GW 31 review.

This has to be the most heart breaking piece i’ll ever have to write but it has to be done. So lets get to it.

Chelsea clinch the title for Liverpool.

If there was a game to clinch the title for Liverpool, this was it. Is there anything this game didn’t have ? Stakes, red card, penalty, free-kick goal, amazing solo run, defensive blunder and even Captain America. Any other game I would have loved to see City absolutely get bossed like that but this game in particular hurt for every real ManUtd fan out there. But lets take a closer look at this freak game. The first half wasn’t as controversial as the second but boy it still provided so much. Chelsea came the closest to breaking the dead lock before it happened. A brilliant run from Christian Pulisic ended with him absolutely placing the ball immaculately in the bottom right corner when one on one with keeper Ederson. But of course the defensive blunder came from Benjamin Mendy who got into a horrible mix up with Gundogan but what about the Americans pace to capitalise. Honesty what a player Chelsea have in their hands.

The second period started very much like the first, both teams going after it. But its the Cityzens who would ripple the net next after an absoluely sumptuous strike from their best player this season. As in Kepa did everything he could possibly do, went the right way, stretched and all but when KDB picks his spot he places it immaculately. That is his tenth goal scored. Moments later, Raheem Sterling, who deployed a false 9 position, hit the post after he was released by Mahrez wih a first time ball. Ever since David Luiz removed him from Bissaka’s pocket he has been missing, something Pep will be concerned by with his next game being against the Champions. But at this point the game was massively open, end-to-end stuff! Captain America caught Fernandinho ball watching once again and honestly did his best but what the hell was that clearance from Walker? That was pin point and even to have the pace to catch up, damn. Si bure Trent na Bissaka hawamtoi England squad.

But after Walker’s heroics, Fernandinho pulled a Suarez to put his team a goal down and a man down with 13 minutes of normal time to go. The now departing Willian dispatched it calmly for 2-1. At this point a goal up and a man up Chelsea had them exactly where they wanted them and just ran the clock down. But for the love of youth, that cross by Billy Gilmour to Pedro in the closing minutes really did show great potential. Based on the few games he’s played, I can safely say apart from Phil Foden, he’s looking like being the best English midfield youngster. The game ended and with it all hearts in Manchester broke because this result meant the scousers are Champions of England and the Cityzens will have to give them the guard of honor in their next game.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace.

I told y’all this looked like being a high scoring game but to be honest if you aren’t a Liverpool fan this was a really boring game to watch. In fact, I didn’t finish it so forgive me if this analysis is really thin. To be totally honest, this game was Liverpool from start to finish. Trent continued his dream season with a pin point free kick which put his side 1-0 up before Salah added to it after getting at the end of Fabinho’s immaculate pass. Fabinho himself got a goal from outside the box in the second half to give his team a 3 goal cushion. Salah played in his fellow winger to wrap up the points with a perfectly placed goal for 4-0.

With two screamers and two trade mark Liverpool goals from Salah and Mane, Klopp made sure than the Chelsea v City game the next day would be absolutely crucial, and so it was👀

Martial bags his first senior hat-trick against the blades.

Anthony Martial silenced his critics as he scored 3 goals for United in their first home game against Sheffield United side. This game showed just how clinical the number 9 could be when he actually has gifted play makers in Bruno and Pogba behind him. Marcus Rashford despite missing two absolute sitters, got 2 assists and looked sharp in that left wing position. Luke Shaw despite getting so much backlash was good. Aaron Wan Bissaka who ‘cannot offer anything offensively’ put in two crosses with Martial getting at the end of one of them for 2-0. But the goal to wrap up his treble absolutely personified Anthony Martial. Ice in his veins.

But apart from Martial, Bruno and Pogba who were absolutely sublime, Matic also put in a shift at Defensive mid. I guess it’s established the Bruno and Pogba can only play with an absolute wall behind them and Matic proved himself worthy. Mason Greenwood was quiet but offered more than Daniel James. All in all it was good to see that ManUnited can actually deliver against a team that sits back.

From a Sheffield point of view, it was such a lack luster performance from a team that rarely plays like that. Credit to United for capitalizing but it has to be said that Sheffield were woeful. The importance of Dean Henderson to their team really showed. It was so bad. Granted they had a lot of key players out but their performance was atrocious. They will have their players back for the next game so they will hope to bounce back.

Jose sinks West Ham further.

In the latest installment of the London Derby, Spurs came away with 2-0 win and more importantly Kane back on on the score sheet. It wasn’t the most watchable game but Spurs did enough to keep their top 4 hopes alive. Son thought he had broken the deadlock in the first half with a frankly good strike but VAR pulled it back for off side. But, in the second half Soucek put the ball in his own teams goal for 1-0 In the closing minutes, Son released Kane sumptuously, and one on one you wouldn’t back anyone else to put it away. But is has to be mentioned that despite the cool goal Kane still looked like a passenger in that team.

As Tottenham injected their top 4 bid with hope, West Ham sinked further into the relgeation battle and their fixtures really aren’t looking good. With another London Derby coming up, they will absolutely be scrapping at this point.

NOTABLE MENTIONS;

Arsenal get first W of the restart.

Arsenal’s academy players delivered to bag their first 3 points since the restart. Granted they had a helping hand from Alex McCarthy and Jack Stephens but credit to them for keeping their defensive line and put away two goals to put them 6 points behind 6th place. So as you guessed, no AFTV this week💔.

Wolves put away Bournemouth to go level on points with United.

I didn’t watch this game cause it was at the same time as the United Match but judging by the score line, I guess it was a pretty quiet one. But the goal was a classic Wolves goal. Traore cross into Jimenez and Jimenez puts it away. But damn, we talked about United with the top 4 race but Wolves are actually level on points with the red devils and don’t look like falling away at any time.

Other fixtures;

• Norwich 0-1 Everton.
• Burnley 1-0 Watford.
• Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa.

So, right now we live in a world where Liverpool FC are champions. But despite my seering hate for the club, it has to be said that they were out of this world this season and deserve no less. I’ll leave you with the video of the reds celebrating their first title in 30 years.

Thanks for reading, i’ll see you soon.