The Premier League really doesn’t disappoint, does it? Matchday 19, spread across three days, delivered in every single way imaginable. So here’s a round-up of the biggest talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
St James’ Park silenced
Newcastle United took the lead against a struggling Nottingham Forest side after just 23 minutes. The hosts controlled the first half – with 62% possession and a significantly higher Expected Goals haul – right up until the final moments. Former Magpie Chris Wood levelled things up in stoppage time against the run of play.
And this changed the game completely.
Wood then added two quick goals in the second half to complete his hattrick and put Forest in a commanding position.
The Magpies huffed and puffed, carving out chances worth 2.43 Expected Goals, but they couldn’t find a way back into the match.
Nottingham Forest executed their game plan to perfection, creating five big chances and catching the hosts out on the break time and time again.
The win lifts Nuno Espírito Santo’s side up to 16th and they’re just two points off of 14th placed Brentford. Defeat has seen Newcastle drop down to ninth.
Sheffield United stunned
With 69 minutes on the clock at Bramall Lane, it appeared as though Sheffield United would be winning the six-pointer against Luton Town.
The Blades had recovered from 1-0 down, scoring twice in an eight minute spell, to lead with just over 20 minutes left to play.
And then a mad four minute spell changed the outcome.
Sheffield United defender Jack Robinson scored an own goal with 13 minutes remaining and four minutes later, Anis Ben Slimane repeated the trick, scoring past his own goalkeeper to give Luton the lead.
It was, by definition, a smash and grab. The hosts had nine more efforts and created an astonishing six big chances. Chris Wilder’s men finished with an Expected Goals total of 2.59. For comparison, Luton mustered efforts worth just 0.63 Expected Goals.
Sheffield United deserved the points. Luton claimed all of them though to move to within a single point of escaping the relegation zone.
An Old Trafford turnaround
Manchester United, once again, left it late to claim all three points at Old Trafford. And not for the first time this season, the Red Devils came from behind to do it.
At half-time, Aston Villa had the match won. John McGinn’s cross-cum-shot caught André Onana out. Leander Dendoncker added a second just five minutes later to give the away side a comfortable cushion.
United didn’t ramp up the pressure after the break. They had just six shots in the second half, created one big chance and finished with an Expected Goals total of 0.73 – almost identical numbers to those posted by the visitors. However, Erik Ten Hag’s side managed to find the back of the net on three occasions.
Alejandro Garnacho scored twice inside of 12 minutes to set up a grandstand finish. Those in attendance for one.
With eight minutes remaining, Rasmus Højlund scored his first Premier League goal for United. It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t have to be. It was enough to secure the points and relieve some of the pressure on the under fire Dutchman.
The champions are back
The Club World Cup champions returned to domestic action, making the trip to Goodison Park to take on an in-form Everton side.
A shock was on the cards inside of 30 minutes when former City player Jack Harrison gave the hosts the lead.
It remained 1-0 until the halftime break, despite City controlling possession and creating the better opportunities.
The reigning Premier League champions flipped a switch in the second half, though, and found themselves level after 53 minutes, with Phil Foden finding the back of the net.
City were then awarded a controversial penalty which, in the absence of Erling Haaland, was converted by Julián Álvarez. Bernardo Silva then capitalised on a Jordan Pickford error to add an exclamation point to proceedings. In truth, it was a deserved three points for the away side and it was a victory which got them back into the title race.
The Seagulls soar
Brighton welcomed Spurs to the Amex looking for their first Premier League win since the first weekend of December. Since beating Brentford, Roberto De Zerbi’s side have drawn with Burnley and Crystal Palace while losing to Arsenal.
By comparison, Spurs went into the game on a three game winning streak. Ange Postecoglou’s side men had scored eight and conceded just two goals in matches against Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Everton.
Few would’ve thought Brighton would run riot in this game but that is exactly what happened. The hosts raced into a 2-0 lead in the first half before adding two further goals after the break.
At one stage, it looked as though De Zerbi’s team would claim their first clean sheet of the season. But then two late goals by the visitors made it quite interesting.
It was quite the spectacle for the neutral with nine big chances and a combined Expected Goals total of 6.18.
Moyes gets his away win
David Moyes has finally won an away match against one of the traditional big four. It only took him 73 attempts.
West Ham claimed a 2-0 win over Arsenal in controversial fashion. The opener involved Jarrod Bowen poking the ball back across goal for Tomáš Souček to convert. Replays couldn’t confirm whether or not the ball had gone out of play so the on field decision couldn’t be overruled, meaning the goal was allowed.
Former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos scored the second goal with a thunderous header. The Hammers had the opportunity to add a third from the spot when Declan Rice fouled Emerson but Saïd Benrahma saw his penalty saved by David Raya.
The Gunners were wasteful in front of goal. They took 30 shots and created five big chances but couldn’t find a way past Alphonse Areola. Arsenal now find themselves two points behind Liverpool.
(Images from IMAGO)
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