Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and enjoyed the midweek round of football, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. Today we will be looking at the recent matches in the English Premier League, which had 3 games postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including Everton v Newcastle. If you would like to read my preview on the weekends games, you can find it here: English Premier League Match Day 20 Preview

Midweek Predictions & Final Results

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

Predicted: Crystal Palace 3-0 Norwich

Result: Crystal Palace 3-0 Norwich

Edouard, Mateta, Schlupp

This match was over in the first half, with Norwich facing their 5th straight league defeat under Dean Smith. Norwich started brightly but were the creators of their own downfall though giving away a penalty in the 7th minute for Edouard to convert. Palace were without Conor Gallagher and Wilfried Zaha along with manager Patrick Vieira but it did not stop them as Norwich crumbled and were 3 down by half time. A good break from Edouard found Mateta in the area to fire past Gunn for their second. Edouard was involved in the third also, laying off for Schlupp to fire into the far corner. Norwich have gone the entirety of December without scoring and are rooted to the bottom of the league having scored eight goals in just nineteen games. 

Predicted: Southampton 2-2 Tottenham

Result: Southampton 1-1 Tottenham

Ward-Prowse - Kane

Spurs have a habit of playing against ten men of late, as Salisu received his marching orders 5 minutes before the break. Southampton had the brighter start, with Shane Long making his first start for the club in over a year. On the 25th minute a loose ball fell to Ward-Prowse on the edge of the area and he struck a fierce effort beyond Lloris into the far corner. With 5 minutes to go in the half, Winks played in Son and he was taken down by Salisu, who got his second yellow of the game. Kane converted the following penalty, to make it three goals in three games for the England captain. Many wonder where he might be if he had gotten a red card for that challenge on Robertson against Liverpool. Southampton put in a spirited performance with ten men, and although Spurs hit the back of the net multiple more times, they had three goals ruled out, including an OG from Southampton's keeper and another Kane effort. Spurs will be disappointed they didn't take the three points, but Conte remains unbeaten as Spurs manager as they head into the new year.

Predicted: Watford 2-1 West Ham

Result: Watford 1-4 West Ham

Bonaventure - Soucek, Benrahma, Noble, Vlasic

The Hornets took the lead early on with a self made stunner from Dennis in their first match for eighteen days. He managed to beat Craig Dawson on the edge of the box and fired a fine finish into the top corner of the net. West Ham did not let it deter them, and bombarded the Watford defence with attacks, many of which were cleared by Cathcart. West Ham dominated in the midfield, and Bowen was able to play a through ball for Soucek to finish off and draw the teams level. Three minutes later Watford were behind as Antonio ran into the area before finding Benrahma, whose effort went past Bachmann courtesy of Masina's deflection. Bowen thought he had scored three minutes into the restart but was ruled out by VAR for a minor foul. Bowen then won a penalty, which the ref initially gave as a corner before VAR intervened, and Noble converted. Watford tried to get back into it with little success, and in stoppage time Bowen cut back for Vlasic to fire into an empty net. This was West Ham's 22nd victory in league matches during the calendar year of 2021, bettered only in 1959 with 23 wins. This was also Watford's fifth defeat in a row, and with Newcastle planning on spending in January, they will be looking over their shoulders as they sit two points above the drop.

Predicted: Leicester 2-4 Liverpool

Result: Leicester 1-0 Liverpool

Lookman

This match certainly provided a different encounter compared to the cup match a week prior. It was a game to forget for the Reds, who have been in line to close the gap on City with a win. It all looked good when Salah won a penalty in the first half, but Schmeichel saved and Salah headed the rebound onto the bar. Liverpool continued to press and probe, with Jota wasting good headed opportunities and Mané wasting a glorious chance when played through by Jota. Leicester changed the game when their sub Lookman danced through the Liverpool defence and blasted a low shot past Alison in the near corner. Van Djik did his best to block the shot but it was full of venom. Liverpool continued to attack but most were effortlessly cleared by the Leicester defence, and overall the Liverpool team certainly had an off day. Jota and Matip both headed wide in the final 10 minutes, but Leicester held firm and got the home win. This was the first time in 29 league games which Liverpool did not score. Also this was only the second penalty Salah failed to score, having netted his previous 15 attempts. Vardy also pulled up towards the end of the game and will face four weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Predicted: Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

