Trollheart's Match of the Day Thread

[Trollheart]

[jimmy jazz]

Horrendous result for us. Again.

We aren't finishing top 5.

6th would be good but even that looks a challenge.

We've fucked up.

It's getting to the point where it might be time to forget about the league and go all out for the cups.

[Trollheart]

There's definitely something wrong when you can't beat ten men in a team who are third from bottom! It's sad to see, but Villa are doing a United, aren't they? Wonder if Rashford is thinking twice now? He was the best player on the field, even if he didn't score.

[jimmy jazz]

There's definitely something wrong when you can't beat ten men in a team who are third from bottom! It's sad to see, but Villa are doing a United, aren't they? Wonder if Rashford is thinking twice now? He was the best player on the field, even if he didn't score.

No, it's just one under par season in the league. It happens.

Still lots to play for and it was always going to be extremely hard to progress from what happened last season.

[Trollheart]

Saturday February 22 2025

Arsenal v West Ham
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Everton v Manchester United
Bournemouth v Wolves
Ipswich Town v Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Southampton v Brighton
Leicester v Brentford


Teams: Arsenal v West Ham
Regions: London v London
Managers: Mikel Arteta v Graham Potter
Targets: Arsenal as usual want to close the gap on Liverpool; West Ham want to move away from the relegation zone
Expectation: Arsenal all day
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 16

With Villa having held Liverpool to a draw midweek, this was Arsenal's chance to make ground on them before the league leaders face Manchester City today. They were of course on the attack early, hardly about to let struggling West Ham stand in their way, though Bowen almost made them pay just before the half-hour, shooting wide of the Arsenal net. Proving they weren't just there to make up the numbers, West Ham flooded forward and with less than a minute to go to the end of the first half Bowen made it count this time as the Hammers opened the scoring at the most crucial time possible.

Bowen almost made it two as the second half began, the ball just ahead of him, the home team somewhat shell-shocked to be chasing the game, even more so when they had a man sent off with twenty minutes to go, after VAR sent the ref to the monitor, a yellow card having been the original decision, upgraded to red. Really, Arsenal had not had a shot on goal till then, and a free in the last ten minutes came to nothing, leaving Arsenal seriously disappointed as they fail to grasp the nettle and may look back on this as the day they lost the opportunity to take the title. Their first defeat at home, and it could not have come at a worse time.

Result: Arsenal 0 - 1 West Ham United
Scorer(s): Bowen (WHU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Yellow card for Arsenal upgraded to red
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 16
Respective final positions: 2 & 16
Effects: No move, but Arsenal lose the chance to keep Liverpool in their sights. This game may have lost them the chance to take the title.


Teams: Aston Villa v Chelsea
Regions: Birmingham v London
Managers: Unai Emery v Enzo Maresca
Targets: Villa hoping to get up into the top 6, Chelsea could get back to 4th with a win.
Expectation: As ever, I'll go for Villa
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 6

Having held Liverpool to a draw in a match they perhaps should have won, Villa would certainly be up for a visit from Chelsea and anxious to put the defeat last week to Brighton behind them. The visitors were on the attack from the second minute, the Villa defence able to deal with the first shot but not the second, which gave Chelsea the advantage on the ninth minute. Watkins nearly pulled one back on 20 minutes but the keeper able to save, then Chelsea almost made it two, but just over the bar.

The team in front continued to make all the running in the early minutes of the second half until Villa broke 10 minutes in, a free resulting from Asensio being chopped down in full flight, then some fine build-up play got Rashford in. He missed, but the ball was poked in by fellow new recruit Asensio, but ruled offside. Until VAR had another look, and decided Rashford was in fact not offside, and the goal stood, Villa level just before the hour mark. A deadly slip by Martinez as Palmer flew forward looked like we were going behind again, but Palmer slipped too, and the ball went wide. In the final minute Asensio did it again, right through the Chelsea keeper to surely take all three points for the home side.

