Kickoff chronicles

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

The opening fixture of Matchweek 32 on Saturday afternoon saw Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City host Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium. Glasner’s side threw an early spanner in Pep’s plans when Eberechi Eze scored inside 10 minutes. Daniel Munoz played a sharp through ball down the right wing to Ismaila Sarr where the Senegalese international drilled the ball across the penalty area. With the Manchester City defenders left sleeping, Eze was able to run onto the end of Sarr’s pass at the back post and tap it in from a yard out. Palace then further silenced the Etihad when Chris Richards scored his 1st goal of the season. Adam Wharton whipped in Palace’s latest corner where the American centre half rose high to head the ball past City keeper Ederson. The Eagles then came centimetres away from making it 0-3 after Eze put the ball past Ederson again, only to be met by the assistant’s flag as he wheeled away in celebration. Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne then halved the deficit in the 33rd minute with a wonder goal. The Belgian had a free kick 25 yards away from Dean Henderson’s goal where he picked out the bottom left corner with perfection, Henderson a statue. Just three minutes later, City’s star winter signing Omar Marmoush completed the comeback. James McAtee crossed the ball in from the left wing where De Bruyne headed the ball back across goal to Ilkay Gundogan. Gundogan’s finish went horribly wrong, but it fortunately fell right to Marmoush who rifled the ball into the back of the net to grab his 6th Premier League goal. The half time score finished 2-2, the full time score when the two sides met earlier in the season at Selhurst Park.

Two minutes into the 2nd half, Manchester City completed the turnaround. Nico O’Reilly cut the ball back from the left wing where De Bruyne unselfishly knocked the ball behind him to Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian midfielder then fired a shot at goal, slipping in the process which helped his effort nestle into the bottom left corner. The Citizens then all but sealed the three points in the 56th minute when goalkeeper Ederson claimed his 7th assist in the Premier League, a ridiculously good stat for a keeper. The Brazilian played a ball over the Palace backline and into the path of McAtee who rounded Henderson before passing the ball into the vacant Palace net. The hosts made it 5-2 in the 79th minute when O’Reilly scored his first ever Premier League goal. McAtee crossed the ball in from the right wing where Richards temporarily cleared it. O’Reilly then met the clearance with a technically brilliant side footed volley into the bottom corner. The full time score finished 5-2, with Pep’s men dismantling one of the best defensive sides in the Premier League. Manchester City move into 4th on 55 points while Crystal Palace drop to 12th on 43 points.

Brighton Hove & Albion vs Leicester City

The following game of Matchweek 32 saw Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton host Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester at the Amex Stadium. Brighton won a penalty inside the opening half hour deservedly so after Simon Adingra’s goal bound effort was intentionally blocked by the arm of Leicester defender Conor Coady. Surprisingly, referee Darren Bond thought a yellow card and penalty was enough of a punishment for Coady as he was not sent off. Joao Pedro dispatched the penalty perfectly into the bottom left corner to give the hosts the lead. Leicester then shocked the Amex seven minutes later when Stephy Mavididi scored to tie the fixture. The Englishman received the ball down the left side of the penalty area from Bilal El Khannouss where his initial shot was blocked by Lewis Dunk. He then followed it up with a rocket of a strike from an acute angle, the ball deflecting off the arm of Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen and crossing the line. The half time score ended 1-1, with Brighton unlucky not to be ahead after Matt O’Riley saw his effort rattle the woodwork just before the interval.

Brighton had a huge chance to restore their lead only 10 minutes into the 2nd period after O’Riley was blatantly pulled to the ground by Luke Thomas, a clear spot kick. Pedro again converted from 12 yards, placing the ball into the top right corner to make it 2-1. Leicester then equalised for the second time in the afternoon, showing some rare courage and fight. El Khannouss whipped in a free kick from the right wing where centre half Caleb Okoli dove down low to head the ball past Verbruggen. The Foxes then came so close to claiming just their 2nd win of the year after El Khannouss saw his effort from inside the penalty area rattle the post and fire back into play in what would’ve been a deserved goal for the young man. The full time score finished 2-2, exactly the same scoreline when they met in Leicester in December, as Brighton remain 9th in the league on 48 points. Leicester are still relegation bound, despite a brilliant performance. They sit 19th on a woeful 18 points, 14 away from safety with just six games to play.

