The drought is over for Manchester City as the Citizens scored their first win in eight matches across all competitions. The much need victory moved City back into the top four and two points closer to Liverpool which dropped points on Wednesday. Manchester City is still nine points back in the table despite the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. The Tricky Trees, meanwhile, lost for a third time in four matches as their fairy tale beginning of the season is quickly turning into a pumpkin. The falling Trees scored only two goals across those four matches and have now scored five fewer goals than any other club in the top half of the table.
Liverpool, meanwhile, looked set for a fifth consecutive victory before an error by goaltender Caoimhin Kelleher led to a Newcastle equalizer in the 90th minute of a 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park. Mohamed Salah scored twice and registered an assist as reports indicate a contract offer could be shortly forthcoming for the club’s third all-time leading scorer. Salah’s second goal on Wednesday gave the Reds a lead in the 83rd minute before Kelleher misjudged a Newcastle cross which Schar easily deposited in the net.
Chelsea, meanwhile, edged past Arsenal into second place on goal differential after a 5-1 rout of Southampton. The Blues’ 31 goals lead the Premier League this season and are one more than Southampton has conceded after Wednesday’s colossal mismatch.
This finish from Noni! 🤩#CFC | #SOUCHE pic.twitter.com/BuiYQp2M18
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 5, 2024
Arsenal handed Manchester United Manager Reuben Amorim his first Premier League defeat as the Gunners triumphed 2-0 at the Emirates. Arsenal’s’ artistry on set pieces was on display once again as defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba each scored goals for the Gunners off expertly place corner kicks.
Aston Villa put an end to a five-match winless run to beat Brentford decisively in a 3-1 final at Villa Park as all three of the Villans’ goals were scored in a frenetic thirteen-minute period of the first half. Brentford’s defeat left the Bees with the joint worst away record in the league this season.
Tottenham Hotspur players are also far from road warriors. Manager Ange Postecoglou was seen jawing with unhappy traveling supporters after his club lost for the ninth time in its last thirteen away matches in a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth. Tenth place Spurs have now scored just one goal and garnered one point in two matches since an encouraging 4-0 win at Manchester City two weeks ago.
Back-to-back losses over which his club has leaked eight goals to the opposition have pushed West Ham Manager Julen Lopetegui closer to the door. The Hammers lost 3-1 to Leicester in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match on the touchline for the Foxes after the sacking of Steve Cooper. Jamie Vardy scored less than two minutes into van Nistelrooy’s debut and the Foxes trotted to a three-goal lead before a stoppage time consolation by West Ham’s Niclas Fullkrug. The victory moved the Foxes four points clear of the drop line and just two points behind the struggling Hammers who spent heavily in the summer with the expectation that Lopetegui would deliver a better return.
Crystal Palace supporters are feeling better about their club’s survival chances after Palace defeated fellow relegation candidate Ipswich Town 1-0 on a goal by JP Mateta. A return to the big Frenchman’s form of last season would be a huge boost for the Eagles who, while safe for now, are still hovering only three points above currently relegation bound Ipswich.
Everton is another club battling to stay in the league for next season and home supporters were treated to an uncharacteristic score line as the Toffees were 4-0 winners at Goodison Park over Wolves. Wolverhampton defender Craig Dawson was responsible for two of Everton’s goals as the poor bloke twice deposited the ball in his own net in the second half. Ashley Young and Orel Mangala scored for their own team, Young scoring his 50th Premier League goal to become the fourth oldest player to score a goal in the league. Wolverhampton’s league worst defense has conceded eight goals in its last two matches, 36 on the season. Chaos at the back for Manager Gary O’Neil’s club saw not just an own goal brace on Wednesday but the concession of three penalties versus Bournemouth last weekend.
Brighton conceded three goals for just the second time this season as the Seagulls were rudely treated in a 3-1 loss at Craven Cottage by Fulham. Alex Iwobi is currently on fire for the Cottagers. The former Arsenal and Everton man has scored three goals and assisted on two others in his last five appearances. Fulham are suddenly sixth in the Premier League table after winning three and drawing two of their last six matches. Ironically, Fulham’s only loss during that run has been to downtrodden Wolverhampton. The Cottager’s mettle will be tested this coming weekend when Arsenal visits the Cottage.
Elsewhere in London, Spurs and Manager Ange Postecoglou will host a derby versus high flying Chelsea while in South London, Crystal Palace will play Manchester City after both clubs got much needed wins during the week. London Stadium will be the site of a crucial match for two managers in deep trouble. Home supporters are unlikely to be kind to unpopular West Ham Manager Julen Lopetegui unless the Hammers can get off to a good start against currently relegation bound Wolverhampton. Wolves Manager Gary O’Neil has some credit in the bank for Wolves performance last season but the club’s current relegation status and deplorable play, particularly in defense, has the manager clearly on sack watch. In the north of England, Goodison Park will host its final Merseyside derby when the Toffees host archrival Liverpool. Everton is scheduled to begin playing at its new Bramley Moore Dock stadium beginning next season after calling Goodison home since 1892.
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