Premier League Matchday 30 - Reviewing #NORSOU and #TOTMUN Previewing all other matches
REVIEW
It had been the equivalent number of days as Manchester City's Centurion season had points when Aston Villa kicked things off for the Premier League's post-pandemic run to continue at the Villa Park. 3 days after Aston Villa held the unpredictable Sheffield United for a draw at a rather bleak home game, with the Goal Line Technology creating the only news of an otherwise game.The other game from the remainder saw Manchester City host a quite sad-looking Arsenal. Another game predicted to be one-sided by most pundits, saw it become an accurate prediction, with Arsenal making themselves the butt of more memes and jokes. There was one person who was in the middle of it all, the man who came on to replace injured Pablo Mari, David Luiz, getting himself shown the red card.
Meanwhile, Norwich was preparing to hold off the talismanic striker, Danny Ings when they met two days later. Daniel Farke started with a 4-4-2 formation rather than playing a more defensive 4-5-1 with only Teemu Pukki at strike.
Southampton, on the other hand, relied on their strengths in the hopes of ending the season with a top ten finish.
The first half of the game ended up being a dull game at Carrow Road with the score staying at 0-0. The Saints started to shift gears right from the beginning of the second 45 minutes as they were rewarded with their first goal of the evening through Danny Ings to break the deadlock at the 49th minute. They ended up scoring two more before the end of the game to pile more misery on bottom-placed Norwich.
The second game of MD30 was touted to be one of the big ones as Tottenham Hotspurs hosted a strong-looking Manchester United at The Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium. The match saw Harry Kane and Son reunited for Tottenham as both had been injured right before the pandemic struck. The match also gave Manchester United a glimpse of the level of football they would be playing next season with Rashford linking up with the midfield duo of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer chose to start Pogba on the bench among quite speculations among pundits and fans alike.
The game would see Jose Mourinho coach against his former team.
Tottenham started with a 4-5-1 formation which allowed them to be flexible against a strong Manchester United attack while depending on the speed of their flanks to counter-attack against a comparatively weak Man United centre back pair. Ole, on the other hand, played their usual 4-3-3 to give their defence enough support and surge ahead during their attacks.
Mourinho's defensive/counter-attack tactic seemed to pay off as they hit Man United on the counter with new signing, Steven Bergwijn getting the ball past David De Gea. Manchester United did eventually equalise through a penalty, which was won by substitute Pogba and scored by their new signing, Bruno Fernandes.
Harry Maguire and De Gea ended up getting a lot of criticism in wake of the Hotspurs' goal.
PREVIEW
Notable fixtures of MD30 yet to be played are the games between Watford and Leicester, West Ham and Wolves, Newcastle United and Sheffield United and of course, the Merseyside Derby.
Watford will be hosting a confident Leicester side. What makes this game interesting is obviously Watford's ability to beat big teams and Leicester playing brilliant overall football. Leicester would look to secure a Champions League spot, whereas Watford will be looking to stay off the bottom three positions. I will be predicting a Leicester City win as they look like the team that will overcome the challenge gritty Watford could throw. WAT 1-3 LEI
West Ham host a stubborn Wolves team. West Ham has shown promising football, but never really performed in a way most people would expect them to. It has been one of the clubs who has a new manager for the second half of the season and it too needs a win to stay clear of the relegation zone. Wolves will need a win to continue another season in the Europa League. WHU 0-3 WOL
Newcastle United will be looking to end their season on a high with the takeover of the Saudi Fund, starting with a win against Sheffield United. Sheffield United really do need a win to grab the 5th spot if Manchester City's Champions League ban does occur. It would be brilliant to see Sheffield United bring Champions League football at Bramall Lane, and that's why I side with them winning this one.
NEW 1-2 SHE
Maybe the biggest game of the weekend - the Merseyside Derby - would see Liverpool as clear favourites. With City winning their game against Arsenal, Liverpool cannot really be crowned champions at Goodison Park. They are 6 points away from being champions of the modern-day Premier League. EVE 1-3 LIV
So much for Thots of London VS Manchester of the 90s
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