EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 22

Brighton started Game Week 21 on a good night as they matched Chelsea shot for shot despite the Blues early lead and what an equaliser it was in the 84th minute when Iranian substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh thundered in a wonder overhead bicycle kick. Aston Villa must have a rollicking from their manager Dean Smith after a 0-3 thrashing by Watford and came back fitting to win 2-1 away to Burnley where once again captain Jack Grealish provided an assist and scored one. Leicester City kept second place as they made light meal of Newcastle at St. James Park even as they were without Jamie Vardy and what a goal by Hamza Choudhury smashing an unstoppable shot onto the underside of the crossbar to get in! Southampton continued their strong revival as they absorbed whatever Spurs threw at them and Danny Ings made his mark with a clever goal to seal victory and the Saint have now won three an drew one in their last four matches propelling them up to 12th in the table. 

Watford was exactly like Southampton with their results and displayed great strength and resolve when they had Wolves beaten 2-1. Manchester City showed fight as they played well to overcome Everton 2-1. Norwich now anchored at the bottom could not keep their lead and three points as they allowed an 85th goal by Crystal Palace to steal a point. The most impressive performance goes to West Ham under new manager David Moyes. What a change! What a difference a few days made. The Hammers were on fire and what a beautiful scissors kick goal by Sebastian Haller. Bournemouth had no answer and West Ham ran out 4-0 winners. So may be Moyes knew how to play to the strength of his team. Another surprise came at the Emirates where Arsenal stunned Manchester United 2-0. Stunning because the Gunners have been in wretched form. Arteta has done something wonderful as Solskjaer was out-coached by someone who has just started his managerial career just two weeks ago. So United started 2020 with a 2-0 defeat and stayed fifth just a point ahead of Tottenham. 

Liverpool had 19 shots with 17 chances created and 75% possession at Anfield as they overcame Sheffield United 2-0. That was also their 5th clean sheet in a row and maintained their 13-point lead with a game in hand. Not even injuries can halt the Reds as Keita suffered an injury during warm up. They are now unbeaten in 37 top flight games. It was quite sensational really. They can score from any part of the pitch and have a variety of ways to play. Liverpool played 969 passes in this match with a 90.1% accuracy rate. Incredible! I thought Captain Jordan Henderson was exceptionally good too. Only prolong injuries could scupper Liverpool. Meanwhile they are walking on. Even Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder paid tribute to Liverpool - "They were really outstanding and they did not really get out of second or third gear. They won every first ball and second ball and ran forward and backwards and still had the humility to do that as World Champions, European Champions and on their way to being Premier League Champions." Wilder loves everything about humble and hardworking Liverpool. 

After a weekend of F. A. Cup football, the Premier League is back. Leaders Liverpool shall continue their relentless march with a visit to Tottenham. New Gunners boss Mikel Arteta hope to continue his good start with a somewhat unknown a tricky game to Crystal Palace. Relegation threatened Aston Villa host Manchester City. There are many more...

Sheffield United v West Ham - The Blades just came off two extremely tough matches away to City and Liverpool and lost both 0-2 and have dropped from 5th to 8th but there is no denying they are such a good side. I have applauded manager Chris Wilder and think he is so good. David Moyes seemed to have gotten the best out of West Ham with that inspirational 4-0 win over Bournemouth and followed up with a 2-0 away win over Gillingham in the F.A. Cup but then could West Ham look good because Bournemouth were bad? When they met at West Ham in October they drew 1-1. The Blades should be in with a shout at home but the Hammers have improved having hammered Bournemouth 4-0 and Gillingham 2-0 in the F.A. Cup, two clean sheets and six goals meant they have clawed their way back. Sheffield United do not score a lot nor do they concede many. An away draw for West Ham is good. 1-1.

Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Palace has jackpot numbers - 7 wins, 7 draws and 7 defeats. They have only managed 19 goals till now just two more than Watford and just crashed out of the F.A. Cup at home to lower division Derby. Arsenal in this rare season are a point behind them but has Arteta really turned things around and will Nicholas Pepe or Aubameyang be their saviour again in this London Derby. Arteta has restored that talented Mesut Ozil back to the lineup. Ozil is either a frustration or simply a class act but against Palace you will also need industry to match. If Arsenal controls the game they will win it as they have marquee strikers who have the goals in them. Club record signing Nicholas Pepe will be a key player after his MOTM performance against Manchester United previously. Palace are a point ahead of Arsenal after 21 matches. I see the Gunners continue their winning. They have even kept two clean sheets - (Man Utd 2-0) and Leeds (1-0 int the F.A. Cup). Palace may nick one in at home but Arsenal kept out Man Utd's attack so why not Palace? 1-2.

Chelsea v Burnley - Chelsea's hold on the 4th spot is getting a bit precarious but should be thankful they are facing a Burnley side that have lost all three of their previous games. They won their F.A. Cup tie with Nottingham Forest 2-0-with Callum Hudson-Odoi named Man of the Match and that is the poser for Frank Lampard - should he start with him? Burnley won the Cup tie 4-2 against Peterborough. Chelsea have been unusually indifferent at Stamford Bridge this season as if they are shy at home so Burnley may fancy their chance to take something away from here. Frank Lampard's boys have the extra edge in quality and may be just a little too much for Burnley. 2-0.

Everton v Brighton - Everton's 6 match unbeaten run came to an end at the Etihad and stayed at 11th while Brighton at 14th are actually just a point behind. Brighton lost at home to Sheffield Wednesday in the F.A. Cup after holding Chelsea to a draw in their previous league match. Everton had nothing to celebrate and only the league to focus on Liverpool won the F.A. Cup derby 1-0 at Anfield with their team of youngsters. King Carlo (Ancelotti) will have a lot to think about after that Cup defeat which seems to make Bill Shank's words come alive when he said long ago - "This City has two great teams. Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves." Despite losing to Liverpool's kindergarten team, Everton looked quite well organised since Ancelotti came but Brighton will make it competitive as always. Everton have more match winners like Richarlison and they are at Goodison Park so the Toffees are due a win. 2-1.

Leicester v Southampton - Just imagine the reverse tie where Southampton lost 0-9! Will Vardy be finally back to add to his super goal tally and misery for the visitors? The Foxes are still flying and even without Jamie Vardy. If Vardy is fit and fielded do not bet against him scoring to add to his 17. He would be hungry after missing two matches. Southampton have been solid and have beaten Chelsea away and Tottenham so they can be capable of upsetting Leicester here. They have also won 2-0 against Huddersfiled in the F.A. Cup at the St. Mary's. Leicester have beaten Wigan 2-0 in the F.A. Cup so a good match is on the cards.

The battle will be from two very in-form strikers - Leicesters' Jamie Vardy who has missed their last two matches (causing me to lose points in the Fantasy Premier League) former Liverpool man Danny Ings who scored a clever goal to sink Tottenham a week ago. Now the Saints are not only unbeaten in their last 5 matches, they have actually won 4 of them. Leicester should snatch a close win at home but the Saints' last five matches were so impressive I think they could get a point here. Its gonna be an interesting match. 2-2.

Manchester United v Norwich - Manchester United are fifth 5 points behind Chelsea with a pack chasing and trying to overtake them - Tottenham, Wolves and Sheffield United. Norwich are rock bottom and will fight to preserve their lives in the top flight. They have held Spurs and Palace so this is not a walkover. United crashed 0-2 at Arsenal and were held 0-0 by Wolves in the F.A. Cup meaning they have stopped scoring for two games while Norwich remained unbeaten in three games with the last being a F.A. Cup 4-2 away win to Preston. United still have better players and a stronger squad than many but are under-performing. When I picked them to win they lose and vice versa. Reports on their home defeat by their noisy neighbours City were highly critical of Solskjaer and his team and it is sometimes games like this that they drop points. Norwich really need the points to survive and United will not have it easy and they need to feel the pain of their most recent poor performance to bounce back. Good thing is Marcus Rashford has continued to score but its games like these that Norwich can surprise. 3-2.

Wolves v Newcastle - Wolves suffered an odd defeat at Vicarage Road. Newcastle after discovering their way have slumped to three straight defeat. Wolves have now gone three matches without a win (including 0-0 with Man Utd in the F.A. Cup). The Magpies are suddenly in a downward spiral and without a win in four including being held 1-1 away at Rochdale. The Molinuex shall give the home advantage to Wolves so even though Wolves appeared a wee bit off the pace, they are still too good for Newcastle. 2-1.

