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Premier League Review: Matchday 37

Premier League Review: Matchday 37

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Regardless of what happens during the mid-week fixtures, the title race is going to the final day of the season. Arsenal and Manchester City, once again, both held up their ends of the bargain this weekend. The relegation battle will also be decided on Matchday 38 while there’s still a competitive scramble for the final European places. Here’s a look at the headlines across Matchday 37. 

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

City strike first

For the first time in a while, Manchester City played before their title rivals. Fulham hadn’t been in the best form but a trip to Craven Cottage always has the potential to be a bit of a curve ball. 

But the reigning champions have been relentless over recent weeks and their ruthlessness was on full display against Marco Silva’s side. City scored four goals for the third time in their last four Premier League matches as they romped to a 4-0 win. 

The star of the show was, surprisingly, Joško Gvardiol. The versatile centre-back, starting out at left-back, scored twice with Phil Foden and Julián Álvarez adding the other two goals for Pep Guardiola’s men. City deserved the win having been truly dominant, with 64% possession and an Expected Goals haul of 3.25. They limited their opponents to just a single shot as they opened up a two-point lead over Arsenal ahead of the Gunners playing on Sunday. 

Spurs keep their top four hopes alive

It was a nervy affair for Ange Postecoglou and his players on Saturday as they played host to Burnley. A win was needed to keep the pressure on Aston Villa in the race for a top four finish. It is still a long shot, with Unai Emery’s men being in a much more favourable position, but Spurs had to give themselves a chance and they did just that. 

Burnley needed a win to keep their survival hopes alive. 

There was a lot to play for and the pressure appeared to have gotten to Spurs early on when the away side took the lead, albeit against the run of play. However, the hosts hit back fairly quickly, levelling things up just seven minutes later. 

Spurs had the better chances and looked the more likely winners but a second goal eluded them until the 82nd minute. 

Micky Van De Ven scored what turned out to be the winning goal with an outrageous finish for a centre-back. Having made a dart forward, he showed great composure to take the ball past two defenders before working the ball onto his stronger side and passing the ball into the bottom corner. 

Burnley couldn’t hit back in the final few minutes and their relegation was confirmed. Spurs now have to wait and see what Villa do against Liverpool on Monday. 

Moyes gets his send-off 

West Ham’s Saturday afternoon game against Luton Town was David Moyes’ final one in the home dugout after it was confirmed his contract wouldn’t be extended. The Scottish manager has done a lot for the Hammers over the years and guided them to success in the Europa Conference League last term. He deserved a good send-off and despite a rocky start, he did get one.

Luton struck first after just six minutes with one of their four shots of the game. The Hammers huffed and puffed in the first half, having a total of 10 efforts, but worked the goalkeeper just once. 

After the break though, the hosts looked like a completely different team. They carved out five big chances from a total of 14 efforts. And they managed to find the back of the net on three occasions. The win did nothing for the Hammers but it would’ve been nice for Moyes to bow out at home with all three points. The loss didn’t relegate Luton but their survival now looks extremely unlikely.  

Chelsea’s late European push continues 

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are now unbeaten in four after their comeback victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. 

The Blues took an early lead through Mykhalio Mudryk but found themselves 2-1 down with just 16 minutes remaining after Callum Hudson-Odoi struck against his former team to continue his fine form for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side. 

A win would’ve guaranteed Nottingham Forest’s survival following Luton’s defeat earlier in the afternoon. However, they couldn’t hold on. Raheem Sterling, off the bench, scored just his seventh goal of the season in the 80th minute before Nicolas Jackson extended his hot streak by adding his 14th of the season and his fourth goal in his last three outings just two minutes later. 

Chelsea are now three points clear of Manchester United and level on points with Newcastle United in their pursuit of the Europa League Conference League place. 

Their late-season form has gone a little under the radar. 

Manchester United lose at home again  

For the sixth time in the Premier League this season, Manchester United lost at Old Trafford. The Red Devils went down to title hopefuls Arsenal on Sunday afternoon with Leandro Trossard scoring what turned out to be the winner in the 20th minute of the match. 

Erik Ten Hag’s men are now in eighth position in the Premier League and the likelihood is Old Trafford won’t be playing host to European football next season. 

Arsenal weren’t at their best but they did enough to secure a vital win. It lifted them back into top spot and, once again, heaped the pressure onto Manchester City ahead of their game in hand against Spurs in midweek. 

Mikel Arteta’s side deserved the win, they had more shots and their Expected Goals total was comfortably higher. They also managed to limit their hosts in what was another dominant defensive display. 

