Premier League Review – Matchday 24
Saturday 5th February, 2022
Burnley 0 Watford 0
This game had been re-scheduled after Covid issues in the Watford camp led to postponement in December. The game was notable for the fact that 74-year-old Roy Hodgson was in charge of “The Hornets” for the first time. He got very wet too in conditions which Burnley manager Sean Dyche said were the worst he’d seen at Turf Moor in 10 years! That’s saying something, bearing in mind that our planned game on 28th November was snowed off!
As for the game, Cornet had a right foot shot well saved by Foster after 10 minutes. Pope's first save came after 39 minutes from a Josh King shot. Mee was saved from scoring an own goal by his team-mates on the line after the corner.
Burnley debutant Wout Weghorst hit a shot which was deflected and looped down onto Foster's bar. Pope saved well from Joao Pedro's close range header after 60 minutes. Cornet had a powerful left-footed shot well saved by Foster. shot saved. A late shot by Tom Cleverley was saved by Pope's dive to his right post.
The result left both clubs in the relegation zone. Burnley have finally reached the halfway stage of their league season, and this is the latest date that has occurred.
Tuesday 8th February, 2022
Newcastle United 3 Everton 1
The only brand new signing to start for Newcastle was Villa loanee Matt Targett, replacing the injured Paul Dummett. The other two most recent signings, Guimaraes and Burn, started on the bench. Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood have already settled in the Newcastle side. Dele Alli, Donny van de Beek, and Anwar El-Ghazi were on the Everton bench. "The Toffees" starting line-up included Yerry Mina and Andros Townsend.
Jonjo Shelvey had a shot on goal inside two minutes after Mina gave the ball away. The shot passed just over the target. Shelvey had a shot on target after Saint-Maximin's pass from his right, but this was hit straight at Pickford. The game started at a high tempo, with every ball being challenged. Richarlison took a pass from Gray after 11 minutes but pulled his shot wide of Dubravka’s right post at The Gallowgate End.
Andros Townsend had put one header wide of the target and won a corner with a heavily deflected shot, from which Mina headed high and wide. Demarai Gray had to come off through injury after 25 minutes and was replaced by Dele Alli. Yerry Mina went down injured after 31 minutes and Saint-Maximin took advantage passing to Joelinton on the left of the area. His shot was scuffed and saved by Pickford. Mina was being beckoned off by the Everton bench and his team-mates. He didn’t want to go, but was replaced by 19-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite, making his second Everton appearance of the season.
Tempers were getting frayed while Mina was down and Holgate was fouled by Shelvey, who was booked. From the free kick, Holgate's effort was blocked but rebounded into the net off Newcastle captain Lascelles. The lead lasted only one minute as Lascelles headed Trippier's cross against the bar after which the unfortunate Holgate could not help but score an own goal. (37 mins) Trippier's corners were causing problems and Chris Wood had a chance but headed straight at Pickford.
In first half added time the Everton defence was mesmerised by Saint-Maximin, but when he cut the ball back, Joelinton lost his footing and failed to hit a shot.
Five minutes into the second half Gordon tested Dubravka with a right foot shot from the edge of the area. Saint-Maximin came in for a lot of "treatment" from the Everton players and won a free kick after 52 minutes. Trippier’s free kick was cleared. Four minutes later, Saint-Maximin got to the bye-line inside the area on the lift and lifted a ball into the centre where Ryan Fraser's shot crossed the line despite the efforts of Townsend. It was Fraser's first Premier League goal for "The Toon".
Richarlison had a free kick in a dangerous position. That was blocked and Branthwaite's shot from outside the box was hit straight at Dubravka. Frank Lampard put on another new boy - Van de Beek, for Gomes. Everton had used all three subs.
Saint-Maximin was deep inside the Everton area and cutback before hitting a low shot which was saved by Pickford and rebounded into the net off Wood, but he had been offside when Saint-Maximin's shot was struck. Fraser was fouled 25 yards out by Allan, who was booked. Up stepped Kieran Trippier who scored with a brilliant right-footed shot inside Pickford’s left post. It was Trippier’s first goal for his new club and in fact since August 2018 for Spurs. (80 mins)
After 87 minutes Saint-Maximin ran from inside his own half before delivering a pass to substitute Murphy whose shot rebounded off the post. Willock's follow-up was saved. Guimaraes was introduced for his debut as added time loomed. Trippier had suffered a knock and was replaced by Manquillo. There was still time for the man of the match Saint-Maximin to burn past the Everton defence before having his shot well saved by Pickford.
