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 week saw some exciting results at both the top and bottom of the table, as Leeds scored late to give themselves hope while West Ham did their best to spoil Man City's title bid. Places swapped around again at the bottom as the three teams left fighting for survival all missed out on chances to win, meaning it is undecided who will join Norwich and Watford in the Championship next season. 
If you would like to check out the preview on this round of games it can be found here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/english-premier-league-match-day-37-preview-xkpgpdq

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 2/9 correct this weekend. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 5/9 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Tottenham 3-1 Burnley

Result: Tottenham 1-0 Burnley

Kane

A Kane penalty was all that separated these sides in a very close encounter which saw Burnley frustrate the hosts throughout long periods of the game. The win moved Spurs back into fourth at the time as Arsenal were not playing until the following day. It was a day to forget in terms of chances created, as Burnley made sure Spurs could not get their rhythm going in front of goal. They had a supply of early chances but Pope was even to them and kept out both Son and Kane early on.  Collins acrobatically cleared a Kane effort off the line as it seemed Spurs would eventually break the deadlock, but it was Burnley who created the best chance of the half as Cornet got through on goal but Lloris saved. Sanchez then competed with Barnes in the Burnley box for the ball and it hit the Burnley mans arm, which after a VAR intervention and the referee checking the pitch side monitor, allowed Kane to score from the spot just before half time. Burnley came out all guns blazing in the second half and the game became more open. With both sides going for it, it was Spurs who had Kane and Son waste great chances and Burnley saw Barnes hit the outside of the post. A win for Spurs in the end with Burnley dropping into 18th, although with a game in hand on Leeds who are just a point above them.

Predicted: Aston Villa 1-1 Crystal Palace

Result: Aston Villa 1-1 Crystal Palace

Watkins - Schlupp

Aston Villa could have been out of sight by the end of the first half, as Ings missed three glorious opportunities to score before the break. He poked an effort wide and sent another over the bar when really he should have at least tested the opposition keeper. Coutinho also struck over when he could have marked his permanent signing with a goal, but Palace grew into the game from there. Marking the anniversary of their European triumph 40 years ago when Villa won the European Cup, there was little else to play for bar pride. Finally Villa did find the opener in the second half as Watkins scored his 10th goal of the season when he turned home a Digne cross on 69 minutes. With nine minutes left to play Palace found their response as Guehi flicked a header over to the far post where Schlupp arrived to poke home the equaliser after coming on as a substitute. Both teams remain in mid table with games running out but their safety secured for another season of top flight football.

Predicted: Leeds 1-3 Brighton

Result: Leeds 1-1 Brighton

Struijk - Welbeck

An injury time equaliser was required to give Leeds hope of maintaining their Premier League status for another season, with a point each in this encounter with the Seagulls. The point has moved Leeds out of the relegation zone but they have played a game more than Burnley and Everton, meaning their fate is not in their own hands. Leeds started strong and  Gelhardt saw an early chance from a corner blocked by his own captain when it was heading in. From there it seemed like Brighton woke up and made the most of Rodrigo delaying in possession when Bissouma got the ball. From there he set Welbeck through to outmuscle the Leeds defence and dink the ball over Meslier. Raphinha and Harrison both wasted good chances in the opening of the second half, with the Brazilian coming narrowly close on more than one occasion. It was late on when Welbeck wasted a great chance to finish the tie when he headed Trossard's cross wide. In the second minute of injury time Gelhardt managed to evade several challenges in the box before crossing for Struijk to head home and seal a point. With Burnley having already lost Marsch knew a point was a good result for his side, while Potter admitted his side should have gotten a second to kill off the tie and that Leeds deserved a point.

