Category: Premier League

Everton survive, Leeds and Leicester down, Villa in Europe on final day in Premier League

May 28, 2023

The final day of the Premier League saw plenty of drama, even if the destination of the title had long been decided.

The relegation battle was the centre of attention for most neutrals, and it did not disappoint.

Leeds United needed a win against Tottenham and for results elsewhere to go their way, but Harry Kane’s second minute goal rather deflated the crowd at Elland Road.

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Pedro Porro added another before Jack Harrison pulled one back for the hosts, but another Kane goal and a late Lucas Moura stunner sealed a 4-1 win for Spurs and relegation for Leeds.
Leicester City also kicked off the day in the drop zone but Harvey Barnes’ first half goal put them temporarily above Everton. Wout Faes doubled the Foxes’ advantage in the second half before Pablo Fornals pulled one back for the visitors, but the 2-1 Leicester victory was not enough.
That was because Abdoulaye Doucoure had smashed in a sensational winner for Everton against Bournemouth in the 57th minute, sending Goodison Park into ecstasy. The 1-0 win for Everton was enough to secure a 70th consecutive top flight season at Goodison Park.

Aston Villa secured their first European campaign since the 2010-11 season with a 2-1 win over Brighton at Villa Park.

Villa, needing a win to confirm their place in the European Conference League in light of Spurs beating Leeds, made an impressive start.

Jacob Ramsey played a delightful ball across the face of goal for Douglas Luiz to slide home Villa’s opener in the eighth minute.

Ollie Watkins doubled Villa’s lead in the 26th minute, passing his shot into an empty net after Jason Steele dove into the feet of Ramsey. It would have been a penalty had Watkins not put the ball away.

After 20 minutes, Deniz Undav thought he had a goal back for Brighton, but VAR intervened to rule it out due to an offside in the build-up.

Undav got his goal when he exposed dreadful Villa defending from a free-kick in the 38th minute, racing in behind to make it 2-1 before the break.

Brighton did not appear overly motivated to get an equaliser and the match settled into a scoreless second half as Villa secured their place in Europe.

On the south coast, Liverpool and Southampton shared an entertaining, error-packed 4-4 draw.

Diogo Jota got the opening goal after a woeful no-look pass from Romeo Lavia across his own goal which the Portuguese snaffled up and smashed into the goal from close range.

Roberto Firmino made it 2-0 after 14 minutes, dribbling through the packed Southampton defence before rolling his shot into the goal.

James Ward-Prowse got a goal back for Saints in the 19th minute with a neat, low finish across goal.

In the 28th minute, Southampton were level as Kamaldeen Sulemana raced onto a clever pass into the box and slipped his finish under Caoimhin Kelleher.

Sulemana doubled up to give Southampton the lead just after the break with a sensational strike following a 60-yard run. Receiving the ball deep in Saints territory, Sulemana kept looking for passing options but when none presented themselves, he went alone.

Stuart Armstrong made it 4-2 to Southampton in the 65th minute, snatching an attempted Jordan Henderson pass deep in Liverpool territory before slapping his shot beyond Kelleher.

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Liverpool were level in the blink of an eye. Cody Gakpo scored a tap-in from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross in the 72nd minute. One minute later Mo Salah played Jota in and the Portuguese forward made it 4-4.

In North London, Arsenal destroyed Wolves 5-0.

Granit Xhaka headed Arsenal into an early lead after Gabriel Jesus floated in a cross from the right. Wolves’ defence was nowhere to be seen as the Swiss international leapt high to head home.

Xhaka doubled Arsenal’s lead when a wayward defensive flick fell straight to him in front of goal. Bukayo Saka made it three after 27 minutes. Making space in the box with a sensational body feint, the England winger then whipped his finish into the far corner.

Thomas Partey lashed in Arsenal’s fourth in the 52nd minute, pouncing on a loose ball in the box following a corner, but the goal was chalked off for a foul on Wolves keeper Jose Sa. Arsenal did add another when Leandro Trossard dinked a cross to Gabriel Jesus who rose to head home in the 57th minute.

The Gunners had to wait 20 minutes for their next goal, which came courtesy of Jakub Kiwior. The Polish defender slapped in a loose ball from a corner to make it 5-0.

Across the capital, Chelsea brought the curtain down on a dreadful season with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle.

Anthony Gordon opened the scoring with what will surely be the easiest goal of his career, trapping the ball over the line from inches out after horrendous Chelsea defending and an excellent pass from Elliot Anderson.

Raheem Sterling dragged Chelsea level in the 27th minute after catching Newcastle sleeping at a free kick. Kieran Trippier was judged to have made the final touch, so the goal was awarded as an own goal against the England full-back.

At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest shared the points after a 1-1 draw.