This was a vital and much-deserved win for Newcastle, which took them out of the bottom three and only a point behind Everton. The relegation battle is getting hotter and those who like a punt may like to learn more about Pinnacle online sports book before making their speculations.
West Ham United 1 Watford 0
Despite the negative publicity surrounding Kurt Zouma and his cat and the fact West Ham said they were taking the incident very seriously; the player was included in their starting line-up. Zouma was booed by both sets of fans. "The Hammers" fielded a strong side, with Antonio returning among 8 changes from the side which had started the very close call against non-league Kidderminster in the FA Cup. Roy Hodgson's Watford had two changes with Dennis back from suspension and Cleverley starting in midfield.
Sissoko took a pass from Dennis and hit a low 22-yard shot just wide after 25 minutes. Benrahma had a shot hit the post after Ben Foster had saved his initial effort. West Ham’s goal was scored in the 68th minute when Lanzini fed the ball to Bowen who ran on before hitting a shot which was badly deflected and left Foster going the wrong way having been wrong-footed. Foster got a touch to another Bowen shot after 80 minutes, pushing the ball onto his right post when it rebounded clear.
Burnley 1 Manchester United 1
This was Burnley's 5,000th fixture since the club joined (and was a founding member) of The Football League in 1888. Only Preston North End have played more games. Burnley made two changes from the side which drew against Watford. Josh Brownhill and Jay Rodriguez replaced Stephens and Lennon. United also had two changes after their FA Cup penalty shoot-out defeat at home to Middlesbrough, with David de Gea in for Henderson and Cavani replacing Ronaldo. Both replaced players were on the United bench. Pogba was starting a United game for the first time since October.
Pope made a strong save from Rashford after 8 minutes. Three minutes later Varane headed a Fernandes free kick powerfully into the net, but this was disallowed following a monitor review for an infringement by Maguire, who had been offside then held back Rodriguez. Pogba gave United an authentic 18th minute lead after Rashford fed the ball to Shaw inside the area on the left. Shaw cut the ball back across the area where Pogba scored with a right foot shot into the roof of the net. It was his first Premier League goal since January last year. United had another “goal” disallowed following a shove by Pogba on Pieters before Ben Mee had turned the ball into his own net.
Pope ran almost the width of his goal after Shaw lifted a short cross and Cavani headed towards goal, but the keeper made his ground well to save. United had dominated the first half, but Burnley were level within two minutes of the re-start. Weghorst fed the ball to Rodriguez who scored after advancing into the United area before evading Maguire’s attempt to catch him and beating De Gea with a right foot shot. De Gea then had to make a low save to his right to deny Burnley’s latest signing Weghorst.
Varane was denied by Ben Mee after Rashford had teed up the United defender in the box before substitute Ronaldo headed over from the corner. Maguire headed wide from an added time corner and Burnley held onto a valuable point, although the are four points from safety.
Wednesday 9th February, 2022
Manchester City 2 Brentford 0
Manchester City went 12 points clear at the top of the table after this win against a Brentford side who have lost 9 of their last 11 games in league and cup matches. The “Bees” were missing both Toney (injury) and Mbeumo (Covid).
Brentford held out until the 40th minute when Canos lost the ball and Sterling was brought down after he raced into the box. Mahrez sent Raya the wrong way and scored with his left foot shot. Ederson saved from Rico Henry’s left foot shot, and the goalkeeper then won a foul in Brentford’s attempt to follow-up on the ball.
Cancelo jinked into the left of the Brentford area after 54 minutes, but Raya was equal to his shot. City’s second goal came in the 69th minute. Raya made a bad error when he kicked the ball straight at Sterling but saved the rebound. However, De Bruyne made no mistake when the ball ran to his feet. Raya later made a decent save diving to his right post to push away a shot by Rodri.
Norwich City 1 Crystal Palace 1
Norwich are now unbeaten in their last four games in league and cup but had to settle for one point here against a Palace side that has now drawn 10 games. Palace welcomed back Wilfried Zaha after his exploits in the African Cup of Nations.
