More London Derby matches for Spurs this season
If we include Watford, who are inside the M25 circle around London, then this season we have 7 London sides in the Premier League, more than in any season since 2006-07. Watford were among the seven then, but it was Charlton's last season in the top flight. In 2006-07 Spurs won 6, drew 4 and lost just 2 of their 12 games (away to Chelsea and Arsenal). Under Mauricio Pochettino we have won the unofficial "London League" in the last three seasons, so we started well on Saturday with our win over Fulham. With the three South coast sides there is a definite southern bias in the make-up of the Premier League these days. There is a bottom of the table London Derby clash coming on Saturday when Arsenal host West Ham!
Here is the Spurs Odyssey review of Matchday Two in this season's Premier League:-
Cardiff 0 Newcastle 0
Both clubs gained their first point of the season. Newcastle's Isaac Hayden was sent off for a late and high challenge. Kenedy will not have to face action by the Premier League over a kick on Cardiff's Camarasa in the first half, as the incident was seen, and resulted in a free kick. Referee Craig Pawson awarded a 95th minute penalty for handball. The kick was taken by Kenedy, whose poor shot was saved.
Everton 2 Southampton 1
The 'Toffees' went one up in the fifteenth minute through a well worked free kick via Baines, Schneiderlin and finally Walcott who slotted home. Pickford fumbled Cedric's drive but then got a hand on Ings' close range effort to force the ball over the bar. It had initially looked like a bad miss by Ings, but the England keeper had redeemed himself well.
Richarlison made it 2-0 with his third goal in his first two games for Everton, nodding home Walcott's cross. Danny Ings did make it 2-1 in the 54th minute but Everton took the points. Walcott missed badly, pulling his shot wide after Sigurdsson had put him in with a good short pass. Ings took the force of Jordan Pickford's boot as the keeper challenged outside the area, and of course Mark Hughes was not happy.
Leicester 2 Wolves 0
Wolves haven't spent as big as did Fulham in the summer, but despite their obvious attractions, they could still be in for a tough season, if "Lady Luck" goes against them as much as it did today. Moutinho (signed this summer from Monaco) struck the bar early on and Leicester somehow managed to clear Doherty's effort. Raul Jimenez also hit the woodwork for Wolves.
Doherty gifted Leicester the lead with a headed own goal against the run of play in the 29th minute. Maddison then made it 2-0 almost on the stroke of half-time with a deflected shot. The former Norwich midfielder is already looking a decent acquisition for the "Foxes".
Jamie Vardy was sent off and will face a three match suspension for his over forceful challenge on Doherty. Wolves hit the woodwork yet again through Jonny's shot.
Spurs 3 Fulham 1
Lucas Moura's goal was his first in the Premier League for Tottenham. Harry Winks' late appearance as substitute for Harry Kane was his first appearance for almost 6 months. Winks' last game was in the 6-1 home FA Cup win against Rochdale on 28th February. Lucas Moura and another goalscorer Kieran Trippier shared your man of the match vote. The spursometer can be seen in full here. Trippier's last and only previous Spurs goal was against Watford in February 2016, but it seems he will now be competing with Eriksen to take free kicks near the goal!
West Ham 1 Bournemouth 2
This was not the result that "Hammers" fans were hoping for or perhaps even expected. West Ham were initially denied a penalty when Hernandez was upended after a good ball by Anderson. Arnautovic scored Hammers' first goal of the season, and indeed their only goal so far!
Begovic saved well from a deflected Arnautovic shot. After an hour's play Calum Wilson was allowed to waltz through five West Ham defenders to equalise. The impressive Brooks won a free kick on the right and Steve Cook headed home the winner in front of 56,888 fans, most of whom went home in a very unhappy frame of mind. Bournemouth have two wins from two games, and.... erm West Ham don't!
Chelsea 3 Arsenal 2
Pedro opened the scoring in the 9th minute after a cutting move through Jorghino and Alonso. Aubameyang missed an easy chance in front of goal before Morata made it 2-0 seizing onto a long pass before turning Mustafi in and out. Another former Borussia Dortmund player - Mkhitaryan also missed in front of goal before making it 2-1 with a harder left footed shot from the edge.
After Cech saved well from Morata, Arsenal went in at half-time on level terms thanks to Iwobi scoring from the centre of the goal where his colleagues had previously failed. Hazard came off the bench again for Chelsea and his pass from the left gave Alonso the opportunity to seal the win in an eventful derby match.
Burnley 1 Watford 3
Burnley's busy early season schedule continues and this game was already their sixth competitive match. They have reached the Europa League play-offs, but they were second best today against a Watford side who are one of the 6 teams who have won both of their first games.
It was former Burnley man Andre Gray who put the visitors ahead with a fine first time finish within three minutes. Tarkowski equalised three minutes later, but Watford took the spoils in the second half through skipper Troy Deeney and Will Hughes, who had upset Burnley manager Sean Dyche with a scissor kick first half tackle in front of the tactical area. Dyche, of course, is a former Watford manager.
