Premier League Review – Matchday 9
Saturday 8th October, 2022
Bournemouth 2-1 Leicester (15.00)
Who would have thought that after the 9-0 drubbing they took at Anfield in August “The Cherries” would climb into the top half of the table after five games unbeaten, with two clean sheets in those games? Caretaker manager Gary O’Neil certainly seems to have hardened the players considered inadequate by former manager Scott Parker into a resilient unit.
Brendan Rodgers no doubt hoped to continue in a winning vein after they thrashed Nottingham Forest last Monday and Leicester did open the scoring after ten minutes. However, Bournemouth took the points after two goals in three second half minutes to leave Leicester in the bottom three.
Daka scored Leicester’s goal after Bournemouth didn’t clear their lines after a Tielemans cross. Harvey Barnes’ shot was blocked but Daka got the loose ball and fired home. Bournemouth were denied a penalty when Ryan Fredericks went down under Jonny Evans’ challenge. VAR supported referee Michael Salisbury’s decision.
Bournemouth’s equaliser came in the 67th minute after Solanke’s shot was blocked, but Billing picked up the rebound to score. Three minutes later Billing delivered a short cross to the middle of the area where Solanke headed down for Christie to score from close range.
Chelsea 3-0 Wolves (15.00)
Wolves have yet to replace Bruno Lage after his sacking last week and they looked disorganised at Stamford Bridge where Diego Costa was warmly received by his former fans. Costa didn’t last long into the second half though, but he did get a great ovation from "Blues" fans. Steve Davies was in temporary charge of Wolves.
Conor Gallagher went close for Chelsea with a shot just past the post after Mount had delivered him the ball. Graham Potter had made seven changes to his side. Sa saved a low shot by Jorginho, in front of his left post. Wolves had a free kick after a great end-to-end run by Matheus Nunes, which was followed by a foul by Azpilicueta on Guedes. Arrizabalaga pushed away Moutinho’s free kick. At the other end, Sa had to dive and stretch to his left to save a curling shot by Pulisic. Chelsea scored their first goal in first half added time when Havertz headed in a Mount cross from the right.
Goal number two was scored in the 54th minute by Pulisic with a left foot shot over the Wolves keeper from inside the area after a short pass by Mount. Armando Broja, who spent last season on loan at Southampton, came off the bench after 72 minutes and had his first ever Chelsea goal in the 90th minute, taking Kovacic’s pass before turning inside and beating Sa with a powerful low right-footed shot.
Manchester City 4-0 Southampton (15.00)
Erling Haaland didn’t score until the 65th minute, and that served to put the icing on the cake in a 4-0 victory. Haaland now has 20 goals for his new club, 15 of which are in his 9 Premier league games.
Southampton goalkeeper Bazunu was busy and made a good early save from Mahrez, before picking up Foden’s follow-up attempt. Mahrez subsequently hit a good chance well over the target after one of those "outside of the right foot" crosses by Cancelo, who was playing on the left. Haaland hit the inside of the keeper’s right post from a Foden cross, but the ball rebounded safely across goal in front of the line.
It was surprising that it took City 20 minutes to score their first goal, but that came from Cancelo who picked up a Foden pass (as he was challenged by Walker-Peters). Cancelo advanced to the left side of the area jinking left and right before planting his shot into the net. It was a great goal.
Bazunu saved from Foden who had entered the area with a turn of pace before shooting, but in their very next attack Foden scored with a delightful shot lifted over the keeper, having taken De Bruyne’s pass in a flowing move. (32 mins) Southampton at least managed a shot on goal by Stuart Armstrong, but the ball passed over Ederson’s bar.
Mahrez scored four minutes into the second half from the right of goal after Cancelo passed inside to Rodri, who lifted the ball over the defence for Mahrez to score. Haaland had a left foot sighter go a yard wide after Foden’s low pass, and the Norwegian just failed to make contact with De Bruyne’s pass after Foden had again passed inside from the left. City wanted but were not awarded a penalty. The super striker who will break countless records got his goal with a low left-footed shot after Cancelo’s delivery.
Southampton had done well to keep the score down to four. Guardiola was able to give a couple of youngsters some game time, and Bazunu had to make another save from one of these – 20-year-old Cole Palmer.