Result: Aston Villa 2 - 1 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Fernandez (CHE); Asensio (2) (AST)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: First Villa goal initially ruled offside but overturned by VAR
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 6
Respective final positions: 8 & 7
Effects: Villa move up one place, Chelsea drop 1


Teams: Everton v Manchester United
Regions: Merseyside v Manchester
Managers: David Moyes v Ruben Amorim
Targets: Both looking to get higher in the bottom half of the table
Expectation: At home, I think it could be Everton's
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 14 & 15

Just a single point and a single place between them, both Everton and Man United are trying to claw their way into the top half, though it'll take more than today's match to do that. Five minutes in and United had already given the ball away, lucky not to be one down. Before 20 minutes had elapsed they were one down, though VAR might spoil the party, but not this time. After a long check, the goal was given, United behind in the first half. Just after the half-hour they went two down as Doucoure just cut through the United defence. And he almost had his second on the hour, but straight at the keeper, then 18 minutes to go and Fernandes reduced the deficit from a free, and with ten minutes left Everton surrendered their lead as United equalised, and now went for the win. But in injury time the home team were handed a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty, until VAR got involved. Would the spot kick be overturned? Yes it would, and so all square at the final whistle.

Result: Everton 2 - 2 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Beto, Doucoure (EVE); Fernandes, Ugate (MNU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded at the end to Everton overturned by VAR
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Why the fuck did VAR get involved in the awarding of what should have been a clear penalty?
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 15
Respective final positions: 14 & 15
Effects: No move for either team.


Teams: Bournemouth v Wolves
Regions: Dorset v West Midlands
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Vitor Pereira
Targets: Bournemouth can overtake Man City with a win; Wolves need to move away from the drop zone.
Expectation: Bournemouth surely
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 17

The relegation strugglers had the first attack on 9 minutes, but unable to score, a bad miss then in the 17th minute nearly letting Bournemouth in. Then for the second time this weekend a yellow was upgraded to a red thanks to VAR, and the home side were down to ten men. Ten minutes from the break Wolves made the breakthrough, then a sitter missed early in the second half left the visitors defending a 1-0 lead as the last minutes of the game wound down. The one goal proved enough in the end as Wolves took the precious three points.

Result: Bournemouth 0 - 1 Wolves
Scorer(s): Cuhna (WOL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Yellow card for Bournemouth upgraded to red
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 17
Respective final positions: 6 & 17
Effects: Bournemouth drop 1 place, Wolves remain as they were.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Ipswich Town v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: Suffolk v London
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Ange Postecoglu
Targets: Ipswich need to get out of the relegation zone, Spurs need to try to climb back into the top half of the table
Expectation: Hard to say
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 12

Ipswich were almost one up within a single minute, but the ball cleared off the line and also flagged as offside, the home side not looking at all like a team that hasn't won a single match this year, and Tottenham looking very ordinary. 2 minutes later Delap was at it again, but this time wide. The Tractor Boys kept up the pressure, Spurs nowhere near, yet again the home side unable to convert. Would they rue all these missed chances? Ten minutes later and they did, as Tottenham took the lead, you'd have to say against the run of play. Seven minutes after that and Spurs doubled their lead, the home defence just melting away. Just after the half-hour though Ipswich pulled one back, then on the hour a free could have had them level, but deemed offside. With 13 minutes to go Tottenham made it safe with their third, and a fourth six minutes from time.

Result: Ipswich Town 1 - 4 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Johnson (2), Spence, Kulusevski (TOT); Hutchinson (IPS)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 12
Respective final positions: 18 & 12
Effects: No movement


Teams: Fulham v Crystal Palace
Regions: London v London
Managers: Marco Silva v Oliver Glasner
Targets: Both want to go up the table, though they're at opposite ends: Fulham can switch places with Newcastle should they win, Palace will remain in the bottom half even should they take the match.
Expectation: Not sure
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 8 & 13

Three minutes on the clock and Palace were already on the attack, but side netting from Mateta, and they kept up the pressure till near the end of the half, when a corner resulted in an own goal, Palace ahead at the break. And ten minutes into the second half they were two to the good as Mateta scored again, or did he? No, it was ruled offside. Nothing wrong with the goal on the hour though, and the visitors were two ahead, Fulham a very poor second.

Result: Fulham 0 - 2 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Andersen (og), Munoz (PAL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Second Palace goal ruled out for offside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 13
Respective final positions: 10 & 13
Effects: Fulham drop 2 places, just hanging on now at the bottom of the top half.