Pukki gave Norwich a first minute lead with a shot that beat Guaita through its placement (and a bounce), rather than its power. Rashica had made a powerful run from his own half, staying ahead of Ward before he crossed and Idah laid the ball back for the Finnish International who had not scored since November. A vital header by Tyrick Mitchell prevented a second Pukki goal after another Rashica cross. Pukki was thwarted yet again by Mitchell and team-mates after Rashica had teed up the striker with a short pass.
Rashica had a second half shot pass just outside Guaita’s right post before a deflected cross by Ward reached Schlupp, whose 20-yard shot was well saved by Angus Gunn, diving to his right. Zaha scored a magnificent equaliser on the hour. He took a crossfield pass from Olise before coming inside from the left when he hit a stunning right-footer from the edge of the area which hit the net inside Gunn’s left post.
Referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot when Mitchell had his ankles tapped by Aarons, but Zaha hit a shocking penalty, losing his footing, and scuffing his shot which went wide. Zaha literally had demonstrated the sublime and the ridiculous. Gunn made another good save from a Gallagher free kick hit low towards the keeper’s right post.
Spurs 2 Southampton 3
Despite the fact we conceded three goals, Hugo Lloris was once again voted our best player. Hugo continues to lead our ratings for the season.
Here are three of the comments I received:-
"After much thought, in my opinion Emerson Royal is simply not good enough for our team. He is a poor defender and offers next to nothing in attack. His crossing and final ball is appalling. Hojbjerg is not suited to an offensive style of play."
"The game changed when Bentancur came on, but it changed again when Kulusevski did. Why replace Lucas who was having one of his best ever games, and can track back when needed? Also do we need to go back to 4-2-3-1 for a bit?"
"Saints were excellent, helped by some poor individual play from Spurs and a non-existent midfield"
Aston Villa 3 Leeds United 3
There were no changes to the Villa team which had won at Goodison Park, in the game which brought an end to the brief Rafa Benitez era. Leeds were also unchanged, but that means they are still missing Phillips and Bamford, to name just two.
Daniel James was Leeds’ front man, and he opened the scoring after 9 minutes, taking Rodrigo’s pass and firing a right-footed shot into the net cross Martinez. Mings headed wide from a corner after 24 minutes and four minutes later James hit the top of the bar with another right-footer, after exchanging passes with Jack Harrison. Villa were level two minutes later after Cash crossed into the box from the right and Coutinho scored with a well-placed shot inside Meslier’s right post.
Coutinho provided the assist with a fine pass for Jacob Ramsey to give the home side a 38th minute lead. Ramsey scored again two minutes before the break with a powerful right foot shot into the roof of the net. Coutinho again offered the final pass. This ball was nicely placed ahead of Ramsey’s run towards the Leeds area. Having started so well, Leeds were shell-shocked. There was still time for Leeds to get a goal back in first half added time when Rodrigo kept the ball in play towards the left of the area. He lifted a short cross and James managed to get a header just over the line to make it 3-2. Digne had a chance at the other end but put his shot wide.
The second half was less action-packed. Struijk had a header cleared off the line by Tyrone Mings after a Leeds corner, before after a second corner Struijk headed down and Llorente whacked the ball into the net after Mings blocked the first header(63 mins). Ezri Konsa was sent off late in the game after he was shown a second yellow card by referee Jarred Gillett.
Thursday 10th February, 2022
Liverpool 2 Leicester City 0
Mo Salah was on the bench for Liverpool, but Mane was not involved at all. It was an otherwise strong Liverpool side. New boy Luis Diaz started on the left of a front three. Brendan Rodgers made five changes to the side which had been embarrassed in the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest. Kaspar Schmeichel started, and Daka was up front. Jamie Vardy was still not in the squad. Tielemans, Barnes and Soyuncu were among those on the bench.
It had been one way traffic in the direction of the Leicester goal for the first six minutes until Maddison broke forward and after a return pass from Lookman, had a shot tipped over his bar by Alisson. Having started a Liverpool attack after 18 minutes, Alexander-Arnold brought a save from Schmeichel with a rising left foot shot from just inside the area.
Liverpool took the lead following a 34th minute corner when Schmeichel parried a Van Dijk header before Jota snapped up the rebound. Schmeichel punched away a Robertson cross and Thiago nearly scored with a sensational bicycle kick from the edge of the area. The ball passed wide of the post. Just before the break, Schmeichel saved from Firmino who had taken Jota's short pass.
