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 sixth match week saw the Merseyside Derby produce another draw, Chelsea and West Ham full of VAR controversy, and a huge result for Gerrard's Villa side against Man City.

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-6-preview-xvmmrlw

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, it was a disaster of a weekend. I got 0/10 correct this weekend. In terms of match-winner/loser, I only managed to predict 1/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Everton 1-3 Liverpool

Result: Everton 0-0 Liverpool 

Another draw in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison, resulting in the third draw of the season for Liverpool and leaving Everton still without a win this campaign. Everton started the brighter of the two sides in this game, with Maupay dragging his shot wide on eight minutes for the first real chance of the game. Nunez had his chance on 19 minutes as he headed wide from a Alexander-Arnold cross, while Davies hit the post and Gordon wasted a good opportunity for Everton. Liverpool ended the half in the ascendancy as Pickford turned a Nunez shot onto the bar, before Diaz hit the inside of the post in the same move. Firmino came on for Carvalho at the break and with four forwards Liverpool pressed on, seeing Tsimikas miss at the far post when it looked easier to score. Nunez saw a volley go straight to Pickford and Iwobi took a speculative shot at the other end for Everton. Pickford twice kept out Firmino in quick succession after the hour mark, while Gordon and Maupay combined to try score only for Alisson to keep them at bay. Coady did manage to score against his boyhood club but it was ruled out by VAR for offside. Firmino saw an effort saved late on and Salah who was quiet all game finally got a sight of goal only for Pickford to tip it onto the post. Since the start of last season only one other Premier League game remained goalless but had as many shot as this one did, with 37 overall. Liverpool's tally of nine points from their first six Premier League games this season is the lowest they have ever had under Klopp. Everton meanwhile have now failed to win any of their opening six games of a Premier League season for only a third time.

Predicted: Chelsea 2-2 West Ham

Result: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham

Chilwell, Havaretz - Antonio, 

Worst VAR decision yet is what Declan Rice called the decision to disallow West Ham's equaliser in the second half, while Moyes claimed he has lost faith in VAR. Once again this game started with Chelsea showing more of the same, struggling to create and cause any real problems for their visitors. Pulisi saw his tame effort blocked by Paqueta in the first half, representing the best chance of the half for the home side. Neither side managed a shot on target in the opening 45, but in the second half this game roared into life. It was a fast start, and West Ham pounced first as Rice capitalised on some poor goalkeeping by Mendy from a corner to set up Antonio for a simple tap in. Havertz and Chillwell were brought on and helped change the game for Chelsea, with the left back scoring from a smart front post finish to level the score. Benrahma found Bailey with a cross to the back post but his header struck the post. Soon after Havertz scored, as Chillwell set up his fellow substitute to put the Blues in the lead with a free header  Then the moment of controversy. James played a poor header back towards his own goal, and with Mendy rushing out Bowen was running through. The Englishman jumped over the keeper and lightly caught him, but the way Mendy went down leaves a lot to be desired. West Ham managed to score with Mendy laying on the floor, and a VAR review saw the officials favour the keeper for this one. Honestly, I find it difficult to comprehend as it seemed like Mendy was clutching his shoulder when Bowen's foot looked to have caught him lower in the arm. Controversial to say the least but Chelsea will take the win and move on with both sides in Europe this week.

Predicted: Brentford 2-2 Leeds

Result: Brentford 5-2 Leeds

Toney x3, Mbeumo, Wissa - Sinisterra, Roca

Ivan Toney was on fire here as he scored a hattrick to ensure Brentford took all three points against Leeds. This game started slow before bursting into life, as in the opening half hour the only real chance came from a Lewis-Potter low shot on target. It all changed when Toney went flying inside the box and after a VAR monitor review, the ref awarded the penalty on the half hour mark. Toney scored his first  to make it 18 out of 18 from the spot for Brentford, before adding his second from a free kick two minutes before the break. Sinisterra got Leeds back into it a minute into injury time as he flicked the ball over Henry's head. Bamford came on for the second half to spur Leeds on even more, until Meslier's ill-judged clearance from a long ball forward fell perfectly for Toney who finished to get his hattrick just before the hour mark. Marsch was sent off for complaining after VAR refused to give his side a penalty when Summerville was taken down by Hickey, but Roca pulled one back with just over 10 minutes to play after he turned home Aylings cross. A moment later and Brentford scored their fourth, as Llorente misjudged a high ball and Mbeumo went through to score. Llorente was then caught on the ball by Wissa late on as he went in and scored the fifth, and he could have had a sixth after more calamitous defending. Another big win for Brentford, but much work to be done for Leeds after another disappointing result following their excellent start to the season.

