Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent weekend, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. The third match week saw some huge results, as City clawed back from 3-1 down and Chelsea got blown away by the American Leeds United. Arsenal continued with their excellent start to the campaign while at Old Trafford Man United showed that Ten Hag can get this team firing when the pressure is really put on them.

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/premier-league-2223-match-week-3-preview-xyeymdg

 

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 only managed to predict 2/10 correctly in this round of games, which to be fair had many surprise results.

 

Predicted: Tottenham 2-1 Wolves

Result: Tottenham 1-0 Wolves

Kane

Wolves were the main side in this one throughout the opening half, with Spurs only seeing their first opportunity on target in the 45th minute. Podence and new man Guedes had both wasted good opportunities for Wolves, while record signing Nunes looked immense in the middle of the field. The best chance came when Sanchez failed at trying to clear a long ball, allowing Guedes in on goal who was forced wide by Lloris and his pull back for Nunes was struck wide. Conte clearly lay into his side at the break, ensuring they performed better in the second half. Kulusevski and Kane became much more involved in the game, as the England captain hit the crossbar with a header from the Swede's corner. Soon after Kane found the break through as Perisic flicked on a corner and Kane got in beyond Collins to head in an easy finish. Son managed to hit the past after but neither side could find another goal in this one. Wolves had 12 shots in the first half but their lack of finishing in this game cost them. This result saw Tottenham remain unbeaten so far in the league this season, while it as also Conte's 70th victory from 107 games as a manager in the Premier League.

 

Predicted: Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa

Result: Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa

Zaha x2, Mateta - Watkins

Villa started this game strong and got their rewards early on, as Watkins latched onto Bailey's nod down from a long pass to score in the fifth minute. Zaha got his side level a mere two minute later, as he broke from the halfway line and powered into the box before slotting the ball home. Palace thought they had the lead later in the half as Sclupp fired home from Edouard's cutback but was ruled offside by VAR. Edouard was then denied by Martinez as Palace pushed on and dominated the match. Buendia tested Guaita in the Palace goal late in the half but his shot was straight at the keeper. The second half saw Villa almost take the lead six minutes in, as Bailey saw a fierce effort from distance hit the top of the crossbar. Soon after Digne was ruled as having handled the ball in his own box, and Zaha gave his side the lead as he finished the rebound of his own penalty kick on 58 minutes. Palace kept pushing with Villa looking way off it, and it paid off on 71 minutes when Mateta finished off a fine team move which included a Zaha backheel and Mitchell cross from the right. Gerrard felt afterwards the penalty decision was harsh against his side, but could have no complaints after how his side performed. It was their third away league defeat in a row and will need to improve fast. Palace meanwhile have won four of their last six Premier League games at Selhurst Park.

 

Predicted: Everton 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Result: Everton 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Gray - Johnson

This game had all the drama right at the end, as both sides struggled throughout to break the deadlock. Everton had started better, with Rondon having an opportunity to opening the scoring early on as he took a shot on the turn. It was an open first half and Lampard would have expected better from his side, as a lack of ruthlessness from their 19 shots at home proved decisive. THe second half continued in the same fashion as the first, and it was in the 81st minute when Forest found the opener. Yates saw his shot saved by Pickford, but Johnson was on hand and turned home the rebound to send the away fans wild. WIlliams has seen a shot fly narrowly wide prior to that, and Forest were looking good for the win at this point. Pickford, partly at fault for the opener, was not going to allow that though. He launched a long ball forward to set Gray through with two minutes of normal time remaining and the winger confidently slotted the ball under Henderson to steal a share of the points. The lack of a focal point upfront has hampered Everton since last season and it Calvert-Lewin cannot be relied on in terms of fitness, Lampard may need to turn to the market before the window closes. Forest meanwhile managed to give new boy Gibbs-White a cameo and will have high hopes after their start to the campaign so far.

 

Predicted: Fulham 2-2 Brentford

Result: Fulham 3-2 Brentford

Reid, Alves Palhinha Gonçalves, Mitrovic - Norgaard, Toney

Fulham started brighter in this game, and got the dream start when Mitrovic saw his effort blocked but the ball landed at Stansfield, who managed to strike the bar from close-range before Reid opened the scoring in the first minute. The home side grew from there and their intensity was fierce, too much for Brentford. Fulham had chances and finally on twenty minutes Palhinha powered home from a Pereira corner to double the lead. A minute before the break and suddenly the Bees were back in it, as Norgaard volleyed home from a Jensen corner at the near post. The second half saw Toney have a goal ruled out for offside after four minutes, before Mitrovic wasted a great chance when DaSilva accidently played him in with a back pass. Wissa managed to cross a ball across the six yard box in the 71st minute for Toney to tap in and draw the teams level. Brentford had their tails up and could have scored a winner, but Mitrovic would have the final say as he rose above Mbeumo at the back post and headed home Mbabu's cross  in injury time. Mitrovic has now scored 98 goals in a Fulham shirt in all competitions, while Brentford will know they need to start quicker and have better concentration from the start in games like this. Huge three points for Fulham.

