Kickoff chronicles

Manchester City vs Aston Villa

The opening fixture of Matchweek 34 played on Tuesday night saw Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City play Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. The match was played at an earlier date as both City and Villa have their respective FA Cup semi-finals this weekend. It was also a big game in terms of the race for the top five Champions League positions as City were 5th with 58 points while Villa were 7th with 57. Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford came so close to putting the Red Devils biggest rivals down 0-1 inside 30 seconds after his shot inside the penalty area from Youri Tielemans pass rattled the far right post. City then took the lead inside seven minutes after Bernardo Silva scored his first Premier League goal since Boxing Day. Omar Marmoush showed great skill to beat Matty Cash, dribbling to the bi-line in the Villa penalty area before poking the ball across goal. Ezri Konsa deflected Marmoush’s pass straight to Silva who smashed the ball at Emiliano Martinez. Martinez was able to parry the ball away from goal but unfortunately for the Argentine keeper, it rebounded off his trailing leg and over the line, a rare mistake from Martinez. Villa were then awarded a penalty in the 18th minute after Rashford made a positive run with the ball down the left wing. He threaded it through to Jacob Ramsey who took a touch before he was brought down by Ruben Dias. Referee Craig Pawson awarded the spot kick after a quick VAR review which Rashford stepped up to take. Despite all the boos from the fans inside the Etihad, Rashford showed great composure when slotting the ball into the bottom right corner to equalise the game. The rest of the half was dominated by City but Villa were defensively strong meaning the score at the break stood at one a piece.

The 2nd period was dominated by the Citizens and they came so close early on in the half when James McAtee saw his brilliant lobbed effort from outside the penalty area just bounce wide of Martinez’s far post. Marmoush thought he’d made the difference for the hosts in the 80th minute when he slotted the ball into the bottom left corner from Ikay Gundogan’s pass but the Egyptian was clearly in an offside position. FInally, with just minutes to play in stoppage time, City won the game after Matheus Nunes scored his first ever Premier League goal for City and first league goal in over two years. Super sub Jermey Doku dribbled with the ball down the left wing before he played a wicked ball across the Villa penalty area. The ball fizzed right across the face of the goal before Nunes rushed in at the back post to smash the ball past Martinez, winning all three points for the hosts. The full time score finished 2-1, with City moving into 3rd on the table with 61 points, although the other three teams contesting for Europe are yet to play. Villa drop a crucial point away from home as they remain 7th with 57 points, with their Champions League dream looking less and less likely.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

The following game of Matchweek 34 on Wednesday night, also played early due to Crystal Palace’s FA Cup semi final on the weekend, saw Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners took an early lead in the tie thanks to yet another set piece. Martin Odegaard crossed the ball in from the left wing where Jakub Kiwior rose high to head the ball into the top left corner. Palace, the 2nd best attacking team from set pieces after Arsenal, equalised thanks to a set piece of their own. Adam Wharton played Palace’s latest corner right onto the edge of the penalty area where Eberechi Eze was located. Eze met the corner with an absolutely world class strike, hitting the ball first time on the volley and watching it bounce into the far right corner. After an even first half contest, Arsenal restored their lead moments before the break after Jurrien Timber found Leandro Trossard outside the Palace penalty area. Trossard twist and turned between the Palace defenders before he passed the ball into the bottom right corner, his 3rd goal in just two games. The score at half time stood at 2-1 with Arsenal hoping to claim all three points to ensure Liverpool don’t win the title mathematically.

The Gunners thought they’d found a two goal advantage in the 70th minute after Timber hooked the ball from the bi-line over Palace keeper Dean Henderson and to Gabreil Martinelli who was left with an easy tap. The assistant flag was then raised when Martinelli turned in celebration as he was onside but the ball had just bounced out of play when Timber volleyed it back in. Arsenal should’ve then made it 3-1 in the 80th minute, but Bukayo Saka’s acrobatic volley from Martinelli’s cross was brilliantly palmed over the crossbar by Henderson to keep his side in the game. After the Eagles had soaked up all of Arsenal’s 2nd half pressure, they then pounced on a mistake in the 83rd minute to tie the game again. Daichi Kamada chased down Arsenal centre half William Saliba, forcing a poor pass from the Frenchman which Jean-Philippe Mateta was quick to jump on. Without even looking up, Mateta showed all his striker instincts, brilliantly chipping the ball over David Raya and into the top left corner, a fabulous equaliser. The full time score finished 2-2, with both sides playing out an entertaining draw despite them having bigger competitions to focus on currently (Arsenal play PSG in the Champions League quarter finals next week while Palace play Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi finals this weekend). Arsenal remain 2nd on 67 points and all Liverpool need now is a win on the weekend to ensure the Premier League title. Palace showed great spirit and fight to get a point at the Emirates despite resting several key players as they remain 12th on 45 points.

