Premier League wrap – Gameweek 13

Gameweek 13 was filled with goals.  Trent Alexander-Arnold got an important equalizer at the Etihad, Brighton returned to winning ways and Alejandro Garnacho scored one the greatest goals the... Read more
Premier League wrap - Gameweek 13

Gameweek 13 was filled with goals.  Trent Alexander-Arnold got an important equalizer at the Etihad, Brighton returned to winning ways and Alejandro Garnacho scored one the greatest goals the Premier League has ever seen in United’s comfortable win over Everton.  Our predictions this week were slightly better than previous rounds but there were some surprise results that let us down.

The weekend began with one of the biggest games of the Premier League season, Manchester City faced Liverpool at the Etihad.  City were dominant, they controlled possession and gave Liverpool little to work with.  They created some decent chances but Liverpool’s defending, particularly of Doku and Foden was positive. City got the breakthrough in the first half thanks to Erling Haaland who showed serious quality with his finish.  The second half was more of the same.  City still controlled the game but were vulnerable at times when the Reds countered or had enough of the ball to build an attack.  It looked like Pep Guardiola’s side were walking away with a win but vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold showed his ability with a world-class goal in the 81st minute.  The final score was 1-1.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all got this one wrong.

West Ham travelled North to Burnley where the hosts were sitting bottom despite Everton having 10 points deducted during the International break.  Jay Rodriguez gave Vincent Kompany’s Clarets the lead in the 49th minute after converting a penalty.  West Ham were not out of the game but continued their trend of struggling away from home.  An own-goal from Dara O-Shea made it 1-1 with five minutes of regular time and Burnley looked to be crushed.  The comeback was completed in the 91st minute with Thomas Soucek giving the Hammers an important away win.  West Ham won 2-1.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all correctly predicted a 2-1 West Ham win.

Luton have surprised almost every team they have played this season and have certainly impressed with their position above the relegation zone in the league table.  Crystal Palace unsurprisingly controlled possession and had 16 shots at goal, double Luton’s eight.  This did not phase the Hatters.  Luton went a goal ahead in the 72nd minute after central defender Teden Mengi’s bottom left corner finish.  Palace were back in the game in seconds, with French winger Michael Olise scoring an equalizer with 15 minutes left to play.  Luton however managed to take the lead in the 83rd minute through Jacob Brown.  Luton won 2-1.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan did not see Luton winning this game.

The second biggest fixture of the weekend was Newcastle’s battle with Chelsea at St James Park.  Eddie Howe’s side dominated this game.  Alexander Isak score the opener inside the first 15 minutes.  Chelsea equalized thanks to Raheem Sterling’s sensational freekick.  The second half saw Newcastle continue to control the game.  Captain Jamaal Lascelles scored on the hour mark and it was game over from there.  Joelinton made it 3-1 less than a minute later.   Anthony Gordon’s performance against Reece James was utter destruction.  The Chelsea fullback was sent-off in the 73rd minute after receiving his second yellow.  Gordon scored 10 minutes later to finish off the Blues.  Newcastle won 4-1.

The MoneyMan and Dylan both correctly predicted a Newcastle win while Oliver has been done by Chelsea once again, incorrectly predicting a draw.

Brighton were in desperate need of a win, after failing to do so for more than six weeks.  Nottingham Forest would not make it easy, with their home form amongst the best in the league.  Anthony Elanga got the hosts off to a dream start, scoring the opener in the third minute.  Irish international Evan Ferguson equalized for the visitors 2o minutes later.  Joao Pedro turned the game around, putting the seagulls ahead in first half added-time.  The Brazilian secured his brace in the 58th minute after converting a penalty. Brighton were now comfortably in control.  Morgan Gibbs-White made it 3-2 with 15 minutes left to play after he scored a penalty.  Brighton won 3-2.

Oliver correctly predicted a Brighton win while the MoneyMan and Dylan incorrectly backed a draw.

AFC Bournemouth have been in impressive form, travelling to Sheffield after their 2-0 win over Newcastle.  The Cherries started strong and midfielder Marcus Tavernier scored his first of the day just 12 minutes after kickoff.  Justin Kluivert made it a two goal lead just before halftime, Bournemouth were cruising.  Five minutes into the second half, Tavernier got his brace, making it 3-0 to the away side.  Bournemouth managed 23 shots at goal during the game, more than double Sheffield.  The Blades got a consolation goal through Oli McBurnie in the 97th minute.  Bournemouth won 3-1.

The MoneyMan and Oliver incorrectly predicted a draw while Dylan correctly predicted a Bournemouth win.

Brentford have been a difficult team to beat this season and since their promotion to the Premier League have caused Arsenal serious problems.  Arsenal controlled possession and created more chances but Brentford defended well.  Their gameplan prevented the Gunners from threatening with their star attackers consistently and there were not many serious goal scoring opportunities.  Aaron Ramsdale’s return to the side was almost a nightmare after a mistake was inches from resulting in a Brentford goal.  Kai Havertz made a late-run to the back-post and managed to get the winner in the 89th minute.  Arsenal won 1-0.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all correctly predicted an Arsenal win.

The battle for fourth spot went down at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with Unai Emery’s side in great form while Spurs suffered two defeats on the bounce.  This was an entertaining fixture.  Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski started well for Spurs was causing serious problems for Villa’s left-hand side.  The hosts took the lead in the 22nd minute after Giovani Lo Celso beat his countryman Emi Martinez.  Villa stayed in the game and equalized through Spanish central defender Pau Torres in added-time of the first half.  The second half saw Villa become more of a threat.  Ollie Watkins put the visitors in the lead in the 61st minute.  Spurs continued to control possession and create chances but the could not break down Villa’s defense.  Aston Villa won 2-1.

Dylan correctly predicted an Aston Villa win, unfortunately the MoneyMan and Oliver missed out on this result.

Manchester United have quietly built the best form in the Premier League but they would be tested against a fired-up Goodison Park.  It was a dream start for the Red Devils.  Alejandro Garnacho scored arguably the greatest Premier League goal of all time just two minutes in.  A mesmerizing bicycle kick that words would not do justice.  Everton recovered and began causing problems.  The match was evenly contested in possession but the Toffees were creating far more chances.  Marcus Rashford created a two goal cushion after converting a penalty in the 56th minute.  Despite Everton’s best efforts, the game ended when Anthony Martial made it 3-0 in the 75th minute.  Manchester United won 3-0.

Ollie correctly predicted a Man United win.  The MoneyMan and Dylan did not give United enough credit.

The final game of the round was a late Monday evening kickoff.  Fulham hosted Wolves at Craven Cottage.  Former Arsenal and Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi put Fulham ahead after seven minutes.  The hosts appeared the have the momentum.  Mattheus Cunha equalized 15 minutes later, the game began to heat up.  Wolves were at the receiving end of another poor display from VAR, with the officials failing to award a penalty and give Fulham two red cards.  In the 75th minute Hwang Hee-Chan put Wolves ahead.  It looked dead and buried but VAR got it wrong again.  Fulham were awarded two penalties in extra-time, both were converted by Willian.  Wolves have now lost more than seven points this season due to errors from officials.  Fulham won 3-2.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all got this result wrong.

This was another difficult week for our predictions.  Gameweek 13 saw Dylan get five correct predictions, Oliver come second with four and The MoneyMan getting three correct predictions.  Oliver maintains his lead, now sitting on  69.  The MoneyMan and Dylan are now tied on 67.

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