Two minutes into the second half Curtis Jones broke clear advancing down the left channel before hitting a shot across goal which Schmeichel was happy to push around his left post. Schmeichel did well to save a deflected cross/shot from Robertson after 55 minutes. Luis Diaz had been impressing all night and he had a shot deflected wide for a corner.
The Liverpool crowd was ecstatic to see Salah come on, although Firmino was not so happy, as he was the player to make way. Harvey Elliott replaced Jones. Brendan Rodgers put on Tielemans and Iheanacho for Leicester.
Diaz took a pass from Jota and was one on one against defender Amartey but put his shot wide. Elliott was looking confident and passed the ball to Salah at close quarters inside the Leicester box. Schmeichel saved Salah's effort from a tight angle. Salah was gifted the ball by Dewsbury-Hall and was one on one against Schmeichel who made a good one-handed save.
Salah had a left footed curler hit the bar after 77 minutes and following that Diaz hit the ball goalward, but Schmeichel saved again. Diaz had another shot saved from short range after more Liverpool pressure. Salah had provided the pass.
Liverpool had a second goal in the 87th minute. Diaz had passed inside from the left and Fabinho pushed the ball forward to Jota who instinctively turned and fired home for his and the team's second goal.
It was surprising the score was not greater in Liverpool’s favour. The "Foxes" had Schmeichel to thank, but they had also offered determined and staunch defence with their two banks of four.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Arsenal 1
Wolves had five changes following their cup defeat to Norwich including Sa in goal, Marcal, and Raul Jimenez. Saiss was back from Africa, and Trincao had recovered from Covid. Arsenal were able to include Partey and Xhaka after suspension.
You will not want me to dwell on a win which took our nemesis up to fifth place. Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves said after the game, “I didn’t see Arsenal celebrating like this in the past 10 years – it was like they won the league”. Arsenal’s goal was scored after 25 minutes and followed a corner which was cleared as far as White. Goalkeeper Sa was prevented from collecting the header by Lacazette (Wolves thought there had been a foul there) and Gabriel scored with tap-in.
There was a bizarre sending-off of Martinelli in the 69th minute. In one passage of play, as Wolves attacked, Martinelli pushed Podence as he tried to take a throw-in. Referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue, but when Martinelli then fouled Chiquinho the referee showed him two yellow cards, clearly indicating the reason for the first yellow. The player obviously did not know he was under threat of a second yellow.
In a backs to the wall end to the game, Arsenal survived the waves of attacks by Wolves. Arsenal have had five red cards this season, four of which have been in their last six games.
Fixtures and results - 05-10.02.22
Saturday 5th February, 2022
Burnley 0-0 Watford
Tuesday 8th February, 2022
Newcastle 3-1 Everton
West Ham 1-0 Watford
Burnley 1-1 Man Utd
Wednesday 9th February, 2022
Man City 2-0 Brentford
Norwich 1-1 C. Palace
Spurs 2-3 S'hampton
A. Villa 3-3 Leeds
Thursday 10th February, 2022
Liverpool 2-0 Leicester
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Premier League Table
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Man City 24 19 3 2 57-14 43 60
2. Liverpool 23 15 6 2 60-19 41 51
3. Chelsea 24 13 8 3 48-18 30 47
4. West Ham 24 12 4 8 42-31 11 40
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5. Arsenal 22 12 3 7 34-25 9 39
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6. Man Utd 23 11 6 6 37-31 6 39
7. Spurs 21 11 3 7 28-27 1 36
8. Wolves 22 10 4 8 19-17 2 34
9. Brighton 22 6 12 4 23-23 0 30
10. S'hampton 23 6 10 7 29-36 -7 28
11. A. Villa 22 8 3 11 31-35 -4 27
12. Leicester 21 7 5 9 34-39 -5 26
13. C. Palace 23 5 10 8 32-35 -3 25
14. Brentford 24 6 5 13 26-40 -14 23
15. Leeds 22 5 8 9 27-43 -16 23
16. Everton 21 5 4 12 25-38 -13 19
17. Newcastle 22 3 9 10 24-44 -20 18
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18. Norwich 23 4 5 14 14-46 -32 17
19. Watford 22 4 3 15 23-41 -18 15
20. Burnley 20 1 11 8 17-28 -11 14