Chelsea vs Everton

The first game of Matchweek 34 on Saturday afternoon saw Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea host David Moyes’ Everton at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea made a very positive start to the game and were constantly testing Toffee’s keeper Jordan Pickford. The hosts then finally found the lead in the 27th minute after striker Beto was dispossessed by Trevoh Chalobah with the ball falling to Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine played the ball straight to Nicolas Jackson who immediately got a shot away, watching as his rocket of a strike nestled into the bottom left corner. Despite Chelsea’s first half domination, Everton should have scored moments before the interval after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s header from Vitalii Mykolenko inside the penalty area flew wide of Robert Sanchez’s right post. The half time score finished 1-0 with Everton staring down back to back defeats for the first time under Moyes.

Both sides had huge chances early on in the 2nd period, with Sanchez tipping Beto’s effort wide of the post for Everton and Pickford denying Noni Madueke minutes later for Chelsea. Maresca’s side then thought they’d sealed all three points after Marc Cucurella’s long range effort was saved by Pickford only for Jackson to tap home the rebounds, but unfortunately for the Blues, the striker was offside. With minutes to play in the game, Sanchez played a big part in helping Chelsea claim the win after he leapt down to his right to parry Dwight McNeil’s acrobatic effort away. The full time score finished 1-0, with Chelsea claiming a huge three points in the race for European football for next season. The Blues sit 5th on the table with 60 points. Everton have now failed to score in two consecutive games as they sit 14th on the table with 38 points.

Brighton Hove & Albion vs West Ham United

The following game of Matchweek 34 played on Saturday afternoon saw Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton host Graham Potter’s West Ham at the Amex Stadium. Brighton made a positive start to the game and opened the scoring after just 13 minutes thanks to a world class goal from Yasin Ayari. The Swede received the ball outside the Hammers penalty area from Jack Hinshelwood where he was given too much time by the West Ham defenders. Ayari then cracked a shot, watching as his effort curled all the way into the top right corner, the best way possible to open his Premier League account. After not creating much at all, West Ham came inches away from equalising just before halftime after Maximilan Kilman’s cross was headed into the crossbar by Tomas Soucek. Brighton then thought they’d made it 2-0 before half time after Pervis Estupinian’s brilliant volley effort was saved by Alphonse Areola. Mats Wieffer’s effort was also saved by Areola before Simon Adingra smashed the ball home but the goal was ruled out as Wieffer was offside. The score at half-time stood at 1-0 with Brighton deserving of their advantage. 

West Ham came out brilliantly for the 2nd period, scoring inside three minutes. Skipper Jarrod Bowen received the ball down the right wing from Aaron Wan-Bissaka where he drilled the ball across the Brighton penalty area. Mohammed Kudus was then able to get on the end of Bowen’s pass and poke the ball through Bart Verbruggen’s legs, his first goal since the Hammers played Brighton in December. After a much better 2nd half, West Ham silenced the Amex when they scored in the 83rd minute to flip the game on its head. Bowen claimed his 2nd assist of the afternoon, whipping the ball in from the right wing where Soucek stooped low to head the ball past Verbruggen and score his 8th of the season. Brighton then managed to score in the last minute of normal time to spoil the West Ham celebrations after Diego Gomez chipped the ball over the back post from the left wing. Brajan Gruda then headed the ball back across goal to Kaoru Mitoma who headed the ball past Areola, his 2nd goal off the bench in as many games. The Seagulls then completed the impossible in the last minute of the tie after Gruda claimed his 2nd assist of the game too, playing the ball to Carlos Baleba who was about 25 yards away from the West Ham goal. The West Ham defending was pathetic as they sat back, allowing Baleba to smash the ball into the top left corner winning all three points for Brighton. The full time score finished 3-2, a classic Premier League game, with Brighton picking up a huge win as they are still fighting for the latter European places. The Seagulls sit 9th on the table with 51 points while Potter’s horrific Hammers remain 17th on 36 points.

