Game week 17 Matchday Digest

A short summary on selected games plus score lines from the rest.

Spurs implode as Liverpool’s new boys shine but at a cost.

Tottenham 1 - Liverpool 2

Liverpool secured another familiar victory over Tottenham in a dramatic encounter packed with goals, controversy, cards, and injuries.
The first major talking point arrived in the 33rd minute when Xavi Simons recklessly raked his studs down the back of his Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk’s calf as the defender played a through ball back towards goalkeeper Alisson. Referee John Brooks initially showed Simons a yellow card, but after being sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR, the decision was upgraded to a red card for serious foul play. A visibly distraught Simons left the field early, leaving Spurs with ten men.
The game burst into life after the break. In the 56th minute, Tottenham captain Cristian Romero’s ambitious “Hollywood” pass was intercepted in midfield, allowing Liverpool to break quickly. The ball was fed to £115 million summer signing before being laid into the path of second-half substitute and £125 million arrival Alexander Isak, who finished clinically to give Liverpool the lead. Isak was clattered inadvertently in the act of scoring and was left in clear discomfort on the turf, eventually being forced off with injury.
Ten minutes later Liverpool doubled their advantage. Another substitute and expensive summer signing, Hugo Ekitiké, rose highest above Romero to head home and make it 2–0. Romero, believing he had been pushed in the build-up, charged towards referee Brooks in protest and was booked for dissent.
Liverpool’s previous Premier League away match had seen them surrender a two-goal lead, and a repeat looked possible when Tottenham pulled one back in the 80th minute. Substitute striker Richarlison fired low into the corner after Liverpool failed to properly clear a Spurs corner, setting up a tense finale.
The final ten minutes saw Liverpool drop deep as Tottenham piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Spurs’ task became even harder when Romero, once again at the centre of the action, won a free kick after being fouled by Ibrahima Konaté, only to kick out at the Liverpool defender in frustration. The referee had no hesitation in showing a second yellow card, reducing Tottenham to nine men.
Liverpool saw out the closing stages to secure the win, moving up to fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea. Tottenham, meanwhile, slipped to 13th after a chaotic and costly afternoon.


Robots are Us

Manchester city 3 - West ham 0

It is beginning to feel like a formality — almost robotic — as Manchester City once again chase down their rivals and threaten to snatch the Premier League crown or lead in this current case from under their noses.

City made it five Premier league wins on the bounce thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland, one either side of half-time — his 18th and 19th of the Premier League campaign — each followed by his now-familiar robot celebration, and backed up by his dancing teammates. Plus a goal from Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
City looked back to their swashbuckling best, dominating possession with 67 per cent of the ball, completing over 750 passes and launching relentless waves of attack. The match was lit up by the brilliance of attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki, who twisted, turned and dazzled the West Ham defence, delighting those in attendance with his balance, close control and creativity.
West Ham found it difficult to impose themselves on the contest, managing just three shots on target and rarely threatening the City goal. The defeat leaves the Hammers in the relegation zone, five points adrift of safety, while City’s performance suggested a team settling into its familiar rhythm as the title race intensifies.

Arsenal - Top Guns at Christmas

Everton 0 - Arsenal 1

Arsenal will sit top of the Premier League at Christmas for the third time in the past four years after producing another solid defensive display to edge past a rugged Everton side, who battled hard but ultimately fell to a 27th-minute Viktor Gyökeres penalty.
The first half was evenly contested, with few shots on target but plenty of fight and endeavour in midfield. The deadlock was broken when Everton conceded a penalty following an uncharacteristic handball inside the box by defender Jake O'Brien. Surprisingly, despite regular takers Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard being on the pitch, the responsibility was handed to Gyökeres. The striker had not registered a shot on target in his previous four matches, let alone found the net, but his teammates showed faith in him. He responded with an emphatic right-footed strike, lifting the ball just beyond the outstretched left hand of England’s number one, Jordan Pickford.
Everton showed greater urgency after the break and refused to allow Arsenal to settle into any rhythm. They pressed high up the pitch and restricted the visitors to just two shots on target, despite Arsenal managing 14 attempts overall, with further efforts from Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi striking the woodwork. However, Everton struggled to create clear chances of their own, managing only two shots in the entire match and failing to hit the target. They also had a penalty appeal waved away after Arsenal defender William Saliba appeared to clip Beto’s boot after the striker reached the ball first.
It was evident Everton missed the flair of the injured Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, as well as the dynamism of Iliman Ndiaye and the industry of Idrissa Gueye, who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations.


Captain James to the Rescue

Newcastle 2 - Chelsea 2

Chelsea captain Reece James scored a stunning free kick to help his side earn a well-deserved comeback draw in front of a packed St James’ Park.
Newcastle started on the front foot, with Anthony Gordon terrorising Chelsea’s back line and giving them little time to settle. His direct attacking play paid off when one of his saved shots fell kindly to striker Woltemade, who smashed Newcastle into the lead. Sixteen minutes later, Gordon was again the provider, delivering a delightful cross that Woltemade guided home with a header to give the hosts a 2–0 half-time advantage.
Chelsea responded quickly after the break. Just four minutes into the second half, James’ pinpoint free kick ignited the comeback. The fightback was completed 20 minutes from time when summer signing João Pedro produced an exquisite piece of control followed by a composed finish, silencing a stunned Newcastle crowd. The Newcastle crowd and most of us watching were also stunned when Newcastle were not awarded a penalty after Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah charged Anthony Gordon off the pitch as he attempted to shield the ball in the penalty box with VAR concluding, "the contact from Chalobah on Gordon deemed to be side-to-side in a shielding action and the ball within playing distance."

Elsewhere in the Premier League...

Wolves hunted down by Lewis Potter double

Wolves 0 - Brentford 1

A quiet day by the coast

Brighton 0 - Sunderland 0

Broja leaves it late to end Burnley's losing run

Bournemouth 1 - Burnley 1

Lewin looking like the perfect shoe in...

Leeds 4 - Crystal Palace 1

Morgan strikes twice as Villa march on

Aston Villa 2 - Manchester united 1