Kickoff chronicles

Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur

The opening fixture of Matchweek 37 played on Friday night saw Unai Emery’s Aston Villa host Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park. Despite Tottenham resting multiple key players for their Europa League final in two weeks, they got off to a positive start, with Son Heung-Min curling his early effort inches over the Villa crossbar. Tottenham had another big chance in the 16th minute after Wilson Odobert’s cheeky flick from Mathys Tel’s cross was expertly saved by Emiliano Martinez who was playing his final game at Villa Park. Villa had some opportunities of their own in the end of the first 45 minutes, with Morgan Rogers forcing a brilliant save from Antonin Kinsky before Marco Asensio clipped the post with a curling effort. The half time score stood at 0-0, with Villa needing to win the game if their Champions League hopes were to stay alive.

Villa made the perfect start to the 2nd period, opening the scoring in the 59th minute after John McGinn crossed in their latest corner. Ollie Watkins did well to head the ball back into a dangerous area where Ezri Konsa was able to poke the ball past Kinsky to give Villa a priceless lead. The hosts were clearly the better side in the 2nd half, bringing Kinsky into action on multiple occasions. They finally scored the all important 2nd goal in the 73rd minute after Boubacar Kamara received the ball outside the box from Rogers down the right wing. Kamara took a couple of touches into a more central position before firing the ball spectacularly into the bottom left corner, scoring his first Premier League goal. The full time score finished 2-0, with Villa claiming a huge three points which takes them into 5th on the table with Forest and City yet to play. Tottenham lose their 21st game of the season due to a changed team, with all their focus now on the Europa League final.

Chelsea vs Manchester United

The following and final game of Matchweek 37 played on Friday night saw Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea host Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. After a positive start to the game, United thought they’d snatched the lead in the 16th minute after Harry Maguire smashed the ball in from Casemiro’s cross in. Unfortunately for the Red Devils, Maguire was marginally offside and the goal was ruled out. The rest of the half was dominated by Chelsea with their best chance coming in the 24th minute after Reece James’s spectacular volley from outside the box clipped the post. The half time score stood at 0-0 with Chelsea needing a win if they were to keep their top five hopes alive.

Chelsea thought they’d won a penalty on the hour mark after referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot when Tyrique George fell after a challenge from United keeper Andre Onana. After a quick VAR review, Kavanagh changed his call as Onana clearly won the ball. Chelsea finally made the breakthrough in the 71st minute after James received the ball outside the penalty area from Pedro Neto. The Chelsea skipper then fooled the United defence when brilliantly turning Alejandro Garnacho before whipping a ball over to the back post. Marc Cucurella, who has found some unusual but good form in front of goal this season, rose high to head the ball past Onana and score his 5th of the campaign. Chelsea were able to keep a hold of their clean sheet as the full time score finished 1-0. It was a huge win for the Blues as they climbed back into 4th on the table on 66 points. Manchester United remain 16th on the table after their 18th loss of the season, although much like Tottenham, their attention is solely focused on the Europa League final.

Everton vs Southampton

The first game of Matchweek 37 on Sunday afternoon was a historic fixture, with David Moyes’ Everton hosting their final home game ever at Goodison Park against Simon Rusk’s Southampton, putting an end to Goodison’s 133 years of hosting Everton Football Club. Everton were up for the afternoon, forcing some very early saves from Saints’ shot stopper Aaron Ramsdale. The Toffee’s then made the breakthrough in the 6th minute after Iliman Ndiaye picked up the ball from Dwight McNeil’s interception. He progressed into the Southampton penalty area where he smashed the ball into the bottom left corner, a brilliant start to such a memorable game for everyone involved in Everton FC. Beto then proceeded to put the ball in the back of the Saints’ net twice for Everton in the next half an hour, but with both unfortunately disallowed as the striker was in an offside position. Everton then all but sealed the three points with the last kick of the half, with McNeil combining with Ndiaye yet again. McNeil threaded the ball through the Southampton defenders and into the penalty area where Ndiaye showed great skill to dance around Ramsdale and tap the ball into an uncontested net. The half-time score stood at 2-0, with everything going to plan for Moyes’ Toffees.