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Premier League Review: Matchday 37

Regardless of what happens during the mid-week fixtures, the title race is going to the final day of the season. Arsenal and Manchester City, once again, both held up their ends of the bargain this weekend. The relegation battle will also be decided on Matchday 38 while there’s still a competitive scramble for the final European places. Here’s a look at the headlines across Matchday 37. 

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

City strike first

For the first time in a while, Manchester City played before their title rivals. Fulham hadn’t been in the best form but a trip to Craven Cottage always has the potential to be a bit of a curve ball. 

But the reigning champions have been relentless over recent weeks and their ruthlessness was on full display against Marco Silva’s side. City scored four goals for the third time in their last four Premier League matches as they romped to a 4-0 win. 

The star of the show was, surprisingly, Joško Gvardiol. The versatile centre-back, starting out at left-back, scored twice with Phil Foden and Julián Álvarez adding the other two goals for Pep Guardiola’s men. City deserved the win having been truly dominant, with 64% possession and an Expected Goals haul of 3.25. They limited their opponents to just a single shot as they opened up a two-point lead over Arsenal ahead of the Gunners playing on Sunday. 

Spurs keep their top four hopes alive

It was a nervy affair for Ange Postecoglou and his players on Saturday as they played host to Burnley. A win was needed to keep the pressure on Aston Villa in the race for a top four finish. It is still a long shot, with Unai Emery’s men being in a much more favourable position, but Spurs had to give themselves a chance and they did just that. 

Burnley needed a win to keep their survival hopes alive. 

There was a lot to play for and the pressure appeared to have gotten to Spurs early on when the away side took the lead, albeit against the run of play. However, the hosts hit back fairly quickly, levelling things up just seven minutes later. 

Spurs had the better chances and looked the more likely winners but a second goal eluded them until the 82nd minute. 

Micky Van De Ven scored what turned out to be the winning goal with an outrageous finish for a centre-back. Having made a dart forward, he showed great composure to take the ball past two defenders before working the ball onto his stronger side and passing the ball into the bottom corner. 

Burnley couldn’t hit back in the final few minutes and their relegation was confirmed. Spurs now have to wait and see what Villa do against Liverpool on Monday. 

Moyes gets his send-off 

West Ham’s Saturday afternoon game against Luton Town was David Moyes’ final one in the home dugout after it was confirmed his contract wouldn’t be extended. The Scottish manager has done a lot for the Hammers over the years and guided them to success in the Europa Conference League last term. He deserved a good send-off and despite a rocky start, he did get one.

Luton struck first after just six minutes with one of their four shots of the game. The Hammers huffed and puffed in the first half, having a total of 10 efforts, but worked the goalkeeper just once. 

After the break though, the hosts looked like a completely different team. They carved out five big chances from a total of 14 efforts. And they managed to find the back of the net on three occasions. The win did nothing for the Hammers but it would’ve been nice for Moyes to bow out at home with all three points. The loss didn’t relegate Luton but their survival now looks extremely unlikely.  

Chelsea’s late European push continues 

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are now unbeaten in four after their comeback victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. 

The Blues took an early lead through Mykhalio Mudryk but found themselves 2-1 down with just 16 minutes remaining after Callum Hudson-Odoi struck against his former team to continue his fine form for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side. 

A win would’ve guaranteed Nottingham Forest’s survival following Luton’s defeat earlier in the afternoon. However, they couldn’t hold on. Raheem Sterling, off the bench, scored just his seventh goal of the season in the 80th minute before Nicolas Jackson extended his hot streak by adding his 14th of the season and his fourth goal in his last three outings just two minutes later. 

Chelsea are now three points clear of Manchester United and level on points with Newcastle United in their pursuit of the Europa League Conference League place. 

Their late-season form has gone a little under the radar. 

Manchester United lose at home again  

For the sixth time in the Premier League this season, Manchester United lost at Old Trafford. The Red Devils went down to title hopefuls Arsenal on Sunday afternoon with Leandro Trossard scoring what turned out to be the winner in the 20th minute of the match. 

Erik Ten Hag’s men are now in eighth position in the Premier League and the likelihood is Old Trafford won’t be playing host to European football next season. 

Arsenal weren’t at their best but they did enough to secure a vital win. It lifted them back into top spot and, once again, heaped the pressure onto Manchester City ahead of their game in hand against Spurs in midweek. 

Mikel Arteta’s side deserved the win, they had more shots and their Expected Goals total was comfortably higher. They also managed to limit their hosts in what was another dominant defensive display. 

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.