Newcastle 5-1 Brentford (15.00)
Newcastle were in the goals for a second consecutive game against an under-par Brentford who failed to score against Bournemouth last week, and previously lost 3-0 to Arsenal. Bruno Guimaraes starred with two goals, and Almiron scored another in the second half.
Almiron had an early left-footed shot (hit from 25 yards) well saved by Raya after just five minutes. Mbeumo thought he had scored after five minutes, but this goal was denied because Toney had been offside and was deemed to have played a part in the goal. Newcastle took a legitimate 21st minute lead after Trippier delivered a deep cross from the right and Guimaraes guided a header inside Raya’s left post.
St. James’ Park was buzzing as their team was on fire and Brentford were flailing. Pope made a comfortable save from Baptiste’s shot, but three minutes later Raya made a howler as he gifted the ball to Wilson, whose cross from the left of the area was converted by Murphy. (28 mins)
Pope made a good save from Mbeumo’s shot early in the second half but as the ball was loose inside the Newcastle area a penalty was awarded as Burn’s arm was too high when hit by Hickey’s headed challenge. Ivan Toney who played two league games for Newcastle earlier in his career, scored from the spot in the 54th minute.
Brentford weren’t back in it for long though as Newcastle won a midfield challenge and Guimaraes headed for goal, scoring from just outside the area with a low shot inside Raya’s right post. Saint-Maximin has been out with injury, and he replaced Guimaraes, who was given a standing ovation by the home crowd.
Almiron’s 82nd minute goal was a gift after a mix-up between Raya and Pinnock giving Almiron the freedom of the area in front of the Gallowgate Stand. Pinnock had given the ball to Almiron, and he scored a 90th minute own goal when Joelinton crossed from the left.
Brighton 0-1 Spurs (17.30 SKY)
On Monday, the shock news was announced that Brighton’s 24-year-old midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire due to a hereditary heart condition. Mwepu was signed last year from Salzburg and had made 24 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals. Mwepu last appeared in Brighton’s 5-2 win over Leicester in September.
Spurs, of course, had to deal with their own shock news regarding the sudden death of Gian Piero Ventrone in the days before this game and Antonio Conte has since attended the funeral of his friend and colleague.
I made Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg my man of the match. Sky’s Andy Hinchcliffe gave the award to Ryan Sessegnon, but I think Hojbjerg gave us the more influential performance.
Harry Kane now has 191 Premier League goals and 256 club goals. He is now just ten behind that Spurs record of Jimmy Greaves. Remember when we began to wonder if Harry could reach Greavsie’s landmark? The answer now is a resounding “Yes”!
Hugo Lloris gained his 125th clean sheet in 428 Spurs appearances. Hugo, PEH, Harry Kane and Eric Dier are the four players who have started every one of our 12 games so far. Bentancur and Son are one behind that figure, with Emerson Royal one further back on 10 starts.
Sunday 9th October, 2022
Crystal Palace 2-1 Leeds (14.00 SKY)
At a brightly sunlit Selhurst Park, Leeds took a tenth minute lead with a goal forged by an excellent run and shot by Brendan Aaronson. Struijk scored after the American’s rasping shot rebounded off the post. Palace scored two decent goals of their own though to secure a welcome win.
Guaita saved from Bamford after Aaronson and Adams had combined to deliver the pass. Bamford had to hit the shot with his weaker foot. Palace were awarded a free kick after a foul by Cooper upon Ayew. Olise floated in the kick and Edouard headed in the 24th minute equalising goal.
Kristensen made a good block to stop Ayew’s second half shot after Eze’s run and cross, but Palace secured the points in the 76th minute, after Zaha cleverly flicked Mitchell’s cross into Olise’s path for a right-footed goal.
West Ham 3-1 Fulham
Fulham are another side leaking goals. Missing the suspended Chalobah and the injured Mitrovic, they surprised "The Hammers" with a fifth minute Pereira goal, but ultimately were overcome as David Moyes’ side continue their climb up the table.
