Trollheart's Match of the Day Thread

[jimmy jazz]

Villa 😎

I'm looking forward to Wednesday more than any other game in my life.

[Trollheart]

Overview

This weekend saw the shock first defeat for Liverpool, virtually their only one of the season, though it won't stop their inexorable and inevitable march to the title. Chelsea held on to fourth place, though unable to beat a struggling Brentford, the London derby ending in a stalemate as neither team scored. Another London team were also held to a draw as Arsenal took on Everton, their quest to put any sort of pressure they can on Liverpool stymied, even in the face of the league leaders losing the next day. Villa beat third-placed Forest to move up the table, but then later results pushed us down again, but still better than before, and we're playing well.

At the other end of the table, Spurs finally put Southampton out of their misery as the Saints became the first team to be relegated this season, if not the least expected, and after a truly awful performance against Eddie Howe's high-flying Newcastle, Leicester look likely to be following them. The Manchester derby was a borefest, neither team able to score, and City slide another two places as Champions League football begins to slip away from them. Ipswich surely destined to be the third team for the drop, as Wolves confirmed their Premier League survival. Newcastle climb to 5th on their demolition of Leicester, looking likely to be playing in Europe next season.

Finally, mention must be made of two things: Vitor Pereira, the saviour of Wolves, who in his short time in charge has changed their fortunes from a side struggling with relegation - and often in the zone - to one which can now look forward to another season in the top flight, and that match between Crystal Palace and Brighton. 3 red cards, and none of them resulted in a penalty. Not sure I've ever seen that happen before.

[Trollheart]

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Saturday April 11 2025

Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest v Everton
Southampton v Aston Villa
Arsenal v Brentford
Brighton v Leicester City




Teams: Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Regions: Manchester v London
Managers: Pep Guardiola v Oliver Glasner
Targets: City looking to go 4th, Palace trying to get into the top half of the table
Expectation: I would think City
Ground: The Etihad
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 11

It only took Palace eight minutes to open the scoring at the Etihad, City attempting to level four minutes later but at the keeper and the rebound off the post. As we headed towards the midway point of the first half a Palace corner allowed them to double their lead. Again DeBruyne did his best but back off the post again, as Palace took their third goal, or did they? Deemed offside, City lucky not to be three behind. As the half-hour expired finally the retiring Belgian was able to help his team to halve the deficit, the home side coming close to levelling but scraped the post, then Marmoush did the business and we were all square before the break.

The second half was barely two minutes old before City took the lead for the first time, and just before the hour they had turned the game completely around with their fourth, as McAtee made up for his earlier miss. All City now as they went on the attack, and with ten minutes to go four became five, the home team cruising.

Result: Manchester City 5 - 2 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Eze, Richards (PAL); DeBruyne, Marmoush, Kovacic, McAtee, O'Reilly (MNC)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 12
Respective final positions: 5 & 12
Effects: City hold on to 5th place, Palace remain where they were.



Teams: Nottingham Forest v Everton
Regions: Nottinghamshire v Merseyside
Managers: Nuno Espirito Santo
Targets: Remaining third for Forest, while Everton are trying to climb the bottom half of the table
Expectation: Can't see Forest having any trouble here.
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 15

With Chris Wood back in the side, even less chance for Everton you would think. Even so, first strike on goal came from the visitors, the keeper equal to it. Another attack just before the half-hour could have gone in but turned away by the defender. Still, Forest without a shot on goal in the first 30 minutes. Everton just kept hammering at the Forest goal, and the home side were lucky not to be behind, and when they got their chance to shoot they couldn't convert, so scoreless at the break.

More pressure in the second half from Forest as they tried to exploit perhaps Everton's failure to capitalise on their possession, but in extra time the visitors pounced after Forest had wasted chance after chance, to steal the points at the death. Very well deserved.

Result: Nottingham Forest 0 - 1 Everton
Scorer(s): Doucoure (EVE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 14
Respective final positions: 3 & 13
Effects: Everton move up to 13th


Teams: Southampton v Aston Villa
Regions: Hampshire v Birmingham
Managers: Simon Rusk/Alan La Lana  v Unai Emery
Targets: Southampton are gone, Villa want to try to take 6th place back, though we could go higher if other results favour us.
Expectation: Has to be Villa
Ground: St. Marys
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 7

Southampton already down, the first team this season to be relegated, were playing for pride, if such a thing can be said of a team who have barely been off the bottom position all season, so Villa must have fancied their chances after a poor display in Europe during the week and another hard-fought match to come next week. The Saints also handed Juric his marching orders, so were in the care of the interim managers. Would that be a good or bad thing?

They had the first effort on goal after 18 minutes but held off, then Villa went close but the Southampton keeper able to save, In the last five minutes of the half Villa again on target but straight at the keeper. Nothing to separate the teams at half-time, then on the hour almost an own goal by the home side from a Villa corner, but still the scoresheet remained blank, until Watkins won a penalty, Asensio took it but could not score, saved by the keeper.

