Premier League Roundup, Matchday 36
The English Premier League’s matchday 36 saw several unexpected twists and turns as teams battled for survival and European positions. The weekend’s matches were filled with drama and excitement, with many unexpected outcomes. Here is summary of the weekend’s action:
Leeds 2-2 Newcastle
The match between Leeds and Newcastle on Saturday was a thrilling and dramatic encounter that ended in a 2-2 draw. Leeds took an early lead through Ayling, who scored from a rebound after Pope saved Rodrigo’s header. Leeds had a chance to double their lead when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Firpo, but Bamford’s spot-kick was saved by Pope.
Newcastle then turned the game around with two penalties of their own, both converted by Wilson. The first one was given for a foul by Wober on Isak. The second one was given for a handball by Firpo, who later got sent off in the closing stages. Leeds showed resilience and equalised with a deflected shot by Kristensen, who was named man of the match. The game also saw a bizarre incident when a Leeds fan confronted Newcastle manager Howe in his technical area and was arrested and banned for life.
Crystal Palace 2-0 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace delivered a convincing performance against Bournemouth on Saturday, winning 2-0 at Selhurst Park thanks to a brilliant brace from Eberechi Eze. The midfielder scored his ninth and tenth goals of the season, showing his quality and creativity in both finishes. The first one came after a clever flick from Jordan Ayew, who set up Eze for a close-range shot. The second one was even more spectacular, as Eze received a long pass from Michael Olise, dribbled past two defenders, and curled a stunning shot into the top corner.
Bournemouth had no answer to Palace’s dominance, as they failed to register a single shot on target. The Cherries looked tired and uninspired, and could not cope with the pace and skill of Wilfried Zaha and Olise on the wings. The visitors are still not mathematically safe from relegation, but they have a comfortable eight-point cushion over the bottom three. Palace, meanwhile, moved level on points with Chelsea in 11th place, and will be delighted with their display and result.
Southampton 0-2 Fulham
Southampton’s 11-year run in the Premier League came to an end on Saturday as they lost 2-0 to Fulham at home. The Saints needed a win to avoid relegation, but they were undone by goals from Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic in the second half. Fulham, who had already secured their top-flight status, dominated the possession and created more chances, while Southampton looked dejected and lacked creativity. The result left Southampton bottom of the Premier League table with 24 points, 8 points behind 17th-placed Everton with two games left. Fulham moved up to tenth with 51 points and remain in contention for a top-half finish.
Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham
Aston Villa defeated Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday at Villa Park, boosting their hopes of qualifying for European football next season. The hosts took an early lead through Jacob Ramsey, who finished a low cross from Leon Bailey in the eighth minute. Douglas Luiz doubled the advantage in the 64th minute with a stunning free-kick that curled into the top corner. Tottenham had few chances to respond, with Harry Kane missing their best opportunity in the second half. The England striker did score a late penalty, but it was only a consolation for Spurs, who remain level on points with Villa in sixth place. The result showed how much Villa have improved under Unai Emery.
Chelsea 2-2 Nottingham Forest
Chelsea and Nottingham Forest played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The visitors took a surprise lead in the first half when Taiwo Awoniyi headed over Edouard Mendy, who misjudged the cross. Chelsea responded after the break with two quick goals from Raheem Sterling, who finished off a rebound and then fired a shot past Keylor Navas. However, Forest equalised three minutes later when Awoniyi scored his second header of the game, beating Mendy again. The result leaves Chelsea in 11th place, while Forest move three points clear of the relegation zone
Manchester United 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester United secured a vital win over Wolves on Saturday, boosting their chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League. The hosts dominated the game from start to finish, but had to wait until late in the second half to seal the victory. Anthony Martial opened the scoring in the 38th minute, finishing off a slick move involving Antony and Bruno Fernandes. The French striker showed his composure and quality as he slotted the ball past Dan Bentley from close range.
Wolves offered little threat going forward, as Manchester United’s defence, led by the returning Raphael Varane, kept them at bay. The game was put beyond doubt in stoppage time, when Alejandro Garnacho scored his first Premier League goal since February. The young winger, who came on as a substitute, scored after a swift counter-attack. The result moved Manchester United level on points with third-placed Newcastle, four points ahead of Liverpool. Wolves remained in 13th place, 11 points above the relegation zone.
Brentford 2-0 West Ham
Brentford buzzed past West Ham with a 2-0 victory on Sunday, keeping their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive. The Bees scored two goals in the first half, thanks to Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, and dominated the game against a weakened West Ham side. The Hammers made several changes to their lineup, probably with an eye on their Europa Conference League semifinal against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
Brentford, who were without their top scorer Ivan Toney due to injury, showed no mercy and could have scored more if not for some wasteful finishing. West Ham had a goal disallowed by VAR in the second half, but they never really threatened Brentford’s defence. The result leaves West Ham six points above the relegation zone, while Brentford are ninth on the table, four points behind Aston Villa and Spurs.
Everton 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City moved closer to their third consecutive Premier League title with a convincing 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park. Ilkay Gundogan was the star of the show, scoring two goals and setting up another for Erling Haaland. The German midfielder opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a brilliant flick over the goalkeeper, then assisted Haaland for a simple header two minutes later.
Gundogan completed his brace with a superb free kick early in the second half, leaving Everton with no chance of a comeback. The hosts tried to put up some resistance, but City were too dominant and composed. With three games left, Pep Guardiola’s side need just one more win to secure the title, while Everton remain in danger of relegation.
Arsenal 0-3 Brighton
Arsenal’s title hopes were dashed by a brilliant Brighton performance on Sunday, as the visitors scored three goals in the second half to secure a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. Brighton took the lead in the 51st minute, when Julio Enciso headed in a bouncing cross from Pervis Estupinan. Arsenal pushed for an equaliser, but were caught on the break in the 87th minute, when Deniz Undav lobbed Aaron Ramsdale from a tight angle.
Estupinan added a third goal in stoppage time, after Undav’s shot was parried by Ramsdale, to cap off a memorable day for the Seagulls. Brighton moved up to sixth place, one point ahead of Tottenham and Aston Villa, with two games in hand. Arsenal remained second, four points behind Manchester City, who have three games left to play.
Remaining Fixtures for Matchday 36
Monday: Leicester City vs Liverpool (7pm, GMT)
Thursday: Newcastle vs Brighton (6:30pm, GMT)
(All images via Getty)
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