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 of matches saw another lacklustre performance from Liverpool, Arsenal show Tottenham who's top dog in London, Chelsea and Everton both come from behind to win, Newcastle looking back to their best, and a fiery Manchester Derby.

 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-8-preview-xzgqgmp

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 managed to predict 2/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham

Result: Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham

Partey, Jesus, Xhaka - Kane

A strong start from Arsenal set them on their way here, as they got revenge for the 3-0 defeat to Spurs which all but ensured Arsenal did not qualify for the champions league last season. Martinelli saw an early effort saved, with Spurs defending for much of the opening before Richarlison tested Ramsdale from a free kick. On twenty minutes Partey struck a superb long range shot to open the scoring. Gabriel gave away a penalty for a foul on Richarlison just after the half hour mark and Kane stuck it away. The second half saw Arsenal control the game once more, as four minutes in Jesus gave them the lead. Lloris spilled a Sako shot and Romero failed to deal with the loose ball, allowing the Brazilian to score. Spurs lacked much of a threat and their fate was sealed just after the hour mark when Emerson got a straight red for a lunge on Martinelli. On sixty seven minutes it was all over as Xhaka got his goal, as he wrong-footed Dier from Martinelli's flick and struck a low effort past Lloris. The Spurs keeper managed not to concede again when he saved from Tierney, but the damage has been done. That was Partey's first long range goal for Arsenal in 65 attempts. Spurs meanwhile have not won at Arsenal in their previous 12 visits in the league.

Predicted: Bournemouth 2-3 Brentford

Result: Bournemouth 0-0 Brentford

In the first ever top division encounter between these two sides, it was a lacklustre affair. Toney had the best chance of the game, seeing his second half chance going wide. Brentford had plenty of possession throughout but it was Bournemouth who expected a penalty in the opening half when Ajer challenged Zemura but after a VAR and pitch side review, it was not given. It was not a game that will be fondly remembered for being exciting, more for the referring decisions. Overall Bournemouth have managed to secure another point and extend their unbeaten run under O'Neill, which is especially impressive for a side registering a less than 1 expected goals per game. Brentford will be disappointed, and they even had to survive a late onslaught from the home side but will consider it another good result and point gained away from home. The Cherries have now failed to score in their last three home games, while Brentford managed their first clean sheet away from home in the league in over a year.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea

Result: Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea

Edouard - Aubameyang, Gallagher

In Potter's first league game in charge of Chelsea, and second game overall, once again Chelsea fell behind with a poor start to their game. Palace did not have much of the ball but on eight minutes Fofana gifted the ball to then and failed to track Edouard, as the striker scored with the games first real chance from an Ayew cross. Kepa starred in ensuring they did not concede more, and Chelsea began to recover. Silva was lucky not to be sent off for what looked a deliberate handball, but just before the break Aubameyang scored with a sharp finish by turning in the box. The second half was less eventful, with chances for both sides but neither producing the breakthrough. Finally, with ninety minutes on the clock, Gallagher scored against the side he thrived while on loan at last season. His first goal for Chelsea saw him bend a stunning effort past the desperate dive of Guaita and into the top corner. Potter managed to secure his first win as Chelsea manager and give them a much needed three points, while Vieira was left unhappy with the decision not to send Silva off.

Predicted: Fulham 2-1 Newcastle

Result: Fulham 1-4 Newcastle

Reid - Wilson, Almiron x2, Longstaff

A brilliant first half for Howe's side saw them race into a 3-0 lead at the break. It was helped in large parts by Chabolah getting a red card for Fulham after eight minutes, but take nothing away from the result. Wilson opened the scoring three minutes later after a beautiful flowing move, and even escaped a potential offside for Almiron. Just after the half hour mark Almiron got on the scoresheet himself, as he curled an outrageous volley over Leno and into the far corner from a narrow angle. Things went from bad to worse for Fulham as Mitrovic went off injured, and just before half time Longstaff got his name on the scoresheet. Two minutes before the break he was there to turn a rebound home after Leno saved from a Botman header. Twelve minutes into the second half and Almiron got on the end of Willocks cross to get his second of the game with a tap in. Fulham got their consolation with two minutes remaining as Reid glanced home Kebano's cross. This was the first game of the season which Fulham have lost at home, while this was Newcastle's first win since the opening game of the season.

