Kickoff chronicles

Manchester United vs Newcastle United

The opening game of Matchweek 18, played on Boxing Day, saw Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United host Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United at Old Trafford, with both sides coming off the back of disappointing results in Matchweek 17. Newcastle made a better start to the game and came so close to scoring off a Sandro Tonali corner just 10 minutes in. The Italian whipped the ball to the near post where captain Bruno Guimaraes saw his headed effort parried off the line by United keeper Senne Lammens. In the 24th minute, the hosts broke the deadlock after Diogo Dalot launched a long throw into the Newcastle penalty area. Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade was only able to head the ball away as far as Dalot’s full-back partner Patrick Dorgu on the edge of the penalty area where the Dane hit the ball powerfully on the volley, watching as his brilliant effort nestled into the bottom left corner. Dorgu’s first ever goal for Manchester United, and in the Premier League, was the difference at the break with the half-time score finishing 1-0.

The hosts came so close to scoring a second 13 minutes after the break when Benjamin Sesko picked the ball up outside the Newcastle penalty area from a Manuel Ugarte interception. Sesko unleashed a shot from close range, getting so unlucky as his effort rattled off the upright and out of play. Just minutes later, Newcastle came so close to scoring after they too hit the frame of the goal. Left-back Lewis Hall made a driving run through the middle of the pitch before cracking a shot from 25 yards out. He was so unfortunate, with his shot striking the underside of the bar and bouncing away from danger. Newcastle continued to search for a late leveller, with their best and final chance coming in the 90th minute. Hall chipped the ball in from the left wing where it luckily fell into the path of young midfielder Lewis Miley. Miley had plenty of time but panicked when unleashing a shot at the United goal, blasting it over the bar and wasting Newcastle’s last chance to equalise. The full-time score finished 1-0, with United claiming a huge victory despite crucial players absent because of AFCON and their captain Bruno Fernandes out due to a last minute injury. The Red Devils move into 5th on the table with 29 points, level with Chelsea in 4th. After blowing a two-goal lead to Chelsea last weekend, Newcastle failed to perform once again as they remain 11th although everyone else is yet to play. Something needs to change for Howe’s men if they are to contend for European football.

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City

The following game of Matchweek 18 saw Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the City Ground, with City hoping for a win to apply the pressure back onto Arsenal. The first half was slow to kick into action, with both sides only having one big chance. Forest had a good opportunity early on after Callum Hudson-Odoi whipped the ball across the face of goal. Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White were unmarked at the back post but neither of them were able to make a convincing connection with Hudson-Odoi’s cross as the ball travelled out for a goal kick. City then had a half chance midway through the first half after target man Erling Haaland received the ball in the Forest penalty area. He unleashed a shot on the spin but centre half Nikola Milenkovic did extremely well to make up ground and block the Norwegian’s shot. The half-time score finished 0-0, with City needing a much better 2nd half performance.

The travelling side made the perfect start to the 2nd period, scoring less than three minutes after the break. Rayan Cherki received the ball just outside the penalty area where he slipped a lovely ball through to Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutchman slotted the ball into the far right corner of John Victor’s net to make it back-to-back goals in his last two games as he is finally finding his scoring form in a City shirt. The game finally started to fire up, with Cherki striking the post moments after Reijnders goal before Forest equalised in the 54th minute. Jesus’ crossed the ball in from the left side of the City penalty area with a plethora of Red shirts to choose from. His cross fell perfectly onto the boot of Omari Hutchinson who smashed the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it 1-1, finally opening his Premier League account for Forest. City dominated the final half hour, knowing they needed a goal to apply the pressure back onto Arsenal. They finally found their 2nd and all important goal in the 83rd minute after Phil Foden whipped a cross all the way over to the back post. It looked like the chance had gone for City but Josko Gvardiol was just about able to head the ball back centrally to Cherki. Cherki was the man of the match so far and was always going to have a crucial role in this game as he struck the ball perfectly on the volley and into the bottom left corner, a brilliant strike. The full-time score finished 1-2, with City claiming a huge three points away from home, taking them to top of the table for a couple of hours on 40 points. Forest fell just short to the 2024 Champions but are still looking good to stay up, sitting 17th on 18 points and five points away from the relegation zone.