Spurs v Liverpool - Spurs are a very good team that has suffered much this season. They have been scaling the heights for a few seasons but are quite different now. Liverpool won the reverse tie in October 2-1 in a sort of Champions League Final rematch. In that sense, Spurs have been in relative decline while Liverpool have grown from strength to strength. However, each game is a different game and that is how a league is like especially the EPL. Liverpool are now one win away for making the best start ever to a league campaign by any team ever in the history of English football. Spurs are winless in their last three including being held 1-1 at Middelsbrough. With the talismanic Harry Kane out for till April with a hamstring injury just when he has been scoring quite a bit, who will deliver the goals? Mourinho will be sulking.

Liverpool's Klopp was kind of forced to field a young team of mostly teenagers against Everton in the F.A. Cup with the exception of James Milner and Adam Lallana and dominated  the Toffees to win 1-0 with a special curler goal from the promising Curtis Jones. The youngest on the day was Harvey Elliott who is only 16. Even when Milner pulled a hamstring and was replaced by the 9th minute it did not stopped them from winning. Adam Lallana who was made captain was outstanding so much so that a the end of the game Klopp came to him and instead of the usual bear hug, Klopp took off his cap to acknowledge his performance. It was good to see Alex Oxlade Chamberlain back in action when he came on later and looked lively. The thing is there is no more easy game for Liverpool since some time ago. League leaders, World and European Champions, everyone would love to beat you so this is a stern away test no less. 

Jose Mourinho who was doing punditry works at the time Manchester Unite held Liverpool 1-1 at Old Trafford when he said that "Klopp didn't like the menu served. He likes meat but got fish". That Liverpool were limited when playing against teams with low blocks. So what menu will Mourinho serve this time? He would have closed the restaurant if he could but since he can't he has to come out with a Salt Bae.

Lucas Moura and Son Heung-Min will threaten Liverpool but Liverpool have shown that they could play in different ways to get their goals and yet Mourinho is an expert in the strangling game that is to prevent you from playing and he may yet succeed but Spurs defence has been weak and Liverpool have killed teams with death by a thousand cuts. If Liverpool fully exploit SPurs' fullback areas, they will prosper. I am tired of writing about Liverpool as they purr endlessly and some of you may be tired of reading about them but here they go again. While I think it could be a possible draw, I am going for at Liverpool win. One or two seasons ago, this would be a very tough match for anyone but Spurs' recent performances have been a pale shadow of themselves. They were held 2-2 at Norwich,lost 0-1 at Southampton and were held 1-1 by Middlesbrough in the Cup. They can stretch Liverpool but Liverpool shall prevail perhaps with a clean sheet to boot. 0-2.

Bournemouth v Watford - Eddie Howe's wonderful first half has deteriorated quickly as Bournemouth sank into the relegation zone probably due to difficulties due to injuries. Watford, winless for so long have now been unbeaten in four and won three of those four with impressive performances. A win could see them get out of the danger zone for the first time. Bournemouth finally won after four winless attempts when they won their F.A. Cup tie 4-0 against Luton, just in time in case they have forgotten how to. Watford have some cause for concern as they led Tranmere 3-0 but allowed their visitors to level to 3-3 but like the others, their different teams shall appear for the league games. This will be a real relegation scramble. On current form, Watford look like they could win it but Bournemouth's fight must start now before its too late. 2-2.

Aston Villa v Manchester City - Villa lost 0-3 at the Etihad and are now also fighting for their lives to remain in the top tier. They bounced back with an important 2-1 away win to Burnley but crashed out of the F.A. Cup when they lost to lower division Fulham. An angry Man City chasing Liverpool is not a good omen that is coming. City has a good headache mas both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus have been scoring so who will lead the line. Of course Kevin De Bruyne will be at it again. Villa has Jack Grealish, a skilful and clever player with deft touches and quick feet so City need to keep him quiet. Villa will be motivated by their away win at Burnley but City Had United beaten 3-1 at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup with a highly impressive display. So I do fear for Villa even as they looked better recently because City is in the mood to so dome damage. 1-3.