FootballFanatic

18 more matchdays to go. Here’s what we can say after a helter-skelter week (with another poor use of VAR) for the Top 6.

Chelsea’s persistence pays off as they snatch victory from Arsenal

Both sides started the game very differently. Arsenal were quick, effecient, defended well and gave Chelsea little to no openings. Chelsea were sloppy, and struggled to make an impact for the first 30 minutes- especially Emerson. Arsenal’s quality gave them a deseved lead after Ozil’s corner allowed Chamber to flick to ball into Aubameyang and score. Lampard, who looked seriously worried, made a vital subsitution to change to colour of the game. Emerson off, Jorginho on. The domination went to Chelsea, who were fast-paced, and tried to convert every impounding chance. Somewhere in the 75th minute, Abraham was found by Willan but David Luiz, a former Chelsea player, recovered the ball, which was just 8 to 9 yards from the goal. Jorginho, who was lucky not to get a second booking, equalised. Mason Mount’s free-kick, which should have been an easy save for Leno, found Jorginho at the near post. Leno completely missed the ball. A counter-attack from Chelsea allowed Willian to pass to Abraham, and changed the Emirates stadium atmosphere with a cool finish. However, Chelsea wanted to grab another goal, and were still passionate, and Abrahan could have scored a third. Arteta’s home debut has been soured, but there is a hugee improvement in Arsenal.

Liverpool manage to make things count again after 1-0 win to Wolves

Liverpool, actually dominated the first half until Sadio Mane’s goal. There was a little touch by Adam Lallana on the shoulder, but the goal was given. Wolves, did equalise through Diego Jota for the goal to be disallowed by the ever-so controversial VAR. Wolves had 6 shots to Liverpool’s 4 in the second-half, and at one point, Vigil van dijk lost the ball to gift it to Jota. Alisson did save it, though. A good 3 points for the reds as they head into New Year 13 points clear of Leicester City.

VAR on City’s side as well as they secure controversial win over Sheffield Utd

Sheffield United deseved to score at least a goal. A John Fleck through ball during a Sheffield United counter attack allowed Mousset to score. However, Mousset’s toenails were offside and City were safe. A foul to a Sheffield United player caught many players napping as the referee did not call for the foul. Aguero, lethal as he is, scored for City to take the lead. A goood run by De Bruyne made it 2-0. Sheffield United had a good chance when Billy Sharp’s header hit the inner post and rolled on the line. However, the ball wan’t completely over the net. A vital win for City, as they countinue to threaten Leicester for second spot. 

Red Devils enjoy rare clean sheet after 0-2 win at Turf Moor

United continued to press high and push the opposition under pressure and it gave them a second win on the bounce. Rashford had a chance from a free-kick 35 yards out which was saved by Pope and Daniel James’ pass to Martial would have allowed him to score had left-back Bardsley not done a goal-line clearance. Just before half-time, Taylor was caught in possession which allowed Perreira to capitalise on it. His through ball to Martial allowed him to give the visitors a 0-1 lead. In second-half stoppage time, Burnley’s free-kick ,cleared by Young, allowed United to counter-attack, Daniel James leading it. His pass to Rashford allowed Rashford to dribble past Pope, and allowed him to give United a 0-2 win. 

VAR steals Limelight again as it saves Tottenham

Norwich played pretty well, and got a deserved 1-0 lead after Juan Foyth was caught in possession, which gave the ball to Vrancic. His run and speed allowed him to calmly finish giving The Canaries a 1-0 lead. Teemu Pukki supposedly scored to make it 2 for Norwich after Vrancic’s sublime pass, but was somehow ruled offside. Eriksen equalised after a sublime free-kick, and Lo Celso’s cross allowed Dele Alli to flick the ball in, but he was rightfully offside. A through ball to Pukki made Aldeweireld tackle him and clear the ball, but his clearance deflected off Serge Aurier, scoring a comical own goal. Dele Alli bursted into space late in the match finding Kane, who was fouled by Zimmerman. His Penalty allowed him to score on his 200th EPL appearance, giving Tottenham a vital point.

It’s been quite an exciting Boxing day. Let’s see what is there to unravel as we are halfway through the season!

