Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and enjoyed the Premier League action over the weekend. Welcome to Cryptogod-1's blog on all things sport. Below we have the review of the latest round of matches in the Premier League, which saw a humiliating result for United in the Manchester Derby, Arsenal climb into the top four, Coutinho showing his class, and Newcastle continuing their fine run of form. If you would like to see my preview for this round, you can find it here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/english-premier-league-match-day-28-preview-xxyklyx

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 1/10 correct this weekend. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 6/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Leicester 2-1 Leeds

Result: Leicester 1-0 Leeds

Barnes

In his first game in charge of Leeds, Jesse Marsch saw his side fall to Leicester to loose their fifth league game in a row. They did make an encouraging start, with James sending a low shot across goal early on. Harrison and Rodrigo were next to take aim at Schmeichel's goal as chances continued to come and go. The second half continued with Leeds dominating the game, but they fell behind in the 67th minute against the run of play. Barnes exchanged passes with Iheanacho in the Foxes first real attacking threat of the game, and coolly slotted the ball home. This was Leicester first back to back wins in the league since October, while Leeds failed to score for the third successive game in a row. They also haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 13 league matches.

Predicted: Aston Villa 1-3 Southampton

Result: Aston Villa 4-0 Southampton

Watkins, Douglas Luiz, Coutinho, Ings

The Coutinho show was on display at Villa Park, as the Brazilian ran the show and could have scored more than just once. He was back to his best, according to manager Gerrard, playing a role in the first two goals before scoring the third. A smart pass by the Brazilian allowed Ings and Watkins to link up before Watkins curled the ball into the far corner on nine minutes. Just before half time Chambers played a delicious outside of his boot pass over the Saints defence for Coutinho to cushion a pass across for Douglas Luiz to tap in. Ten minutes into the second half saw sweep home a Cash cutback two minutes after Coutinho had nested an effort into the net from the right hand side of the area. The result ensured Villa emphatically ended a four-game winless streak at Villa Park, while Southampton ended their six match unbeaten run.

Predicted: Burnley 0-2 Chelsea

Result: Burnley 0-4 Chelsea

James, Havertz x2, Pulisic

This game save all four goals scored in 22 second half minutes which sealed the game for Chelsea. Burnley missed their own opportunities, falling to their second defeat in a row. Chelsea dominated the possession in the first half but did little with it in terms of chance creation. At the beginning of the second half James made his way into the area and coolly finished to give Chelsea the lead. A quickfire double from Havertz, first from Pulisic's pinpoint cross, before the German bundled James' cross over the line. Pulisic ended the contest with 21 minutes to go when he scored his goal. The win keeps Chelsea in third, while Burnley remain in the relegation zone and are struggling to pull away from the drop. Their game in hand on Leeds could prove crucial in the final run in.

Predicted: Newcastle 2-2 Brighton

Result: Newcastle 2-1 Brighton

Frazer, Schar - Dunk

The hosts were under pressure as Brighton dominated the opening exchanges, with Duffy twice wasting good chances from set pieces. On twelve minutes the game changes as Newcastle got two goals in quick succession. First Wood played the ball into Murphy's path, who left Cucurella for dead before seeing his shot come back off the upright, with Fraser on hand to follow-up. A free kick from the right by Fraser saw Schar head past the keeper two minutes later to give Newcastle a commanding lead. The second half saw Brighton's pressure pay off as Dunk headed home from a corner, which lead to Brighton laying siege on Newcastle goal as the game came to a close. Dubravka and his defence held on to give the Magpies a vital three points. This leads Newcastle's unbeaten run to eight games in the league, the current longest of any side. This was Brighton fourth consecutive league defeat, leaving them 13th in the table with Newcastle sitting 14th.

Predicted: Norwich 1-3 Brentford

Result: Norwich 1-3 Brentford

Pukki - Toney x3

This game saw Eriksen making his first professional start since he suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020. It was Toney who stole the show, with his first coming from a Eriksen corner, which was flicked on by Ajer. Another Eriksen corner, in the second half, led to the second, as Gibson was adjudged to have fouled Jansson with a high foot in the box. Toney sent Krul the wrong way, and six minutes later had his hatrick from another penalty. Gibson was the culprit again, as the defender brought Toney down when through on goal. Rashica thought he had gotten one back for the Canaries ten minutes later, but VAR ruled Pukki to be offside during the build-up. Mbeumo's strike ten minutes later was then disallowed after Pinnock was ruled offside for Brentford. Pukki volleyed home for Norwich from close-range after some good work from substitute Rowe in the 92nd minute.

Predicted: Wolves 1-1 Crystal Palace

Result: Wolves 0-2 Crystal Palace

Mateta, Zaha

Crystal Palace produced a superb first-half display to beat Wolves at Molineux. Wolves made a slow start and their hopes of European football for next season, at least Champions League, is most likely over. Palace set the tempo from the off and Mateta scrambled home the opener after 19 minutes. Fifteen minutes later Zaha made it two as he scored from the spot after Kilman brought down Jeffrey Schlupp in the box. Vieira described his side as brave throughout, while Wolves had Jiminez start on the bench and lacked a threat up front. He was brought on in the second half but could do little to inspire a comeback. Lage launched a scathing attack on his defender  Ki-Jana Hoever over his lack of prepardness which resulted in an injury. The win see's Palace in 10th in the table, while Wolves remain in 8th.

