Thursday 16th January 2025
Forest hold Liverpool
The FA Cup did not throw up any really major shocks, Plymouth Argyle’s win at Brentford arguably the biggest although Tamworth did come within a goalmouth scramble of dumping Tottenham Hotspur out which would have been a huge shock.
The PL still continues to deliver though with unexpected results still coming thick and fast. I say “unexpected” but with the ever increasing strength in depth across the PL they are not really shocks anymore. Nottingham Forest threatened to complete the league double over PL leaders Liverpool going into the break at the City Ground a goal to the good as they looked to close the gap to the Reds to just 4 points but a second half equaliser restored parity on the night, the match ending 1-1 leaving the gap between the sides at 6 points but it demonstrated again what a fantastic season Forest are having as they continue to upset the odds.
Arsenal took the honours in the NLD, running out 2-1 winners over their old foe Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium. Spurs did take the lead midway through the first half but the Gunners had turned that around by half-time. No goals were scored in the second half allowing Arsenal to move above Forest into second place, now just 4 points behind Liverpool. Tottenham drop to 13th and could drop to 14th before the weekend depending on tonight’s matches.
Newcastle United made it 9 wins on the trot as they brushed aside Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 at SJP. Needless to say Alexander Isak was on the goal sheet, scoring another two as the Magpies moved into the top 4 with the three points. It shows that a good run of results can propel a side up the table giving hope to those sitting mid-table with European ambitions. Not a great night for Wolves though as they dropped back into the bottom three on goal difference although that could change again should Ipswich Town lose by 2 goals tonight.
Chelsea‘s bad run in the PL carried on as they needed a 95th minute equaliser just to take a point at home to the in-form AFC Bournemouth in a match that ended 2-2. Cole Palmer scored once again to give the Blues an early lead but despite 11 shots on target in the match they needed Reece Jame’s late free-kick to salvage the point. The Cherries had only 3 shots on target but were far more efficient in their finishing although one was from the penalty spot and the other a thumping finish that Semenyo will do well to repeat anytime soon. Chelsea drop to 5th with Bournemouth 8th, just 3 points separating the two.
Manchester City have looked to be getting back to their winning ways recently and when they led 2-0 going into the final 8 minutes at Brentford it appeared to be another step on their return to form but the Bees had other ideas and scored twice to nick a point and shock the reigning champions yet again to leave them still in 6th place, Brentford 10th. Even one of their trademark finishes to the season is unlikely to be enough for them to retain the title this season. Top 4 the priority now plus the CL this season itself of course although they also have work there to avoid an early shock exit.
Aston Villa put the dampeners on David Moyes’ return to Everton by recording a 1-0 win at Goodison Park. It was Villa’s first away win in the PL since October as they are re-igniting their push for CL football again next season, moving level on points with City in 7th place. The Toffees remain 16th, just 1 point ahead of the bottom three. Hard work ahead for Moyes.
Fulham were also harbouring ambitions of a top 4 push but that has stalled lately with their 3-2 loss to West Ham United seeing them drop to 9th, 8 points off 4th place. The Irons have also just changed head coach with Graham Potter returning to the PL and gaining his first win in the role, the club moving up to 12th and putting further daylight between them and the relegation places. Indeed they are now just 4 points behind the Cottagers as the middle of the PL table remains congested.
Crystal Palace are another side on the rise, their latest win 2-0 at struggling Leicester City for whom it was a 6th consecutive defeat. It has taken a long time for Palace to get going this season after they finished last season as the in-form team but they are getting results now and are heading in the right direction. Not so Leicester though who stay 19th although the gap to safety is still just 2 points. It does look to be 3 from the bottom 5 looking at the table currently but often there is at least one side who sit mid-table at this stage but hit a poor run to drop into trouble so those hovering just above the bottom 5 cannot relax just yet. Those clubs include both Tottenham Hotsour and Manchester United of course for those who enjoy a bit of schadenfreude!
Premier League Prediction Competition 2024-25 – Session 5, Week 2 (of 4)
We are nearing the end of week 2 in Session 5. Stuart currently leads with 75 points, 1 ahead of Martin on 74 with 6 people all close behind in the 60s. For those schadenfreude fans once again, I sit bottom with just 35 points. I know my place!
Prizes are very modest currently due to modest entry. If anyone has friends, family, work colleagues etc… who may be interested in taking part, please pass on an invitation to them. More competitors means bigger prizes.
PLEASE INVITE ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART.
CONTACT ME AT… contact.sytykf@gmail.com
Season: 2024-25 - Match Week 22 - Results
Saturday 18th January
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle United | 1 - 4 | AFC Bournemouth |
| Brentford | 0 - 2 | Liverpool |
| Leicester City | 0 - 2 | Fulham |
| West Ham United | 0 - 2 | Crystal Palace |
| Arsenal | 2 - 2 | Aston Villa |
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Everton | 3 - 2 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Manchester United | 1 - 3 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Nottingham Forest | 3 - 2 | Southampton |
| Ipswich Town | 0 - 6 | Manchester City |
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 3 - 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
Season: 2024-25 - Match Week 23 - Next Fixtures
Saturday 25th January
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Bournemouth | 15:00 | Nottingham Forest |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 15:00 | Everton |
| Liverpool | 15:00 | Ipswich Town |
| Southampton | 15:00 | Newcastle United |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 15:00 | Arsenal |
| Manchester City | 17:30 | Chelsea |
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Palace | 14:00 | Brentford |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 14:00 | Leicester City |
| Aston Villa | 16:30 | West Ham United |
| Fulham | 19:00 | Manchester United |
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