Premier League Review – Matchday 31
Saturday 2nd April, 2022
Liverpool 2 Watford 0
Liverpool needed only a draw to go back to the top of the table for the first time in six months, albeit only for a couple of hours. Trent Alexander-Arnold returned from injury quicker than anticipated and was on the bench. Joey Gomez took his position and started a league game for only the second time this season. Mane and Diaz were on Jurgen Klopp's bench. Salah, Firmino and Jota started.
Roy Hodgson was returning to one of his former clubs in charge of a side which had lost the home game against Liverpool 5-0, and which was three points behind Everton, and in the bottom three. Ismaila Sarr returned after a three-game absence and replaced Dennis. Watford hadn’t played for nearly three weeks.
Sarr had the first decent pop at goal after five minutes, taking on a long ball before hitting a dipping right foot shot just over the bar at The Kop End. Watford had a second effort, this one on target, after a corner from the right which was met by Hernandez's glancing header which went into the hands of Alisson.
Watford had another good chance on a counter-attack after 20 minutes when Joao Pedro sent a good pass to Kucka, towards the left of the area and Alisson saved the shot. Liverpool responded with an immediate attack and Gomez crossed from the right for Jota to head into the net from the right of goal. (22 mins)
After a Liverpool corner on the right and a couple of involuntary passes, Jota had sight of goal on the left but fired straight at Ben Foster, who parried.
Liverpool started the second half with a higher tempo but couldn't find the target. It was Joao Pedro who came closest to scoring after 56 minutes with a low shot that whistled past Alisson's left post. Van Dijk had headed over the target earlier from a corner and Jota did the same from a free kick following Pedro's chance.
Fabinho replaced Curtis Jones and soon lifted a ball into the area for Salah, whose looping header passed over the bar. Salah had by and large been well policed by Watford’s Hassan Kamara, and he was replaced by Mane, whose Senegal side had progressed to the World Cup Finals at the expense of Salah's Egypt. Gomez found Robertson with a good cross after 75 minutes, but the Scot's shot went into Foster's hands.
Watford had defended well, but Liverpool were given the chance to put the game beyond the Hertfordshire side when VAR called Stuart Attwell to the monitor after a foul by Kucka on Jota. Fabinho made no mistake from the spot. (89 mins) The Kop could sigh with relief after a hard game.
Jurgen Klopp knows his side will have to perform better in next week's crunch game at The Etihad.
Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Norwich City 0
Brighton at least ended a run of six consecutive defeats, but Maupay missed a penalty and home fans booed their team at the end of this game. Norwich had also lost their six preceding league games.
Brighton’s penalty was awarded after a needless handball by Byram when the ball was crossed from the right. Maupay lifted his kick high over the bar in front of happy Norwich fans. Tim Krul made a brilliant second half save to deny Veltman following a Brighton corner. Maupay hit the side netting from the ensuing corner kick.
The story of the rest of the game was one of Brighton pressure, Norwich blocking, and profligacy by the home side. Rashica skied a late chance at the other end. Krul saved from Mac Allister in the 90th minute.
Burnley 0 Manchester City 2
Manchester City didn’t over-stretch themselves with this win and regained the lead of the Premier League table after Liverpool’s lunchtime victory.
De Bruyne gave City a fifth minute lead after Rodri lifted the ball to Sterling who was towards the right of the Burnley area. He returned the ball inside where the Belgian maestro scored with a right foot shot. It was all too easy really. Goal number two came in the 25th minute, following a move down the right wing involving Walker, De Bruyne and Sterling before Gundogan scored from inside the area with another right foot shot.
Pope saved an early second half shot by Gundogan. Weghorst and Cornet combined for what they hoped was a goal that would stand, but Ake cleared off the line and Cornet had been offside. Ederson’s first save of the game came fifteen minutes from time when he cleanly held a Rodriguez 20-yard shot. City substitute Gabriel Jesus rattled Pope’s right post after 80 minutes.
Burnley’s midweek game against Everton will be key to both those team’s hopes of survival in the Premier League.
Chelsea 1 Brentford 4
Spurs have won once in 30 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge whereas Brentford won on their first such visit. In a remarkable piece of history Christian Eriksen scored in both games. Eriksen’s fairy-tale comeback continued, and I am sure Spurs fans will regale him with the "He’s our number 23" song when we visit Brentford later this month. This was Brentford’s first league visit to Stamford Bridge since 1946 and their first win over Chelsea since 1939!
