Game week 21 Matchday Digest

Brentford 3 v 0 Sunderland

Sunderland 'steam bus arrives at the G-tech Stadium Matchday programme Brentford and Sunderland warm up prior to kick off at the G-tech Stadium.

"We're in good form. We're playing pretty well. In fact we're playing really well"

Brentford boss Keith Andrews praised his team and their attitude after they comfortably defeated a weary Sunderland side to climb to fifth in the Premier League table, a remarkable achievement as few would have expected such success following the departures of manager Thomas Frank, attacking duo Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, and midfield anchor Christian Nørgaard. However, the club’s recruitment strategy and their faith in former set-piece coach Keith Andrews to lead the team have paid dividends. One of the key signings made to bolster the attack after Ivan Toney’s 2024 move to Saudi Arabia was Brazilian striker Igor Thiago. He continued his outstanding form against Sunderland, scoring his 15th and 16th Premier League goals of the season, breaking the record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League campaign by a Brazilian.

His first goal, which put Brentford 1–0 up, was a moment of belief and confidence. He latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Janelt and calmly rounded Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs before slotting home from a tight angle. His second showcased his striker’s instinct and awareness. Hovering energetically around Sunderland’s penalty area as the ball was worked from right to left, he reacted quickest inside the six-yard box to head home Kevin Schade’s header back across goal. Thiago was unfortunate not to record back-to-back hat-tricks after taking home the match ball following Sunday’s win at Everton. He had three further attempts at goal after completing his brace but was unable to add to his tally, before being substituted late on after receiving a knock to his ankle. Brentford’s third goal was scored by the tireless Yehor Yarmoliuk, who fired in his first goal for the club on his 90th appearance, converting from a corner in the 73rd minute.

After four hard-fought draws over the Christmas and New Year period, a depleted Sunderland side eventually ran out of steam against a commanding Brentford team. Their play lacked its usual speed and precision, with several players guilty of conceding possession through misplaced passes. They did have a chance to equalise shortly after half-time when Kristoffer Ajer fouled Brobbey in the penalty area to award the Black Cats a spot-kick. Forward Romain Le Fée, stepped up to take the penalty but fluffed his lines, attempting a Panenka which Kelleher comfortably gathered while standing in the centre of the goal.

West Ham 1 v 2 Nottingham Forest

“We scored a goal that was ruled out by the finest of offside margins. That was the moment of the game.”

The words of Hammers manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who along with the West Ham faithful, left the London Stadium stunned, disappointed and angry as the Hammers once again failed to protect a lead or hold on for a draw, slipping to a 2–1 defeat against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.

West Ham took the lead in the 13th minute through an own goal, when Forest centre-back Murillo inadvertently flicked Crysencio Summerville’s cross into his own net. The hosts managed to preserve that advantage until half-time, with Forest’s best chance arriving when Callum Hudson-Odoi struck the crossbar with a long-range effort.

Seven minutes into the second half, West Ham thought they had doubled their lead as Summerville found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for a marginal offside in the build-up. That reprieve appeared to spark Forest into life and deflate the Hammers, with the visitors drawing level just three minutes later. Elliot Anderson’s inswinging corner was glanced on and looped into the net by Nicolás Domínguez.

The decisive moment came late in the game. After being sent to the pitch-side monitor, referee Tony Harrington judged that West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had recklessly collided with Forest attacker Morgan Gibbs-White. Gibbs-White picked himself up to convert the resulting penalty, sealing Forest’s first win in five matches and extending West Ham’s winless run to ten games.

Bournemouth 3 v 2 Tottenham

“We needed this one because we’ve been very close in a lot of games, with good performances and more chances than today.”

Andoni Iraola finally had reason to smile as Bournemouth ended an 11-game winless run stretching back to November, claiming a deserved home victory over Thomas Frank’s stuttering Tottenham thanks to a stunning late winner from the departing Antoine Semenyo.

