Goals were at a premium as 18 clubs faced off in this mid-week round of matches. Just 13 goals were scored across the nine games, but a number of these were key in shaping the future of a club. We take a look back at some of the biggest talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
The end of Gerrard’s reign
Steven Gerrard watched on as his Aston Villa side crumbled at Craven Cottage. The away side had a man sent off, conceded a penalty and put the ball into the back of their own net in a 3-0 loss. The former Liverpool midfielder was sacked not long after the final whistle. This isn’t a kneejerk reaction from those in charge at Villa Park. The team have taken just nine points from their 11 matches this season and are only outside of the relegation places due to goals scored.
Gerrard needed a reaction last night. He didn’t get one. Instead, they were blown away by a team that was winless in three heading into the game.
The night of Núñez
Darwin Núñez finally scored his first Anfield goal for Liverpool. It proved to be the winner against West Ham as the Reds climbed up to seventh in the Premier League table. It turned out to be a scrappy match against the Hammers but Nunez was able to show glimpses of his class.
He forced Łukasz Fabiański into a fine save after connecting with a stunning left-footed half volley and he cracked the post with another effort from just outside of the area. His goal was one that an old-school centre-forward would be proud of after he timed his run to get across the defenders and emphatically nod home. In total, he had six shots during his 57 minutes on the pitch with an Expected Goals total of 0.46. The impressive metric, however, was the xG on target total – 1.07. He was adding real value to his efforts with his shot selection.
Everton’s offensive woes
Frank Lampard was able to name Anthony Gordon and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in his attack against Newcastle United. The hope was that the Toffees would be more of a threat than they were against Spurs over the weekend when they managed just four shots.
It didn’t work out and Lampard’s team mustered just one effort on goal. One shot in the entire 90 minutes. To make matters worse, Everton weren’t at their defensive best and allowed the hosts 16 shots in total with an xG of 1.46. The third consecutive defeat was, in truth, deserved.
A captain’s performance
Hugo Lloris singlehandedly kept Spurs in the game against Manchester United.
The Frenchman made an astonishing eight saves as the hosts took an incredible 28 shots in a 2-0 win. Fred’s deflected effort broke the deadlock just after half-time and it was the slice of look Erin ten Hag’s men needed to beat the Tottenham captain between the sticks. Bruno Fernandes added a second to make it appear like a comfortable victory. On another day, without this Lloris masterclass, that is a statement victory.
The Eagles are soaring
Crystal Palace came from a goal behind to beat Wolves. Wilfried Zaha scored the winner but the start of the show was Eberechi Eze.
The 24-year-old is reportedly going to be named in the preliminary England squad and after that performance on Tuesday night, you can understand why. He finished with one goal from two shots, created three chances and completed all of his dribbles on the night.
We need to talk about Kepa
A lot of Chelsea players have benefitted from Graham Potter’s revival but few have had their luck transformed in the way Kepa has.
Frozen out by Thomas Tuchel in favour of Edouard Mendy, Kepa is back in the first-team picture and kept another clean sheet for the Blues in the draw with Brentford. He’s now kept five successive clean sheets. The world’s most expensive goalkeeper is finally living up to the price-tag, making a string of stunning saves to extend Potter’s unbeaten run as Chelsea manager.
(Images from IMAGO)
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