There’s nothing predictable about this Premier League campaign. The potential is there for this to be one of the best title races of recent memory with three teams vying for the crown and the pressure is mounting. Matchday 25 did not disappoint. Here’s your round-up.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
A first for Jürgen Klopp
Liverpool won at the Gtech Community Stadium for the first time but it came at a cost.
The Reds romped to a 4-1 win over Brentford to maintain their lead at the top of the table but their injury crisis depended. Curtis Jones hobbled off, Diogo Jota was stretchered off and Darwin Núñez was substituted at half-time. The Premier League leaders are now down to the bare bones ahead of a busy end to the season.
However, the returning Mohamed Salah, brought on to replace the injured Jota just days after resuming full training following a hamstring issue, found his groove quick enough to inspire Klopp’s men to a big win at what was viewed by many as a potential banana skin for the 2019/20 champions. He scored and assisted, as did fellow substitute Cody Gakpo, as Liverpool made it two wins from two following the loss to Arsenal.
Arsenal march on
The Gunners are in ominous form.
Mikel Arteta’s side followed up the 6-0 thrashing of West Ham United last weekend with a 5-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon. Arsenal have now scored 21 goals in their last five Premier League outings, conceding just twice in the process, to ramp up the pressure on leaders Liverpool.
Burnley had caused both Manchester City and Liverpool problems in recent matches but simply could not cope with Arteta’s men. The hosts didn’t land a single effort on goal and could only carve out chances worth 0.31 Expected Goals in front of a home crowd. By comparison, Arsenal had seven shots on target and finished with an xG total of 2.36.
For the second successive week, Bukayo Saka netted twice in a single match. He’s now on 12 for the campaign, just four behind Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot. Everything is clicking at the right time for the Gunners.
Spurs stunned
Tottenham relinquished their grasp on fourth this weekend following a shock home loss to Wolves. Ange Postecoglou had been in decent enough form heading into this game, taking seven points from the last nine on offer to capitalise on Aston Villa’s blip.
However, all of their hard work was undone on Saturday as they fell to a 2-1 loss to Wolves. They now find themselves two points behind the Villans and just three points clear of sixth-placed Manchester United.
Spurs were able to name a fairly strong XI and despite dominating the ball (71% possession) they weren’t able to do much with it. The visitors had a higher Expected Goals haul, more shots on target and more big chances. João Gomes was the unlikely hero, scoring twice for Gary O’Neil’s side. Perhaps surprisingly, Wolves are now just three points off of seventh-placed Brighton.
Dropped points at the Etihad
Manchester City always seem to go on a remarkable winning run after the turn of the year and it had appeared as though this season wouldn’t be any different. Heading into their Saturday night game against Chelsea, Pep Guardiola’s side had won six on the spin in the Premier League.
The expectation was that City would continue winning and when they finally played their game in hand, they would leapfrog those above them into top spot. Now that isn’t possible. The 1-1 draw with Chelsea means the reigning champions are four points off leaders Liverpool.
City huffed and puffed at the Etihad but just couldn’t find a way to win the game. At one stage, it appeared as though they might not even claim a point after Raheem Sterling had put the visitors ahead. A late Rodri strike levelled things up but that was as good as it got for the hosts, despite their dominance. Guardiola’s men had 31 shots, 71% of the ball and finished with an xG of 2.69. On another day, they probably win. On another day, Erling Haaland doesn’t forget his shooting boots. They could well rue the dropped points here.
United win again
Manchester United are getting a lot of good luck right now. They’re scoring last-minute winners, bounces of the ball are falling their way and opposing players aren’t as ruthless in the penalty area. It has been the perfect storm for the Red Devils and it has allowed them to climb the table. They are now just five points off of a Champions League spot following the 2-1 win over Luton.
At one stage, it appeared as though it was going to be a walk in the park for Erik Ten Hag’s men. Rasmus Højlund continued his fine form in front of goal, scoring twice inside the opening seven minutes, but United allowed the hosts back into the game.
Carlton Morris halved the deficit and after that, it was a fairly even game. Luton, somehow, had more of the ball and finished with more shots. Rob Edwards and his players probably deserved something from the game, but the visitors were able to hold on for a vital three points.
(Images from IMAGO)
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