GW 32 Review

This has been by far the most eventful game week since the restart and we can see that the players are getting back into their rhythm. Lets analyse it further.

The Defending Champions batter the current Champions.

This was by far the most anticipated game of the game week. Newly crowned Liverpool traveled to The Emptyhad to take on their predecessors. 2nd took on 1st. Manchester City last time out practically handed over the trophy in a loss to Chelsea and subsequently had to do the guard of honor for the reds. But they sure didn’t show them any respect on the pitch. The game started with some mad intensity before Joe Gomez brought down Sterling to give away a spot kick. These things are written in the stars, it just had to be Joe Gomez on Sterling😂 De Bryne put in the net for 1-0. That’s when City’s fun started. Sterling and Foden absolutely exposed Trent and Robertson for the suspect wing backs they are. I’ve always made my opinions clear about what I think of these two, going forward no one comes close to them but in terms of old school defending i’d take Bissaka and Walker over Trent, perhaps Robertson is a bit better but In this game he was absolutely missing. For the second goal Liverpool were absolutely opened up before Sterling made it 2 in 2 by slotting it in the left corner. But the 3rd City goal, though a clinical finishing from Foden, was shambolic defending from our current Champions. Like what was Robertson doing running into absolutely no man’s land giving the 20 year old acres of space when it was slotted to him by Kevin De Bryne. By half time, Liverpool’s heads were already guillotine it was just the issue of how many goals they would be put to the sword by. But the Cityzens were in the mood and were looking to make a massive statement. Liverpool on the other hand would have to get their act together and stop drowning in their hangovers if they were to leave Manchester with any of their dignity.

The second half started as the first. Utter and complete dominance from the blues. Liverpool however were looking leggy and out of it. Mane was blessed with an absolute sitter from Henderson but how that ball went through his legs, I don’t know! Sterling managed to get the last laugh on the night as his arch nemesis was taken off at the break. But Sterling would make even his sub pay when he forced an own goal to compound Liverpool’s misery

Wow so much abuse in here 😂😂😂 its just a game people, you win some, you lose some 🤷🏾‍♂️

— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) July 2, 2020

Trent was there to back his center back by starting petty fights with Sterling but he was lucky not to have been made to pay when he executed a horrible throw in to give his opponents a chance which lucky for him was not converted. Foden put in a quite a shift but he was unlucky to be the reason for the disallowed goal by Riyad Mahrez which would have made it 5-0 but it wasn’t to be. Little matter though because Pep made his statement and even left Klopp speechless and unable to understand Englsh.

West ham comeback against Chelsea to keep their hopes alive.

Another thrilling derby. This game was not one sided, not even close! Looking at it, it could have ended either way. It started as expected The Blues dominant but like in their two previous matches they couldn’t make their advantage tangible with a goal. But bizzare defending from Azpilicueta seemed to give West Ham the lead through Soucek but VAR came to the rescue for Lampard’s team. Antonio’s head was deemed off side or he was in the line of sight of keeper Kepa, it wasn’t so clear the reason for the decision but the goal was disallowed which in my opinion was harsh. Not so many minutes later, Diop made a cynical challenge in the box to give Chelsea a penalty. It is never in doubt when Willian steps up. So 1-0 up, they just had to make it to half time with their clean sheet intact, right? Wrong. They conceded the same exact positioned goal from the set piece by the same man. What was Azpi doing marking Soucek at the far post in the first place. It was a total mismatch. In my opinion, Tammy should have been the one marking Soucek and Azpi at the goal line beause he would have easily made that goal line clearance. Where’s Walker when you need him ? But yes, all square at the break.

