Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent week, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. This weekend saw United get back to winning ways, Everton win once again, Chelsea are finding form under Pochettino, Newcastle and Liverpool dropped points, while Arsenal stunned Manchester City.

You can find the preview for this round of games here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/premier-league-202324-match-week-8-preview-xoqlpvk 

Week Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 0/10 correct scores this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 4/10 correctly this weekend.

Predicted: Luton 0-3 Tottenham

Result: Luton 0-1 Tottenham

van de Ven

A massive win for Spurs which moved them top of the table at the time, with City not playing until Sunday. Richarlison wasted two chances in the opening five minutes for Spurs, putting an effort over the bar before seeing another saved. Porro then put an effort wide before Son curled an effort over as Postecoglou pressed his side to improve their finishing. Adebayo's hooked shot came back off the post for Luton and Lockyer was on hand to nod it in, but it was ruled out for a foul on Romero in the build-up. In first half stoppage time Bissouma got his second yellow, this one for simulation, and Spurs were down to ten. Adebayo missed a chance for Luton after the restart, and moments later he was made to pay when van de Ven scored in the 52nd minutes from a corner for his first Spurs goal. Luton did not falter, and roared on by the home crowd they tested Spurs via Doughty and Morris. Brown headed over and Woodrow had a weak shot saved but the Hatters could not find that finishing touch to get themselves level. In the end Spurs held on and moved top of the pile. Luton meanwhile are putting up the fight but the step up in class might just be too much for them.

Predicted: Burnley 1-2 Chelsea

Result: Burnley 1-4 Chelsea

Odobert - Al Dakhil OG, Palmer, Sterling, Jackson

Burnley managed to open the scoring here with their first shot of the game. Foster burst through into space in the 15th minute before finding Odobert who let off a shot through Cucurella's legs and into the bottom corner. Chelsea struggled to find a way back into the game and Burnley were under little pressure, but Sterling showed his value just before the break. His cross from the left deflected off Al-Dakhil's thigh in the 42nd minute to loop over Trafford and go in. After the break Chelsea continued to exert pressure, as Sterling won a penalty after being clipped by Vitinho and in the 50th minute Palmer slotted his first goal for the club. Chelsea never took their foot off the gas as on 65 minutes Sterling got his goal with a smart finish after being set through by Gallagher. Finally, with 74 minutes on the clock. Sterling crossed for Palmer, who in turn found Jackson to apply the finish and wrap up the three points. Pochettino was full of praise for Sterling after the game, with the Englishman winning his 25th penalty in the Premier League, more than any other player. Odobert meanwhile became Burnley's youngest ever Premier League scorer at just 18 years and 313 days old. 

Predicted: Everton 1-1 Bournemouth

Result: Everton 3-0 Bournemouth

Garner, Harrison, Doucouré

Having struggled in front of their home crowd of late, Everton showed no such problems here. On 10 minutes the Toffees took the lead when an error from Zabarnyi allowed Everton to break, with Garner on hand to apply the finish. Bournemouth had more of the ball in the first half but it was Everton descending on their opponents goal throughout. On 37 minutes Everton got their second when Harrison's first-time effort hit the underside of the bar before going in. Calvert-Lewin saw his header hit the bar in the opening half as Everton dominated, and continued in the same form after the break. On the hour mark Doucouré smashed home from close range on the rebound. Zabarnyi saw a headed effort cleared off the line by McNeil in Bournemouths best chance, while Doucouré saw an effort saved as Everton looked for more. The results ensures Pickford got his first clean sheet of the season, while Everton managed to score two goals or more at home for the first time since October 2022. Iraloa meanwhile has overseen the Cherries worst ever start to a top-flight campaign after eight games.

Predicted: Fulham 2-0 Sheffield United

Result: Fulham 3-1 Sheffield United

Reid, Foderingham OG, Willian - Robinson OG

It was all Fulham in the first half, with Sheffield United failing to register a single shot on goal during the opening 45 minutes. Reid saw an effort deflected by Trusty prior to Willian seeing his shot saved, while Pereira put an effort over late on. Basham went off to a standing ovation from Craven Cottage following a horrible looking injury, but in the second half Fulham came out strong. Reid was on hand to slot home on 53 minutes following Perieira's perfect pass. Sheffield United found a way back into the game from there, getting their first shots on target before Larouci saw his effort deflect in off Robinson in the 68th minute. Cairney put Fulham back ahead on 76 minutes when he slipped while shooting, seeing his effort come back off the bar and go in via Foderingham. Wilson had an effort come back off the post late on before Willian secured the points in the 92nd minute when his shot was too much for Foderingham. Sheffield United have now lost seven of their first eight Premier League games this season, becoming the first side to do so since Sheffield United back in 2020/21. Fulham meanwhile go marching on as they push towards the top half of the table.

