ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 13 ROUND UP

In his first press conference as Spurs manager, Jose Mourinho said that Spurs can win the title next season 🙂

There are exciting times ahead for the Spurs fans 🙂

Me, Francesco Toldo and Jose Mourinho together as managers of the Spurs Legends v Inter Milan Legends, at the opening of the New THFC Stadium.

SHEFFIELD UNITED 3 V 3 MANCHESTER UNITED

Wow, for the neutral this was an exciting game.

Manchester United were woeful for 80 minutes of the game and had 10 decent minutes, this is not acceptable for a team with the qualities that United have.

Sheffield United scored a dramatic late equaliser to salvage a point against Manchester United after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had recovered from two goals down to lead at Bramall Lane.

Oliver McBurnie’s 90th-minute strike was awarded following a nervous wait as the video assistant referee reviewed the goal for a potential handball as the forward controlled Callum Robinson’s cross.

Three goals in a blistering seven minutes appeared to have rescued Solskjaer’s largely lacklustre side, who looked all but beaten after Lys Mousset added to John Fleck’s opener for Chris Wilder’s side seven minutes after the interval.

But 19-year-old left-back Brandon Williams’ goal after 72 minutes sparked the visitors into life before substitute Mason Greenwood levelled and Marcus Rashford sent the visitors ahead.

In a remarkable game, the Blades dominated their opponents for long periods and looked set for a first league win over Manchester United since 1992.

David de Gea had already produced fine saves to keep out John Lundstram and David McGoldrick when Mousset robbed Phil Jones in the build-up to the opener.

Mousset teed up Lundstram, whose shot was saved by De Gea before Fleck bundled home the rebound.

It went from bad to worse for Solskjaer’s side as Mousset beat De Gea with a sumptuous drilled finish from outside the penalty area.

However, the visitors turned the game on its head, as Williams produced a clever first-time finish before Greenwood scored from close range.

England forward Rashford thought he had won it 11 minutes from time after rounding off a fine move by tucking home from eight yards, only for McBurnie to level, after a lengthy check by the video assistant referee to see if the Scotland striker had handled before scoring.

Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=268Gv2FLuGk

WEST HAM UNITED 2 V 3 SPURS

In his first game in charge, Jose had a winning start as Tottenham manager with a 3-2 London derby triumph over West Ham at London Stadium.

First-half goals from Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura and a third from Harry Kane four minutes after the break gave Tottenham their first Premier League away win since 20 January.

It was about as comfortable as Mourinho could have hoped for after a tumultuous week.

The result piles pressure on West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, whose side have now collected two points from their last seven games.

Under-fire keeper Roberto made an error for Son’s opener and the hosts were booed off at half-time.

Late goals from substitute Michail Antonio and Angelo Ogbonna gave the final scoreline a flattering look, but Spurs deserved the victory against a poor and defeated West Ham team.

Click here for that Mourinho smile, the Chosen one is back – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z9TOwgNxGY

ARSENAL 2 V 2 SOUTHAMPTON

Arsenal’s winless run continued as they drew against Southampton to increase the pressure on manager Unai Emery.

The result leaves the Gunners in seventh, nine points worse off than at the corresponding stage last term, while the Saints remain 19th.

Emery’s side, who were second best throughout, were booed off at the final whistle after delivering a disjointed performance which suggests they may struggle to compete for a place in the top four this season, their only chance of having a top-four finish is to sack Emery and bring someone in that can unify what looks like a rudderless squad of players.

Danny Ings early goal had put the visitors in front, with the forward catching the home defence asleep to race onto Ryan Bertrand’s free-kick and score with a right-foot shot from close range. That set the tone for what was to follow, with the visitors wasting several good chances to extend their lead before Alexandre Lacazette turned in a close-range equaliser.

The goal did little to kick-start Arsenal though, who fell behind for a second time when James Ward-Prowse scored on the rebound after seeing his second-half penalty saved by home goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Not even Lacazette’s second goal of the day, which came late in stoppage time, could raise spirits at the Emirates, with the forward appearing embarrassed to celebrate.

