Kickoff chronicles

Newcastle vs Tottenham Hotspur

The 33rd week of this enthralling Premier League season kicked off at St. James Park with Newcastle hosting Spurs. The travelling Tottenham fans have horrid memories of this ground, going down 5-0 after just 20 minutes in the previous season and the result ending 6-1. Spurs got off to a decent start in the opening 10 minutes, creating opportunities only for Timo Werner to miss them. Newcastle soon found an unexpected lead when Anthony Gordon received the ball deep into the Spurs half from Bruno Guimaraes. He saw the run of Swede, Alexander Isak and timed his pass to perfection. Isak sat down Micky Van de Ven, and smashed his finish into the far side, putting the Magpies in front. 90 seconds later, the hosts doubled their advantage after an appalling backpass from Pedro Porro was jumped on by Gordon. The English winger sat down Van de Ven for the second time in the afternoon, and lashed the ball past Guglielmo Vicario. The half ended 2-0 with Spurs trying to prevent a repeat of this fixture last season. Newcastle made it 3-0, 6 minutes into the second period, once again fabricating from a superb pass from Giumaraes. He pinged a pass to Isak who was left unmarked and in his own half when he started his run, leaving him onside. Newcastle’s top scorer made it 19 for this season when he progressed into the box and passed it into the far corner. The Magpies tied the fixture up nicely when in the 83rd minute, Fabian Schar scored the host’s 4th. He was left unmarked in the Spurs area and lept high to head home a brilliant corner delivery from Gordon. It finished 4-0 with Newcastle picking up a huge 3 points in their hunt for Europa League football. Spurs missed out on a big chance to increase their points tally and now give Aston Villa a chance to potentially jump above them in the top 4.

Brentford vs Sheffield United

The second game of the weekend was played at the Gtech Community Stadium with Thomas Frank’s Brentford hosting Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United. The first half ended goalless and was ultimately even with both teams passing up big chances. The Bees thought they had scored 10 minutes into the second period when Zanka was first to a free kick from Mikkel Damsgaard but he was a tad offside when the ball was played in. They found their opener eventually in the 63rd minute when an attempted pass into the 6 yard box from Damsgaard caught a deflection off the foot of Oliver Arblaster as he was sprinting back to halt the Dane. The deflected pass found its way into the far corner making it 1-0. Damsgaard then thought he had scored a spectacular goal to double the Bees advantage when he volleyed in a free kick from Bryan Mbuemo. Unfortunately for him, it was disallowed as Oliver McBurnie was shoved as he tried to block the effort. The hosts finally wrapped up the tie when Frank Onyeka scored his first goal in a red and white kit in the 2nd minute of added time. It was all created from a throw in which Kevin Schade flicked onto the Nigerian. Onkeya then tapped it into the net, winning a crucial 3 points for the Bees in the fight for survival. The Blades still sit rock bottom but Brentford find themselves in 15th place, 7 points from the drop zone.

Burnley vs Brighton

The next game of the weekend was a Turf Moor with 19th placed Burnley taking on Brighton. The first 45 minutes ended goalless but Burnely gave the home support hope by dominating the first half and creating multiple opportunities. Burnley still had belief they could stay up and were up for the challenge, coming out the blocks strongly and creating more opportunities. The Clarets found a huge lead in the 74th minute when a shocking back pass from Carlos Baleba was chased by Josh Brownill. Bart Verbruggen ran out to get rid of the ball but his clearance hit the knee of Brownhill and rolled into the back of the net. The next goal was even more shambolic than the prior. Burnley were calmly passing the ball around their backline in the 79th minute hoping to hold out for a huge victory against a top side. Sadly for them, a pass back from Sander Berge to his keeper Arijanet Muric was not controlled and the pass rolled under his boot and into the Burnley goal. The game ended 1-1 with Muric costing Burnley 2 points and potentially Premier League status. The Clarets stay 19th, 7 points from safety. Brighton sit 10th, 4 points away from 8th, the last potential European spot.

Manchester City vs Luton Town

The 4th game of Premier League match week 33 was played at the Etihad Stadium with Manchester City hosting Luton Town. The Citizens got off to an ideal start, finding their first inside 2 minutes. A deflected effort from Jeremy Doku fell to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian volleyed the ball into the head of Daiki Hashioka as it found its way into the back of the net. The half ended 1-0 but City had the chance to go 2 up when Mathues Nunes’ shot hit the outright in the 27th minute. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 64th minute when Mateo Kovacic scored a brilliant goal. Julian Alvarez crossed a ball into the area which bounced once and sat up nicely for the Croatian. He hit it on the half volley and watched the ball soar into the top right corner. The champions then found a third in the 76th minute when Doku was fouled inside the area by Fred Oyedinma. Haaland stepped up to take it and smashed the ball into the bottom left corner, scoring his 20th of the season. The Hatters pulled one back in the 81st minute through a regular source of goals in Ross Barkley. The midfielder dispossessed Nunes and progressed into the area, burying the ball into the far corner. The home side finished strongly though with Doku adding his name to the scoresheet. His tricky feet dribbled into the Luton area in the 87th minute. He cut inside and passed the ball into the bottom far corner, making it 4-1. It was to end 5-1 at the final whistle with Josko Gvardiol scoring two crackers in the same week, converting his first goal in a light blue shirt earlier in the week against Real Madrid. Doku returned the favour from before, passing it to the Croatian who was just outside the area. He swung at it first time, watching it rise and smash into the roof of the net. City put out a statement in this tight race for the title, leaving them in 1st place but Liverpool and Arsenal yet to play. Luton sit 18th, 2 points from safety.

Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The following game of the weekend was played at the City Ground with Nottingham Forest hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves dominated the opening exchanges and found a deserved opener in the 40th minute when Mathues Cunha was found down the left wing from a throw by goalkeeper Jose Sa. He dribbled and progressed into the box where he brilliantly turned Forest defender Andrew Omobamidele inside out. He then curled his shot with power superbly into the top right corner. 5 minutes later, Morgan Gibbs-White was to haunt his ex fans when he headed in Giovanni Reyna’s corner and shushed the away end. The half ended 1-1 with this game fully in the balance. Forest found an early lead at the start of the second period when Gibbs-White progressed into the box and attempted to pass the ball to Chris Wood. His pass was blocked but it fell back to him and he was brought down inside the area by Wolves defender Matt Doherty. Forest played on and Danilo smashed in the ball which was still bobbling around after the Doherty challenge. Wolves drew level 5 minutes later through the Brazilian, Cunha again. This time his goal was much more scrappy than his first, the ball being knocked around in the 6 yard box before Cunha poked it in. The game ended 2-2 with both teams feeling as though they failed to pick up all 3 points. This leaves Forest one point ahead of Luton as they fight for their Premier League status. Wolves sit 11th missing out on a chance to jump up to 9th temporarily. 

Bournemouth vs Manchester United

The last game played on the Saturday afternoon was staged at The Vitality Stadium with Bournemouth hosting Manchester United. The Cherries opened the scoring inside a quarter of an hour when Dominic Solanke outmuscled United defender Willy Kambwala to a ball from Marcos Senesi. The Englishman took a couple of touches and drilled the ball into the bottom left corner, scoring his 17th Premier League goal of the season and proving to Gareth Southgate why he should be on the plane to Germany in a couple of months. United drew level on the halfway mark when Alejandro Garnacho passed a ball into the box to Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese international chipped it over Cherries defender Illia Zabarnyi with his right foot, and then smashed it into the roof of the net with his left. The hosts soon reasserted their lead when Justin Kluviert netted his 6th Premier League goal. He dribbled in from the left wing and somehow squeezed in a shot into the near corner, embarrassing United keeper Andre Onana. The half ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts with the travelling side left with a lot to improve on in the next 45 minutes. They made a solid start to the second period when Kobbie Manioo’s effort was deflected onto the arm of Adam Smith, winning United a penalty. Fernandes stepped up to take it and drew his side level when he placed his penalty into the bottom right corner. There were chances to come for both sides in the next 25 minutes but neither could convert. The Cherries thought they had been given an opportunity to win the game after Kambwala fouled Ryan Christie on the edge of the area. VAR looked at the incident and made the controversial decision to overall referee Tony Harrington’s penalty call. Bournemouth were given a free kick and failed to score so the game finished 2-2. Bournemouth stay in 12th but Fulham are yet to play. United dropped to 7th after Newcastle thrashed Spurs earlier on.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

The next game of the weekend was played at Anfield with Liverpool taking on Crystal Palace on the Sunday. Liverpool were hoping to make amends for their 0-3 loss at home to Atlanta in the Europa League by picking up 3 points against Crystal Palace. The stadium was sent into a state of shock when Palace went ahead after just 14 minutes. It was a beautiful goal, Palace just played one touch football inside Liverpool’s half until Michael Olise played a pass to Tyrick Mitchell down the left wing. Mitchell cut it back with his first touch for Eberichi Eze to cooley pass the ball into the back of the net, scoring his 7th of the season. 3 minutes later, Palace were millimetres from going 2 ahead after Jean Phillippe-Mateta’s chip over Allison was cleared off the line by Andy Robertson. Liverpool dominated the rest of the half but failed to find that final predator-like touch in the Palace 18 yard box. A lot of credit was due to Eagles keeper, Dean Henderson as he kept pulling spectacular save after spectacular save to deny Liverpool. The half ended 0-1 with Liverpool in a spot of bother. The second period was more of the same. Liverpool dominating but failing to score. The final free kick in the 7th minute of stoppage time went into the Palace penalty area. Dominik Szboszlai was unable to salvage the lost ball and it went out for a goal kick. Referee Chris Kavanagh blew his whistle ending the game. Liverpool’s terrible week just gets worse as they sit 3rd with Arsenal yet to play and Manchester City already putting out a statement thrashing Luton. Crystal Palace picked up a huge three points, now edging closer and closer to Premier League safety in 14th place.