Everton had some more chances to put the game to bed early on in the 2nd half, with James Garner forcing a solid save from Ramsdale before Beto’s header from close range just flew over the bar. Southampton did fire up for the final minutes, with Jordan Pickford making two acrobatic saves before Will Smallbone rattled the upright. The full time score finished 2-0 with Everton giving Goodison a deserved goodbye win. The Toffees remain 13th on the table with 45 points while Southampton stay rock bottom in the league with a drab 12 points.

West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest

The following game of Matchweek 37 saw Graham Potter’s West Ham United host Nuno Espirito’s Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium. Both sides had huge chances inside the opening five minutes, with Tomas Soucek forcing Forest keeper Mats Selz into making a brilliant save after his powerful header before Morgan Gibbs-White’s volley was denied due to the superb reactions of West Ham shot stopper Alphonse Areola. Gibbs-White was not to be kept out for long though, scoring a huge goal for Forest’s Champions League ambitions just six minutes later. Areola made a terrible error, attempting to pass the ball along the floor and right through the middle of his own penalty area. Gibbs-White easily intercepted the ball before slotting it into the bottom right corner, cruelly punishing the Frenchman’s mistake. Forest continued to dominate the half, with centre back Nikola Milenkovic rattling his header against the woodwork after Elliot Anderson’s corner. The half-time score stood at 0-1, with West Ham disappointing in their final home game of the season.

Forest only added to West Ham’s woes 15 minutes into the 2nd period after Anthony Elanga’s free kick from the left wing was nodded into the far corner by Milenkovic, a brilliant set piece. West Ham then finally started to fire up after the 70 minute mark, with Carlos Soler bringing out a superb save from Sels once again. The Hammers gave Forest something to think about in the 86th minute when West Ham captain, Jarrod Bowen, scored his 12th of the season. Lucas Paqueta crossed the ball into the penalty area where his cross was cleared by Morato, only as far as Bowen. The skipper then flicked the ball up with his left foot, before scoring a wonderful volley with the same boot, smashing the ball into the top left corner. With the last kick of the game, West Ham crossed in their last corner. Bowen whipped the ball into the penalty area, watching as Niclas Fullkrug’s brilliant rising header was acrobatically kept out by Sels, who was most definitely the player of the match. The full time score finished 1-2, with Forest claiming a huge three points in their Champions League aspirations. Nuno’s side remain 7th on 65 points, although they are only one point away from Newcastle in 3rd meaning everything is still to play for in the final Matchweek. West Ham remain 15th on 40 points.

Brentford vs Fulham

The following fixture of Matchweek 37 saw Thomas Frank’s Brentford host Marco Silva’s Fulham at the Gtech Stadium in what looked an entertaining match-up. The Cottagers took an early lead in the Premier League’s latest London derby, with Raul Jimenez scoring his 12th of the season in the 16th minute. Adama Traore made a brilliant burst down the right wing before crossing a ball into the penalty area. His cross took a big deflection which Jimenez reacted well to, heading the ball past Mark Flekken to make it 0-1. Brentford came up with a quick response, scoring just six minutes after Jimenez. Bryan Mbeumo dispossessed Traore just outside the Brentford box where the ball fell to Yoane Wissa. Wissa played the ball back to Mbeumo who had continued his run into the Fulham area. The Cameroonian then slotted the ball past Bernd Leno and into the far corner to score his 19th of the season, deserving of his Premier League player of the season mention. Mbeumo had a chance to make it 20 for the season after Kevin Schade won a penalty for the Bees as Joachim Andersen brought him down inside the penalty area. Mbeumo unexpectedly saw his spot kick effort brilliantly kept out by Leno, a rare for the Brentford attacker who has never missed a penalty in his Premier league career. Brentford did score a deserved 2nd goal minutes before the break after Michael Kayode launched in one of his signature long throw-ins. Nathan Collins flicked the ball over to the back post where Christian Norgaard then headed the ball across the goal line. Wissa was the quickest to react, tapping the ball over the line to complete the Brentford comeback. The half-time score stood at 2-1, with Brentford still believing they could qualify for Europe this season. 

