Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent weekend, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. This weekend saw Manchester City open a three point lead at the top of the table, while Everton managed to drag themselves out of the relegation zone, and we witnessed another humbling defeat for Manchester United. If you would like to check out my preview from this weekends action, it can be found here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/english-premier-league-match-day-36-preview-xooxvqm

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 5/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Brentford 3-2 Southampton

Result: Brentford 3-0 Southampton

Jansson, Wissa, Ajer

Another strong performance from Frank's side as Southampton suffered their ninth defeat away from home this season, causing the away support to chant 'sacked in the morning' regarding their manager. Hasenhuttl himself admitted his side "are not playing like a Premier League team" but that does little to relieve the fans. The first goal for the Bees came as Jansson managed to turn the ball home from a corner, before Wissa stroked in a fine second on the break straight from kick-off to see Brentford 2-0 up after 14 minutes. Broja had a decent chance but fired over in the first half, and in the second saw his claim for a penalty turned down, compounding the waste of their bright start to the match. The game was finished with ten minutes to go as Brentford's right back got away from three Southampton players and finished by putting the ball through Forster's legs. The Saints remain six points off the drop and are not safe yet, but should be safe on 40 points. As for Brentford, their excellent first season in the top flight continues as they sit on 43 points and can realistically aim for a top half finish if the final few results go their way.

Predicted: Burnley 2-1 Aston Villa

Result: Burnley 1-3 Aston Villa

Cornet - Ings, Buendia, Watkins

The recent revival of Burnley was brought back down to Earth with a crash as Gerrard oversaw his saw cruise to a comfortable victory which moved them up to 11th in the standings. It was Mike Jackson's first defeat as caretaker manager, after winning three and drawing one of his first four games in charge. It took seven minutes for Ings to open the scoring against his former side, as Buendia played him in and the Englishman scored into the bottom corner. With half an hour gone it was two after Burnley had looked the better side but were unlucky as Buendia scored from Digne's pull-back and side footed the ball home via a deflection off Tarkowski. Burnley still created chances but seven minutes into the second half and Watkins bagged himself a goal, as McGinn's wonderful cross from the left was perfect to head in. Cornet pulled one back for Burnley in injury time but it was too little too late as Burnley are now level on points with Leeds and only above the drop zone on goal difference. Villa meanwhile will look for a strong end to Gerrard's first season in charge in the Premier League.

Predicted: Chelsea 2-2 Wolves

Result: Chelsea 2-2 Wolves

Lukaku x2 - Trincao, Coady

Tuchel must have thought his side were cruising to a victory until Wolves hit back with two late goals to tie the game and ruin his day. This result means Chelsea have only managed to win two of their last seven matches in the league, not boding well as new owner Todd Boehly watched on. It also saw Wolves end a run of three league defeats, after Lukaku had put Chelsea into a two goal lead, scoring twice within three minutes in the second half. Chelsea had seen plenty of chances between the Belgian and Werner, but it was Loftus-Cheek who saw an effort ruled out for offside. It was Wolves who had the better chances though, firing over or seeing Mendy save. Saiss tangled with Lukaku inside the box on 56 minutes and after a monitor check, the ref stuck with his decision to award the penalty. Lukaku sent Sa the wrong way to opening the scoring, and two minutes later he collected Pulisic's pass after a mix-up between Coady and Neves to fire a first-time shot low into the corner and double their lead. With 11 minutes to go Trincao pulled one back as Chiquinho laid the ball into his path and he fired home past Mendy. In the 97th minute Chiquinho's cross was met by Coady's bullet header to level the tie and send the Wolves fans home in delight. Wolves haven't conceded a first-half goal in any of their last 17 away Premier League games and have games in hand on West Ham and Manchester United above them, giving them slight hope of getting into Europe. 

