Good day everyone,

Apologies on the delay in posting this. I hope you all enjoyed last weekend's 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 scalp for the Hammers, Gerrard getting one over on his old boss, and the super substitute which is Divock Origi. 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 15 Preview

 

Midweek Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 1/10 correct this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict a decent xx/10 correctly.

 

Predicted: West Ham 1-2 Chelsea

Result: West Ham 3-2 Chelsea

Lanzini, Bowen, Masuaku - Silva, Mount

Every in my wildest dreams I never would have expected West Ham to score the winner in the manner which they did. Twice they went behind to the European Champions and twice they fought back. Silva had scored a beautiful header to open the scoring, before clearing the ball off the line at the other end almost immediately after. In scoring at 37 years and 73 days old, he became Chelsea's oldest ever goal scorer. Mendy and Jorginho then had a mix-up, with the keeper taking a touch and conceding a penalty under pressure from Bowen. Just before the break Mount scored with a beautiful first time shot, but Antonio played a huge role in West Ham's second, showing how his build up play is imperative to West Ham playing well. The match went end to end and West Ham lived up to their attacking breakaway threat, with Masuaku trying to cross the ball into the box from a quick throw-in, and caught Mendy off guard who could only palm the ball into his own net. The bubbles are blowing and West Ham are looking a strong challenger for Champions League places.

 

Predicted: Newcastle 2-2 Burnley

Result: Newcastle 1-0 Burnley

Wilson

Eddie Howe has his and Newcastle's first victory of the season, and he achieved it against a side he used to manage. Wilson scored a beauty after Pope spilled the ball when catching it around the penalty spot. Wilson came on to it and struck a beauty through the bodies in the box and into the waiting net. Burnley crashed the post and also had the ball in the back of the next through Rodriguez but unlike against Norwich, Newcastle got away with it via the offside flag. A big win for the Toon Army against their relegation rivals and what could end up being the beginning of the great escape. If they can keep putting points on the board by January then the fans will be dreaming of signings to reinforce and improve the squad. Relief at a first win for Newcastle, and dismay for Burnley as they have only 1 win in their previous six, and now Norwich, Newcastle and Burnley are all level in the bottom three with 10 points each. The relegation battle might just be as close as the title race this season.

 

Predicted: Southampton 1-0 Brighton

Result: Southampton 1-1 Brighton

Broja - Maupay

In the 98th minute Neil Maupay struck again, giving Brighton yet another point on the table and another dramatic late draw. It looked like The Saints had the points wrapped up, especially as Brighton were down to 10 men, but Maupay struck a glorious goal to nick a point. After a poor free kick into the wall, the ball was lofted back in and Maupay was there to finish it off. Southampton could and should have been 2-0 up before this but Broja sent an effort just past the post with the keeper stranded instead of getting his second. Southampton have not beaten Brighton at home since 2011 in the Championship and the wait continues, and The Saints are now without a win in four game. Brighton meanwhile continue their run of draws and have eight draws so far this season.

 

Predicted: Wolves 0-4 Liverpool

Result: Wolves 0-1 Liverpool

Origi

The super substitute struck again after a wonderful long ball by Van Djik picked out Salah on the wide right. He sprinted into the box and cut back for Origi, who spun with the ball and got it past Coady and Sa to finally get Liverpool a lead in the 94th minute. After Diogo Jota failed to score when he was past the keeper, blasting the ball at Coady on the line, it seemed like this would not be Liverpool's day. Jota was booed by the home fans and it seemed to affect his confidence is this match. The entire bench erupted once Origi scored, sending Liverpool top of the table at the time. Wolves will be dismayed but they produced little. Traore managed to dribble at the Liverpool defence on occasion but produced little from it, and got fouled more often than not to break down the threat before it could begin. It was a reminder that Liverpool don't have to score 4+ goals in every match, but they got the win and moved above Chelsea to keep their good form going. Last minutes wins like this is the sign of title winning sides, and don't be surprised if Liverpool are challenging for a double or treble come the end of the season.

 

Predicted: Watford 0-3 Man City

Result: Watford 1-3 Man City

Hernandez - Sterling, Silva x2

Another impressive display from Bernardo Silva which saw him continue his amazing form and send Man City top of the table. Pep will be delighted with his form, and his ability to score beautiful goals also. Its begs the question what was the need to buy Grealish at all for? He is underwhelming and wasted many opportunities while Silva is soaring, and Sterling is also finding his form again. That's five goals in five games from Silva, and this makes it 14 wins in a row against Watford for Man City. Cucho Hernandez pulled one back and Josh King could have made it a tense final 15 minutes but flashed his shot wide. Ranieri has a big job on his hands to get this Watford team firing, with them languishing only three points above the drop zone, but having overcome a tricky schedule will face into a run of games where they will believe they can pick up the points to get their season back on track.

