Premier League Roundup: Gameweek 12

Leeds 2-3 Fulham

For the second weekend in a row, the first game I talk about involves Fulham. Leeds took the lead on the 20th minute mark after Harrison’s shot was deflected and Rodrigo was there to finish it off on the rebound. The lead lasted just 6 minutes though as Aleksandar Mitrovic scored another goal to level the game at 1 all. It really should have been saved by Meslier. Meslier then made an important save when he was faced with a 1-on-1 task against Andreas Pereira, but the attacker really should have done better. Bamford then had a decent chance in the second half, but his shot was saved by Bernd Leno. And then, in the 74th minute, Fulham went ahead through a Bobby Reid header. It then got even better for the London side as Willian made it 3-1 to ensure the victory. Summerville then got a late goal for Leeds United which ended up ruining my prediction. Leeds United have now lost their last 4 games and find themselves sitting in the relegation zone, level on points with the two teams below them. They play away to Liverpool in their next game. As for Fulham, they have now earnt 7 points in their last 3 games and sit in an absolutely brilliant 7th place. They host Everton next time out.

Wolves 0-4 Leicester

Leicester City pulled out a big win at the expense of a shocking Wolverhampton Wanderers. Leicester were ahead after just 8 minutes through an absolute thunderbolt by Youri Tielemans. It’s definitely worth watching. Just 10 minutes later, it was 2-0 to the Foxes. Harvey Barnes finished the move off after Jonny fell on the floor like a baby. Podence had a decent chance later on in the first half, but his shot was comfortably saved by Danny Ward. In the second half, Ruben Neves freekick attempt went wide before James Maddison made it 3-0. He did well but the defending from both Adama Traore and Nathan Collins was pretty poor. Jamie Vardy then got on the act to top off a brilliant afternoon for the former Premier League champions. In total, Wolves had 61% possession and had 16 more shots than Leicester, yet they lost 4-0. It’s one of the worst results I’ve seen in a long time and they find themselves in 19th place, level on points with Forest at the bottom. They go to Brentford next time out. As for Leicester, it’s 2 wins on the bounce and they are finally starting to find a bit of form. They now sit 17th in the table and they will host Manchester City this Saturday.

Aston Villa 4-0 Brentford

Just days after manager Steven Gerrard gets sacked, Aston Villa record their biggest win in a while. Villa were ahead inside 2 minutes through Leon Bailey and just 5 minutes later, Danny Ings made it 2-0. Villa were then awarded a penalty and Danny Ings smashed the ball home meaning it was 3-0 to Villa after just 14 minutes. Douglas Luiz then nearly scored another goal from a corner, but his shot was tipped onto the post before Raya made multiple good stops to keep it at three-nil. In the second half, Ollie Watkins managed to finally put the ball in the back of the net after multiple chances. From a Brentford point of view, that goal should never have been allowed to have happened. Bryan Mbeumo then missed an absolute sitter which summed up Brentford’s day. It was a big win for Villa given they hadn’t won in four. They now sit 15th in the table knowing they’re going to Newcastle for their next match. As for Brentford, it was a horrible day for them. They have now lost by 4 goals in both of their last 2 away games. They sit 11th in the table and they will be hoping to bounce back next time out at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Manchester City 3-1 Brighton

Erling Haaland continued his incredible goal scoring season to move City within a win of top spot. After a ball from Ederson, Erling Haaland used his pace to go round the keeper before he used his strength to knock Adam Webster away and put Manchester City in front. Then, just minutes before halftime, VAR awarded a penalty after it was deemed that Lewis Dunk had fouled Bernardo Silva. Personally, I didn’t think it was a penalty. There was definitely contact but, in my opinion, there wasn’t enough. Erling Haaland then stepped up and he fired the ball home to make it 2-0. Mahrez had a good chance in the second half, but Sanchez saved it well before Brighton found themselves back in it through a Leandro Trossard goal. It was a good strike, but Ederson should have been doing a lot better. Manchester City then wrapped up all 3 points in the 75th minute after a brilliant strike from Kevin De Bruyne. Man City have now scored at least 3 goals in their last 10 home games in all competitions. They still sit second in the table and after a tough fixture against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, they play away to Leicester City. As for Brighton, it’s no wins in 5 for new manager De Zerbi and Brighton are slowing dropping down the table (9th as it stands). They face a manager they know very well this Saturday as they welcome Chelsea to the AMEX.

Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle

Newcastle now find themselves sitting in the Champions League positions! Heung Min Son had a great chance in the first half, but he just didn’t put enough power on the strike. Harry Kane then created himself a decent chance, but his shot was also saved by Nick Pope. Then, just after the 30-minute mark, Hugo Lloris and Callum Wilson collided outside the box before Wilson put Newcastle ahead with a lovely strike. In my opinion, it wasn’t a foul by Wilson. Lloris ran into him. Just 10 minutes later, Newcastle were two-nil up through Miguel Almiron. It was a lovely run from the winger before he calmly placed the ball home. A great goal all-round. 10 minutes into the second half, Harry Kane got Spurs back into it but it didn’t end up mattering as Newcastle held on to get a massive victory. After a great run, Spurs have lost their last 2 games. They still sit third, but they are starting to fall away from the top 2. They host Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday before they take on Bournemouth at the Vitality in a game they absolutely need to be winning. As for Newcastle, who cares if they’ve played an extra game, they’re in the top four! They host Aston Villa next time out.

