Premier League Review – Matchday 28
Wednesday 10th March, 2021
Manchester City 5 Southampton 2
This game was brought forward from the weekend of April 24th/25th when City will be playing Spurs in the League Cup Final. Southampton had previously won both of their league games against sides top of the table this season. They beat Everton 2-0 in October and Liverpool 1-0 in January. (Thanks to Declan Mulcahy for that snippet)
Pep Guardiola had a fully fit squad and bought in Kyle Walker, Laporte, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden for Cancelo, Stones, Rodri, Sterling and Gabriel Jesus. Those players were all included on the bench along with Sergio Aguero. Danny Ings was ruled out for Southampton and Hasenhuttl made 6 changes with McCarthy, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Salisu, Djenepo, Redmond and Adams all starting.
Southampton dominated the early possession, but City scored with their first attack in the fifth minute. Zinchenko crossed from the left and Foden's shot was saved but parried by McCarthy with De Bruyne sweeping up the rebound.
Redmond tried to place a shot inside Ederson’s left post after 22 minutes, which was pushed away by the goalkeeper. Southampton had a corner from which Vestergaard had a header which was saved, and which looked as if it would reach Vestergaard again. The defender was hauled down by Laporte and referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot. The reliable Ward-Prowse hit his penalty down the middle with Ederson committing to his right. (25 mins)
McCarthy made a hash of clearing a ball in his area and was challenged by Foden. McCarthy just got enough of the ball before Foden went down, to avoid a penalty decision by the VAR review. Ederson pushed over a good dipping shot by Ward-Prowse at the other end. Djenepo had a good chance in front of goal, but just pulled his shot wide under pressure, injuring himself in the process.
Mahrez scored with an excellent left foot shot from 20 yards after a bad mistake by Che Adams gifting the ball with a poor cross-field pass in his last third. (40 mins)
There were three minutes of added time and in the third, Mahrez wriggled his way into the Southampton area from the right, hitting a shot which rebounded off the post, but into the path of Gundogan, who could not miss.
Tella replaced Djenepo after the interval. Four minutes into the second half after a short corner, Foden hit a low shot from some 25 yards which McCarthy could only parry. The defence managed to clear, but City were looking more and more potent. Mahrez scored again in the 55th minute with a super shot from the left of the area. This followed an advance by Fernandinho who then let a Foden return pass run to Mahrez. McCarthy was beaten to his right.
Southampton bounced back immediately with three players advancing upon the City area. Redmond flicked the ball back to Armstrong who fed it forward to Adams, who finished nicely. McCarthy made another save from Foden with the ball running clear, but it was 5-2 inside 59 minutes when Walker crossed; Foden slipped the ball to De Bruyne who scored with his right foot with three defenders near him, but unable to steal the ball.
Ferran Torres replaced Mahrez after an hour, and Sergio Aguero came on for De Bruyne after 72 minutes. Torres should have scored after 77 minutes after receiving Fernandinho's pass, but he pulled the shot wide. Che Adams took a pass from Ward-Prowse and finished well across Ederson, but he had been offside.
Bernardo Silva took a pass from Gundogan and hit a left foot shot just wide of McCarthy's left post. Aguero also had a shot saved in added time, but in truth the fizz went out of this game once City were 5-2 up.
Friday 12th March, 2021
Newcastle United 1 Aston Villa 1
This game did not spring to life until the very end, when Villa took an 86th minute lead before skipper Jamaal Lascelles levelled the scores seconds before the final whistle after four minutes of added time. The point was valuable, but Newcastle are still very much at risk near the bottom.
Without key men Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin, Steve Bruce went with Joelinton, Dwight Gayle and Ryan Fraser at the head of his team. Dubravka continued in goal. Villa had to manage once again without Grealish.
Former Newcastle player and manager Glenn Roeder was remembered before the game.
A combination by that Newcastle front line after a long kick by Dubravka did give Fraser a shot on target from 20 yards which was on target, but comfortably held by Martinez. Joelinton got the better of Mings on the right after 12 minutes and got into the area, but Konsa blocked him well.
Bertrand Traore had a bad fall and had to be replaced after 20 minutes by El Ghazi. Dubravka saved comfortably from the substitute two minutes later, and then from Trezeguet who got into the area on the right-hand side.