After a slow start to the 2nd period, Fulham tied the game at 2-2 in the 68th minute after Kenny Tete crossed the ball in from the right wing. His cross was deflected, which aided Fulham skipper Tom Cairney who adapted to the cross well and jumped high to head the ball into the bottom left corner. Fulham completed a two minute turnaround in the game, scoring in the 70th minute to make it 2-3. Harry Wilson, who had scored two goals in stoppage time earlier in the season against Brentord to win the game 2-1, added to his tally of meaningful goals against the Bees, picking the ball up from Traore just 25-yards out before curling the ball beautifully into the bottom left corner. Leno once again came to the rescue for Fulham late on in the game, denying Norgaard’s header in the 87th minute to prevent Brentford from making it 3-3. The full time score finished 2-3, with Fulham claiming a huge three points in the race for the final European qualification place. Brentford remain 8th on the table with 55 points while Fulham move into 10th on 54 points.

Leicester City vs Ipswich Town

The following game in Matchweek 37 saw Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City host Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town at the King Power Stadium in the game for 18th place. Ipswich made a quick start to the tie, with Leif Davis, who had scored his only ever Premier League goal against the Foxes earlier on in the season, seeing his early effort denied by the woodwork of Jakub Stolarczyk’s goal. Leicester then took the lead just before the half hour mark, with Jamie Vardy scoring to give himself a fairytale ending to his illustrious Leicester career, scoring his 200th ever goal for the Foxes in his 500th game. James Justin took the ball from inside his own half and motored up the King Power Turf before threading the ball through to Vardy inside the penalty area. Vardy took a touch with his left before slotting the ball past Alex Palmer with his right, a classic Vardy goal. The half time score stood at 1-0, with both sides putting in a solid first half performance despite their already confirmed relegations.

Leicester came inches away from scoring early on in the 2nd period after young star Kasey McAteer rattled the post to potentially score his first ever Premier League goal. McAteer soon scored a deserved goal in the 69th minute after Wilfred Ndidi played the ball out to the right side of the penalty area where the Irishman was located. McAteer then shocked the King Power Stadium when instead of crossing the ball back into the box like most players, he drilled the ball towards goal, watching as his unexpected strike fired into the back of the net past Palmer to make it 2-0. Davis then thought he’d scored a consolation for the Tractor Boys when he vollied in Omari Hutchinson’s cross, only for the assistant referee’s flag to be raised as he looked across. The full time score finished 2-0, with Leicester giving Vardy his fairytale send off. The Foxes jump over Ipswich into 18th place on 25 points while Ipswich drop to 19th on 22 points.

Arsenal vs Newcastle United

The final game of Matchweek 37 played on Sunday afternoon saw Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in the match for 2nd place. Both sides came close in the opening exchanges, with Arsenal keeper David Raya giving the ball away dangerously before redeeming himself with a brilliant save from Bruno Guimaraes’ effort before Newcastle shot stopper Nick Pope showed world class reactions to keep out Thomas Partey’s powerful header. Raya then proved his worth yet again for Arsenal, diving at full stretch in the 16th minute to tip wide Harvey Barnes’ deflected effort. Raya was the player of the match in the first half, making a huge double save off Sandro Tonali’s corner in the 17th minute after two close range efforts from Newcastle. After a quick start to the half, it finished 0-0 with Newcastle unlucky not to have anything to show for their first half efforts.

Arsenal made a brilliant start to the 2nd period, scoring inside 10 minutes of the restart. Martin Odegaard made a brilliant run down the right wing before playing the ball to Declan Rice who was just outside the Newcastle penalty area. Rice met the ball with a powerful first time strike, watching as his effort flew past Pope and into the bottom left corner. Both sides had opportunities late on in the game, with Ben White firing his shot wide of the post for Arsenal before Barnes blew Newcastle’s best chance of the 2nd half when smashing the ball over the crossbar. The full time score finished 1-0, with Rice all but securing 2nd place for the Gunners. Arteta’s side remain 2nd on 71 points. Newcastle still sit in a very positive position of 3rd on the table, but know they have to win their final game of the season next weekend if they are to secure Champions League football.

