“Mind the Gap”
It is WAY too soon to be talking trophies, but looking at the table after this week’s fixtures we have a clear front-runner. As usual, the relegation zone is a swamp where teams struggle to stand atop the other’s shoulders, seeking fresh air for themselves and drowning the rest. The mid-table is a traffic jam worse than downtown London on a Friday afternoon. One point separates 3rd from 9th. Some high-flyers lose altitude. What a week! Time to cool down with yet another International Break.
Brighton 2 – 1 Manchester City
After the ubiquitous Erling Haaland early goal, Man City seemed to settle in, and perhaps got too comfy on the couch. It’s been a banger season for substitutes, but few have been as sweet as Brighton’s. Matt O’Riley stepped on the pitch to make his first team debut by replacing a limping Jack Hinselwood in the 57th; João Pedro followed eight minutes later. Then, between ‘78 and ‘83 those two would carve apart the baby blues, giving the Seagulls an upset for the ages. City are now five off the lead, AND they’ve lost four-in-a-row. Damn.
Brentford 3 – 2 Bournemouth
Brentford have a real Jekyll & Hyde theme going. At home, they’ve earned 16 out of 18 points, and scored more goals (also 18) than any other squad. Yoane Wissa added a brace to his season tally (including the game winner) and the name of Ivan Toney isn’t even mentioned in passing. Bournemouth were sharp today, but the Bees were ruthless… all six of their shots were on target.
Crystal Palace 0 – 2 Fulham
This is not an excuse, but Palace have a serious injury problem. Whereas last week they salvaged a point, this week Fulham (particularly Emile Smith-Rowe and the super-sub Harry Wilson) proved too stern a foe, especially once Daichi Kamada was sent to the dressing room on a red. Heaven help the Eagles if Ipswich can win a game…
West Ham 0 – 0 Everton
Fantasy gave top bonus points to both goalkeepers, and defender James Tarkowski. If woodwork could earn points they’d’ve had a bunch too. That’s really all you need to know about this snoozefest.
Wolverhampton 2 – 0 Southampton
There is no better feeling than a quick goal. Unless you go on to lose the game. Happily, that did NOT happen to Wolves today. It’s too soon to call this a turnaround, but looking into the dark tunnel of the International Break with a win won’t hurt.
Liverpool 2 – 0 Aston Villa
I watched some of the second half in my car between officiating games this afternoon, and nothing I saw gave me any confidence that Aston Villa had a rat’s chance in hell. Looking at the fantasy stats after the game confirmed by suspicion… the Brummy lads were thoroughly outplayed by the Slot Machine. Folks will (rightly) focus on the Man City collapse, but Villa have had an equally distressing run of consecutive losses.
Manchester United 3 – 0 Leicester City
Looks like someone took Bruno Fernandes off life support. His goal and two assists powered the Red Devils into a comfortable win over an outclassed Leicester City. Ruud van Nistelrooij certainly held up his end of the interim manager deal; time will tell if he finds a home in Rúben Amorim’s staff.
Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 2 Ipswich Town
From Ipswich, there was one half of creative, attacking football, then a second half of desperate, dogged defending. But at the final whistle, the Tractor Boys earned three points to make Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou’s perpetual frown slide into scowl territory, and swap themselves with Palace to get out of the relegation zone.
Nottingham Forest 1 – 3 Newcastle
Forest learned a hard Premier League lesson about momentum today. Though they struck first off Murillo’s header, that sting just seemed to inspire Newcastle. The Magpies came out of the dressing room in another gear and wasted no time in outrunning, outgunning and outperforming the languid hosts.
Chelsea 1 – 1 Arsenal
Sunday’s last fixture of the week was a deliciously feisty derby between two well-balanced teams (they have chips on both shoulders). That both ultimately fell short of victory will please everyone outside of their fan bases; Liverpool and Man City supporters most of all, and anyone who enjoys Mikel Arteta’s glowering demeanor.
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