Premier League Update: GW32 – Saturday | OneFootball

I’m sharing both my predictions (which were written at the bar on Friday night) and my game feedback. You’ll have to take my pre-game musing on my word. I’m happy to consume my shame and think errors make the tastiest condiment.

Manchester City 5 – 2 Crystal Palace

You’ve got to get up pretty early Saturday morning on the West Coast to watch the most important match of the weekend. Of course, I’m talking about Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace. The Eagles aren’t quite on course to qualify for Europe (mostly due to unexpectedly good performances from Fulham, Newcastle and Aston Villa), but the Etihad is no longer a fearsome venue and City are far from unassailable.

For around 24 minutes, Palace were sitting in the catbird seat. Then City flipped on their predator switch and consumed the canary yellow. It was one of the better performances from a squad that’s been up and down all year; shame it had to happen against my team.

Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – 2 Leicester City

My upset pick of the week is Leicester, who haven’t scored a goal in eight straight PL matches, to knock over the Seagulls. Sure, my Palace support makes me biased, but I also believe that the terrible curse over the Foxes has to end sometime, and why not this GW32?

Leicester are still Leicester, meaning they are their own worst enemy. Both of Brighton’s goals came via the spot after an obvious handball (in the first half) and a rugby-like tackle (in the second). The big difference today was that Leicester finally scored! The pure joy and relief in Stephy Mavididi’s reaction after netting in the 38th minute was palpable. New signing Caleb Okeli also got his first goal as a Fox with a powerful header off the set-piece to bring his team level once again.

Nottingham Forest 0 -1 Everton

Well this certainly is a conundrum. My heart wants Forest to take this. The stats and form point to them taking this. But Everton are such a tricky team now that Moyes is back in charge.

Oh wow. What an incredible finish from Doucouré in the 94th minute. From Dwight McNeil’s lovely (but lucky) through ball he came in from the left, opened his hips and side-footed into the inside post. It’s only fair, as Everton were the superior and more dangerous side for most of this match. It’s a heartbreak for Forest, and in particular Murillo, whose cheap giveaway launched the counter.

I just can’t figure out why Forest were so flat today. The looks of disappointment on Forest fan’s faces as they exited the stands mirrored my confusion. Maybe their magical season is losing its glow? Plus with City and Villa both winning, Forest is now in the midst of a serious scrap to see who qualifies for the Champions League spots.

Southampton 0 – 3 Aston Villa

Is it too much to ask that Villa pull a Palace and walk out of St. Mary’s with only a point? Or better yet, a goose egg? Anyone?

It was looking good for my hopes and dreams, especially when Marco Ascensio had his penalty blocked. But Ollie Watkins’ big ol’ right toe had to go and bloop in a goal three minutes later. Southampton is like a poorly constructed dam; they can hold for only so long and once breached simply collapse. Villa would go on to score two more. Kudos to Aaron Ramsdale who blocked two penalties on the day.

Arsenal 1 – 1 Brentford

If this was being played at the Gtech, I would back the Gooners 110%. But Brentford on the road are stubborn business. Arsenal is probably hungover from the Declan Rice-fueled high from the CL win over Real Madrid. Knowing that a trip to the Bernabéu is in store might distract them enough for the Bees to snatch a point. Or three.

The hangover was real. It’s not that Arsenal played poorly, they did have apply some good pressure, it’s just that, well, it looked like their mid was elsewhere. But more surprising was Brentford’s lack of intensity in the first half. This is a team with nothing to play for other than bragging rights and to take their London neighbor down a peg. That should be enough.

At least the second half was more lively. In the 69th minute David Raya grabbed a Brentford corner and swiftly rolled it to Declan Rice, who with a single touch found himself with a 3 on 1 advantage and a full head of steam. He drove towards the goal, aware of Thomas Partey just outside his right shoulder. As Brentford defenders converged he laid it off, and Partey duly smashed it home. A textbook counter; brilliantly executed.

But Yoanne Wissa had other plans. Lurking atop the six yard box, he eyeballed Nathan Collins’ looping header take a bounce, then he whipped his leg around and slashed it into the net. It was a lovely move, and secure the Bees the point.