Brighton Hove & Albion vs Liverpool

The only fixture in Matchweek 37 played on Monday night saw Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton host Arne Slot’s Liverpool at the Amex Stadium. The Champions made a perfect start to the game, scoring inside 10 minutes. Mohamed Salah received a long ball down the right wing where he played a brilliant cushioned pass into the path of Conor Bradley. Bradley skillfully nut-megged Simon Adingra before taking the ball to the bi-line. The Northern Irishman cut the ball back into the 6-yard box where Harvey Elliot was present to tap the ball past Bart Verbruggen, a brilliant Reds goal. Brighton soon equalised just after the half hour mark with a spectacular team goal of their own making. Danny Welbeck received the ball from Adam Webster with his back to the Liverpool defence where he quickly laid it off to Brajan Gruda. Gruda played a perfect first time ball over the defence and into the path of Yasin Ayari where the Swede took a couple of touches before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner. The Reds restored their advantage moments before the interval after Elliot played Liverpool’s latest free kick short to Dominik Szoboszlai down the right wing. It was unclear if Szoboszlai was attempting to cross the ball in or saw Verbruggen off his line when he chipped the ball over to the back post, watching as it floated over Verbruggen and into the top left corner. The half-time score stood at 2-1 with Brighton needing to make a huge 2nd half comeback if they were to jump into 8th place.

Both sides had chances to score early on in the 2nd half, with Danny Welbeck’s curling free kick beaten away by Liverpool keeper Alisson before Mohamed Salah missed an open goal from a couple of yards out, a very rare mistake from the Golden Boot leader. Brighton then scored a 2nd equaliser of the tie when Kaoru Mitoma threaded the ball through to Welbeck in the Liverpool penalty area. Welbeck’s initial effort was saved by Alisson, only for Mitoma to acrobatically volley the ball back into the top corner, the Japanese international’s 10th of the campaign. The Seagulls then completely flipped the script in the 85th minute when they scored to make it 3-2. Matt O’Riley fizzed the ball across the Liverpool penalty area where local lad, Jack Hinshelwood, was unmarked at the back post to tap the ball past Alisson. The full time score finished 3-2, with Hurzeler’s side picking up a huge three points, taking them into 8th on the table with 58 points, knowing all they require is one point in the final matchweek to secure European football for next season. Liverpool will be disappointed they lost from a winning position but won’t be too fussed as they have already secured 1st place. 

Crystal Palace vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The first game played on Tuesday night in Matchweek 37 saw Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace (The newly crowned FA Cup Champions) host Vitor Pereira’s Wolves at Selhurst Park. Despite a promising start to the game from the cup winners, Wolves took an unexpected advantage in the 24th minute after Pablo Sarabia’s corner was floated over to the back post where Jorgan Strand Larsen was able to head the ball back across goal. Emmanuel Agbadou then headed the ball at goal where Eddie Nketiah thought he’d cleared it off the line. Unfortunately for the hosts, referee David Webb had a quick glance at his watch and the ball had clearly crossed the line. Palace conjured up the perfect response to Wolves’ opener, scoring just three minutes later. Romain Esse made a quite brilliant run down the left wing, taking on three Wolves players before cutting the ball back to Nketiah. Palace’s no.9 let the ball roll onto his right boot before thrashing it into the bottom right corner, leaving Dan Bentley with no chance of saving his strike. Nketiah then made it two goals in five minutes after Daniel Munoz made a brilliant interception down the right wing. The fan-favourite played a superb ball into the path of Ismaila Sarr who drilled the ball across the 6-yard box. Unmarked at the back post was Nketiah who tapped the ball past Bentley for his 3rd of the season. The half-time score finished 2-1 with the Eagles leading thanks to two goals from Nketiah.

