Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had a great weekend, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. This weekend saw some great games at the top and bottom of the league, with the top two winning while Everton slipped into the bottom three. Newcastle continued their fine form while Spurs dropped more points in the race for top four. If you would like to check out the preview to this weekends matches, you can find it here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/english-premier-league-match-day-34-preview-xvyvjey

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 0/10 correct this weekend. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 7/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

Result: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United

Tavares, Saka, Xhaka - Ronaldo

Ronaldo scored his 100th Premier League goal in this thrilling encounter, but it wasn't enough to stop united crashing out of the top four race. United were improved from their humbling defeat away to Liverpool during the week, but were undone early once again as Arsenal scored in the third minute. Varane and Dalot failed to clear their lines and De Gea saved Saks's shot, only for it to fall kindly for Tavares. United reacted well and Dalot hit the woodwork, but just after the half hour mark Odegaard picked out Saka who was taken out of it in the box. While Nketiah did score, it was pulled back for a penalty, which Saka put away. United remained a threat in and Ronaldo scored his 100th Premier League goal to get them back in it. The Red Devils pushed on in the second half and managed to win a penalty, only for Fernandez to stroke it wide. Ronaldo also had an effort ruled out for offside while Ramsdale saved a fierce Dalot drive. Xhaka turned up with a thunderous long range effort to ensure the win on 70 minutes. United have now conceded over 50 league goals for only the second time in Premier League history. Arsenal meanwhile are looking strong for top four with five games remaining.

Predicted: Leicester 2-2 Aston Villa

Result: Leicester 0-0 Aston Villa

This game ended up being a pretty dour affair, as both sides showed control throughout but could not apply the required finishing. Maddison had the best chance for the Foxes in the first half, when his free-kick from 30 yards went just wide. Twice Buendia saw his curling efforts go narrowly wide for Vill in their best chances, but neither side could find the breakthrough. The positive for Leicester was seeing Vardy return for a brief run out, along with no further injuries before their Europa Conference League semi finals. Villa meanwhile have now gone four games without scoring a goal from open play and Gerrard will have to make some big decisions during the summer out how he intends to improve this side, as Bailey and Watkins both wasted good chances in the game. Coutinho provided some nice link up play but overall they are not at that required level yet to contend for European places.

Predicted: Manchester City 3-0 Watford

Result: Manchester City 5-1 Watford

Jesus x4, Rodri - Kamara

A very professional display for the champions as they put Hodgson's side to the sword thanks to Jesus getting four. His first and Cities first came from a Zinchenko cross which the Brazilian tapped home inside four minutes. His second doubled Cities lead on 23 minutes as Jesus headed home from a De Bruyne cross. Watford got themselves back into the game soon after as King and Dennis linked on the left before Kamara scored into the far corner. Rodri restored his sides advantage as his powered a thunderous shot into the goal on 34 minutes to give City a strong lead at the break. In the second half, just second in and City had a penalty which Jesus converted to make it 4-1. He nabbed his fourth in the 53rd minute after Sterling and Grealish combined before Jesus played a neat one-two with De Bruyne and finished off the move. Jesus became the fifth Brazilian to score a hattrick in the Premier League, after Afonso Alves, Robinho, Roberto Firmino and Lucas Moura, and the first to score four. The Hornets remain in 19th and nine points off safety in what is a disasterous campaign for Hodgson.

Predicted: Norwich 1-2 Newcastle

Result: Norwich 0-3 Newcastle

Joelinton x2, Guimaraes

Another excellent result for Newcastle, who have now moved into the top half of the table. A wonderful turnaround since their woes before January, and Howe has done great work with his signings. Joelinton continued his excellent work as a midfielder, as he scored twice in the first half. His first was from an overhit pass by Saint-Maximinm, which the Brazilian struck into the top corner. His second was a tap-in just before the break after Murphy's shot was blocked and landed for the Brazilian. In the second half things got worse for Norwich as Krul tried to play out from the back but passed straight to Guimaraes just four minutes in. The Brazilian then chipped the ball in to settle the contest. The downside for Newcastle was Joelinton coming off with n injury, but they will be delighted with the win. Norwich meanwhile stay bottom of the table after offering little in this game and are all but relegated at this stage. 

Predicted: Brentford 1-2 Tottenham

Result: Brentford 0-0 Tottenham

Another game where Spurs failed to register an attempt on target, undermining their chance at getting into the Champions League for next season. Brentford had the better chances throughout, as Toney twice hit the woodwork and Jansson saw his goal bound header cleared off the line by Kane. With Arsenal having won earlier in the day, Spurs knew they needed a win to get back into top four. Conte will be disappointed as his side once again failed to flatter, with Bentancur's long range effort their best chance of the first half. They improved in the second half, with Kane seeing an effort deflected over the bar and seeing a scissor kick go just wide at the end. Eriksen played very well against his former side, creating the majority of the Bees best chances but the game ended level. Frank was delighted with his sides performance, while Conte has since been linked with PSG as Pochettino is rumoured to be leaving the Paris club. This was the fourth game where Spurs failed to get a shot on target in the league this season, while Eriksen has created 14 chances for Brentford since his February debut, more than any other player.