Taiwo Awoniyi scored the opener in South London and it was a goal with a distinctly end of season feel. A long ball in behind found the Nigerian before some chaotic defending in the box eventually saw Awoniyi put the ball away.

Will Hughes levelled for Palace with an uncharacteristic deft header in the 66th minute.

Elsewhere, Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes scored in a 2-1 comeback win for Manchester United over Fulham at Old Trafford that also featured a David de Gea penalty save.
Ethan Pinnock got a late winner for Brentford against champions Manchester City in West London. The Bees missed out an eighth place finish by virtue of Spurs’ win in Leeds. Incredibly, the 1-0 win was a league double for Brentford over the champions.

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Brentford grab late winner to do double over champions Man City

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Brentford became the only Premier League club to do the double over champions Manchester City this season, with Ethan Pinnock’s late goal the difference in west London.

Pep Guardiola made seven changes to his City side and it showed, with the visitors far from their fluid best as they struggled to create any chances. The best opportunity fell to Cole Palmer early on, but David Raya palmed away his low shot.

Yoane Wissa hit the post for Brentford, although he was marginally offside when played through on goal so it would not have counted, while Ben Mee also had a snap-shot saved before the interval.

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The Bees thought they should have had a penalty amid their best spell of pressure, with Mee first kicked by Sergio Gomez as they vied for a loose ball and then Rico Lewis clearly handling a miscued shot, but one was not awarded. Manager Thomas Frank was booked for his protests.

Yet the Bees still had a sting in their tail and scored a deserved winner five minutes from time as Pinnock smashed home from a Bryan Mbuemo knockdown.

It was announced earlier in the day that Pinnock had signed a new four-year contract with Brentford, so he was a fitting scorer.

City did create one goalmouth scramble as they pushed for an equaliser, but Palmer saw two close-range shots blocked as Brentford held firm.

The win means Brentford end the season with 59 points in ninth place, with City on 89 at the top of the table. Other results did not go Brentford’s way, meaning it was not possible to qualify for the Europa Conference League.

TALKING POINT – Brentford end super season in style

Europe was not to be for Brentford, but it has still been a brilliant season for the Bees and this win ties a bow on it nicely. It is their highest league finish since the 1937-38 season.

Brentford’s progress has gone under the radar this campaign, perhaps down to a combination of their good showing last season and a top-four shake-up which has attracted much attention, but Frank is continuing to do an excellent job on one of the division’s smallest budgets. All the while still using many of the players who helped Brentford reach the Premier League, including Pinnock.

Phil Foden of Manchester City is challenged by Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford

Image credit: Getty Images

That they are the only team to do the double over City this season is testament to Brentford’s quality and adaptability.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Ben Mee (Brentford)

Against his old club, Mee made his presence felt at both ends. Julian Alvarez had a torrid after in large part because of Mee, although all members of Brentford’s backline played well.

PLAYER RATINGS

Brentford: Raya 6, Hickey 7, Pinnock 8, Mee 8, Jorgensen 7, Henry 8, Janelt 6, Onyeka 7, Damsgaard 6, Mbeumo 7, Wissa 6. Subs: Schade 7, Dasilva 7, Baptiste 6, Ghoddos 6, Roerslev 6.

Manchester City: Ederson 6, Walker 6, Ake 7, Laporte 6, Gomez 4, Phillips 4, Foden 6, Lewis 6, Palmer 5, Mahrez 5, Alvarez 5. Subs: Charles 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

RAYA SAVES 4′ – Palmer gets a slice of luck as the ball ricochets his way, allowing the youngster to dribble into the box, and he digs out a low shot which Raya parries wide.

WISSA HITS POST 10′ – Wissa runs off Ake’s shoulder, receives a through ball to go one-on-one with Ederson and curls a shot onto the post from a tight angle. An offside flag belatedly went up, so it would not have counted had Wissa found the net.

MEE SHOT KEPT OUT 36′ – A long throw-in comes to Mee, who stops it dead, spins and shoots, but Ederson saves.

BRENTFORD LEAD 85′ – Schade gets around the outside on the right, crosses to Mbuemo at the back post and his knockdown is right in the path of Pinnock, who hammers home. Brentford on to do the double over City!

CHANCE FOR CITY 90′ – Palmer has two close-range efforts blocked – one by Pinnock, one by a team-mate – as City come agonisingly close to drawing level.

KET STAT

Brentford have done the double over City for the first time since the1937-38 season.

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Ederson is back between the sticks for City, while Cole Palmer, Kalvin Phillips and Julian Alvarez are also all named in the starting line-up. Only Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez started in the draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Ake, Laporte, Gomez, Lewis, Phillips, Palmer, Mahrez, Foden, Alvarez.

Brentford grab late winner to do double over champions City

May 28, 2023

Brentford became the only Premier League club to do the double over champions Manchester City this season, with Ethan Pinnock’s late goal the difference in west London.