Nottingham Forest vs Everton

The next fixture of Matchweek 32 saw Nuno Espirito’s Nottingham Forest host David Moyes’ Everton at the City Ground. The Toffees surprised the hosts in the first half, venturing forward on multiple occasions and constantly looking dangerous. The best chance in the opening 45 minutes came in the 36th when Jack Harrison whipped in a cross from the right wing. Iliman Ndiaye then jumped up well to head the ball towards Forest keeper Matz Sels but it was a routine save for the Belgian shot stopper in the end. The first half finished scoreless, with Moyes’ side playing some positive football. 

Forest came out much better in the 2nd half, coming so close to scoring after the restart. Callum Hudson-Odoi had his effort from the left slide of the penalty area saved by Jordan Pickford before Chris Wood had a penalty appeal in the 61st minute after he was shoved by Jake O’Brien. Everton then found their way back into the game later on in the 2nd period, with Harrison coming within inches of giving the Toffees an advantage in the 75th minute after his spin and shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Sels. With just moments to play in added time, Forest centre half Murrilo was dispossessed by Dwight McNeil inside his own half, leaving his side very vulnerable. McNeil played an absolutely perfect through ball into the path of Abdoulaye Doucoure who smashed the ball into the top left corner, making a statement as to why Everton should renew his contract. The full time score finished 0-1 with Everton picking up a huge three points again under Moyes. They sit 14th on the table with 38 points while Forest drop points yet again as they sit in 3rd, only two points ahead of 4th placed Manchester City.

Southampton vs Aston Villa

The following game of Matchweek 32 saw Ivan Juric’s relegated Southampton host Unai Emery’s Champions League quarter finalists Aston Villa at St. Mary’s Stadium. Southampton surprisingly dominated the first half, with Cameron Archer and Paul Onuachu coming very close to scoring, Archer stopped by Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez while Onuachu was denied by the post. The half time score stood at 0-0 with Southampton frustrating Villa in the opening 45 minutes.

Villa came out much stronger in the 2nd period and found a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 68th minute after Ollie Watkins was clearly fouled by Jan Bednarek inside the Saints’ penalty area. Marco Asensio stepped up to take the spot kick, given his brilliant form, but his effort was denied with a spectacular save by Aaron Ramsdale, fighting until the end despite Southampton’s relegation. Only moments later, Villa did make it 0-1 after Youri Tielemans chipped the ball into the penalty area from the halfway line. Watkins then made his mark on the fixture, leaping towards the cross, kicking the ball over Ramsdale and watching it bounce over the line via the crossbar. Villa soon made it 0-2 after Morgan Rogers played a direct pass into the right side of the penalty area where Donyell Malen was located. Villa’s winter signing composed himself before drilling the ball into the bottom left corner to seal all three points for the Villains. Referee Thomas Bramall then awarded the travelling side their 2nd penalty of the game after Jack Stephens brought down John McGinn inside the Southampton 18-yard box. Asensio’s effort from the spot was yet again brilliantly saved by Ramsdale before McGinn was able to smash in the rebound. The full time score finished 0-3, with Ramsdale hung out to dry by his woeful defenders yet again. Southampton are still to surpass the worst ever Premier League team, Derby County 07/08, who finished with 11 compared to Juric’s current 10. Aston Villa pick up a needed three points as they move into the top five on 55 points.

Arsenal vs Brentford

The last game of Matchweek 32 played on Saturday evening saw Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Thomas Frank’s Brentford at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal made a positive start to the tie as they thought they’d scored the opener inside half an hour. Ethan Nwaneri whipped in a ball from the right wing where Kieran Tierney jumped to head the ball past Mark Flekken, only for VAR to rule out his goal just minutes later as he was in an offside position. Leandro Trossard drew a spectacular save from Flekken just before the interval, firing his effort at the bottom right corner where the keeper got down low to deny him. The half time score stood at 0-0 with Brentford frustrating the Gunners.