 

Predicted: Leicester 3-2 Southampton

Result: Leicester 1-2 Southampton

Maddison - Adams x2

Rodgers, who left out Fofana due to the speculation surrounding his defender, will once again rue the defensive mistakes his side are making which cost them the game. The game started at a frantic pace, with the defenders of both sides coming out on top for the majority of the first half. Perez failed to connect with a volley at the far post for the home side while Mara saw his effort ruled out for offside at the other end. The best chance of the half fell to Harvey Barnes as he pounced on a loose pass before driving into the Southampton box but firing wide. Maddison whipped a free kick around the wall on 54 minutes to give Leicester the lead, as Bazuna will feel he could have done better in the Saints goal. Leicester's defence showed its frailties in the 68th minute when Salisu's long throw was flicked on by Bella-Kotchap for substitute Adams to finish with a first-time strike from close range. With six minutes to play Ward-Prowse sent in a cross which Adams volleyed home and stole the three points for the away side. That was Southampton's first away win in the league for nine matches, while Leicester had only lost once a t home in their previous ten league matches.

 

Predicted: Bournemouth 2-2 Arsenal

Result: Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal

Ødegaard x2, Saliba

Arsenal had near total dominance in the opening half of this game, although only managed to record two shots on target. Both of those shots found the back of the net, with Jesus having a hand in Ødegaard's goals on both occasions. The first came in the fifth minute, after Jesus set up Martinelli for an effort which was saved, but followed up by the Arsenal captain to open the scoring. The second arrived six minutes later as Jesus had a heavy touch in the box, which set up the Norwegian to smash in his second of the game. Bournemouth had no response, and at half time took off Senesi and Pearson after they didn't manage any attempts in the opening 45 minutes. The stand out moment of the second half was when Saliba latched onto Xhaka's lay off and drove home a fierce long range effort to the delight of the away fans nine minutes after the break. After that it was plain sailing for the away side, who maintain their 100% start to the season. Arteta had named the same first eleven for the third game in a row and the hope will be they can continue to produce for the season. Parker meanwhile admitted Bournemouth were not good enough, especially in the first half, and big improvements will be required going forward.

 

Predicted: Leeds 1-1 Chelsea

Result: Leeds 3-0 Chelsea

Aaronson, Rodrigo, Harrison

Tuchel will be fuming at his goalkeeper for this result, having seen Mendy gift the opener to Leeds and his side collapse soon after, with Koulibaly earning a second yellow card and being sent off late on to add to Tuchel's woes. Chelsea had early chances, with Sterling cutting inside for one and bending his effort just beyond the post. It was Leeds who struck though, as a dreadful decision by Mendy not to clear the ball, and instead invite the pressure from Aaronson, saw him closed down and the ball rebound back off the American, who got around the keeper and slotted into the empty net just after the half hour mark. From there Leeds dominated, with Rodrigo scoring with a header four minutes later. Chelsea were a mess and Tuchel tried to change the formation, but with little success. Midway through the second half and Harrison finished the contest with a close range effort, leaving the home fans ecstatic. Tuchel needs to improve and quickly, as Gallagher could not do the job Kante does for the side. As for Leeds, its four goals in three games for Rodrigo now, who is showing he can lead the line without Bamford available and with Raphina gone to Barcelona. 

 

Predicted: West Ham 1-1 Brighton

Result: West Ham 0-2 Brighton

Mac Allister, Mac Allister

This was not the result Moyes needed, especially after seeing his side play so well in the Europa Conference League qualifier during the week. His side started well, finding some space with Benrahma and Antonio but it was Brighton who controlled the match. The Seagulls frustrated their opponents and new signing Kehrer fouled Welbeck in the box with a sliding challenge, allowing Mac Allister to convert the penalty in the twenty second minute. The Hammers were booed off at half time, a huge fall from the delirium experienced last season in their Europa League run. They came out firing in the second half, with Soucek heading close and Fornals wasting a great chance. It was Brighton who struck next though, as Mac Allister picked out Gross, who played a smart flick into Trossard who doubled the lead on sixty six minutes. Soucek had two great chances in the final ten minutes but Sanchez held strong, giving Brighton the deserved three points. West Ham will need to find their form quickly as they have suffered three defeats from three this season. Brighton meanwhile march on and could start dreaming of Europe if they continue to play like this, having also beaten Man United so far.