Predicted: Watford 0-2 Leicester

Result: Watford 1-5 Leicester

Pedro - Maddison, Vardy x2, Barnes x2

The Foxes were in a lively mood here as they put five past Hodgson already relegated Watford side, who continue their awful record at home without winning since November. New Watford head coach Rob Edwards was in the stands and saw his new side open the scoring Pedro made the most of some poor Leicester defending, seeing his effort go in off Castagne. Twice Watford could have doubled their lead as Masina hit the crossbar but their own poor defending cost them on 18 minutes. Cathcart collided with Masina as he attempted to deal with a ball over the top, allowing for Tielemans to set up Maddison who finished into the empty net. Four minutes later the Foxes were ahead as Foster rushed off his line to punch a ball clear but Vardy got there first to head the ball into the goal. Just seconds into the second half and Leicester had their third when Albrighton crossed from the right for Barnes to volley the ball home. With twenty minutes to play Vardy got his second, as he placed a shot after Barnes' through ball. With four minutes remaining the Foxes got their fifth when Barnes got in for his second of the game. The result means little for either side in terms of what they can achieve from the league but will inspire confidence with Rodgers side that they can be more effective next season. Watford meanwhile will need to get through their final game before Edwards assess what to do with his new team for their Championship battle next season.

Predicted: West Ham 2-2 Manchester City

Result: West Ham 2-2 Manchester City

Bowen x2 - Grealish, Coufal OG

A stunning first half by West Ham, a wonderful comeback by Man City, and a missed penalty by Mahrez. This game certainly had it all, with City chasing down the title and West Ham pushing to get into 6th place ahead of Man United in the table. Bowen got both goals from breakaways in the first half, the first came as Fernandinho lost possession when he went for a header with Antonio, allowing Fornals to play a ball in behind. Bowen raced onto it away from Zinchenko and kept his cool, taking the ball around Ederson and slotting an angled finish into the unguarded net. The second came from Bowen getting onto an excellent Antonio chipped pass before shooting past Ederson to double the advantage. Straight into the second half City got back into it as Grealish volleyed a shot into the goal to get one back. Fabianski denied both Jesus and Silva as City pressed on, while Antonio mistimed a chip from far out that would surely have deflated City with Ederson in no mans land. Mahrez's delivery from a free kick was diverted past Fabianski by Coufal soon after to draw the teams level. Noble came on for his last hope appearance for West Ham before City won a penalty when Dawson was penalised for a foul on Jesus but Fabianski saved Mahrez's spot kick. The game ended level, with West Ham missing the chance to overtake United in sixth place, while City missed the chance to all but secure the title.

Predicted: Wolves 3-0 Norwich

Result: Wolves 1-1 Norwich

Nouri - Pukki

The Canaries took a surprise lead in this game against a Wolves side who have lost out on the chance of qualifying for Europe next season. It was Norwich who started brighter, with Pukki missing two great chances early on. The first saw him miss the target and the second was saved excellently by Wolves keeper Ruddy. His runs were causing plenty of problems for the Wolves defence and on 37 minutes he got his reward for his efforts. He collected the ball and dribbled into the box before shooting between Coady's legs and beating Ruddy at his near post. Coady was taken off at half time for Chiquinho, who won the free kick that got his side level on 55 minutes. Boly rose highest to meet Moutinho's cross and the ball fell for Ait-Nouri to cushion a header into the far corner. Gunn produced one of the saves of the season to keep Norwich level when he turned away Neto's close-range header, and the game finished level as both sides settled for a point.

Predicted: Everton 3-2 Brentford

Result: Everton 2-3 Brentford

Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison - Coleman OG, Wissa, Henry

A total collapse from Everton, which included two red cards, saw them give up the lead and ultimately loose to Brentford in this exciting match at Goodison Park. The Toffees flew out of the traps and got their reward for their efforts, and that of their fans, on ten minutes when Calvert-Lewin got the final touch on Richarlison's glancing header from a free-kick. Victory would have guaranteed their Premier League survival but Brentford had other things in mind. The turning point was when Branthwaite misjudged a long ball forward and ended up hauling Toney over to earn a straight red flag on 18 minutes. Twenty minutes later and the scores were level as Coleman headed a Wissa cross into his own net, but on the stroke of half time Richarlison won a penalty and converted it to restore the Toffees lead. The Bees came out with renewed momentum and scored two goals in two minutes to steal the lead. The first was on the hour mark which made the most of their numerical advantage, when Wissa nodded in a corner on 62 minutes to level the scores again. Then on 64 minutes Henry headed home a Christian Eriksen cross to give Brentford the lead. Rondon then earned his marching orders after coming off the bench by lunging in with both feet and catching Henry, leaving the ref with no choice but to send him off. Its still in Everton's hands to beat the drop but they were counting on their home form and now Lampard has two less options to pick from for their final matches. Brentford meanwhile made the most of their numerical advantage and Frank takes the plaudits for his half time sub of Janelt for Sorensen, meaning they were four at the back in defence and three when in attack.