Everton 3-0 Crystal Palace

Everton earnt themselves an important 3 points after cruising through Crystal Palace. Everton were ahead after 11 minutes through Dominic Calvert Lewin. The biggest thing about that goal is it showed that Calvert Lewin, went fit, is a really good striker. Eberechi Eze looked like he was going to equalise for Crystal Palace, but Conor Coady did a brilliant job in blocking the attempt. Then, midway through the second half, Anthony Gordon scored a simple tap in after Guaita parried the ball into his path. Dwight McNeil then capped a great day off for the Toffees with a lovely team goal. After losing 3 games in a row, Everton are back to winning ways and they have now moved up into 12th place. They go to Fulham next time out for the Saturday Night Football matchup. As for Crystal Palace, their good run of form has been ended and they now sit in 13th place. Their next games sees them host Southampton.

Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United

Late goals for both sides mean Chelsea and Manchester United share a point each. In the first half, Kepa Arrizabalaga made multiple key stops to keep United from going ahead and just before halftime, Antony had a great chance to put United in front, but he dragged his shot wide. In the second half, Trevor Chalobah came in at the back post off a corner but unfortunately for him and his team, he headed the ball onto the crossbar. Into the last 5 minutes of normal play, Scott McTominay stupidly brought down Armando Broja inside the penalty area meaning the referee had no choice but to give the penalty. Jorginho then stepped up and put the ball away because of course he did. However, in the 94th minute, Casemiro headed the ball home to send Manchester United fans home happy. Could Kepa have done better, it’s a tough one to say. For the not the first time this season, Chelsea have conceded an incredibly late goal. They sit 5th in the table and after they play RB Salzburg in the Champions League, Graham Potter returns to the AMEX as Chelsea go to Brighton. As for Man U, their unbeaten run continues and they currently sit 6th in the table. They host FC Sheriff in the Europa League on Thursday before they welcome West Ham to Old Trafford for a clash this Sunday.

Southampton 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table narrowed after failing to secure all 3 points at the St. Mary’s Stadium. Arsenal took the lead just after 10 minutes through Granit Xhaka. It was such a good finish by the Swiss midfielder. Gabriel Jesus had multiple chances, but he failed to take any of them and that ended up costing his team as in the 65th minute, Stuart Armstrong placed the ball passed Aaron Ramsdale and into the Arsenal net to level the game up at 1 all. Aribo had a small chance later on, but his shot went straight into the keeper's hands. After 3 defeats in a row, Southampton have now earnt themselves 5 points from the last 3. They sit 16th in the table knowing that they will take on Crystal Palace in their next game (at Selhurst Park). As for Arsenal, the draw means their gap at the top of the table comes down to just 2 points. They go to Eindhoven for a game with PSV on Thursday before they host Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

West Ham 2-0 Bournemouth

West Ham now find themselves inside the top 10 for the first time all season. Dominik Solanke did well to create himself an opportunity but unfortunately, he ended up injuring himself in the process. And then, just before halftime, Kurt Zouma scrambled the ball home to make it 1-0 to the hosts. In my opinion, this goal shouldn’t have stood; Thilo Kehrer clearly handballed it like he was playing volleyball! In additional time in the second half, West Ham were awarded a penalty due to a handball. Said Benrahma stepped up and he sent the keeper the other way to seal the win for the Hammers. After a tough start to the season, West Ham now find themselves in 10th place. They host Silkeborg in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday before they go to Old Trafford for a tough test against Manchester United. As for Bournemouth, the defeat now means they sit 14th in the table. They host Tottenham Hotspur in their next match.

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Liverpool

Nottingham Forest managed to beat Liverpool in one of the most shocking results in recent Premier League history. After nothing happened in the first half, Taiwo Awoniyi hit the post before he rebounded it home to give Forest the unlikely lead. Liverpool had multiple chances, but Dean Henderson kept them out in his attempt to win himself a plane ticket for the World Cup. To be fair to Allison, he also made some really good saves to keep Liverpool in the game. And then, in additional time, Virgil Van Dijk had a golden chance, but he was denied by an absolutely brilliant save by Dean Henderson. This was a massive result for Nottingham Forest. They still sit bottom, but they will have a lot of confidence going forward. They face an even tougher test next week as they go to Arsenal. As for Liverpool, it’s another setback for Jurgen Klopp’s men. They currently sit 8th in the table and after an away trip to Amsterdam, they host Leeds United.