Man City 6 Huddersfield 1
Who can stop Manchester City? Not Huddersfield, that's for sure. The rout started when City's footballing goalkeeper Ederson hit a goal kick with Sergio Aguero having a head start on his defender (you can't be offside from a goal kick remember). Huddersfield's goalkeeper Ben Hamer was on the edge of his area, and Aguero turned and lofted a shot over the keeper and the hastily retreating defence to score. Significantly, Pep Guardiola pointed towards his keeper in recognition of his part in the goal. Aguero went on to get the thirteenth hat-trick of his City career (9 in the Premier League). Additional goals came from Gabriel Jesus, a supreme David Silva free kick and a Kongolo own goal following substitute Sane's run, a shot and a save by Hamer that rebounded off the Huddersfield defender.
City's bench included £60 million Riyad Mahrez, £50 million Kyle Walker, and Raheem Sterling! Oh, plus Leroy Sane mysteriously neglected by Germany for their World Cup campaign.
Luckily for the rest of the league not all of City's superstars can start every game. Kevin De Bruyne won't be fit for three months so let's hope Spurs can fulfil their October 28th fixture, eh? Luckily for Huddersfield they only have to play City once more this season.
Brighton v Man Utd
The Amex was rocking in the first half of this game! Firstly veteran striker Glenn Murray scored with a very deliberate and skilled flick past De Gea, then within two minutes the "Seagulls" were two up through Duffy's goal with the United defence in disarray. Lukaku got one back with a close range header following a corner, but minutes before half-time Eric Bailly gave away a needless penalty which was converted by Pascal Gross, despite De Gea's near save with his legs.
The United dressing room at half-time would have been an interesting place to be but there is no Amazon Prime City-type documentary team following Jose's men this season.
Mourinho made a double substitution of Lingard and Rashford for Pereira and Mata at half-time and Fellaini replaced Martial on the hour.
Brighton defended their lead with great determination and gritty team spirit. United lacked creativity, despite their attacking intentions. They did get what turned out to be a consolation goal in the last minute of added time when Fellaini was brought down, and Pogba fired home from the spot. Sky's post match comments were scathing, and the post mortem will continue long into the week, probably until we travel to Old Trafford next Monday night.
Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 2
In front of the usual vociferous Selhurst Park crowd the home side had an escape when Salah nearly took advantage after a Sakho error, but former Spur Andros Townsend came closer when his left foot shot hit the top of the crossbar. Robertson hit a snatched left foot shot well over after Salah had lifted the ball back from the bye-line after 34 minutes. Salah won a penalty after Sakho's challenge in the 44th minute and Milner scored from the spot to give Liverpool a half-time lead.
Salah was onto a long ball after 48 minutes, but Hennessy did enough to put off the Egyptian who did get the ball back to Keita, who should have scored but who pulled his shot wide. Zaha won a free kick 25 yards out after an exciting and penetrating run. Milivojevic took the kick which was well saved by Alisson. Zaha had another shot comfortably saved after 72 minutes. In the 75th minute Salah broke clear and Palace's young full back Wan-Bissaka saw red for preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity on the edge of the box. Salah's free kick was headed over the bar by the wall.
Salah had a header tipped over the bar by Hennessy after 83 minutes. In added time after breaking away from a Palace corner, Salah passed to Mane who kept his balance and sealed the win from within the penalty area. Liverpool became the sixth team to win both their games.
Fixtures/Results 18-20.08.18
Cardiff 0-0 Newcastle
Everton 2-1 S'hampton
Leicester 2-0 Wolves
Spurs 3-1 Fulham
West Ham 1-2 B'mouth
Chelsea 3-2 Arsenal
Sunday
Burnley 1-3 Watford
Man City 6-1 Huddersfield
Brighton 3-2 Man Utd
Monday
C. Palace 0-2 Liverpool
Premier League Table
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Man City 2 2 0 0 8-1 7 6
2. Liverpool 2 2 0 0 6-0 6 6
3. Chelsea 2 2 0 0 6-2 4 6
4. Watford 2 2 0 0 5-1 4 6
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5. Spurs 2 2 0 0 5-2 3 6
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6. B'mouth 2 2 0 0 4-1 3 6
7. Everton 2 1 1 0 4-3 1 4
8. Leicester 2 1 0 1 3-2 1 3
9. Man Utd 2 1 0 1 4-4 0 3
10. C. Palace 2 1 0 1 2-2 0 3
11. Brighton 2 1 0 1 3-4 -1 3
12. Newcastle 2 0 1 1 1-2 -1 1
13. S'hampton 2 0 1 1 1-2 -1 1
14. Wolves 2 0 1 1 2-4 -2 1
15. Burnley 2 0 1 1 1-3 -2 1
16. Cardiff 2 0 1 1 0-2 -2 1
17. Arsenal 2 0 0 2 2-5 -3 0
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18. Fulham 2 0 0 2 1-5 -4 0
19. West Ham 2 0 0 2 1-6 -5 0
20. H'dsfield 2 0 0 2 1-8 -7 0