Arsenal made Southampton look like a top-four side, no disrespect for the Saints, but this shows the slippery slide that the Gunners are on.

Emery look away – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXMN5dvFP4E

BOURNEMOUTH 1 V 2 WOLVES

Wolves moved up to fifth in the Premier League as first-half goals from Joao Moutinho and Raul Jimenez earned Nuno Espirito Santo’s side victory at 10-man Bournemouth.

Moutinho’s sublime free-kick put the visitors ahead at Vitality Stadium before Jimenez doubled their advantage from close range following fine play from Adama Traore.

The Cherries’ afternoon went from bad to worse when Simon Francis, making his first Premier League start since Boxing Day, was dismissed for a second bookable offence eight minutes before half-time.

Diogo Jota had the ball in Bournemouth’s net again five minutes after the restart, but the Portuguese’s effort was disallowed for offside in the build-up.

The hosts, to their credit, threw caution to the wind in the second half and pulled a goal back through Steve Cook’s deflected header, but Wolves held on for all three points.

The results extend wolves unbeaten league run to eight games, while Bournemouth drop into the bottom half of the table.

Click here for the highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2uEt7kNUiY

BRIGHTON 0 V 2 LEICESTER CITY

Jamie Vardy maintained his brilliant scoring streak as Leicester beat Brighton for their fifth successive Premier League win to strengthen their hold on the second spot.

Vardy has been key to the Foxes’ form and he once again was the shining light on a dark, rainy day on the south coast, it can only get darker for Leicester if Vardy gets injured, as he is the catalyst for this Leicester side.

Vardy unselfishly for a striker, set up Ayoze Perez for the 64th-minute opener after swift counter-attack and then added the second from the spot, after his initial spot-kick, saved and headed in by James Maddison, had to be retaken for encroachment.

Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hnSGtA3XUU

CRYSTAL PALACE 1 V 2 LIVERPOOL

Despite a well below par performance, Liverpool continues to steamroll the Premier League.

Sadio Mane put the Reds in front before Wilfried Zaha goal gave Palace a chance to rescue a point for the Eagles. Zaha’s 82nd-minute goal was his first of the season, but then

Roberto Firmino scored the winner five minutes from time as the Reds maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool, who rested Mohamed Salah, have now gone 30 games unbeaten in the Premier League and have dropped only two points in the league all season.

But they were also helped when Palace defender James Tomkins had a goal ruled out in first-half stoppage time by the video assistant referee after Jordan Ayew was adjudged to have fouled Dejan Lovren.

Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxTlNKSgOvY

EVERTON 0 V 2 NORWICH CITY

Da Silva’s time is limited at Everton, at the start of the season, looking at their squad I thought that they would be pushing for a top-four finish, however, manager Da Silva has failed to get his players to play as a team, lifeless individuals going through the motions has been what Everton have been about for most of this season, they are far better players than this, but they need a manager who is going to bring the team together and motivate them.

Struggling Norwich dictated the game and condemned Silva’s side to their seventh defeat of the season through second-half goals from Todd Cantwell and Dennis Srbeny.

Everton lacked threat throughout and came closest to scoring when Cenk Tosun’s shot in the second half was turned away by Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul.

Everton’s third home loss of the current campaign saw them slip to 15th place, while Norwich, who were bottom of the Premier League at kick-off, moved up to 18th.

Everton fans look away – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGC7j82-9gk

WATFORD 0 V 3 BURNLEY

This was a woeful Watford performance, the Watford faithful should be offered their ticket money back, as the lask of passion and desire in this Watford side was on the show, and gave Burnley their first away win in seven attempts this season. Burnley strike partners Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes both scored second-half goals to secure three points at Vicarage Road and leave Watford at the bottom of the table.

In torrential rain, the Clarets soaked up all the pressure the Hornets had to offer before pouncing early in the second half when Wood hooked home a loose ball from a corner.

Barnes scored from the penalty spot with eight minutes left after VAR deemed Jose Holebas had fouled the Burnley forward.

