Game Week 2

Liverpool v Bournemouth

A tricky one for Liverpool today as a practically new team arrived at Anfield, they found the South Americans tough to break down, with Paredes especially getting stuck in, this was a very hard midfield battle today thus restricting both sides to long rangers or set plays, both however defended them very well. Liverpool got the break through late in the game after Brandt was introduced, his darting run and quick one two with Dybala allowed him space beyond the fullback Bustos and he drilled the ball in and that man Kane was there to tap home after the keeper misjudged his move and Kane got to the ball first.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Bournemouth
Kane(Brandt, 82)
MOTM - Paredes

Aston Villa v Spurs

Villa struggled to get a hold of this today and were restricted to long balls to the front three as Spurs pretty much dominated the midfield, Vidal and Neves tried and pushed them but just couldn't get a grip of the ball or possession, Spurs struck first, the midfield playing keep ball until a move by BAiley was made, Modric played him in and he cut passed de Vrij who was slow off the mark, he curled one low round de Gea to put them ahead. Villa however struck back instantly from the kick off, played back to Bonucci, he launched one high into the area, Morata controlled it well and pushed it towards Icardi who needs no invitation to shoot and he did and it was 1 each at the break, Spurs again held on to possession well but the Villa back three were solid and allowed Spurs very little in the final third, but the Villa long ball was also dealt with fairly well by Bailly and Sanchez, Zaha coming on proved a touch of genius as is pace proved too much for Villa, he got in behind the back three after a wonderful pass from Modric, looked a tad offside but was allowed to played on, he rounded De Gea and into the back of the net for the winner

Villa 1 - 2 Spurs
Icardi(Morata, 41)
L.Bailey(Modric, 39), Zaha(Modric, 78)
MOTM - Luka Modric

Newcastle v Everton

This was a tough game to call from the start as both teams looking good for the season ahead, neither took a foothold of the game as both when in possession held onto the ball well, but with two good defences, chances were few and far between, unfortunately for new boy Locatelli he slipped at a crucial time and this allowed Koke to pick the ball up and play in Suarez he shrugged off Sokratis and drilled it home low under Buffon. This didn't deter Everton tho as they again held onto it well and nullified the Newcastle attack well and kept Salah and Mane very quiet with some top notch defending, they got a break in the second have, as Robertson attacked he was tackled very well by Clyne who sent it up to Mkhitaryan, his ball inside to Rabiot then very quickly out to Sterling broke the Newcastle defence, he drove into the box and was brought down by Godin, penalty was given and Lacazette smashed it into the back of the net. The game fizzled out a bit and subs found it difficult to get in the game and a draw was probably fair in the end

Newcastle 1 - 1 Everton

Suarez(Koke, 17)
Lacazette (Pen, 63)
MOTM - F.Luis



Wolves 1-2 Chelsea
Immobile (Fernandinho) ; Mbappe (Lewa) Lewa (Pogba)
MOTM - Rakitic

An entertaining at open game at the Molineux. The home side enjoyed more possession away side as their midfield gave them a real foothold on the game. The Chelsea defence was strong though despite the quality that Wolves have in attack. When Chelsea had possession however they were more of a threat however with the Wolves defence less able to stand up to the quality of the away team defence. The home side went ahead in the first with a great through ball to Immobile who turned and wrong footed the cbs before firing in to the top corner from just inside the box. At the other end Lewa and Mbappe formed a strong partnership and made the difference and quickly pulled level before seeing up the game in the second half. The last ten minutes were very nervy for the away side, they put themselves on the back foot while Wolves went for it but they just held on.

Portsmouth v Leicester City
To say the least this was a cagey game, both teams looking scared at times to go and attack, it felt like a game where both would settle for a point. Portsmouth in particular lacked a lot going forward, reluctant to through many numbers forward and relying on pace, that De Bruyne and Griezmann didn't really offer, to get at the Leicester back line, Doucoure and Casemiro coped well, and the CBs were always quick to support them. At the other end, Leicester had a bit more by way of imagination, with Hazard and Coutinho combining well at times, but Portsmouth's back 7 meant that the areas that Hazard and Coutinho wanted to play in became congested, and whilst Marcelo and Carvajal's energy going forward meant for good width from the away team, Portsmouth's CBs dealt with any balls in very easily. The game opened up towards the end, but it was too little, too late.
Portsmouth 0-0 Leicester City
MOTM: Javi Martinez

Birmingham City v Arsenal
A more exciting game this one, largely down to the two defences having certain vulnerabilities, and both sides looking to target those areas, especially out wide. Neither team could really take a hold of possession which meant for an end to end game. Arsenal terrorised Birmingham down the wings, with Costa and Malcom able to get into full flow down the wings, and I liked the use of Aspas playing off of Cavani, Ndidi was dragged all over the place looking to cover the Fbs which meant Aspas picked up some good pockets of space to play in. Going the other way, Arsenal's strength was also their downfall, with neither winger really giving their FB protection, and Herrera and Goretzka having Hamsik and Kondogbia to contend with, it left Arsenal's FBs isolated 1 v 1 against two exciting young talents. The final out come was goals goals goals, but ultimately an even game.
Birmingham City 2-2 Arsenal
Birmingham Scorers: Higuain (Kluivert) 37, Higuain (Hamsik) 62
Arsenal Scorers: Cavani (Malcom) 14, Aspas (Cavani) 23

MOTM: Edinson Cavani