Good day everyone,

I hope you all enjoyed the weekend and the matches, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. Today we will be looking at the recent round of matches in the English Premier League, which included another defeat and the end for Ole, Chelsea, Liverpool, and City powering on, and a couple of results that show the new manager bounce effect. If you would like to check out my post on the preview to this weekend's matches, you can find a link to it here: English Premier League Match Day 12 Preview

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, a disaster as I got 0/10 correct this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 4/10 correctly.

Predicted: Leicester 2-2 Chelsea

Result: Leicester 0-3 Chelsea

Rudiger, Kante, Pulisic

Are Leicester the same team they were 12 months ago? It's difficult to know, as they are falling apart this season in my opinion. Chelsea could have won this by six or seven goals, with Ben Chillwell and Reece James running the show from the flanks. Similar to Liverpool's attacking full backs, they help make a five man attack with their runs in behind. Leicester could not cope and were cut open numerous times. The fluidity of their attacking displays and the understanding of the formation is telling for Tuchels teams. Leicester try to play a similar style but they are off the pace, and potentially it is time to move on from Vardy due to his age and declining abillity and movement.

Predicted: Aston Villa 1-1 Brighton

Result: Aston Villa 2-0 Brighton

Watkins, Mings

New manager Steven Gerrard will be delighted to get off to a winning start. Villa started with a patient approach and it paid off against a Brighton side who generally dominates possession. While it might not be what the fans at Villa park expected, the patience paid off and Villa swarmed when the opportunity arose. Time will tell if Gerrard can make Villa into a top-half force, but he shows his tactical prowess and it got the 3 points thanks to the goal threat of Watkins. Brighton meanwhile are sliding down the table after their excellent start to the season, and while they don't seem like candidates for a relegation fight, if they don't stop the slide the high hopes from their positive start could turn into a major disappointment.

Predicted: Burnley 1-2 Crystal Palace

Result: Burnley 3-3 Crystal Palace

Mee, Wood, Cornet - Benteke x2, Guehi

Never did I expect such a high-scoring game between these sides, with class and entertainment all over the pitch. Cornet looks a superstar in this Burnley team, and it begs the question will he still be there next season if he keeps this form up. Set-pieces are Burnleys goal threat and Palace had to be strong to withstand it. Benteke did well to keep his side in this game and Viera will be hoping he can keep this sort of form going. Defensively Palace need to work on stopping set-pieces, which will be something other teams will take note of. Burnley will know they can achieve more than they currently are and if they keep playing as offensively as they can, they should drag themselves out of the relegation places.

Predicted: Newcastle 1-1 Brentford

Result: Newcastle 3-3 Brentford

Lascelles, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin - Toney, Henry, Lascelles(OG)

Eddie Howe, unfortunately, could not take charge for his first game, as he has contracted Covid. While Newcastle showed they can create chances and score sublime goals, their fraility at the back shows just how monumental a job it will be to keep them up this season. WIth unlimited finances backing them, most will expect them to improve once the transfer window opens in January. The problem for Howe is that unless he starts picking up point over winter and drags Newcastle up the table, who will want to go there? It will take time to get Howe's style in place, but time is against them. They are still yet to win a game after twelve so far in the league, which is not a good sign. Brentford meanwhile showed why they are such an entertainning team. Never say die attitude, great forwards such as Toney who can score from nothing, and I believe a side who everyone is enjoying seeing in the top flight.

Predicted: Norwich 0-2 Southampton

Result: Norwich 2-1 Southampton

Pukki, Hanley - Adams

Is Norwich going to do the impossible and avoid relegation this season? I would never have thought it possible, but stranger things have happened. This is two wins on the bounce now, and suddenly they are off the bottom of the table. It's still a long season to go but they will have belief and hope now under new manager Dean Smith. With Gilmour and Cantwell back in the side, Norwich demonstrated their desire in the second half and showed the fight that had been long since lacking. Southampton meanwhile will be looking to pick up more points and soon in their upcoming games, as they languish in 13th and now find themselves only 5 points above the relegation places.