 

Predicted: Newcastle 1-3 Manchester City

Result: Newcastle 3-3 Manchester City

Almirón, Wilson, Trippier - Gündogan, Haaland, Silva

City got off to a flying start as Silva glided through the Newcastle defence before crossing to Gündogan who controlled before beating Pope with ease on five minutes. It was not the start Newcastle had hoped for against the Champions, but it was their bright spark Saint-Maximin who caused Walker havoc throughout. City created chances without any real penetration or conviction, and Newcastle drew level just before the half hour mark as Almiron made a perfect run to get onto the end of Saint-Maximin's pass. The Frenchman skipped past Rodri and Walker before delivering a perfect ball to the back post for his teammate. Ten minutes later and Newcastle were ahead, as once again Saint-Maximin was involved, dribbling in from the left and playing in Wilson whose first touch put him beyond Dias and the striker buried his shot. City started bright in the second half, with Haaland hitting the post thanks to an excellent Pope saves, but on 54 minutes Newcastle got their third. Once again it was Saint-Maximin, this time getting fouled by Stones. Trippier steps up and from 25-30 yards out gives Ederson no chance. Just after the hour mark and Haaland got his goal, with his great movement key to the opportunity and getting to Rodri's back post cross. Immediately after Haaland is in again, and once more Pope makes himself big and saves. In this thrilling encounter it was Silva who scored on 64 minutes to bring the sides level after his run in behind is picked out by De Bruyne. City applied the pressure from there and Trippier was shown a straight red for a challenge on De Bruyne, but the referee visited the pitchside monitor and changed it to a yellow. Newcastle held on from there and it was a share of the spoils. City will be disappointed to have dropped points so early in the campaign but showed real champions spirit to fight back from 1-3 down. Newcastle meanwhile showed how it is done against Man City, with their players and manager showing real disappointment not to have secured all three points.

 

Predicted: Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool

Result: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool

Sancho, Rashford -Salah

Not the result most were expecting heading into this one, but United got their first points of the season to move above Liverpool in the table with this home victory. The home crowd were treaded to the unveiling of Casemiro before kick off, and started the brightest here. The Reds look rattled, and were undone on sixteen minutes when Sancho sent Milner and Alisson the wrong way, before slotting the ball into the goal past a very statuesque Van Djik. United continued to dominate the opening half, as the Liverpool midfield of Milner, Henderson, and Elliot could not contain their opponents. To sum up Liverpool, they didn't test De Gea once in the opening half. Klopp clearly riled them up at the break, and they improved in the second half, but it was United who struck again. Rashford was set free by sub Martial to run in on goal and slot past Alisson, ending his drought in front of goal. Liverpool made changes bringing on Carvalho and Fabinho and with ten minutes to go finally got their goal. Carvalho swivelled to take a shot and Salah was on hand to head home into a tight angle from the rebound. It was too little too late, as Liverpool attacked in force after that but created little of note, leaving United to hang on for their first competitive victory under Ten Hag. Liverpool have now had their worst start to a season by failing to win their first three games since 2012-13 under Brendan Rodgers. They are also on a shocking run of conceding first in their last seven league games, while this was their first Premier League defeat of 2022. Man United know they had a lot of work to do still but Ten Hag will be delighted with the effort his players put in, especially after taking the decision to drop both Maguire and Ronaldo.

 

 

Table After Match Day 3

A look at the top half of the table and after the third round of fixtures, and things are starting to take shape now. Arsenal lead the way as the only team with a 100% record so far, with Man City, Leeds, Spurs, and Brighton all two points behind. Nottingham Forest will be delighted with their start to the campaign, as will Fulham, with both new sides sitting in the top half.

 

As for the bottom half, West Ham are bottom with no points from their opening three games. Chelsea, United and Liverpool will all be disappointed to be in the bottom half, and expect to push up the table sooner rather than later. The same can be applied to Leicester and Wolves, with both in the relegation zone and Everton languishing just above.

 

 

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 3

1 - Rodrigo - Leeds - 4 Goals
2 - E. Haaland - Manchester City - 3 Goals
3 - W. Zaha - Crystal Palace - 3 Goals
4 - A. Mitrovic - Fulham - 3 Goals

+ 12 players on 2 goals

 

Check out my 2022/23 Season Preview and Predictions here: Premier League 2022/23 Prediction

 

I hope you enjoyed this round of games over the weekend. We will be back next weekend with the next round of fixtures. Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

 

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