James Tarkowski put the gloss on Burnley’s victory late on, forcing home a rebound after his first effort had been well saved by Ben Foster.

Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOsdBcdCwWw

MANCHESTER CITY 2 V 1 CHELSEA

Premier League champions Manchester City got back to winning ways by coming from behind to beat in-form Chelsea in an entertaining game.

The visitors, who had won their previous seven away games, led when N’Golo Kante slipped the ball past Ederson from Mateo Kovacic’s aerial pass.

At that stage, City was facing back-to-back Premier League defeats which would have left them 12 points behind leaders Liverpool and given them an uphill task to retain their title.

But the hosts rallied and equalised when Kevin de Bruyne’s shot hit Kurt Zouma and wrongfooted goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Riyad Mahrez put the reigning champions, who move above Chelsea into third place ahead with a fine finish after cutting in from the right-wing.

Click here for the highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EODSoaQCTK8

ASTON VILLA 2 V 0 NEWCASTLE UNITED

Villa’s Jack Grealish was the catalyst for Aston Villa to end a run of three successive Premier League defeats as they beat Newcastle United to ruin Steve Bruce’s return to Villa Park.

Conor Hourihane’s curled free-kick gave Villa the lead before his enticing set-piece set up Anwar El Ghazi to finish from close range four minutes later.

Bruce sacked as Villa boss in October 2018, saw his side denied by goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who saved from Federico Fernandez and Allan Saint-Maximin.

The win takes Villa up to 15th place.

Newcastle would have moved up to ninth with a win, but the defeat keeps them 14th, one point ahead of Villa.

Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL6w_ZWSiqI

I got five correct results this week in my predictions, please see my predictions for week 14.

Newcastle 1 v 3 Manchester City

Burnley 2 v 1 Crystal Palace

Chelsea 3 v 1 West Ham United

Liverpool 3 v 1 Brighton

Tottenham 4 v 1 Bournemouth

Southampton 2 v 1 Watford

Norwich 2 v 1 Arsenal

Wolves 2 v 1 Sheffield United

Leicester 2 v 1 Everton

Manchester United 2 v 1 Aston Villa

And my predictions for week 15, midweek games next week.

Crystal Palace 2 v 1 Bournemouth

Leicester 3 v 1 Watford

Man United 1 v 2 Spurs

Southampton 2 v 1 Norwich

Wolves v West Ham United

Liverpool 2 v 1 Everton

Sheffield United 2 v 1 Newcastle

Arsenal 2 v 1 Brighton

I have had a busy week, culminating in being in London at Edmonton Green last Saturday to Launch their Christmas lights and festivities.

I have also got an extremely busy time this week, I am at the Spurs v Olympiakos game tonight if Spurs win we are into the knock out stages of the Champions League.

Tomorrow, I am up at 4 am to travel up to Manchester to deliver a speech at the Society for Vascular Technology, to address the people who have the skills, know-how and technology to help care for Diabetic patients foot care. There are currently 25 amputations a day on diabetics in the United Kingdom, with the experts saying that with more care and attention these can be reduced by 80%.

On Thursday I have an appointment at an eye clinic for my annual diabetic eye check-up, then I am going out to get my real Christmas tree, I am a big kid at Christmas.

On my visit to launch the Edmonton Green Christmas Festivities, I was delighted to meet Santa, and even more exciting was that Santa told me that I was his favourite ever football player, what higher accolade could I get 🙂

On Friday, I am at the Tottenham Town Hall for the Haringey EXPO 2019 Awards. The Haringey Community and Voluntary Sector Expo celebrate the work that Haringey’s volunteers, local charities and community groups offer our community where our stadium is based.

I am going to present 2 of the Haringey Community Impact Award categories, Children & Young People and Schools, making a speech to congratulate the award nominees and to thank our local community for the great works that we are all doing together.

Then on Saturday, I am at the New THFC Stadium for the Premier League game against Bournemouth.

Have a good week

Take care

Gary