Result: Chelsea 1-1 Brighton

Lukaku - Welbeck

It was a difficult game for Chelsea, who were unfortunate enough to loose James and Christensen to injuries in this match. Brighton started well and had an early penalty appeal turned down, creating good chances against the Blues in the opening period. Azpilicueta hit the post when Brighton keeper Sanchez spilled the ball at a corner, which chances coming end to end. Lukaku opened the scoring when he headed Mounts corner into the back of the net. Brighton did not wilt, and came back strong and determined, dominating long periods of the match. Rudiger was also lucky not to see a red card with what should have been a simple sliding tackle but ended up as a reckless lunge on Lamptey. Kante came on for Chelsea and they looked more soild and likely to see out the match, but Welbeck got up and got his header, scoring the first headed goal Chelsea have conceded all season. Cucurella sent a cross in and it was no less than Brighton deserved for their effort and attacking threat all game. Brighton continue their incredible away record, having only lost once away from home this season in the league. Chelsea meanwhile have continued their awful record of dropping points from winning positions, having let 11 points slip so far this season.

Predicted: Brentford 1-4 Man City

Result: Brentford 0-1 Man City

Foden

This match was settled in the 16th minute by a beautiful Foden strike, giving City their 10th league win in a row. VAR reviewed the goal for offside, but it was allowed to stand, after De Bruyne played a beautiful cross into the young Englishman's path. City had plenty of chances throughout the game to increase their lead, with De Bruyne hitting the woodwork and Foden having a second goal ruled out for offside. Ederson kept an 11th clean sheet in the City goal this season, and was mostly untroubled throughout the contest at the Brentford City stadium. Brentford had started well, with three chances to score early on before City took their lead. City opened up an eight point lead at the top with this result and could extended it to eleven in the early kick off on New Years Day. This was also Brentford's fifth home loss of the season, but they have amassed 20 points at the halfway stage and sit comfortably away from the relegation places.

Predicted: Man Utd 1-1 Burnley

Result: Man Utd 3-1 Burnley

McTominay, Mee (OG), Ronaldo - Lennon

The game started with a bang, when in the 8th minute McTominay curled a beautiful effort into the corner of the goal after some great build up play from Greenwood and then a bad touch/layoff by Ronaldo for the Scotsman to finish. A mix up at the back for Burnley created United's second, with Sancho getting the ball and bursting into the box before his shot deflected in off Mee. United grabbed their third of the first half when a McTominay shot was tipped onto the bar and Ronaldo was there to tap in the loose ball. Burnley grabbed one back when Lennon took possession in the middle of the park and picked out the bottom corner after a driving run into the box. For the majority of the match Man United played well and tested Hennessy constantly in the Burnley goal, but he was inspired with his saves. United played with more width than against Newcastle, and although they looked vulnerable at the back, had more to offer going forward. Rangnick has finally got them playing attractive football that the fans desire. Burnley meanwhile failed to create much of note in the second half, until a couple of chances towards the end, and they remain two points from safety with a game in hand and will need to find better performances somewhere to drag themselves away from the drop zone.

Table After Match Day 20

A look at the top half of the table, and City sit with a comfortable lead after Liverpool dropped points away to Leicester. The late equalizer for Brighton against Chelsea means City end the round with an eight point gap over their nearest rivals.

As for the bottom half, Norwich remain rooted to the bottom, while Watford are dangerously close to the drop zone, sitting only two points above Burnley who have a game in hand. 

Top Goalscorers After Match Day 20

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 - C. Ronaldo - Man Utd - 8 Goals   
7 - E. Dennis - Watford - 8 Goals   
8 - Son - Tottenham - 8 Goals  

+ 6 players on 7 goals

I hope you found some enjoyment in my post and managed to see the matches over the festive period. We have round 21 starting on New Years Day so look out for my Preview on that soon.

Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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