Predicted: Liverpool 3-1 Brighton

Result: Liverpool 3-3 Brighton

Firmino x2, A Webster OG - Trossard x3

Anfield were not expecting this, but its not the first time they have had to deal with a below par performance from Liverpool. Four minutes in and Brighton took the lead, as Trossard makes the most of Henderson failing to get on Trent's headed clearance, before beating Alisson with a left footed effort low into the corner. On eighteen minutes it was 2-0 as Trossard scored a very similar goal, having been played in by March. Liverpool looked all over the place but finally got themselves back into it via Firmino. Henderson played a long ball forward on thirty three minutes and Salah just about kept onside at the edge of the box to flick the ball to his right. The onrushing Firmino was there to lift the ball into the back of the net. As the half ticked on both sides pushed forward in attacks but neither really caused much to test the opposition keeper. Diaz came on at half time for Carvalho, and nine minutes into the second half his run and lay off set up Firmino to level the game. Soon after Firmino could have scored his third but his header was saved after a good cross from Henderson. Liverpool began to dominate and on sixty-three minutes when a corner was not dealt with by Sanchez and ended up going in off Webster. Brighton applied some pressure of their own but resolute defending for Liverpool and a lack of cohesion from Brighton meant nothing came of it. The match went from end to end until in the eighty-third minute Trossard appeared at the back post to level the game from a Mitoma cross. Liverpool pushed for a winner but could not find it, leaving them to rue more dropped points and Klopp to lament another slow start.

Predicted: Southampton 1-1 Everton

Result: Southampton 1-2 Everton

Aribo - Coady, McNeil

This game was quiet enough during the first half, with little of note happening even though Everton controlled most of the half. The second half burst into life though, as Adams found Aribo inside the area before he turned and scored four minutes in. It was a short lived lead though, as Everton hit back with two quick goals. The first came on fifty two minutes when Coady was on hand to finish off after a Gray free kick had been headed back across goal be Onana. The Saints then had three quick chances to restore their lead via Adams, Armstrong, and Ward-Prowse, only for Everton to go and get a goal. On fifty four minutes McNeil was on had to get on the end of Iwobi's cross, which had been intended for Onana. Hasenhüttl pushed his team on to try get them back into the game but Pickford was on hand to ensure Everton would retain their advantage. It was the first time Everton won an away game where they had conceded first since February 2020. Southampton meanwhile have now managed to drop 92 points from winning positions in the Premier League under Ralph Hasenhüttl.

Predicted: West Ham 1-0 Wolves

Result: West Ham 2-0 Wolves

Scamacca, Bowen

The home side were winless in their previous six games at home. Wolves started bright, hoping to take advantage of the nervous atmosphere, with Podence and Jonny shooting from range in the opening ten minutes. Despite lots of possession, Wolves failed to really threaten West Ham. Just before the half hour mark they were made to pay for this, as  Bowen tricked his way into the box. He was hounded away by Kilman, but the loose ball fell to Scamacca and he buried his shot into the top corner from 20 yards. Wolves continued to lack any real focus and threat, and it may have been down to Neves playing as a central defender with Collins suspended. Bowen got in on the goalscoring in the second half, as his shot in the fifty fourth minute whizzed past Sa after the ball landed to him from a Kilman clearance. Costa came on after the hour mark to make his return to English football, and he sent a header just wide from a Traore cross. It wasnt to be for Wolves as West Ham ended their miserable home form, but Wolves have now gone eight away games without a win in the league. Lage got fired by Wolves after this result, ending his 15-month tenure. They had only won one of their previous 15 games in the Premier League.