Konsa headed wide from a free kick after 52 minutes, given when Watkins' run was unfairly halted. 81 minutes passed before a decent shot on goal. Shelvey pushed the ball out to Dummett, who found substitute Jacob Murphy with a short forward pass. Murphy's right foot shot beat Martinez but rebounded off the bar. Watkins had a shot from a tight angle at the other end, but Dubravka had that covered.
Villa had the lead in the 86th minute when Targett crossed from the left and Watkins thought he had scored with his header, but former "Villan" Ciaran Clark had got the last unfortunate touch. That was a devastating moment for Newcastle, and Martinez had three saves to make in added time, but Lascelles redeemed the situation with a powerful header after Murphy crossed from the left.
Saturday 13th March, 2021
Leeds United 0 Chelsea 0
Leeds were without skipper Liam Cooper, so Pascal Struijk stepped in. Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel went with a front four of Ziyech, Mount, Pulisic and Havertz. Giroud and Werner were among the subs. Chelsea have their Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Atletico Madrid coming up.
There was action at either end in the first few minutes. Havertz failed to sufficient strength (or direction) on a Pulisic cross allowing Meslier to collect. After the goalkeeper's touch, Leeds broke forward and Bamford crossed to Roberts who put the ball in the net but was denied by an offside against Bamford. Leeds then had an escape when Ayling's attempted clearance rebounded off Llorente's head and hit the bar.
Roberts hit the bar with a lobbed dipping shot after 15 minutes. The game was being played in sunny, showery conditions. Kante had one shot deflected for a corner and teed up Chilwell for another shot which passed just wide but had also taken a slight deflection. Bamford tried to run off a leg injury suffered in a fall from an aerial challenge but had to go off after 35 minutes. He was replaced by Rodrigo.
Meslier was down to a 25 yard shot by Mason Mount after 38 minutes. Havertz had a chance in first half added time after Ziyech lifted a ball into the area, but the ball was hit straight at the Leeds keeper.
Azpilicueta gave Havertz a good chance two minutes into the second half, but Meslier was able to push the shot over for a corner. Havertz had not really been making the most of his opportunities. Chelsea had been on top, but Mendy had the hardest save of the second half to make so far when he got a hand to Raphinha’s left foot shot on the turn from close range after 55 minutes.
Helder Costa replaced Jack Harrison after 63 minutes. With a quarter of the game remaining Werner and James came on for Pulisic and Ziyech.
Meslier could only parry a long range effort by Rudiger and at the other end Reece James managed to block a Raphinha shot which had already been deflected by Llorente and Leeds had a corner. From a second corner Raphinha had a free header saved by Mendy. Leeds substitute Rodrigo was replaced by Klich whilst Chelsea made their final substitution with Hudson-Odoi on for Mount.
After the early promise of goals, the clear opportunities were few and far between in the second half. Overall, Chelsea lacked sharpness in front of goal throughout the game.
Crystal Palace 1 West Bromwich Albion 0
Wilfried Zaha returned for Palace and replaced Andros Townsend in the only change to the Palace side which started last week's 4-1 defeat at Tottenham. West Brom were unchanged. Both managers were facing former teams they had led. Mind you, Roy Hodgson has previously been in charge of 18 club and national sides. Sam Allardyce is a novice of 10 previous teams, including that very brief time with England.
Wilfried Zaha stood tall (literally) by his recently stated intent not to take the knee before kick-off.
The first moment of real excitement came after 33 minutes when Milivojevic hit a shot from 25 yards which dipped, and which was saved by Johnstone. VAR then reviewed a possible handball by Furlong in the area preceding that shot. The decision was for a penalty, taken and scored by Milivojevic. (37 mins)
Johnstone had to make a very good save after 47 minutes from a Benteke shot following a Palace throw-in on the right. A corner resulted, but nothing came from that.
With their five-man midfield, West Brom tried to get back on terms but they were failing to hit the target. Pereira had a nice try after 57 minutes with a left foot shot which passed outside Guaita's right post. As the rain started to fall, Eze hit a 22-yard shot straight at Johnstone.
West Brom had a free kick after 71 minutes which led to a move at the end of which Diagne had a touch on the ball aimed at goal, Guaita was able to pat away to a defender's feet. West Brom claims for a penalty fell on deaf ears too.