City’s defence lets them down again: Wolves 3-2 Man City

City went into the game not as favourites, but the more likely side to win the fixture (just barely). After their 0-2 humbling at home to their opposition in October, quite a handful predicted Wolves could stop City again. City, looking for revenge, received a major blow when Ederson was sent off for a challenge on Diego Jota. City did take a 0-2 lead after 50 minutes courtesy of Raheem Sterling’s brace. The first goal was a rebound of a penalty which Patricio saved (twice as there was enroachment on the first penalty taken). The second was from a delicate ball played by De Bruyne. Wolves took the one man advantage and dominated in stats (even in possession). Traore, a thorn to City, scored outside 18 yards with a low drive. The same man took advantage of Benjamin Mendy’s carelessness and assissted for Raul Jiminez to make it 2-2. A run from Jim Doherty into the penalty area gave Wolves the 3-2 win.

Leicester thrashed as Alexander-Arnold shines: Leicester 0-4 Liverpool

Many expected it to be a difficult match for both sides, but a under-pressure Leicester against excellent opposition gave almost every chance to Liverpool. TAA put in a performance worthy of Dani Alves at his peak. He consistently cut through the Leicester defence. He set up Firmino to give Liverpool at 0-1 lead. It wasn’t over, though; as 3 goals in 7 second-half minutes humilliated Leicester. Milner’s first touch was a penalty kick as TAA set up Firmino, who took a touch and then netted his brace. The man himself, scored as a Henderson cross let him score with a first touch. Humilliation for LCFC as Liverpool lead by a whopping 13 points.

Gunners improvement let down by defence: Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal did show quite an improvement under Mikel Arteta’s reign, especially Xhaka and Torreira. In the game dominated by Arsenal for the first 30 minutes, their slumpy defence let them down once again as they conceded first, courtesy of a Dan Gosling goal from a tight angle. Callum Wilson also managed to confuse the Arsenal defence with the assist. Bournemouth dominated for rest of the half but didn’t manage to double their lead. Arsenal were positive in the second half, an Ozil’s pass to youngester Saka allowed him to pass to Aubameyang, taking a deflection. Aubameyang’s first touch managed to give Arsenal a vital point. 

Kane and Alli strike as Spurs get three points in comeback win: Spurs 2-1 Brighton

Spurs were deemed clear favourites for this match as Jose Mourinho’s side needed a bounce back from their 0-2 home loss to Chelsea at home. Tottenham thought they had taken the lead after Harry Winks’ inch-perfect pass found Kane, who scored. However, Kane was slightly offside, according to VAR. Spurs dominated in the seocnd half though, and Lucas Moura’s driving run allowed his deflected pass (comically as his pass was cleared by a defender but the defender’s clearance hit his teammate) find Harry Kane. Kane’s first attempt was saved by Ryan but he made no mistake in putting in the rebound. Eriksen’s cross found Serge Aurier, and with a first touch, managed to pass it to an onside Dele Alli. His half-volley chipped past Ryan, and gave Tottenham the lead. Typical Mourinho fashion.

Red Devils bounce back from Watford defeat: Man Utd 4-1 Newcastle

Matty Longstaff, brother of Sean Logstaff who scored the winning goal when the two last met, gave a high-flying Newcastle the lead at Old Trafford. The goalscorer dinked a ball to Joelinton, and as United defenders surrounded him, he passed back to Matty Longstaff, who was unmarked in a central position and gave the Magpies the lead. Luke Shaw’s pass to Perreira gave a good opportunity to United, and Martial received the ball from Perreira. Martial, who shines in scoring goals at the near post, equalized for United. Dubravka’s pass to Schar wasn’t the right decision, as Greenwood stole the ball from an under pressure Schar. Greenwood’s shot from 25 yards gave United the lead, and Wan Bissaka’s cross allowed Rashford to head the ball to give United a 3-1 half-time lead. Sean Longstaff, who was a thorn to United previously, gave a gift of a pass to Martial who chipped Dubravka to settle the game. 4-1 United.

Woeful Chelsea dominated by Southampton: Chelsea 0-2 Southampton

Southampton took the lead when teenager Obafemi made a good run thanks to Hojbjerg’s chipped pass. Cedric, works the ball to Armstrong. Armstrong neatly touches the ball to beat a challenge and crosses to Redmond. He sticks out his right boot to give Southampton a 0-2 win. Nothing good for Chelsea, who continue their horrendous form at home.