wk28

posted 44 minutes ago
Southampton 2-1 Everton
Scorers: Son(Bony) 64, Son(Blind) 80; Giroud(Peres) 73
MOTM: Heung Min Son

A game that was in general a very scrappy affair, Southampton flooded the midfield and made it difficult for Everton to play, likewise though Everton made it a struggle for Southampton with Texiera, Oscar and Martinez all stifled whilst on the pitch by the combative duo of Carvalho and Fernando. Both teams best chances were created in wide areas, with Everton actually looking the more threatening side, especially down the Southampton left where Blind struggled with Deulofeu and Peres, as much as McCarthy tried to get across and help he failed to keep up with the pace of Peres and the full backs balls into the box were a constant problem, Trippier in particular really struggling out of position. The introduction of Son and Bony helped change the game, with Son's movement and willingness to run at players the turning point in the match, scoring twice either side of a Giroud goal, both times getting in between Peres and Cahill and using his quick feet to fashion the chances. A harsh result on Everton in what really could have ended goalless.

Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle United
Scorers: Benzema(Sterling) 88; Suarez(Firmino) 32
MOTM: Diego Godin

Newcastle set up to be solid at the back and they were just that. For the most part Arsenal struggled to finish off attacks with Aduriz struggling against three Cbs, his lack of pace to get away allowing Godin to go man v man on him and Godin at his best made sure he was quiet. Arsenal did cause problems, with James in particular enjoying freedom in midfield to dictate the game, with movement from Mahrez and Ronaldo off the channels caused some issues but Newcastle managed to keep them out. They even lead for much of the game despite never really managing to have a proper spell on the front foot, the midfield, although offering too much freedom for James, benefitted them when Henderson stepped in to win the ball and find Fabregas who knew where Firmino had run too, once picked out Firmino isolated Van Dijk and left him for dead before squaring for Suarez to score his umpteenth goal of the season. Newcastle looked comfortable until late on when Arsenals subs injected some extra pace, Locadia and Sterling combing well to get into the channel and Benzema managed to run off Mustafi and turn in the cross.


Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United
Scorers: Aguero(Neymar) 78, Aguero(Embolo) 90+2; Cavani 13, Coutinho(Cavani) 38
MOTM: Edinson Cavani

Chelsea maintain their unbeaten run, with only two games to go to hold onto their invincible tag, this game however saw them totally outplayed for 75 minutes. Uniteds set up was perfect, 5 men in midfield allowing them to over run United, pressing high, with the outstanding Cavani stopping Chelsea playing from the back along with the midfield behind him, it meant for the first time this season Chelsea were on the back foot and they did not enjoy it. The first goal was a testament to this as Stones got himself into trouble, Cavani robbing the ball and opening the scoring. The first half was very one sided, with Chelsea unable to keep hold of the ball in midfield and their wingers, whilst being the most likely source of danger, we're looking too often to get the ball and come inside which was comfortable for United. The second goal this time saw Cavani too strong for the Chelsea defence, holding off Laporte and playing in Coutinho who's movement got him the wrong side of Ricardo and it was 2-0 at half time. The game continued the same for most of the second half, that until both sides changed into a 4-4-2 system, Chelsea started to win the key midfield battles as Vidal and Marchisio showed too much for Rabiot and Gundogan. Aguero pulled one back when Ricardo came forward well and slipped in Neymar, he found Aguero and the argentine made no mistake. Chelsea were gaining in confidence and continued to push forward, it almost proved costly when Cavani flicked on for Lacazette but a combination of Laporte and De Gea was enough to save the day. Up at the other end Embolo showed too much pace for Monreal and his ball across was converted by Aguero, the argentine rescuing a point.