Pep Guardiola made seven changes to his City side and it showed, with the visitors far from their fluid best as they struggled to create any chances. The best opportunity fell to Cole Palmer early on, but David Raya palmed away his low shot.

Yoane Wissa hit the post for Brentford, although he was marginally offside when played through on goal so it would not have counted, while Ben Mee also had a snap-shot saved before the interval.

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The Bees thought they should have had a penalty amid their best spell of pressure, with Mee first kicked by Sergio Gomez as they vied for a loose ball and then Rico Lewis clearly handling a miscued shot, but one was not awarded. Manager Thomas Frank was booked for his protests.

Yet the Bees still had a sting in their tail and scored a deserved winner five minutes from time as Pinnock smashed home from a Bryan Mbuemo knockdown.

The win means Brentford end the season with 59 points in ninth place, with City on 89 at the top of the table.

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Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League LIVE

May 28, 2023

Follow the Premier League live Football match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur with Eurosport. The match starts at 4:30 PM on May 28th, 2023.

Catch the latest Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur news and find up to date Premier League standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Kane consigns Leeds to relegation as Spurs win at Elland Road

May 28, 2023

A Harry Kane brace and goals from Pedro Porro and Lucas Moura condemned Leeds to the Championship as Tottenham ran out 4-1 winners at Elland Road on a dramatic final day of the Premier League season.

Sam Allardyce’s side came into the match needing to win and rely on results elsewhere to avoid the dreaded drop after a dismal season, and could hardly have made a worse start.

Porro darted inside from the right wing to pick up the loose ball and feed Son Heung-Min, who laid it off for Kane to break the deadlock with his first touch of the game and with just 91 seconds on the clock.

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Credit to the hosts, who responded well and should have been level before the 10-minute mark. First, Robin Koch had a free header from eight yards out that he put wide, before moments later, Pascal Struijk sliced a gilt-edged chance over the bar.

The anguish was written all over the face of Allardyce in the dugout and the Leeds faithful, who created an incredible atmosphere prior to kick-off.

Those cheers made way for boos at half-time as the team’s impending relegation neared, especially with Leicester winning at the break.

There was even less to cheer about in the second period. Amazingly, the hosts were once again caught napping less than two minutes into the half as Kane turned provider, turning Liam Cooper and finding Porro, who found the corner exquisitely from tight angle.

With Leicester doubling their advantage and Everton opening the scoring at Goodison, Leeds’ fate was as good as sealed, but they did give themselves a lifeline in the 67th minute when Jack Harrison found the net with a low bullet.

However, Kane put the final nail in the Leeds coffin two minutes later, picking out the corner with ease at the end of a Tottenham break for his 30th Premier League goal of the season and a fitting end to his time at Spurs, if it should prove to be his last appearance.

On his final appearance, Lucas Moura scored a stunner to cap a fine win for Spurs.

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Leicester City v West Ham United – Premier League LIVE

May 28, 2023

Follow the Premier League live Football match between Leicester City and West Ham United with Eurosport. The match starts at 4:30 PM on May 28th, 2023.

Catch the latest Leicester City and West Ham United news and find up to date Premier League standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Leicester relegated despite West Ham win as Everton stay up in final day survival scrap

May 28, 2023

Leicester City have been relegated from the Premier League despite a 2-1 win at home to West Ham, with Everton staying up by the skin of their teeth.

The 2016 Premier League champions needed to win and hope other results would work out in their favour.

The Foxes created a hatful of chances in the first half with Kelechi Iheanacho clipping the top of the crossbar and James Maddison shooting wide.

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Their possession paid off when Harvey Barnes traded passes with Iheanacho and poked a low shot in the bottom corner to break the deadlock for his 13th goal of the season.

The Hammers were the more dangerous side in the second period with Said Benrahma hitting the post with a low effort and Jonny Evans producing an impressive display to keep them at bay.

But around the hour mark, news emerged that Everton had scored against Bournemouth courtesy of Abdoulaye Doucoure, lifting the Toffees out of the drop zone.

Dean Smith’s side then went 2-0 up courtesy of Wout Faes’ glancing header from a Youri Tielemans free-kick.

David Moyes made four changes in the second half and they reduced the deficit late on when Pablo Fornals’ low shot went in off the post.

The Foxes held on for the win, but Everton’s victory over Bournemouth means Smith’s side finish the season in 18th position and they go down by two points.

TALKING POINT

Heartbreak for Leicester

For nearly an hour it looked like the Foxes were staying up. They did what they needed to do against the Hammers after finding their composure to score two goals.

But Doucoure’s goal for the Toffees against Bournemouth was the deciding factor in their fate. Fans will look back to those draws with Leeds United and Everton and the penalty miss by James Maddison against tthe latter.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Jonny Evans (Leicester): The former Manchester United defender was at his best and showed his ability in the air and leadership skills in a pressure situation. He seemed to be in the right place at the right time throughout.