Teams: Southampton v Brighton
Regions: Hampshire v East Sussex
Managers: Ivan Juric v Fabian Hurzeler
Targets: Southampton need to blah blah and Brighton want to climb the top of the table
Expectation: You're kidding, right?
Ground: St. Marys
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 10

Brighton should have been ahead early but the ball went wide of the post, but with 23 minutes gone the visitors took the lead, Southampton nowhere. In the second half they began to play, and thought they had levelled five minutes in, but it was offside, while Brighton went up the other end and took their second just before the hour. They should have had three but somehow missed late on, then Mitoma sorted that out by taking their third with 20 minutes yet to go. Would this be another thrashing at home for the Saints? With nine minutes to go it was four, this one from a corner, as the Southampton fans began to stream disconsolately out of the stadium. They should be used to it by now.

Result: Southampton 0 - 4 Brighton & Hove Albion
Scorer(s): Joao Pedro, Rutter, Mitoma, Hinshelwood (BHA)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 9
Respective final positions: 20 & 9
Effects: Brighton move up to 9th


Teams: Leicester City v Brentford
Regions: Leicestershire v London
Managers: Ruud van Nistelrooy v Thomas Frank
Targets: Leicester need to get away from the relegation zone, Brentford can climb into the top half with a win
Expectation: Imagine Brentford would take this.
Ground: The King Power
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 11

Four minutes in and Vardy could have opened the scoring for Leicester but saved by the keeper after a fine run, then Brentford took the lead on 17, and doubled that on the half-hour as the Foxes were torn apart in the box. As if that wasn't enough, a third two minutes later surely decided the game with half of the match yet to go. Almost four in fact, but that shot came back off the post, to spare Leicester the embarrassment of going in four down at the break. That had to wait till the last minute, the home side well beaten, never even close.


Result: Leicester City 0 - 4 Brentford
Scorer(s): Wissa, Mbeumo, Norgaard, Carvalho (BRE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 11
Respective final positions: 19 & 11
Effects: No change for either team.

[Trollheart]

Sunday February 23 2025

Newcastle v Nottingham Forest
Manchester City v Liverpool


Teams: Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest
Regions: Tyne & Wear v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Eddie Howe v Nuno Espirito Santo
Targets: Forest want to close the gap between them and Arsenal, Newcastle could be right up beside them at 4th if they win.
Expectation: I expect Forest will do it, though I hope Newcastle can win
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 3

Newcastle lost it in front of their own goal after seven minutes, Forest quick to accept the gift, the Magpies nearly replying 12 minutes later but Gordon unable to latch onto the cross. A free in the 21st minute resulted in the equaliser, the home team turning it around 3 minutes later to take the lead. Newcastle seemed unstoppable now, and a penalty awarded (after VAR recommended the ref go to the monitor) gave them their third just after the half-hour mark. Flooding forward again only minutes later and Isak had his second and Newcastle their fourth, and the whole of the second half yet to go!

A fifth almost resulted in the first few minutes of the second half, but skipped off the top of the post, then Forest had a chance to get one but spurned. From a corner then just after the hour the visitors did indeed pull one back. A claim for a penalty was turned down for Forest, then they came close again with 12 minutes to go. In the final minute they got their third, Newcastle all over the place, but they held on for the win.

Result:Newcastle United 4 - 3 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Hudson-Odoi, Milenkovic, Yates (FOR); Miley, Murphy, Isak (2) 1 of which (p) (NEW)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Newcastle
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 3
Respective final positions: 5 & 3
Effects: Newcastle move up to fifth; Forest lose more ground on Arsenal.



Teams: Manchester City v Liverpool
Regions: Manchester v Merseyside
Managers: Pep Guardiola v Arne Slot
Targets: Liverpool want to extend their seemingly unassailable lead at the top; City want to get into third place.
Expectation: Have to imagine Liverpool will take it
Ground: The Etihad
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 1

First attack by City on 8 minutes but Foden shot straight at Allison, then from a corner which resulted from a City slip-up, Salah put the league leaders ahead before 15 minutes had elapsed. On the half-hour the home team equalised, but the goal ended up being offside, Liverpool adding a second before the end of the half. We hadn't even reached the hour mark and the visitors were 3 to the good, until VAR ruled the goal offside, so one each fallen to the men in the control room.