West Ham vs Fulham

The next game played on Sunday was a London derby with West Ham hosting Fulham in the London Stadium. Despite the Hammers dominating the opening exchanges, Fulham went ahead inside 9 minutes after a long ball was played into the West Ham area. Centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos attempted to control the ball but failed and Andreas Pereira jumped on it. He dribbled around keeper Lukasz Fabainski and smashed it home to make it 0-1. West Ham dominated the rest of the half but their passing in the opposition’s final third was dreadful and they went into the interval down by 1. West ham were very lucky not to be losing by 2 goals to nil after goalkeeper Fabianski pulled off multiple terrific saves. The Cottagers eventually did find their 2nd in the 72nd minute when Alex Iwobi played a ball across to Hammer’s 6 yard box for Pereira to score and make it a brace for himself. The game finished 0-2 continuing West Ham’s dreadful week after they had just come off a 2-0 away loss in Germany to Bundusliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter finals of the Europa League. They now sit 8th but Chelsea are only 4 points away from them with 3 games in hand to possibly jump over the Hammers into that final potential European spot. Fulham sit 12th in a strong mid table position. 

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

The last game played on Sunday was the most anticipated with Arsenal hosting Aston Villa. With Liverpool losing to Palace earlier on, this left Arsenal with a huge opportunity to go top of the table. They got off to a solid start, dominating the opening 45 minutes. Villa were very unlucky not to go ahead when Ollie Watkins punished an Arsenal defensive error from Gabriel and progressed into the penalty area. His shot hit the inside of the far post but somehow spun around the near post, going out for a goal kick. The half ended 0-0 with all to play for in the second 45 minutes. Arsenal were stronger in the first half hour in the second period but Villa reminded them they were still about in the 61st minute. Youri Tielemans, who is no stranger to the spectacular, had a shot from the left wing which hit the crossbar and the outright, somehow not finding the back of the net. The Villans then threw a monumental spanner in the title race when Leon Bailey put them in front. Lucas Dinge’s ball into the 6 yard box from the left wing was not properly cleared and Bailey came onto it, smashing it into the back of the net. 3 minutes later, they found a 2nd. While Arsenal were pushing everyone upfront in their efforts to find a leveller, they left Ollie Watkins all on his own at the halfway line. Tielemans played a ball over Arsenal’s last man to Watkins who started his run in his own half. He progressed into the Arsenal area and when keeper David Raya came out, he audaciously chipped the Spaniard, watching the ball find the top left corner. Villa won the game 0-2, finding themselves placed now in the top 4 comfortably. Arsenal now leave a huge opportunity for Manchester City to win 4 Premier League titles on the trot as both they and Liverpool sit two points below the Citizens. 

Chelsea vs Everton

The final game of the match week was played on a Monday with Chelsea hosting Everton at Stamford Bridge. Everton had a chance early on to go ahead but it was sent well over the bar by Beto as he slid in to tap home Seamus Coleman’s cross. That would have changed the course of events but unfortunately for Sean Dyche’s men, it was not their day. Chelsea found an opener 13 minutes in through none other than Cole Palmer. He nutmegged an Everton defender, played a one two with Nicholas Jackson, and found the bottom left corner. Palmer scored his second just 5 minutes later when Jackson’s effort was saved by Jordan Pickford, only for the Englishman to head in the scraps. He completed his hat trick in under half an hour when he made it 3-0 on the 29 minute mark. He pounced on a poor pass from Toffees goalkeeper Pickford and saw him off his line. Palmer’s first touch lifted the ball, helping him lob it over his international teammate, embarrassing Pickford in the process. Jackson got in on the act just before the interval when he brilliantly brought down the cross from Marc Cucurella and poked it into the near corner to make it 4-0. The half ended with Everton’s relegation worries justified after their first half performance. Palmer scored his fourth early on in the second period after Noni Madueke was brought down inside the Everton penalty area. After an argument between the Chelsea players, Palmer grabbed the ball and buried it into the bottom right corner, but the whole event shows what is really happening behind the scenes in the Chelsea dressing room. Number 6 was found in the last minute of normal time when Ben Chilwell’s shot from the left wing was saved by Pickford but Chelsea rookie Alfie Gilchrist was there to score his first for the club capping off a strong performance by the hosts. The game finished 6-0 with Chelsea’s superb performance soured by the argument for who should take the penalty. It still leaves them in a solid position in the table, only a point behind West Ham with 2 games in hand. Everton However sit 16th only 2 points away from relegation.

Written by Ollie Wade-About Me