The Premier League really is like no other. A mid-week round of fixtures could see heavily rotated teams play out drab affairs, but not in the English top-flight. In fact, matchday 15 was just as goal-filled as matchday 14. Some of these results will have long-lasting consequences. So, with that in mind, a look at the biggest talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Last-minute drama at Kenilworth Road
Arsenal made hard work of it against Luton Town on Tuesday evening but managed to secure all three points in stoppage time to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta’s side twice took the lead in the first half with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus finding the back of the net. However, Gabriel Osho levelled things up just three minutes after the opener before Elijah Adebayo, in for top-scorer Clayton Morris, scored just two minutes after the break to make it 2-2.
Ross Barkley then fired the hosts into a shock lead. David Raya failed to cover himself in much glory for the second time on the night. Arteta might soon have a big decision to make with the former Brentford shot-stopper having several questionable moments over recent weeks.
Kai Havertz made it three goals in four outings on the hour mark when he restored parity for the title hopefuls. It was all Arsenal for the final 30 minutes but it appeared as though Rob Edwards’ men were going to survive the barrage. But in the 97th minute, the pressure paid off, with Declan Rice rising highest to direct a header into the far corner.
In truth, it was a deserved victory for the Gunners. They now travel to Villa Park on Saturday evening.
Fulham feast at Craven Cottage
People would’ve forgiven Fulham if they were a little sluggish against Nottingham Forest after what had happened during their loss to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Marco Silva’s men took a 3-2 lead in the 80th minute but found themselves 4-3 down in the 87th. All of their good work throughout the game was undone during a two-minute spell. Bouncing back from that is difficult.
Yet on Wednesday night, they looked organised, focused and well-rested as they ran out 5-0 winners over Forest. It was about as one-sided as a match can be with Fulham creating more big chances (five) than the away side had shots (four).
The hosts created chances with an Expected Goals haul of 2.52, though some smart finishing increased the value of these efforts to 3.4 Expected Goals on Target.
Alex Iwobi and Raul Jiménez both netted doubles with Tom Cairney adding a fifth. Andreas Pereira impressed despite not getting on the scoresheet having chipped in with two assists and creating four chances.
Forest have now lost four matches on the spin and find themselves in 16th position with manager Steve Cooper under pressure.
Chelsea taken apart at Old Trafford
Manchester United needed a reaction following their 1-0 loss to Newcastle United on Saturday evening. The Reds Devils had a negative goal difference in the Premier League, their Champions League journey was hanging by a thread and dressing room leaks seemed to suggest Erik Ten Hag had lost the players.
They welcomed an inconsistent Chelsea to Old Trafford on Wednesday night. A loss wouldn’t have sealed Ten Hag’s fate but it would’ve no doubt complicated things. And the Dutchman must’ve feared the worst when Bruno Fernandes’ penalty was saved early on.
However, the former Ajax man had his trump card in the starting XI in the form of Scott McTominay. The Scotland international netted both goals in the 2-1 win to take his Premier League tally to five.
On another day, United hit the Blues for five or six. They finished the game having taken 28 shots and creating chances worth 4.17 Expected Goals. They carved out five big chances, the same number as Chelsa, but almost triple the xG accrued by Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
A concerning pattern is emerging for Chelsea. They seem to follow up an impressive showing with a lacklustre one and this is why they find themselves in 10th position in the Premier League this term.
Fortress Villa Park doesn’t fall
Aston Villa extended their 100% record in the Premier League with a win over champions Manchester City on Wednesday night. Unai Emery’s side have won all seven of their home fixtures, scoring 24 goals in the process. They have only conceded on five occasions.
The win over City, courtesy of a Leon Bailey goal, lifted Villa into third position in the table and they are just four points off the top. Whisper it quietly, but they are genuine top-four candidates right now. If they manage to beat Arsenal at Villa Park on Saturday, some might even consider them to be title contenders.
To put it bluntly, the Villans battered City and the 1-0 win didn’t tell the whole story. The hosts had 22 shots to the away side’s two while creating chances worth 2.38 Expected Goals. The visitors had to settle for an Expected Goals haul of 0.65 having struggled to get Erling Haaland into the game.
Spurs struggle
Tottenham Hotspur once again took the lead. They once again failed to hold onto that lead and suffered defeat, this time at home to West Ham United.
Cristian Romero gave the hosts an early advantage but Jarrod Bowen, as is the norm now, found the back of the net on his travels.
James Ward-Prowse was the winner, capitalising on a defensive mix-up to fire home into an empty goal after his initial effort had struck the post.
The first half was all Spurs, with Ange Postecoglou’s side creating chances worth 1.14 Expected Goals. After the break, however, West Ham dominated, racking up an xG of 1.73 in the second half on their way to a deserved victory.
The Hammers are now just three points off of Spurs and six off of a place in the top four.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.