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Arsenal v Man Utd has always been a big game, since the days of Keane v Viera a fixture full of fire - and the fans were in fine voice as the teams took the field. The Emirates were stunned when De Ligt broke forward and scored for United in the 2nd minute, following up his shot which hit the bar. Arsenal went on the attack, and pushed Asprilla forward, and the noise increased. Then in scenes that would have met the Roy Keane seal of approval, first Gomez was lucky to escape red after taking down Porro, and then Nacho inexplicably charged into Asprilla and was shown red, for United. The game was 4 minutes old. United looked stunned by the decision, and Pino capitalised to equalise for the Gunners, who suddenly were ahead when Asprilla scored in the 16th minute. Just when it had seemed to calm down, Fati hit the woodwork for United, before Arsenal were dealt a massive blow when Owusu Odoro in goal was stretchered off with a suspected ACL injury. Just before half time United equalised again through Valverde and the ref blew his whistle for half time, 2-2. It was a quieter second half, with United losing Kalvin Phillips through a hamstring tear, and 2-2 was how it ended. 4 goals, 2 injuries, 5 yellows and a red - it all went on here!
MOM : Matias De Ligt (Man Utd)
Barnsley were at home to Leicester, hoping to get another 3 points after a terrific start under Ant Harris. The home team welcomed back Mitoma from suspension, and they took the lead in the 15th minute when he won a corner which ultimately Anderson was able to convert to make it 1-0. This is how it stayed until half-time, plenty of chances for both sides but not enough quality to finish. Anthony Elanga did just that for Leicester just before the hour with a quality strike to equalise and it was game on. The home fans have played their part in Barnsley’s success so far, and they lifted their team again for Mitoma to do what he has been doing all season, he beat Semedo with ease and hit a rocket of a shot for his 11th of the season and a lead for his team. Leicester tried and tried but there was no way back and Barnsley held on for a very handy 3 points
MOM: Kuari Mitoma (Barnsley)
Burnley v Southampton ws another fixture where 3 points was required from either side. Burnley boss Simon Hill was delighted to see Morata score the opener for Burnley at Turf Moor after 8 minutes, and perhaps thought this might be the turning point for his side. They looked in control and took the lead into half -time. Southampton never really stopped attacking, and Diaby equalised for them 9 minutes after half time, only for Morata to respond with his 10th of the season to restore the lead. De Jong then broke clear for Burnley and looked certain to secure all 3 with a goal but was tripped by LE Normand who got his marching orders, giving the referee terrible abuse on his way off. The Burnley fans must have felt like this was their day, until Geertuida found Kulusevski who scored to make it 2-2 for the ten men and break the Clarets hearts. If anything Southampton had the better chances and will feel they could have sneaked this, but 2-2 seemed a fair result on the day
MOM: Alvaro Morata (Burnley)
Tottenham play some wonderful attacking football under a new manager and reach the top of the table only to capitulate at Chelsea and never look the same side??? Sound familiar? Well this week Tim Brown’s men did their best to emulate the rl team by trying a different approach against Chelsea, that went badly wrong. The Blues took their London rivals apart, scoring through new boy Firmino, Dalot, Sanches and Zefi, 2 in each half, in a comprehensive performance for Steve Talbot’s men who gave them a tactical lesson. Young Victor Eletu played for his first league game and could have been watching in the stands, and Chelsea climb on up and are starting to look ominous.
MOM: Renato Sanches (Chelsea)
Part of the intrigue at Goodison is guessing the mystery selection choice, and this week Alois Confais was dropped to the bench, and Ayman Aourir came into the team for the visit of the champions Man City. After 2 minutes Nick Lovell’s men went ahead through Bernard Silva, and we expected a landslide. It looked even bleaker for the Toffees when Savic was injured on 27 minutes, but somehow it actually broke the momentum for Man City - Everton went on the attack, and Aouar shocked the away fans with an equaliser in the 28th minute. City tried but couldn’t find a winner, and Everton gave a really good account of themselves, and were full value for the point.