Newcastle United vs Ipswich Town

The next fixture of Matchweek 34 saw Eddie Howe’s Newcastle host Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich at St. James’ Park. Despite some early Ipswich opportunities, Newcastle soon regained their dominance of the tie and 37 minutes into the game they were given a one man advantage after Ben Johnson was sent off for Ipswich. After already receiving a yellow card for a dive in the Newcastle penalty area, the full back was shown his marching orders after clearly holding Alexander Isak and preventing him from dribbling down the left wing. Minutes after Bruno Guimaraes saw his overhead effort cleared off the line by Luke Woolfenden, the Magpies won a penalty after Julio Enciso grabbed the arm of Jacob Murphy inside the 6-yard box, bringing him down. Isak stepped up and fired the ball into the bottom right corner, his 22nd goal of the season. The half-time score stood at 1-0, with Ipswich knowing they had to come back and win this game or they would be statistically relegated.

Newcastle made an ideal start to the 2nd period, scoring 10 minutes after the restart. Kieran Trippier received the ball down the right wing where he hung up a cross right over the Ipswich 6-yard box. Running in at the back post was the big Dan Burn who rose high to head the ball past Alex Palmer and make it 2-0. The hosts then wrapped up all three points in the 80th minute after substitute striker, William Osula scored his first Premier League goal in black and white. Trippier claimed his 2nd assist of the afternoon, crossing in Newcastle’s latest corner from the right which Osula directed perfectly into the top right corner with a powerful header. The full time score finished 3-0, with Newcastle claiming an easy three points which takes them back into 3rd on the table. Ipswich now complete the three relegated teams (Southampton, Leicester, Ipswich) as they can no longer accumulate enough points to climb over West Ham in 17th. They sit 18th with 21 points.

Southampton vs Fulham

The following fixture of Matchweek 34 saw Simon Rusk’s Southampton host Marco Silva’s Fulham at St. Mary’s Stadium. To the surprise of St. Mary’s, Southampton took a shock lead in the 14th minute. Ryan Manning whipped a superb ball in from the left wing which was met by a brilliant header from Jack Stephens, seeing the ball fly past Bernd Leno and into the back of the Fulham net. Despite their confirmed relegation, Southampton were up for the challenge, dominating the majority of chances in the first 45 minutes. Fulham did have a huge chance to go level just before the break, with Sander Berge’s shot from a couple of yards out brilliantly blocked by the goalscorer Stephens. The halftime score stood at 1-0, with the Saints hoping to win just their 2nd home game of the season.

Fulham came out much stronger for the 2nd period, knowing they would need a win to keep their European dreams alive. Willian came so close in the 56th minute, receiving the ball from Adama Traore just outside the Saints’ penalty area where his effort rattled the woodwork. Fulham finally broke down the resilient Southampton defence in the 72nd minute after Alex Iwobi played a lofted pass into the feet of Emile Smith Rowe inside the 18-yard box. Smith Rowe’s first touch was immaculate, allowing him to turn before firing a shot at Ramsdale, watching as his effort caught a big deflection off Jan Bednarek before finding the back of the net. After Chelsea completed a late comeback against Fulham last weekend, it was now Fulham’s turn to put on a late show after Traore crossed the ball in from the right wing in the 2nd minute of added time. Ryan Sessegnon then stooped low to head the ball into the bottom corner, winning all three points for the Cottagers. The full time score finished 1-2, Silva’s side move into 8th on 51 points as they hope to secure a European place for the first time in over a decade. Southampton remain rock bottom on 11 points as they yet again fail to hold onto a lead.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Leicester City

The final fixture to be played on Saturday afternoon in Matchweek 34 saw Vitor Pereira’s Wolves host Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester at the Molineux Stadium. The first half was clearly dominated by the hosts, with Wolves coming so close to pouncing on multiple errors by Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen, who was a very lucky man in the opening half an hour. Wolves were finally rewarded for all their first half pressure in the 33rd minute after star man Matheus Cunha scored his 15th of the season. He showed brilliant link up play with Rayan Ait-Nouri down the left wing before peeling off the Algerian and running into the penalty area. Ait-Nouri then drilled the ball across the penalty area for Cunha to slot past Hermansen to cap off a wonderful duo goal. The half time score stood at 1-0, with Leicester lucky it wasn’t two or three.

