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 Leicester brought back down to Earth, City and Chelsea secure big wins, Newcastle run rampant, and Arsenal v Liverpool was a cracker of a contest from the off.

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-9-preview-xgjvzgv

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, it was an interesting weekend. I got 1/10 correct this weekend. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 4/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Bournemouth 1-2 Leicester

Result: Bournemouth 2-1 Leicester

Billing, Christie - Daka

Having received the news the club had been successfully taken over by  Las Vegas-based businessman Foley prior to kick off, Bournemouth started well. All was undone when Leicester took the lead after ten minutes, with Daka on hand to swivel and score a first-time finish after Harvey Barnes' initial effort was blocked. Leicester looked good for their lead, and it seemed the Cherries were in for another loss heading in at half time. The second half saw Bournemouth make the most of a quick throw in, Solanke was away from Faes and saw his shot was blocked, but Billing was aware and adjusted himself to fire past Ward into the roof of the net on 67 minutes. Four minutes later and Bournemouth had the lead, as Billing's cross was nodded down by Solanke and Christie finished past Ward. Bournemouth held on and Leicester could not find a way back, consigning them to yet another defeat. This result means O'Neil's side are now unbeaten in his five games as interim boss, while Rodgers has to endure his side sitting in the relegation zone and really under pressure to sort his defence.

Predicted: Chelsea 2-2 Wolves

Result: Chelsea 3-0 Wolves

Havertz, Pulisic, Broja

A return to Stamford Bridge for Costa was the big talking point before this game, but he could do little against his former side. Chelsea were wasteful in the first half, letting a multitude of chances go by before finally Havertz popped up three minutes into injury time. He  looped a header in off the far post after Mount found some space to cross. Pulisic, who had endured a tough game after seeing three good moments come and go, finally got his goal on 54 minutes. His smart play with Mount ended with the American netting his first of the season. WIthout a manager, Wolves had a few opportunities but besides Moutinho's free-kick and a Nunes header did not threaten enough. With one minute of normal time to go it was Broja who sealed the points for Chelsea with an angled finish after coming off the bench. Potter will be delighted with the result, even if it took time for his side to get going, they are getting the right results. He will hope they can continue this going forward. As for Wolves, they will need to get a manager in soon to get this team together and start putting points on the table. Their dreams of Europe from last season seem so long ago at this stage.

Predicted: Manchester City 3-0 Southampton

Result: Manchester City 4-0 Southampton

Cancelo, Foden, Mahrez, Haaland

An emphatic win for City as they go marching on, moving top of the table in the process. Haaland was not at his best, wasting a number of chances in the first half, but eventually got his goal. It was all one way from the off, and it was Foden at the heart of it. He managed to get his pass off to Cancelo after being fouled to allow the Portugal full-back do the rest and finish on 20 minutes. Twelve minutes later and it was two, as Foden dinked the ball beyond Bazunu after being played in by a perfect ball from De Bruyne. The Saints were just about hanging in there but four minutes after the break it was three, as Mahrez finished neatly from Rodri's diagonal pass. On 65 minutes Haaland finally scored, getting on the end of a clever bit of link up play between Cancelo and De Bruyne. It was the strikers 15th league goal of the season and he is looking like an unstoppable machine. It was a real team performance from City though, even if they did somewhat slow down towards the end as the game was clearly won. Southampton will know they were up against the best and hope for better performances down the line. Haaland has also now scored in 7 consecutive Premier League games for Manchester City, with Sergio Aguero the only other player to achieve that. 

Predicted: Newcastle 3-1 Brentford

Result: Newcastle 5-1 Brentford

Guimarães x2, Murphy, Almirón, Pinnock OG - Toney

A massive result at home for Newcastle as they thrashed Brentford, ensuring their record of being unbeaten at home since April stayed intact. Mbeumo had an early goal disallowed for offside but it did not stop the home side, as Brentford were the creators of their own downfall. Newcastle got control of the game and on 21 minutes Bruno got his first, as he guided a header past Raya from Trippier's cross. Murphy made it two 7 minutes later as Raya passed the ball straight to Wilson, and he unselfishly squared for Murphy. Burn handballed in the second half and when Toney converted from the spot it gave Brentford hope on 54 minutes, but two minutes later Bruno got his second. He pounced on Hickey's error to finish with a low shot into the bottom corner. On 82 minutes Almirón added gloss to the scoreline as Pinnock played a back pass short and the Paraguayan got to the ball before Raya to make it four. In the second minute of injury time things got worse for Pinnock as he turned Joelinton's cross into the back of his own net. Guimarães showed why he is the heartbeat of this side with his impressive performance, while Brentford have now gone three games without a win, although at least managed to score after failed in their previous two games.