Arsenal made the perfect start to the 2nd period, scoring right on the hour mark. Ex-Brentford shot stopper, David Raya, caught the ball from a Bees corner, allowing him to throw the ball to Declan Rice and start a dangerous counter attack. Fresh of scoring two beautiful free kicks against Real Madrid mid-week, Rice drove through the Emirates turf before playing the ball to Thomas Partey on his right. Partey then smashed the ball into the roof of the net, giving Arsenal a deserved lead. Less than 15 minutes later, Brentford silenced the home fans when equalising the tie. Bryan Mbeumo played the ball into the right side of the penalty area where Michael Kayode had made a smart run. The Italian then chipped the ball over to the back post where centre half Nathan Collins headed the ball down for Yoane Wissa. Wissa then let the ball bounce in front of him before spinning around and smashing the ball past his old teammate, Raya, to score his 15th of the season. Brentford held out for the remaining minutes to claim a solid point away from home as the full time score finished 1-1. It is fair to say Arsenal have their minds set on the Champions League now, resting crucial players as they will hope to win again at the Bernabeu and advance to the semi-finals. Arsenal draw their 2nd game in a row as they remain 2nd on 63 points, 13 away from Liverpool if the Reds can beat West Ham. Brentford rise to 11th on 43 points as they hope to make a late surge for a European spot.

Chelsea vs Ipswich Town

The first game of Matchweek 32 to be played on Sunday afternoon saw Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea host Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea dominated the opening quarter of an hour, with Nicholas Jackson and Noni Madueke both rattling the woodwork with their efforts before Levi Colwill’s headed drew a brilliant save from Ipswich keeper Alex Palmer. In the 19th minute, Ipswich silenced the Bridge when Julio Enciso scored a shock goal. Ben Johnson made a brilliant run down the right wing before threading the ball through to the Brighton loanee. Enciso then lunged in to poke the ball into the bottom right corner, giving the Tractor Boys an advantage. Just 12 minutes later, the same duo for Ipswich combined to further dampen Chelsea’s top four aspirations. Enciso received the ball inside the Chelsea penalty area from Jack Clark where he chipped the ball over to the back post. Ben Johnson had made a brilliant run around full back Marc Cucurella where he rose superbly to head the ball into the far corner of Robert Sanchez’s net. The half time score finished 0-2 with McKenna’s side looking to complete a league double over Chelsea.

Maresca’s side made the best possible start to the 2nd period, scoring inside 30 seconds. Noni Madueke made a darting run down the right wing and into the penalty area where he drilled the ball across the 6-yard box. Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe was the unfortunate man to poke the ball into the back of his own net, coming at the cost of trying to hold off Cucurella who was there to pounce if Tuanzebe hadn’t interfered himself. The next half an hour was very even, with George Hirst coming so close to making it 1-3 before his teammate Conor Townsend made a brilliant last ditch interception to prevent Enzo Fernandez from scoring a tap-in for Chelsea. The Blues then finally equalised in the 79th minute, with Jadon Sancho scoring a goal he’d been craving for some time. He received the ball just inside the Ipswich penalty area after Cole Palmer decided to play Chelsea’s latest corner short. Sancho then took one look up before curling the ball perfectly into the top right corner. With Chelsea pushing for a 3rd, which would win them the game in stoppage time, Ipswich’s keeper Alex Palmer made two amazing saves, denying Chelsea’s Palmer from outside the penalty area before he threw a strong wrist at Fernandez’s effort to earn Ipswich a brilliant point away from home. The full time score finished 2-2, on paper a solid result for Ipswich, but unfortunately the damage has already been done as they still look destined for relegation. McKenna’s side sit 18th in the league on 21 points, 14 away from West Ham in 17th. Chelsea were unlucky not to come away with all three points in the end as they drop down to 6th on 54 points, only three shy of 3rd placed Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool vs West Ham United

The following game of Matchweek 32 saw Arne Slot’s Liverpool host Graham Potter’s West Ham United at Anfield. After a superior start to the game for the Reds, they found an inevitable opener in the 18th minute. Mohamed Salah made an electric run down the right wing before playing an absolutely superb ball across the West Ham penalty area with the outside of his boot. His pass was just in front of Diogo Jota but it was perfect for Luis Diaz who had snuck in behind at the West Ham back post and was free to tap the ball past Alphonse Areola. Liverpool dominated the opening half an hour but West Ham gave the league leaders something to think about in the minutes before the break. Carlos Soler forced a brilliant save from Alisson Becker before Konstantinos Mavropanos saw his header from James Ward-Prowse’s corner fly just over the bar with the last kick of the half. The score at the interval remained 1-0, with West Ham unlucky not to be on level terms. 