18 minutes to go and an embarrassing draw was rescued by Watkins who latched onto a long pass and lobbed the keeper, then the floodgates opened as Malen added a second with 10 minutes to go, but Southampton still had a chance to pull one back near the end, the ball sailing wide from a corner, then Villa wrapped it up with another penalty, but just barely. Though Watkins wanted it, Asensio pulled rank (?) and claimed it - and fucking missed again! Luckily McGinn was on hand to tap in the rebound. Failing twice to score a spot kick in the one match will surely have Asensio off penalty kick duty for now!
Result: Southampton 0 - 3 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Watkins, Malen, McGinn (p) (AST)
Penalties: 2
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Asensio taking the second penalty after missing the first - and then missing again! That sort of arrogance will have to be addressed.
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 5
Respective final positions: 20 & 7
Effects: After rising to 5th at the weekend Villa drop back to 7th with Newcastle's win


Teams: Arsenal v Brentford
Regions: London v London
Managers: Mikel Arteta v Thomas Frank
Targets: Arsenal's doomed quest to close the gap continues; Brentford's seemingly equally doomed efforts to get out of the bottom half of the table go on.
Expectation: Arsenal surely
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 12

Arsenal are setting Europe aflame, even if they have little to no chance of catching Liverpool for the title, and facing struggling Brentford should not have been a problem for them (though see Forest/Everton earlier) but it was the visitors who had the first shot on goal after 22 minutes. The Gunners then scored just before the half-hour point, but ruled offside by the new automated offside system. They had the chance to correct that five minutes later but still no goal as we headed for half-time.

It in fact took an hour before Arsenal gave their fans something to cheer as Partey scored the opening goal, and fourteen minutes later Wissa levelled for the visitors. Two minutes later Flecken left the Brentford goal open, Saka unable - somehow - to profit from a really bad goalkeeping decision. A draw not what Arsenal were looking for.

Result: Arsenal 1 - 1 Brentford
Scorer(s): Partey (ARS); Wissa (BRE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: First Arsenal goal ruled offside by the automated offside system
Red Cards: None
Controversies: How did Saka not score, with the goal at his mercy?
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 11
Respective final positions: 2 & 11
Effects: Brentford move up one place


Teams: Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City
Regions: East Sussex v Leicestershire
Managers: Fabian Hurzeler v Ruud van Nistelrooy
Targets: Brighton can leapfrog Fulham in 8th, Leicester are surely going down
Expectation: Brighton
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 19

Leicester lost out on what should probably have been a penalty, looked pretty blatant but not given. Worse news for the visitors as Brighton were then awarded a spot kick before the half-hour and scored to take the lead. Eight minutes later an unlikely goal for the Foxes and we were all level at the break. In the second half Brighton got a second penalty, same player and same result, the Seagulls now two to the good, but the Foxes as they say never quit, and back they came with 16 minutes still to play. Off the post then for what could have been a goal to turn the match around completely, but it ended in a rather unlikely draw.

Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 2 - 2 Leicester City
Scorer(s): Joao Pedro (p) (2) (BHA); Mavididi, Okoli (LEI)
Penalties: 2
VAR decision(s), if any: Two penalties, both awarded to Brighton
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 19
Respective final positions: 10 & 19
Effects: Brighton drop one place to 10th.

[Trollheart]

Sunday April 12 2025

Liverpool v West Ham United
Newcastle United v Manchester United
Chelsea v Ipswich Town
Wolves v Tottenham Hotspur


Teams: Liverpool v West Ham
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Arne Slot v Graham Potter
Targets: Liverpool just cruising now, West Ham want to get higher in the bottom half of the table
Expectation: Liverpool
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 16

3 more games will do it; 9 points will clinch the title, so it's just, as it has been for some time now, a matter of waiting. Would that translate into complacency for the champions elect though, and would they suffer an unexpected and unwanted defeat to a somewhat resurgent West Ham? Would Anfield be shocked? Not if Diaz was having anything to say about it, on the attack within six minutes, and coming close, but no early opening goal. Salah was almost in on 17 with a superb shot that just skimmed over the top of the net, but Liverpool coming closer. And one minute later Diaz did open the scoring.

West Ham weren't just standing around either, and six minutes after Liverpool's opener they went close themselves, Allison equal to it. The Hammers really growing into the game, and could have levelled just before half-time. As the second half opened a free for Liverpool could have doubled their lead but the West Ham keeper leaped to keep it at just the one goal advantage. Just after the hour another chance for the visitors, but only found the keeper. The pressure told as Liverpool were forced into an own goal with six minutes of normal time to go, all square now, and a precious two points lost? All hands to the pumps in the final minutes as the home side desperately tried to get the winner  - and they did. In the very last minute of normal time Van Dijk became Liverpool's saviour, rescuing all three points for the league leaders.

