Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and enjoyed the midweek football, 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 unfortunately saw two games postponed due to Covid-19, along with a hammering for Leeds, a strong statement from Arsenal for top four, and Chelsea dropping more points. If you want to read my preview on this weekends matches you can find it here: English Premier League Match Day 17 Preview

Midweek Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 1/7 correct this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 3/7 correctly.

Predicted: Norwich 0-2 Aston Villa

Result: Norwich 0-2 Aston Villa 

Ramsey, Watkins

The Gerrard era is certainly up and running, with his team only loosing so far to what many would consider the top two teams in the country. The players clearly respect Gerrard and his tactics, while he has no problem putting trust in players who have come through the academy. Watkins is firing up front, and this will be a reminder why Dean Smith needed replacing.  An unhappy return for him to his former club, Norwich showed once again how they are lacking upfront and in need of more fire power with very little troubling Martinez in goal. Villa are solid at the back and had the pleasure of Ramsey running through the heart of Norwich for the first, before Watkins had a simple tap in at the far post to finish the game on a high note. Villa have moved towards the top half of the table and with four wins out of six, and all the praise must go towards Gerrard's tactics. Norwich are still languishing in the bottom three and unless they find a goal threat in the Winter transfer window, they will have nothing to show for all the football they can clearly play without the final punch. 

Predicted: Man City 3-1 Leeds

Result: Man City 7-0 Leeds

Foden, Grealish, De Bruyne x2, Mahrez, Stones, Aké

When Man City play like this there really is no stopping them, and just looking at the list of goalscorers shows the abundance of talent available to this team. There is one man who is above all the rest though, and when KDB is on form, there are few players out there like him. Just Imagine if Chelsea has retained him and Salah, what a team they would have. De Bruyne started his first game since the Manchester Derby and certainly left his mark. Foden opended the scoring which was quickly followed by a Grealish header. De Bruyne's first was a near-post drive, but his second and City's fourth was a reminder why he is a real world class talent. A long range drive as he found himself in acres of space, his shot nearly ripped off the net, and his performance really showed why he is the tailsman amongst all the stars at this club. Seeing Stones and Aké get on the scoresheet was a nice way to spread the goals around for the team. As for Leeds, nobody can fault their passion and when facing City in this sort of form, any result is possible. They need to regroup and remember the games against the teams around them is where the points need to be gained.

Predicted: Brighton 0-0 Wolves

Result: Brighton 0-1 Wolves 

Saiss

This game saw all sorts of run's extended and broken, as Brighton continued a streak of eleven games without a victory, and Wolves finally scored for the first time in four games. Ruben Neves really showed why he is a man in demand with his performance for Wolves, putting in an all round performance alongside Moutinho in midfield. Both were on top form in the middle, dictating the play with their expert passing and breaking up play to stop Brighton before they could even start. The goal came from Neves picking out Saiss with an inch perfect pass which removed the entire Brighton team from the game. Brighton meanwhile are desperate for a win, as they seem to only be capable of drawing these days. They are in a good position, sitting 13th in the table but after their wonderful start the fans must be wondering what they have to do to get a win. Wolves meanwhile could be outsider contenders for a European spot if they can maintain they impressive form, especially given the fixture pile up which lies ahead for a lot of the teams around them.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 2-1 Southampton

Result: Crystal Palace 2-2 Southampton 

Zaha, Ayew - Ward-Prowse, Broja

A quick start from Palace had the home fans delighted, with Palace pouncing and Edouard setting Zaha up in the box to slide home on his right. The game turned around very quickly. With four minutes apart between Southampton's two goals, the side from the south coast has gotten themselves into the lead. The goal from Ward Prowse are particularly sweet, as he struck his 11th free-kick goal in the Premier League. Butland got a finger to it but it wasnt enough to stop the superb shot. Gallagher, who had been one of Palace's stand out players, got caught in possession which allowed Broja to bend a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. The home fans could find some relief in a drab second half when Ayew scored his first in 43 appearances, as he slotted home from a very tight angle for his first goal since November 2020. A fair result overall, as neither team did enough to deserve the win, and both will feel comfortably safe away from the relegation places for now.

