After a two week long international break, players, staff and fans alike were all eager to have Premier League football back this weekend. When a team is struggling, they try to use the international break as a lifeline to stop the tailspin. When a team is in a rich vein of form, oftentimes they do not want the international break to halt their momentum. Both of these circumstances took place during this round of fixtures.
It took 12 weeks, but the first manager of this season got sacked after the last round of fixtures. Struggling Fulham parted ways with Slavisa Jokanovic after he helped guide them to promotion last season. It appears that he could not meet the challenge of the Premier League.
Former Cardiff and current Fulham owner Shahid Khan elected to go with Italian Claudio Ranieri as Jokanovic's replacement. Ranieri will forever go down in history as the manager that lead Leicester City to their unlikely Premier League title in 2015-2016, which is often identified as the greatest underdog success in sports history.
Fueled by the euphoria of Ranieri's appointment combined with two weeks to prepare, Fulham halted their losing skid with a thrilling 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers Southampton in a game that featured a number of stunning goals. The saints were led by midfielder Stuart Armstrong, who netted the opening goal and the equalizing goal at 2-2. However, it was Ranieri's day. Perhaps what is most promising is Alexsandre Mitrovic's return to the goals, as he netted a brace of his own. Wonderboy Ryan Sessegnon added what has to be considered his best match in the Premier League, as he contributed a brace of assists. Not only did Fulham score goals, but they played pretty, fluid football. This win brings them even on points with Southampton and Cardiff but still leaves them bottom on goal difference.
Southampton have quietly been having a miserable season. They are the only team in the competition to have only won one match, and despite drawing five matches, they now find themselves in the relegation zone yet again. After a relegation scare last season, Saints fans were hoping for a different story this season.
In other news near the bottom of the table, Huddersfield Town impressed again. The Terriers captured their first away win of the season behind a spirited performance from Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy. Mooy struck a brilliant finish from the top of the box early on, and struck an even better pinpoint freekick over the wall to seal the match in the second half. An absurd goal-line clearance from Philip Billing reminded us that every centimeters matters in the Premier League. This is the first time Huddersfield had scored more than one goal in 23 matches, and they have now taken seven points from a possible nine their last three matches. It is difficult to see them go down if they continue to play like this.
Wolves, on the other hand, are faltering. They have taken one point from their last possible 15, losing four and drawing one. Despite relative success in front of goal, the defending has been lackluster and lazy in recent weeks from Wanderers.
A month ago many people saw a struggling Newcastle United as favorites to go down. Now, after dispatching Burnley 2-1, Newcastle possess the second longest win streak (3) in the division, only behind Manchester City and find themselves in 13th. Burnley have only taken one point out of their last five matches, and sit one point and one position above the drop zone. Last years shock side seems to have lost their identity a bit, as they are leaking goals despite Joe Hart leading the PL in saves (54).
Cardiff's struggles continued as they fell to a Gylfi Sigurdsson's Everton. Everton and Jordan Pickford kept their fourth clean sheet of the season as they elevated to 6th in the table. Crystal Palace took a great point off of Manchester United at Old Trafford. Most of the better chances fell to the Eagle, but both goalkeepers were called upon to make big saves. This point keeps Palace a point above the relegation zone.
The biggest headline at the top of the table has to belong to Spurs this week. Harry Kane and company hosted Chelsea at Wembley, and promptly handed the blues their first loss of the season. This ends the historic streak of three teams being undefeated at 12 matches.
But this was a masterclass by Tottenham. The hosts were ahead inside 10' and had doubled the lead quickly after. Son Heung-Min provided one of the goals of the season, as he made an individual run from half-field to eventually slot past Kepa in the Chelsea goal. Spurs clean sheet was only undone 5' from time, and this was nothing but a constellation goal for Chelsea. Spurs will take pride in ending Chelsea's streak, but even more importantly, Tottenham hops them in the table and now sits in 3rd.
Liverpool kept pace with City as they avoided a scare against Watford. Despite being frustrated for the first two-thirds of the match by Ben Foster and company, Liverpool's powerful offense came alive to ensure all three points. Mohamed Salah broke the deadlock with his seventh goal of the season. Youngster and recent Three Lions debutant Trent Alexander-Arnold put the game out of reach with a stunning free kick, and then poacher Roberto Firmino added a three to ice the game.
Manchester City did not let the international break ruin their momentum. They continued their run of wins with a comprehensive beatdown of West Ham United, who themselves had not been playing terribly before the break. The Champions had no problem going into London Stadium and having their way, specifically German winger Leroy Sane, how showed brilliantly for himself with two goals, one of which came on a nasty turn inside the box. City are the pace-setters, but Liverpool continue to show that they are in the fight for the long haul. Despite City having a superior goal difference by 14, both sides have only conceded five goals through 13 matches, and impressive tally.
Veteran Glenn Murray nodded Brighton in front against Leicester, as he scored his 101st goal for the club. Despite getting sent off for a second yellow card on James Maddison's return to the side—for diving of all things—Leicester were offered a lifeline in the second half when Israeli international Beram Kayal hauled down a Leicester player in the penalty area. Substitute Jamie Vardy calmly slotted the penalty past Matty Ryan and each team had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Arsenal broke a run of three straight draws as they handed Bournemouth their third-straight loss at the Vitality stadium on Sunday. Despite their best efforts, the Cherries could not recover from an early Jefferson Lerma rocket of an own-goal. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's league-leading eighth goal (even with Sergio Aguero) won the game for Arsenal, although Lerma did his best to atone for his error when he struck the post with a blazing shot from 30 yards in the 85'. What will be promising for Bournemouth fans is the continued contributions of promising youngster David Brooks, who registered an assist in the loss.
Interesting Stat:
—After matchweek 13, Manchester United, currently sitting on 21 points in 7th, are now closer in points to the foot of the table (13) than 1st place (14).
Other Interesting Links:
Kommentare