Shock results, missed chances and dropped points. This weekend has the potential to season-defining. For some clubs, it might even be season-changing. We have new Premier League leaders, the race for a top-four finish took another abrupt turn while the landscape at the bottom of the table now looks completely different. Here is your weekend review.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Goals galore at St James’ Park…again
Newcastle welcomed Spurs to St James’ Park for the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon. Not that long ago, it appeared as though the Magpies were going to settle for a mid-table finish. However, the second-half comeback against West Ham United seemed to give them a much-needed spark and following the win over Tottenham, they are up to sixth.
Ange Postecoglou’s men had been inconsistent over recent weeks but seven points from three games had given them control in the race for a top-four finish. Nobody thought Newcastle would be so rampant, not when a win over Eddie Howe’s side would’ve given them complete control of the final Champions League spot with just a handful of games remaining.
Instead of a competent, composed performance from the visitors, they looked like a team who couldn’t deal with the pressure as the hosts ran riot in a 4-0 win.
Alexander Isak continued his fine form in front of goal by finding the back of the net on two occasions while Anthony Gordon added to his impressive tally of big goals and Fabian Schär added an exclamation point with a fourth late on. It was a scoreline that reflected their dominance. Newcastle are now up to sixth.
The champions claim top spot
It could’ve been a tricky game for Manchester City.
It wasn’t though.
Pep Guardiola’s men played host to Luton Town on Saturday afternoon and it was a clash that had the potential to be a bit of a banana skin, especially after their exploits in the Champions League in midweek.
In the end, however, it was a routine victory for Manchester City. The home side romped to a 5-1 win over the Hatters after a glut of goals in the second half.
City took the lead inside of two minutes when Daiki Hashioka put the ball into his own net. Despite racking up an xG of 2.03 before the break, the hosts couldn’t add to their early lead.
Then the floodgates opened just after the hour mark as Mateo Kovačić, Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku and Joško Gvardiol all scored.
Ross Barkley had made it 3-1 in the 81st minute but City were in cruise control at that point. The hosts carved out chances worth a staggering 4.32 Expected Goals as they climbed back to the top of the table.
Manchester United fail to build momentum
Last weekend, Manchester United rallied against Liverpool to claim a point. They looked like a completely different team in that second half and many wondered whether this might be a sign of things to come for the Red Devils.
It was just another false dawn though.
United could only take a point back to Old Trafford on Saturday evening following their match against Bournemouth. In truth, they probably didn’t even deserve that.
The visitors created very little in open play and needed a controversial penalty decision to level things up in the second half after the Cherries had taken a 2-1 lead into the break.
Adam Smith was adjudged to have handled the ball after a shot deflected his way. It was extremely harsh.
Bournemouth thought they had a stoppage time penalty of their own only for VAR to intervene and decide the incident occurred outside of the penalty area. It was a fortunate point for Manchester United and for the second successive time this season they have failed to build on a positive result against Liverpool.
Fortress Anfield falls
Liverpool hadn’t lost a league game at Anfield since October 2022. It had been a safe haven for them during this unlikely title challenge and though they’d fallen to defeat in midweek in the Europa League, everyone expected a reaction from Jürgen Klopp and his players.
A win over Crystal Palace would’ve taken them to the top of the Premier League.
However, it was the Eagles who claimed all three points. It lifted them clear of the relegation battle.
Eberechi Eze scored what turned out to be the winner in just the 14th minute, taking full advantage of some poor Liverpool defending.
The visitors looked dangerous on the break but only escaped with three points due to some excellent defending and a number of poor from those in red.
For the second successive week, the misfiring Liverpool attack has cost them all three points. The Reds missed all four of their big chances and lost ground in the title race.
Villa stun the Emirates
Arsenal hosted an out of form Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon knowing a win would see them return to the top of the Premier League table.
Heading into this game, Unai Emery’s men had won just one of their last five in the Premier League and their grasp on the final Champions League place had slipped.
By comparison, Arsenal had been ruthless, winning 10 of their last 11 in the English top-flight. They’d only failed to beat Manchester City during this run.
They started well but allowed the visitors to grow into the game and eventually, Aston Villa broke the deadlock. Leon Bailey opened the scoring and two minutes later Ollie Watkins doubled the lead to stun the hosts late on.
Arsenal are now two points off leaders Manchester City while Villa have a three point advantage over Spurs.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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