Toney was presented with an early chance by Mendy, but lifted his reflex shot well over the bar. He had another chance after 9 minutes and this time Mendy had to save at his right post. Toney had a third chance but headed over this time. Raya was finally called upon to make a save, and it was a good one, from Ziyech’s powerful shot from the right of the area. (39 minutes)
After a goalless first half Rudiger gave Chelsea a 48th minute lead with a sensational 35 yard shot which hit the net off the inside of Raya’s right post. There was no hint of what was to follow. Janelt equalised within two minutes, taking Mbeumo’s short pass before striking a left foot shot home in front of the travelling fans.
Werner and Rudiger had shots blocked before Raya saved Mount’s low drive, but Eriksen’s fairy-tale moment came in the 54th minute after he and Mbeumo raced forward and Mbeumo fed the ball to Eriksen for an easy finish from 9 yards. It was Eriksen’s first Premier League goal since December 2019 (for Spurs at Norwich). Christian scored in both Denmark’s recent friendly matches too.
Brentford’s dream continued on then hour with a Mbeumo – Toney – Janelt combination which ended with Janelt scoring his second goal, beating Mendy with a delicate but well-placed left foot shot over the keeper. Havertz had the ball in the net after a Chelsea free kick, but the goal was chalked off for handball, if not offside. Havertz had a legitimate chance with Raya advancing to the striker’s feet, but the ball passed outside the post.
The Chelsea temperament and defence was in a mess as they conceded then failed to defend an 87th minute free kick, allowing substitute Wissa to fire home with a low right foot shot.
Leeds United 1 Southampton 1
This was an important point for Leeds, who welcomed back England international Kalvin Phillips when he came off the bench in the second half for a first appearance since December.
Llorente had an early headed chance from a corner, but he put that wide. Messier held a shot by Broja who had been teed up by Che Adams. A Raphinha corner curled in and rebounded off the post before play was halted for a Leeds infringement in the box. Leeds had the lead in the 29th minute after Raphinha lifted the ball from the bye-line on the right. Forster got a touch to the cross, but Harrison scored with a low deflected shot. Meslier saved low to his left from Adams after a good short pass by Romeu had given the striker a chance.
Kyle Walker-Peters, playing at left back today, made a good run and was brought down two yards outside the Leeds area early in the second half. Ward-Prowse scored with a trademark free kick in the 49th minute. He might have taken the kick from a yard further away from goal than the foul. Leeds were denied a penalty by Anthony Taylor two minutes from time when Gelhardt went down under Salisu’s challenge.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Aston Villa 1
Steve Gerrard’s Villa side lost a third consecutive game and face Spurs, then Liverpool in their next two games. Fabio Silva started for Wolves in the absence of the suspended Jimenez.
Wolves had the lead in the seventh minute. Moutinho had started a move which led to shots by both Podence, and Fabio Silva being blocked before Jonny drove home a right foot shot. Tyrone Mings struggled against Fabio Silva, but Martinez came to the rescue of his centre-back. Sa pushed a long-range shot by Bailey over his bar.
Wolves were 2-0 up in the 36th minute. Marcal crossed from deep on the left and Trincao stretched to reach the ball, but it was Ashley Young’s interception that went down as an own goal.
Ollie Watkins pushed a second half chance wide after a good ball by Ramsey, and Wolves sub Hwang fired wide at the other end. Martinez saved from Fabio Silva after he had made a poor clearance. Watkins’ shot was saved after a good pass by Buendia. Villa were awarded a penalty by referee Darren England (supported by VAR) when goalkeeper Sa collided with Ollie Watkins when challenging for a loose ball. Watkins scored from the spot-kick with the ball crossing the line after hitting Sa’s left post. (86 mins) Sa spread himself to save at close range from Matty cash after a Villa free kick in added time.
Manchester United 1 Leicester City 1
Ralf Rangnick was without Ronaldo, who was absent through illness. The interim manager called for the Old Trafford crowd to show their support for Harry Maguire who was in the spotlight when booed by England fans at Wembley. Maguire started along with Luke Shaw, McTominay and Elanga with Telles and Matic making way. Leicester had Evans and Fofana back in the central defence.
Assistant referee Darren Cann was running the line for his 500th Premier League game.