Predicted: Newcastle 2-1 Crystal Palace

Result: Newcastle 0-0 Crystal Palace

Following on from the goalless match at Goodison, this game saw Newcastle have 23 shots to Palace's 19 but neither side could find the net, eclipsing the record of 37 as noted in the Merseyside Derby. Newcastle controlled the first half of the game, showing good attacking threat with Isak going closest.  He managed to get through clean on goal after he blocked Andersen's forward pass, but the striker was denied by Guaita who stood tall. Longstaff also saw a close range header saved, while Almiron's volley from the edge of the area crashed off the bottom of the post. In the second half Newcastle thought they finally had the opener as Trippier's free-kick was headed back across goal by Botman, bouncing off Mitchell and into the goal. VAR however ruled it out for a foul by Willock on the keeper.  Edouard forced a decent save from Pope in a rare moment of attack from Palace but neither side could find a way through. Newcastle have now drawn four of their opening six games this season, but it is still a massive leap compared to last season. Crystal Palace meanwhile have won only four of their 22 away games in the Premier League under Patrick Vieira.

Predicted: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Bournemouth

Result: Nottingham Forest 2-3 Bournemouth

Kouyaté, Johnson - Billing, Solanke, Anthony

A comeback of all comebacks as Bournemouth shocked Nottingham Forest to win this game late on and take all three points. The opening half an hour was tame and quiet, but the game came to life just after the half hour mark when Kouyaté met Gibbs-White corner to head home. As the game went into injury time Williams had a shot blocked on the line by Kelly, and after reviewing the monitor, the referee stuck with his decision to award a spot kick.  Johnson converted to double the lead just before the break. Six minutes into the second half and Lingard lost the ball to Cook, whose ball found Billing and he unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot to beat Henderson in the Forest goal. Twelve minutes later and Bournemouth were level as a  Tavernier corner was met at the back post by  Kelly to nod it on for Solanke to finish. That was Solanke's 50th goal in a Bournemouth shirt in all competitions. With three minutes of normal time to play Bournemouth did the unthinkable and stole the three points as McKenna's saw his poor backpass intercepted by Solanke, who crossed for Anthony to finish with ease. Awoniyi could have rescued a point for Forest moments later but he fired wide from inside the box. This was the first time Bournemouth ever won a Premier League game after being two goals down at the break. It was also the first time Forest lost a Premier League game after being two goals up at the break.

Predicted: Tottenham 3-1 Fulham

Result: Tottenham 2-1 Fulham

Højbjerg, Kane - Mitrovic

Antonio Conte will be delighted with how his side started this game, with Spurs showing almost total dominance and control throughout the first half. They created a host of chances and had a Son cross/shot goal ruled out with Kane in an offside position and attempted to flick it on. Richarlison created another chance for Son after cutting the ball back for him but the South Korean saw his deflected effort fly over the bar. Adarabioyo stopped Kane with a last ditch tackle but the pressure was mounting as Son struck the underside of the bar. Soon after the goal arrived, as Højbjerg exchanged passes with Richarlison and then let off a low shot to open the scoring on 40 minutes. In the second half Spurs picked up where they left off but continued to waste chances. Sessegnon played in a low cross for Kane in the 75th minute as the Englishman got his 188th goal in the Premier League and moving ahead of Andrew Cole in the process to sit in third place in the all-time scoring charts. Mitrovic pulled one back for Fulham on 83 minutes with a brilliant strike and could have added another only for Lloris. Richarlison  did score but it was ruled out by VAR, only after the Brazilian had removed his shirt and got a yellow card for his celebration. Spurs now have 14 points and it is their joint highest amount in the Premier League after six matches. 

Predicted: Wolves 1-1 Southampton

Result: Wolves 1-0 Southampton

Podence

Wolves managed to secure their first win of the season here as they overcame the Saints at Molineux. The hosts had been on a goal scoring drought, having only managed two so far before this match, but they will care little having finally secured three points. New 6ft 7in striker Sasa Kalajdzic was handed his debut but endured a difficult afternoon. Southampton were in good form heading into this after beating Chelsea during the week, but only managed one shot on target as Adams looked off form. He was presented with two golden opportunities in the space of two minutes to drag the Saints level but could not apply the desired finish. Podence had given his side the lead in first half injury time when he got on the end of a Nunes to beat Banuzu in the Southampton goal. Hasenhuttl watched on as his side hit the bar and pushed forward but could not find a way past Sa in the Wolves goal. It was Lage's side who brought an end to their 13 games in the Premier League without a win and will hope it serves as an inspiration to kick on this campaign. Kalajdzic however got a physical welcome to the Premier League, having to be taken off at half time after some rough treatment which included a bloodied lip and his shirt being torn. However I am sure he will adjust given time. 

Predicted: Aston Villa 2-3 Manchester City

Result: Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester City

Bailey - Haaland

The Champions dropped more points here as struggling Gerrard inspired his side to claim a point after going behind to another Haaland goal. The first half was very quiet and unusual for Man City, as neither side managed to test the oppostion keeper and it was Watkins of Villa who had the best chance as his shot deflected off Stones and went just wide of the post. The second half was much better, as five minutes in Haaland jumped highest at the back post to convert a beautiful De Bruyne cross. The Norwegian has now scored in four Premier League games in a row. Villa created an opening and should have been level in the 58th minute as Ramsey's went through one-versus-one but his heavy touch meant Ederson got to save it at his feet. De Bruyne wasted two great chances, first hitting the bar from a free kick then striking wide after some great play with Haaland. City would come to rue those chances as in the 74th minute Bailey struck a beautiful first-time finish into the top corner. Five minutes later and Coutinho scored but the linesman had wrongly ruled him out for offside, meaning play had stopped when the Brazilian unleashed a beautiful strike into the top corner, much to the discontent of the home crowd and manager. City pushed for a winner but couldn't find one, as they drew for the second time this season. Villa meanwhile took some of the pressure off manager Gerrard after that result and this will certainly have pleased a lot of the home fans. They also put an end to a run of seven consecutive losses to Manchester City in the league. De Bruyne  also managed to register his 90th assist in the Premier League, in what was his 216th game.