The second period began a bit equal with the pressure mostly on West Ham but that in turn gave West Ham some space and Antonio’s hold up play was absolutely impeccable. But his hold up play would give him great returns when the ball was fizzed into his feet but he couldn’t sort out his feet and went down for a ‘penalty’ but when the ball was kept moving by Bowen he got up and finished the move with a tap in to score his 3rd goal of the season and give Jared Bowen his second assist of the night. 2-1 with 40 minutes to go West Ham still had a lot of work to do. In response to going behind, Frank Lampard made 3 quick fire changes with Mount, Kovacic and Lofus-Cheek coming on. At this point it was Defence v Attack with Antonio trying to make the most of the loose balls. Chelsea’s intense pressure was rewarded with a free kick when Pulisic was fouled at the edge of the box by Mason Mount’s best mate, Declan Rice. Willian’s pin point accuracy sent the ball off the post and into the net to level the scores with his second of the night. 6 minutes later, Yarmolenko came on for Bowen. Now it was looking like being Chelsea’s night as they compounded the pressure further with the hope of getting all three points but Alas even the one was at risk. One move. One Counter. Declan Rice just rifled the ball out of his defensive half and Antonio’s strength and ability to hold up the ball would come to Haunt the Londoners when Antonio spotted Yarmolenko in absolute space I don’t even know where Alonso was but Yarmolenko cut into his stronger left foot, sat Rudiger down and absolutely placed the ball into the bottom left corner to complete their double over Chelsea for the first time since 2003. This showing highlighted Chelsea defensive frailties particularly on that left side which was a wake up call that though they’ve done good business already with Werner and Ziyech there are still some reinforcements to be brought in the back. As for their London rivals, this was a priceless win that sent them three points clear at the bottom of the table with a good run of games coming for them. Things are looking up. Though it took 6 years, David Moyes finally got a positive result for ManUnited🙏😂

Everton hold on for three points againt losing Leicester.

Everton held on in the second half to deny Leicester a point at Goodison. In a game that started at a fast pace, Everton found themselves 2-0 up within 20 minutes through goals from Richarlison and Sigurdsson. The first of which was a brilliant cut back from youngster Gordon for Richarlison who wasn’t missing from that distance. 6 minutes later, A lengthy VAR checked decided that Wilfred Ndidi handled the ball in the area and awarded a spot kick which was converted by the Icelander to put his team in pole position.To be fair Leicester didn’t play too bad in the first half but they still went in behind.

Brendan Rodger’s team came out of the blocks quickly as posiible and his substitutions helped as Kelechi Iheanacho pulled one back to make the last 40 minutes interesting. James Maddison tapped into his early season form to help his side but the final product lacked. The introduction of Yerry Mina sured up Everton and maintained Carlo Ancelloti’s unbeaten run in the league. Richarlison however limped off in the 57th minute which will be a worry for the Toffees. Leicester also have their own underlying issues, now just two points from a possible 9 since the restart. They were lucky to finish 3rd at the end of the night but with Wolves and United piling up the pressure, they really do need to pull up their socks.

Greenwood floats United to Victory versus Brighton.

Just 3 days after playing 120 minutes at Carrow road United traveled to the south coast to take on rejuvenated Brighton. Since the restart Brighton had already took points off Arsenal and Leicester and were looking to cause another upset. United however have been on the up and up and fielded their strongest eleven including Bruno, Maguire and Shaw who played all 2 hours up at Carrow road.

United started on the front foot as expected with the Pogba-Bruno link up being evident once again. They reaped the results of their dominance when Bissaka slid the ball into Mason Greenwood who after a few step overs slotted it in past Matt Ryan for 1-0. I do think the stick Aaron Wan- Bissaka gets might just stop cause that’s now 2 assists in two. At this point United looked utterly dominant and a series of controversial moves led to their second goal of the night scored by sensation Bruno Fernandes, though deflected. About 30 seconds before, Mason Greenwood failed to keep the ball in play but the official on the far side let play go on. But it was 30 seconds, surely that was good enough for the seagulls to get their shape back.