Spurs, whose away form started the season strongly, struck early at the Vitality Stadium. Mathys Tel opened the scoring after five minutes, cutting in from the by-line and drilling a low finish into the far corner. Bournemouth responded well and drew level 17 minutes later when Evanilson headed home Marcus Tavernier’s cross. The turnaround was complete before half-time as another Tavernier delivery found Marcos Senesi, who cut the ball back for Eli Junior Kroupi to slot in his seventh goal of the season.

Tottenham pushed after the break. Substitute Richarlison hit the woodwork with a header, while a late penalty award for a foul on Micky van de Ven was overturned following a VAR review. Spurs eventually equalised in the 78th minute when João Palhinha produced an acrobatic overhead kick after Senesi’s defensive header dropped kindly from a corner. The final word, fittingly, belonged to Bournemouth’s standout performer. In the last minute of stoppage time, Semenyo collected a pass from David Brooks outside the box and fired home, sealing the win and signing off his Bournemouth career in unforgettable fashion.

Crystal Palace 0 v 0 Aston Villla

"In the end, a point is deserved for both teams. Huge credit to our players and how they performed. You could see in the first half that we’re not full of confidence right now, but that happens when results don’t come.”

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was pleased with his side’s hard-fought draw against a dominant Aston Villa team who huffed and puffed but were unable to break down Palace’s resolute defence. Depleted by injuries and with a small squad stretched, Palace were led superbly by captain Marc Guéhi, whose commanding performance marshalled a disciplined back line. The visitors focused on defending resolutely for the opening hour before showing greater attacking intent in the final 30 minutes. Brennan Johnson made his Palace debut and looked lively, although his afternoon was slightly blemished when he was booked for simulation in the second half.

Aston Villa, chasing a ninth win in ten Premier League matches, missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Arsenal after creating plenty of chances but could not find the back of the net. Ollie Watkins had four attempts on goal and came closest late on, striking the post with a header, but Palace held firm to earn a well-deserved point.

Newcastle 4 v 3 Leeds United

“We showed spirit, togetherness and fight. We were never out of the game and kept going right to the end.” Those were the words of Newcastle manager Eddie Howe after watching his side come from behind on three occasions to snatch a dramatic 102nd-minute winner in a thrilling 4–3 victory over Leeds United at a rapturous St James’ Park.

Leeds struck first in the 32nd minute to reward a strong opening spell. A slip from Malick Thiaw allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to thread a pass through for Brenden Aaronson, who finished confidently for the first of his two goals. The opener sparked Newcastle into life and they were level within four minutes as Harvey Barnes fired home, also registering the first of his two goals on the night. Leeds, unbeaten in seven and relentless in their pressing, regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Thiaw was penalised for handball and Calvert-Lewin converted the resulting penalty, his eighth goal in nine games.

In the second half Newcastle refused to fold and equalised again when captain Bruno Guimarães delivered a delicate outside-of-the-boot cross for a fired-up Joelinton to head home. But the drama was far from over. Leeds once more edged in front in the 79th minute as Aaronson struck his second, finishing at an angle after Ilia Gruev capitalised on a misplaced pass from Yoane Wissa, setting the stage for a breathless finale still to come.

The Newcastle faithful who had never stopped singing or urging their side forward and were rewarded in the 91st minute when the hosts were awarded a penalty, calmly converted by captain Bruno Guimarães. With a remarkable 12 minutes of stoppage time still to play, the drama was not done. One final cross was swung into the Leeds penalty area, falling to the ice-cool Harvey Barnes, who found the space to swivel and drive a low, powerful shot past the goalkeeper, sending St James’ Park into delirium

The dramatic winner completed a remarkable turnaround for Newcastle, underlining Eddie Howe’s praise of his side’s resilience and belief. For Leeds, it was a crushing end to a night in which they had led three times, only to leave Tyneside empty-handed after one of the Premier League’s games of the season.

Fulham 2 v 1 Chelsea

“It’s a great win for the fans — they deserve it. In the past they weren’t used to beating their neighbours, so they will enjoy this for sure over the next few days.”

