Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and enjoyed the weekend's 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 only had 7 games being played due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If you would like to read my preview on the weekends games, you can find it here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/english-premier-league-match-day-19-preview-xrnjmqn

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I unfortunately got 0/7 correct this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 4/7 correctly in this shortened match day weekend.

Predicted: Man City 3-2 Leicester

Result: Man City 6-3 Leicester

De Bruyne, Mahrez, Gündogan, Sterling x2, Laporte - Maddison, Lookman, Iheanacho

The Covid-19 pandemic really hit Leicester hard, with their defence all over the place from the off. City took advantage, with De Bruyne taking the ball down in the box and applying a sweet finish within 5 minutes. Things got worse in the 13th minute, as Tielemans gave away a penalty which Mahrez tucked away into the top corner. Maddison had a good free-kick which Ederson tipped onto the bar, with one of Leicester's best chances in the opening 20 minutes. Schmeichel was at fault for City's third, as Cancelo crossed low into the danger area and the keeper spilled the ball right into Gündogan's path. Two minutes later Tielemans was at fault in giving away a second penalty, this time for catching Sterling in the box with an outstretched leg. Sterling then put it away to make it 4-0 before 25 minutes played! A switch to a back 5 and a wonderful break in the second half saw Leicester get one back, as slips and missed tackles from City allowed a 3 on 1 and Maddison finished nicely past Ederson. A minute later Iheanacho was involved again, playing a beautiful ball through to Lookman who placed it into the back of the net. After Fernandinho nearly scored from a city, Leicester counter and a Maddison strike can only be knocked onto the bar by Ederson, and Iheanacho is there to tuck it home. Soon after Leicester's awful set piece situation continued, as Laporte won his header against Iheanacho to restore a comfortable lead for City. Albrighton and Iheanacho had wonderful chances to get Leicester back into it, but both wasted good chances. Another corner, another goal conceded for Leicester. This time Dias rose highest and Sterling gets to it before Schmeichel to score his second of the game. Leicester's makeshift defence was a shambles in the first half and unfortunately no match for this outstanding City team. What a performance in the second half to make a real game of it, but their inability to defend set pieces really cost them.

Predicted: Norwich 0-4 Arsenal

Result: Norwich 0-5 Arsenal

Saka x2, Tierney, Lacazette, Smith-Rowe

The Norwich team had a debut in goal for Gunn, and he was beaten in the sixth minute by a flowing Arsenal move which involved Tierney, Martinelli, Lacazette and Odegaard, before Saka fired through Williams legs to leave the keeper stranded. This was the script for the game in general, as Arsenal dominated with Norwich offering little in return. Towards the end of the first half Norwich showed some attacking intent, but were cut open by Odegaard with a long range pass and Tierney fired in off the post just before the break. Martinelli thought he had scored in the second half but the offside flag correctly ruled out his strike. Prior to that Norwich were hoping for a penalty after Lacazette committed a shirt pull in the box but VAR decided it wasn't enough for a foul. A nothing situation turned into a beautiful goal from the edge of the area by Saka as he got past Williams and struck an effort beyond Gunn. Lacazette won a late penalty from a shove in the back off Kabak, and then converted himself past the helpless Gunn on his debut. Smith-Rowe finished off at the back post after Odegaard's reverse pass found Pepe in the box and whose deflected shot fell kindly for the young English man.

Predicted: Tottenham 3-1 Crystal Palace

Result: Tottenham 3-0 Crystal Palace

Kane, Moura, Son

Patrick Vieira was diagnosed with COvid-19 and forced to miss this match, and Palace certainly missed him on the side-lines. Kane continued his return to goalscoring by taking a first time shot from a Moura cross to put Spurs ahead. Almost immediately afterwards Moura got one for himself, getting his head on a Emmerson Royal cross to double the lead. Things went from bad to worse for Palace as Zaha got his second yellow for shoving Sanchez away when really there was no need. After a scrappy second half Son got his goal just before he was about to be subbed off, flicking on a cross from Moura as he was left unmarked in the middle of the area. Palace stayed strong throughout most of the match but that quick double in the first half was enough to knock them out of this game, let alone being let down by Zaha. Spurs continued their great form under Conte and will have serious belief of getting into the top 4 if they can win their games in hand. This result also means Conte is unbeaten in the league in his first six games as manager of Tottenham.

Predicted: West Ham 2-2 Southampton

Result: West Ham 2-3 Southampton

Antonio, Benrahma - Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Bednarek

A bright start for The Saints saw them take an early lead, as a left-footed drive through bodies in the box popped off the grass and left Fabianski without a chance of getting to the ball. Not the start or showing Moyes would have hoped for on his 2 year anniversary on returning to the club. While West Ham showed some attacking threat, Southampton controlled them for much of the first half. Antonio was introduced in the second half and made an instant impact, with an instinctive header after only being on the pitch for 3 minutes. Just before the hour mark Dawson made a clumsy challenge on Broja and Ward-Prowse tucked it away beautifully with power and precision. Almost immediately Bowen is released down the right in a counter attack and Benrahma arrives late in the box to get on the ends of his beautiful cross to make it level again. Six minutes later and Bednarek got his head on the end of a Ward-Prowse free-kick to give Southampton the lead for the third time. As much as West Ham pushed they couldn't get back into it and Southampton got a well deserved win.

