Due to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being scheduled for December, the Premier League and the clubs knew that each season would be split in two. With that also came tighter schedules, with lots of league matches coming at teams quickly and consistently as the World Cup comes closer. As a result, weeks like this, where there is a fixture for each team in the middle of the week, can be worrisome for some teams in bad form, and really nice for teams in good form. This midweek was supposed to be highlighted by a big matchup between Manchester City and Arsenal, but that match was postponed to a later date due to scheduling conflicts. However, all the rest of the games made up for it, and here is the recap for every single Premier League match in Matchweek 11. 

Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham

Manchester United put in one of their best performances of the season as they dispatched a strong Spurs squad with ease, but it was drama off the pitch that grabbed the headlines in this game. On the pitch, though, Erik Ten Haag’s side sent wave after wave of attacks, and finished with 28 total shots attempted, which is one of the highest totals any team has put together in a single game this season. However, Spurs held it scoreless until the second half, when a strike from United midfielder Fred took a wicked deflection off of a Spurs defender to give United the lead. They doubled that advantage 20 minutes later, when Bruno Fernandes curled one in to get his first goal of the PL season. United’s win isn’t enough to help them leap over their visitors, but the gap between the two teams now sits at a mere four points. However, the headlines in this match surrounded Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo. The 37-year-old was left on the bench for the big game against Spurs, and he refused to come on as a substitute during the game, and left the stadium in the 89th minute of play. Erik ten Haag decided to discipline the attacker, and Ronaldo is now suspended for the next game because of his actions, when the Red Devils go to Stamford Bridge for a crucial game against Chelsea.

Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa

Villa truly felt like they hit rock bottom, as they went through their fourth winless game in a row as they were dominated by a Fulham side who looked very promising. Fulham’s Harrison Reed got the scoring started with a nice volley, and Aleksandar Mitrovic added on with a goal from the penalty spot shortly after Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz was shown a red card for misconduct. The horrible night for Villa got worse when Tyrone Mings scored an own goal to make it three for Fulham, and put the Cottagers into ninth place. Villa, now in 17th place and without a win on the road this season, felt a change was absolutely necessary. Their manager Steven Gerrard was sacked immediately following the match, making Villa the fifth team this season to go manager shopping. 

Brentford 0-0 Chelsea 

A very open and end-to-end game at Gtech Community Stadium looked like it was deserving of goals, but Brentford keeper David Raya and Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga were determined to not allow them. Both keepers made five saves each to keep the game scoreless, and for Kepa, it’s his fifth straight clean sheet in all competitions. However, Chelsea’s winning streak under Graham Potter did end with the draw, but both teams will remain satisfied as both remain in the top half of the table.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Liverpool’s star signing Darwin Nunez finally got off the mark at home, as his first goal at Anfield came midway through the first half, and proved to be the winner for the Reds on Wednesday. West Ham did have a chance to equalize through a penalty that Jarrod Bowen took, but Liverpool goalkeeper Allison guessed the right way and saved Bowen’s penalty, giving Liverpool their second straight win and clean sheet. West Ham continue to look for consistency, as they sit 13th in the table, while Liverpool’s win pushed them up to seventh. 

Newcastle United 1-0 Everton

The Magpies continued their dominance at home, as Miguel Almiron’s spectacular curling effort was the only goal Newcastle needed to take down Everton. Newcastle haven’t lost at home since April, and they boast the best defense in the league this season, as they have the most clean sheets and have conceded the least amount of goals so far. Everton now has lost three straight games, and it is particularly worrying to Toffee fans that their side has not registered a shot on target in two straight games. As for Newcastle, their great start this season continues, and they keep their spot in sixth place.

Crystal Palace 2-1 Wolves

Palace once again came from behind at Selhurst Park on Tuesday to get a big three points over a struggling Wolves side. Eberichi Eze scored early in the second half for Palace to cancel out Wolves’ opener via Adama Traore. It was then Eagles striker Wilfried Zaha who scored his fifth goal of the season to get Palace over the line. All three of Palace’s wins this season have come when they have conceded the first goal, and they now are starting to get hot, as they are unbeaten in three games. The rough road continues for Wolves, as they sit in the bottom four in the table, with only four goals scored all season.

Leicester City 2-0 Leeds United

The Foxes finally picked themselves up and dusted themselves off, and jumped out of last place in the PL table after beating a struggling Leeds United team. A horrible own goal by Leeds defender Robin Koch gifted Leicester the lead, and even though Leeds attacker Luis Sinisterra hit the woodwork, Leeds were held scoreless in the match, as Harvey Barnes scored the second to put the points firmly in Leicester’s hands. While Leicester sits in 19th in the table, this month has looked positive for them. The same can’t be said for Leeds, however, as Jesse Marsch faces pressure for the first time as Leeds boss with three straight losses and seven without a win.

Bournemouth 0-1 Southampton

Two teams on the south coast went head to head at Vitality Stadium, but it was the visitors who finally ended a dream six game unbeaten run for Gary O’Neal’s Bournemouth side. Che Adams’s early header was all Saints needed to give manager Ralph Hassenhuttl a crucial victory. It was Southampton’s second road win of the season, and gives them some breathing room from the bottom of the table, as they are now in 14th. As for the Cherries, their loss means they now find themselves in the bottom half of the table for the first time in a while. 

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Two teams who were struggling in form were looking for a positive result on Tuesday, but it was Forest who will be feeling better about their performance, as they picked up a hard earned point on the road. The closest either side got to a goal was when Brighton’s Leandro Trossard hit the post, but the Seagulls were held scoreless for the third straight game, even though they had 70% possession. Forest did gain a nice point, but they are still struggling, as they have only scored one goal in their last four games, and they remain in the relegation zone.