Week 4

Bournemouth v Southampton

A south coast derby, and a nasty affair today, two solid midfields which nullified each other out, thus draining the strikers of decent service. Fullbacks forom both sides tried to get up and support the wingers, but today it just wasn't happening for either side as much as they wanted it too. Bookings galore, this wasn't a pretty clash for these two big rivals. Two good, solid sides, maybe just lacking something to push them on, but in the end a point each is decent for both

Bournemouth 0 - 0 Southampton
MOTM - Marc Roca

Wolves v Norwich

I like both these sides for different reasons, the gamble that Welshy has taken is paying off as his young, vibrant side really had a go at the more experienced Wolves, tbf Wolves did dominate the young side in the early stages but the men in Yellow held tight and Godfrey and Ake were outstanding at the back and kept Cutrone very quiet, Norwich got a break away goal, actually from a Wolves corner, Godfrey cleared and Sanches got it out to James, he went passed Theo as if he wasn't there and drove the ball into the box, Wilson driving in the from the right nipped in ahead of Rudiger and slotted home to give Norwich a fortunate half time lead. Wolves came out all guns blazing and got the equalizer they deserved, Cutrone finally getting some space to drill home under Muller after a neat through ball from Silva, Wolves continued to work Norwich hard, but their energy levels were so high they were right at Wolves every time which didn't give them much chance to go at goal, the surprise came near the end, the man in form form Pukki latching on to Cantwell cross, with a sweet volley passed Kepa they were back in front, this time they held on to their lead and finished with all 3 points going back to Carrow road!

Wolves 1 - 2 Norwich
Cutrone(Silva, 49)
Wilson(James, 40), Pukki(Cantwell, 87)
MOTM - Nathan Ake

Newcastle v Leicester

A high tempo game, Leicester dominating the centre of the pitch early on with Henderson really struggling to get into the match, Leicetser scored early, a Thiago through ball allowed Jesus to spin of his marker and round the keeper to make it 1-0. Salah and Trent were the biggest threat for Newcastle, giving Shaw a torrid time down the right hand side and it was that combination that got them the equaliser just on the stroke of half time as they play a neat one two, Salah cutting in for the return pass and slotting past Neuer.
Newcastle started the second half brightly again using the wide areas as they stuggled to get through the middle, Salah again causing problems for Shaw, this time Shaw took one for the team as Salah went through he hacked him down, only to receive a yellow. Leicester went back in front however, Thiago again creator as he produced a lovely ball as he spotted Hazards run in behind Trent, he went passed Gomez and rifled one right into the right hand postage stamp. Newcastle changed formation with Reus which gave them more in the centre of the pitch, however, it was that man Salah again where the controversy began, he drove at Shaw, into the area, Salah went down looking for a penalty, the ref let play go on, however VAR stopped play, and it seemed the slightest of touches on Salah by Shaw was deemed enough for Newcaslte to be awarded a penalty and Shaw to receive his second yellow, then a red. Salah stepped up and sent Neuer the wrong way to make it 2-2, Leicester still went for the winner refusing to take on a defensive replacement, but Newcastle retained possession well and the game ended in a draw

Newcastle 2 - 2 Leicester
Salahx2(Trent, 45+1, Pen)
Jesus(Thiago, 12) Hazard(Thiago, 54)
MOTM - Thiago

Liverpool v Portsmouth

A fascinating battle at Anfield today, both teams pushing for a top 6 spot and should be thereabouts come the end of the season, both teams very strong up front and in defence, however, I did feel Sancho would get some joy from Sessengon down the right, BUT the back 3 dealt with Kane quite comfortably so it would take something special for the stiker to score today, so with Sancho doing well down the right all his work was coming to nothing, the midfield battle was neither won or lost by either team as they nullified each other with neither dominating possession. Sterling was showing glimpses of promise down the left, but AWB did well today keeping him fairly subdued, until the dying moments that is, Sterling this time getting the better of AWB, he cut it back for Mertens, who played in Son who timed his run perfectly, he latched onto the ball in th ebox and slid it under the on rushing De Gea to give Liverpool a late winner

Liverpool 1 - 0 Portsmouth
Son(Mertens, 85)
MOTM - Sancho