It was a goal-filled match week in the Premier League with 44 being scored across the 10 matches. However, some meant more than others. As usual, here’s a look at the biggest talking points from across the action.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
The Seagulls maul Wolves
Brighton’s season had threatened to end abruptly after they followed up their FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United with a 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest in mid-week. Roberto De Zerbi made changes to his starting XI for the visit of Wolves, dropping Levi Colwill, Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Karou Mitoma to the bench.
His side responded well to the shake-up and found themselves 4-0 up at the break following a ruthless display. Pascal Groß and Dennis Undav both netted doubles but the player of the match was Danny Welbeck. The forward rolled back the years to claim two goals and an assist. The one-time Manchester United player more than deserved his 9.3 FotMob rating and Brighton more than deserved their 6-0 win, creating five big chances as well as racking up an Expected Goals haul of 3.34.
The Eagles soar to safety
In any other week, this would probably be the match of the weekend.
West Ham had the better of the chances in the first half, going in at the break with a higher xG but trailing 3-2 to Roy Hodgson’s side. The hosts made the most of all of their possession (60%) and took their chances. The 4-3 win lifted them onto 40 points and they are all but guaranteed another season in the English top flight. The Hammers aren’t yet there and find themselves four points above the drop following back-to-back defeats.
Things don’t get easier for David Moyes’ men with a trip to title-chasing Manchester City on the cards.
Panic mode for Leeds United
Bournemouth romped to a 4-1 win over Leeds to give themselves some breathing space. The Cherries are now nine points clear of the drop zone with just four games to play.
This result almost certainly expedited the departure of Javi Gracia. The former Watford man only replaced Jesse Marsch in February but he has now been swiftly replaced ahead of their next match – away to Manchester City on Saturday.
Sam Allardyce is the surprise appointment with Leeds now desperate to remain in the Premier League. Gracia hasn’t had the best of times at Elland Road. The loss to Bournemouth was their fourth in five matches and the third time they had conceded four or more in a match during this period.
A tale of two halves at Anfield
The first half was all Liverpool and the second half was all Spurs. The hosts eased into a 3-0 lead inside of 15 minutes before losing complete concentration. Jürgen Klopp’s side were sloppy in possession and created next to nothing following the third goal as Spurs fought back.
However, the Reds won it with Diogo Jota’s strike in stoppage time, just 90 seconds after Richarlison had equalised.
It was a fairly predictable game in many ways.
Harry Kane scored for the eighth time against Liverpool. Mohamed Salah scored for the eighth time against Spurs. Heung-Min Son scored for the third successive match at Anfield while Trent Alexander-Arnold made it six assists in his last five outings.
A match of the season contender
On paper, Everton’s trip to Leicester City should’ve been a tight-knit affair. Both teams need points and the best way to do that is to keep a clean sheet. Keep chances to a minimum and bide your time.
Neither side got that script though. The 2-2 draw was one of the most entertaining games of the season that did nothing to either side’s hopes of survival. Both teams finished with an xG total of over three on the night, the first time this has happened this season.
The point helped the Foxes move out of the relegation zone on goal difference but they are still level on points with 18th-placed Nottingham Forest while Everton remain in 19th and are one of only two teams not to hit 30 points this season.
Lampard’s streak continues
Since replacing Graham Potter as interim manager of Chelsea, Frank Lampard is yet to oversee a victory. The former Everton boss has lost six successive matches across all competitions and the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal was his fourth in the Premier League.
He made changes to his team looking for a reaction following the 2-0 defeat to Brentford over the weekend but one of them, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, was hauled off at half-time to really emphasise how things are going for Lampard as a tactician, and Chelsea as a club, right now.
It was all too easy for Arsenal who now sit top of the table once again.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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