Predicted: Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United

Result: Manchester City 6-3 Manchester United

Foden x3, Haaland x3 - Antony, Martial x2

A devastating performance from City which saw two of their young stars scoring a hattrick each against their City rivals. So bad was the United performance that by half time many of the away fans were leaving the stadium. City dominated from the off, Silva and De Bruyne tested them from the off, but it was only a matter of time. Soon after Foden got away from Eriksen and opening the scoring on eight minutes. Grealish tormented Dalot and Gundogan hit the woodwork, and it was a De Bruyne free kick that set up Haaland for this first on thirty four minutes. United were unhappy as Varane was down but off the pitch getting treatment. De Bruyne set up Haaland for his second three minutes later with a lovely ball to the back post. Things went worse for United, as Foden made it four a minute before the break, as this time Haaland crossed for Foden to tap in. The second half saw improvement from United, as Antony scored a superb goal from nowhere to give United some hope. It did not last long, as just after the hour mark Haaland had his third home hattrick in a row for City. Gomez crossed for the big striker and it looked game over, but City had more in them. On seventy two minutes Foden got his hatrick, before a late double from substitute Martial, including one from the spot, glossed over the result. All in all it showed the gulf in class between the two sides, while Haaland and De Bruyne are on course to break all goalscoring and assist records this season.

Predicted: Leeds 2-1 Aston Villa

Result: Leeds 0-0 Aston Villa

A disappointing result for both sides, especially Villa as they failed to make the most of playing the majority of the second half against ten men. The game began with Villa still searching for an away win this season, while Leeds conceded five last time out. Watkins and Coutinho both wasted early chances for Villa, while Rodrigo went close twice in a minute for Leeds. Bailey and Ramsey both wasted good chances for their sides in a stop start first half full of fouls. Sinisterra stopped a quick free kick early into the second half and got his second yellow, leaving Leeds with ten men for forty plus minutes. Villa gained confidence from there and nearly found an opener as Coutinho struck the back post from Bailey's cross, while Watkins blasted wide with the rebound. Buendia curled just over from distance and Watkins saw an effort saved late on as Gerrard's side could not find a way past Meslier in the Leeds goal. The match lacked in quality througout and a draw was most likely the deserved result.

Predicted: Leicester 2-2 Nottingham

Result: Leicester 4-0 Nottingham

Maddison x2, Barnes, Daka

A first win of the season for Leicester, and a big one at that. Exactly what Rodgers needed from his side. Leicester were the better side from the off, and dominated the game against Forest. The first goal came on twenty five minutes when Maddison got on the end of a Barnes cross which was not properly cleared by Lingard. The shot deflects off McKenna and left Henderson with no chance. The second came two minutes later as Vardy broke free and played a lovely ball in for Barnes to finish into the bottom corner. Ten minutes before the break and Maddison made it three with his second as he struck a delicious free kick which left Henderson rooted to the spot. Forest tried to get back into the match, but on seventy three minutes substitute Daka sealed the points with a wonderful flick after Maddison returned the ball to him. The win moves the Foxes off the bottom while Forest now occupy that spot, which is disastrous after their summer spending spree. Leicester became the final team this season to register a win in the league, while Forest have now lost five league games in a row.

Table After Match Day 8

A look at the top half of the table and Arsenal continue to lead the way after beating Spurs, while City are hot on their tails in second. Brighton are flying high in fourth after a draw at Anfield, while Chelsea have snuck up into fifth. The rest of the top half is made up of United, Newcastle, Fulham, Liverpool, and Brentford. Both United and Liverpool will be disappointed, while Fulham and Brentford will be delighted and Newcastle know they can push to challenge for a place in Europe.

As for the bottom half, Everton have managed to pull themselves up into eleventh, with Leeds and Bournemouth a point behind. Villa, West Ham, and Southampton will want to start adding more points to help pull themselves away from the relegation zone. Leicester have moved off the bottom with Forest taking that spot, with Wolves and Palace only separated on goal difference for the final relegation spot.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 8

1 - E. Haaland - Man City - 14 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 7 Goals
3 - A. Mitrovic - Fulham - 6 Goals
4 - I. Toney- Brentford - 5 Goals
5 - R. Firmino - Liverpool - 5 Goals   
6 - Jesus - Arsenal - 5 Goals
7 - L. Trossard - Brighton - 5 Goals

8 - P. Foden - Man City - 5 Goals

+ 3 players on 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 the return of the matches this weekend. We will be back again next weekend with the next round of fixture. Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

Referral links:

Publish0x - https://www.publish0x.com/?a=olejZqrzej

Splinterlands - https://splinterlands.com?ref=rnabc1

Upland - r.upland.me/NQAH

Binance - https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=143611368

NFT Market Sales

OpenSea - https://opensea.io/RNabc

Follow Me :)

Twitter - @RNabc123