This was another "must-win" game for "The Baggies”, and their failure to secure even a point leaves them at least 10 (effectively 11, taking into account their poor goal difference) points from safety with only 9 games remaining. Palace on the other hand can surely look forward to a ninth consecutive Premier League season.
Both teams have the luxury (or is it a disadvantage?) of three weeks off now.
Everton 1 Burnley 2
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure could be out for up to 10 weeks with a broken bone in his foot. Carlo Ancelotti has also indicated that James Rodriguez will not play until after the International break to allow him to recover from a calf problem.
Carlo Ancelotti's one change was to bring in Tom Davies for Gylfi Sigurdsson, who started on the bench. Sean Dyche made one change too. The injured Charlie Taylor was replaced by Erik Pieters.
Burnley were on the attack first, but Richarlison went close with a sharply taken shot after two minutes which was saved by Pope. It was however Burnley who took the lead in the 13th minute. Dwight McNeil advanced down the left wing and his cross was flicked into the path of Chris Wood off Michael Keane. Wood hammered home a right-footed shot. Wood had another crack at goal after picking up a long ball forward. The shot looked on target but was deflected out of play for a corner.
Dwight McNeil scored an absolutely cracking goal in the 25th minute. He received Vydra's pass from the right, took a touch, and hit a 20-yard left foot shot which hit the net just inside Pickford’s right post. It was a beauty! Burnley were on fire and Gudmundsson hit Pickford’s right-hand post with another left-footed shot only two minutes later.
Everton got one back in the 32nd minute when Davies crossed powerfully from inside the box on the right and Calvert-Lewis met the ball using all of its power to head home. A minute later, Pope had to save low to his left from another Richarlison shot from 20 yards. Calvert-Lewin went close with a header from a free kick taken by Gomes.
Jordan Pickford had over-stretched and perhaps pulled a muscle when he dived earlier for the earlier Gudmundsson shot and had to be replaced by 21-year-old Joao Virginia.
Pope saved from Gomes' left foot shot early in the second half as the ball headed for his left post.
Everton replaced Davies with Josh King. Davies had earlier hit a good long ball into the Burnley area which Calvert-Lewin had failed to control.
Burnley had four successive attacks. In the first, following a free kick, Chris Wood headed down for Vydra who couldn't quite get his shot in. In the second, a good defensive touch by Godfrey prevented Pieters' cross reaching Wood at the back post. From the corner Burnley hit the top of the bar with a looping header by Mee back across the goal, and finally Vydra had another chance, but hit the ball straight at the keeper.
Rodriguez had replaced Vydra and after 80 minutes McNeil passed to him from a central position. Rodriguez was at an angle to the left but tested Joao Virginia with a shot on target.
Mee made a couple of vital blocks late on from shots by Iwobi and substitute Coleman. Gomes put another shot wide across the face of the goal. Everton had a corner in added time and Joao Virginia went up to hassle Pope. The corner was cleared, and Burnley held onto a special win. They've won at Anfield and Goodson Park this year and have a seven point buffer from the bottom three.
As for Everton, defeat severely hampers their top four chances.
Fulham 0 Manchester City 3
The City roadshow continues. Pep's men have now played more games than the rest of the Premier League, having brought forward games that were scheduled for next week's FA Cup quarter-final weekend, and their future League Cup Final against Spurs. Fulham would have hoped for more from this game, but they'll have other chances to escape the bottom three.
Pep made seven changes from the team which started against Southampton. Such are the resources at his disposal. Sergio Aguero was one of the starters, with Gabriel Jesus also included.
Areola made a good early save from Ferran Torres, low to his right. After a concerted attack on the 34 minute mark, Bernardo Silva was also on target, but Areola comfortably saved the low shot. The Fulham keeper was also comfortable holding Aguero's shot as half-time approached.
City had a free kick early in the second half taken from deep on the left by Cancelo and converted at close range by John Stones. It was Stones' fifth goal of the season and City's 700th in Pep's time in charge.
Jesus was allowed to make it 2-0 in the 56th minute after shocking defending as Fulham carried the ball from their left to centre in front of the area and then lost it to Jesus, who could almost walk the ball into the net. Andersen had been fed a pass that he failed to control.