Result: Liverpool 2 - 1 West Ham
Scorer(s): Diaz, Van Dijk (LIV); Robertson (og) (WHU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 17
Respective final positions:
Effects: Liverpool now only need two more wins, six points in total and the title will be theirs. West Ham drop to 17th


Teams: Newcastle United v Manchester United
Regions: Tyne & Wear v Manchester
Managers: Eddie Howe v Ruben Amorim
Targets: Newcastle pushing for European football, Man United pushing to get out of the bottom half.
Expectation: Newcastle
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 13

Best wishes to Eddie Howe, who was unwell and taken to hospital and so missed the match, but the lads would be playing for the manager. We hope he's better soon and back where he belongs. His team were on fire, Murphy almost opening the scoring within four minutes, then Man United had a go on twelve minutes but saved by the keeper and over. Just past the midway point of the first half Tonali hammered the ball into the Manchester United net and Newcastle were ahead. A few minutes later and he could have had his second, just wide, but Man United all over the place until six minutes from half-time when, pretty much against the run of play, they scored to equalise, and like Tonali,  Garnacho could have had a second, but it was all square at the break.

Four minutes into the restart and Barnes had restored Newcastle's lead, and just after the hour mark he was on target again, the Magpies tearing Man United apart now. A terrible goalkeeping error let Bruno in for Newcastle's fourth, and the home side were worthy winners.

Result: Newcastle United 4 - 1 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Tonali, Barnes (2), Guimares (NEW); Garnacho (MNU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 4 & 14
Respective final positions: 4 & 14
Effects: Newcastle reclaim 4th place and are now in Champions League qualification; Man United slip another place to 14th.



Teams: Chelsea v Ipswich Town
Regions: London v Suffolk
Managers: Enzo Maresca v Kieran McKenna
Targets: Another team chasing Champions League football, Chelsea will be trying to hang on to 4th place; Ipswich can probably do nothing except plan for life in the Championship
Expectation: Chelsea
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 18

Eight minutes in and Chelsea should have been ahead but Jackson could only rap it off the post, the Ipswich goal under siege as the match moved towards its twentieth minute but still no goals, until to everyone's surprise the visitors scored to take the lead. The half-hour mark saw Ipswich almost double their advantage, but just wide of the post this time. Then they did score, but was it offside? No it was not: Ipswich two to the good at Stamford Bridge.

The second half wasn't even a minute old though before Ipswich were forced into an own goal, gifting Chelsea a way back into the game, Hirst trying to widen the visitors' lead but not quite equal to the shot. A corner with ten minutes to go then broke Ipswich hearts as Sancho restored parity for the home side. Chelsea went hard for a winner but the Ipswich keeper was heroic in the goal, keeping out at least two good shots, and so the points were shared in the end.

Result: Chelsea 2 - 2 Ipswich Town
Scorer(s): Ensciso, Johnson (IPS); Tuanzebe (og), Sancho (CHE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Ipswich second goal ruled onside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 6 & 18
Respective final positions: 6 & 18
Effects: Chelsea slip two places to 6th, losing out for now on European football.


Teams: Wolves v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: West Midlands v London
Managers: Vitor Pereira v Ange Postecoglu
Targets: Wolves, safe from relegation, just want to put as much distance as they can between them and the bottom three. Spurs, kind of the same.
Expectation: I'd hope Wolves will do it.
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 14

Within two minutes Wolves were ahead, and almost doubled their lead when the Spurs keeper gave the ball away three minutes later, and seven minutes before the break another error as Spurs scored an own goal to give the home side a two-goal cushion. On the hour Tottenham pulled one back, scoring in the right net this time, but it was only three minutes after that that Wolves restored their two-goal lead with their third. In the dying minutes Spurs cut that to the one goal with their second, but the returning Cunha wasn't having that, and Wolves were four to the good, taking all the points.


Result: Wolves 4 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Ait-Nouri, Spence (og), Strand Larsen, Cunha (WOL); Tel, Richarlison (TOT)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 15
Respective final positions: 16 & 15
Effects: Wolves move up one place, Spurs fall one.

Monday April 14 2025


Teams: Bournemouth v Fulham
Regions: Dorset v London
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Marco Silva
Targets: 3 points and 2 places between them, both want to move up the top half of the table
Expectation: Draw?
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 10 & 8

The game was decided in the first sixty seconds, Semenyo getting the opening goal, and Bournemouth could have been two ahead early but the crossbar rattled as the ball came back off it, not crossing the line. Fulham had their own chances, but one wide and the other caught by the keeper so just the one goal separating the sides at the break. The home side came close again to doubling their lead in the second half, but the shot was across the face of the goal, then Iwobi could have pulled his team level but the keeper able to stop the shot, so the early goal enough to win it for the Cherries.

Result: Bournemouth 1 - 0 Fulham
Scorer(s): Semenyo (BOU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 8 & 9
Respective final positions: 8 & 9
Effects: Bournemouth move up two places, Fulham fall one.

[Trollheart]

Overview

Liverpool continue their inexorable march towards the title; played it a little cagey but pulled it out of the hat in the end, while Chelsea lost out on a chance to retain fourth spot and assure themselves of Champions League football. Manchester City are getting closer, retaining 5th slot and they fought back hard against Crystal Palace to run out comfortable winners in the end, while Forest were beaten by a resurgent Everton, who now see the heady heights of thirteenth place.