West Ham came out much better in the 2nd period, coming so close to scoring in the 67th minute after captain Jarrod Bowen saw his 1v1 effort brilliantly saved by Alisson. West Ham were dominating every aspect of the 2nd half and came inches away minutes later after Mohammed Kudus’s spin and shot was tipped wide of the post again by Alisson. Finally, in the 86th minute, West Ham found a deserved equaliser. Lucas Paqueta played a brilliant ball over the top to Aaron Wan-Bissaka where the full back took it down the wing before crossing the ball in. It looked like a routine clearance for Andy Robertson but Liverpool skipper, Virgil van Dijk, kicked the ball into Robertson as it fired into the bottom left corner, a terrible goal to concede. It didn’t take long for Van Dijk to make up for his error though, scoring three minutes later. It was a very controversial goal yet again against the Hammers, with Lucas Paqueta clearly fouled by Alexis Mac Allister before Liverpool won a corner. Mac Allister then crossed in the set piece, with Van Dijk rising high to head the ball past Areola. Moments after conceding a very controversial Liverpool goal, the Hammers rattled the crossbar, coming so close to equalising the game again, after Max Kilman’s lofted ball into the penalty area was headed onto the bar by West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug. The full time score finished 2-1, with West Ham’s best performance of the season overshadowed by another appalling call by the officials in favour of a ‘big’ club. The Hammers drop to 17th on 35 points despite a superb performance away from home. Liverpool are yet again aided by the officials as they claim a very fortunate three points which sees them move 13 points clear of Arsenal and they remain top of the table on 76 points.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur

The following fixture of Matchweek 32 saw Vitor Pereira’s Wolves host Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs at the Molineux Stadium. Tottenham yet again made a woeful start to another Premier League fixture, conceding inside 90 seconds. Jean-Ricer Bellegarde’s initial free kick delivery into the Tottenham penalty area was punched away from danger by keeper Guglielmo Vicario, only for Rayan Ait-Nouri to smash the ball back at the Italian’s goal, watching as it bounced off the Molineux turf before finding the bottom right corner. Both sides then had huge chances to make it 2-0 and 1-1 respectively before Wolves scored their 2nd just before the interval. Ait-Nouri chipped the ball into the penalty area where Marshall Munetsi did well to get a header on target. Vicario then jumped out of his goal to punch the ball away from Wolves striker Jorgan Strand Larsen, only for the ball to fire off his teammate Djed Spence and into the bottom corner. The score at half time stood at 2-0 with Tottenham staring down the barrel of back-to-back defeats at the Molineux.

Tottenham made an unconvincing start to the 2nd period, coming close to going down 3-0 before halving the deficit and making it 2-1 in the 59th minute. Brennan Johnson played a ball across the Wolves penalty area where defender Nelson Semendo failed to clear his cross, allowing Mathys Tel to score a tap-in, the Frenchman’s 2nd goal in as many games. It only took Wolves five minutes to reassert their dominance, pouncing off yet another Tottenham defensive error. Christian Romero received the ball just outside his own penalty area where he was lazy, taking multiple poor touches and allowing Ait-Nouri to pick his pocket and advance into the 18-yard box. The Algerian then played the ball across the penalty area to Strand Larsen who was unmarked and free to score his 12th goal of the season. With just five minutes to play in normal time, Spurs halved the deficit again from a Lucas Bergvall corner. His delivery floated all the way over to the back post where Ben Davies headed the ball back into the danger area allowing Romero to get his head on the ball. Romero’s effort rattled the crossbar but substitute Richarlison was free to nod the ball into the back of the net and make it 3-2. Seconds after Tottenham had dragged their way back into the game, Wolves sealed all three points after Bergvall was dispossessed by the returning Mathues Cunha, leaving Spurs in a vulnerable position. Davies was then unsuccessful in tackling the Brazilian, allowing him to run through into the penalty area before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner to score his 14th of the season. The full time score finished 4-2, with Wolves extending their brilliant run of form to five games unbeaten, four wins in that period. Pereira’s side move into 16th on 35 points, 14 clear of the drop zone. Tottenham drop to 15th on 37 points, although it’s fair to say all of their attention is on the Europa League as they hope to claim a big win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the coming week to reach the semi-finals.

