The English Premier League (EPL) league table continues to get intense with each passing matchday. This past weekend produced some interesting results.
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Liverpool
It was a massive result in the early kick-off on Saturday as Taiwo Awoniyi scored the only goal of the game to give Nottingham Forest a massive win. It’s Forest’s first win since August 14 against West Ham and whilst he keeps them in the relegation zone it draws them level with three other teams all directly above them. For Liverpool they blow a big chance to make up ground in the top four race. Forest were worthy winners in the end as the Merseysiders produced a laboured display where they struggled to make the most of large spells of possession and some good chances. It’s a huge backward step and is harmful to their top-four hopes, with hopeful talk of the title way off the mark on this evidence.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
Southampton held Premier League leaders Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s Stadium. Granit Xhaka continued his fine run of form to open the scoring on 11 minutes. However, the Saints rallied and Stuart Armstrong scored just past the hour mark, before his team held on. The result means Arsenal sit two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table, with both teams having played 11 games. Gabriel Martinelli’s influence in the game was diminished greatly as Elyounoussi put in a real shift at right wing-back, and Bukayo Saka seemed to drift away after he was wrongly booked for a supposed dive.
Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle
First-half goals from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron sent Newcastle into the Premier League’s top four with a superb 2-1 win at Tottenham. It was arguably the Magpies’ best result under Eddie Howe, with this victory making it four wins in five games for the north-east club, who ultimately hold long-term aspirations of being Champions League regulars. This statement win consigned Spurs to back-to-back defeats and occurred amid some controversy, with the hosts unhappy no foul was awarded against Wilson, who collided with Hugo Lloris in the build-up to his lobbed opener. Almiron added a second for the visitors nine minutes later with 40 on the clock and while Harry Kane pulled one back early in the second half, Newcastle held on to leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United in the table.
Other Results:
Everton 3-0 Crystal Palace
Man City 3-1 Brighton
Chelsea 1-1 Man United
Wolves 0-4 Leicester City
Aston Villa 4-0 Brentford
Leeds United 2-3 Fulham
West Ham 2-0 Bournemouth
