The Premier League split of games saw four fixtures being played this weekend with one more to be played this evening. It allowed some teams to gain a rest before the hectic schedule of upcoming fixtures. Arsenal and Liverpool had convincing wins to maintain their hunt for the Premier League title, while Bretford picked up and much needed three points. In a controversial game at Bramall Lane, points were shared between Sheffield and West Ham. Here are this weekends results and reviews;
Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace
Brentford 3-2 Nottingham Forest
Sheffield United 2-2 West Ham
Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Brighton v Wolves (Monday 7.45pm)
Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal got back to winning ways this weekend with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Crystal Palace in this tame London derby. Gabriel continued his fine form with a goal on 11 minutes before initially scoring a second on the stroke of half time but was awarded as a Henderson own goal during the interval. Leandro Torssard added a third after the break, showing why Arteta chose him to start in the side this weekend. Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench with 20 minutes remaining and he got back on the scoresheet when he scored a brace, within a minute of each other, in added time. This result was Arteta and Arsenal’s first win of 2024 and has seen them leap from Aston Villa into third place. As Arsenal put in a 5 star performance, it was less convincing for Hodgson’s Palace. Another defeat for Crystal Palace and they’re still searching for a first goal in 2024. Fans made their feelings known at full time as a banner was raised in the away end reading- “Wasted Potential On And Off The Pitch, Weak Decisions Taking Us Backwards”. Five is the magic number. Arsenal scored five to leave them five points off top. While Palace conceded five and sees them five points off the relegation zone.
Brentford 3-2 Nottingham Forest
The return of Ivan Toney after his eight month ban, was the main talking point before this game. Brentford boss Thomas Frank announced that the English striker would start this game and captain the side. His return didn’t start off as planned as Danillo scored after 3 minutes. Brentford received a free kick in the 19th minute and up stepped a composed Toney to slot it home to level matters. However, fans have been calling it a controversial goal as it was spotted that Toney moved the ball to the right of the spot where the foul had been committed. The decision has forced Forest to write to the Premier League and PGMOL asking why the goal was allowed to stand.
Ben Mee scored in the 58th minute to put Brentford in the lead but it was soon cancelled out to a Chris Wood equaliser just 7 minutes later. The winner came just 3 minutes later from a brilliant strike by Neil Maupay to lift the home crowd. Brentford would hold on to win this and see them win their first game in 8 attempts. A much needed win for Brentford and a welcome return for Ivan Toney. Forest will feel hard done by however, and will seek answers as to why Toney’s free kick could be allowed to stand.
Sheffield United 2-2 West Ham
Bramall Lane was the venue for possibly the most exciting game this weekend. There was certainly a lot happening in Sheffield as it was a game with four goals, two red cards and two penalties. Maxwel Cornet scored his first Hammers goal in the 28th minute but this lead was reduced when Ben Brereton Diaz scored his first Sheffield goal just before the interval. Jarred Bowen was taken down in the area which allowed James Ward-Prowse to score from the spot to restore the lead for the Londoners with just 10 minutes remaining. VAR played a significant role in the final period of the game as Rhian Brewster was shown a red card, 11 minutes after he was introduced, with VAR upgrading the initial decision to red after a high challenge on Emerson. This was evened out when Vladimir Coufal was awarded a yellow card after a VAR decision and was shown a second yellow just 4 minutes later. The game was levelled when Hammer’s keeper Areola took out Ollie McBurnie and allowed the Scotsman to level the game in the 103rd minute. This result was a fair outcome and sees Sheffield gain another valuable point in their quest to survive the drop.
While West Ham will feel aggrieved by the late decision to award a penalty and cost them a much needed three points. Moyes was questioned by a lot of West Ham supporters after the game as they are without a win in their last four, including a loss to championship side Bristol City. I find this unfair as it was not too long ago when Hammers fans were singing the name of their boss after claiming their first European trophy and has recently guided them into the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Liverpool have extended their lead at the top of the league, to five points, with a 4-0 win over Bournemouth. After a dreary first half with both sides missing big chances, Liverpool emerged a different animal in the second. Darwin Nunez calmly slotted home the opener which was followed by a Diogo Jota double. Nunez scored his second of the game in added time and saw the reds continue their winning run. Liverpool will also be happy to see Mo Salah return to Merseyside to rehab his hamstring injury that he picked up on International duty with Egypt at AFCON. This is a positive for the league leaders as they can monitor his progress with big games coming up against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Brighton v Wolves (Monday 7.45pm)
Brighton and Wolves contest the final game of this game week on Monday evening at 7.45 pm. Both sides are in positive form and will be looking to maintain their good start to the year. A win for Wolves would see them join Brighton on 31 points and leap from Newcastle into the top half of the table. While a win for Brighton would see them rise into seventh and ahead of Man United in the chase for European football.
Player of the weekend: Diogo Jota
Goal of the weekend: Neil Maupay
Game of the weekend: Sheffield United vs West Ham
Controversy of the weekend: Justin Kluivert challenge on Luis Diaz in the first half. A possible red card that was never considered by VAR or even worthy of a yellow card by referee Andrew Madley.