Predicted: Crystal Palace 3-0 Watford

Result: Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford

Zaha

Watford became the second team relegated from the Premier League this season as they fell to a Zaha penalty after the half hour mark making it an unpleasant return for Roy Hodgson to Selhurst Park. Olise's header hit Kamara on the arm and VAR agreed with the referee to give Palace the spot kick, which Zaha put into the far corner. The Hornets offered little in reply, getting only one shot on target in the entire match and seeing Kamara sent off for a second yellow card in the 69th minute. Palace dominated the match, and should have added more goals as Guehi nodded an effort wide at the back post, while Olise and Zaha also sent shots past the post. Edouard also sent a header goalward which Foster saved instinctively,  while Jean-Philippe Mateta also came close to a Crystal Palace second late on. Watford had their best chance on 80 minutes as Cathcart nodded over from a corner and sent the ball onto the roof of the net. This marks the only time in his career the Hodgson got relegated in the Premier League, while Zaha managed to score his 13th goal of the season for Palace in this game. 

Predicted: Brighton 1-1 Manchester United

Result: Brighton 4-0 Manchester United

Caicedo, Cucurella, Gross, Trossard

This result ensures United will end this season with their worst ever points tally in the Premier League era, a far cry from the title winning days of Sir Alex Ferguson. It took 15 minutes before Brighton took the lead, as Caicedo broke the deadlock with a low drive which went inside the post from the edge of the area, scoring his first goal for the club. Brighton were in control from the off and continued throughout the first half, seeing Welbeck waste a chance to double their lead after Varane's poor touch gifted him a chance. In the first half Ronaldo blasted a free kick into the crowd as United failed to register a shot on target. Four minutes into the second half and Cucurella scored his first Brighton goal by firing into the roof of the net from close range after a Trossard cutback. Eight minutes later and Gross ended a slick move by the Seagulls to blast a precise shot past De Gea into the far corner. On the hour mark it was all over as Trossard got his goal by bundling the ball into the goal off his chest from a Dalot goal line clearance. Brighton pushed on and hit the post before United tried to respond but Sanchez was strong in the net. Cavani did managed to score but was ruled offside as United ensured they are not mathematically impossible to finish in the top four. Potter meanwhile oversaw his side record their biggest ever win in top flight history.

Predicted: Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham

Result: Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham

Diaz - Son

A match which saw Liverpool dominate possession but Spurs created the better chances, once again Conte continued his record of being the only manager Klopp has yet to beat in the league. Liverpool dominated possession from the off while Spurs ensured their biggest threat was on the counter-attack. Van Djik had Liverpool's best chances as twice he saw his headers from corners fail to find the net, his first going wide and the second crashing off the crossbar. Hojbjerg's drilled shot from distance was Spurs best chance of the half as it struck the base of Alisson's right post. Eleven minutes into the second half and Conte's side took the lead, as Kane found space to feed Sessegnon on the flank, who squared the ball for Son to turn home. From there Spurs defended deep, although Salah saw a goal bound effort blocked by Davies, it was Diaz who got the sides level. His effort deflected off Bentancur to wrong foot Lloris and send Anfield ecstatic, urging their side to push on for the winner. Spurs held firm and ensured they did not concede again, leaving Liverpool top at the time being as City were yet to play, but it was a massive two points dropped. Spurs remain four points behind Arsenal in the race for top four, while Liverpool are now three points behind City in the title race.

Predicted: Arsenal 3-0 Leeds

Result: Arsenal 2-1 Leeds

Nketiah x2 - Llorente

Arteta saw his side move four points clear of fifth place Tottenham ahead of the North London Derby as they managed to secure all three points at home to Leeds. The visitors struggled to get a hold of the game and it was an early brace from Arsenal forward Nketiah which ultimately secured them the points. A mistake from the Leeds keeper handed Arsenal the perfect start, as Nkeitah closed down the goalkeeper and made the most of a poor touch to tap home from close range after five minutes. On ten minutes it was 2-0 as as Nketiah doubled the advantage when he struck Martinelli's cross into the net from 12 yards. On the half hour mark Leeds captain Ayling was initially shown a yellow card for a two-footed lunge on Martinell, but after a pitch side monitor review it was upgraded to red. Leeds failed to get a shot on target in the first half, but in the second they scored with their first effort of the game as Llorente arrived at the back post to score from Firpo's flick on from a corner. Arsenal held on to win four consecutive league games, while Nketiah has now scored four in his last four games. Leeds meanwhile have dropped into the bottom three on goal difference, just below Burnley.

