Kickoff chronicles

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City

The 2nd to last Premier League game of the season for both clubs was staged at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Spurs hosting Manchester City. This always looked like an interesting game with Spurs knowing if they got a result against the reigning champions, they could be handing the title to North London rivals, Arsenal. On the other hand, with Aston Villa only getting a point against Liverpool on Monday night, they could still qualify for the Champions League if they were to win tonight. This was also Manchester City’s bogey ground as they had not yet scored a Premier League goal in Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium and Spurs have dealt the most defeats to Pep Guardiola in his long spell as a manager. The hosts surprised their fans by really going at City, creating chances and dominating possession in the opening half hour. Just before the interval, City had two huge chances to go ahead. The first occurred when Erling Haaland had his volley attempt blocked by the sliding challenge from Micky Van de Ven. The ball then fell out to Bernardo Silva who attempted to curl the ball into the top left corner but it was headed away by Tottenham centre back, Radu Dragusin. The half ended 0-0 with this game still having so much more to offer. 5 minutes into the second half, the Champions found the lead when Haaland knocked in his 26th of the Premier League season. The Norwegian got away from the defender marking him and was free to tap in Kevin De Bruyne’s pass across the 6 yard area. Tottenham were then gifted with their best chance of the game. City defender Manuel Akanji was too slow and Brennan Johnson tackled him. The ball fell out to Hueng Min-Son who was then one-on-one with 2nd half goalkeeper sub Stefan Ortega. The South Korean fluffed his lines, attempting to meg the German shot stopper but failing as the ball smashed into Ortega’s shin and bounced away from any danger. After almost scoring at one end, attention then turned to the Manchester City forwards as Phil Foden played a brilliant ball across the pitch to substitute Jeremy Doku. The Belgian dribbled at Pedro Porro and progressed into the penalty area. The winger was too fast and skillful for Porro as he stuck out a leg, missing the ball and awarding the away side a penalty. Erling Haaland stepped up and smashed the ball into the top left corner, winning the game for the Citizens. It all finished 0-2 with Manchester City now having one hand on the trophy. Tottenham miss out on top 4 and Champions League football but at the same time potentially halt their rivals from winning what they have not been able to do for 63 years. It all comes down to the final day now with Manchester City hosting West Ham and Arsenal hosting Everton with the Gunners better off by 1 in the goal difference. 

Manchester United vs Newcastle

The next two fixtures played at the same time on Wednesday night were huge in the battle for the last European spots. With Chelsea and Newcastle both on 57 points and United on 54, it was always going to go right down to the wire. First up was Manchester United hosting Newcastle at St. James Park. Manchester United dominated Newcastle in the opening half an hour and found a deserved first goal in the 31st minute. Their brightest spark in Kobbie Mainoo found the opener, being played onside deep in the penalty area as Magpies defender Kieran Trippier was sitting back, playing everyone on. Amad Diallo’s pass rolled through the group of players to Mainoo who was unmarked and had all the space and time in the world to pass the ball into the bottom corner. Newcastle almost found a leveller just before the break but Casemiro redeemed himself from his performances in recent weeks and headed Dan Burn’s attempt off the line. The half finished 1-0 but with Eddie Howe’s men still in touching distance. The Magpies equalised right off the mark in the second period when Jacob Murphy’s cross in from the right wing was met by the outside of Anthony Gordon’s right boot, chipping in with his 11th goal of the Premier League season. 9 minutes later, Bruno Fernandes crossed in United’s latest corner. It was flicked away by a Newcastle defender but only as far as Diallo. Diallo struck it first time and caught it beautifully, watching it soar past Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka and ripple the back of the net. United then sealed the 3 points when Rasmus Hojland, who had been on for a matter of seconds, found the back of the Magpies net. He received the ball from Fernades and then held off the challenge from Dan Burn as he progressed into the penalty area. The Dane then managed to scrape a shot away, watching it trickle into the far corner as he went onto hush the away end. Newcastle did give United something to think about in the 2nd minute of stoppage time when Lewis Hall scored his second goal of the season, and second at Old Trafford; scoring previously against Manchester United this season as the Magpies saw them off 0-3 in the Carabao Cup. Gordon’s corner was headed out by Casemiro to Hall who was outside the penalty area. He set himself up and drilled a shot at United keeper Andre Onana, watching it nestle into the side netting and reducing the deficit to 1. Manchester United were strong in defending their lead, and held on to the 3-2 win. This now leaves them 8th in the Premier League, but level on points with Newcastle, still in contention for a place in the Conference League. Newcastle can still qualify for the Europa League but it is out of their hands, knowing Chelsea will have to lose their final game of the season and they will have to win.

Brighton vs Chelsea

The second game of the afternoon was staged at the Amex Stadium with Brighton hosting Chelsea. The travelling side found the opener just after half an hour when Conor Gallagher found Marc Cucurella down the left wing. The Spainyard then crossed the ball into the box where Cole Palmer nodded in his 22nd goal of the season, continuing his brilliant form this campaign. Nicholas Jackson then headed the ball in at the back post at the end of the half when Beniot Badiashile’s cross came in but he was offside by a foot or two. Joao Pedro had a chance down the other end, with his header rattling the upright, a huge chance to level the game before the interval. The half finished 0-1 with this game far from over. Chelsea were almost over the line when they made it 0-2 in the 64th minute. Malo Gusto’s cut back from the right wing was brilliantly matched by the run and shot from 1st half substitute, Christopher Nkunku, smashing it into the far corner. Brighton then started to find their way back into the game, with young Argentine full back, Valentin Barco, their brightest spark. Chelsea then made it even harder for themselves when their own sub, Reece James was sent off for a kick out on Joao Pedro. The English full back was fouled by the striker and kicked back at the Brazilian with his outstretched leg, with yet another long VAR check involved in the tie. Brighton eventually found their first of the game, but it was unfortunately too late. After dominating the last 10 minutes with a 1 man advantage, Pedro was released down the left wing. He drilled a ball across the 6 yard area which was met by substitute Danny Welbeck. Chelsea defended the final seconds well and held out for a strong win. It was a result that took them to 6th in the league, now knowing they only need a draw against Bournemouth to secure Europa League football. Brighton stay 10th and can go no higher with West Ham 4 points above them heading into the highly anticipated final day of football on Sunday.

Written By Ollie Wade