Mamoush, last week's hat-trick hero, came close but Allison's fingertips kept it out, Diaz firing at the City goal just minutes later, stinging the gloves of Ederson. Doku had a shot but again the Liverpool keeper in the right place to prevent it going in. A bad bounce could have had them in for their third again, as extra time ticked away, Liverpool surely now on course to win the title.

Result: Manchester City 0 - 2 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Salah, Szoboszlai (LIV)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: 2 goals ruled offside, one for each team
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 4 & 1
Respective final positions: 4 & 1
Effects: Liverpool open up an 11-point gap at the top; surely nobody can catch them now?

[Trollheart]

Overview

Is this the weekend we'll look back on and say Liverpool clinched the title? Not only did they hammer Man City 2-0 at home, but Arsenal fell further behind when they were beaten by a rejuvenated, Moyes-powered West Ham, leaving them all but out of the running. City haven't a hope of retaining the title, now sitting fourth and a massive 20 points between them and Liverpool, while Forest, if they were ever in contention, lost again this week and fall 6 points behind Arsenal, so 17 behind Liverpool.

Man United had another bad day at the office - or perhaps we might say, a now-normal day at the office - when Everton held them to a draw which they should really have won, United lucky really to have got anything from the match, which Everton were well in control of but lost a 2-0 lead, while Newcastle squeezed past Forest with a commanding 4-1 lead vanishing to an edgy 4-3 by the end of the match. The teams at the bottom generally did poorly this weekend, only Wolves winning, Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton were well beaten. Villa beat Chelsea and Tottenham had another win, though it doesn't do anything for their placing in the table. Palace also won, but the same thing, and Bournemouth failed to advance, being defeated by Wolves, Brighton hammered Southampton and Brentford made short work of Leicester.

[Trollheart]

[Trollheart]

Wednesday February 25 2025

Liverpool v Newcastle
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Ipswich Town
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
Brentford v Everton
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Brighton v Bournemouth
Chelsea v Southampton
Wolves v Fulham


Teams: Liverpool v Newcastle United
Regions: Merseyside v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Arne Slot v Eddie Howe
Targets: Liverpool want to keep that gap as wide as possible at the top; Newcastle want to make up ground on the top 4
Expectation: Liverpool at home? Can't see them losing.
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 5

Liverpool could have had a penalty three minutes in, but the ref didn't see it that way and VAR did not overturn his decision, eight minutes later Newcastle on the break turned into a Liverpool attack, resulting in the first goal of the night. On the half-hour Wilson slipped away to menace the Liverpool goal, but shot wide. Six minutes later it was almost two for the home side, Szoboszlai shooting wide himself. One to the good at the break then, until just after the hour when McAllister latched onto Salah's pass to double their lead. A long shot from Allison set Salah on his way but Diaz wasn't able to convert. Liverpool in total control, the Magpies hardly troubling Allison all evening. Gakpo came close in extra time, but two was enough and Liverpool march on.

Result: Liverpool 2 - 0 Newcastle United
Scorer(s): Szoboszlai, McAllister (LIV)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 6
Respective final positions:1 & 6
Effects: Liverpool extend their lead at the top to 13 points, Newcastle drop one place.


Teams: Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Regions: Nottinghamshire v London
Managers: Nuno Espirito Santo v Mikel Arteta
Targets: Forest need a win after two straight defeats, and are 6 points and a place below Arsenal, who more or less saw their title challenge slip away at the weekend. They'll still want to do what they can to close that gap though.
Expectation: At home I would not bet against Forest, though Arsenal will be fired up after their defeat last weekend. Could go either way.
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 2

Second plays third traditionally features two of the Big Six, but Forest have impressed and surprised this season, and despite two recent losses still sit in third. They could in fact have had a penalty in the first 20 minutes, but like the Liverpool match the ref didn't see anything wrong with the challenge and VAR agreed. Arsenal had one shot at goal three minutes later but scoreless at the break, Forest keeping their defence tight in the second half, Arsenal unable to break through. Another appeal for a penalty late on, also turned down as the Gunners pushed for the winner, giving away the ball but Forest equally unable to put it in the net. Honours even, no use to Arsenal.

