Premier League 2019/20 Game Week 18 Roundup

A full roundup of game week 18 of the Premier League, including the team of the week.

Everton 0-0 Arsenal

With both sides’ new managers, Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta, watching on from the stands, they may both be reconsidering their choices after what was a decidedly drab affair. A dull, dull match with a considerable lack of talking points, new managers aside. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had the best chance of the game, forcing a reactionary save out of Jordan Pickford in order to keep the game level.

Newcastle United 1-0 Crystal Palace

In a close-run affair, it was Newcastle who came out triumphant against a threatening Crystal Palace side, who had several chances, but were unable to convert any of them. In the end, the game was decided by Miguel Almiron, who finally broke his duck for the season and netted a late goal with a well-taken half-volley to hand the Magpies all three points.

Aston Villa 1-3 Southampton

Many Villa fans would have hoped that their players would be buoyed by a mid-week league cup victory over Liverpool that put them into the semi-finals of the competition. However, it was not to be, as Dean Smiths men were taken apart by fellow strugglers Southampton with goals from Danny Ings and Jack Stephens seeing the Saints trade places with the Villains in the table, with the West-Midlands outfit now occupying the table’s third relegation spot.

Norwich City 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

For a while it seemed as though Norwich may have had yet another shock in their system, after beating Manchester City earlier in the season, and holding Leicester to a draw just last week, the Canaries surged into an early lead courtesy of a goal from Todd Cantwell. They were able to hold on for much of the game, before Wolves struck on the hour mark to level the scoring, before Raul Jimenez secured all three points for the visitors.

Brighton and Hove Albion 0-1 Sheffield United

The Premier League’s dark horses keep up their impressive run of form, seeing them move up to fifth place in the table, just four points shy of the Champions League places. A first half strike from Oli McBurnie sealed the win for the Blades, with Brighton unable to break down the South Yorkshire sides’ impressive defence, despite dominating possession.

Bournemouth 0-1 Burnley

Another contender for the dullest game of the season, there was a combined five shots between the two sides in the matchup at the Vitality Stadium. After an uneventful 88 minutes, Jay Rodriguez converted a weak header to ensure at least one set of fans would be heading home happy.

Manchester City 3-1 Leicester City

In a week where Liverpool were off playing in the FIFA Club World Cup, both Manchester City and Leicester were presented a golden opportunity to make up some ground on the league leaders, as they threatened to run away with the league. Jamie Vardy opened the scoring against the run of play however, the Foxes wouldn’t be ahead for long as goals from Riyad Mahrez and a penalty from Ilkay Gundogan gave the hosts a slight lead heading into the break. Gabriel Jesus sealed the victory for City in the second half and dealt Leicester a hammer blow to their title chances, as the reigning champions moved within 11 points of the league leaders, while the Foxes remain 10 points off the pace.

Watford 2-0 Manchester United

Watford picked up only their second win of the season on Sunday, and it came against Manchester United, no less. The Hornets gave the league leaders a close game at Anfield last week and were impressive once again in order to hand the Red Devils their first defeat since the start of November. A scuffed Ismaila Sarr volley gave the Hornets the lead thanks to an absolute howler of an error from David de Gea before Tory Deeney was able to convert from the penalty spot just minutes later to double the host’s lead and seal the win.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Chelsea

The student became the master on Sunday as Frank Lampard dealt his former manager, Jose Mourinho, a convincing defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It was a grudge match between the two sides and it showed, with a series of dangerous challenges flying in from all quarters. A first half brace from Willian sealed the victory for the Blues, although the match was marred by a torrent of alleged racial abuse from the home fans directed at Antonio Rudiger after Heung-min Son received a red card for kicking out at the German defender.

Sunrise Radio’s Team of the Week:

Foster; Rudiger, Schar, Tomori; Willian, Lundstram, De Bruyne, Mount, Almiron; Ings, Mahrez