Saturday’s three big Premier League games
The return of the Premier League started with a blockbuster clash between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland was passed fit for this game but Jack Grealish missed out due to illness. Liverpool goalkeeper Allison Becker gifted a great chance to Phil Foden which he unfortunately missed. Liverpool played on the counter attack and Darwin Nunez was through on goal but squandered the chance due to a bad touch.
Allison put his goal kick out of play then Nathan Ake played a great pass to Haaland and made it one nil to Man City. The difference between the two strikers is that Haaland is more clinical than Nunez. Haaland is absolutely fantastic as he becomes the quickest player to score 50 Premier League goals in 48 games. As the first half went on Liverpool continued to have Chances on the counter attack but lacked a good final ball or finish.
Man City went in one nil up at half time. In the second half the home side had chances to make it two nil through Haaland and Julian Alvarez which they didn’t take advantage of. Man City were also disallowed a goal due to a controversial foul on Allison. Man City kept Liverpool in the game with it only been one nil. Trent Alexander-Arnold was fantastic with his range of passing and scored an excellent equaliser.
In the eight minutes added on Haaland had a great chance to win the game which he missed. The game ended in a draw and won’t be remembered for been a great game. Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with a draw against Man City. Man City have given the chasing pack encouragement as they have dropped four points in their last two Premier League games.
The highlight of the 3pm games was the clash between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James Park. Newcastle went one nil up through a sensational pass from 17 year old Lewis Miley and finished by Alexander Isak. Chelsea equalised through a extraordinary free-kick from Raheem Sterling. Chelsea finished the first half strongly but went in level at the break.
Chelsea downed tools in the second half and their defending was terrible as Newcastle scored twice in two minutes. It got worse for Chelsea as captain Reece James got sent off for two yellow cards. Anthony Gordon sealed the win with a fantastic strike to make it 4-1 to Newcastle. As bad as Chelsea’s performance was Newcastle were outstanding in the second half.
Mauricio Pochettino has a massive job on his hands as Chelsea are now 12 points off top four. Newcastle have two big matches this week with PSG in the Champions League and Manchester United in the Premier League. Eddie Howe has transformed Newcastle especially in turning Joelinton into a midfielder. Even though Newcastle have been hit by injuries they are only five points off top four.
The final game on Saturday was at 5:30pm between Brentford and Arsenal. Brentford made it difficult for Arsenal with been hard to break down. Aaron Ramsdale played in goal and made a massive mistake which needed a fantastic goal line clearance from Declan Rice. Arsenal started to create chances as the first half went on and thought they went ahead through Leandro Trossard but was disallowed by VAR.
Arsenal were very strong at the back in the second half especially with Gabriel & William Saliba at centre-half and Rice as holding midfielder. It looked like it was going to be a draw until a excellent cross from Bukayo Saka and a great finish by Kai Havertz. Another great away win for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta continues to do a great job with The Gunners. The results went their way as Arsenal ended the weekend top of the Premier League table.