The Premier League is full of twist and turns this season and last week was no exception. The title and relegation races are both heating up and with most teams having 15 games left in the season, it is shaping up to be a tense and hectic finish to this Premier League.
There was one midweek match and what a matchup it was. The league leaders Arsenal played second in the table Manchester City. The Manchester side with the chance to leapfrog Arsenal to go top of the table on goal difference. The match didn't disappoint both sides going for the win, it was Manchester City that came out the winners in a thrilling 3-1 victory. Mistakes cost Arsenal, with 2 passes back from Tomiyasu and Gabriel gifting Manchester City two chances to which they took through Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish. Erling Haaland they star striker netted their 3rd goal. Arsenal scored through their own starlet Bukayo Saka from the penalty spot but it wasn't enough to beat Manchester City. Arsenal were supported all the way from their fans at the Emirates Stadium and Mikel Arteta praised the Arsenal Fans after the game for supporting the team through everything.
The weekend provided the twists and turns that the Premier League is known for. Arsenal having the early kick off on Saturday, away to Aston Villa, a team managed by old Arsenal Manager, Unai Emery. The Midlands side taking the early lead through Ollie Watkins, Arsenal fought back with a goal from Bukayo Saka before Phillipe Coutinho scored just before half time to give Aston Villa a 2-1 lead going into half time. The second half saw 3 goals, all from Arsenal, Zinchenko scoring from a great strike mid way through the half. The game looked to be ending in a draw, until January signing Jorginiho shot in the 90th minute, a strike that hit the crossbar and ricocheted off the back of ex Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez to put the London side 3-2 up. Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win with a counter attacking goal in the 98th minute to seal all 3 points for Arsenal and put them 3 points clear at the top of the table.
Manchester City had a 3pm kick off against Nottingham Forest and would go back to the top of the table with a win, a game that i think everyone including Manchester City expected to win. This thought was backed up after they took a first half lead through Bernardo Silva. They dominated the game but struggled to get the second goal in the game. The shock came when Chris Wood scored for Nottingham Forest in the 89th minute to snatch a point for the side in the bottom half of the table.
Brentford hosted Crystal Palace, a hard fought game ended with the points being shared. Crystal Palace without their talisman Wilfried Zaha are doing well to maintain their position in the middle of the table.
Wolves played Bournemouth in a bottom of the table clash. Wolves have had an upturn of form in recent weeks and dominated much of the game however missing chances came back to haunt them as Bournemouth took all 3 points with a 1-0 win. A goals from Marcus Tavernier sealed the win that backs up their fantastic draw against Newcastle in their previous game.
Brighton and Fulham are two surprises of the season with both teams playing well and arguably exceeding expectations. Fulham ended up winning 1-0 whilst being the poorer of the 2 sides. They scored with their first shot on goal and much like the Wolves game, the home side were made to pay for missing chances.
Everton hosted Leeds in a relegation battle. A hard fought battle between two struggling sides. Everton reinvigorated by Sean Dyche came away with all 3 points. Seamus Coleman with the winning goal. The win sees Leeds drop into the bottom 3.
Chelsea played Southampton, both teams struggling at the moment. A game that Chelsea would of expected to win. James Ward Prowse scoring a stunning free kick just before the half. Chelsea huffed and puffed in the second half but it was to no avail. Southampton winning 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, pilling more pressure on Chelsea manager Graham Potter.
Newcastle and Liverpool was the final match on Saturday, providing an exciting end to the Saturday football. Newcastle, a team that is so hard to beat and Liverpool a team full of stars that have struggled for form this season. Newcastle having the better of the opening exchanges however it was Liverpool that took the lead, a fantastic ball from Trent Alexander Arnold found summer signing Darwin Nunez, who struck the ball past Nick Pope, a great goal to open the game. It wasn't long after that Liverpool doubled their lead. A lovely, dinked through ball from Mohammed Salah landed on the chest of Cody Gakpo that slotted the ball into the back of the net. Gakpo scoring in consecutive games for Liverpool and seems to be hitting form. Newcastle trying to get back into the game but it seemed a big ask when Allisson started a quick counter attack with an amazing kick out of his hands, the ball looked destined for Mo Salah to run through and score but Nick Pope came out of his box, misjudged the flight and handled the ball preventing a certain goal for Salah. The referee quickly brandished a straight red card which is a huge blow for Newcastle as they line up against in form Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final next Sunday. Liverpool finished the game 2-0 winners and took all 3 points back to Merseyside.
There were two games on Sunday, Manchester United vs Leicester City in the early kick off, followed by a London Derby, Tottenham vs West Ham United.
Manchester United, lead by in form Marcus Rashford ran out 3-0 winners against a Leicester Side that has had a slight run of form in recent weeks. No surprise the man of the hour Marcus Rashford scored the first 2 goals before Jadon Sancho scored the 3rd. Manchester United seem to have found their legs with Erik Ten Haag as the manager and will be looking to provide a title contest and a Carabao Cup win in his first year in charge.
The London Derby. Tottenham vs West Ham United. Spurs looking to leapfrog Newcastle and take the 4th spot in the League whilst West Ham are desperate for points and slipped into the relegation places at the bottom of the table. Spurs ended up 2-0 winners with goals from Emerson Royal and Son Heung-min sealing all 3 points, moving Spurs into 4th. West Ham United stay 18th in the league and will be looking to pick up much needed points in the coming weeks.