Gameweek 9

Brentford v Ipswich:

For Brentford they were coming off a disappointing game against Manchester

United where they lost 2-1 which was disappointing for them given Manchester's

form, with Chris Wood of Forest having scored as many goals as the whole of

United's team this season. For Ipswich, every game has to be won. Although this

will evidently be hard against top clubs like Manchester City or Liverpool they must

capitalise on games against teams like Brentford as it is a major opportunity to

pick up points that will help them avoid the relegation zone.

The beginning of the game saw the away team, Ipswich, picking up an early lead

through the means of attacking midfielder Szmodics, who was played in beautifully

by Kalvin Phillips who placed a pass from within his own half to George Hirst who

tapped it across to Szmodics who finished strongly into the right side of the net.

This was excellent play from Ipswich who showed Brentford they can create and

can be outstanding when given an opportunity to attack. This prowess was

portrayed further when the second goal was added to the lead within minutes by

assister, George Hirst. A pass from Conor Chaplin split the defense open and

played Hirst in and like his name-sake Geoff Hurst, he slotted the ball home with a

dinked shot that crept over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

However, the ever-consistent Wissa made a darting run late into the first half,

receiving the ball on the run from Janelt who had been played in by Lewis-Potter

after an excellent drive up the field, putting the bees within reaching distance of a

comeback. It quickly became level again when Wissa, again, came charging

through the 12-yard box hitting his shot into the keepers legs, however, it took a

deflection and rolled into the back of the net after Ipswich defender, Clarke,

attempted to block the shot but only assisted Wissa and the Bees in equalising.

Another mistake from Clarke meant that Brentford were given a penalty when he

dragged a player down in the box after winning the ball. This was something that

Mbuemo, Brentford's other world-class attacker, capitalised on bringing them

ahead in the game. Clarke then made his final mistake of the game, with another

poor challenge, leaving him embarrassed and red carded.

However, despite being down to ten men a beautiful cross and finish Delap

brought Ipswich level in a game they were originally leading, however this lead

didn't last long when Mbuemo put the cherry on the cake finalising a 4-3 win for

the Bees, pushing them into 9th. For Ipswich, they are left in the releagtion zone

struggling to find a way out.

Arsenal v Liverpool:

Arsenal come into the game hampered by injuries and coming off a match that

they lost 2-0 to Bournemouth, likely lowering their ambitions going into a game

against the league leaders Liverpool. For Liverpool they are coming off an

excellent streak of form that has left them at the summit of the Premier League

table, however, Arsenal are not easy competition and the competitive game that

followed portrayed this.

The scoring was opened early by Bukayo Saka when Ben White pinged a pass

behind the defense allowing Arsenal's star man, and one of the only remaining

stars who is injury-free, to slap his shot into the right side of the net. However,

Liverpool were able to capitalise on a corner which was beautifully placed by Trent

into the 12 yard box and tipped on by Luis Diaz to Van Dijk who capitalised,

bringing the game even within 20 minutes. This type of goal is something they

have become renowned for, Trent's excellent crossing ability and the experience of

their players allows them to perform so well from set-pieces and Van Dijk

especially should always be a fear when defending Liverpool from the dead-ball.

A second goal was scored by summer signing Mikel Merino who, off of Declan

Rice's beautifully curled free-kick gave Arsenal back the lead with a beautifully

headed goal before the closing of the first half.

In the second half, Liverpool kept the pressure on Arsenal who were lucky not to

cave earlier than they did, until, Kiwior's error. Jakub Kiwior was not covering the

space that Lewis-Skelly couldn't, allowing a ball to be played into the perennial

goal scorer that is Mo Salah by Nunez and he did what he always does, coldly

slotted it home. This brought Liverpool level and although they no longer hold the

top position in the Premier League, they have stopped Arsenal from pushing any

further up the table. Arsenal, however, will feel that although it wasn't what they

went into the game hoping for it is still better than a loss and they keep their foot

on the pedal towards the title. But, Arteta knows that City are hard to catch and

even with 8 wins over them last season in March they still weren't able to hold City

off from winning the title.

After the game, Slot publicly criticised Arsenal and Arteta claiming their time

wasting tactics are a "joke," this message has become all too familiar for Arsenal

and Arteta with the club having received multiple red cards for time-wasting, most

noticeably the Declan Rice red card for tapping the ball out of play.

Both teams will have felt they could win the game, but, it is still a better result than

a loss. In the words of Van Dijk, Liverpool will "take the point" and move forward.

For Arsenal, they will definitely need to improve as this streak of form isn't that of

title winners and to fall short again could be detrimental for locker room mentality

as well as the title race.

