Premier League: Three things we learned as Arsenal’s lead drops to four points
Aston Villa end Newcastle’s five game win streak
ASTON VILLA 3-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED
Newcastle United’s five game winning run came to an end as Aston Villa collected all three points.
The Villains were on fire straight from kick-off, hitting the post in the opening 30 seconds. They continued their relentless search of a goal and got what they were looking for in the 11th minute with a goal from Jacob Ramsey. However, they did not take their foot off the gas and defend for the remainder of the game, they instead opted to keep creating chance after chance. Ollie Watkins was phenomenal. Not only did he score a brace, he assisted the first goal and was narrowly denied of plenty more scoring opportunities. Villa have now gone eight games unbeaten, with a five-game win streak.
The Magpies were completely out-classed in every area of the field. They looked stunned by the pressure put on them by Aston Villa and they couldn’t respond after conceding the first goal. Despite making all five available substitutions, nothing seemed to help Newcastle get a grip of the game, with their influential players such as Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak failing to have their usual impact on the game.
Unai Emery’s men put on their best performance of the season, leaving them in sixth place as they fight for European football next season. They travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford on Saturday 22 April.
Eddie Howe’s side will have to reflect on this result and try to put it behind them as they have now dropped to fourth place. They head back to St. James’ Park to host Tottenham on Sunday 23 April.
Man City move closer to top of the table as they defeat Leicester
MANCHESTER CITY 3-1 LEICESTER CITY
Manchester City increased their unbeaten run to nine games as they put three past Leicester City.
The Citizens started the game off in their usual fashion, scoring in the opening minutes of the game. This time it was a wonderful strike by John Stones who has embraced his new role in the midfield by getting on the scoresheet in the fifth minute. Inevitably, Erling Haaland scored a brace to triple the lead before the half hour mark. However, City got complacent in the second half after subbing of their core players, leaving them vulnerable.
Dean Smith could not have dreamed of a worse opponent in his first game as manager. The Foxes were completely played off the park in the first half, having to play a low block to prevent City from making the score line embarrassing. After making it to half-time at just 3-0, they would have just been looking to control the damage. However, with Man City taking their foot of the gas after the break, Leicester tried to take advantage. They got a goal back in the 75th minute but failed to convert multiple golden chances to get a result from the game.
Pep Guardiola’s men gain another three points as they look to continue their dominant run. They host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 26 April.
Smith’s side will be gutted that they didn’t take their chances at the end of the game as they have now lost their fourth game on the bounce and find themselves in 19th. They travel back to the King Power Stadium to face Wolves on Saturday 22 April.
West Ham secure a crucial draw to burst Arsenal’s bubble
WEST HAM UNITED 2-2 ARSENAL
West Ham battled hard to secure a point as Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead for the second week in a row.
The Irons were at the mercy of Arsenal for the first 30 minutes, hardly getting a hold of the ball. Within ten minutes, they found themselves 2-0 down with the away side piling on the pressure. Although, the momentum changed in the 33rd minute as they were awarded a penalty which was converted by Said Benrahma. The belief grew amongst the West Ham fans as Arsenal began to get more rattled before the break. The second 45 minutes was intense as both teams looked to take control of the game and in the 52nd minute, the Hammer’s hearts were in their mouths as they conceded a penalty. Fortunately for them, it was missed and just two minutes later, Jarrod Bowen equalised the game to secure a point.
The Gunners were firing on all cylinders and got off to a flying start, with Gabriel Jesus scoring in the seventh minute and Martin Odegaard doubling the lead just three minutes later. Despite their dream start to the game, it just took one deciding moment to change the course of the game which was the penalty given away by Gabriel. Once it was converted, Arsenal didn’t have the same attacking ability and failed to close out the game with a win. The result will sting even more as just two minutes before West Ham’s equalising goal, Bukayo Saka had the chance to put Arsenal 3-1 up which most likely would have seen them win the game.
David Moyes’ men fought for a very valuable point as they hope to stay out of the relegation zone, currently sitting in 15th. They head to Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth on Sunday 23 April.
Mikel Arteta’s side will feel they have bottled another game that they should have won and will be looking over their shoulder as their lead at the top of the table drops to four points. They host Southampton at the Emirates on Friday 21 April.
Other Fixtures
CHELSEA 1-2 BRIGHTON
EVERTON 1-3 FULHAM
SOUTHAMPTON 0-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2-0 BRENTFORD
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-3 BOURNEMOUTH
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-2 MANCHESTER UNITED