PLAYER RATINGS

LEICESTER CITY: Iversen 6, Thomas 6, Faes 7, Evans 9, Castagne 7, Dewsbury-Hall 7, Soumare 6, Tielemans 7, Maddison 6, Barnes 8, Iheanacho 7. Subs: Vardy n/a, Mendy n/a, Pereira n/a.

WEST HAM: Fabianski 5, Coufal 7, Cresswell 5, Kehrer 5, Aguerd 6, Rice 5, Downes 5, Paqueta 6, Fornals 5, Antonio 6, Benrahma 8. Subs: Bowen 6, Ings 5, Palmieri n/a, Cornet n/a, Lanzini n/a.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

29′ – HUGE CHANCE! Iheanacho controls the ball well, trades passes with Maddison and from inside the box his shot clips the top of the bar!

34′ – GOAL FOR LEICESTER! Barnes trades passes with Iheanacho and pokes his shot from inside the box into the bottom corner!

62′ – GOAL FOR LEICESTER! Its a free-kick near the corner flag. Tielemans’ delivery is headed in by Faes.

79′ – GOAL FOR WEST HAM! A ball over the top for Fornals who fires a shot from inside the box in off the post. 2-1.

KEY STAT

Leicester’s win today was their first in six games.

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Doucoure stunner keeps Everton in Premier League

May 28, 2023

An incredible strike by Abdoulaye Doucoure ensured Everton extended their 69-year stay in England’s top-flight with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, a result that consigned Leicester to the Championship.

Sean Dyche’s side started the day outside of the drop zone in the Premier League and knew their destiny was in their own hands but required a stunning goal by Doucoure just shy of the hour-mark to relieve the pressure at Goodison Park.

It means Leicester, who defeated West Ham 2-1, and Leeds, who lost 4-1 to Tottenham, are relegated to the second tier.

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Bournemouth’s goalkeeper Mark Travers – standing in for captain Neto, who was absent due to personal reasons – was forced into two impressive saves in the first half.

The Toffees’ best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes fell to Idrissa Gueye whose effort was straight at Travers. As news filtered in that 18th-placed Leicester were leading against West Ham, Everton’s desperation began to grow, and the Bournemouth shot stopper tipped over James Garner’s effort to increase the trepidation inside Goodison Park.

There were scares defensively, too, with Yerry Mina making a desperate last-ditch block to deny Dominic Solanke.

The chances kept coming for Everton after the break, and when Demarai Gray failed to beat Travers from point-blank range, it felt like it could have been one of those days for the hosts.

But the relief was tangible when Doucoure broke the deadlock with a first-time volley from the edge of the box to finally give Everton the lead.

Everton had Jordan Pickford to thank for pulling off an impressive save at the death, and the hosts had to endure 10 minutes of stoppage-time before their safety was confirmed. It proved to be worth the wait as Everton celebrated their escape in emotional scenes at the full-time whistle with the supporters spilling onto the pitch.

Player of the match – Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton)

It’s no surprise that Doucoure has proved to be Everton’s hero. In a season of mediocrity, the midfielder has stood out on several occasions and when it mattered most he provided the crucial moment.

Player ratings

Everton: Pickford 7, Coady 7, Mina 8, Tarkowski 7, McNeil 6, Gueye 6, Garner 7, Onana 7, Doucoure 8*, Iwobi 6, Gray 6.. subs: Simms 5.

Bournemouth: Travers 7, Smith 6, Zabarnyi 6, Senesi 6, Kelly 5, Billing 5, Lerma 5, Brooks 7, Christie 5, Ouattara 5, Solanke 5.. subs: Vina 6, Moore 5, Anthony N/A.

Match highlights

31’ – BIG SAVE! Gueye has a clear sight at goal but shoots straight down the middle and allows Travers to tip the ball over the bar. A huge chance for Everton and if Gueye picks a corner rather than opting for power he may well have been celebrating.

45’+3 – ACROBATIC SAVE! Travers is under real pressure to punch McNeil’s cross – but only as far as Garner whose effort is destined for the top corner until the stand in Bournemouth goalkeeper tips it over the bar!

50’ – GRAY MUST SCORE! Zabarnyi’s attempted clearance falls kindly for Gray but from point-blank range he fails to generate enough power in his header to beat Travers. Is it going to be one of those days for The Toffees?

57’ – GOAL! EVERTON 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH (ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE): What an incredible goal by Doucoure – and it may well keep Everton in the Premier League! The midfielder is perfectly placed on the edge of the box to rifle home a first-time volley into the top corner, leaving Travers helpless.

90’+5 – PICKFORD TO THE RESCUE! Vina connects with a volley on the edge of the box, drawing Pickford into a huge save! Oh my!

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