It turned out to be a fairly decisive weekend in the Premier League. Manchester City were crowned champions without even kicking a ball following a shock defeat for Arsenal while Newcastle United booked their place in the Champions League. Relegation is still yet to be decided though. Here’s a look at how it all went down.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Champions League football returns to St. James’ Park
Following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday, Newcastle knew a point at home against relegation-threatened Leicester City would be enough to guarantee them a top-four finish.
The Foxes needed at least a point to aid them in their bid to beat the drop but manager Dean Smith made a few questionable decisions ahead of kick-off, dropping James Maddison and Harvey Barnes while deploying a 5-3-2 shape.
Did it pay off? They got their point but they had zero control on the outcome of the game. Newcastle peppered the Leicester goal, racking up an xG of 2.19 and having 23 shots. By comparison, the Foxes had their first and only shot of the game in the 92nd minute.
The 2015/16 Premier League champions now need to beat West Ham on the final day of the season and hope Bournemouth pick up at least a point against Everton in order to survive.
The Toffees get out of a sticky situation
Everton left it late, really late in fact, to claim a point against Wolves.
Yerry Mina put all of his 6ft5 frame to good use to poke home an all-important equaliser in the 99th minute to give the Blues a deserved point. Sean Dyche’s men had created more big chances on the day than their opponents and had a higher xG.
The point at Molineux now means a point at home to Bournemouth next weekend could well be enough to keep them up.
Mina was comfortably the Player-of-the-Match for the Toffees after he dominated the opposition in duels, winning 86% of his ground duels and 75% of his aerial duels. His equaliser was just the cherry on top.
Forest remain planted in the Premier League
It was a game of few opportunities. Arsenal dominated the ball against Nottingham Forest with 82% possession but the hosts found a winner and in the process secured their place in the English top-flight.
Taiwo Awoniyi scored his fifth goal in his last three appearances for Steve Cooper’s side. During this run, Forest have taken seven points from a possible nine as they have moved away from the relegation fight.
The defeat at the City Ground also ended Arsenal’s slim hopes of the title. It has been a disappointing end to the season for the Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s side have won just four of their last 10, taking 15 points from a possible 30 as their title bid came to a premature end.
Brighton’s European adventure
Roberto De Zerbi’s men have been a real Jekyll and Hyde team as of late.
They lost 5-1 to Everton before putting on a show in the 3-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates. They then lost 4-1 to Newcastle having made a host of surprising changes to their starting XI.
Brighton got back to winning ways again against Southampton though, running out 3-1 winners in what was a fairly one-sided game. The Seagulls racked up an xG of 2.53 to book their place in Europe next season.
Alexis Mac Allister was the star of the show for De Zerbi’s side, creating seven chances, completing 80% of his dribbles and winning 88% of his ground duels.
No new manager bounce for Leeds United
Leeds surrendered a lead for a second successive week under Sam Allardyce.
They find themselves 19th in the Premier League table and need a big win on the final day against Spurs to have any hope of leapfrogging Everton and retaining their place in the league for another season.
Allardyce will no doubt be disappointed with his team. West Ham created more chances and went looking for the win in the second half, with an xG of 1.44 after the break. Jarrod Bowen got a goal and an assist, while also creating four chances on the day as he claimed the highest FotMob rating (8.7).
(Images from IMAGO)
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