AFC Bournemouth: Three points dropped
AFC Bournemouth took on a Southampton team that they would’ve expected to at least draw against Southampton, based on the form of AFC Bournemouth, after they parted ways with former coach, Scott Parker. They had 15 shots, compared with Southampton that had nine shots.
Arsenal: Game Postponed
Aston Villa: The end of the road for Gerrard
Aston Villa had six shots on target, compared with eight for Fulham. The game changed when Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa was sent off in the 62nd minute. Fulham won the game 3-nil and Aston Villa chose to react by parting company with their coach, Steven Gerrard. It’s never nice to see someone lose their job, but Aston Villa sit on nine points and in danger of relegation. Something had to give and in this situation it was the coach that got the blame, as is usually the case.
Brentford: They put in a good shift
Brentford played like a team that was on a mission, as Thomas Frank put a game plan in place that the players followed. There were world class saves by Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga. Both goalkeepers were outstanding as Brentford goalkeeper, David Raya was also on form. Both teams had five shots on target, so a draw was probably a fair result.
Brighton and Hove Albion: The better team yet again, but failed to score
Brighton and Hove Albion played some outstanding football and had seven shots on target, compared with Nottingham Forest who had no shots on target. To make matters worse Brighton and Hove Albion had 19 shots and the majority of possession. At least they are performing well, but their last two games they’ve claimed one out of six points, when the manner in which they played warranted six shots on target.
Chelsea: Kepa saves the day, but they played okay
Chelsea was fortunate that their goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga was on top form as they could’ve dropped all three points. hey had five shots on target and so did Brentford. The game was still entertaining, even though there were no goals scored by them or Brentford, so nil-nil was an accurate depiction of how the game was played.
Crystal Palace: Second half performance gets them a vital three points
Crystal Palace were outplayed by Wolverhampton Wanderers and nearly went to the half time break with a two-goal deficit. There was a free kick for Wolverhampton Wanderers in first half stoppage time, that hit the post. In the second half Crystal Palace were like a new team and won the game 2-1, despite conceding the opening goal of the game.
Everton: No shots on target, two games in a row
Everton failed to have a shot on target from the one shot that they had. Remarkably, they had 50.2% possession. The pressure will mount on them as they sit just one point above the relegation zone.
Fulham: They’re a tough team to play against
Fulham sit in the top ten on the Premier League table after a 3-nil win against Aston Villa. Fulham can consider themselves fortunate to have a good goalkeeper, as Bernd Leno was probably the man of the match, as he made six saves. In the end, Fulham won the game 3-nil and were tactically sound.
Leeds United: Lost a game they could’ve won
Leeds United had 14 shots, compared with five for Leicester City. Leeds United finished the game with more possession, but that’s football; they were empty handed in terms of points. The first goal they conceded was an unfortunate was own goal in the 16th minute. They did fail to have a shot on target in the first half and went into the half time break 2-nil down. From then on, they failed to score and lost the game 2-nil.
Leicester City: They won the game, with one shot on target!
Leicester City played okay, but didn’t deserve to win from a statistical perspective. They won a game without arguably their best player, James Maddison who didn’t play due to being suspended. They were fortunate that Leeds United scored an own goal in the 16th minute and to win the game 2-nil. That’s football; they are only one point from being outside the relegation zone.
Liverpool: They won, but there’s work to be done
Liverpool may have won 1-nil against West Ham United, but Liverpool needs to improve if they’re going to challenge for the top four. They won the game thanks to a brilliant penalty save by their goalkeeper, Alisson. They may have had 22 shots, compared to eight for West Ham United, but at the end of the day they were fortunate to claim all three points.
Manchester City: Game Postponed
Manchester United: Much improved
Manchester United put in a solid display. Things just seemed to have clicked for them in their 2-nil win over Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United controlled every aspect of the game, with ten shots on target, which indicates they should’ve won by more.
Newcastle United: Credit the way they played, for the entire game
Newcastle United totally controlled their game against Everton. The fact that Newcastle United had 16 shots, compared with Everton who had just one shot, tells the story.
Nottingham Forest: Completely outplayed
Nottingham Forest was obliterated from a stats perspective. They failed to register a shot on target and had just 29.7% possession!
Southampton: They claimed the three points they needed
Southampton played an AFC Bournemouth team that came into the game unbeaten in six games. That run of form came to an end, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. The game was extremely even and a draw would’ve been a fair result. Despite that, Southampton got the three points with a 1-nil win and that’s football, it’s a results-based business.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris saves the day, in a lacklustre display
Tottenham Hotspur were fortunate that their goalkeeper was Hugo Lloris. They only lost to Manchester United 2-nil, when in reality it should’ve been much worse. It could’ve been a much bigger margin and it should’ve been more of embarrassment for Tottenham Hotspur, as Hugo Lloris made some world class saves.
West Ham United: A missed penalty told the story
West Ham United were outplayed by Liverpool statistically, but the game should’ve finished 1-all. Unfortunately for West Ham United, Jarrod Bowen had a penalty saved by Liverpool goalkeeper, Alisson, in first half stoppage time. In the end, Liverpool was the better team, but West Ham United sit just two points above the relegation zone, and they could regret the missed penalty.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: They should’ve won an even game, instead they lost
Wolverhampton Wanderers were in control of the game in the first half as they took a 1-nil lead in the 31st minute, thanks to Adama Traore. They could’ve been leading 2-nil at half time as, Captain, Ruben Neves hit the post from a free kick in first half stoppage time. Crystal Palace won the game 2-1, as they were clinical in the second half.