More suicidal defending led to Tosin Adarabioyo committing a foul on Torres inside the box on Fulham's left. This gave Aguero the opportunity to score his first league goal in 417 days with his penalty driven to the right of the goalkeeper who almost managed to reach the ball. (60 mins)
Fulham didn’t muster an attack of note till late in the game when substitute Mitrovic released another sub - former Spur Josh Onomah - with a neat pass into the box. Onomah’ s attempt to shoot was blocked well by Laporte.
City went 17 points ahead of their Manchester rivals before Sunday's matches.
Sunday 14th March, 2021
Southampton 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2
Southampton's changes included Forster back in goal and Kyle Walker-Peters at right back. Minamino also returned. Brighton’s solitary change was for Danny Welbeck to start, whilst Mac Allister was left on the bench.
Maupay had the best of the early chances with a left foot shot saved by Forster after 15 minutes. From the corner taken on the right by Gross, Lewis Dunk rose and scored from some 12 yards out with a powerful header inside Forster's left post.
Southampton equalised in the 27th minute, having put Brighton under a little pressure. Following a corner, Armstrong lifted a ball into the area. Bertrand headed across towards the right and a defensive header was not strong enough to prevent the ball reaching Che Adams who hammered home a right foot shot.
Pascal Gross really should have scored after 41 minutes after Burn fed him a ball which reached him inside the Southampton area on the right. For a moment, Gross had almost the whole goal to aim at, but he hesitated and under-hit his shot, allowing Forster to get a hand on the ball to concede a corner. Trossard had a better attempt at the end of the half following a Brighton throw from the right. He took a touch then hit a good shot just inside Forster's left post, which the keeper reached to save.
Graham Potter replaced Burn with Zeqiri at half-time, seeking to play with wing-backs and attack more.
After 52 minutes Bertrand crossed from the left and the ball was only half-cleared falling to Ward-Prowse, who hit a low shot from the left corner of the area. Sanchez saved at his right post. Brighton regained the lead in the 56th minute through a neat triangular move, started with Lallana's pass which was nicely presented by Welbeck into the path of Trossard, who scored with a right-footed shot.
After 59 minutes referee Stuart Attwell tried to allow an advantage when Che Adams passed to Tella who was fouled just before he entered the area. Adams was given the chance to go on and score, but Sanchez saved. Ward-Prowse's free kick went for a corner off the wall.
Zeqiri offered danger at the other end with a cross/shot which passed just in front of the far post. Maupay collected a good pass from Welbeck and ran into the box, but Bednarek tackled well. Zeqiri forced another save by Forster with a shot from a tight angle.
There were anxious moments for Brighton in the three minutes of added time, not least when there was a VAR review for the non-award of a penalty when Walker-Peters went down. However, the "Seagulls" held on for a valuable three points. Next week they face Newcastle in another crunch game.
Leicester City 5 Sheffield United 0
The news broke on Friday that Chris Wilder was to leave Sheffield United, after nearly five years in charge. Born locally, Wilder was a former United player and won great credit for leading his team to the Premier League and giving them a great first season back in the top flight. He was said to be unhappy at the lack of investment in January which he felt was needed to keep “The Blades” in with a chance of staying up. The formal announcement that Wilder was leaving “by mutual consent” came yesterday (Saturday).
Brighton’s win left "The Blades" 14 points away from safety with 10 games remaining. Under-23 coach Paul Heckingbottom was in temporary charge of the team. Billy Sharp led out his team, which included Basham back following injury. Leicester had Jonny Evans back, and Ayoze Perez was in, playing behind Vardy and Iheanacho.
Perez nearly scored with a clever header from Castagne's cross after 11 minutes. Ramsdale got a touch, managing to push the ball off the outside of his left post for a corner. Vardy got inside Bryan after 17 minutes but shot straight at the goalkeeper. A shot by Tielemans from 25 yards was blocked and ran out of play off Ampadu for a corner after 35 minutes.
Leicester had the lead in the 39th minute after a good passing move which ended with Vardy's low cross from the left leading to a close-range finish for Iheanacho.
Albrighton replaced Ricardo playing on the right for Leicester at half-time. Leicester had the goal at their mercy after 49 minutes and probably over-played by one pass as Iheanacho teed up Vardy whose shot was goal-bound, but Basham headed off the line.