After the break United sealed the win with a quick fire counter attack. Alright, many people have been arguing between this counter and the West Ham which one was better cause they were very similar. With the Matic passing to Green wood coinciding with Rice passing to Antonio. Well West Ham’s was much more dramatic but personally I think the United one was better cause first of all I think Brighton had more men back secondly the flighted ball by Mason Greenwood was much better than the ball to Yarmolenko. (BUT TAKE NOTHING AWAY FROM THE WEST HAM COUNTER) And what about the Finish from Fernandes, beaut. So good it was nominated for Goal of the month ahah but I don’t think it was, Neto has to take that one.

But now the ball was in the court of the second best defence in the league to hold it down and so to the under pressure De gea who made two immaculate saves to ease the fire on him. I just have to say that with all the criticism Shaw and Maguire have been getting they’ve been so influential the past few games. With results going their way, United are now just 3 points off 3rd spot. All things are looking up in Manchester.

Sheffield Surprise Spurs.

Ok the title may be a bit much, but to be honest, I did not expect that. Taking into account the start of Spurs which honestly was not a bad one at all. Brgwijn looked dangerous and so to did Lo Celso. It does have to be said though Spurs defence really let them down. Cause hio mbuzi walipelekwa na Sheffield for the first goal was so predictable. Aurier completely switched off. Back again with defensive minded wing backs, he is not one ! Take nothing away from Berge’s shot. This is where the controversy started. Less than 2 minutes later, Kane slots it in past Dean Henderson for 1-1 but VAR disallows it for a handball by Lucas Moura who WAS THE ONE FOULED. You could clearly see that the ref played the advantage to Spurs so I really didn’t get that decision but you have to play to the whistle and Spurs didn’t do that. Their defence switched off the rest of the game and the attack wasn’t innovative enough. They conceded 2 sloppy goals on either wing. Credit to Sheffield though, solid at the back and clinical at the front. Kane scored a consolation but it was too little too late. Spurs were left with their tails between their legs and even though Jose doesn’t want to get in trouble by talking about refs, his team are already in it.

Arteta unleashes his Arsenal on Norwich.

Though literally all results went my way this weekend, the cherry on this cake was to be AFTV content but it was not to be cause Arsenal were simply scintillating! I think Premier league keepers congregated and decided to give Arsenal a lifeline, cause first McCarthy now Tim Krul? Credit to Aubameyang for putting it into an empty net at a comfortable angle😂 Jokes, jokes I can’t put dirt on the name of Arsenal this gameweek. they were good for their 4-0 win. I didn’t watch this game but what I can say is Arteta is finaly getting his groove back and his star man bagged his 50th and 51st goals in premier league and is looking on course for his second consecutive golden boot. Even Cedric Soares managed to score and Xhaka too put the ball in the back of the net after Auba layed the ball perfectly for him. The pieces look to be falling into place for Mikel but with a tough run coming can he keep it up?

The Wolves keep themselves in the chasing pack as Dendoncker drowns Dean.

In the first match of the game week, a rather boring one, Wolves temporarily leap frogged United into fifth to keep themselves very much in the thick of it. As soon as Traore came on he was influential, as Doherty placed the ball in the back of the net to give his team an advantage. Villa however could not stage any form of a comeback and with games against Liverpool and United coming up, they look all but doomed.

OTHER GAMES;

• Bournemouth 1-4 Newcastle, Saint Maximin😍
• Watford 1-3 Southampton
• Crystal Palace 0-1 Burnley.

By the way, Real Madrid look in pole position to end their La Liga title drought after Barcelona blew two leads against Athletico Madrid and Real Madrid secured three points to go four points clear at the top. There’s some active distress going on at Barcelona. The fan base is actually fuming cause of the Pjanic-Arthur swap. They seem so angry at the board and also the manager. Actually while writing this, I actually got a report that Messi isn’t pleased and is looking to leave when his contract runs out in 2021. If the Catalan’s don’t make a worthy run in The Champions league the Spanish titans will record one of their worst seasons. As for Real Madrid, the title is there’s to loose at this point and with UCL looking unlikely, they too really need this win.

I know it’s been a long one, and if you got this far, you’re a real one.

Thanks for reading and see you soon❤