The hosts found a deserved two goal cushion in the 56th minute after Jorgan Strand Larsen scored his 6th goal in as many games. Moments after he had missed an absolute sitter from a yard out, Cunha played a world class diagonal ball through the Leicester midfield and defense and into the run of Strand Larsen. The Norwegian then took a touch before slotting the ball into the bottom corner, his 13th of the season. After creating nothing all game, the Foxes then found a huge chance to strike level after Bilal El Khannouss played a wonderful ball into the penalty area for Jamie Vardy. The 38-year-old rounded Wolves keeper Jose Sa before inevitably being brought down, a clear penalty. Vardy then stepped up to take the spot kick but unfortunately for the Premier League legend, he was unable to announce his departure with a goal as his effort was brilliantly saved by Sa. Cunha then claimed his 3rd goal involvement of the afternoon in the 85th minute after he progressed with the ball down the left wing. He slotted it into the path of Rodrigo Gomes who smashed the ball into the bottom left corner to score his 2nd goal against Leicester this season. The full time score finished 3-0, with Wolves picking up a 6th successive win under Pereira, their best run of form ever in the Premier League as they move into 13th on 41 points. Leicester yet again fail to score as they remain 19th on 18 points.

AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester United

The opening fixture played on Sunday afternoon in Matchweek 34 saw Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth host Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth made a positive start to the tie and scored the opener after the 20 minute mark. Adam Smith dispossessed Patrick Dorgu down the right wing where he immediately fired a cross in. Smith’s cross was too hard for Evanilson to properly control so he very smartly flicked the ball backwards into the path of Antoine Semenyo. Semenyo hit the ball on the half volley, watching as his unstoppable blistering strike flew past Andre Onana and into the bottom right corner. Moments before the interval, United had a huge chance to strike level after Alejandro Garnacho saw his lobbed effort from inside the penalty area brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Cherries keeper Kepa. The half time score stood at 1-0, with Bournemouth hoping to boost their European hopes with a big win at home.

Bournemouth came so close to securing a two goal cushion right on the hour mark after Dango Ouattara’s free kick effort rattled the woodwork before Illia Zabarnyi’s follow up shot struck the exact same post. After playing so well and dominating Manchester United for the most part, Bournemouth then found themselves down to 10-men, and on the backfoot, after striker Evanilson was sent off. It was a horrific challenge on Noussair Mazraoui, with one leg tripping the Moroccan and the other coming down his leg. The Red Devils used their one man advantage well, spreading the ball wide in the final 20 minutes and trying to find a late equaliser. After Mason Mount and Chido Obi had been denied by the Bournemouth defenders and Kepa in the closing stages, it looked as though Bournemouth had done just enough to hold out for the win. Unfortunately for the Cherries, United found the back of the net in the 6th minute of stoppage time to salvage a point on the South Coast. Bruno Fernandes received the ball outside the penalty area where he spread it wide to Luke Shaw. Shaw then drilled the ball across the 18-yard box where Manuel Ugarte’s first time effort caught a deflection off striker Rasmus Hojlund, finding the back of the hosts’ net. The full time score finished 1-1, with Bournemouth dropping points thanks to a terrible red card challenge by Evanilson. Iraola’s side drop to 10th in the league, missing out on a huge opportunity to rise to 8th, a potential European place. Despite Manchester United’s focus solely on the Europa League, they still picked up a tough point away from home as they rise to 14th on the table.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur

The final game of Matchweek 34 played on Sunday afternoon saw Arne Slot’s Liverpool host Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. Tottenham silenced the Anfield crowd early on in the game, spoiling any early Liverpool parties after ex-Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke scored in the 12th minute. James Maddison whipped in Spurs’ latest corner which was met by a bullet of a header from Solanke, superbly finding the top right corner. Despite an early set back, Liverpool scored just moments later to get back on level terms. Mohamed Salah played a brilliant ball down the right wing to Dominik Szoboszlai who immediately fired the ball across the 6-yard box. Luis Diaz was then unmarked at the back post, tapping the ball past Guglielmo Vicario to score his 12th of the season. Liverpool then completed the turnaround in the 24th minute after Ryan Gravenberch dispossessed Archie Gray outside the Tottenham penalty area before poking it backwards to Alexis Mac Allister. Mac Allister struck the ball first time, watching as his rocket of an effort rifled into the top right corner. Liverpool then made it 3-1 just after the half hour mark when the ball fell to Cody Gakpo after a Liverpool corner. Gakpo showed great skill, dancing around the Spurs’ penalty area and dodging a few challenges before placing the ball into the bottom left corner. The half-time score stood at 3-1 with Liverpool 45 minutes away from lifting their 20th ever top flight title.

Liverpool had dominated the first half and wrapped up the win just after the hour mark when Szoboszlai found Salah outside the penalty area on the right side. Salah cut in and smashed the ball into the bottom right corner with his wand of a left boot, his trademark goal. No.5 for Liverpool came in the 69th minute after Diogo Jota’s blocked shot fell to Trent Alexander-Arnold on the left side of the penalty area. Trent then poked the ball across the penalty area to find Salah, but Tottenham fullback Destiny Udogie did the job for them, unintentionally putting the ball into the back of his own net. The full time score finished 5-1, with Liverpool now officially able to go into party mode after their side has mathematically won their 2nd Premier League title. It has been a brilliant campaign for the Reds, with Slot winning the league in his debut season, a highly respectable feat. Liverpool move onto 82 points, with four games left in the season. Much like United, Spurs won’t be too bothered about their result, with their focus fully on the Europa League which could prove a backdoor into next season’s Champions League. Spurs sit 16th on 37 points.

Nottingham Forest vs Brentford

The final game of Matchweek 34 played on Thursday night saw Nuno Espirito’s Nottingham Forest host Thomas Frank’s Brentford at the City Ground. After Nuno’s side had crashed out of the FA cup semi finals, losing 0-2 to Manchester City, Forest’s attention was now solely on the Premier League as they hoped to get a win against Brentford, taking them back into the top three. Brentford made a quick start to the tie, coming close to scoring after Sepp van de Berg’s close range header was parried away from danger by Forest keeper Matz Sels. After Forest had finally gotten into the game and created a few good chances, Brentford snatched the lead moments before the interval. Nathan Collins (Who is one of two outfield players in the Premier League that has played every minute so far this season) played a long ball over the Forest defence which Kevin Schade brilliantly brought down. The German still had to beat defender Ola Aina but fortunately for Schade, the Nigerian slipped, allowing him to bundle the ball into the bottom right corner. The score at half-time stood at 0-1, with Brentford hoping to hold onto what would be a huge win.

Forest came out strongly for the 2nd period and created multiple opportunities. Wideman Anthony Elanga was their real danger man, forcing a brilliant diving stop from Brentford keeper Mark Flekken early on in the half. Chris Wood then should’ve equalised the game after his glancing header from close range fired wide of the post. After soaking up all of Forest’s pressure, Brentford then went on a rare venture forward and silenced the City Ground after making it 0-2. It was another long ball which caused problems for Forest, with Flekken’s goal kick bouncing over the host’s defence and falling perfectly into the path of Yoane Wissa. Wissa shrugged off the challenge of Nikola Milenkovic before chipping the ball over Sels and into the back of the net, his 17th of the season. The Bees were defensively strong in the final 20 minutes of the tie, frustrating Forest in every aspect. The full time score finished 0-2, with Brentford claiming a huge win which takes them into 11th on the table with 49 points as they hope to make a late charge for the final European places. Forest lose their 3rd game in four as their season is really starting to fall apart. They sit 6th with 60 points.

Written by Ollie Wade