Manchester United are having their worse spell since, well, ever really, totally slaughtered by Newcastle away and leading to Roy Keane furiously accusing them of "not being good at anything", while Sir Alex demanded that Amorim be fired. Not really sure what that would achieve; it's the players, not the manager, as it has been for a very long time at Old Trafford. Spurs lose ground again, slipping towards the dotted line (but safe obviously) while Wolves pull away from it, another season of Premiership football secured. Villa battered Southampton, as expected, but there was the curious case of the penalty taker who missed twice.

Ipswich mounted a spirited defence when they took on Chelsea at the Bridge, and should really have won, but ended up leaving with a precious point, while Leicester came back late to force an unlikely draw with Brighton. They're still going down though.

[Trollheart]

[Trollheart]

Saturday April 19 2025

Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Everton v Manchester City
Brentford v Brighton
West Ham United v Southampton
Crystal Palace v Bournemouth



Teams: Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Regions: Birmingham v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Unai Emery v Eddie Howe
Targets: Both looking for Champions League football
Expectation: Hard to say; Villa on the back of a heroic fight back but out of Europe, Newcastle coming off a five-nil smashing of Palace. Could go either way, though as usual I'll back Villa.
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 3

Thirty-four seconds is all it took for Villa to score, Watkins replacing Rashford and repaying his manager with the earliest possible opening goal, and he could have added a second five minutes later but cracked off the bar, Villa starting strongly for sure. Newcastle were level on 18 minutes, Asensio almost taking the lead for us one minute later but fluffed his lines, and just after the half-hour the lead could have gone the other way, but Martinez his usual dependable self. On the hour Villa re-established their lead, then with 17 minutes to  go Tielemans forced Burn into an error and the ball was in the Newcastle net for the third time. Two minutes later it was four. A massive win for us.

Result: Aston Villa 4 - 1 Newcastle
Scorer(s): Watkins, Maatsen, Burn (og), Onana (AST); Schar (NEW)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 6 & 3
Respective final positions: 7 & 4
Effects: Villa move up to 6th but drop back to 7th after tonight's match, which also pushes Newcastle down to 4th.



Teams: Everton v Manchester City
Regions: Merseyside v Manchester
Managers: David Moyes v Pep Guardiola
Targets: Everton need to move up the bottom half, City want to keep in the running for European football
Expectation: I would think City
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 5

Blue versus blue as the Moyes revival continues at Everton, while City are experiencing something of a resurgence of their own, but have no chance of returning to the glory days of their title winning seasons, at least for now. The home side could have been ahead on the half-hour but back it came off the post, not far away at all. As the half wound down it was Everton on the attack, calls for handball turned down. A free in the opening minutes of the second half almost put them ahead, but caught by the City keeper. Into the hour and still scoreless, though Everton looking the more likely, City with few shots on goal and none troubling Pickford. The visitors still almost snatched it at the death but again the Everton keeper was able to stop the shot until six minutes from the end, when City did score. In extra time it was two, Everton's brave defence shattered.

Result: Everton 0 - 2 Manchester City
Scorer(s): O'Reilly, Kovacic (MNC)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 4
Respective final positions: 13 & 5
Effects: City move into 4th place but Forest's win tonight pushes them down to 5th.



Teams: Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion
Regions: London v East Sussex
Managers: Thomas Frank v Fabian Hurzeler
Targets: Brentford still trying to get into the top half, Brighton trying to avoid falling out of it.
Expectation: Go for Brighton
Ground: The G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 10

Brentford could have opened the scoring within three minutes, but saved, the home side kicking off in top gear, and it only took six more minutes before they were ahead, though they could have been pegged back six after that as Brighton went close but missed. A penalty appeal for the visitors was turned down, but in extra time at the end of the first half the Seagulls swooped and we were all square. Almost a repeat of the first half as Brentford scored within three minutes of the restart to take the lead again, and they extended this on the hour when Wissa broke through to give the home side surely now an unassailable lead. Things got worse for Brighton as they had a man sent off for violent conduct, though Mitoma made it better for them with 9 minutes to go, just the goal in it now. Brentford made it certain though in extra time with their fourth, taking all three points. The final result was slightly marred by the injury to Van Hecke, who had to be stretchered off the field, never something anyone wants to see, and we wish him well.

Result: Brentford 4 - 2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Scorer(s): Mbeumo (2), Wissa, Norgaard (BRE); Welbeck, Mitoma (BHA)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: Bad tackle on Van Hecke had him removed on a stretcher
Respective current positions (After match): 11 & 10
Respective final positions: 11 & 10
Effects: No move for either team.


Teams: West Ham United v Southampton
Regions: London v Hampshire
Managers: Graham Potter v Simon Rusk
Targets: West Ham need to move up the bottom half
Expectation: Should be the Hammers
Ground: The London Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 20 (relegated)

Almost another opening goal on three minutes, West Ham just kept out by the diving Southampton keeper, then the Saints came close themselves halfway through the first period,  the half-hour saw them rattle the crossbar, but that was as close as anyone came in the first half, West Ham opening the second with their first goal, Bowen on target. The Hammers thought they had doubled their lead after the hour mark when they had the ball in the Southampton net, but the keeper adjudged to have been fouled, the goal was chalked off. Again the Saints came close, showing signs of life for sure, not content to go down without a fight, but the finishing just not there. They could have levelled with 9 minutes of normal time to go but ballooned it over the top, then finally, when West Ham looked to have secured the points, in the third minute of added time Southampton struck to earn a share.