MOM: John Stones (Man City)
We are top of the league! shouted the Leeds fans at Elland Road, Tim Davey getting a rapturous reception from the crowd before the game started. Blackburn have looked good too though, Tony Ayre getting a tune out of legendary strikers Salah and Son who have been a handful for any defenders. Leeds were not helped when Spinazzola limped off after 22 minutes, and Kostic also was replaced for an injury in the 36th.The first scorer though was a surprise when Aguerd popped up to ruin the script for Davey and put Blackburn ahead just before the interval. Last week we read about the horror show that seemed to be Leeds changing room debrief at half time, and this week all of the lighting in the stadium appeared to flicker as demonic chanting and howling screams were once again heard from Davey’s dressing room. It had the same effect, as the terrified players came out and conjured up an equaliser for Osimhen to grab his tenth of the season and restore parity. Leeds did not create enough chances to find a winner and were held to a draw(or worse) for just the 3rd time this season.
MOM : Clement Lenglet (Leeds)
Liverpool have been purring of late under Graeme Edwards, and a packed Anfield looked forward to the visit of promoted Cardiff. Again they played some great football, and took the lead in the 25th minute through Marcus Rashford, who sidestepped Justin and smashed home in front of the Kop. It was 1-0 at half time and felt like a formality, as Liverpool dominated the second half again and did everything but score. With time up on the stadium clock, Justin launched a pass forward for Cardiff that Lemar got hold of and controlled beautifully. His shot on goal amazingly found the back of the net and ruined the Liverpool party to give Cardiff a point. The wWelsh fans who had travelled up in numbers for the whole experience went mad and stayed in the stadium well after the final whistle to celebrate a draw. Keeper Ryan Allsop was outstanding for the Bluebirds and made 13 saves in the Cardiff goal.
MOM: Marcus Rashford (Liverpool)
Sheffield Wednesday are starting to look doomed already and really needed to try and salvage something from their home game with Villa. Martinez did not have any intention of helping the Owls though, and put the Villains ahead after just 5 minutes. If they do end up going down, Ollie Watkins will be much sought after and he scored to equalise after 16 minutes to give Hillsborough some hope. They went in level at half time and maybe, just maybe this was a turning point. 4 minutes after the break Gabriel Jesus hit home his 10th of the season for Villa, who completely controlled the game, and they should have had more but had to wait until just before the final whistle to secure the 3-1 victory with Raphina’s strike which again maybe could have been dealt with better by keeper Gunn. Wednesday are 5 points off at the bottom and unless they see a victory or two soon it will be Championship football next season
MOM : Sven Lobotka (Villa)
Newcastle have been flying, and Watford winless in 5, so when the Magpies visited the Hornets it was expected to be an away win. It seems that no one had told the Vicarage Road men, and you really would have thought the roles were reversed for this game. Watford dominated from start to finish, and had to wait until the 77th minute for a breakthrough from Davis, but they were well worth the 1-0 victory and Newcastle looked very ordinary on their travels.
MOM : Henri Kamara (Watford)
Finally a London derby at West Ham, with Crystal Palace the visitors. Both sides have had moments of looking really exciting this season and on 22 minutes Palace’s talismanic striker Traore won and then scored a penalty to make it 1-0 to the visitors and a shock for Todd Fortune. This is how it stayed at half-time, and then Dike scored an outrageous lob for Palace just after the break to make it 2-0 and it looked like The Eagles were taking all 3. Fortune changed to an attacking formation, and Teze pulled one back for the Hammers. Palace came back and restored the 2 goal cushion through Traore again, and with hal;f an hor to go Isco made it 3-2 and all to play for. Cole Palmer has been the highlight of the Hammers season and he produced a worldie in the 66th minute to equalise for West Ham and it was 3-3. With 9 minutes remaining a controversial penalty was awarded to the home side and Palmer stepped up to score his 10th and the winner for West Ham. Palace went home disappointed in a game that they will feel they could have got a point from, but West Ham had just a bit too much for their London rivals.
MOM : Cole Palmer (West Ham)
Team of The Week: Allsop (Cardiff), Stones (Man C) ,Lenglet (Leeds), Carlos (Blackburn), De Ligt (Man U), Lobotka (Villa), Sanches (Chelsea), Fernandes (West Ham), Sarr (Watford) Palmer (West Ham),Mitoma (Barnsley)
Performance of the Round : Cardiff’s late equaliser at Anfield put them up there but it’s Watford who looked calm and composed in their 1-0 win at home against Newcastle to get a much needed win
Shocker of the round: Hands up time, it's Tottenham who put in a remarkably lifelike performance at Chelsea and got the tactics all wrong against one of the Dark Arts masters.