Result: Nottingham Forest 0 - 0 Arsenal
Scorer(s): None
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 2
Respective final positions: 3 & 2
Effects: No move for either team, but Arsenal again lose the chance to make up ground against Liverpool.



Teams: Manchester United v Ipswich Town
Regions: Manchester v Suffolk
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Kieran McKenna
Targets: Ipswich want to get out of the relegation zone, Man United are still trying to get out of the bottom half
Expectation: If United can't beat Ipswich at home they may as well forget it.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 18

Oh dear oh dear oh dear! Chuckle! A terrible backpass by Onana had Ipswich - yes, Ipswich! - in for the opening goal on four minutes! Calamity for the home team! On 21 minutes Garnacho was taken down and a free allowed United to equalise, thanks to an own goal. Five minutes later a double save from a corner was unable to keep out De Ligt, who put his team ahead. The home team's joy was short-lived though, as Man United had a man sent off for a straight red for violent conduct, and just to add to their misery Ipswich levelled again in extra time at the end of the first half.

Despite going down to ten men though, it only took them two minutes into the second to retake the lead, Philogene almost getting his hat-trick after the hour, but United hung grimly on for the win, which you have to give them credit for, being a man down. Even so, had this been any team other than Ipswich, maybe they might not have been so lucky.

Result: Manchester United 3 - 2 Ipswich Town
Scorer(s): Philogene (2) (IPS); Morsy (og), De Ligt, Maguire (MNU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: United player sent off for straight red
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 18
Respective final positions: 14 & 18
Effects: United move up one place. Ipswich remain where they were.



Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
Regions: London v Manchester
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Pep Guardiola
Targets: Spurs want to get back into the top half of the table, City want to stay 4th
Expectation: I would say City, given that Spurs only began to win since last weekend. A lot of ground to make up.
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 4

First shot in anger from the returning Haaland, but straight at the keeper. He made up for this on 12 minutes as he opened the scoring. Great run by Doku in the 20th minute could have doubled that lead, but again right at the goalie, City making all the runs. Half an hour gone and Spurs hadn't even had a shot on goal, but still just the one goal in it as Haaland again fired at the keeper. In extra time at the end of the half Spurs had the chance to level, but pawed over the bar by the City keeper to keep it 1-0.

Another attempt for the home side in the second half, but wide of the post, as Spurs began to grow into the game now, though not even two corners in a row could give them a goal. 1-0 is always a narrow lead to maintain, then Haaland scored to give City breathing space, until it was ruled out for handball by VAR. Eight minutes of extra time still could not provide Tottenham with their first goal of the match, and City win by the thinnest of margins.

Result: Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 1 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Haaland (MNC)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Second City goal ruled out for handball
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 4
Respective final positions: 13 & 4
Effects: Spurs slip back one place; City remain where they were.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Brentford v Everton
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Thomas Frank v David Moyes
Targets: Both want to get back into the top half
Expectation: Brentford maybe
Ground: The G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 14

Brentford wasted no time and were on the attack from minute one, coming close to be fair, long shot but Pickford able to stop it. Wissa then had a shot but again directly at the keeper. Everton broke, but with only Flecken to beat, Beto unable to get past him. His second attempt bounced wide of the post after hopping off Flecken's chest, and as we headed into extra time at the end of the half no goals scored. Until Wissa knocked it in on the rebound in the final minute of injury time. On 70 minutes he made it two, until the flag went up, but the home team certainly in control. Then with 13 minutes to go, and somewhat against the run of play, Everton equalised. And they could have snatched it at the death, but one apiece it ended.

Result: Brentford 1 - 1 Everton
Scorer(s): Wissa (BRE); O'Brien (EVE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 11 & 15
Respective final positions: 11 & 15
Effects: Everton slip one place, Brentford remain as they were.


Teams: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Regions: London v Birmingham
Managers: Oliver Glasner v Unai Emery
Targets: Villa have to do better - 8th is not good enough. Only 9 points between them and Palace.
Expectation: Shrug. I always go for Villa.
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 8

Tielemans could have opened the scoring for Villa on 20 minutes but headed wide, then on the half-hour Palace netted to take the lead. Villa thought they had equalised just before half-time but VAR ruled it offside. Seven minutes into the second half Rogers had it in the net again, this time no offside, Villa level. Just before the hour Mateta was up to his usual tricks, Palace back in front, and they extended that lead on 70 minutes when Sarr took his second. That lead became unassailable in extra time as the home side got their fourth, Villa a very poor second.