Arsenal vs Brighton Hove & Albion

The next game of Matchweek 18 saw Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal hoping to put their recent goal scoring troubles to bed against the Seagulls. Arsenal came out looking the better side early on in the first half and found the lead in the 14th minute after a poor pass from Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen was intercepted by Declan Rice. Rice headed the ball into the path of Bukayo Saka who took it down the wing before cutting it back to skipper Martin Odegaard on the edge of the penalty area. Odegaard took a touch before driving the ball into the bottom right corner, a brilliant finish to finally open his account for the season. Arsenal should have made it 2-0 just before half-time, with Saka, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubemendi all having shots blocked or saved in the same play before Leandro Trossard blasted the ball over the bar and out for a goal kick. The score at the break stood at 1-0, with Brighton very fortunate to only be a goal behind. 

Just six minutes into the 2nd half, Arsenal made it 2-0 after Rice whipped the ball in from the left corner flag. His delivery fell to the near post where Brighton attacker Georginio Rutter jumped up to head the ball away but got it all wrong, flicking it past Verbruggen and into his own net, the fourth own goal in as many games Arsenal had benefited from. Twelve minutes later, Brighton gave the Gunners something to ponder after Yasin Ayari’s shot from the edge of the penalty area struck the post of David Raya’s goal. Seagull’s striker Diego Gomez then thrashed the ball into an uncontested net to score his fourth league goal of the season and half the deficit. Arsenal were defending well in the closing stages but Brighton should have equalised in the 76th minute after Rutter perfectly laid the ball into Yankuba Minteh with a deft touch. Minteh hit the ball with force and his shot looked destined for the top left corner if not for an out of this world save by Raya who acrobatically leapt up to his right to tip the ball over the bar. In the end, Arsenal missed two huge chances to make it 3-1, with Gabriel Martinelli blazing the ball over the bar from close range before Saka failed to score a 1v1 against Verbruggen. The full-time score finished 2-1, with Arsenal claiming yet another ugly win to move them back into 1st on 42 points. Arteta will know his side will need to start scoring goals of their own now, benefiting off far too many lucky own goals. Brighton drop to 12th on the table with 24 points after another away loss.

Brentford vs AFC Bournemouth

The following game played on Saturday afternoon in Matchweek 18 saw Keith Andrew’s Brentford host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Bournemouth hoping to end their eight game winless run. The Bees made a rapid start to the game after Igor Thiago played a wicked through ball to wide man Kevin Schade. Schade showed his strength when outmuscling Bafode Diakate before slotting the ball past Bournemouth keeper Djordje Petrovic, a brilliant counter attacking goal. Just as it looked like Bournemouth were slowly getting back into the game, Brentford scored a second off another counter attack. Keane Lewis-Potter played a brilliant ball down the right wing for Thiago to chase, leaving him through on goal. Thiago’s eventual shot was blocked by Marcos Senesi where the ball looked to be looping over Petrovic and into the Cherries’ goal. Diakate actually did well to get back, clearing the ball off his own line, only for the ball to unfortunately ricochet into his keeper Petrovic and bobble over the line for an own goal. The score at half-time stood at 2-0, with Brentford proving once again how hard the Gtech is to play at. 

