Premier League wrap – Gameweek 9

Gameweek 9 was relatively straight forward.  The bigger teams got their results this week.  Spurs went two points clear at the top of the table with their win over... Read more
Premier League wrap - Gameweek 9

Gameweek 9 was relatively straight forward.  The bigger teams got their results this week.  Spurs went two points clear at the top of the table with their win over Fulham while Chelsea’s surprise performance against Arsenal secured an important point at Stamford Bridge.

The weekend began with the Merseyside derby.  Liverpool would host Everton at Anfield, with the Reds looking for a return to winning ways and the Toffees needing points to climb towards safety.  The game started off evenly matched.  Liverpool were dominating possession but Everton were limiting their offensive opportunities.  Just after half-an-hour veteran Ashley Young was sent-off for a second yellow card offense after bringing down Luis Diaz.  Liverpool struggled to break down Sean Dyche’s side.  In the 75th minute a Michael Keane hand ball resulted in a penalty.  Mo Salah stepped up and converted.  In the 97th minute Liverpool countered off an Everton corner with Darwin Nunez putting it on a platter for Salah to score his second.  Liverpool won 2-0.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all got off to a great start by predicting a Liverpool win.  Dylan got the correct scoreline with his 2-0 prediction.

Brentford and Burnley faced off at the Gtech Community Stadium, with both teams needing a win after an inconsistent run of form.  This game was dominated by Thomas Frank’s Bees.  Yoanne Wissa scored in the 25th minute to make it 1-0.  The second half saw Brentford extend their control.  Bryan Mbeumo made it 2-0 just after the 60 minute mark.  Burnley’s hopes were shattered when Connor Roberts was given his marching orders just 15 minutes later.  Brentford sealed the three points with their third goal just before full-time thanks to Saman Ghoddos.  Brentford won 3-0.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all correctly predicted a Brentford win.

Wolves travelled to Bournemouth with the Cherries desperately needing to get three points on the board.  Bournemouth went ahead early thanks to English striker Dominic Solanke.  The second half whistle began a nightmare half for Bournemouth.  Wolves equalized less than two minutes in, thanks to Mattheus Cunha.  Almost five mutes later Bournemouth were down to 10 men after Lewis Cook was sent-off.  Wolves struggled to break down the home-side but did not give up.  Sasa Kalajdzic’s 88th minute winner secured three points for Wolves.  Wolves won 2-1.

The MoneyMan was off with his prediction of a Bournemouth win.  Oliver was also off with his call of a draw.  Dylan got this one correct, predicting a 2-1 Wolves win.

Nottingham Forest and Luton continued the comeback narrative of the weekend.  Forest dominated early on but struggled to make it count.  The hosts started the second half strong and went ahead thanks to Chris Wood in the 48th minute.  Wood secured his brace to double Forest’s lead with just 15 minutes left to play.  Luton looked dead and buried, but if there is one thing we can give the Hatters credit for, it is their spirit.  Chiedozie Ogbene pulled one back in the 83rd minute before Elijah Adebayo equalized in the 92nd minute. The final score was 2-2.

The MoneyMan and Dylan both backed Forest at home.  They were wrong to write off Luton.  Oliver was correct predicting a draw.

An exciting game for the neutral, Manchester City and Brighton played out a thrilling encounter.  City had to respond after two defeats on the bounce while Brighton were also two rounds without a win.  Pep Guardiola’s side came out firing with Julian Alvarez putting them in the lead just seven minutes in.  10 minutes later the lead was doubled after Erling Haaland superbly finished from the edge of the box.  Brighton were not out the game.  Kaoru Mitoma caused Kyle Walker massive problems throughout the 90 and was rewarded when he assisted Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati with 20 minutes left on the clock.  Brighton continued to push but City held on.  Manuel Akanji was the fourth player of the weekend to be sent off after receiving a second yellow in extra-time.  Manchester City won 2-1.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all correctly predicted a Manchester City win.

Newcastle hosted a tricky Crystal Palace at St James’ Park with the Magpies coming into this fixture with some huge results behind them.  There is not much to say about this game other than Newcastle were totally dominant.  Jacob Murphy scored the opener after just four minutes.  Anthony Gordon made it 2-0 in the 44th minute before Sean Longstaff made it three in added-time.  The second half was more of the same and Callum Wilson scored Newcastle’s fourth in the 66th minute.  Newcastle won 4-0.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all correctly predicted a Newcastle win.

The biggest game of the weekend was at Stamford Bridge.  Chelsea would look to send a message in their biggest London derby of the season against the Gunners.  Chelsea started well.  Cole Palmer converted a controversial penalty in the 15th minute.  Arsenal struggled to create a consistent attacking threat.  The second half  began similar to the first, well for Chelsea.  Mykhailo Mudryk scored in the 48th minute to make it 2-0.  The Gunners did not give-up and showed their quality.  Declan Rice capitalized off an error from Robert Sanchez to score from range.  2-1 to Chelsea with 15 minutes to play.  Arsenal were now controlling possession and the pressure was being felt by the homeside.  Leandro Trossard scored the equalizer in the 84th minute.  The final score was 2-2.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan didn’t give Chelsea a chance, all three incorrectly predicted an Arsenal win.

Another relatively straightforward fixture, Sheffield United travelled to Old Trafford.  Scott McTominay made it three  goals in two games when he put the Red Devils ahead in the 24th minute.  Just five minutes later, Sheffield won a penalty which was well converted by Oli McBurnie.  At this point it looked like Erik Ten Hag’s side would fumble once again, with Sheffield holding on for a point.  Diogo Dalot came to the rescue with 10 minutes to play, securing a much needed three points for United.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all correctly predicted a Manchester United victory.

Aston Villa met West Ham at Villa Park with both sides finding impressive results so far this season.  Douglas Luiz had a man of the match performance.  The Brazilian scored Villa’s first and second on either side of haltime.  Jarrod Bowen made it 2-1 in the 56th minute, but this was the last moment of joy the Hammers felt for the rest of the game.  Ollie Watkins scored in the 74th minute to make it 3-1.  Jamaican Leon Bailey sentenced David Moyes’s side to an embarassing defeat when he made it 4-1 just before full-time.  Aston Villa won 4-1.

The MoneyMan and Dylan both correctly backed an Aston Villa win, while Oliver was incorrect with his call for a West Ham win.

The final game of the round was another London Derby, Spurs vs Fulham.  Fulham struggled to get any sort of momentum, Spurs were comfortably in control.  Son Heung-Min scored in the 36th minute to make it 1-0.  The second half saw Fulham create more chances but ultimately they were not good enough.  James Maddison made it 2-0 in the 54th minute and Fulham could not fight back.  Spurs won 2-0.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan were all correct with their prediction of a Tottenham win.

Dylan had a great week, getting eight calls correct.  The MoneyMan and Oliver both had good rounds, getting seven calls correct.  Oliver maintains his lead and now sits on 52.  The MoneyMan is still in second with 50 and Dylan is in third with 47.

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