Predicted: Manchester United 1-1 Brentford

Result: Manchester United 2-1 Brentford

McTominay x2 - Jensen

Ten Hag was under immense pressure heading into this one, but emerging with victory has seen the Dutchman call this a turning point in the clubs season. With a makeshift defence including Maguire and Evans at centre back, with Lindelof at left-back, United always seemed vulnerable. On 26 minutes Casemiro lost the ball in midfield, and Fulham broke to devastating effect. Jensen got the ball and struck low to Onana's right, with the keeper making a weak attempt to save. Rashford managed to test Strakosha, making his Premier League debut, in the Brentford goal, but Mbeumo almost struck a second for the Bees. Casemiro was replaced by Eriksen at the break and he soon tested Strakosha with an effort from range. United continued to look sluggish and only managed another effort on target before the 89th minute. Maupay and Norgaard had both tested Onana as Brentford looked dangerous. Ajer had an own goal ruled out for offside against Martial as Brentford looked to see out the result, but substitute McTominay had other ideas. Dalot's saved shot came out to the Scotland midfielder in the 93rd minute to level the score, and in the 97th minute he headed home to send Old Trafford wild. Brentford will be crushed by the late defeat, having worked so valiantly throughout the game. United meanwhile will need to use this as a springboard to get their season back on track.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Result: Crystal Palace 0-0 Nottingham Forest

It was Forest who looked the more dangerous side in the opening half of this one, as the Tricky Trees look to build on a run of only one defeat in their previous four games. Gibbs-White kicked the game into life when his effort fired back off the woodwork following Murillo's long-range pass. Murillo then saw his own effort saved by Johnstone as Forest imposed themselves on Palace throughout the first half. Edouard managed to tee up Mateta in the second half, but the attacker slipped at the opportune moment. Elanga looked like he would find the breakthrough late on but his heavy touch allowed Palace to scramble back and clear. All in all the result was deserved, as neither side had enough about them to find the opener and steal the points as both sides look to push into becoming a top half side.

Predicted: Brighton 2-4 Liverpool

Result: Brighton 2-2 Liverpool

Adingra, Dunk - Salah x2

Brighton started strongly at home, with their rapid attacks causing Mac Allister all sorts of problems at the base of the Liverpool midfield. He was ultimately at fault for the game’s first goal when he lost the ball to Adingra, who strode forward and slotted past the diving Alisson on 20 minutes. From there Brighton began to dominate, but could not find a second. Liverpool turned the game on its head before the break, as Salah was on hand in the 40th minute to slot past Verbruggen from a Nunez square pass. In the first minute of first half stoppage time Salah stepped up to convert a penalty after Gross fouled Szoboszlai in the area. Gravenberch came on in the second half and should have gotten another for Liverpool when he struck the bar from just yards out. Brighton improved and had claims of a penalty from a Van Dijk handball waved away, but the Seagulls were level on 78 minutes. Robertson allowed March's low cross past him and Dunk was on hand to score. Brighton have now only lost once in their previous seven games against Liverpool, with Klopp's men heading into the international break on the back of a slight wobble. He will know once they are back nothing short of 100% will get them in the title race.

Predicted: West Ham 1-2 Newcastle

Result: West Ham 2-2 Newcastle

Soucek, Kudus - Isak x2

West Ham looked bright here and got their reward after 8 minutes when Paqueta's pinpoint through-ball found Emerson, who in turn poked it past Pope and into the path of Soucek to score. After their wonderous victory over PSG during the week, Newcastle showed the signs of a side struggling playing twice every week. Fatigue was evident as they struggled to win second balls and didn't have a shot on target in the opening half. Guimaraes was lucky to avoid a second yellow for catching Ward-Prowse, but Newcastle managed to get level on 57 minutes. Trippier crossed in a free-kick for Alvarez to nod down into the path of Isak for a simple goal. Five minutes later Newcastle were ahead when Almiron played Isak in to score following Tonali's lovely pass. Isak could have scored a third but when put clean through saw his effort smash the base of the post after the striker had rounded Areola. It came back to haunt his side as on 89 minutes when Coufal powered down the right before Kudus smashed home the leveller. Pope denied Bowen late on as West Ham looked to steal the points, but will be pleased with the draw. Newcastle meanwhile will need to find the right balance between the Champions League and the Premier League to ensure they don't suffer any further European hangovers. 