Fulham’s goal followed a pass by Mitrovic’s replacement Vinicius (once of Spurs), who passed to Kebano. He fed the ball to Pereira who scored from the left of goal across Fabianski in front of a shocked London Stadium crowd. Daniel James hit the bar with Fabianski well beaten after an excellent 25-yard shot.
Scamacca was up front for "The Hammers" and Leno made a good right-handed save from his header. Scamacca had another chance go wide. This was a shot after being fed the ball by Paqueta. Leno saved again from the Italian striker after Cresswell’s cross and then Jarrod Bowen’s effort from the rebound was blocked. At the corner, there was an ongoing set-to between Dawson and Pereira and with the ball in play Pereira fouled Dawson leading to the award of a penalty by referee Chris Kavanagh. Bowen scored from the spot in the 29th minute.
Scamacca did score in the 62nd minute with a delightfully executed lofted shot after Paqueta’s pass. There was suspense though as West Ham had to wait for VAR’s decision regarding a possible offside. The goal stood. Marco Silva had been upset about the first half penalty and now he was convinced there was a handball, but all he got was a booking.
Cresswell blocked a shot by Fulham substitute Cairney, but West Ham made it 3-1 in added time when substitute Antonio was given two chances to score. His first shot was saved by Leno, but then the Fulham keeper and defender Ream got tangled up and presented the ball to Antonio who did not fail this time.
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool (16.30 SKY)
Jurgen Klopp admitted his side were out of the title race after this second defeat left them in mid-table 14 points behind leaders Arsenal. It was an exciting, fast-paced game and it has to be said Arteta’s young side are playing rapid and skilful football. It had looked as if Liverpool would take a point, or even more, but they succumbed to a 76th minute penalty winner by Bukayo Saka, scoring his second goal of the game. The Emirates crowd has rarely been so noisy and elated as this! After all, it is Arsenal’s best start to a season for fifteen years.
Martinelli gave Arsenal the best start in the first minute, as they advanced with speed from their own half. Saka passed inside to Odegaard who threaded a clever pass to Martinelli who scored. VAR had a look, but the goal was good. Liverpool were denied a penalty after 15 minutes when Jota lifted a ball which hit Gabriel’s raised arm. (Think Mane hitting Sissoko’s arm in Madrid 2019)
Ramsdale saved Saliba the embarrassment of an own goal after a Nunez cross was heading for Diaz. Nunez did score the equaliser in the 34th minute when Diaz crossed from inside the area on the right and Nunez stretched his foot out to reach the ball and to hit the net. Diaz had to be replaced by Firmino before the break. Liverpool had a free kick which was floated towards the Arsenal area as first half added time began, but Arsenal broke out at speed, and in numbers (4 against 3). Martinelli threaded a low ball to the back post where Saka converted.
Gomez replaced Alexander-Arnold for the second half and the currently much-maligned Liverpool right back could miss games through injury now. Firmino equalised in the 54th minute taking Jota’s pass in his stride before scoring inside Ramsdale’s left post.
Liverpool had been under intense pressure in the moments leading up to an incident when referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot when Thiago Alcantara caught Gabriel Jesus with an outstretched foot. Jordan Henderson and Granit Xhaka had a set-to behind the referee’s back, but the penalty decision stood, and Saka had his second goal (and Arsenal’s winner) in the 76th minute. Klopp couldn’t look at the kick.
Everton 1-2 Manchester United (19.00 BT SPORT)
This match was played at an unusual time as BT would normally have televised it on Saturday lunchtime, but Manchester United are engaged in the Europa League. A lot of the pre-match focus was on Frank Lampard’s men who had been unbeaten in five league games, which included two clean sheets. Alex Iwobi gave "The Toffees" a stunning fifth minute lead, but Goodison Park became increasingly gloomy as United scored two first half goals and were denied a late third goal by VAR in the second half.
Iwobi’s goal followed Casemiro being out-muscled by Onana for a midfield ball before Gray passed from the left and the former Arsenal man beat De Gea with an unstoppable right foot shot inside his left post. Antony equalised in the 15th minute after Martial found him with a pass to the right on the diagonal. The former Ajax man beat the advancing Pickford with a well-placed shot inside the keeper’s right post.