Predicted: Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal

Result: Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal

White OG, Guimares

This result spells the end of Arsenal's ambition to reach the Champions League for next season, something which looked certain only a few weeks ago. Their loss in the North London Derby and now at Newcastle means Arteta will lead his side into the Europa League next season, assuming Spurs manage at least a point in their final game against already relegated Norwich. Arsenal were second best throughout this match, with Saint-Maximin tormenting the Arsenal defence and nearly scoring at Ramsdale's near post. Howe's side finished the first half with two thirds of the possession and were confident and aggressive throughout. In the second half they got their reward on 56 minutes when Wilson made a run at goal alongside White to get on the end of Joelinton's cross. It seemed like the striker had scored but replays showed the ball was turned into his own net by White. Arsenal upped their tempo then to try find a way back into their must win game but Wilson nearly scored a long range effort which just went wide. The striker was then involved in Newcastle's second goal as he forced a save from Ramsdale before Guimares followed up and scored into an empty net for Newcastle to win their final home game of the season. To add to Arteta's woes they lost Tomiyasu to injury and Arsenal will now spend a sixth season finishing outside the top four.

Predicted: Southampton 0-4 Liverpool

Result: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool

Redmond - Minamino, Matip

A much changed Liverpool fresh from their FA Cup victory, with nine changes to their starting line up, the Saints took a surprise early lead in this one. On 13 minutes Lyanco dispossessed Jota in the Southampton half and played the ball through for Redmond. He ran into the space on the left, cut inside on his right and took a shot which deflected off Milner into the far corner. Firmino soon saw a goal ruled out for offside as he headed in a Tsimikas' cross. Ten minutes later though and Liverpool were level as Gomez rifled the ball into the middle where Jota controlled before he released Minamino to run in a power a shot into the roof of the net. Jota, Jones, and Firmino wasted good chances then as Liverpool dominated the match. Gomez had to be replaced by Henderson due to injury at half time, but the Reds picked up where they left off at the start of the second half. Jota, Elliot, and Jones this time missed good chances before a looping reflex header by Matip went into the corner of the net almost in slow motion. The corner from Tsimikas had only been half heartedly cleared and Matip made the most of it. Southampton applied pressure looking to level the scores as the match drew to a close but Liverpool held on, remaining the only team in the Premier League who have yet to loose a game in 2022. Southampton meanwhile have now managed to drop 29 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season.

Table After Match Day 37

A look at the top half of the table, and with City only managing a point it made for an exciting encounter on Tuesday night at St. Mary's. The gap at the top is now only one point as we head into the final weekend of the season. Chelsea are secured in third place after Arsenal lost, while Spurs need just a point to get into next seasons Champions League. Manchester United and West Ham will battle for the final Europa League place, while Leicester have pushed into 9th place.

As for the bottom half, Norwich and Watford are down while Burnley are in the final relegation place for now. They have a game in hand on Leeds, while Everton are only two points ahead. Brentford and Newcastle are both pushing to finish in the top half while Palace and Villa will have ambitions of climbing higher with their games in hand.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 37

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 22 Goals
2 - Son - Tottenham - 21 Goals
3 - Ronaldo - Manchester United - 18 Goals
4 - H Kane - Tottenham - 16 Goals
5 - S. Mané - Liverpool - 15 Goals   
6 - D. Jota - Liverpool - 15 Goals
7 - De Bruyne - Manchester City - 15 Goals

I hope you enjoyed the games over the weekend, we have the final weekend of fixtures next Sunday, with a few teams playing this midweek on Thursday to ensure all the remaining games have been played before next weekend's final round of matches.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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