Result: West Ham 1 - 1 Southampton
Scorer(s): Bowen (WHU); Ugochukwu (SOU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Second West Ham goal ruled out for a foul on the keeper
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 20
Respective final positions: 17 & 20
Effects: West Ham remain where they are.


Teams: Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
Regions: London v Dorset
Managers: Oliver Glasner v Andoni Iraola
Targets: Palace want to get into the top half, Bournemouth want to move up it.
Expectation: Hammered by Newcastle 5-0, would Palace come back roaring or fold like umbrellas?
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 8

A corner on 16 minutes could have had Bournemouth ahead but it was rather bizarrely bumped by another player into the keeper's arms, Palace definitely looking nervy and smarting after their thrashing at the hands of Newcastle midweek, and losing a man just before half-time didn't help. A pretty robust game, with more than the usual number of players hitting the ground with the assistance of those from the opposing team, the ref being quite lenient really. Nothing much else to talk about though.

Result: Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): N/A
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 12 & 8
Respective final positions: 12 & 8
Effects: No movement

[Trollheart]

Sunday April 20 2025
Leicester v Liverpool
Ipswich Town v Arsenal
Manchester United v Wolves
Fulham v Chelsea


Teams: Ipswich Town v Arsenal
Regions: Suffolk v London
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Mikel Arteta
Targets: Ipswich are going down, Arsenal know there's nothing they can do to stop Liverpool now
Expectation: Arsenal all day
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 2

Ipswich on their way out of the Premiership, but if they could somehow beat Arsenal it would open the way for Liverpool to take the title today. A tall order? Well yes, Peter Crouch at the bar tall, and it became all but impossible as Arsenal took the lead on 14 minutes, and as we reached the midway point of the first half it could have been all over, Merino's header somehow not going in, but on the half-hour it was two, and Ipswich without a hope now as the home side lost a man to a straight red. They hadn't even had a shot on goal in the first half, Saka with two chances to make it three. Finally Ipswich had their first attempt early in the second half, but just wide, while with twenty minutes to go Trossard bagged his second and Arsenal's third, and in could have been four in the final minutes but back off the post, however with two minutes to go it was four, Ipswich well and truly beaten. Liverpool may have to wait after all.

Result: Ipswich Town 0 - 4 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Trossard (2), Martinelli, Nwaneri (ARS)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 2
Respective final positions: 18 & 2
Effects: Ipswich await relegation



Teams: Leicester City v Liverpool
Regions: Leicestershire v Merseyside
Managers: Ruud van Nistelrooy v Arne Slot
Targets: Just waiting now; going up, going down...
Expectation: Got to be Liverpool
Ground: The King Power
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 1

After Arsenal, to nobody's surprise, thrashed Ipswich, Liverpool could sink Leicester but could not take the title today, but they probably would prefer to do that at home, as the last time they won it Anfield was a ghost town thanks to Covid, so what's better than winning the Premier League title at your home ground in front of tens of thousands of your adoring fans? Didn't mean they wouldn't put their all into the game, of course - unlikely they would know the result of the Arsenal match, which may have been played at the same time anyway, but within three minutes Salah was almost there but the ball came back off both posts. Suspicion of offside anyway, but academic as it didn't go in. Leicester had their own attack on 10 minutes, and that also came back off the post! Gakpo also came close in the last five minutes of the first half, but saved.

Liverpool kept up the pressure in the second half, the Leicester goal under siege but the keeper playing a blinder, then completely against the run of play the Foxes scored on the hour, but it was ruled out for obstruction. Time running out now for the champions elect, but with 15 minutes to go a bit of pinball in the box finally allowed Alexander-Arnold to score, then Leicester could have equalised in the dying moments but shot wide. Liverpool will now be crowned champions of the Premier League at home next week, assuming they win.

Result: Leicester City 0 - 1 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Alexander-Arnold (LIV)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 1
Respective final positions: 19 & 1
Effects: Liverpool can win the Premiership next week at home, Leicester become the second team to be relegated.



Teams: Manchester United v Wolves
Regions: Manchester v West Midlands
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Vitor Pereira
Targets: Both looking to climb the bottom half
Expectation: I'd hope Wolves do it
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 14 & 16

Would Roy Keane's lambasting of his former team kick Man United up the arse, or were Wolves going to savage them? The visitors are in a happy place, Manchester United in one they're not used to being, though if they keep playing as they are they had better get used to it. First real shot in anger on twenty minutes, and it came from Wolves, but blasted over the bar, then United went on a rare attack but no score as we moved past the half-hour mark. United finishing the half strongly but still scoreless at the break.

With 13 minutes to go the deadlock was broken, and it was Wolves who scored from a free kick, to silence an already disgruntled Old Trafford. United playing better, to be fair, but unable to score at the ex-Theatre of Dreams, which today became a Theatre of Nightmares for the home side.