Leicester had an early free kick taken by Maddison but headed onto the back of the top of the net by Harvey Barnes. Luke Shaw was booked after only five minutes and Leicester had another dangerous free kick which was cleared. Leicester had a nice piece of play after 10 minutes through the middle, featuring Barnes, Iheanacho and Dewsbury-Hall. It was Barnes who hit a decent shot just wide of De Gea’s right post.
Elanga made a good advance down the left which was cynically halted by Fofana who was also shown yellow. Fernandes' free kick passed just wide of the far post with Maguire not quite reaching the ball. With the Leicester defence struggling to clear a high ball in the Old Trafford evening sunshine Paul Pogba hit a header on target after Shaw's cross, but Schmeichel was equal to the attempt.
Schmeichel had to make a good save, low to his left from Fernandes' shot after a poor Leicester ball by Fofana was picked up and fed forward. Iheanacho had time to pick his spot at the other end but fired wide. After 35 minutes, Barnes got on the end of a Maddison cross but hit his right foot shot wide.
All those watching were hoping for more excitement and quality in the second half.
Luke Shaw had been injured towards the end of the first half and was replaced by Alex Telles. Scott McTominay was shown yellow early on for a high speed tackle on Maddison. VAR did not seek to upgrade the card, but Maddison was hobbling. McTominay was soon replaced by Marcus Rashford, which allowed Pogba to fall back from the front four.
Barnes won a corner with an exciting run past Dalot into the Leicester box. The corner was cleared, but Dewsbury-Hall made a great winning tackle in midfield before sending Maddison away down the left. His cross was met by Iheanacho's diving header which hit the net despite De Gea getting a touch. (63 mins)
United equalised within three minutes after a poor Schmeichel clearance was quickly returned and the keeper then had to save Fernandes' shot. Schmeichel could only parry the ball with an outstretched right hand and Fred was on hand to fire into the roof of the net. (66 mins)
Iheanacho had another chance when he ran inside Varane to collect a Pogba back pass, but his shot was too high and passed wide of the far post. De Gea was soon required to make an excellent right-handed save from Fofana's header after a Maddison free kick.
Matic replaced Pogba with fifteen minutes remaining. Maddison thought he had made it 2-1 in the 80th minute. Iheanacho won a challenge against Varane on the edge of the box and slipped the ball to Maddison who hit the net inside De Gea's left post. VAR and a review of the monitor cancelled the goal for a foul by Iheanacho.
United (and their fans) came to life and put the Leicester defence under some pressure as the game entered five minutes of added time. Leicester failed to clear a cross from the right and Sancho made a hash of his chance towards the back of the area. Leicester withstood the pressure, as Rashford and Elanga were denied a possible scoring chance/penalty by an offside decision.
Sunday 3rd April, 2022
West Ham United 2 Everton 1
Everton’s poor away form continued. They drew their first and won their second away league games of the season but have now lost 10 of their last 12 away matches. Next up is a trip to Burnley on Wednesday and they have yet to face Liverpool, Leicester and Arsenal away. West Ham had Jarrod Bowen fit again, whilst Fredericks and Fornals also returned to the side. Dominic Calvert Lewin started, alongside Richarlison and Demarai Gray.
Cresswell opened the scoring with an excellent free kick in the 32nd minute after Bowen had been fouled. It was a trademark left-footed kick into Pickford’s top left corner. Michael Keane was booked soon after that for a foul on Antonio. Richarlison out a good chance over the bar after a long Pickford clearance reached the Brazilian off the retreating Fredericks. Antonio got past Pickford at the other end but took the ball too far forward and hit the side netting with his right foot shot.
Calvert-Lewin was off target early in the second half after Iwobi’s pass. Everton had a corner after 52 minutes which was not properly cleared by Fabianksi. Holgate took advantage and scored with a well-hit right foot shot which took a deflection and hit the net to the left of the keeper. Holgate was only playing because of a warm-up injury to Donny van de Beek. It could have been such an important goal, but West Ham regained the lead after Iwobi lost possession in the West Ham half enabling Fornals to send Antonio away. His shot was saved but not held by Pickford and Bowen swept home the loose ball in the 58th minute.
To cap Everton's problems, Keane was sent off for a second yellow card when he took out Antonio just outside the Everton area. There was no way back for Lampard’s side.
Spurs 5 Newcastle United 1
Harry Kane was the Spurs Odyssey man of the match for the fifth time in nine games and didn’t even score! After Ben Davies scored his first Premier League goal since 2017 and Emerson Royal scored his first Spurs goal, we now have 16 different goalscorers this season, plus own goals!