Predicted: Brighton 2-2 Tottenham

Result: Brighton 0-1 Tottenham

Kane

An eight goal of the season from Kane was enough to see Spurs win this one. After their draw at Anfield last weekend, Brighton were always going to be a tough opponent. Spurs had the devastating news their fitness coach, Gian Piero, had passed away. The funeral is on Sunday, and Spurs did him proud by winning here. Doherty wasted a good effort for Spurs early on, and an even better chance moments later. Bentancur also had a good chance but it was on 22 minutes when Kane and Son linked up for the goal. Son kept the ball alive and reversed it into the box for Kane to flick a header into the net. Brighton came alive after conceding but for all their good play they failed to really create anything of note. March probably had the best chance, a long range shot which went just wide. Spurs defended well in the second half, and while Welbeck had chances, he wasted the best on 78 minutes when he shot wide from 15 years out. Spurs have now won 2e of their last 23 games when they have led at the break, while Conte is unbeaten in all seven of his Premier League matches against fellow Italian managers. De Zerbi got a rude awakening to the Premier League after his side had done so well last week, but there is plenty of positives to expect from him going forward.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 2-1 Leeds

Result: Crystal Palace 2-1 Leeds

Edouard, Eze - Struijk

It was a nervous start from Palace, showing the nerves associated with a team floating just above the relegation zone. It was their undoing, as ten minutes in Leeds took the lead when Struijk finished the rebound after Aaronson had struck the post. Leeds continued to dominate the game from there, but out of nowhere Palace got back into it despite their nerves. On 24 minutes he got on the end of Olise's excellent out swinging free-kick and it rejuvenated the home side. In the second half they looked more like their old selves, as they wrestled momentum away from Leeds. Palace got the lead on 76 minutes when Eze played a one-two with Zaha, dummied past a defender and then fired off a shot to take the lead. The result ensured Palace got their second league win of the season, while Leeds suffered their third defeat of the campaign and are firmly settled in the bottom half of the table.

Predicted: West Ham 1-0 Fulham

Result: West Ham 3-1 Fulham

Bowen, Scamacca, Antonio - Pereira

Another win for West Ham as they begin to regain the form which saw them challenging for the Champions League places last season. Fulham went into this game on a run of win-defeat-win in their previous six, and lost last time out to Newcastle. Five minutes in an the away side had the lead, as Zouma failed to close down and Pereira struck a lovely shot into the net. Nine minutes later and James hit the crossbar when Rice afforded him too much time. West eventually grew into the game, with Scamacca heading straight at Leno before shooting wide. Pereira pulled Dawson's shirt at a corner just before the half hour mark, and Bowen happily converted the spot kick. After the hour mark Scamacca was played in by Paqueta, and after a lengthy VAR review for offside and handball, the goal was given. Cairney saw his goal bound shot hooked off the line by Cresswell as Fulham searched for an equaliser, but it was Antonio who had the final say. In the first minute of stoppage time he outmuscled Palhinha and fired straight at Leno by put away the rebound. It was the first time West Ham have won back to back league games since last January, while Fulham remain winless in their last 16 London derbies in the Premier League away from home.