Result: Manchester United 0 - 1 Wolves
Scorer(s): Sarabia (WOL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 15
Respective final positions: 14 & 15
Effects: No move


Teams: Fulham v Chelsea
Regions: London v London
Managers: Marco Silva v Enzo Maresca
Targets: Chelsea want to stay in the hunt for Europe, Fulham want to climb the top half
Expectation: Go for Fulham
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 7

Fulham thought they were ahead on three minutes but ruled offside, ten minutes after that Chelsea had a free but right into the keeper's arms. Ten minutes after that Fulham were ahead, James robbed and Iwobi scoring for his side. That was how it stayed until the second half, and almost all of it too, but in the last seven minutes Chelsea levelled after having so many chances they should really have been ahead. And in extra time they were, turning the match completely around and taking all the points.

Result: Fulham 1 - 2 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Iwobi (FUL);  George, Neto (CHE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: First Fulham goal ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 5
Respective final positions: 9 & 6
Effects: Chelsea move up to 5th but are pushed back down to 6th after Forest's win tonight.

Monday April 21 2025

Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest


Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest
Regions: London v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Nuno Espirito Santo
Targets: Forest looking to retake third place, Spurs needing to move up the bottom half
Expectation: Forest I would think
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 5

Bumped down from third for what seems like the first time this season, Forest knew a win today would return them to that coveted spot. Spurs have been providing less of a challenge for visiting teams, so Nuno Espirito Santo's team must have fancied their chances. And within 5 minutes they were making their mark, exploiting a poor Spurs defence as Anderson notched up their first of the evening after Gibbs-White had come close minutes prior. It only took them ten more to double their lead, Chris Wood back among the goals and heading his team back to third as the home side seemed to have no answer to a ferocious Forest onslaught. Spurs had their chances in the first half but snatched at them, even Richarlison unable to convert as a nervy Tottenham tried to pull one back before half-time.

Gibbs-White had a great chance to make it three and put the game beyond Spurs but sliced it wide, then from a corner Postecolgu's team should have halved the deficit but for a superb goal-line clearance, while a rare mistake in a disciplined Forest side almost let beleaguered Spurs in for their first - and surely only - goal of the match, the keeper literally saving the day. Richarlison finally got his chance and took it, cutting Forest's lead, but it was too little too late, and the visitors go back third after spending less than a week at fifth.


Result: Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 2 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Anderson, Wood (FOR)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 3
Respective final positions: 16 & 3
Effects: Forest return to third after the briefest of absences, pushing Newcastle down to 4th.

[Trollheart]

Overview

Business done mostly at both ends of the table. Leicester, as expected, were relegated at the weekend and will be joined in the Championship shortly by Ipswich, while there's really very little distance between the drop zone and Manchester United, only 17 points and 3 places in it. That might seem a lot, but it's the closest they've come to relegation in my memory, and for a team who are used to counting how many points they need to win the title, that's a massive, massive comedown, in every sense of the word.

Spurs failed to win again and are clinging on there in the bottom half, while Liverpool are champions-in-waiting, and should secure the title next weekend at Anfield. Arsenal have put up a great fight, but their task was too monumental and they have to be content with second place. After briefly vacating the third slot Forest are back where they belong, challenging for Europe with Newcastle now at 4th, having been soundly beaten by us.

Manchester City are four places and 21 points off the top; the glory days for them are not coming back too soon either, while Wolves celebrated their survival with a hammering of the other Manchester club, Chelsea finally came good to overcome Fulham, while Ipswich had a torrid time against Arsenal, who took out their frustration on the relegation-bound team at being unable to stop Liverpool take the title.

Europe bound? All change at the Champions League

An interesting change in the always somewhat tortuous UEFA rules means that there is now a fifth place up for grabs in the Champions League. It's very complicated, and relies on results of various cups, so I'm not going into it all here, but the current candidates as of today are:
Newcastle United
Manchester City
Chelsea
Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa
And of course
Liverpool
and
Arsenal

[Trollheart]

[jimmy jazz]

That was a proper hammering for Newcastle.

The fact we've won our last 5 games and are still only 7th is really disappointing but win tonight and we definitely move up.

Won 10 out of our last 11 and scoring 3 or 4 goals every game now. We're on fucking fire. Just at the right time 

[Trollheart]

Saturday April 26 2025

Newcastle United v Ipswich Town
Brighton & Hove Albion v West Ham United
Chelsea v Everton
Southampton v Fulham
Wolves v Leicester City



Teams: Newcastle United v Ipswich Town
Regions: Tyne & Wear v Suffolk
Managers: Eddie Howe v Kieran McKenna
Targets: Newcastle want to reclaim third place, Ipswich are relegated if they lose today.
Expectation: Newcastle
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 18

Howe is he? Out of hospital, off the sofa and back in the dugout where he belongs and where he prefers to be. Newcastle's manager was back on the touchline to see his team score midway through the half, but also to see the goal chalked off for obstruction on the keeper, Ipswich desperate to extend their stay in the Premier League as much as possible before being relegated, which was certainly going to happen. Lose today and this would be the day they relinquished their Premiership status, but a dive in the box just after the half-hour did their cause no good, yellow card and no penalty. Five minutes later Isak almost sent them down with Newcastle's first goal, but nodded over the top. Twice. The goal was certainly coming, and when Ipswich had a man sent off for a second yellow - the same player who had tried to fool the ref into awarding his team a penalty, what slim hope they had swiftly vanished. The visitors couldn't handle Newcastle with eleven men, with ten they were doomed.

