Chaos at the top and drama at the bottom, the Premier League just continues to deliver. We had a bit of everything this weekend with late goals, missed penalties and come-from-behind victories.
Here’s your review of Matchday 27.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Liverpool leave it late
The Premier League leaders scored a 99th-minute winner to maintain their grip on top spot.
Nottingham Forest did fairly well to frustrate Liverpool throughout at the City Ground but fell to an extremely late defeat. Darwin Núñez, back from injury, was the hero for the Reds as he came off of the bench to nod home the winner.
The goal, however, is shrouded in controversy. Though a lot of the narrative being pushed by the media seems forced. Play was stopped for a head injury with Nottingham Forest in possession. It was restarted with Liverpool in control of the ball. The away side then scored the winner two minutes later.
It is worth noting that Forest had opportunities to clear the ball and it isn’t as though Jürgen Klopp’s side scored directly from the official’s perceived error.
The win for the Reds means they head into next week’s clash with Manchester City leading the league by a point.
Moyes haunts Everton
Everton, playing their first game since their points deduction was reduced, fell to a defeat at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Sean Dyche’s side missed a penalty in the first half when Alphonse Areola thwarted Beto. However, the Everton striker made amends early in the second half as he headed in the opener.
Former Everton loanee Kurt Zouma levelled things up just six minutes later and then it was an end-to-end game with neither side able to take full control of things.
Tomáš Souček scored a stunning goal in added time to give the Hammers the lead before fellow midfielder Edson Álvarez added gloss to the scoreline with a third for the visitors in the 95th-minute.
The Toffees are now 10 games without a win and have dropped down to 16th following Brentford’s draw with Chelsea. West Ham are up to seventh in the Premier League.
Spurs turn it around
With an hour on the clock, back-to-back defeats seemed a real possibility for Spurs. Eberechi Eze had given Crystal Palace the lead and, in truth, it was probably deserved. In the first half, the Eagles ceded possession but largely controlled where the hosts could have the ball. Ange Postecoglou’s men had just two shots before the break.
The Palace goal seemed to spark Spurs into life and once Timo Werner levelled things, there was only going to be one winner. Cristian Romero put the hosts ahead just three minutes after the equaliser before Heung-Min Son added a third in the 88th-minute.
It was a huge win for the hosts. It allowed them to open up a six point gap over Manchester United and means they remain five points behind Aston Villa, with a game in hand, in their pursuit of a top four finish.
Results elsewhere meant the loss for Palace wasn’t a huge disaster and they remain 14th.
More goals at Kenilworth Road
It was a rollercoaster of emotion for Aston Villa fans on Saturday evening as they picked up all three points against Luton Town.
Unai Emery’s men raced into a 2-0 lead before the break with Ollie Watkins continuing his fine form in front of goal. It was completely one-sided in the first half with Luton carving out chances with an Expected Goals value of just 0.18 compared with Villa’s haul of 1.6.
It was a different story after the break though with the hosts coming out swinging. Rob Edwards’ side out-shot their opponents 11-2 in the second half and created opportunities worth 1.59 xG. For context here, the away side had an xG of just 0.36.
Luton levelled things up with two goals across a six minute spell and looked the more likely to clinch a winner. That was until Lucas Digne popped up with a header at the back post in the 89th minute.
Villa keep pressure on third placed Arsenal while Luton remain four points adrift of safety.
Manchester remains blue
It was a dream start for Manchester United at the Etihad when Marcus Rashford lashed a long-range effort past Ederson inside of eight minutes.
They probably scored too early though. After taking the lead, the away side sat off of the hosts and invited pressure. It felt like when and not if the champions would find a way through.
Erling Haaland spurned the best chance of the first half when he fired over from close range but City kept going. Phil Foden levelled things up with a wonder strike of his own early in the second half before the Manchester born attacker rifled in an effort beyond André Onana to give the hosts the lead in the 80th minute.
Haaland got his customary goal against United in added time after Rodri capitalised on a loose Sofyan Amrabat touch.
City now travel to Anfield next week knowing a win lifts them to the top of the Premier League.
(Images from IMAGO)
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