The official Spurs site believes this to have been the first time in the club's history that three of our defenders have scored in the same game.
Harry Kane is in the midst of some legendary Spurs names with regards to appearances, and is likely to reach fifteenth place in our records this season:-
15 - 382 - Danny Blanchflower (1954-63)
16 - 379 - Jimmy Greaves (1961-70)
17 - 378 - Cliff Jones (1958-68)
18 - 377 - Harry Kane (2011- (updated 03.04.22)
Heung-min Son has now made 317 club appearances, one behind Dave Mackay (318).
I have room for one comment this week:-
"Just keep this going, Spurs. Breath-taking at times going forward in the second half, after a somewhat mediocre first. The team is now beginning to show some real signs of getting it right but still a long way to go this season."
Jamie Bowden, who spent the first half of this season on loan at Oldham, made his first appearance on the Spurs bench this season. Steven Bergwijn has not started a Spurs game since January 23rd. Lucas Moura’s last start was against Wolves in February.
Monday 4th April, 2022
Crystal Palace 3 Arsenal 0
Arsenal needed just a draw to regain fourth place from Spurs. Jordan Ayew replaced Olise, who picked up an injury whilst on International duty. Ramsdale was back in the Arsenal goal, and Tavares replaced Tierney, who has a knee injury.
Palace made a bright start, but then Arsenal settled down. Neither goalkeeper had been threatened before Gallagher took a free kick deep on the left which Arsenal failed to clear. Andersen got an involuntary header back the middle of the 6-yard area where Mateta headed home. (16 mins)
Jordan Ayew scored Palace’s second goal in the 24th minute, latching onto Andersen’s excellent pass from halfway, which bisected the Arsenal central defenders. Ayew pushed the ball ahead and scored with a left foot shot from the edge of the box.
Vieira was certainly offering no leeway to his former team as his players gave Arsenal no quarter anywhere on the pitch. Zaha laid a ball back to Mateta after 37 minutes, but his shot was parried by Ramsdale with no Palace player able to attack the free ball.
Arsenal had a corner at the very end of first half added time which Gabriel headed down to Guaita’s arms.
Mikel Arteta took off Tavares at half-time replacing him with Martinelli. Xhaka appeared to fall back on the left behind Martinelli. Saka wanted a penalty when he went down in the area under close attention from Kouyate, but referee Paul Tierney and VAR said "No"!
Mateta was fouled about 22 yards out by Partey, who was booked. Andersen took the free kick which Ramsdale saved at his right post.
Arsenal forced their way into the Palace area after 62 minutes and the ball fell off Lacazette's touch into the path of Smith-Rowe who hit a shot on target, but straight at Guaita. Nketiah replaced Cedric and played on the left with Martinelli moving to the right. The Arsenal defence seemed to switch to a back three. Nketiah immediately had a hand in a move which gave Odegaard a clear shot on goal, but he pushed the shot wide. Vieira took off Mateta in favour of midfielder McArthur.
Partey was struggling in the middle with his movement and Zaha got away reaching the penalty area where he was clipped by Odegaard. The referee paused but gave the penalty which Zaha converted in the 74th minute.
Lokonga replaced Partey and Ayew was replaced by Edouard for Palace. Guaita made a save from Saka's shot and centre back Guehi cleared Smith-Rowe's follow-up beside his keeper. Milivojevic came on for Kouyate.
Nketiah hit Guaita's left post with a curling shot after 83 minutes after Palace came off second best in a couple of tight challenges outside the area. Guaita held a long range low effort by Xhaka, who had one more speculative effort in added time.
Arsenal didn't get the point they needed to claim fourth and now find themselves five goals worse off than Tottenham. It has since been confirmed that Tierney needs knee surgery and will miss the rest of this season.
Wednesday 6th April, 2022
Burnley 3 Everton 2
Both these teams were founder members of the Football League in 1888. One of them (Everton)has been a top flight team since 1954. Both teams were engaging in a battle which could be decisive regarding their survival in the Premier League.
Michael Keane was suspended following his two yellow cards against West Ham, and he was replaced by 19-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite. Another change for "The Toffees" was Anthony Gordon in place of Demarai Gray. Sean Dyche made three changes to the team which was beaten by Manchester City. Nathan Collins was back in defence for Kevin Long, whilst Jay Rodriguez was selected to start beside Weghorst, and Cornet took Dwight McNeil's place. Dele Alli has yet to start since his move from Spurs in January and was on the Everton bench.