Result: Crystal Palace 4 - 1 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Sarr (2), Maetea, Nketiah (PAL); Rogers (AST)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: First Villa goal ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 12 & 10
Respective final positions: 12 & 10
Effects: Palace move up one place, Villa slide two, just barely hanging on now at the bottom of the top half.



Teams: Brighton & Hove Albion v Bournemouth
Regions: East Sussex v Dorset
Managers: Fabian Hurzeler v Andoni Iraola
Targets: Brighton can go 4th win a win, Bournemouth can get to 7th.
Expectation: Really hard to call
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 6

A quick start for Bournemouth could have had the visitors ahead in the second minute, but the keeper able to bat it away, then a penalty for Brighton gave them the lead on 12 minutes. Bournemouth came back strongly but unable to get past the keeper, then the home side could have made it two but Mitoma's shot on the half-hour came back off the post. On the hour it was all square as Kluivert scored a rocket. Should have been two to the visitors ten minutes later but for a great save, and in fact it was the Seagulls who took the lead five minutes after that to give the home side the game.

Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 2 - 1 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Joao Pedro (p), Wellbeck (BHA); Kluivert (BOU)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 8 & 7
Respective final positions: 8 & 7
Effects: Brighton move up one place, Bournemouth slip down one.


Teams: Chelsea v Southampton
Regions: London v Hampshire
Managers: Enzo Maresca v Ivan Juric
Targets: Chelsea want to get back into the top four
Expectation: Chortle
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 20

You can't help feeling sorry for Southampton, but despite a few rare goals they seem to have rented space permanently on the bottom rung of the Premier League, from which they will be evicted at the end of the season, no question now. Coming up against Chelsea would not have been something they were looking forward to, and when they went behind on 21 minutes it was surely only the first of several. The Saints did actually have a shot on goal in the first half, making the Chelsea keeper work, then Palmer missed a golden opportunity to put the home side two up, but it couldn't be long. And it wasn't. Just after the half-hour Neto scored to put the home side two to the good, and when they got a free in the last minutes of the half, it was three. Three became four in the second half, and that was it for Southampton, another expected defeat.

Result: Chelsea 4 - 0 Southampton
Scorer(s): Nkunku, Neto, Colwill, Cucurella (CHE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 20
Respective final positions: 5 & 20
Effects: Chelsea move up two places to 5th.


Teams: Wolves v Fulham
Regions: West Midlands v London
Managers: Vitor Pereira v Marco Silva
Targets: Wolves are trying to stay out of the drop zone; Fulham need to move up the top half
Expectation: Wolves
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 10

Another instant start as Fulham scored in the first minute, Wolves coming close to equalising through Gomes after 16 minutes but over the top, tight angle, then he made up for that two minutes later by scoring to draw the teams level. The second half was barely two minutes old before Muniz put Fulham ahead again, a lead they held, and could have extended, but in the end the two goals did it for the London team.

Result: Wolves 1 - 2 Fulham
Scorer(s): Sessegnon, Muniz (FUL); Gomes (WOL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 9
Respective final positions: 17 & 9
Effects: Wolves remain just above the dotted line; Fulham move up one place.

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Overview

If Liverpool looked a shoo-in for the title last weekend, they reinforced that impression today with a commanding performance against Newcastle, who really never got anywhere near them. Arsenal are receding in the Reds' rear view mirror now, sort of like Hans Gruber at the end of Die Hard: Arteta is putting a brave face on it but he knows it's over. Forest holding them to a draw surely put paid to any last-chance challenge they could mount, while Chelsea moved up to 5th after hammering Southampton and pushing Newcastle down to 6th.

Manchester United, despite losing a man in the first half as well as giving away a super-sloppy goal in the opening minutes, rallied to come back and win their game against Ipswich, hardly a ringing endorsement for the team who used to boss the Premier League, while their blue side rivals barely squeezed out a victory against struggling Spurs. Palace put paid to any hope Villa had of qualifying for Europe, and we must now concentrate on trying to stay in the top half, which is by no means certain; Brighton and Bournemouth are now only a place apart, level on points.

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