The Premier League had their third set of games in the space of a week, and this set of matches was one of the most exciting we have seen so far this year. As many teams were looking for a boost, this matchweek provided lots of storylines, great performances, upsets, and most of all, GOALS! Every single match this weekend consisted of at least one goal, and some struggling sides found their offensive form in a much needed way. However, the quest for consistency for many teams remains an issue. Without further ado, here is the recap of every single Premier League game in Matchweek 12.
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool, on a two game winning streak, made the trip to the Midlands to face a Nottingham Forest squad that was in last place coming into the match. What could possibly go wrong for the Reds? Well, Nottingham Forest and manager Steve Cooper put together a much needed performance on Saturday. Taiwo Awoniyi, the striker for Forest who in the past played for Liverpool’s academy, slotted home a rebound to give Forest their lead in the second half. That would end up being all the home side needed, as Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson produced seven saves, the biggest one being in added time. He stopped a header from Virgil Van Dijk right on the goal line to seal Forest’s first win since August. Forest still remain bottom of the table, but they are now level on points with both Wolves and Leeds. Liverpool still haven’t found a win on the road in the PL this season, and their inconsistency continues to hurt them.
Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle
The Magpies made a statement in the top half of the table as they traveled to Spurs and picked up their fifth win of the season. A mistake by Spurs goalie Hugo Lloris gave Callum Wilson an easy goal to open the scoring, and before halftime, Miguel Almiron scored in his second straight game to double the Magpies lead. Spurs striker Harry Kane scored his tenth goal of the season off of a corner to pull one back, but Newcastle held on to hand Spurs their second straight loss. With that win, the visitors leaped to fourth in the table, and they are now unbeaten in their last seven games. Spurs have now lost some of their form, as they have now seen defeat in three of their last five PL games.
Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United
Late drama was the headline in an exciting big six matchup at Stamford Bridge on Saturday that saw both sides take a point from the game. With 84 minutes played, United’s Scott McTominay pulled Chelsea’s Mason Mount to the ground, which gave the Blues a penalty. Jorginho slotted the penalty away to give Chelsea the lead, but their lead wouldn’t last. In the 93rd minute, new United midfielder Casemiro scored his first goal for the club, breaking a 623 minute streak in which Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga hadn’t conceded a goal, and United stole a point as a result. That was the second time Chelsea lost a lead in extra time this season, but the unbeaten run under Graham Potter continues. United went unbeaten against three teams in the top five in the PL standings this past week, which they will feel is a satisfying achievement.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
For only the second time this season, top of the table Arsenal did not get maximum points as they were held at St. Mary’s by a gritty Saints side. Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka did get the breakthrough goal in the match, but they couldn’t hold onto the lead, as Southampton’s Stuart Armstrong scored to help give the home side an earned point. Arsenal were held to only three shots on goal in the match, and the draw ended the Gunners’ eight game winning streak in all competitions. For Saints, the draw means they have now gone three games unbeaten in the league, their longest streak thus far in the season.
Manchester City 3-1 Brighton
City got back to their winning ways at home with a clinical victory over Brighton. City striker Erling Haaland, who didn’t score last week against Liverpool, scored an easy goal midway through the first half, and followed that with a goal from the penalty spot minutes before the break. Brighton halved the deficit through a goal from Leandro Trossard, but Kevin de Brunye scored from distance to give City their third and the victory. With Arsenal’s loss, City were able to close the gap to two points between themselves and the league leaders. Brighton are now winless in five matches, all in the month of October, and all under new boss Roberto de Zerbi.
Aston Villa 4-0 Brentford
There was much pressure on Villa to respond after a shocking defeat at Fulham in the midweek that led to the sacking of manager Steven Gerrard, and they certainly did. Villa scored three goals in the first fifteen minutes of the game, with Danny Ings scoring two and Leon Bailey scoring the other. Villa also got Ollie Watkins involved later in the game, as he scored the fourth in Villa’s most dominant display of the season so far. The big win propels Villa up to 15th in the table. As for Brentford, it’s the fourth time that their side has conceded three or more goals this season.
Wolves 0-4 Leicester City
A game featuring two teams from the Midlands gave only one side a massive boost in their season. Leicester scored all four of their goals from their four shots on target, as Youri Tielemans, Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, and Jamie Vardy all found the back of the net to give the Foxes their first road victory of the season, and their second straight win. Wolves had twenty one shots and six on goal in the match, but didn’t score for the seventh time this season. They sit 19th in the league, with some very difficult fixtures looming.
Leeds United 2-3 Fulham
A bad month of October got worse for Leeds on Sunday with a loss to in-form Fulham. Leeds did take the lead through Rodrigo, but goals from Aleksander Mitrovic in the first half, and Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Willian in the second half turned the game around in the visitors’ favor. Leeds did get a lifeline through Crysencio Summerville in the final minutes of the match, but it wasn’t enough. Leeds were handed their fourth straight defeat, and manager Jesse Marsch is now feeling the heat. Fulham continue to fly high, and they now move into an unexpected seventh place in the table.
Everton 3-0 Crystal Palace
Everton scored three goals for the first time this season at Goodison this Saturday, as they dispatched Palace to halt a three game losing streak. Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his first of the season for the Toffees, and goals by Anthony Gordon and Dwight McNeil in the second half helped the Toffees win all three points. Everton’s victory also saw them leapfrog Palace in the table, and Palace’s three game unbeaten run in the league was snapped.
West Ham United 2-0 Bournemouth
West Ham capped off a good week of play with a victory over the Cherries on Monday Night. Defender Kurt Zouma gave West Ham the edge with a flicked header late in the first half, and Saïd Benrahma slotted a penalty late in the second half to give the Hammers their second straight victory. The home side moved up to 11th with the win, and as for Bournemouth, they now are suffering from their first losing streak under interim manager Gary O’Neil. The Cherries now sit in an uncomfortable 14th place.