The Bees wrapped up all three points in the 51st minute after Thiago played the ball out to Yehor Yarmoliuk on the right wing on another Brentford counter attack. The Ukrainian drilled the ball across the penalty area first time where Schade stuck out his right boot to smash the ball past Petrovic and secure his brace. Bournemouth finally started to create some chances after the hour mark and scored a consolation in the 75th minute after Alex Jimenez showed great wide play down the right to cut into the penalty area and dribble around Rico Henry. His eventual shot was then flicked into the back of the Brentford net by Antoine Semenyo, whose deft touch took him to nine goals this season, 3rd in the top scorers behind City’s Haaland and Brentford’s Thiago. The Bees were still able to end the game on a positive note though, scoring a 4th with the last kick of the game. Mikel Damsgaard crossed the ball in from the right side of the penalty area where Schade was left unmarked at the back post. The German then headed the ball into the back of the net with ease from a couple yards out to complete his hat-trick. The full-time score finished 4-1, with Brentford claiming a huge three points to take them into 8th on the table with 26 points. Bournemouth are now winless in nine as they drop to 15th on 22 points.

Burnley vs Everton

The following game of Matchweek 18 saw Scott Parker’s Burnley host David Moyes’ Everton at Turf Moor, with Burnley needing a win and the gap to safety now seven points for the Clarets. Both sides were slow to get off the mark in the first half, with the sole chance coming in Everton’s favour in the 14th minute. Tyler Dibling, yet to really impress in an Everton shirt, received the ball down the right wing where he drilled in across the face of goal. Striker Beto was unlucky, throwing himself at the ball but unable to make any convincing contact as the ball ricocheted off him and out for a goal kick. The half-time score finished 0-0, with it clear both sides were missing crucial players due to the AFCON tournament currently being played in Morocco. 

The Clarets should have taken the lead in the 57th minute after Marcus Edwards chipped the ball over the Everton defence and into the path of Jacob Bruun Larsen. Bruun Larsen then fluffed his lines, blasting the ball over the bar where a more composed finish would have definitely seen Burnley take the lead. Everton then started to create chances, with Beto drawing a world class save from Martin Dubravka, the Burnley keeper, in the 62nd minute after his flick forced the shot stopper to dive down low to his right to keep the ball out. For the next half hour, Dubravka kept the hosts in the game, making save after save to ensure Everton didn’t score. With the last chance of the game, Burnley had a huge opportunity to venture forward and snatch all three points after Jaidon Anthony played an absolutely perfect through ball to substitute striker Zian Flemming who was through on goal. With Everton keeper Jordan Pickford coming out to close him down, Flemming got an early shot away although his effort was very weak, trickling onto the post before literally rolling across the goal line and spinning away from danger. The full-time score finished 0-0, with Burnley so unlucky at the end not to take all three points despite Everton being the better side across the 90. Everton move up to 11th on 25 points while Burnley remain 19th on 12 points, still looking certain to go down.

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The next game in Matchweek 18 saw Arne Slot’s Liverpool host Rob Edwards’ Wolves at Anfield, with Slot hoping for a third league win in a row which would see them move into the top five. Liverpool made an expected dominant start and came so close to the opener just after 10 minutes when Florian Wirtz played a brilliant through ball to striker Hugo Ekitike. Ekitike’s eventual shot from inside the penalty area rattled against the woodwork, so close to his 9th of the season. The hosts hit the frame of the goal again in the 28th minute after Alexis Mac Allister’s shot on the half volley was brilliantly saved into the post by Wolves’ keeper Jose Sa. Liverpool finally scored a deserved opener in the 41st minute after Jeremy Frimpong cut the ball back from the right wing. Ryan Gravenberch was open and unmarked in the Wolves’ penalty area and smashed the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0. Just a minute after their 1st, Liverpool scored a 2nd to go into the break 2-0 up. Ekitike threaded the ball through to summer-singing Wirtz where the German took a good first touch before slotting the ball past Sa to finally score his first ever goal for Liverpool, much needed for the expensive young talent. The half-time score stood at 2-0, with Liverpool looking to extend their winning streak.

