GAME WEEK 31 - WEEKLY ROUND UP

As we approach the end of the season, every game is full of action, at the bottom of the table teams are scraping for points wherever they can, and at the top, some real underdogs are fighting for European football.

WATKINS MASTERCLASS SEES OFF DISAPPOINTING MAGPIES

Aston Villa beat Newcastle comfortably at home thanks to Ollie Watkins’ stellar performance. The 3-0

win means that the Villans sit in 6th position and only 6 points off the top four.

Jacob Ramsey opened the scoring after just 10 minutes with a drilled finish past Nick Pope. John

McGinn picked up the ball out on the right flank and lofted the ball towards the back post, Ollie Watkins nodded the ball down to Ramsey. The young midfielders first time strike found the back of the net, shocking Eddie Howe’s side.

After the interval Ollie Watkins doubled the lead but was ruled narrowly offside, it didn’t matter though

as minutes later he scored again, this time it did count. Alex Moreno claimed a well deserved assist,

the Spaniard had the Newcastle defence running round in circles throughout the entire fixture. Watkins spun off Fabian Schar and smashed the ball into the bottom right corner.

Unai Emery’s side put the game to bed as Watkins claimed his brace, topping off a superb performance. McGinn dispossessed Matt Targett and helped it on to Ramsey, he squared the ball to Watkins who made no mistake in finding the back of the net once again. An fantastic show from Villa and especially Watkins, who definitely impressed England manager Gareth Southgate who was

watching in the stands.

BRIGHTON DO THE DOUBLE OVER LACKLUSTRE CHELSEA

Brighton claimed three vital points away at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon thanks to a goal of

the season contender from Julio Enciso. Chelsea took the lead early on but the Albion came back to

get the win and continue their fight for European football.

Conor Gallagher broke the deadlock inside 15 minutes totally against the run of play. Mudryk won

possession and burst inside before laying it off to Gallagher. The young midfielder’s strike deflected off

of Lewis Dunk, wrong-footed Robert Sanchez and found the back of the net. Brighton were unlucky to

concede as moments before they had a great chance to take the lead; Evan Ferguson blasted a shot

towards goal, he came close but the ball crashed against the crossbar.

Evan Ferguson was substituted off just before half-time due to injury – Danny Welbeck replaced the

Irishman and made an instant impact, nodding in the equaliser 3 minutes after coming on. Pascal Gross claimed the assist however the whole team were involved in the well worked. Welbeck met the cross at the far post, giving the visitors the goal they deserved just before the break.

Julio Enciso scored the winner for Brighton in the 70th minute, scoring potentially the goal of the

season. Solly March’s pass was probably the easiest assist he’ll ever get. Enciso was unmarked

in the middle of the park and wasn’t closed down quickly enough by Badiashille. The

Paraguayan smashed the ball into the top-left corner, leaving Kepa with no chance. The away

fans behind the goal erupted and rightly so, as the 19-year-old’s screamer ended up being the

winner.

A fixture that puts Brighton just 7 points away from the top 4, with two games in hand.

It’s a good time to be a Seagulls fan at the moment, an FA Cup semi-final approaching and

European football on the horizon, as for Chelsea this season can only be described as a write

off, they remain in 11th position.

FULHAM DAMAGE EVERTON’S SURVIVAL HOPES

Everton’s were unable to overcome out of form Fulham at Goodison park. Harrison Reed, Harry Wilson

and Dan James all featured on the score sheet to keep their side in the top half of the table.

Harrison Reed fired Fulham into the lead, he found Wilson with a cross-field pass, his shot rattled

against the post and arrived at the feet of Dan James. The loanee kept the ball alive and found

Reed who finished off the phase of play he started. Everton got back into the game before the break

with a fantastic goal. McNeil’s low driven strike flew passed Leno and into the bottom corner.

Everton came out all guns blazing in the second half, they had 2 chances in as many minutes. Fulham

were unable to clear away Demari Gray’s cross, which allowed Mykolenko to have a chance in

front of goal, his cross was turned behind for a corner. Moments later McNeil struck the post,

the winger beat Antonee Robinson and crossed in the ball, it was heading towards goal,

catching out Leno, luckily for the German the woodwork saved him. Everton were punished

for not taking their chances as Fulham took the advantage once more, this time Harry Wilson

was the goal scorer. The ball was stabbed into the centre of the 18-yard box by Willian and

Wilson got there first to side-foot the ball into the back of the net.

