New Delhi: Matchday 23 ended with Manchester United picking up crucial three points against Fulham and rising one place in the table. Liverpool remained impressive at the weekend, routing Ipswich Town 4-1 while Arsenal fought with everything with just ten men on the field while playing Wolverhampton Wanderers to keep the title race close enough.
After a disappointing midweek Champions League clash, Manchester City were able to maintain their Premier League form with a solid victory over Chelsea despite conceding early. Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw with West Ham was the only draw of the weekend despite the Villans taking an early lead in the game but failed to double their efforts which the Hammers took advantage of in later stages of the game.
5) Can Justin Kluivert take Bournemouth into European competition?
Six goals in his past four games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3fQfkBpHWD
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 25, 2025
It was a shocking night for Nottingham Forest, suffering a rare 5-0 heavy defeat this season. Bournemouth had sealed the deal at the Vitality with their first strike in the eighth minute itself and it became clear that the Tricky Trees would have to give their absolute everything to make a comeback in the game at all. The first goal came from Justin Kluivert, Bournemouth’s highest scorer this season, who has scored six times in his last four games.
While Bournemouth took time to increase their lead, it was clear that Nottingham Forest had little to answer for. The week before, it was his hat-trick that had helped the Bees go past Newcastle. Even Andoni Iraola praised the Dutch international, noting that the first goal set the tempo of the game with his great finish. In what is perhaps the most unlikely contest for a spot in Europe, Kluivert’s recent boost in confidence does forecast Bournemouth’s definite place in the top eight.
4) Phil Foden’s form and new recruits a point Manchester City positive
Turning up the heat 🥵
🔥 @PhilFoden 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RzORmlFpwd
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 25, 2025
Manchester City fans are more relaxed when Phil Foden plays well. Combining this with Erling Halaand’s revival means City are yet not out of the title race as they climbed into the top five spots. Foden was League Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season but his start this season wasn’t the best, contributing just one assist in the early part of the season. Starting this year though he has scored six goals in the team’s last four outings.
Haaland had lost his touch during City’s poor form but has been slowly clawing back in the Golden Boot race, just one point goal behind Mohamed Salah. For City, Abdukodir Khusanov was nervous, aiding in Chelsea’s early goal and getting booked within the first five minutes of the game. However, Omar Marmoush injected a new energy into the City camp.
3) Tottenham Hotspur dig deeper into trouble
Ange’s post-match reaction 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/4i5fS5vfHW
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 26, 2025
Ange Potecoglou and his side put in a horrid performance and their current place in the Premier League. Postecoglou though is convinced that the squad misses its injured players and everything will be back to normal once his key players return to the squad. In their last 11 games, the Lillywhites have won only once, with the win coming against the table’s lowest-placed team, Southampton.
The injury issue is prominent with many of the big teams and Spurs have enough firepower who could have upturned the result. Placed 15th, Tottenham broke the deadlock when Richarlison’s strike in the 33rd minute, going 1-0 in the break against Leicester City. However, after action resumed, the Foxes took the lead, with both Jamie Vardy and Bilal El Khannouss scoring. There are calls for Postecoglou’s sacking as Tottenham near the relegation zone.
2) David Moyes’ 700th game leading in the Premier League
7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣* pic.twitter.com/iCvgqQ90US
— Everton (@Everton) January 25, 2025
Everton’s David Moyes is now the only third manager to have ever led in 700 Premier League games when Everton were facing Brighton and Hove at the Amex Stadium. In just his third game into his second stint, he has won twice, as Everton are seeing a late turnaround to their season. While it may not have been exactly a dominating performance, with Illiman Ndiaye scoring the only goal of the match in penalty, it was enough for a win.
Brighton though had their chances with both Georgina Rutter and Joao Pedro coming close to scoring but Everton managed to keep the Seagulls in check, with Jordan Pickford needing only a couple of saves to record. Moyes has made a difference in the side as Everton have been much more aggressive in the recent while. The win also means that the relegation zone isn’t breathing down their neck, as they now stand six points clear of Leicester City.
1) Alexander Isak is making Newcastle standout
That first touch. 😮💨
Alexander Isak is unstoppable. 🥶🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/j6PbawKntv
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 26, 2025
Newcastle have been roaming around the top-four finish spot this season and are tied on points with Man City and behind on goal difference, with Alexander Isak being a prime reason for this performance. The Swedish international has scored 17 times from 21 games, standing behind only Mohamed Salah and Erling Halaand. Against Southampton, it was no different a tale for the Magpies.
Southampton had scored early with Jan Bednarek getting on the goalsheet in the 10th minute of the game. However, Isak ensured that Newcastle went into the break with a 2-1 lead. His first goal was a spot-kick in the 26th minute, before completing his brace just four minutes later. Isak’s exploits against Southampton came as no surprise, having scored through some of the best defences this season.
In a Premier League game week, which saw nine games end with a conclusive results, here’s a look at the some a dive into the matchday that went by as the title race intensifies. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
