ASTON VILLA 1 V 6 MANCHESTER CITY
Sergio Aguero scored his 12th hat-trick to become the highest overseas goalscorer in Premier League history in rampant Manchester City’s six-goal hammering of struggling Aston Villa.
Only three men Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole, are still ahead of him on the all-time Premier League list. Aguero’s number of hat-tricks is a Premier League record.
It was part of a merciless City performance as they took apart a Villa side who were suffering their worst defeat since Liverpool beat them at 6-0 at Villa Park in February 2016 and have dropped into the relegation zone.
Riyad Mahrez scored the first two, with Gabriel Jesus splitting Aguero’s double just before half-time.
The result leaves City second, the highest position they have occupied following a full round of matches since the beginning of November, although they remain 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game more.
Manchester City was outstanding whilst Aston Villa was woeful, with very little resistance shown to an absolute battering.
Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyLyGNTo93Q
BOURNEMOUTH 0 V 3 WATFORD
The last six games under new manager Pearson have been remarkable for Watford, goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure, Troy Deeney and substitute Roberto Pereyra secured a comfortable victory at the Vitality Stadium to lift them above their opponents into 17th place.
The win also means the Hornets have collected 13 points from six Premier League matches since Nigel Pearson’s appointment last month to raise hopes of avoiding relegation.
Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouRxX2Z1iZ0
CRYSTAL PALACE 1 V 1 ARSENAL
Jordan Ayew’s deflected equaliser earned Crystal Palace a point at home against Arsenal, who had goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sent off by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Arsenal Captain Aubameyang scored one and was sent off in a typical London Derby game.
But Jordan Ayew brought Palace level after the break, his goal-bound effort leaving Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno with little chance after bouncing off David Luiz.
Aubameyang was then sent off following a lunging tackle which caught Max Meyer on the left ankle, VAR overturning the initial yellow card he was awarded by referee Paul Tierney.
Arsenal manager Arteta remains without an away win in the league since taking over as manager on 20 December., whilst Palace, remain ninth in the Premier League table, one place above the Arsenal.
Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsvwajK8aPQ
CHELSEA 3 V 0 BURNLEY
Chelsea have struggled to maintain a decent home form recently, losing to three sides near the relegation zone, as part of a run of five defeats in nine games.
And it seemed like nothing had changed as they struggled to break down a well-organised Burnley in the opening 25 minutes until Matt Lowton’s reckless sliding tackle on Willian enabled Jorginho to open the scoring from the penalty spot, visiting keeper Nick Pope then allowed Tammy Abraham’s close-range header to evade his grasp and find the net to give the Blues a grip on the game.
Already assured of being fourth in the league regardless of Saturday’s result, Chelsea’s win ensures they preserve a five-point cushion between themselves and Manchester United, who lead the pack below them chasing Champions League qualification.
Click here for the goals -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRSVFpRAsjM
EVERTON 1 V 0 BRIGHTON
Everton deservedly took the lead after 38 minutes thanks to the superb skill of Brazilian forward Richarlison, who controlled Lucas Digne’s pass, swivelled and curled an effort low into the far corner past Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
Everton thought they had doubled their lead in the second half when Dominic Calvert-Lewin bundled the ball over the line but a video assistant referee (VAR) check disallowed the goal for handball.
VAR had earlier been called into action when Theo Walcott broke through on goal four minutes in, before appearing to be pulled back by Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk inside the box.
But the penalty appeal was waved away, much to the dismay of a packed Goodison Park.
The win for Carlo Ancelotti’s side means they are 11th, level on 28 points with Arsenal.
Brighton, who remain without a victory at Goodison Park, are four points above the relegation zone in 14th place.
Click here for the goals -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE7GYWUHQBI
LEICESTER CITY 1 V 2 SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton was clearly motivated by revenge after their 9-0 thrashing by Leicester City in the home game earlier in the season, as they claimed a surprise win at King Power Stadium.
Leicester who were looking for a third successive league win, took an early lead when Dennis Praet tapped in his first goal for the club.
But any thoughts of another easy victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side were quickly dispelled when Stuart Armstrong equalised with a deflected shot.
Danny Ings, who has now scored 10 goals in his last 10 league starts, was a thorn in Leicester’s side all afternoon and had already struck the crossbar twice, he slotted through Kasper Schmeichel’s legs late on, to grab all three points.
Leicester thought they had salvaged a draw with a 90th-minute equaliser from Jonny Evans but the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled it out for offside.
Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zy6VHL-qnU
MANCHESTER UNITED 4 V 0 NORWICH
Marcus Rashford marked his 200th Manchester United appearance in style by scoring twice as the Red Devils returned to winning ways by easily despatching bottom-of-the-table Norwich.
Rashford, 22, became the third-youngest player to reach the landmark for the club and opened the scoring in the first half by stabbing home Juan Mata’s deep cross to the back post.
United dominated possession throughout the game and was rampant in the second half, England international Rashford netting his second after Brandon Williams was brought down in the box by Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul.
Anthony Martial, who is also closing in on a double century of United games, rose highest to nod in from another inch-perfect Mata cross to seal victory before the hour mark, then Mason Greenwood came off the bench to stroke in a lovely fourth.
United move back into fifth place, five points behind Chelsea, while the Canaries remain rooted to the foot of the division, along with seven points from safety having played a game more than the three teams above them.
Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWSrDhDCna8
WOLVES 1 V 1 NEWCASTLE
This was the bore draw of the week’s games, Miguel Almiron put Newcastle in front before
Leander Dendoncker’s equaliser from Joao Moutinho’s corner should have been the catalyst for Wolves to go on and win the game, but the game just fizzled out.
Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwLkYQieli8
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 V 1 LIVERPOOL
I was at the new THFC Stadium for this game, it was an incredible atmosphere and an enjoyable game. Liverpool was overall the better side, but Spurs unsettled them and had opportunities to have grabbed a point from the game.
Roberto Firmino’s first-half goal ensured the European champions opened up a 16-point lead over Leicester City at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Liverpool is phenomenal at the moment, amassing 104 points across their last 38 Premier League matches, scoring in all 21 of their matches this term.
Brazil forward Firmino’s goal came after he turned Spurs’ young debutant Japhet Tanganga and beat Paulo Gazzaniga with a sweet left-foot strike to give the visitors a deserved lead.
However, Liverpool was then grateful for poor finishing from Jose Mourinho’s side in order to record another victory on their seemingly relentless march to the first title in three decades.
Son Heung-Min and substitute Giovani lo Celso missed excellent second-half chances to give Spurs some reward for a performance that certainly made it a victory that Liverpool had to go out in the end.
Click here for the goals -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDORnfyW6A0
I got four correct results this week, ‘Can do better my teacher would have said’ 🙂
Please see following my week 23 & 24 predictions
Watford 1 v 3 Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal 2 v 1 Sheffield United
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 v 2 Aston Villa
Manchester City 3 v 1 Crystal Palace
Norwich City 2 v 1 AFC Bournemouth
Southampton 2 v 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
West Ham United 2 v 1 Everton
Newcastle United1 v 3 Chelsea
Burnley 1 v 2 Leicester City
Liverpool 2 v 1 Manchester United
WEEK 24
Aston Villa 2 V 1 Watford
AFC Bournemouth 2 V 1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Crystal Palace 2 V 1 Southampton
Everton 2 V 1 Newcastle United
Sheffield United 1 V 3 Manchester City
Chelsea 2 V 1 Arsenal
Leicester City 2 V 1 West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur4 V 1 Norwich City
Manchester United 3 V 1 Burnley
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 V 3 Liverpool
Have a good week,
Gary