Predicted: Brighton 1-1 Southampton

Result: Brighton 2-2 Southampton

Welbeck, Salisu OG - Ward-Prowse x2

The Seagulls managed to get into a two goal lead during this encounter only for the Saints main man, Ward-Prowse, to draw his side level with two excellent goals. Welbeck struck early for Brighton's first goal of the game, scoring from close range after some poor defending by Southampton. Livramento struck the woodwork but soon after was taken off with a knee injury. Brighton got their second from Trossard's pass which was turned into his own net by Salisu. Ward-Prowse got his team back into it with another trademark free kick into the bottom corner from 22 years. Southampton pushed on from there and Ward-Prowse scored a beautiful long range effort to get them level. Hasenhuttl was delighted to see his side get back into it after their patchy form of late, while Potter saw his side end their record of 8 hours without a goal at home in the league.

Predicted: Burnley 1-1 Wolves

Result: Burnley 1-0 Wolves

Vydra

Amazingly Burnley have managed to record another win and give their survival hopes a real boost, moving out of the bottom three above Everton. Wolves started well and were arguably the stronger side during the first half of this match. Pope played well, saving Wolves best chance of the game when Otto saw his deflected shot going towards goal. The goal came just after the hour mark when Weghorst saw his cutback land at Vydra, who finished from six yards out. The loss was Wolves third defeat in four games, putting another dent in their European hopes as they remain in 8th, three points off seventh placed West Ham but with a game in hand. Burnley have seven points from nine since Dyche was dismissed, meaning they are in with a real chance of avoiding the drop if they can keep this sort of form going. Their seven points in three is the same as Dyche managed in his final eight games in charge. Wolves meanwhile have lost four away games in their last five, more than they had lost in their first twelve away from Monileux this season.

Predicted: Chelsea 2-2 West Ham

Result: Chelsea 1-0 West Ham

Pulisic

A late goal saved Chelsea and Jorginho's blushes after his very weak and poor attempt at a penalty almost saw this game end level. Benrahma was a bright spark for the Hammers throughout the first half, putting the Blues defence under plenty of pressure. Chelsea had limited chances, with Kante and Mount putting their sides only real chances of the first half wide. West Ham pushed on, as Yarmolenko put his sides best chance of the half just wide. Chelsea improved in the second half, as both sides started to create more chances. Tuchel made the changes up front, and it paid off nearly instantly. Lukaku got onto Silva's flick-on and was brought down by Dawson, who got a red card for his struggles. Jorginho took an awful penalty, but soon after Alonso's cross from the left picked out Pulisic to steal the points. The win keeps Chelsea third, while West Ham will focus on their European adventure as a route into the Champions League for next season.

Predicted: Liverpool 5-0 Everton

Result: Liverpool 2-0 Everton

Robertson, Origi

The Toffees entered this match having slipped below Burnley into the relegation zone, and knew they needed a result to drag them back out of it. Everton started well, doing their best to stifle Liverpool at every opportunity with little chances for either side. The biggest incidents of the half were Richarlison and Gordon going down constantly, with Gordon getting booked for a dive. When Richarlison was down at one stage Liverpool played on, as was their right, and Doucoure lashed out at Fabinho causing a tussle in the middle of the park. Mané was lucky not to be sent off, and the half ended with Pickford delaying over a kick to rile the home crowd. In the second half Liverpool upped the tempo and got their breakthrough after bringing on Origi and Diaz. Origi's lay-off to Salah was crossed for Robertson to head home and send the home fans wild from Liverpool's first shot on target. Gray tried a long shot to get Everton back into it, but it was cult hero Origi who doubled Liverpool's lead after Diaz produced a bicycle kick assist. The win keeps the Reds hopes of a quadruple alive, whilst Everton end the weekend in the relegation zone, although with a game in hand over Burnley.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 2-2 Leeds

Result: Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds

A well deserved point for Leeds which certainly helps in their bid to pull clear and avoid the drop. They are three points clear of Burnley in 17th and five clear of Everton in 18th, although the Toffees do have a game in hand. It was a game with few chances although Palace were certainly the better side. It was Leeds first fixture in sixteen days and Marsch attributed that to his sides lack of sharpness. Palace could have scored twice in the opening twenty minutes but Leeds were saved thanks to poor defending and last ditch tackling. Zaha and Olise wrecked havoc on the opposition but ultimately Palace had to settle for a point, meaning they remain two points off the magic fourty point mark although are no where near the relegation zone and should have no concerns.

Table After Match Day 34

A look at the top half of the table, and the top two continue their battle at the top after both getting wins in difficult games. The top four race continues, with Arsenal now sitting in pole position. United are in a battle to get top six, as West Ham were undone at the end against Chelsea. Newcastle have also moved into the top half of the table and will hope for a top ten finish.

As for the bottom half, Burnley have finally moved out of the relegation zone as Everton dropped below them. The Toffees have a game in hand but are in a very bad position. Norwich and Watford are basically relegated, just need to be mathematically confirmed.

Top Goalscorers After Match Day 34

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 22 Goals
2 - Son - Tottenham - 17 Goals
3 - D. Jota - Liverpool - 15 Goals
4 - Ronaldo - Manchester united - 15 Goals
5 - Mané - Liverpool - 14 Goals

I hope you enjoyed the games over the weekend, we return to European action this week as the Semi Finals take place in the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League. Have a wonderful day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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