Palace v Spurs:

Palace come into the game without a single win in the Premier League and on a

terrible run of form, for Spurs it seemed like an easy-win but that isn't how it

panned out. There was an all too familiar "Spursy" feel to the result and they

couldn't find the finish to any of their chances throughout.

The game was rather stale for the large majority with Spurs holding most of

possession, however, they were not as creative as they usually are and Palace

were able to create an awful lot of chances more than a team that is hoping to

compete for European football, as a team in the relegation zone. In the 31st

minute Mateta capitalised on a mistake from Van de Ven that allowed a ball to be

crossed to him which as the excellent finisher he is, he slid it into the bottom

corner and out of Vicario's reach.

Although Spurs were able to create a few chances in the second half there was

nothing that truly tested the defense apart from a few good corners and chances.

One outlier who had an amazing performance is the young man: Mikey Moore. At

just 17 he has been extraordinary for Spurs in the previous games he has started

and was creative against Palace with a few of their chances coming from his side.

He was described by James Maddison as "Neymar" after his amazing mid-week

performance and he was able to continue this on at the end of the week but this

wasn't good enough to give them the win.

For Palace, this was an amazing performance that showed the rest of the Premier

League that they can still create without Olise. They will be hoping this form can

continue for the sake of their fans as a season scraping relegation will leave fans

and players dissappointed and players walking away from the club.

West Ham v Manchester United: This game has to be a win for Manchester

United, they have been in horrible form and Ten Hag is in the hot seat. For West

Ham they have had a good season so far, but, it could be better. Following their

game against Spurs West Ham will have a fire in their stomachs to prove that they

are one of the big clubs in the Premier League.

It was a quiet first half and a battle of attrition, Manchester United were able to

create good chances off of set-pieces and were good in open play with one sitter

that Dalot missed. There were multiple oppourtunities to capitalise but Manchester

couldn't pick up the lead. However, they were susceptible to West Ham's fast

attack and excellent counter.

In the second half, West Ham were able to pick up a loose ball from Garnacho,

Bowen then whipped in a cross that was slid into the path of Summerville by

Danny Ings and Summerville slid to tap the ball into the back of the net giving his

team the lead 75 minutes into the first half. However, this lead didn't last long, after

a good chipped ball from Diallo Zirkzee attempts a shot which ends up on the

head of Casemiro who is able to tap it in, portraying his experience and tying the

game for Manchester United.

This wasn't the end for Manchester United though and the pain continued when

Danny Ings was given a dubious penalty after a foul from De Ligt. The penalty was

arguably dubious, but it was still given and Bowen still capitalised putting West

Ham into the lead and that is how the game finished.

For Manchester United this has to be a turning point, Ten Hag has been sacked

following it and it is no suprise. Mancheser United have been on horrible form and

their fans will be hoping that their season can improve as they sit in 14th. West

Ham fans will be estatic to see their team beat what was once defined as a big

club in Manchester United after their loss to Spurs and will hope this form

continues to allow them to push up the table and potentially fight with the likes of

Villa, Spurs and Newcastle for European football.

Chelsea v Newcastle United:

The final game to captivate audiences this weekend was Chelsea v Newcastle

United. Chelsea came in to the game eager to perform and this showed when

Cole Palmer opened the scoring early, but, with the help of VAR Newcastle were

able to keep it level when Palmer was called offside. This stalemate didn't last for

long when another beautifully worked chance from an attacking duo that has

become formidable in Jackson and Palmer put Chelsea into the lead. The

goal scorer, Jackson, was slid in by Neto but it wouldn't of been possible without

Palmer's excellently played ball from within his half. Jackson is on a searing run of

firm and has become the fire to Cole Palmer's ice and both their attacking

creativity is essential to Chelsea performing at a high caliber.

The lead wasn't forever though when a well-worked chance from Newcastle and

an excellent cross from Barnes put them in on goal with no keeper in front of Isak

who was able to easily tap the ball home bringing the game back to a stalemate.

Newcastle couldn't hold on forever though and eventually a loose ball put Palmer

through on goal and cool as ever he slotted it into the keepers near post from just

outside the box.

For Chelsea, they will be happy to be back on the right track after a disappointing

few matches that they would of liked to see themselves come out on top of. They

have a tough run of games ahead but if they can keep up this form they could

really disrupt the title race and they will be able to raise their ambitions. Newcastle

United, will be dissappointed given that they haven't won any of their last five

games and it is about time they start winning if they don't want to fall out of the

race for European football which they are bordering on doing.