We might look back at this midweek round of fixtures at the end of the season and realise just how decisive it was. The leaders dropped points while both Liverpool and Chelsea lost ground in the race for a top-four finish. We take a look back at some of the statistical standouts and the biggest talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
More big chances missed for Liverpool
At a glance, Liverpool’s attacking numbers this season are impressive. The Reds find themselves ranked first for shots on target (109), fourth for goals (34) and third for Expected Goals (31.5).
However, when you look a little closer, things aren’t that pretty for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Their conversion rate of 8.4% is significantly down on Arsenal, Spurs and City – all of whom convert over 11% of their chances. Furthermore, the Reds top the charts for big chances missed with 42 – nine clear of those in second.
Liverpool just aren’t clinical and it hurt them against Brentford in a 3-1 loss. Klopp watched on as his side missed two of the three big chances they created. The defeat sees them seven points off a top-four spot.
Newcastle United – the Atlético Madrid of England
According to multiple outlets, the ball only remained in play for 51 minutes and 23 seconds, just over half a match, during Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle United. The hosts were left frustrated as they dropped points at home for the first time this season. Newcastle have been criticised for their approach in these matches, it was the same against Liverpool, but Eddie Howe’s men are successful in executing it, so why should the onus be on them to change anything?
Teams need to figure out how to beat them.
The Magpies ultimately deserved their point. They forfeited possession and instead looked to dominate the space and actually finished with an xG of 1.06, just 0.06 off the Arsenal total in what was a deceptively brilliant showing.
Everton’s defensive woes continue
Earlier in the season, the Toffess had the best defensive record in the Premier League and Frank Lampard was boasting about it. Now though, they’ve conceded 24 times, with 12 of those breaches occurring in their last five English top-flight matches.
Brighton ran riot at Goodison Park, romping to a 4-1 win. The Seagulls racked up an xG of 2.17 and created four big chances on the night to Everton’s one.
Lampard has tried different systems and different players but a clean sheet eludes him. Their last one was in October.
Fulham’s form
At the start of the season, many tipped Fulham for the drop. They hadn’t made many signings, the manager wasn’t impressed with the board and their previous stints in the top flight over recent years had been brief.
Yet as we head into the second half of the campaign, Fulham find themselves level on points with Liverpool and ahead of Brighton. Their 1-0 win over Leicester City saw them open up a three point lead over neighbours Chelsea. The match-winner was, of course, Aleksandar Mitrović with his 11th goal of the campaign in just 15 outings.
Potter’s magic has worn off
The honeymoon period for Graham Potter at Chelsea was brief. The Blues lost for the fourth time in their last six Premier League outings last night with Riyad Mahrez, rumoured to be a Chelsea transfer target in the summer, netting the winner for Chelsea.
Potter has now watched his side win just one of their last eight in the English top-flight and they find themselves in 10th position, 19 points off the top and 10 off the top four places.
It was yet another disappointing attacking performance as a team. City were deserved winners with an xG of over two at Stamford Bridge. The visitors created three big chances while the hosts didn’t create any.
(Images from IMAGO)
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