Just six minutes into the 2nd half, Wolves silenced Anfield when scoring to half the deficit. Andre whipped the ball in from the left corner flag where Tolu Arokodare’s initial header was saved by Alisson. Santiago Bueno was then quickest to react, tapping the ball home from close range to make it 2-1. Unfortunately for Wolves, their rare goal was not enough to inspire the team to a comeback as Liverpool looked comfortable for the remaining 40 minutes, even missing a few chances to make it 3-1. The full-time score finished 2-1, with Liverpool claiming a huge three points which sees them move into 4th on 32 points, with things finally starting to click for Slot’s side. Wolves remain 20th on the table with two points, still statistically the worst Premier League side ever.

West Ham United vs Fulham

The following game in Matchweek 18 saw Nuno Espirito’s West Ham host Marco Silva’s Fulham at the London Stadium, with West Ham also needing a result as they sit 18th, five points away from safety. Fulham made a strong start to the game, with Harry Wilson coming inches away inside the opening six minutes after his long range effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Alphonse Areola. West Ham started to play some good football, but it was clear that they were missing their striker Callum Wilson, who Nuno had opted to not play once again despite the Hammers’ pathetic goalscoring this season. Skipper Jarrod Bowen had a few chances in the first half, with one saved by Bernd Leno before his next effort was blocked by Kenny Tete. The score at half-time finished 0-0, with West Ham needing three points to punish Forest dropping points earlier on.

The Hammers should have been up 1-0 after three really good chances in the 2nd half. Bowen missed their first in the 64th minute, putting Soungoutou Magassa’s shot wide from close range before substitute Wilson saw his two solo efforts just fly wide of the far left corner. Despite West Ham’s domination in the 2nd half, it all meant nothing as Fulham scored late on to rob the Hammers’ of all three points. A deflected cross fell into the path of West Ham academy graduate and full back Ollie Scarles where he lashed out a boot and failed to clear the ball. H.Wilson was then quick to cross the ball back into the box with the West Ham defenders left sleeping as Raul Jimenez was unmarked and able to head the ball past Areola. The full-time score finished 0-1, with Fulham winning thanks to a late error from Scarles who looked heartbroken after the whistle. West Ham needed three points and they now look certain to go down as they sit 18th on 13 points, five away from safety. A season in the Championship might be good for the Hammers as they hope to get rid of their ineffectual owners. Fulham pick up yet another win as they move into 10th on the table with 26 points. Now that they are well clear of the drop zone, Silva’s side will now be able to look up the table to the European qualification spots.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa

The final game played on Saturday evening saw Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea host Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in what was a monumental game, with both sides looking to close in on Manchester City and Arsenal. Chelsea had two big missed opportunities early on, with Cole Palmer smashing the ball just wide of the far post on the volley before Enzo Fernandez saw his shot from the edge of the Villa area fly inches wide of the top right corner. The Blues finally took the lead in the 37th minute after Reece James whipped in a brilliant inswinging corner. His delivery was so difficult to defend and claim for Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez as the ball hit the back of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and bobbled over the line. Pedro ran away in celebration but all the Chelsea players turned to James, knowing his corner was what gave them the 1-0 advantage. The half-time score finished 1-0, although the Villa fans were not worried as they had salvaged 15 points so far this season from losing positions in the league.

Just after the hour mark, Villa scored an expected equaliser through their striker Ollie Watkins, only seconds after he was subbed on. Morgan Rogers played a direct ball into the path of the Englishman where his first touch left him 1-on-1 with Robert Sanchez. Watkins’ shot came off the chest of Sanchez before deflecting back off his shin and into the empty Chelsea net, a scrappy but vital goal. Villa continued to dominate and completed the turnaround in the 84th minute after Youri Tielemans whipped the ball in from the right corner flag. Watkins was unmarked in the middle of the penalty area and headed the ball into the far left of Sanchez’s net, a brilliant goal to seal the win for Villa. The full-time score finished 1-2, with Villa completing yet another comeback to stay in the title race. Emery’s men remain 3rd on the table with 39 points, their 15th win in 17 games in all competitions. Chelsea lose their 5th game of the league season as they drop to 5th on the table with 29 points.