Mike Dean (in his last season as a Premier League referee) was in charge and showed an early yellow card to Holgate for a challenge on Cornet. Burnley had the early pressure and Westwood was only just wide with a right foot shot from 21 yards. Brownhill was shown yellow for a challenge on Richarlison after only 10 minutes.
Aaron Lennon did well to win a corner against Mykolenko and when that was swung in from the right by Cornet, Nathan Collins was able to side-foot his shot into the net at the back post. (12 mins) Mike Dean pointed to the spot when Westwood brought down Gordon and Richarlison pondered over the kick before sending Pope the wrong way and scoring inside the keeper's left post. (18 mins) Richarlison hit a right foot shot just over the bar three minutes later. Both Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin threatened soon after, but Burnley managed to clear.
There was a lengthy VAR review of a challenge by Lennon upon Mykolenko in the Burnley area and Mike Dean was called to the monitor. The decision was a penalty in Everton’s favour. Richarlison took his time again and scored with a more convincing shot. (41 mins) Pope went the wrong way again.
Once again, Burnley dominated the very early stages of the second half and were denied a corner when a Westwood shot from a Lennon cross took a deflection off Gordon. Richarlison hesitated over a chance at the other end and fired wide. After a Westwood shot was blocked, Everton broke forward and a cross by Kenny hit the far post, rebounding towards Richarlison who fired wide. Burnley then equalised when Taylor got away from Kenny at the other end and cut the ball back to Rodriguez who scored from the middle of the 6-yard area. (57 mins)
Pope saved an overhead kick by Richarlison after 61 minutes following a cross by Kenny which was only half-cleared. Calvert-Lewin headed over after a Mykolenko cross from the left. After some sloppy play around their halfway line, Tarkowski recovered and blocked a shot by Gordon. Branthwaite headed over from the resulting corner.
Cornet deserved but did not get a booking after throwing himself to the floor in the Everton area after a throw from the left. Both sides were going for the win. Pickford pushed a Cornet shot over the bar after 78 minutes. Collins hit the side netting with a shot after the resulting corner.
Cornet grabbed a third goal for Burnley in the 85th minute. A cross by Taylor after a throw was not properly cleared and substitute Vydra cut the ball back to Cornet who scored from 8 yards in the middle of the area.
A desperate Lampard put on Rondon for Holgate, and he had a shot go wide in added time after Calvert-Lewin's touch.
In the end I'd say Burnley had more guts and determination for this battle, and the win puts them within one point of Everton, who probably face the tougher run-in. At 2-1 up "The Toffees" were standing six points clear of the bottom three.
Fixtures and results - 02-06.04.22
Saturday 2nd April, 2022
Liverpool 2-0 Watford
Brighton 0-0 Norwich
Burnley 0-2 Man City
Chelsea 1-4 Brentford
Leeds 1-1 S'hampton
Wolves 2-1 A. Villa
Man Utd 1-1 Leicester
Sunday 3rd April, 2022
West Ham 2-1 Everton
Spurs 5-1 Newcastle
Monday 4th April, 2022
C. Palace 3-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 6th April, 2022
Burnley 3-2 Everton
Premier League Table
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Man City 30 23 4 3 70-18 52 73
2. Liverpool 30 22 6 2 77-20 57 72
3. Chelsea 29 17 8 4 58-23 35 59
4. Spurs 30 17 3 10 52-37 15 54
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5. Arsenal 29 17 3 9 44-34 10 54
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6. West Ham 31 15 6 10 51-40 11 51
7. Man Utd 30 14 9 7 49-41 8 51
8. Wolves 31 15 4 12 33-27 6 49
9. C. Palace 30 8 13 9 42-38 4 37
10. Leicester 28 10 7 11 43-47 -4 37
11. A. Villa 30 11 3 16 42-42 0 36
12. S'hampton 30 8 12 10 37-46 -9 36
13. Brighton 30 7 13 10 26-36 -10 34
14. Brentford 31 9 6 16 37-48 -11 33
15. Newcastle 30 7 10 13 33-54 -21 31
16. Leeds 31 7 9 15 35-68 -33 30
17. Everton 29 7 4 18 32-52 -20 25
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18. Burnley 29 4 12 13 25-42 -17 24
19. Watford 30 6 4 20 29-57 -27 22
20. Norwich 30 4 6 20 18-63 -45 18