United were building up a head of steam and Pickford had to save low to his right from Eriksen’s shot. Martial suffered an injury and was replaced after 29 minutes by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has not been getting too much game time this season.
Casemiro hit a pass to Rashford, then advanced into the area to meet the cross, but headed wide. Casemiro first lost, but won the ball back from Iwobi, before sending Ronaldo away with a pass down the left channel. Ronaldo beat Pickford with a low left-footed shot for his 700th club goal. 450 of those goals were scored for Real Madrid. 144 have been scored for United.
Marcus Rashford was denied an 80th minute third goal for United after a VAR examination where the ball was deemed to have hit his arm when the ball rebounded in the striker’s favour off Tarkowski.
Monday 10th October, 2022
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa (20.00 SKY)
After a second consecutive Monday night game, Forest fans must be desperate for a weekend game. They have one on Saturday at fellow strugglers Wolves.
Former Spurs right back Serge Aurier, who was signed after the transfer window closed, as he was out of contract, was a starter for Steve Cooper, along with four other Forest changes. Cooper, who was awarded a new contract despite losing 4-0 to Leicester last week, admitted he was still looking for his best team and formation. Cooper was applauded warmly before kick-off.
Forest took a 15th minute lead after a free kick awarded when Dennis was fouled to the right of the Villa area. Gibbs-White took the kick and Dennis headed into the net with a placed, rather than a powerful header.
37-year-old Ashley Young equalised seven minutes later after he latched onto a headed clearance by Yates and smashed home a right-footed shot from 22 yards. It was his first Premier League goal for Villa since May 2011.
Watkins had a close-range "goal" disallowed for offside after a pass by Ramsey.
McGinn found Ramsey with a clever pass four minutes into the second half, but good defending by McKenna prevented a scoring shot. After a 60th minute Villa corner and a subsequent cross by Douglas Luiz, Ollie Watkins had a downward header held by Forest keeper Henderson.
Gibbs-White hit a shot with the outside of his right foot five minutes later, but that passed two yards wide. Kouyate hit a powerful right foot shot goalward after 69 minutes, but Martinez was always going to save.
Villa had most of the possession and more shots on goal, but Forest defended stoutly in a game that lacked real goal-scoring quality. Forest were the more satisfied of the two teams with a precious point that took them off the bottom of the table.
Fixtures & results - 08-10.10.22
Saturday 8th October, 2022
B'mouth 2-1 Leicester (15.00)
Chelsea 3-0 Wolves (15.00)
Man City 4-0 S'hampton (15.00)
Newcastle 5-1 Brentford (15.00)
Brighton 0-1 Spurs (17.30 SKY)
Sunday 9th October, 2022
C. Palace 2-1 Leeds (14.00 SKY)
West Ham 3-1 Fulham
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool (16.30 SKY)
Everton 1-2 Man Utd (19.00 BT SPORT)
Monday 10th October, 2022
Nott'm F'st 1-1 A. Villa (20.00 SKY)
Premier League Table
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Arsenal 9 8 0 1 23-10 13 24
2. Man City 9 7 2 0 33-9 24 23
3. Spurs 9 6 2 1 20-10 10 20
4. Chelsea 8 5 1 2 13-10 3 16
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5. Man Utd 8 5 0 3 13-15 -2 15
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6. Newcastle 9 3 5 1 17-9 8 14
7. Brighton 8 4 2 2 14-9 5 14
8. B'mouth 9 3 3 3 8-20 -12 12
9. Fulham 9 3 2 4 14-18 -4 11
10. Liverpool 8 2 4 2 20-12 8 10
11. Brentford 9 2 4 3 16-17 -1 10
12. Everton 9 2 4 3 8-9 -1 10
13. West Ham 9 3 1 5 8-10 -2 10
14. Leeds 8 2 3 3 11-12 -1 9
15. C. Palace 8 2 3 3 10-12 -2 9
16. A. Villa 9 2 3 4 7-11 -4 9
17. S'hampton 9 2 1 6 8-17 -9 7
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18. Wolves 9 1 3 5 3-12 -9 6
19. Nottm F 9 1 2 6 7-22 -15 5
20. Leicester 9 1 1 7 15-24 -9 4