Fulham boss Marco Silva was delighted as his side sent their supporters home in buoyant spirits after beating West London rivals Chelsea 2–1 at Craven Cottage. Chelsea, watched by new manager Liam Rosenior from the stands, were forced to play more than 70 minutes with ten men after Marc Cucurella was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Harry Wilson, who was clean through on goal. Despite the setback the visitors regrouped well and held firm until half-time, even surviving a scare when Wilson had a goal ruled out for offside.

Ten minutes after the restart, Fulham made their numerical advantage count. Patient build-up play pulled Chelsea out of shape before Raúl Jiménez glanced in a diving header ahead of Trevoh Chalobah to give the hosts the lead. Chelsea responded positively and, keen to impress their incoming manager, were rewarded when Liam Delap scored, turning the ball home after it rebounded kindly off the post following a deflection from Antonee Robinson.

Just as the game looked destined to end level, Harry Wilson had the final say. The Welshman struck late on to seal the derby victory, capping an influential performance and ensuring Fulham claimed local bragging rights.

Burnley 2 v 2 Manchester United

"As a team we need to improve in defending and not conceding as many goals.”"

Interim manager Michael Carrick was disappointed with the goals his team conceded as Burnley produced a stubborn fightback to earn a well-deserved point at Turf Moor. The hosts took the lead in the 10th minute to the delight of the home crowd when Bashir Humphreys’ cross was deflected into his own net by J. Heaven, marking the first time Burnley had led a league match since 8 November. United, who had won just one of their previous five games and drawn their last two, responded positively after falling behind. Lisandro Martínez saw a goal ruled out for a push, while goal-bound efforts from Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu were both cleared off the line by desperate Burnley defending.

The visitors finally found their breakthrough early in the second half when Benjamin Šeško scored the first of his two goals, racing onto a perfectly weighted through ball from captain Bruno Fernandes and firing a first-time finish past the goalkeeper. Fernandes then struck the post before United doubled their lead, Šeško converting again with another instinctive first-time effort from a Dorgu cross. Burnley refused to fold and, with 30 minutes remaining, winger Jaidon Anthony twisted and turned before unleashing a superb left-footed strike into the top corner to restore parity.

Both sides pushed for a late winner, but neither could find a decisive breakthrough, leaving the points shared after an entertaining contest

Manchester City 1 v 1 Brighton

"We created alot, the way we defend, the way we attack. I'm really, really, really pleased... but yes were not scoring goals."

A perplexed Pep Guardiola found it hard to understand how his team could only manage one goal against Brighton after creating so many chances. Erling Haaland put Manchester City ahead in the 41st minute with his 150th goal for the club, but City were unable to hold onto their lead or convert further chances as Kaoru Mitoma’s equaliser for Brighton, 15 minutes into the second half, proved to be the final goal. The 1–1 draw was a costly result for City, who needed victory to keep the pressure on league leaders Arsenal, now six points clear at the top.

Arsenal 0 v 0 Liverpool

“We’ve shown in every big game that we’re still a team that can compete with any other side.”

Arne Slot and his Liverpool team produced a disciplined defensive display to hold Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium. A victory would have moved Arsenal eight points clear at the top, and they dominated large spells of the first half, particularly down the right where Bukayo Saka gave full-back Milos Kerkez a torrid evening. Despite sustained pressure, the hosts were unable to turn possession into goals, lacking the decisive final pass as Liverpool were pushed deeper and deeper. Yet it was Liverpool who came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break. Conor Bradley saw a beautifully chipped effort sail over David Raya, only to crash back off the crossbar.

Liverpool were far more adventurous after the interval, with Jeremie Frimpong increasingly influential from the right, repeatedly troubling Myles Lewis-Skelly. Dominik Szoboszlai also went close on several occasions, firing off five attempts as he searched for a repeat of his stunning free-kick from the reverse fixture, but none found the target. Arsenal may rue missed opportunities as their title advantage remained unchanged, while Liverpool will take encouragement from another resilient performance against a direct rival.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews

Igor Thiago celebrates scoring against Sunderland.