Predicted: Wolves 2-2 Aston Villa

Result: Wolves 1-1 Aston Villa

Hwang - Torres

The West Midlands Derby provided another encouraging performance for Wolves manager O'Neil following their win over Manchester City last weekend. Villa did start brighter, with Torres, Cash, and McGinn all having shots go wide or saved. Just after the half hour mark Hwang crossed in for Ait-Nouri but he steered the ball wide as Wolves began to dominate without really testing Martinez in the Villa goal. Lemina blocked a Douglas Luiz chance late in the half, but Villa looked sharper in the second period. Watkins forced a save from Sa but on 53 minutes Wolves took the lead. Hwang won the ball from Douglas Luiz and played it out wide to Neto before racing into the area to finish off the move. The lead didn't last long as two minutes later Villa were level. Douglas Luiz's free-kick came out to Watkins, and his cross was turned home by Torres. Neither side could up their quality from there and although Wolves wanted a penalty for a Kamara foul on Neto nothing was given. Watkins, Douglas Luiz and Zaniolo put efforts wide for Villa, as Lemina was given a second yellow card for a foul on Zaniolo. At the death Watkins saw his header hit the base of the post, but a point each was a fair result. Wolves quietly go marching on and are now unbeaten in their last six league games against Aston Villa. They have also scored in each of their last 11 home Premier League games. Villa meanwhile stutter after their midweek Europa Conference League game, but with Watkins in such form they will have high hopes ahead. The Englishman now has 16 goals and 7 assists in the Premier League across 2023, with only Haaland and Salah involved in more.

Predicted: Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City

Result: Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City

Martinelli

The potential title decider took an unexpected twist here, with Arsenal recording their first win over Manchester City since December 2015, having lost the previous twelve encounters. Arsenal were nervy from the off, with a Gvardiol shot cleared off the line early on, and Ake firing over soon after. Raya then took too long on the ball and was fortunate the see the ball hit the side netting after Alvarez had closed him down. Missing Saka and Raya looking out of sorts, it was City who were fortunate when Kovacic was not given a second yellow for a bad tackle on Rice. Martinelli came on at half time to give more attacking options for Arsenal, having their first shot on target in the 50th minute. Zinchenko and Jesus looked dangerous but City looked unbeatable at the back. That all changed in the 86th minute when a Martinelli strike deflected of Ake to leave Ederson stranded and steal the points for Arsenal. City had just four shots in the entire game, and there were only three shots on target between the two sides. It was a nervous game as Pep has seen his side lose three domestic games on the bounce, meaning the treble winners are showing signs of weakness. As for Arsenal, the result is huge and will give plenty of belief to the club regarding their title ambitions.

Table After Match Day 8

A look at the top half of the table and Spurs lead the way thanks to goals scored, with Arsenal sitting second. Manchester City and Liverpool make up the top four, with Villa sitting in fifth. Brighton are behind them on goal difference, with West, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, and Manchester United making up the top half.

As for the bottom half, Sheffield United, Bournemouth, and Burnley make up the bottom three, with Luton just above the line on goal difference alone. Everton and Brentford sit three points clear of relegation, while Wolves are a further point ahead. Nottingham Forest sit another point above them, with Fulham and Chelsea both only a single point off tenth placed Manchester United.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 8

1 — E. Haaland — Manchester City — 8 Goals
2 — Son — Tottenham — 6 Goals
3— Isak — Tottenham — 6 Goals
4 — J. Bowen — West Ham — 5 Goals
5 — Hwang — Wolves — 5 Goals
6 — M. Salah — Liverpool — 5 Goals

+ 6 players on 4 goal

Check out my 2023/24 Season Predictions here: Predictions 23/24 Season

Have a great day, I hope you enjoyed the preview of the matches and get to see the games.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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