Predicted: Leicester 1-1 Everton

Result: Leicester 1-2 Everton

Daka - Mykolenko, Holgate

A massive result for the Toffees as they pulled themselves out of the relegation zone with a victory away to Leicester. It was a hectic start to proceedings, as Mykolenko's stunning volley from the edge of the box after an Iwobi cross gave Everton an early lead on six minutes. Just five minutes later and the Foxes were level as Daka made the most of a defensive mix-up between Mina and Coleman going for the same header. All this happened after Mina had to produce a goal line clearance after Daka had gotten in on three minutes. Mina had to come off injured but Holgate restored Everton's lead with a strong header on thirty minutes. Leicester could not push on to get back into the game and Lampard saw his side hold on for a vital three points. The win, coupled with Leeds and Burnley's results mean the Toffees are now in the driving seat for avoiding the drop. They are a point clear and have a game in hand on both, while Leicester didn't managed to give their confidence a boost after their defeat against Roma during the week.

Predicted: Norwich 0-2 West Ham

Result: Norwich 0-4 West Ham

Benrahma x2, Antonio, Lanzini

Already relegated Norwich were dismantled at home by a rampant West Ham who were getting over the disappointment of being eliminated in Europe during the week. The Hammers will want to hold onto 7th spot to secure European football for next season, and could even get ahead of United and into sixth as they are three points behind and have a game in hand. Moyes has got his side firing and they were 3 up by half time. All three were assisted by Bowen but both Antonio and Benrahma were injured and had to be taken off. Krul did his side no favours being at fault for the first two goals conceded. The first he allowed the ball to squirm from his grasp and roll into the goal, while he could have done better on the second as he didn't have a strong enough hand and diverted the ball to Antonio who scored into an empty net. The third saw Bowen pull the ball back for Benrahma to get his second, and the fourth came from the spot in the second half. 

Predicted: Man City 2-2 Newcastle

Result: Man City 5-0 Newcastle

Sterling x2, Laporte, Rodri, Foden

The hosts dominated in this game to regain the top spot in the league while opening a three point lead and securing a higher goal difference than Liverpool. City had 72% possession throughout the match, but had Wood scored from his header on 8 minutes it could have been much different. Once Sterling opened the scoring on 19 minutes the game was set, with more to follow. Wood could have been level but Guimaraes had been offside, and City were two up before the break as Dubravka failed to grasp Gundogan's shot, with Laporte turning it home. Rodri nodded in at the near post to make it three on the hour mark, with Foden sweeping home a Zinchenko's cross-shot to make it four on 90 minutes, and Sterling then got onto Grealish's cross to make it five late in stoppage time. Dias was taken off injured at half time but besides that it was a perfect day for Pep's side with a real response after their loss to Madrid. Newcastle meanwhile can still hope for a top half finish but they have avoided the drop which was their biggest aim when Howe was brought in.

Table After Match Day 36

A look at the top half of the table, and City have managed to open up a three point gap over Liverpool, along with a superior goal difference, meaning the title is all but decided at this stage barring an implosion by City. Arsenal are now only a point off Chelsea in third with Spurs four off Arsenal, meaning those three have a big fight on their hands to get the final Champions League places.

As for the bottom half, and there was a big shift in positions this weekend. Everton have managed to climb out of the relegation zone and sit above Burnley and Leeds by a point, while also having a game in hand. Leeds occupy the final relegation spot on goal difference and it will be a thrilling final few games for these three teams.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 36

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 22 Goals
2 - Son - Tottenham - 20 Goals
3 - Ronaldo - Manchester United - 18 Goals
4 - D. Jota - Liverpool - 15 Goals
5 - Mané - Liverpool - 14 Goals   
6 - Kane - Tottenham - 13 Goals
7 - Zaha - Crystal Palace - 13 Goals

I hope you enjoyed the games over the weekend, with games running out, we have six more midweek games this week as teams make up their previously postponed fixtures. The FA Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea takes place next weekend along with 8 league games on Sunday and Monday. Have a wonderful day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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