Palace made the perfect start to the 2nd half, scoring five minutes after the restart to make it 3-1. Chelsea loanee, Ben Chilwell, stood over Palace’s latest free kick from 25-yards out where his effort caught a huge deflection off the Wolves’ wall, tricking Bentley as it rolled into the bottom left corner. Wolves then gave the Eagles something to think about in the 62nd minute when they scored from another corner. This time Jean-Ricner Bellegarde whipped the corner in, watching as Strand Larsen rose high to head the ball past Palace keeper Dean Henderson, his 14th of the campaign. Palace put to bed any hope of a Wolves’ comeback when substitute and Crystal Palace hero Eberechi Eze scored in the 86th minute. Justin Devenny played the ball across the Selhurst turf to Eze who was down the left wing. Eze cut into the penalty area onto his favoured right boot before successfully taking on the two Wolves’ centre halves and smashing the ball into the bottom left corner. The full time score finished 4-2, with Palace fans left in a state of disbelief, with such a brilliant win after winning their first ever major trophy last weekend. Fans will hope Glasner can take this season’s form into the next, with Palace guaranteed Europa League football after the FA Cup triumph despite sitting 12th in the league on 52 points. Wolves concede four on the road, but won’t be too bothered as they will hope to bring their 2025 form into the next season as they sit 14th on 41 points.

Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth

The final fixture of Matchweek 37 played on Tuesday night saw Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. After losing the FA Cup final on the weekend and going trophyless since Pep’s first season at the Etihad in 2016/17, they made a brilliant start to the game, scoring inside a quarter of an hour. Omar Marmoush, who missed a crucial penalty in the 0-1 loss to Palace on the weekend, redeemed himself in the perfect manner, picking the ball up from Mateo Kovacic on the halfway line before progressing up the field. From 30-yards out, Marmoush released a bullet of a strike, watching as his effort flew through the Etihad stadium before dipping into the top left corner at the last second, most definitely a goal of the season contender. City should have made it 2-0 in the 25th minute after Marmoush played a teasing ball across the Cherries’ 6-yard box. City captain, Kevin De Bruyne, who was playing his final home match for the Citizens after his confirmed departure in the summer, missed an absolute sitter, smashing the ball against the crossbar from two yards out with the goal gaping. City soon scored a deserved 2nd in the 38th minute. Kovacic played a quick ball into the path of Ilkay Gundogan who took the ball deep into the Bournemouth penalty area. Gundogan then played an intelligent backheel to Bernardo Silva. Silva slotted the ball confidently past Kepa into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0 just before the break. City went into half-time brandishing a 2-0 lead, with Bournemouth needing a 2nd half miracle if they were to keep their European aspiration alive going into the final matchweek.

City made the 2nd period much harder than it needed to be for themselves after Kovacic was unaware of Bournemouth striker Evanilson who would’ve been left one-on-one with Ederson if Kovacic had not pulled him to the ground. It was a clear denial of a goal scoring opportunity as Kovacic saw red in the 67th minute. Moments after gaining a one-man advantage, Bournemouth threw it away after Lewis Cook saw red as well. He made a horrific challenge on City midfielder Nico Gonzalez, diving in with two feet and taking out the Spanish international. The Citizens wrapped up all three points in the 89th minute after Gonzalez scored his first ever Premier League goal. Matheus Nunes played a brilliant ball over the Bournemouth defence and into the path of Gonzalez who was onside. Gonzalez progressed with the ball until he was just outside the penalty area before perfectly placing the ball into the far right corner of Kepa’s goal. Bournemouth made sure their supporters who had made the long journey up didn’t leave with nothing, scoring a consolation with the final kick of the game. Nunes played a weak pass back to Ruben Dias where the ball was intercepted by Canadian forward Daniel Jebbison. Jebbison took the ball into the City penalty area before attempting to smash the ball through Ederson, getting very lucky as the ball fortunately deflected off the Brazilian keeper before bouncing over the line. The full time score finished 3-1, with City putting themselves into a perfect position going into the final day to secure Champions League football. Pep’s side move into 3rd on 68 points. Bournemouth drop to 11th on 53 points with their European aspirations now over despite such a successful season.

Written by Ollie Wade