Predicted: Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea

Result: Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea

James OG - Jorginho x2, Lukaku

With Aston Villa manager Gerrard absent due to a positive Covid-19 test, his team showed passion and guile from the off without him. After some sustained pressure in the first half, with Matt Targett's cross deflecting off Reece James head and diverting past his keeper.  Hudson-Odoi soon won a penalty which Jorginho converted, after Cash had lunged at the young Englishman. Tuchel made a a statement of intent at half time by introducing Lukaku for his defender Chalobah, and was rewarded for his effort. He changed the game by evading Mings in the box with his clever movemnet and got on the end of Hudson-Odois cross to give Chelsea the lead. Villa could not muster anything of worth and only forced Chelsea keeper Mendy into a save late in the half. Lukaku went on to prove his worth once again, winning another penalty by bursting into the box and being dragged down by Konsa. Once again Jorginho converted, and although Martinez was booked during the first penalty for trying to put the Italian off, it didnt stop him once again scoring from the spot. Lukaku gives Chelsea a real strong focal point and presence in the box, which was badly missed for the most of December. Chelsea fans will hope he can stay fit and help reignite their title charge.

Predicted: Brighton 0-0 Brentford

Result: Brighton 2-0 Brentford

Trossard, Maupay

Potter's side had been been on an awful run, drawing eight and losing three of their previous eleven league games. An even openening changed when in the 34th minute a hopeful ball forward by Trossard went over the opposition keeper and into the open net. A beautiful curling strike by Maupay after his former side capped off an excellent first half for the home side. Brentford improved in the second half and Brighton required keeper Robert Sanchez to make two quick saves to keep his side comfortably in the lead. Marc Cucurella also cleared an Ethan Pinnock header off the line to ensure Brighton took the three points and their first win since beating Brentford last September.  

Predicted: Newcastle 1-2 Man Utd

Result: Newcastle 1-1 Man Utd

Saint-Maximin - Cavani

The Magpies started at full force and United could not keep up. Varane was at fault, loosing out to Longstaff who found Saint-Maximin, who curls a beautiful effort to give Newcastle the lead. Wilson had the ball in the net just before 40 minutes but the flag went up, to give United some relief. Joelinton also had a great chance to double Newcastle's lead, with United looking like a team who were short of confidence and clearly had not played in a couple of weeks. Rangnick was relieved to be only 1 down at the break and would have felt similar to how his team showed poor body language during the Norwich game. A lack of cutting edge and poor passing cost them in the first half. A drawback for Newcastle saw Wilson damage his leg and replaced by Jacob Murphy just on the stroke of half time. Saint-Maximin should have got his second in the 47th minute but his tame effort inside the penalty area allowed De Gea to save. Sancho got more involved in the second half but skewed his own shot and when he set up Cavani it was a total miskick. While Newcastle dominated for most of the match, Cavani took his chance at the second attempt and drew the game level in the 70th minute. The anxiety seemed to hit the home crowd towards the end, even though Newcastle had put in probably their best performance of the season. Man United turned up for the final 10 minutes or so but it was Saint-Maximin pulling up on a run was a disappointing moment. With 3 minutes to go Murphy hit the woodwork and Almiron forced De Gea into a top class save with the follow up. A share of the points is how it ended, as Howe became the first manager to take points off Rangnick since he took interim charge of United. If Newcastle can keep these levels of performance, they should be in store for a good new year. Another poor performance from Man United and their top 4 challenge will be very difficult.

Table After Match Day 19

A look at the top half of the table, and City are 6 clear although Liverpool have a game in hand. Chelsea have pulled level with Liverpool, and Arsenal are comfortable in 4th, although the teams below them have multiple games in hand.

As for the bottom half, another point for Newcastle and they will continue to push onwards to get into the safety places. A mixed looking table with some many teams having games in hand, with Burnley 4 games off the halfway mark due to postponed matches.

Top Goalscorers After Match Day 19

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 15 Goals   
2 - D. Jota - Liverpool - 10 Goals
3 - J. Vardy - Leicester - 9 Goals   
4 - Raphina - Leeds - 8 Goals
5 - E. Smith-Rowe - Arsenal - 8 Goals
6 - Son - Tottenham - 8 Goals   

I hope you found some enjoyment in my post and managed to see the matches over the festive period. We have round 20 starting tomorrow so look out for my Preview on that.

Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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