Sunderland vs Leeds United

The first game played on Sunday in Matchweek 18 saw Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland host Daniel Farke’s Leeds, with the Black Cats hoping to extend their unbeaten run at home in the league this season. Even with six African players absent due to the AFCON tournament, Sunderland still made a strong start to the game and opened the scoring just before the half hour mark. A Nordi Mukiele long throw-in was only cleared as far as Black Cats’ captain Granit Xhaka by Leeds. Xhaka then played an intelligent reverse ball into the left side of the penalty area where summer signing Simon Adingra was unmarked in space. Adingra took a good first touch on his left boot before brilliantly curling the ball into the far corner of Lucas Perri’s net with his right boot, a brilliant finish to score his first goal for Sunderland. Leeds came so close to equalling the game just before the break when Pascal Struijk played a long ball into the flight of target man Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Calvert-Lewin flicked the ball onto Brenden Aaronson with a brilliant first touch on the volley. Aaronson took on the Sunderland defenders before unleashing a shot, with his effort beating keeper Robin Roefs before Trai Hume cleared the ball off the line to keep their clean sheet intact. The score at half-time stood at 1-0, with Sunderland hoping for a win which would take them to 5th on the table.

Less than two minutes into the 2nd half, Leeds scored a huge goal to tie the game. It was a swift counter attack, with Anton Stach spreading the ball wide to Aaronson on the right who drove down the wing. Aaronson then drilled the ball into the penalty area, with Calvert-Lewin slotting the ball past Roefs from a couple yards out to score his 7th goal in his 6th game, while also making it six Premier League games in a row that he’d scored (a Leeds record). Sunderland were looking tired and Leeds started to dominate in the 2nd period. They had chances to win, with Jayden Bogle knocking the ball across the face of the Sunderland goal before Ao Tanaka blazed his close range effort over the crossbar. The full-time score finished 1-1, with Leeds disappointed not to take all three points but also gaining a crucial point in the fight to stay in the Premier League. Leeds remain 16th, now on 20 points, while Sunderland drop to 7th on 28 points.

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur

The final game of Matchweek 18, played on Sunday evening, saw Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace host Thomas’ Franks Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park in the Premier League’s latest London derby, with both sides desperate for a win. Despite Palace’s strong start to the game, Tottenham actually had the ball in the back of the net first (although it was later disallowed). Pedro Porro received the ball outside from Lucas Bergvall where he whipped it in first time, with Richarlison present in the penalty area to tap the ball past Dean Henderson. Fortunately for Palace, the goal was chalked off as Bervall and the Brazilian were offside. Spurs finally scored a legitimate goal in the 42nd minute after a Porro corner. Randal Kolo Muani was then able to head the ball back into a dangerous position from the back post where Richarlison headed the ball into the 6-yard area. The striker’s header only needed a little flick from Archie Gray, with the young midfielder nodding the ball into the far corner to score his first ever senior professional goal. The score at half-time stood at 0-1, with Spurs hoping to put an end to their horrid form.

The second half was very cautious, with Tottenham sitting back to try to defend their lead and Palace unable to pick the lock of the Tottenham backline, missing crucial players due to injury and AFCON. Tottenham hit the hosts on another counter in the 75th minute and thought they’d put the game to bed after Richarlison smashed home Mohammed Kudus’ trivela cross. Unfortunately for Spurs, Richarlison was offside once again and the score remained 0-1. Spurs then came so close late on to sealing it after substitute winger Wilson Odebert’s volley from outside the penalty area rattled the woodwork and bounced across the face of goal. In the end, Palace were lacking in the final 3rd as the full-time score finished 0-1. Tottenham claimed a huge win away from home as they move to 11th on the table with 25 points. Palace drop to 9th after a 4th consecutive loss in all competitions.

Written by Ollie Wade