed his shot past United keeper Andre Onana. His effort was helped by the fact that he slipped when he made contact, firing it into the back of the net. The half ended 0-1 with Manchester United registering zero attempts and therefore zero shots. It didn’t take long for the hosts to find a way back into the game when Bruno Fernades found a goal from nothing. The Portuguese international pounced on a lazy back pass from Jarell Quansah. He still had a lot to do as he was almost on the half way line. Fernades looked up and lobbied Kelleher, tying the game at 1-1. The home side then completed the comeback when Kobbie Manioo scored his second ever Premier League goal. Aaron Wan-Bissaka cut the ball back to Mainoo who was just inside the area. The 18 year old turned and curled his effort beautifully into the top right corner, continuing his brilliant 23/24 campaign. Liverpool found a lifeline in the 81st minute when 2nd half substitute Harvey Elliot won the Reds a penalty after being fouled by Wan-Bissaka inside the area. Mohamed Salah stepped up and confidently tucked his penalty into the bottom left corner. The game finished 2-2 with Liverpool missing out on an extensive opportunity to go 2 points ahead of Arsenal on the top of the table. Instead they sit 2nd behind the Gunners on goal difference. Manchester United still stay 6th but are unable to really climb further up the table as a result of dropping points in weeks prior.

Sheffield United vs Chelsea

The second game played on Sunday afternoon was staged at Bramall Lane with rock bottom Sheffield United taking on 10th placed Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino’s side got off to an ideal start when veteran Thiago Silva volleyed in Conor Gallagher’s corner into the bottom left corner inside 10 minutes. The hosts reacted well to Chelsea’s early opener and dominated for the rest of the half. They found their first in the 32nd minute when Gustavo Hamer played an outstanding pass through the Chelsea defence to Jayden Bogle in the right area of the Chelsea area. It was a tight angle but he drilled it straight at Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic who was unable to deal with it and the ball found its way into the back of the net. The half ended 1-1 with the game fully in the balance. Chelsea found their second 20 minutes into the second period when Cole Palmer passed it to Noni Madueke who was just outside the Sheffield United penalty area. He dribbled into the area and cut back, smashing the ball with his left foot, watching it soar into the roof of the net. The Blades left it late but they eventually found a 2nd equaliser in the 3rd minute of stoppage time. Cameron Archer headed a ball back into the box that had been cleared by the Chelsea defence. Oliver McBurnie was the first to it and poked the ball into the bottom left corner winning a point for United. The game finished 2-2 with McBurnie rescuing it late for the Blades. It still leaves them with a mountain to climb with only 7 games left to play and 9 points away from safety but it gives them some hope. It only gets worse for Chelsea who now sit 9th missing out on a chance to add some more points to their depressing tally. 

Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest

The final game of Premier League match week 32 was played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Spurs hosting Nuno’s Nottingham Forest. Tottenham found their first in the 16th minute when Timo Werner’s ball in from the left side of the area was met by the foot of Forest centre back Murillo who was trying to clear it. It was an odd first half from the Brazilian as 5 minutes prior he almost scored from inside his own half. His error was erased and the game was tied 12 minutes later when the in form New Zealander, Chris Wood, made it 4 games in a row that he’d scored in. Anthony Elenga cut it back from the right side of the area to Wood who placed it past Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario and made it 1-1. The half ended all square with Nuno hopeful his team could take something away from the game in the fight for Premier League status. Spurs found their second 7 minutes into the second period when Hueng Min-Son laid it out to Micky Van de Ven who was placed just inside the Forest area. The Belgian centre back put his laces through it and watched it rocket into the top left corner. Tottenham had almost wrapped up the 3 points when they scored just 6 minutes after their second. Rodrigo Bentancur flicked a header from a cross from the right wing over to the back post. Lurking unmarked was Tottenham full back, Pedro Porro who lashed the ball past Forest keeper Matz Sels and into the roof of the net. It was a defensive delight for Spurs as their backline were to score the two crucial goals to get them all 3 points and see out the game in the final half hour. It ended 3-1 with the hosts picking up a huge win in the fight for top 4. They now sit 4th level on points with Villa but a game in hand. Forest however still sit 17th, but with Luton beating Bournemouth the day prior, they now sit level on points.

Written by Ollie Wade

Note: Everton have been deducted a further 2 points for breaching the PSR once again. Forest’s points deduction is also currently under appeal.