Predicted: Brighton 1-1 Leicester

Result: Brighton 5-2 Leicester

Thomas, Caicedo, Trossard, Mac Allister x2 - Iheanacho, Daka

It seems like the end is approaching fast for Rodgers, as he watched his side take an early lead just to end up with another defeat and remain without a win so far in the league this season. This game got off to a rapid start as Iheanacho gave the Foxes the lead after 52 seconds when Tielemans was aggressive in the middle and won the ball, feeding Barnes who in turn played it to Daka. The ball was crossed to Iheanacho to tap in at the back post. The old defensive issues creeped back and by 15 minutes Leicester were behind. The first came as March forced Thomas to turn the ball into his own net, while the second came as Maddison lost possession cheaply and Caicedo finished low past Ward. The leveller came from nowhere on 33 minutes as Tielemans played a long ball which Daka latched onto and finished with calm and composure. Brighton thought they had taken the lead again when Mac Allister scored with a stunning long range strike, but VAR took four minutes to review before deciding Mwepu was offside. Potter's side pushed on and on 64 minutes Trossard got the deserved goal, as he raced in down the left and finished smartly into the far corner. He went on to win a penalty from Ndidi, which Mac Allister slotted away to get himself on the score sheet on 71 minutes. It didn't end there though, as in the seventh minute of injury time Mac Allister decided he curled home a delicious 25-yard free-kick straight into the top corner to make up for the one VAR ruled out. Leicester have now lost five league games in a row leaving Rodgers in a very precarious position. As for Potter, he just needs to ensure his side keeps producing these scintillating performances and I would be in little doubt of them breaking into the European positions this season.

Predicted: Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal

Result: Manchester United 3-1 Arsenal

Saka - Antony, Rashford x2

United started this game brightly, showing intent from the off with Antony involved in some good play to the delight of the home fans. They found themselves a goal behind on 12 minutes however when Eriksen was dispossessed by Odegaard, allowing Martinelli to break through and score. Upon a VAR review and the referee checking the monitor, the goal was chalked off but it seemed like a another harsh intervention. Jesus looked a constant pain to the United defence, causing Martinez and Varane plenty of problems, and heading wide from a corner on 19 minutes. Antony got a shot off on 22 minutes but curved it well wide from outside the box. Martinelli nearly caught out De Gea on the half hour mark as his low cross from the left deflected off Dalot to the near post. After sustained Arsenal pressure it was Antony who opened the scoring on his debut, as he bent his shot past Ramsdale after some nice United passing on 35 minutes. Arsenal managed to reassert themselves as the game approached half time but did not test De Gea. The second half saw Arsenal almost dominate proceedings at times, really pushing to level them game. That came on the hour mark when Saka was on hand to finish after Varnae gave the ball away and Jesus was pressured in the box but the ball found its way to the young Englishman. The level score didnt last long, as six minutes later Rashford scored after United caught Arsenal on the break with Bruno sending Rashford in behind the Gunners defence to finish. Both sides attacked with Arsenal really going for it but they were caught once more by Rashford in the 75th minute when Arsenal were extremely attacking and got caught exposed at the back. Eriksen found himself alone in the Arsenal half and squared the ball for Rashford to double his tally for the day. Poor play by Arsenal who were too focused on getting level again. United saw the game out but Arsenal really deserved more from it how they played. It brings an end to Arsenal's 100% start to the season, while Ten Hag has now overseen four wins in a row.

Table After Match Day 6

A look at the top half of the table and after the sixth round Brighton are once again the surprise team at the top, sitting comfortable in fourth they have been excellent so far this season. Arsenal, City, and Spurs lead the way while United, Liverpool, and Chelsea are beginning to make their push up towards the top four places. Six points separate Brentford in 7th from Arsenal in 1st so the league is far from decided, regardless of some naysayers on social media.

As for the bottom half, Leicester remain rooted to the foot  of the table as they still search for their first win of the season. West Ham and Forest will be disappointed to be down in the drop zone, while Villa will take a lot of heart from earing a point against Man City. Newcastle continue their push up the table and will hope to start turning draws into wins as the big to get up into European places.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 6

1 - E. Haaland - Man City - 10 Goals
2 - A. Mitrovic - Fulham - 6 Goals
3 - H Kane - Tottenham - 5 Goals
4 - I. Toney- Brentford - 5 Goals
5 - W. Zaha - Crystal Palace - 4 Goals   
6 - Rodrigo - Leeds United - 4 Goals
7 - A Mac Allister - Brighton - 4 Goals

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

Also check out my review of the group draw and prediction of the Champions League for this season here: Champions League 2022/23 Prediction

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

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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