The final round of Premier League fixtures before the World Cup break were done and dusted over the weekend. Arsenal hold a five-point lead at the top of the table over Manchester City, who were stunned 2-1 by Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester United bounced back to winning ways in dramatic fashion, while Newcastle United solidified their third spot in the standings. Without further ado, let us take a look at the talking points from the Premier League matchweek 16.
Chelsea initially enjoyed the ‘new manager bounce’ under Graham Potter but it looks well and truly that his honeymoon period is over, with the Blues having not won their last five Premier League games. In fact, it turned out to be a third straight league defeat for Chelsea, as Newcastle United compounded more misery on Graham Potter with a superb 1-0 win at the St. James’ Park.
The Magpies were excellent throughout the evening on Saturday and got their victory thanks to a spectacular second-half strike from Joe Willock. The win not only enhanced Newcastle’s status in the table but also the work Eddie Howe has been doing in Tyneside.
On the flip side, Chelsea are in a rut with the pressure now truly on Potter.
Manchester United teenage starlet Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Red Devils were heading to a draw at Fulham after Daniel James—former Man United winger—had scored the equaliser for the home side. Indeed Fulham looked the stronger team in the closing stages and pushed for a winner, but were undone in the dying minutes.
After coming on in the 72nd minute and having had a good shout for a penalty waved away, Garnacho popped up with a stoppage-time winner in a cameo that had class, flair and confidence. Ladies and Gentlemen, Remember the name—Alejandro Garnacho!
Brentford’s Ivan Toney responded to his England snub for the World Cup in an emphatic manner on Saturday, scoring a brace in a stunning 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Toney, 26, bagged the winner deep into stoppage time and could have had a hat-trick in the game, but for De Bruyne’s excellent goal-line clearance. The Englishman’s all-round game oozed class and composure, and was a reminder to England manager Gareth Southgate what he will be missing in the World Cup later this month.
With the Bees stinging Man City so late in the game, Thomas Frank and co. enjoyed their first away win of the season in the Premier League.
The boos and groans grew louder from Everton’s away supporters, as Frank Lampard and co. succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday in the Premier League.
Make no mistake, the defeat at the hands of Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium was as bad as anything served up by Everton this term. Not only did Everton fail to respond to their 4-1 humbling by Bournemouth three nights ago in the EFL Cup but also slid into what looks like another crisis.
Jordan Pickford endured something of a nightmare before the World Cup as the Toffees found themselves 2-0 down after 25 minutes. The demoralising defeat at the south coast leaves Everton one point above the relegation zone and Lampard to introspect how he can save his job with time running out quickly.
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