Predicted: Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool

Result: Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool

Martinelli, Saka x2 - Nunez, Firmino

A fast start for Arsenal saw them score in their very first attack. Saka broke down the right and played the ball inside to Odegaard, who in turn played in Martinelli to score in the first minute of the game. It meant Liverpool have conceded first in 10 of their last 12 Premier League games. Liverpool grew into the game from there, with Jota claiming a handball against Gabriel which never got given, and Nunez testing Ramsdale. Jesus danced in the Liverpool box but his effort was easy for Alisson to save. Saliba had to be aware when Nunez played a low cross towards Diaz in the box, and the defender almost put the ball into his own net before Ramsdale parried it away. That duo combined again, this time it was Diaz who crossed for Nunez to finish and draw the teams level on 34 minutes. Five minutes before the break Diaz had to come off due to an injury, seeing Firmino come on in his place. In the final miute of added time Saka got on the end of a Martinelli cross after Arsenal countered quickly from a Liverpool free kick. Alexander-Arnold was replaced by Gomez at the break, and the second half saw Arsenal attacking fiercely but it was Liverpool who got their goal. Firmino latched onto a perfect pass from Jota on 53 minutes and arrowed his shot into the far side of the goal for his 10th goal against the Gunners. Arsenal pushed on from there, swamping and overrunning Liverpool for large parts. Alisson was forced into a double-save from Saka and Jesus before Thaigo fouled Jesus in the box on 76 minutes and Saka dispatched the penalty. Liverpool put on a late rally but Arsenal held on to secure their first win, and score against Liverpool for the first time, since July 2020. The Reds has been a shadow of themselves this season, and a tough trip to Man City comes after their game with Rangers this week.

Predicted: Everton 1-1 Manchester United

Result: Everton 1-2 Manchester United

Iwobi - Anthony, Ronaldo

It took five minutes for Lampards side to take the lead in this one, as the in-form Iwobi curled the ball beyond De Gea from well outside the penalty box after Casemiro had been dispossessed. Everton could not build from there, and it was United who started to gain a foothold into the game. Ten minutes later Anthony finished expertly after being put through by Martial. This time is was Gueye who had lost the ball. Casemiro then headed wide when unmarked, and a minute before the break it was Ronaldo who was left unmarked.  Casemiro got the ball of Iwobi and the Brazilian threaded a pass through to Ronaldo, who got away from Coady and hit a low left-footed shot. It marked his 700th career club goal. United pushed ahead in the second half and thought they had a third when Ronaldo headed the ball down for Rashford to score, but the England International was ruled offside. Everton tried in vain to get back into it, with Garner forcing a good save from De Gea and Pickford almost getting his head to a cross in stoppage time. With his third league goal here, Antony became the first Manchester United player to score in each of his first three appearances in the Premier League. 

Predicted: Nottingham 2-3 Aston Villa

Result: Nottingham 1-1 Aston Villa

Dennis - Young

Forest manager Cooper got a standing ovation from all four corners of the ground before kick off, showing the loyal support of the fans towards their manager. The atmosphere was excellent and it spilled over onto the pitch, as Dennis, making his first start for the club, scored after 15 minutes to put his side in the lead. The goal came from a Gibbs-White's right-wing free-kick that he headed in unmarked. The lead did not last long though, as seven minutes later Young struck from outside the box to level the scores. Watkins was stopped by the offside flag soon after when presented with a chance to put Villa into the lead, and overall the game lacked any real quality. Forest defended well, with Kouyate's long-range strike the best they could create. Villa hoped for a penalty on the hour mark when Konsa went down but it was as good as it got. Villa missed the chance to move up seven places in the table if they had managed to secure a victory in this game, while Forest moved off the bottom of the league. A fair result overall but both sides will need to show more going forward.

Table After Match Day 9

A look at the top half of the table and Arsenal continue to lead the way after their narrow win over Liverpool. Man City and Spurs make the chasing pack with Chelsea and United just behind. Liverpool are having a terrible time, and currently sit in 10th position. Brighton and Newcastle have made excellent starts to the season though and will be hoping to continue their push for European places.

As for the bottom half, Leicester are back on the bottom after Forest secured a point on Monday night. Good results for West Ham and Palace has seen them move up the table and they will have real hopes of pushing into the top half. As for Wolves, they make up the bottom three for the relegation places and will hope to have a new manager in to quickly turn things around for them.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 9

1 - E. Haaland - Man City - 15 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 8 Goals
3 - A. Mitrovic - Fulham - 6 Goals
4 - I. Toney- Brentford - 6 Goals
5 - R. Firmino - Liverpool - 6 Goals   
6 - P. Foden - Man City - 6 Goals

+ 3 players on 5 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.

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