Predicted: Arsenal 2-2 West Ham

Result: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham 

Martinelli, Smith-Rowe

This match was a very tight affair throughout the first half, but sparked into life at the beginning of the second. Lacazette played a beautiful ball through the defence and Martinelli finish with a beautiful shot into the bottom corner. Things went from bad to worse for West Ham when Coufal was sent off and a penalty awarded. The referee awarded it for what can only be assumed was the follow through, but Fabianski managed to save the penalty from Lacazette which was nicely place low in the bottom corner. Previous to this, Lacazette had scored all eight of his penalties for Arsenal. The game lost a lot of its spark after that, with Arsenal loosing their rhythm and West Ham struggling with a man less. Late in the match a devastating counter attack by Saka allowed Smith-Rowe to get inside from the right wing and finish in the bottom corner. A bit more quality upfront for West Ham and this game could have been very different. Arsenal move ahead of West Ham with this result by a point and get themselves into a top four position.

Predicted: Leicester 2-1 Tottenham

Result: Leicester P-P Tottenham 

The Covid-19 virus is wreaking havoc on the Premier League, with this game also being called off due to the number of positive tests Leicester had within their squad.

Predicted: Chelsea 1-2 Everton

Result: Chelsea 1-1 Everton 

Mount - Branthwaite

The virus has left no team undamaged, with Everton only naming 7 out of a possible 9 subs for this match, including two goalkeepers on the bench. As for Chelsea, Lukaku, Werner, Hudson-Odoi and Chilwell all were ruled out with Covid-19 positive tests. With the Toffees understrength their tactic was clearly to frustrate Chelsea, and they did it with great effect in the first half. The second half saw the goals, and it seemed like Chelsea had the win once they got a late lead, but immediately Everton struck back. The dropped points might be costly, and will see Liverpool and City with a gap on their nearest rival. For Mounts goal, Everton had shot themselves in the foot, with Thiago Silva dispossessing Doucoure and with Everton players at sixes and sevens, Reece James fed Mount to apply the finish. Four minutes later Everton pulled level from a set piece which was expertly delivered by Gordon and the young defender Branthwaite slid in and finished. Another game where Chelsea have let a lead slip and relief for Everton to pick up some massive points on the road. This result leaves Everton sitting comfortably 8 points above the relegation places, and while some teams below them have games in hand, they are clear of the relegation scrap for the moment.

Predicted: Liverpool 5-0 Newcastle

Result: Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle 

Jota, Salah, Alexander-Arnold - Shelvey

The news broke about Fabinho and Van Djik being ineligible for this due to contracting Covid-19 during the day, and it was a disappointment for many Liverpool fans to hear two of their star players would be absent over the hectic festive schedule. Curtis Jones who is only back from injury is also ruled out with a positive result, as the virus takes its toll. For Newcastle, the former Liverpool player Shelvey left his mark with a wonderful curling effort at goal which left Allison no chance, all against the run of play after a poor clearance from Thiago. Jamal Lewis, who had been tasked with marking Salah, was unfortunate to do his hamstring while chasing for a ball with Alexander-Arnold. From the moment Newcastle scored it was always going to be a defensive effort to try protect their lead. From a corner, with the ball being hit back in, Jota scored on his second attempt, although Newcastle were dismayed as one of their players was on the ground clutching their head after a collision. A poor pass from Shelvey set Mane away and Salah finished the rebound to give Liverpool the lead. Liverpool dominated proceedings from there and had more than one chance to extend their lead. Finally it arrived from their super scouser TAA who blasted a long range effort into the back of the net. Newcastle couldn't get out of their own half and once they lost Saint-Maximin to a forced substitution it was game set and match. The win puts Liverpool one point off City at the top, while Newcastle stay in the bottom three with things looking dire for the richest club in football.

Table After Match Day 17

A look at the top half of the table sees Chelsea slip away from the top two, who are certainly showing that neither will give up easily in their pursuit of another league title. Five points between fourth and eight shows how tight the European race is, and Spurs have three games in hand and could shoot up the table if they get maximum points in them down the line.

As for the bottom half, Norwich and Newcastle have played all 17 rounds and are rooted to the bottom. Its ominious for them, and both will be fearing the drop at the end of the season. Above them Burnley and Watford have games in hand and will hope to take advantage of those to get themselves away from the drop.

Top Goalscorers After Match Day 17

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 15 Goals   
2 - J. Vardy - Leicester - 9 Goals   
3 - D. Jota - Liverpool - 9 Goals    
4 - S. Mané - Liverpool - 7 Goals
5 - B. Silva- Man City - 7 Goals   
6 - C. Ronaldo - Man Utd - 7 Goals   
7 - E. Dennis - Watford - 7 Goals   
8 - Raphina - Leeds - 7 Goals   
9 - M. Mount - Chelsea - 7 Goals

I hope you found some enjoyment in my post and managed to see the midweek matches. We have more matches ahead this weekend, although five of them have already been postponed due to Covid-19. Lets hope the remaining ones go ahead, so make sure to look out for my preview and review on those games.

Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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