Premier League Saturday Summarised - Gameweek 32
Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
Manchester City produced a valiant fightback to overturn a two goal deficit at home to Crystal Palace. The visitors raced into a two goal lead after Eze tucked home Sarr’s low cross and Chris Richards headed home a corner from close range after 21 minutes, stunning the Etihad.
Momentum began to shift with Kevin De Bruyne striking the post as City began probing. Despite this, it would be Palace who had the ball in the net again, but Eze was deemed, with the help of semi-automatic offside to have drifted beyond the last defender.
City would get one back after 33 minutes and who else but Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian sweeping home a freekick from just outside the area. Marmoush would then volley home inside the area to pull city level after a pulsating first half.
Second half saw City take up a more commanding lead, firstly, De Bruyne teed up Kovačić on the edge of the area, he drilled a low effort beyond Henderson. Ederson would then deliver his fourth assist of the season playing a long ball over the top to McAtee who kept his cool to round Henderson and roll the ball into the empty net. Nico O’Reilly would round off the scoring, placing a volley into the corner from just inside the area.
The win lifts Manchester City into fourth place for the time being.
Brighton 2-2 Leicester
I hold my hands up, I got my prediction completely wrong here as Leicester were able to twice fight back bravely against Brighton to secure a point. Whilst Leicester are all but relegated, it was a display of resilience which would have been appreciated by the fans.
As expected, Brighton would dominate the ball and produce early chances for Minteh and O’Riley. They would be rewarded a penalty just after the half hour mark when Coady was adjudged to have blocked a goalbound effort with an outstretched arm. João Pedro stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way.
Adingra would hit the bar shortly after, but Leicester responded. Mavididi upon his recall to the side got a second chance after his first effort was blocked and fired below the reach of Verbruggen.
The second half would be a case of deja vu as Brighton would again be handed a penalty after Thomas pulled down O’Reily at the back post. João Pedro again converted confidently. Yet again, the Foxes would respond as defender Okoli headed home a freekick from close range. They nearly went on to win the game when El Khannouss’ effort hit the outside of the post.
Forest 0-1 Everton
Everton’s fine form under David Moyes continued as they produced a last gasp victory at the City Ground to condemn Forest to back to back league defeats and increase jeopardy over their Champions League hopes next season.
In a largely uneventful game, the first major chance would fall to James Garner who was denied by a smart stop from Sels. Everton keeper Pickford was also called into action to deny Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The hosts had a penalty shout midway through the second half but the VAR concurred with the onfield decision. A more dubious call was in the opposing box where Yates appeard to wipe out Alcaraz, this could easily be given as a Penalty, but the ref would not be swayed.
The winner would come in the 94th minute, Murillo, who has been outstanding this season was caught in possession by the returning McNeil, he picked out Doucouré who shaped to go to the far post before whipping the ball into the near past Sels.
Southampton 0-3 Aston Villa
Already relegated Southampton fell at home to Champions League chasing Aston Villa following a second half collapse.
Southampton did start brightly, Martinez was down sharply to deny Cameron Archer. Villa were disappointing in the first half and failed to create too many opportunities, the second half would see them bring on Ollie Watkins.
The English Striker would win a penalty almost instantly after being wiped out by Bednarek, but Asensio would be denied by Ramsdale from 12 yards. His clean sheet would not remain intact for long as Watkins got on the end of Tielemans’ long pass to hook the ball over the onrushing Ramsdale.
Rodgers then picked out Malen who drilled home for 2-0 before Villa were awarded another penalty in stoppage time. Again Asensio stepped up, again Ramsdale denied him, however McGinn was on hand this time to tuck home the rebound and secure a commanding Villa victory.
Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
Arsenal appeared flat as they hosted Brentford in the late Saturday kick off following their win over Real Madrid in the week. The visitors looked comfortable in the opening exchanges and forced Raya into an early save.
Semi Automated offside then denied Arsenal a first half opener, ruling out Tierney’s header, which would have been his first Premier League goal since 2021.
The second half saw plenty more of the same, Arsenal were tidy in possession, but Brentford always posed a threat on the break. This is why it was a surprise when the opener came from an Arsenal counter attack. Raya catching Mbuemo’s corner, releasing Rice who drove up the field before laying the ball off to Partey who fired home. From defence to attack in 10 seconds.
Brentford fired back however, keeping the ball alive from a set piece allowing Wissa to improvise an effort past former teammate David Raya. Arsenal’s 3rd draw in their last 5 games.