Predicted: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham

Result: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Mané

A tough afternoon at Anfield saw Liverpool win by a narrow margin. West Ham twice come close to levelling through Fornals and Lanzini but it was Mané who made the difference. He swept home an Alexander-Arnold cross/shot in the first half as Liverpool were far from their free-flowing best. It was the Reds 12th consectutive victory, and potentially they were paying for their Cup success last weekend and had one eye on the upcoming encounter with Inter Milan. Luis Diaz did see and effort cleared off the line by Cresswell, Alexander-Arnold was needed to clear Fornals' effort away after the Spaniard had lobbed Alisson. Liverpool will know they can play better but three points were the priority in the chase for the title. West Ham meanwhile lost ground on the Champions League places and saw Arsenal overtake them.

Predicted: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Result: Watford 2-3 Arsenal

Hernandez, Sissoko - Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli

Arsenal moved into fourth with this result, with Saka scoring one goal and setting up another. It was Odegaard who opened the scoring when he slid a low finish past Foster after exchanging passes with Saka on five minutes. On eleven minutes Watford responded as Hernandez slammed home a stunning overhead kick from Kiko Femenia's right-wing cross. The Gunners then seized control of the game on the half hour mark, as Saka won possession high up the pitch and found Alexandre Lacazette. The Frenchman backheeled the ball back into his path, and Saka finished high into the net from just inside the box. Arsenal extended their lead shortly after half-time when Martinelli rifled home from outside the box following a quick corner, where Arteta retrieved the ball, and involved a classy move involving Cedric Soares, Odegaard and Lacazette. Watford continued to threaten as Sissoko pulled a goal back on 87 minutes with an angled finish, setting up a nervy finale for the travelling fans. It was Arsenal eight league win in ten, moving them into the Champions League places at the expense of Manchester United. Watford meanwhile remain in the relegation places, three points off Everton in 17th having played two games more.

Predicted: Manchester City 2-2 Manchester United

Result: Manchester City 4-1 Manchester United

De Bruyne x2, Mahrez x2 - Sancho

Five minutes in and De Bruyne gave City the lead, slotting home his 50th Premier League goal. Sancho managed to get United level in the 22nd minute after cutting inside on his right foot, scoring on his first appearance at the Etihad since leaving City for Dortmund. Five minutes later saw Foden's flick over Lindelof and low shot saved by De Gea. From the ensuing goalmouth scrambled the ball fell to De Bruyne who scored his second. The second half saw United drop off and earn plenty of criticism for their lack of tracking back. The third for City arrived as De Bruyne's beautiful corner found Mahrez on the edge of the box and he drove it home. Mahrez added the fouth late on as he smashed past De Gea and after a VAR review was given onside. Gary Neville described United as giving up and embarrassing, while Roy Keane called them unforgivable and shameful for giving up in a Derby game. That was Rangnick's second defeat in fourteen league games as United manager. That was the fifth time City completed the league double over United.

Predicted: Tottenham 3-2 Everton

Result: Tottenham 5-0 Everton

Keane OG, Son, Kane x2, Reguilon

Spurs were irresistible as they put five past Lampard's side in a one sided contest. Half time saw Spurs three nil up, with Keane scoring an unfortunate own goal to opening the scoring before Son's shot flashed underneath Pickford's body to make it two. Seven minutes before half time saw Kane run onto Doherty's pass to reverse his shot into the net. The goal was upheld after a VAR review despite a marginal offside call. 41 seconds after the restart as half-time substitute Sergio Reguilon swept home from Dejan Kulusevski's cross at the far post to make things worse for Everton. With 35 minutes to play Doherty was given time to pick out Kane at the far post, who struck a superb volley across Pickford into the far corner. Tottenham have now scored 4+ goals in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since December 2018. This was also Everton boss Frank Lampard's heaviest ever defeat as a manager in all competitions, with the Toffees now winless in their last 11 Premier League away games.

Table After Match Day 28

A look at the top half of the table, and Man City continued their lead at the top of the table while Liverpool remain on their heels, six points behind with a game in hand. Arsenal have moved into the top four with United and West Ham loosing. Spurs will still believe they can challenge for top four, while Wolves are most likely out of European reckoning with their latest defeat.

As for the bottom half, nothing changes in the bottom three for Norwich, Watford and Burnley. Only one points separates the Clarets from Everton in 17th, and Leeds are only one point ahead. Good wins for Brentford and Newcastle saw them move clear of the drop zone.

Top Goalscorers After Match Day 28

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 19 Goals   
2 - D. Jota - Liverpool - 12 Goals
3 - S. Mané - Liverpool - 12 Goals 
4 - Son - Tottenham - 11 Goals 

+ 4 players on 10 goals

I hope you found some enjoyment in my post and managed to see the matches over the weekend. We have the Champions League this week and return to League action with four of the rearranged fixtures taking place on  Thursday.

Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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