The home side took their time to take advantage though, a penalty for the Magpies allowing Isak to put his team in front in extra time at the end of the half, Ipswich staring at the drop, surely no surprise to them. A corner just before the hour doubled Newcastle's lead, this extended to three with ten minutes of normal time. As expected, Ipswich the third team to be relegated.


Result: Newcastle United 3 - 0 Ipswich Town
Scorer(s): Isak (p), Burn, Osula
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: First Newcastle goal ruled out for obstruction; Newcastle awarded a penalty
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 18
Respective final positions: 3 & 18
Effects: Newcastle back in third and on course for a Champions League place; Ipswich are relegated.



Teams: Brighton & Hove Albion v West Ham United
Regions: East Sussex v London
Managers: Fabian Hurzeler v Graham Potter
Targets: Brighton want to get higher in the top half, West Ham want to pull away from the relegation zone
Expectation: Brighton
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 10 & 17

First attack on ten minutes by West Ham but side netting only, then 2 minutes after that a superb rocket put Brighton ahead with the early goal. West Ham hit back on the half-hour but tipped over the bar to keep it one-nil at the break. That lead did not last into the second half, as three minutes after the restart the Hammers were level. Brighton nearly went back ahead in the 50th minute but pushed away from a corner, and ten minutes later a badly given away ball almost gave the visitors the lead. Seven minutes from time a long ball up field achieved exactly that, West Ham turning the game around. In the final minute though, the Seagulls scored again to equalise, and in extra time went on to take all three points with a late late goal.

Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 3 - 2 West Ham United
Scorer(s): Ayari, Mitoma, Baleba (BHA); Kudus, Soucek (WHU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 17
Respective final positions: 9 & 17
Effects: Brighton move up one place.


Teams: Chelsea v Everton
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Enzo Maresca v David Moyes
Targets: Chelsea want to be in Europe next season, Everton are making a last-gasp climb and might hope to get into the top of the table before the end of the season.
Expectation: Chelsea
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 6 & 13

Strong attack by the home side on 15 minutes but no goal until Jackson netted just before the half-hour, Everton coming close in the dying minutes of the half, but Chelsea still ahead at the break. A corner as the second half opened almost doubled their lead but kept out, then a big chance to do just that went begging as Jackson latched on to a poor backpass and was almost in for their second. Just after the hour it could have been level, but Sanchez equal to the shot, then Pickford had to be on his toes to keep Chelsea to just the one. Six minutes from time it was two, but ruled offside when Pickford spilled the ball and Jackson pounced. One minute later Everton could again have equalised but the Chelsea keeper alert and ready to keep it out, the one in the end enough to give the home side the points.

Result: Chelsea 1 - 0 Everton
Scorer(s): Jackson (CHE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 14
Respective final positions: 5 & 15
Effects: Chelsea move up one place to be in contention for European football next season; Everton drop two.



Teams: Southampton v Fulham
Regions: Hampshire v London
Managers: Simon Rusk v Marco Silva
Targets: Southampton down, Fulham looking to finish as strongly as possible in the top half
Expectation: Fulham
Ground: St. Marys
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 (Relegated) & 9

What's left for Southampton? Finish with some small modicum of pride? That's hard to say, when they have so little to be proud of. Already down three weeks now, they probably can't wait for the season to end. And yet, against all odds, they took the lead in the first quarter-hour from a fine free kick, and could have been two up on the half-hour, Fulham finding it hard to break them down and perhaps somewhat bemused to be behind at half-time. The Cottagers nearly drew level early in the second half but cracked off the post, and in fact the Saints were close to doubling their lead on the hour, the ball prevented from entering the net by the same obstruction, back off the upright. Having left it clearly too late, Southampton began to play nothing like a team who have already been sent down, but their defence was breached with 19 minutes to go as Fulham drew level. It looked like the Saints had earned a, in fairness deserved, point, but in extra time Fulham took it.

Result: Southampton 1 - 2 Fulham
Scorer(s): Stephens (SOU); Smith Rowe, Sessegnon (FUL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 8
Respective final positions: 20 & 8
Effects: Fulham move up one place.