Newcastle United vs Manchester United

The final game played on Sunday evening in Matchweek 32 saw Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United host Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United at St. James’ Park. Newcastle did find the back of the net inside 60 seconds after Jacob Murphy crossed the ball into Joelinton who tapped it past Altay Bayindir but it was quite clearly offside as the score remained 0-0. Newcastle eventually found the lead in the 24th minute after Harvey Barnes played a direct ball into the feet of Alexander Isak outside the penalty area. The striker then showed great skill to flick the ball over himself and the Manchester United defence, a great ball into the path of Sandro Tonali. Tonali was then left with the easy task of smashing the ball into the bottom right corner to score his 3rd Premier League goal of the season. After a brilliant first half performance from Newcastle, Manchester United silenced St. James’ just before the interval. Diogo Dalot made a surging run through the middle of the pitch, with Joshua Zirkzee to his left and Alejandro Garnacho to his right. Dalot opted to play the ball to Garnacho in the right side of the Newcastle penalty area who took one touch before prodding the ball into the bottom left corner to score a much needed goal in his season. The half time score stood at 1-1, with the Red Devils scoring a crucial goal in the final minutes of the half.

Only four minutes into the 2nd period, Newcastle restored their lead. Tino Livramento showed great skill to dribble down the left wing before drilling the ball across the United penalty area. It looked like his cross was about to run out of play but Murphy showed great hunger when he was able to sprint to the ball and play it back across goal. The travelling side’s defense then fell asleep as Barnes was able to run in and tap the ball into the back of the net. Barnes then made it two goals in 15 minutes as he chased down Noussair Mazraoui outside the United penalty area. His efforts were rewarded when Mazraoui slipped, allowing Barnes to intercept the ball and cut through the two remaining Manchester United centre backs. The Englishman then smashed the ball into the top right corner to make it 3-1. Newcastle then wrapped up all three points in the 77th minute when Bruno Guimaraes popped up with a captains contribution. United keeper, Bayindir, played a terrible pass out from his penalty area, attempting to find Christain Eriksen, only for Joelinton to intercept his pass and head it straight to Guimaraes. The Brazilian then slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 4-1. The full time score finished 4-1, with Newcaslte claiming a huge three points at home which sees them move into the top four on 56 points. After securing a trophy already this season, Howe’s goal will now be to finish in the top five to play Champions League football for the 2nd time in three seasons. Manchester United lose their 14th game of the season as they sit 14th in the league on 38 points. Their focus will be fully set on the Europa League quarter finals as well, which could provide them a lifeline entry into the Champions League if they can go on to win it.

AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham

The final game of Matchweek 32 played on Monday night saw Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth host Marco Silva’s Fulham at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth made a rapid start to the fixture, scoring their 3rd fastest Premier League goal after just 53 seconds. Young Cherries talent, Alex Scott, intercepted the ball outside his own penalty area where he drove up the pitch through the Fulham midfield. He then played a sloppy pass over to Antoine Semenyo down the right wing which looked like an easy interception for Fulham captain Antonee Robinson. Fortunately for Semenyo, Robinson slipped, allowing the Ghanaian to pick the ball up, cut into the Fulham penalty area, and slot it into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0. The hosts then should’ve made it 2-0 15 minutes later after Milos Kerkez whipped the ball in from the left wing. Scott then headed the ball back into the danger area where Bournemouth striker Evanilson saw his first time effort rattle the underside of the crossbar and fire back into play. Bournemouth dominated the majority of the first half and probably should’ve gone into the break up by more but Fulham reminded them moments before the break that they were still within touching distance of the Cherries. A defensive miscommunication between centre halves Dean Huijsen and Marcos Senensi saw Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz steal the ball from the two, leaving him one-on-one with Bournemouth keeper, Kepa. Despite being in such a rich fade of form, Muniz fluffed his lines and scraped the ball wide of the bottom left corner with a horrid strike. The half time score finished 1-0 with both sides needing the three points for their European aspirations.

The 2nd half saw much less chances then the first, with Bournemouth continuing their domination but failing to find the back of the net again, forcing some solid saves from the Cottagers’ keeper, Bernd Leno. Fulham’s big chance in the 2nd period fell to danger man Alex Iwobi, whose shot from outside the area was acrobatically parried away by Kepa who was keen to keep yet another clean sheet. The full time score finished 1-0, with Iraola’s side ending a six game winless run, seeing them jump above Fulham in the league on goal difference, 8th on 48 points. After beating league leaders Liverpool in a thriller at the Cottage last week 3-2, this was quite a disappointing performance from Silva’s men which sees them drop to 9th on the table, level on points with Bournemouth in 8th and Brighton in 10th.

Written by Ollie Wade