Premier League Update: GW 36 | OneFootball

The struggle for those four Champions League spots, plus the other European seats, took center stage in this week’s fixtures.

Fulham 1 – 3 Everton

In my fever dream fantasy of Crystal Palace entering the top 7 of the table, I predicted a Fulham fall. Nice to know one of those proved accurate. Fulham started strong with Raúl Jiménez’s 17th minute goal, and they kept applying the pressure but a stoppage time equalizer deflated them. After the half, the tide turned Everton’s way and they did not squander it. Fulham have effectively killed any chance for Europe.

Ipswich Town 0 – 1 Brentford

Take note you three sides making the leap up to the PL… you’ve got to perform at home. The Tractor Boys’ abysmal form at Portman early on in the season foretold their doom. With only one game remaining, they’ve only had a single win at home, with three draws and thirteen losses. Priority no.1 for Ipswich next year is to reestablish Portman Road’s home field advantage. Brentford actually still have a sliver of hope for Europe. A very very narrow sliver.

Southampton 0 – 0 Manchester City

There have been so many signs that things weren’t quite right in the City camp, and this scoreline is just the latest. Former wünderkind Phil Foden got his first start in over a month, but bottled the job. This draw now puts City in the dangerous fourth position. Any more mis-steps and Chelsea, Villa and Forest could pounce. What an absolute screw up.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 – 2 Brighton & Hove Albion

With neither side playing for much besides pride (say what you want about Brighton’s hopes for a European spot but that’s a drug I refuse to take), the Seagulls snatched the chip from Wolverhampton’s fingers. Wolves did debut Mateus Mané, a 17-year old that should feature more frequently in their campaign next year.

AFC Bournemouth 0 – 1 Aston Villa

It’s been a banner season for Aston Villa, even if they’ve JUST fallen short a few times. But on Saturday along the southern coast they got the job done to keep themselves in contention for that coveted Champions League berth. Their goal was courtesy of Ollie Watkins, who also crowned himself the new PL goal-scoring king of the club.

Newcastle United 2 – 0 Chelsea

This was a critical match in the CL scrum. Both sides entered the game level on 63 points, but the Magpies wasted no time in grabbing a quick goal off the visitors after two minutes. With Chelsea righting the ship it was looking to be a taut afternoon at St. James’ Park. Enter Nicholas Jackson’s forearm. His flailing limb caught defender Sven Botman and earned him an early trip to the showers in the 35th minute. Newcastle simply held on until Bruno Guimarães’ stoppage time sealer.

Manchester United 0 – 2 West Ham United

Holy crap was this bad. Ruben Amorim has now lost 13 games since taking over in November. Erik ten Hag only had 12 losses in the entire 2022-23 campaign, including the FA Cup and Europa League ties.  Shockingly, West Ham are now 15th.

Nottingham Forest 2 – 2 Leicester City

Five weeks ago my podcast host Gary Striker was bemoaning Nottingham Forest’s performance and doubting their ability to hold a Champions League spot. His fears are coming to fruition. It’s not a done deal, but a draw against relegated Leicester, at home, is not a good look. They need to win their next two, and hope for other results to favor them.

Tottenham Hotspur 0 – 2 Crystal Palace

This would normally have been a ho-hum, who cares match but for two things: both teams have huge finals (Europa League & FA Cup) coming up. Many pundits were looking at this match as a possible bellwether for how they might be setting up for those critical fixtures. If you’re a Spurs fan, well, it sucks to be you. Ange Postecoglou started his reserve side, making eight changes from the side that beat up minnow Bodø/Glimpt mid-week. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, hit the pitch firing on all cylinders and put on a masterclass in how to dominate a sagging team on their home turf. This has been Tottenham’s worst top-flight campaign in 112 years, and there are still two more to play.

Liverpool 2 – 2 Arsenal

Really, Anfield? That sustained booing for Trent Alexander-Arnold was like school in the summertime… no class. Did that play a part in Arsenal’s two-goal comeback? Not really, as the Reds were already wobbly before he came on for Conor Bradley. But it certainly didn’t help. For the Gunners, this point should guarantee them a Champions League spot, and anytime you come to Anfield and walk away with more than a goose egg that’s a win unto itself.