Stoke City 1-0 Hull City
Scorers: Carrasco(Ighalo) 48
MOTM: Moussa Dembele
Red: Volland 78

Stokes game plan worked well in this game with their midfield three and quick forwards too much for Hull in what became for large parts somewhat one sided, although a lack of clinical edge from Stoke kept thing goalless at half time. Hull came back out in the second half and looked more threatening but they were down after a quick counter saw Carrasco back to haunt his former club. Hull tried to turn it around with Draxler and Volland causing trouble but Stokes CBs dealt with everything. A silly red card for Volland meant Hull couldn't find the way back into the game in the final 10 minutes.

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comment by LSTD. Member of the Raul Garcia supporters group (U2708) posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
Lloris
Luiz Ramos Koscielny
Cuadrado Martinez Schweinsteiger Clichy
Ozil
Robben Kane

Think I'm going to have to work with something like that

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comment by Fan Gillhaus 1903 (U3339) posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
Aston Villa 3 - 0 Man City
Reus 12, 48 (KDB, Pen)
Costa 53, (Cancelo)
MOTM - Reus

Portsmouth v Birmingham City

In spells Birmingham played very well but, this was a controlled display from Portsmouth, even under pressure they were cool. The sporadic attacks from Birmingham were good and they attacked quickly but Portsmouth were solid at the back, just a brief lapse of concentration allowed Birmignham to equalise through Vardy after Alcacer had put the home side ahead. Birmingham pushed but just couldnt get a second and Martial scored the winner eventually, Portsmouth were controlled in possession and could have moved up a gear or two but they did enough to win the 3 pts, a good performance by Nadz lot, but just not enough on the day.

Portsmouth 2 - 1 Birmingham
Alacacer, 24 (Kroos), Martial, 71
Vardy, 53 (Mertens)
MOTM - Kroos

Wolves v Bournemouth

Well Wolves were lightening quick out the blocks and found themselves 2-0 up very quickly much to the shock of Bournemouth, attacking at will with big numbers, the best Argentine pairing since Aguero, Messi, Dybala, Higuain, Correa Tevez and Icardi both on the score sheet within 15 minutes before Bournmeouth barely touched the ball! Tino going for the throat and certainly working. Bournemouth eventually got a foothold and got a goal right on half time through Mandzukic. The second half Wolves were at it again Berardi this time scoring early on, they pumelled the Bournemouth goal by Navas was in form, Again tho Wolves tired and Bournemouth who were patient got back in and controlled the final twenty v a tiring Wolves and an Eriksen freekick from a tired challenge and Sub Mario Gomez they brought it back to 3 a piece. Wooves went for it but tired, Bournemotuh were patient and were rewarded.

Wolves 3 - 3 Bornemouth
Icardi7, (Tevez), Tevez 14, (Piatti), Berardi49, (Piatti)
Mandzukic45, (Payet), Eriksen 74 (FK), Gomez 83(Corona)
MOTM - Piatti

Leicester v Liverpool

A huge game, and both very much up for this, Leicester started and passed it about early stages, but with no real cutting edge, not due to the talent they have, but the effect the Liverpool players had, in not allowing them time on the ball. In fact most of the first half was play in the middle 3rd of the pitch, with chances few and far between, this was a midfield battle with no team in particular dominating. Two teams at the top (well near enough) cancelling each other out, defending very well and giving nothing away. However near the end Cazorla mangaed to find a gap between Kompany and Zouma and Higuain reacted very quickly, he hadnt had a lot to do but when he got his chance he buried it..
The second half was much alike, neither dominating, neither threatening. Again not for the want of trying but just down to the fact neither team were giving anything away, typically an LSTD side defending from the front and Rofs, neat passing game it just wasnt enough to make this an exciting match, despite the vast array of talent on show. Liverpool did equalise eventually tho, Griezmann bursting down the left and a cross in, Aubameyang got up first and powered home after getting the better of Musacchio, it was very cagey after this as neither could afford to lose and the game finished fairly 1 goal a piece

Leicester 1 v 1 Liverpool
Higuain 41, (Cazorla)
Aubameyang 78, (Griezmann)
MOTM - Busquets