 

Predicted: Leeds 2-1 Brentford

Result: Leeds 2-2 Brentford

Roberts, Bamford - Baptiste, Canos

In his first appearance since September, Bamford showed why he is instrumental for Leeds. A 95th minute equaliser, to continue a trend of late goals over the weekend got Leeds a share of the spoils. Leeds have showed an upturn in form and start brightly, dominating proceedings but the match was turned on its head in the second half. Once Canos put the Bees ahead against the run of play it felt like the same old for Leeds, but having Bamford back and steeping off the bench showed just how important he is to this side. A disappointing note was Canos being struck by a missile from the crowd as he celebrated in front of the Leeds fans. If Leeds can keep this high octane style from last season going, they will continue climbing the table. Brentford meanwhile are still sitting comfortably in 11th and showing they are capable of surviving in the Premier League.

 

Predicted: Man Utd 3-1 Crystal Palace

Result: Man Utd 1-0 Crystal Palace

Fred

I don't think anyone expected Fred to be the first goal scorer in Rangnick's new regime, and the goal was quite beautiful. Greenwood teed him up on the edge of the area and Fred duly finished with aplomb. The real disappointment for Palace will be the fact they had wasted a beautiful opportunity just 2 minutes before conceding. After putting in a solid defensive display at a stadium where Palace had not lost in their previous two visits, this results drops them to 12th in the table. The signs are good so far for United after Ole's abysmal season, with United undefeated since he left. Rangnick showed he has spent little time in getting his ideas across, with a high press and vivid interchanging attacking movements on display. They still looked shaky at the back, but time will be a great help in developing this side. Whether they will be in a position to challenge the top teams, only time will tell, but so far so good for United.

 

Predicted: Tottenham 2-0 Norwich

Result: Tottenham 3-0 Norwich

Moura, Sánchez, Son

Conte is finding his rhythm with Spurs, although I would take that with a pinch of salt as his was facing a very poor Norwich side. It was Norwich's first real top side challenge since Dean Smith took over so they should not be too disheartened. While Spurs are starting to find their form, big question's still remain over Kane. No goals or assists in games against Leeds, Brentford and now Norwich, the sort of matches where you would expect him to thrive, with no offence intended towards those teams. Moura scored a rocket to open the scoring, but during the half Norwich had more possession without really creating much. In the second half Spurs got their second from a corner, and Son scored with a low shot to finish the game. Norwich will not relish the task of facing Manchester United next, while Spurs managed to get their third win in four league games under Conte.

 

Predicted: Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester

Result: Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester

Konsa x2 - Barnes

This match saw Gerrard face off against his old manager Rodgers, and it had quite the explosive start. Barnes scored a beautiful effort into the far corner of the net after great vision by Daka to pick him out after dancing past the Villa midfield.  An immediate response came via a corner as Cash peeled off at the back and picked out Konsa to hit the back of the net. Ramsey thought he had given Villa a half time lead but the goal was ruled out for offside, much to the dismay of the Villa faithful. Schmeichel appeared to have spilled the ball but VAR ruled it as a foul against the goalkeeper. Early in the second half saw Konsa rise at a corner to head home, another goal conceded from a set-piece for Leicester. In 10 out of 15 league games this season, Leicester have conceded 2 goals or more, which is awful form for a team which was challenging for top four over the previous seasons. Villa meanwhile have shown a great change in fortune under Gerrard with 3 wins from 4, and hopes will be high that he can inspire them to a top half finish and maybe even challenge for a European place.

 

Predicted: Everton 1-3 Arsenal

Result: Everton 2-1 Arsenal

Richarlison, Gray - Odegaard 

Everton finally got themselves a victory in a game where Arsenal will be disappointed for loosing. The result saw Arsenal overtaken by Man United while Everton moved up to 12th in the table.

 

 

Table After Match Day 15

A look at the top half of the table and things are still very tight at the top, with Chelsea dropping points and West Ham cementing themselves within the top-four. Only 2 points separate the top three, with City on top and Liverpool right on their heels with a superior goal difference.

 

The bottom meanwhile sees Newcastle move above Norwich, and Leeds start to pull away from the drop zone.

 

Top Goalscorers After Match Day 15

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 13 Goals   
2 - J. Vardy - Leicester - 9 Goals   
3 - D. Jota - Liverpool - 8 Goals    
4 - S. Mané - Liverpool - 7 Goals
5 - B. Silva- Man City - 7 Goals

 

I hope you found some enjoyment in my post and managed to see the matches over the weekend. We have more league matches ahead next weekend after the final group round of European football this week, so check out my post on that also next weekend.

 

Have a great day and enjoy the midweek round of games.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

 

Referral links:

Publish0x - https://www.publish0x.com/?a=olejZqrzej

Splinterlands - https://splinterlands.com?ref=rnabc1

Upland - r.upland.me/NQAH

Ecency - https://ecency.com/signup?referral=rnabc

Binance - https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=143611368

Hi - https://hi.com/RNabc

 

NFT Market Sales

Opensea - https://opensea.io/RNabc

 

Follow Me :)

Twitter - @RNabc123