By Oluwafemi Balogun
When will Crystal Palace score their first goal in the EPL this season? As Manchester United compound more trouble for Roy Hodgson and his men.
Chelsea welcomed Pep Guardiola’s Blue army to the bridge in a nerve cracking, pulsating clash of the titans.
And another defeat for Ronald Koeman and a draw for Jurgen Klopp. How long
before things change for both Merseyside teams?
Well, I bring you my review of an exciting weekend in the English Premier League.
Huddersfield VS TOTTENHAM
Tottenham continued their impressive away form as they thrashed Premier League new comers, Huddersfield by four goals to nothing in the early kick-off of match Day 7.
Harry Kane scored as early as the 9th minute and doubled it in the 23rd. Ben Davies scored Tottenham’s second in the 19th minute with a fine one touch move and Sissoko wrapped things up in extra time.
Bournemouth VS Leicester City
Kelechi Iheanacho came on for Leicester City in the 69th minute when he replaced Okazaki but it wasn’t enough fire power as both teams settled for a goal less draw.
Jermain Defoe hit the wood work early in the game. Jamie Vardy had effort on goal without any success, while Bournemouth substitute, Ryan Fraser had an effort blocked in stoppage time.
Leicester City substitute Riyad Mahrez also found it difficult to break the Bournemouth
defensive armour.
Stoke City VS Southampton
After losing disgracefully to Chelsea last week, Mark Hughes’ Stoke City repaid
fans’ faith as they defeated Southampton by two goals to one.
Mame Biram Diouf headed home a Xherdan Shaqiri corner from close range to give Stoke the lead. Berahino’s 43rd minute penalty was saved by the Goalkeeper after
he was brought down by defender Virgil Van Dijk. Maya Yoshida’s superb volley in the 75th minute pulled the visitors level.
A goal mouth scrabble in the 85th minute saw Peter crouch tap in the winner
for Stoke from a Choupo Moting pass.
West Brom VS Watford
Tony Pulis would be licking his wounds as his West Brom side lost a two goal
lead at the Hawthorn to draw two all against Watford.
A fine goal from a tight angle for Solomon Rondon gave West Brom the lead in the 18th minute with what was his first kick of the game. Johnny Evans bundled the ball into the net in the 21st minute from a Matt Phillips corner to give West Brom at two goal lead, but they quick fell asleep as Abdoulaye Doucoure reduced the deficit as Watford continued to pile pressure.
Richarlison headed in a Jose Holebas free-kick in the last minute of the game to level
things for Marco Silva’s men in an entertaining afternoon.
Manchester United VS Crystal Palace
Another fine display for Jose Mourinho’s men as the continued their four goal demolition. Juan Mata scored his first goal of the season when he scored from a cut back cross for Rashford in the 3rd minute. Fellaini doubled in the 35th minute from a fine cross straight to his head from Ashley Young. Fellaini scored his double when he headed a Rashford free kick in the 49th minute.
Romelu Lukaku made it four when he tapped in from close range to increase his tally for the season.
Westham United VS Swansea
A late Diafra Sakho goal rescued Slaven Bilic’s men in an afternoon were very few chances were created. The match looked destined for a stalemate at the London Olympic stadium but a tactical substitution from Slaven proved a master stroke when Masuaku and Sakho combined to steal a late show for West Ham United.
Chelsea VS Manchester City
A stunning Kevin De Bruyne left footed 20 yard strike from outside the penalty area after a one touch pass with Gabriel Jesus in the 67th minute sealed an emphatic victory for Pep Guardiola’s men in a pulsating encounter.
Pep Guardiola started Fabian Delph in an unfamiliar position at left back in place of injured Mendy, but Delph put in a remarkable performance like a natural left back. While Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata was substituted in the first half in what looked like he had picked up a hamstring injury. Gabriel Jesus had his effort headed off the line by
Chelsea defender Rudiger, Chelsea had opportunities to level the scoreline but were no match for City, the scoreline flattering the home side but it may just be that they paid the price for their exertions during that landmark win against Atletico.
Arsenal VS Brighton & Hove
Big smiles on the faces of Arsene Wenger and his men as they cruised past
Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
Monreal scored in the 16th minute when Hector Bellerin’s blocked shot fell his part which he quickly parried into the net, his first goal for Arsenal since March 2013. Alex Iwobi whom many had fears he was injured started and scored on the 56th minute when he received a back heel pass from Alexis Sanchez and found the top corner. Arsenal dominated the game with Brighton having just one shot on target.
Everton VS Burnley
Burnley compound Ronald Koeman’s woes as they continued their impressive showing against the bigger sides. Burnley defeated Everton by a goal to nothing despite Everton having a huge chunk of the possession 62.9%.
Burnley who are unbeaten against Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool this season, got the goal through Jeff Hendrick in the 21st minute after a well orchestrated team play. Hendrick’s goal came after a beautiful string of 24 passes. Oumar Niasse made his first start of the season after his double last week secured a much needed win against Bournemouth. Everton had bundles of opportunities to either draw level or win the game with 25 shots and a mere 5 for Burnley but could not get past a resolute Burnley defence led by James Tarkowski who was named the man of the match.
Newcastle VS Liverpool
Familiar feelings for the Merseyside side faithful as the got yet another draw when they faced former manager, Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle side. Liverpool went ahead when Phillippe Coutinho gai
ned possession from a looped header off a clearance, turned and shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled it past goalkeeper Rob Elliot from 25 yards, a goal most people consider as the best the weekend.
But vintage Liverpool this season let Shelvey slide the ball through the centre, with neither Lovren nor Joel Matip bothering to mark Joselu. Suddenly the striker was clear on goal but he is not the quickest and Matip managed to get back to tackle only for the
ball to rebound off Joselu’s left shin and roll past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet into the net. Liverpool carried the greater threat in the game with Newcastle waiting for counter attacks and looking at their own speed star Christian Atsu to execute it. Newcastle would be excited picking a valuable point from a frustrated Liverpool side.