Daniel James put the game to bed with another goal to extend Fulham’s lead, the man who assisted

the opener ensured the victory with his side's third of the game. A long free-kick reached James

who slotted the ball past Pickford to guarantee the visitors the win. After Fulham’s purple patch, they’ve managed to get 3 points to reignite the push for Europe. For Everton, the relegation battle continues as now they sit one place above the drop on goal difference.

PALACE CONTINUE WINNING FORM AS EZE SCORES BRACE

The return of Roy Hodgson has given Palace a big boost in their hopes to stay in the top flight, Southampton on the other hand seem to be down and out. It was a quiet first half at St Mary’s, neither

side showing an abundance of quality in front of goal.

Crystal Palace came out much more lively in the second half and broke the deadlock 10 minutes in.

Eberechi Eze volleyed home a deflected shot near the penalty spot. An important goal for Crystal Palace, who continue to claw their way towards safety.

Eze doubled his side’s advantage in the 68th minute. Doucoure played the ball into Eze, who then took

matters into his own hand, he flew past Djenepo and placed his shot into the bottom left corner perfectly, a superb solo effort from the Palace attacker. His brace decided the game and put the South London side 9 points above the drop, as for Southampton they remain bottom of the table, for them, Championship football seems inevitable next season.

WOLVES GO 7 POINTS CLEAR OF THE DROP AS COSTA SCORES FIRST PREM GOAL IN SIX YEARS

Brentford continue their bad run of form with a 2-0 defeat to Wolves, Lopetegui’s side claimed 3 important points to keep them 7 points above the relegation zone.

Diego Costa broke the deadlock at the Molineux with his first Premier League goal since 2017. A big

moment for the striker who scored on the half hour mark. Tori burst down the left wing, held up the ball before sending it back into the box. Costa's first touch wasn’t on point but luckily for him Norgaard’s attempted clearance ricocheted onto the strikers boot and found the back of the net.

In the second half, Hee-Chan Hwang was subbed on and what a decision that turned out to be! The South Korean made it two with a simple finish after Nunes nicked the ball off Wissa and glided past

Rico Henry before pulling the ball back across the box. Pinnock tried to intercept but was unable to

stop Hwang from forcing the ball into the net.

Wolves were the better side by far, and will be very confident heading into the fixture with Leicester

next weekend, as for Brentford, the European places are getting further and further away, and with in-form Villa coming up next, it’s not looking good for the Bees.           

OUATTARA’S LAST GASP WINNER

In what should have been a simple victory for Spurs, turned into one of the games of the week! Action right to the death, it was a cracker. Bournemouth came out on top in the end, meaning Tottenham missed out on moving into the top 4.

Patient play from Spurs payed off as Lenglet released Perisic who managed to pick out Son. His first

time strike deflected off Stephens to wrong foot Neto and give the home side the lead. Bournemouth

equalised just before the interval with a cheeky chipped finish into the far corner. Pedro Porro’s error

started the move and Mathias Vina finished it.

Solanke gave the Cherries the advantage at the start of the second half as Porro again failed to clear his lines. His attempt looped straight back to Solanke who touched it through to Tavernier. He twisted and turned past Davinson Sanchez, before returning it back to Solanke. Similarly to the first goal, it was

dinked into the far corner. Arnaut Danjuma scored the equaliser 2 minutes before the final whistle and

seemed to salvage a point with his finish from inside the box. However Bournemouth kept fighting and

shocked the league with a winner in the 5th minute of stoppage time. Ouattara was the most composed man in the stadium, he took it round Hojbjerg and curled it out of Lloris’ reach.

Spurs miss out on a Champions League spot for now and face Newcastle next week, Bournemouth on

the other hand now have back to back wins and look more likely to escape relegation this season.

MAN CITY CLOSE THE GAP IN ROUTINE VICTORY

Man City continue to breathe down Arsenal’s neck as they get another 3 points close to the top spot.

Leicester had a poor first half that they couldn’t make up for despite their efforts in the second half.

John Stones opened the scoring inside 5 minutes with a world class left-footed strike from a corner.

Erling Haaland was on target from 12 yards again to make it 2-0. The Norwegian claimed a brace 10

minutes later making the score 3-0 inside 25 minutes. The Cityzens went down the tunnel at half-time

totally in control, the game was over before it started and they asserted their dominance as most

people thought he would.

Man City were much quieter in the second half and made lots of tactical substitutions, Guardiola was

seemingly saving his best players energy for their Champions League fixtures. Former Man City striker

Kelechi Ineanacho scored a consolation goal for Leicester which inspired and array of chances to follow. Man City got complacent and were lucky not to be punished by the Foxes who could never quite find the target.

