Premier League Roundup: Gameweek 36

Southampton 0-2 Fulham

It was a sad day for everyone involved with Southampton Football Club as relegation down to the Championship was confirmed. Willian nearly put Fulham in front in the first half, but Lyanco got back to clear the ball off the line. Early in the second half, Carlos Alcaraz put the ball into the back of the net, but his goal was ruled out as he was clearly offside. Pretty soon after it was 1-0 to Fulham as Vinicius scored in the 48th minute. It was actually a really nice team goal from the visitors. Paul Onuachu then had a good opportunity for Southampton, but he failed to hit the target. In the 72nd minute, it was 2-0 to Fulham as Aleksandar Mitrovic scored on his return to football. In the end, it’s a tough day for Southampton, but it’s not like it wasn’t coming. The Saints stay bottom of the table and they play away to Brighton in their next game. As for Fulham, it’s a good day for them as they reach the 50+ points mark. The Cottagers stay 10th and they host Crystal Palace next time out.

Everton 0-3 Manchester City

Manchester City moved to within 3 points of their third consecutive Premier League title with a superb win away to Everton. Mason Holgate had a good chance for Everton in the first half, but he couldn’t get a clean connection on the ball. Manchester City then took the lead in the 37th minute through a brilliant finish by Ilkay Gundogan. Less than 2 minutes later and it was 2-0 to Man City as Erling Haaland headed home after a lovely cross by Gundogan. Haaland’s header wasn’t actually that great so Pickford really should’ve done better. 6 minutes into the second half and it was 3-0 City as Ilkay Gundogan scored a brilliant free kick. James Tarkowski then came close to getting one back for Everton, but his headed effort struck the bar and went over. Man City should’ve then been awarded a penalty after Jordan Pickford pushed Erling Haaland over. The Premier League needs some new referee’s! In the end, it’s another tough day for Everton as they stay 17th. The Toffees go to Wolverhampton Wanderers next time out. As for Manchester City, it’s a great day for them as they extend their lead at the top of the table to 4 points. City host Real Madrid in a huge Champions League tie tonight before they look to seal another Premier League title at home to Chelsea.

Arsenal 0-3 Brighton

Arsenal’s title hopes were all but dashed by a brilliant Brighton side. Leandro Trossard had a good opportunity to score against his old club, but his effort could only hit the crossbar. Julio Enciso then had a golden chance to put Brighton in front, but he blasted his effort over the bar. Bukayo Saka then had a good chance for Arsenal before halftime, but his effort went just wide of the post. 6 minutes into the second half and Brighton had the lead through Julio Enciso. The defending by Jakub Kiwior was absolutely shocking. Reiss Nelson then came super close for Arsenal before in the 86th minute, Deniz Undav finished brilliantly to put Brighton 2 in front. And then, in the 96th minute, Pervis Estupinan scored (after some poor goalkeeping from Aaron Ramsdale) to wrap up a sensational afternoon for the Seagulls. In the end, it’s a terrible day for Arsenal as their title dreams are all but over. The Gunners are now 4 points behind league leaders Manchester City and they play away to Nottingham Forest next time out. As for Brighton and Hove Albion, this was a statement performance in a statement season for them. The Seagulls move up to 6th in the table and they play away to Newcastle in a big game on Thursday before they host Southampton on the weekend.

Leeds 2-2 Newcastle

Neither Leeds nor Newcastle were particularly happy with only a point from this game. Leeds United took the lead inside 7 minutes after Luke Ayling scored on the rebound. Leeds were then awarded a penalty after Joelinton fouled Junior Firpo in the box. Patrick Bamford stepped up and saw his penalty get saved by Nick Pope. What a missed opportunity for Leeds. 2 minutes later and Newcastle were awarded a penalty after Maximilian Wober fouled Alexander Isak. Callum Wilson stepped up and he did score to level the game up at 1-1. Wilson’s penalty was brilliant. Midway through the second half, Newcastle were awarded another penalty after the ball hit the hand of Junior Firpo. To be fair to the referee, he did get all 3 of these penalty decisions correct. Callum Wilson stepped up and scored again to fire Newcastle United in front at Elland Road. However, in the 79th minute, Rasmus Kristensen scored to make it Leeds 2, Newcastle 2. Kristensen’s effort took a big deflection off of Kieran Trippier. In additional time at the end of the game, Junior Firpo was shown a straight red card even though he was already on a yellow. It was the right call though. In the end, it’s a positive point for Leeds United even though they could’ve won the game. Leeds remain in the relegation zone (18th) and they play away to West Ham in a huge game this weekend. As for Newcastle United, they’ll see this as 2 points dropped rather than a point gained. The Magpies stay third and they host both Brighton and Leicester this week.

Leicester 0-3 Liverpool

Liverpool picked up a good win to keep up their charge for a top 4 finish whilst Leicester City’s fears worsen. Liverpool managed to take the lead after 33 minutes through Curtis Jones. Mohamed Salah played a lovely ball into the box and Jones finished really well. 3 minutes later and it was 2-0 to Liverpool as Curtis Jones scored again! Jones once again finished brilliantly, but Jonny Evans’ defending was awful. Curtis Jones could’ve then sealed his hat trick almost straight away, but teammate Cody Gakpo took the ball away from him. In the second half, Alisson pulled off a decent stop to deny Harvey Barnes before Daniel Iversen pulled off a comfortable stop to deny Mo Salah a goal. In the 71st minute, Liverpool wrapped the game up as Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a brilliant free-kick goal. Liverpool were then in again, but Mo Salah’s effort was poor. In the end, it’s another bad day for Leicester City as they stay inside the relegation zone (19th). The Foxes go to Newcastle needing a victory next time out. As for Liverpool, this was an easy for victory for them as they keep the pressure on Newcastle and Manchester United. The Reds host Aston Villa in a big game next on Saturday.

Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham

Aston Villa picked up a big win to move level on points with their opponents. Aston Villa took the lead inside 8 minutes through Jacob Ramsey. Ramsey and Leon Bailey combined well to create this goal and Ramsey’s finish was really good. Leon Bailey then came close to doubling Villa’s lead, but Fraser Forster pulled off a really good stop to keep the game at 1-0 before Emiliano Buendia hit the crossbar for the hosts. In the second half, Douglas Luiz made a terrible error, but luckily for him, Harry Kane didn’t take the opportunity. In the 72nd minute, Douglas Luiz made up for his earlier error by scoring a fantastic free kick to double Villa’s advantage. The goalkeeping from Forster is questionable though. Tottenham were then awarded a penalty in the 90th minute after Harry Kane was brought down by Emi Martinez. Kane stepped up and scored to give Spurs some hope. Overall, it’s a good day for Aston Villa as they keep their European dream alive. Villa stay 8th in the table and they play away to Liverpool in another big game next time out. As for Tottenham Hotspur, it’s another disappointing result for them as they drop to 7th in the table. Tottenham host Brentford in a big match on Saturday.

Manchester United 2-0 Wolves

Manchester United picked up an important victory in their fight for Champions League Football. Antony had a great opportunity to put Manchester United in front in the first half, but he poorly headed the ball over the bar. In the 32nd minute, Man United were ahead through Anthony Martial. Antony squared the ball to Martial who really couldn’t miss. In the second half, Jadon Sancho came close to doubling United’s lead, but debutant goalkeeper Daniel Bentley pulled off a great stop. Bentley then pulled out more good saves to deny Casemiro and Antony before, in the 94th minute, Alejandro Garnacho scored to seal all 3 points for United. Overall, it’s another win for Manchester United as they stay 4th. United’s next game is away to Bournemouth. As for Wolverhampton Wanderers, they literally didn’t do anything in this game. Wolves stay 13th and they host Everton next time out.

Chelsea 2-2 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest managed to pick up a really important point at Stamford Bridge. Nottingham Forest took the lead after 13 minutes through a headed effort by Taiwo Awoniyi. The goalkeeping by Edouard Mendy was terrible! Early in the second half, Notts Forest came close to doubling their lead and Chelsea quickly punished them as Raheem Sterling leveled the game up at 1-1 in the 51st minute. 7 minutes later and Chelsea were ahead through another goal from Raheem Sterling. This was a really nice goal from Sterling. However, just 4 minutes later, Forest were level as Taiwo Awoniyi got his second goal of the afternoon. In the end, it’s another disappointing day in a terrible season for Chelsea. The Blues stay 11th and they play away to Manchester City in their next game. As for Nottingham Forest, this could well be a vital point for them in their fight for Premier League survival. Forest stay 16th and they host Arsenal in a big game next time out.

Brentford 2-0 West Ham

Mikkel Damsgaard had a good opportunity for Brentford early on, but his headed effort went wide off the target. However, in the 20th minute, Brentford were ahead through Bryan Mbeumo. West Ham’s defence made it far too easy for Brentford to score, but Mbeumo continues to show why he’s an underrated footballer. Lukasz Fabianski then did well to deny Yoane Wissa on multiple occasions, but in the end, Wissa did get his goal to send Brentford into the break with a 2-goal cushion. However, Danny Ings did come close to getting one back for West Ham, but his effort was saved well by David Raya. In the second half, Damsgaard missed another good opportunity for Brentford before Danny Ings thought he’d got one back for West Ham. However, the goal was ruled out after it was deemed that the ball had hit the hand of Divin Mubama. Personally, I think this was a really bad decision not only because of how close he is to the ball, but also because I think it hits his shoulder. Overall, it’s another good day for Brentford as they keep their slim hopes of European Football alive. The Bees stay 9th in the table and they play away to Tottenham in a big game next time out. As for West Ham United, it’s all about tomorrow night for them now. The Hammers stay 15th and they play away to AZ Alkmaar in a huge UEFA Europa Conference League tie before they host Leeds United in their next league game.

Crystal Palace 2-0 Bournemouth

In the first half, Wilfried Zaha went down after a collision with Philip Billing. Zaha wanted a penalty and I think Crystal Palace should’ve been awarded one. Wilfried Zaha then had a golden opportunity which he didn’t take before it looked like Joachim Andersen punched Jefferson Lerma in the face. However, nothing was done about it. In the 39th minute, Crystal Palace took the lead through Eberechi Eze. In the second half, Will Hughes struck the ball really well on the volley, but Neto pulled off a good stop to push the ball away. In the 58th, Palace went 2 goals in front as Eberechi Eze scored his second goal of the afternoon in superb style. Overall, it’s another positive day for Crystal Palace. The Eagles stay 12th in the table and they play away to Fulham in their next game. As for Bournemouth, they’ll be disappointed to lose this game, but it won’t affect them too much. The Cherries stay 14th and they host Manchester United next time out.