Predicted: Watford 2-2 Man Utd

Result: Watford 4-1 Man Utd 

King, Sarr, Dennis, Bonaventure - van de Beek

Ole is finally gone. For United fans that is probably a huge relief, while the fans of all other teams will be disappointed. It's not the first time they lost to Watford, but it amazes me that the spine of this Watford side is made up of former United rejects, including Foster in goal, Cathcart at the back, Cleverly in midfield, and King upfront. Maguire getting his red card really summed up this display, with the captain showing everything that was wrong with United so far this season. Watford were ruthless and United were abysmal, not turning up again for their manager. Whoever gets the position, whether as interim or full-time, it will be a big ask to once again start from scratch and try to make United a powerful team once again. The players are there to make it a possibility, but their attitude seems to be one of giving up when times are tough. Watford will be pleased with their performance and result, but there are tougher oppositions ahead for them.

Predicted: Wolves 1-2 West Ham

Result: Wolves 1-0 West Ham

Jiminez

It was always bound to happen, West Ham had been riding a wave for a long time now and unsurprisingly have been brought back down to Earth with a bang. Honestly, it would have been more expected after a Europa League fixture, but the international break seems to have broken their good run of form. Wolves deserved the victory, with Declan Rice looking a shadow of his usual determined self. Moutinho and Neves dominated for Wolves and West Ham felt the loss of Ogbonna at the heart of their defence. The Europa League will give the Hammers a chance to bounce back, while Wolves will hope to maintain their good form and keep climbing the table.

Predicted: Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal

Result: Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal

Mané, Jota, Salah, Minamino

When Liverpool plays like this they really are unstoppable. Even with an injury crisis happening to them, with key players missing all over the field, they still manage to pick up the points. Arsenal had been on an excellent run of form, but after Liverpool's defeat to West Ham before the international break, they came back with a bang. An intense first half, which included Klopp and Arteta having a spat on the touching line and both getting booked, came alive with a bit of Trent Alexander-Arnold magic with another assist. In the second half, Liverpool stepped up the gears and tore Arsenal apart. Arsenal stuck to their principles by playing out from the back, but it was their downfall in the end. The difference in class is very much evident and shows how the top 3 are far ahead of the chasing pack with their quality and ability to play.

Predicted: Man City 3-1 Everton

Result: Man City 3-0 Everton

Sterling, Rodri, Silva

Another game where City basically displayed their dominance from the off. Rodri showed why he is clearly Fernandinhos heir, and scored a beauty on top of it all. His rocket shot ended Everton's hope of a comeback and allowed the Citizens to relax. Sterling could have scored more but he will be happy to have gotten a start and a goal. Everton has six losses in a row and only one win in eight, although Rafa is missing three key players. With Rafa being such an interesting appointment for Everton, he will need to get back to their early season form soon if he wants to get the fans on his side. The return of his injured players may just be the hope that he is laying his position upon.

Predicted: Tottenham 3-1 Leeds

Result: Tottenham 2-1 Leeds

Hojbjerg, Reguilon - James

An excellent second-half performance is exactly what Conte demanded of his team, and he got it. After a lackluster display in the first half against a Leeds side missing their star player in Raphina, the second half saw Spurs come to life and register their first shots on target under Conte! He is putting them through their paces, making training intense and the players will not be allowed to slack off. Similar to Mourinho, this is a manager who means business. Spurs fans can have a lot of hope that their new manager can help them to push for a Champions League place. Leeds meanwhile can take heart from their performance, but are slowly getting closer and closer to a relegation place, and will hope Raphina returning will improve them next time out. Youngster Gelhardt made a good showing but relying on youngsters will only add to Leeds struggles, especially when the likes of Kalvin Phillips is forced to play outside their natural positions. 

Table After Match Day 12

A look at the top half of the table, Chelsea, Man City, and Liverpool look certainties for the top three spots this season, the big question will be in what order. As for the rest, it seems like it will be an exciting race as to who will join them in fourth.

The bottom meanwhile sees Norwich move above with Newcastle after their second win in a row, and Leeds dangling dangerously close to the relegation spots.

Top Goalscorers After Match Day 12

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 11 Goals   
2 - J. Vardy - Leicester - 7 Goals   
3 - S. Mané - Liverpool - 7 Goals    
4 - M. Antonio - West Ham - 6 Goals
5 - M. Cornet - Burnley - 5 Goals   
+ 3 other on 5 goals

I hope you found some enjoyment in my post and managed to see the matches over the weekend. Enjoy the exciting European matches midweek and it will be interesting to see if any other teams can qualify from their groups with this being game number 5 out of 6 in the Champions League/Europa League/Europa Conference League.

Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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