Leicester remain in the relegation zone and need a win desperately next week against Wolves, as for

Man City they are getting closer and closer to Arsenal, putting lots of pressure on the Gunners who are

searching for their first Premier League title in 19 years.

ARSENAL THROW AWAY ANOTHER TWO GOAL AS SAKA MISSES PENALTY

London Derbys are always highly anticipated fixtures and this one certainly didn’t disappoint, West Ham came back from 2-0 down to hurt Arsenal’s title charge.

Within 10 minutes it seemed as though West Ham were in for a long afternoon, conceding 2 goals

from Jesus and Odegaard. Jesus scored a simple tap in after a well worked Arsenal move. Saka started

it by dancing into the area and finding Partey. The midfielder layed it off to captain Odegaard who

slipped it through to Ben White. The £50m man slid through a low cross which Jesus met and tapped

in. Said Benrahma halved the deficit on the half hour mark from 12 yards, pulling David Moyes’ side back into the game. West Ham finished the half on top despite Arsenal cruising at the beginning of the

match.

In the second half Saka was unable to convert from 12 yards, the winger who famously missed from

the spot in Euro 2020 final, side footed his effort wide of the left post, it was a huge let off for West

Ham and a moment that came back to punish Arsenal. Moments after the penalty miss, Bowen levelled

the scoring, Arsenal tried to clear their lines but only got the ball as far as Kehrer who lifted the ball

back over the Gunners defence. Bowen timed his run to perfection and volleyed the ball into the back

of the net, despite Ramsdale getting a touch.

A game that has blown the title race wide open, Arsenal were cruising but a penalty miss cost them

and West Ham got themselves back into the game to claim a vital point as they try to escape relegation. The title deciding game is getting closer and Man City are only 4 points behind with a game in hand. Arsenal will need to get back on a winning streak if they want to win the title.

MAN UNITED CLIMB UP TO THIRD IN 2-0 WIN OVER FOREST

Manchester United win 2-0 away from home to overtake Newcastle in the league table, Nottingham

Forest on the other hand were disappointing again and remain 18th, stuck in the relegation zone on

goal difference.

Antony opened the scoring in what had been an open first 30 minutes. Nottingham Forest lost

possession cheaply in the middle of the park and Bruno Fernandes unlocked the defence with a perfect pass that found Martial. The Frenchman’s shot on goal was denied by Navas but the Champions League winner couldn’t prevent Antony getting the rebound and firing the away side in front.

Diogo Dalot scored his first ever Premier League goal to double the scoring, with the initial goal scorer

Antony claiming the assist. The Brazilian played really well down the right-hand side. He opted to play

the ball to Dalot who fired past Navas, putting the dagger in the heart of Nottingham Forest fans.

Nottingham Forest remain in the relegation zone due to this defeat, their poor form means that they are now 9 games without a win, the longest in the Premier League. Man United on the other hand move into third position with confidence flying high.

JOTA AND SALAH AT THE DOUBLE AS LIVERPOOL THRASH LEEDS

Leeds United suffer their 2nd big loss in as many matches, Liverpool demolished them in a huge 6-1 win at Elland Road. Trent Alexander-Arnold played well in a new midfield role, claiming his 50th Premier League assist.

Liverpool were 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah. Gakpo converted from close range following a rapid counter attack, despite a controversial hand ball shout. Alexander-Arnold won the ball with his arm, and then went on to assist the opener for Gakpo who scored a simple tap-in. 5 minutes later Mo Salah extended the lead with a powerful left footed strike past Meslier. The Egyptian blasted the ball into the top left corner after receiving the ball from Diogo Jota out on the left wing.

Leeds pulled a goal back instantly in the second half, Luis Sinisterra punished a woeful Konate error and lifted the ball over Alisson and into the back of the net. Liverpool responded perfectly, and went on to embarrass Leeds by scoring another 4 goals. Diogo Jota claimed a brace with a composed strike, lifted over Meslier and a drilled finish into the bottom right corner. Mo Salah got his 15th Premier League goal of the season with a curling effort. Cody Gakpo claimed the assist with an unselfish pass into the path of Salah. Darwin Nunez poured salt in the wounds by scoring the 6th in the 90th minute, he brought down Alexander-Arnold’s lofted ball and steered the strike into the bottom left corner.

A big blow for Leeds who are only 2 points above the drop, for Liverpool it’s a big improvement considering the disappointing season they’ve had. Only 2 points away from European football, although it’s not much, it’s something to show for a sub-par season.

Written by Isabelle Newnham