Teams: Wolves v Leicester City
Regions: West Midlands v Leicestershire
Managers: Vitor Pereira v Ruud van Nistelrooy
Targets: Wolves celebrating their survival, Leicester already down
Expectation: Wolves
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 19 (Relegated)

Reeling under the twin hammer blows of relegation and the intended exit of their talismanic striker, Leicester should have been easy prey for the rampant Wolves. Cunha, possibly bound for Man United in the summer, had two chances to open the scoring for his team, but it took him till the half-hour mark before he netted with his third attempt. Strand Larsen, who may have to pick up the slack if or when Cunha goes, nearly made it two seven minutes from half-time, and again in the second half, while just before the hour the visitors came close themselves. On the hour Strand Larsen got his goal, doubling Wolves' lead and taking all three points. Vardy would want to sign off with a goal, chasing his 200th for Leicester, and when the Foxes were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute it looked like he would only need one more to achieve that milestone. However his shot was saved, so no goal and no glory for already-relegated Leicester. When Gomez scored Wolves' third with five minutes to go, it was all over.

Result: Wolves 3 - 0 Leicester City
Scorer(s): Cunha, Strand Larsen, Gomez (WOL)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 19 (Relegated)
Respective final positions: 13 & 19
Effects: Wolves move up two places.

[Trollheart]

Sunday April 27 2025

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
Bournemouth v Manchester United


Teams: Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Arne Slot v Ange Postecoglu
Targets: Liverpool will win the title unless they lose; Tottenham hope to advance a little up the bottom half of the table
Expectation: Duh
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 16

Coronation Day surely? Liverpool were champions-in-waiting, and even if somehow Spurs beat them today they would be crowned winners of the Premier League next week, but important that they confirmed their historic 20th title at home, in front of their fans. Anfield of course packed to the rafters, and the streets of Liverpool lined with supporters waiting to pay homage to the 2024/25 league winners. Could Tottenham spoil, or at least delay the celebrations? Liverpool on the attack of course early, but it was in fact Spurs who struck first, twelve minutes on the clock, and four minutes after that it looked like Diaz had replied, to open the door Spurs had temporarily locked, but ruled offside. Until VAR overruled the ref, and Liverpool were on their way. Halfway through the first period and they were ahead, McAllister hammering the ball into the Spurs net with real venom. Just after the half-hour it was three, Gakpo from a corner, Liverpool turning on the style after an unexpected twist in the day.

Spurs had a chance to cut Liverpool's lead to just the one in the final minute of normal time, but missed the shot, while the home side could have been four to the good soon after the restart, but got a little confused in the box. Defence into attack on the hour as Salah got his customary goal, no doubt whatsoever now. In testimonial mode now, Salah forced an own goal with 20 minutes to play, Liverpool now five up and not looking likely to settle for that. This was not just a win, not just a title win, but a statement title win. Nobody wanted a scrappy 1-0, and what they got had certainly been worth waiting for as Liverpool showed why for months now they have been just waiting for the title which has been rightfully theirs. Almost six at the end, but 5-1 is one hell of a score to take the title at home. Congratulations to Liverpool, who now become the team to have won the Premier League the most times.

Result: Liverpool 5 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Solanke (TOT); Diaz, McAllister, Gakpo, Salah, Udogie (og)  (LIV)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: First Liverpool goal ruled onside after having been ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 16
Respective final positions: 1 & 16
Effects: As expected, Liverpool are the champions of the Premier League



Teams: Bournemouth v Manchester United
Regions: Dorset v Manchester
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Ruben Amorim
Targets: Bournemouth pushing for European football, Man United doomed to their worst end to the Premier League ever

Expectation: Bournemouth
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 10 & 15

No doubt watching enviously the results coming in from Anfield and dreaming of when they were top of the table, it must all seem a long long way away now for Manchester United, who are really struggling down near the bottom of the table. And facing a resurgent Bournemouth there was no guarantee they would come out of this in any better shape, and this looked even more likely as the home side scored just after the midway point, after Garnacho had come close twice, but you can't be a one-man team, and nobody else on the United side seemed to be trying at all. Just before the hour it could have been two for the Cherries, a free coming very close but clawed away and then wide.

Bournemouth losing a man with 20 minutes to go certainly helped the visitors' cause, if they could capitalise on the extra man, and in the sixth minute of extra time they did just that, Bournemouth's defence broken at the death to end up with the points shared.

Result: Bournemouth 1 - 1 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Semenyo (BOU); Hojlund (MNU)
Penalties:None
VAR decision(s), if any: Evanilsen sent off for violent conduct
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 14
Respective final positions: 10 & 14
Effects: Man United move up one place.

[Trollheart]

Overview

Liverpool took their long-overdue crown, and did it in style at Anfield with a convincing 5-1 crushing of Spurs, after a brief wobble when they conceded the first goal. Newcastle sent Ipswich down as they retook third place, Chelsea and City both combining to force Forest down to 6th. Having beaten us during the week, neither City nor ourselves were playing, both involved in FA Cup semi-finals. We lost ours but Man City won theirs, while Chelsea took Everton down to book 5th place.

Leicester went down without a whimper, unable even to score a penalty against Wolves, the usually reliable Jamie Vardy perhaps with his mind on future plans, while Southampton almost ground out a result to give them a point against Fulham but lost it in extra time. West Ham and Brighton fought out a bitterly contested match, the game swinging one way then the other, but again in added time the Seagulls took it, and extra time also came to the rescue of struggling Man United, who managed to force a very undeserved draw against Bournemouth.