Vardy had another chance after 58 minutes and again Iheanacho was the provider with a good penetrating pass. Vardy took a left-footed shot but hit it straight at Ramsdale. Perez made it 2-0 with a good right foot shot from the edge of the area after Albrighton crossed from the right.(64 mins)
It was 3-0 five minutes later. Tielemans sent Vardy away down the left with an excellent pass. Vardy crossed in front of the defence and Iheanacho scored from the right-hand side. Perez had a shot headed over for a corner, and after another corner, the same player hit his shot wide. "The Blades" were under the cosh.
Iheanacho scored a terrific hat-trick goal in the 78th minute with a left foot rocket from 22 yards. This was only Iheanacho's second senior hat-trick. The other was scored for Manchester City five years ago in an FA Cup win at Villa Park. The rout continued three minutes later as Vardy hit a left-footed shot from an angle on the left which went into the net off Ampadu.
There could have been more as the disheartened, demoralised Sheffield United side had been destroyed, and are now truly (if not mathematically) consigned back to the Championship.
Arsenal 2 Spurs 1
If you check my appearances page you will see that Erik Lamela had an entry in three columns on Sunday. He was booked, sent off and scored, but of course not in that order, as another Eric nearly said to Andre Previn. The nature of his goal gave him a reasonable overall assessment, but Lucas Moura won the Spurs Odyssey man of the match vote, particularly for his efforts towards the end of the game. If only the team had applied themselves in the same way from the start. Here are a selection of your comments:-
"Always the same. As soon as we have a chance to make top 4 progress, we blow it with possibly one of the most spineless performances of the season. Doherty completely exposed all game and no intention to attack and put them under pressure. Only half decent performance was from Lucas who didn’t stop running throughout."
"A truly shameful performance with no team organisation. It was just like the loss to Leicester who were a "nice" team but also were gifted goals. Was Ndombele actually on the pitch? Hojberg desperately needs a rest as he is nothing like the player early in the season - slow to tackle and being bypassed to easily."
"Based on his post-match comments he seemed to suggest he hadn't sent the team out to play so negatively from the start, in which case if it was the players just letting everyone down then it's tough to blame Jose for what we saw -other than where was he on the touchline yelling at them to wake up and play like it mattered? I literally felt nauseous watching us in the first half. Briefest respite with Lamela's goal, but otherwise a truly sick making performance against our worst rivals."
"Sometimes the team just let's him down. Jose didn't pick that side to play like they did in the first half. Too many normally decent players stuck in the headlights. Lots of small errors made by nerves as much as anything. We bottled another chance to shine. Of course, it's difficult but there is definitely something wrong with out mental side in these big games."
(Regarding referee Michael Oliver)The penalty was a bad decision. I can see the argument for giving it, but it was wrong in the reality of circumstances. And so was VAR. But he was letting Arsenal get away with so many niggling fouls throughout. Can't argue with the sending off. Lamela and Dele always a risk against Arsenal. Had Lamela been able to come on later than the injury to Son permitted it would have been a better tactic. Less time for two yellow cards!
Manchester Utd 1 West Ham United 0
Jesse Lingard was ineligible to play against his home club. David Moyes made three changes, one of which was to include club captain Mark Noble for a rare start. Jarrod Bowen and Ben Johnson were his other returnees. Manchester United were the only team creating chances for most of the first half, the best of which came after 36 minutes when Fabianski pushed a Greenwood shot onto the outside of his right post. Rashford had a tame header three minutes later which was easy for the West Ham keeper.
The game was won by a 53rd minute own goal scored by Craig Dawson following a corner taken by Fernandes. McTominay had challenged and claimed the goal, but it was credited to the West Ham player. Fabianski made another good save with his right hand, saving Fernandes low 22 yard shot after 60 minutes. West Ham’s best effort was a Bowen header which went wide after Cresswell had crossed from the left. Bowen was offside anyway. Greenwood hit the post with a left foot shot as Manchester United broke forward after a West ham attack. (77 mins)
Monday 15th March, 2021
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Liverpool 1
Raul Jimenez is back in training with Wolves and was in the stadium but is not yet ready to play. He suffered his fractured skull injury at the end of November. Jurgen Klopp played Nat Phillips next to Kabak in the defence, allowing Fabinho to play in his familiar midfield position. Diogo Jota played in Firmino’s place against his old team.
