AFC Bournemouth: Keep picking up points
AFC Bournemouth shows why the Premier League is arguably the best league in the world. They lost 9-nil in Matchweek 4, which led to the sacking of coach, Scott Parker. Since then, they’ve claimed ten points and been unbeaten with two wins and four draws. They had a 2-all draw at Fulham in Matchweek 11, which is a tough place to go.
Arsenal: Did what they have to do to get the win
Arsenal moved four points clear on the top of the Premier League table. They are playing some decent football, but the most impressive part is that they weren’t at their best against Leeds United in what ended up being a 1-nil win, despite conceding a penalty.
Aston Villa: Pressure is on
Aston Villa may have played some decent football against Chelsea, but at the end of the day they lost 2-nil. The first goal conceded by Aston Villa sums up their Season with a poor clearance by Tyrone Mings, with a mistimed header going horribly wrong with Mason Mount of Chelsea scoring from in the sixth minute. They were unfortunate that Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa Arizabalaga making some world class saves. Despite that Steven Gerrard will feel under pressure as football is a results business and Aston Villa sit one point above the relegation zone.
Brentford: David Raya and Ivan Toney ensure Brentford win
Brentford were fortunate that their goalkeeper, David Raya, was in fine form in their 2-nil win against Brighton and Hove Albion. It took a sublime goal from striker Ivan Toney, which was a back heel that came from a cross, to break the deadlock. He wasn’t finished as he made it a brace as he scored his second goal from the penalty spot.
Brighton and Hove Albion: In football you don’t always get what you deserve
Brighton and Hove Albion played some good football, despite losing to Brentford 2-nil. Brighton and Hove Albion finished the game with 72.5% possession and 21 shots, which was three times more shots that Brentford had, as they had seven shots. Brighton and Hove Albion left the game empty handed, despite controlling the tempo of the game.
Chelsea: They won the game despite not being at their best
Chelsea can thank Mason Mount who scored a brace and their goalkeeper, Kepa Arizabalaga who made some stunning saves for winning a game 2-nil against Aston Villa. They were fortunate that Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa made an error, which led to the first goal of the game, which was scored by Mason Mount. The second goal from Mason Mount was a stunning free kick, but without Kepa Arizabalaga making some freakish saves they wouldn’t have won.
Crystal Palace: They sit just two points above the relegation zone
Crystal Palace were outplayed in the first half and were fortunate to go into the half time break at nil-nil. They were thoroughly outplayed in against a Leicester City team that has only won one game from ten games and sit second from bottom on the table. Crystal Palace have plenty of work to do.
Everton: They didn’t fire a shot, literally
Everton failed to have any shots on target in their 2-nil loss to Tottenham Hotspur. Everton were outplayed in every aspect of the game and they sit just two points above the relegation zone, so they need to get better if they are to stay in the Premier League.
Fulham: They’re a difficult team to get a read on
Fulham went behind on the scoreboard and scored an equaliser on two occasions. One thing is for certain they are a more formidable team to play against with Aleksandar Mitrovic in the team. Their Season hinges heavily on him staying fit and healthy as they struggled without him in the team in Matchweek 10 and for the majority of Matchweek 9. He is a bit of a barometer for the team. Another player that was pivotal in their 2-all draw with AFC Bournemouth was Fulham goalkeeper, Bernd Leno.
Leeds United: They played okay, but were left with nothing for their solid display
Leeds United put in a decent performance against an Arsenal team that sit on top of the Premier League table. Both teams finished the game with four shots on target, but Arsenal won the game 1-nil. Unfortunately, Patrick Bamford failed to score an equaliser from the penalty spot and on top of that he failed to hit the target!
Leicester City: Their performance was good, but it was a day of what could
Leicester City controlled the tempo of the game and the balance of play in a scoreless draw with Crystal Palace. There’s no disputing that Leicester City have quality players in their team, but they are still struggling to get results. They finished the game with five shots on target, compared with Crystal who only had a solitary shot on target.
Liverpool: Much needed win against last season’s champions
Liverpool set up well against a Manchester City team that people have been calling the best in Europe. The tactics implemented by Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp were phenomenal as they kept Manchester City goalless. Liverpool negated the influence of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. It was a cracking game of football that Liverpool deservedly won 1-nil.
Manchester City: It just didn’t click
Manchester City may have been the better team statistically against Liverpool, but the manner in which Manchester City played made it look like they didn’t have a Plan B. Pep Guardiola bizarrely, only made one substitution in the 89th minute in a game where they could’ve used Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez. In the end Manchester City lost the game 1-nil, partly of their own doing.
Manchester United: Lacking ambition
Manchester United put in a disappointing display as they finished their game against Newcastle United with just two shots on target from 15 shots! They were fortunate not to lose the game as Newcastle United hit the bar and the post in the 24th minute. They lacked a cutting edge and were all at sea in the final third. The game ended nil-nil, which was probably a fair result.
Newcastle United: The only positive was the point
Newcastle United only had two shots on goal, which summed up the game. It was monotonous game plan from Eddie Howe, despite Newcastle United scoring five goals in Matchweek 10 against Brentford. They lacked the quality and final ball in what was a scoreless draw that was tough to watch.
Nottingham Forest: They lost the game with only themselves to blame
Nottingham Forest missed a penalty, which would’ve got them at least a point against Wolverhampton Wanderers. There was nothing really to say from a Nottingham Forest perspective other than they lacked character and the will to attack and ensure they don’t get relegated, in what was a winnable game on paper, but they lost by a solitary goal.
Southampton: They played okay, but didn’t get the three points they craved
Southampton had eight shots on target, compared to four shots on target for West Ham United. Southampton will look back on the game as two points dropped as they had eight shots on target from ten shots, which indicates that they were relatively good in the final third, despite the game finishing 1-all.
Tottenham Hotspur: Are they contenders
Tottenham Hotspur won a game of football that they were expected to win 2-nil against Everton. They had seven shots on target, compared with Everton who failed to have any shots on target. If Tottenham Hotspur play the manner in which they did in Matchweek 11 then they will be title contenders.
West Ham United: They were poor in the final third
West Ham united finished their game against Southampton with just four shots on target from 25 shots. It’s inexcusable; they need to work on their shooting at training and improve that aspect of their game. Remarkably, the game ended 1-all and West Ham United finished the game with half the number of shots on target than Southampton.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: The coach gets sacked and they react
Wolverhampton Wanderers began a new era, after sacking Bruno Lage. There’s no disputing that the Wolverhampton Wanderers weren’t at their best, which is to be expected, as it’s never nice to see a coach lose his job. Despite that, they bounced back and claimed all three points in a 1-nil win against Nottingham Forest. Wolverhampton Wanderers were fortunate that their goalkeeper, Jose Sa saved a penalty and the game was fairly boring with both teams having two shots on target.