It was a weekend filled with comebacks in the Premier League. It was also a goal filled weekend, with 26 goals being scored across the eight matches on Saturday. Here’s a look at the talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Merseyside remains red
The Merseyside derby kicked off matchday nine with Liverpool welcoming Everton to Anfield.
The hosts ran out 2-0 winners in what was a drama-filled afternoon. Ashley Young was sent off in the first half after picking up two yellow cards for fouls on Luis Diaz.
Liverpool had multiple penalty shouts turned away before VAR intervened and had referee Craig Pawson review a Michael Keane handball. Mohamed Salah converted from the spot and added a second in added time. Ibrahima Konate was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow at 0-0, much to the dismay of Sean Dyche.
Everton offered very little and it is understandable having played over half a game with 10 men. Liverpool had 78% possession and 26 shots to the away side’s six. However, the Reds had an open-play Expected Goals total of just 1.1. It was an important three points for the Reds but manager Jurgen Klopp will no doubt expect his attack to be sharper in their next outing.
Back to winning ways for the champions
Rodri returned from suspension and City returned to winning ways. It isn’t a coincidence.
Erling Haaland was back on the scoresheet and Julian Alvarez added to his tally for the campaign as Pep Guardiola’s side claimed a 2-1 win over Brighton. The victory saw them return to the top of the table, for now at least with Spurs set to play on Monday evening.
Surprisingly, Brighton actually finished with a higher xG (0.83 to 0.75) and the away side created three big chances to City’s one.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side had 55% possession in the second half and a late Ansu Fati goal gave the Seagulls a glimmer of hope. In truth, they probably deserved a point based on their showing.
Wood fires Forest
Nottingham Forest went 2-0 up against Luton Town with Chris Wood netting a brace. The former Newcastle United forward appeared to have killed the game off in the 76th minute but two goals in the final 10 minutes salvaged a shock point for Luton.
Versatile winger Chiedozie Ogbene halved the deficit before Elijah Adebayo, who started the game on the bench, scored the equaliser in added time. The point means Rob Edwards’ team are outside of the relegation zone.
The hosts will feel aggrieved not to have picked up all three points having created more big chances. They also created chances with an Expected Goals value of 2.97. Thomas Kaminski kept the away side in the game with six saves at the City Ground.
A Stamford Bridge shock for Arsenal
Another comeback.
Chelsea took a shock 2-0 lead against an unbeaten Arsenal side. Cole Palmer converted from the penalty spot after a William Saliba handball. Mykhalio Mudryk then lobbed David Raya with a cross-cum-shot as the loanee Brentford shot-stopper struggled at Stamford Bridge. Maybe we’ll see Aaron Ramsdale return to the starting XI in the near future.
He wasn’t the only goalkeeper to have problems though. With the Blues looking to just see out the game, Robert Sanchez carelessly passed the ball to Declan Rice and the one-time Chelsea academy player calmly floated the ball into an empty net with 13 minutes remaining. Leandro Trossard came off the bench to poke an equaliser beyond Sanchez with just six minutes remaining.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side handled Arsenal really well and limited them to just one big chance and an Expected Goals total of 0.99. The Gunners dominated the ball but the Blues controlled the space. It was a tactical battle that showed exactly why Chelsea appointed the former Spurs manager this summer.
Another win for the Red Devils
Manchester United claimed three points against bottom of the table Sheffield United on Saturday night. But, once again, it was an underwhelming showing from Erik Ten Hag’s team.
The away side eked out a 2-1 win with Diogo Dalot scoring what turned out to be the winner in the 77th minute.
Scott McTominay had given Ten Hag’s side the lead in the first half only got Oli McBurnie to cancel it out six minutes later when he scored from the penalty spot.
Man United dominated the second half, seeing 69% of the ball, but they struggled to create anything of any real note.
United are getting points on the board but they’re going to want to see their performances improve sooner rather than later.
(Images from IMAGO)
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