The Premier League is just relentless, isn’t it? Matchday 23 delivered in a big way with goals aplenty and eye-catching results galore. Here’s our review as the league leaders finally lose in what could be seen as a real momentum shifter in the grand scheme of things.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
A key point for the Toffees
If Everton are going to stay in the Premier League, their home form is going to be what keeps them there. The Toffees welcomed Spurs to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon and a former blue threatened to add to their woes.
Sean Dyche’s men went into the game in the relegation zone and they have played a game more than the team currently above them, Luton Town. Defeat here would’ve left them one point away from safety having played two games more.
Richarlison, in fine form for Spurs, gave Ange Postecoglou’s side the lead inside of just four minutes. The ex-Toffee then restored the away team’s lead after Jack Harrison had equalised.
It appeared as though Everton were heading for an undeserved defeat, having had more shots, more big chances and a significantly higher Expected Goals total, before Jarrad Branthwaite, a transfer target for Tottenham in January, popped up with an unlikely equaliser in the 94th minute.
It could well be a big point for Everton.
Goals, goals, goals at St James’ Park
Luton Town have now scored four goals in consecutive Premier League matches. Who had that on their bingo card at the start of the season? Rob Edwards’ men followed up their 4-0 win over Brighton with an epic 4-4 draw with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
At one point, midway through the second half, the visitors had a 4-2 lead only for Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes to score two goals in the space of six minutes to tie things up. It was an end-to-end game with both teams creating high-value chances. In truth, it was as even as can be.
Newcastle finished with an Expected Goals total of 2.4 having had four big chances. Luton also had four big chances and finished the game with an Expected Goals haul of 2.36. The hosts just about edged possession (54%).
The point kept Luton out of the relegation zone while Newcastle are now just five points off of sixth place.
An empathic response
Aston Villa lost their incredible home record in mid-week with Newcastle United claiming a 3-1 win at Villa Park. A trip to Bramall Lane on Sunday was a potential banana skin too for Unai Emery’s men. Yes, Sheffield United are bottom of the league and had been in poor form, but they had been a genuine threat going forward in recent weeks.
If Villa were feeling sorry for themselves following the loss to the Magpies, the Blades could’ve caused some problems for the visitors.
Safe to say this wasn’t the case though with the away side running riot in the first half. They had a 3-0 lead inside of 20 minutes and had added a fourth before the half-hour mark. A goal in the opening two minutes of the second half completely killed the game off and Sheffield United just looked at limiting damage after that.
Ollie Watkins was the star of the show for Villa, scoring once and assisting twice. He’s now the first player in the Premier League to hit double figures in assists. Emery’s side are just five points off leaders Liverpool.
Wolves maul Chelsea
For the second time this week, Chelsea conceded four Premier League goals.
Mauricio Pochettino made changes to his XI following the 4-1 loss at Anfield to Liverpool and it appeared as though the plan was working when Chelsea went 1-0 up against Wolves inside of 20 minutes. Cole Palmer added yet another goal to his haul for the season.
Wolves responded though with Matheus Cunha levelling things up just minutes later. An Axel Disasi own goal gave the visitors the lead just prior to half time and then Gary O’Neil’s side really ramped things up after the break. Cunha scored twice to complete a hat-trick before Thiago Silva halved the deficit with a late goal for Chelsea.
The 4-2 home loss leaves Chelsea in 11th place in the Premier League. The Blues are currently closer to the relegation zone than they are the top four.
A statement showing at the Emirates
If the pressure was on Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, they didn’t show it. The hosts claimed a 3-1 win over Liverpool to blow the title race wide open. The Reds, losing just their second game of the season, had a nightmare second half in London with Alisson Becker and Virgil Van Dijk having a moment to forget in the build-up to Gabriel Martinelli’s goal.
Ibrahima Konate was also sent off for two bookable offences as goals from Bukayo Saka, Martinelli and Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal all three points. The Gunners are now just two points off the top and have momentum on their side following three successive wins.
Arsenal carved out six big chances and finished with an Expected Goals tally of 3.5 in what was a dominant showing in front of the home faithful.
(Images from IMAGO)
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