Liverpool got away with an early mistake by Alisson when he dropped a straightforward cross but recovered from his error. Alisson also got away with a penalty shout as he clattered Semedo when recovering the ball.
Traore teed up Semedo in space after 4 minutes, but he hit a shot into Alisson's hands. Mane was put through into a goal-scoring position by Wijnaldum after 12 minutes but carried the ball too far to his left and failed to take a shot. Wolves also failed to take advantage of a 3 against 2 situation at the other end with Willian Jose passing to Semedo instead of perhaps taking a shot.
Wolves were more adventurous than has been seen lately.
Mane had another good chance, this one a header, after 37 minutes when Salah passed back to Alexander-Arnold who delivered, but Mane's diving header passed wide of Rui Patricio's left post. Wolves had a free kick after 42 minutes when Thiago was booked for a foul on Traore. Neves took the kick which was saved comfortably by Alisson inside his left post. Two minutes later, Neves had a good chance inside the area but hit his shot wide across the goal.
Wolves’ old boy Jota gave Liverpool the lead in the second minute of first half added time following a swift attack which ended with passes from right to left by Salah and Mane before Jota scored inside Rui Patricio's right post. The goalkeeper got a hand to the shot, but it was not strong enough.
Conor Coady might have scored against his old club early in the second half, but he headed just wide from a Saiss cross, following a Wolves corner.
Chances in the second half were few and far between. Wolves were not making the most of possession in the final third, and Liverpool pressed high at times, without creativity. Alisson did have a save to make after 72 minutes, but this was a Traore shot hit straight at the keeper. Mane did the same thing at the other end six minutes later. Salah got past the defence on the right of the box and hit a shot from a sharp angle, which Rui Patricio got a hand to. The Wolves keeper saved solidly from another shot by Jota, who was then replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The major talking point of the game was a nasty looking head injury sustained by the Wolves goalkeeper when he collided with Coady's knee as he tried to prevent Salah from scoring. Salah had been in an offside position, and of course under current protocols the offside flag was not raised. I have written before about the dangers of this policy, and the potential for players to be injured in playing situations which should not occur. Rui Patricio required lengthy treatment and was stretchered off, but after the game he was reported to be conscious and walking. Salah did score, but the offside flag was then raised. John Ruddy filled his place (as a concussion substitute)for the end of the game which ultimately included over 17 added minutes.
Fixtures/results 10-15.03.21
Wednesday 10th March, 2021
Man City 5-2 S'hampton
Friday 12th March, 2021
Newcastle 1-1 A. Villa
Saturday 13th March, 2021
Leeds 0-0 Chelsea
C. Palace 1-0 West Brom
Everton 1-2 Burnley
Fulham 0-3 Man City
Sunday 14th March, 2021
S'hampton 1-2 Brighton
Leicester 5-0 Sheff Utd
Arsenal 2-1 Spurs
Man Utd 1-0 West Ham
Monday 15th March, 2021
Wolves 0-1 Liverpool
Premier League Table
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Man City 30 22 5 3 64-21 43 71
2. Man Utd 29 16 9 4 56-32 24 57
3. Leicester 29 17 5 7 53-32 21 56
4. Chelsea 29 14 9 6 44-25 19 51
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5. West Ham 28 14 6 8 42-32 10 48
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6. Liverpool 29 13 7 9 48-36 12 46
7. Everton 28 14 4 10 40-37 3 46
8. Spurs 28 13 6 9 47-30 17 45
9. A. Villa 27 12 5 10 39-28 11 41
10. Arsenal 28 12 5 11 37-29 8 41
11. C. Palace 29 10 7 12 31-47 -16 37
12. Leeds 28 11 3 14 43-46 -3 36
13. Wolves 29 9 8 12 28-38 -10 35
14. S'hampton 29 9 6 14 36-51 -15 33
15. Burnley 29 8 9 12 22-37 -15 33
16. Brighton 28 6 11 11 29-36 -7 29
16. Newcastle 28 7 7 14 28-45 -17 28
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18. Fulham 29 5 11 13 22-36 -14 26
19. West Brom 29 3 9 17 20-57 -37 18
20. Sheff Utd 29 4 2 23 16-50 -34 14
