LOOKING FOR MORE ACTION?

SBOTOP has a lot in store for you

Visit www.mysbotop.com to check out exciting
games and exlusive offers

For more information:
Email us at [email protected]

GO NOW

EURO 2024 DDAY – MYEN
Gareth Bale
OFFICIAL AMBASADOR
FULHAM-WIDE-EN
PROMO-WIDE-EN
previous arrow
next arrow
 

Few Surprises but Plenty of Premier League Talking Points

countdown banner

So, what was your Premier League moment of the weekend.

Was it Spurs scoring three times in 11 minutes to revive their Champions League aspirations; was it Darwin Nunez netting a 99th minute header that arguably should not have stood to move Liverpool four points clear at the summit; or was it Luton Town shocking Aston Villa twice in four minutes to briefly lift their survival hopes before succumbing late on.

Moving onto Sunday, perhaps it was Phil Foden scoring for the fourth and fifth time in this fixture in just two meetings to inspire champions City to win the Manchester derby and prompt manager Pep Guardiola to describe him as the ‘best player in the league’.

Phil Foden bagged a brace on Manchester City's 3-1 Premier League win against Manchester United
Manchester City’s Phil Foden celebrates after scoring against Manchester United

On another weekend of Premier League highlights, few surprises emerged but the drama was no less compelling for it.

Let’s start in west London where Fulham set their sights on the busy Seagulls.

Fresh from their best win of the season, a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, Marco Silva’s side were simply too strong as they ran out 3-0 winners over a Brighton team beset by injuries.

Harry Wilson beautifully curled in the opener to set Fulham on their way following tenacious work from Rodrigo Muniz to win the ball high up the field.

It was roles reversed for the second as Wilson returned the favour when delivering a teasing ball for Muniz to convert with his head from six yards out. It was his fifth goal of the season, all arriving in the past five games.

There was still time for Adama Traore to notch his first for the Cottagers late on as they maintained their record of never losing to Brighton in the Premier League – winning four and drawing four.

Roberto De Zerbi’s walking wounded enjoyed 71 per cent possession but could not make it count and, with a last-16 first-leg Europa League tie at Roma to come, the Italian boss appears to be lacking the depth in his squad to rotate at a crucial time.

The news that tricky Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma is out for the season has not helped matters either.

If Fuham and Brighton are two sides who continue to defy the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds and largely punch above their weight, west London neighbours Chelsea continue to underwhelm.

Axel Disasi scored a late header to rescue a point at Brentford in a 2-2 draw but, just like in their League Cup Final defeat last weekend, they were found wanting at key moments.

On saying that, it was another frustrating afternoon for Thomas Frank’s team too as they came from behind to lead but were pegged back with five minutes remaining.

The Bees have now conceded 50 goals in their 27 league games so far this season, already four more than they shipped in 38 matches last term.

Brentford have also lost 28 points from winning positions in the league to date, more than any other team.

SERIE A
Napoli
Torino
1X2 Draw @ 3.04
Under 2.00 @ 2.08
First Half Over 1.00 @ 2.29
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

In the race for the top four, Villa still have the edge over Spurs but they were given a mighty scare by spirited Luton.

Made favourites for the drop by virtually every pundit and betting company the world over, the Hatters are showing a character few expected and, unlike their fellow promoted sides Burnley and Sheffield United who seem certain to go straight back down, are giving themselves a chance to avoid the drop.

Only a late winner from Lucas Digne ensured their comeback was in vain.

Villa looked in complete control thanks to a first half double from the in-form Ollie Watkins but Tahith Chong gave the Hatters hope before Carlton Morris volleyed them level from Alfie Doughty’s free-kick.

Luton, in their maiden season in the Premier League, remain in the bottom three but are still withing distance of Everton and Nottingham Forest who are facing the potential of points deductions for breaching spending rules.

Not that Forest had a fair deal over the weekend.

The club is seeking answers from Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the referees’ body, after being left incensed by the build-up to the Nunez winner for Liverpool,

Paul Tierney wrongly handed Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Caoimhín Kelleher, the ball to restart play from a drop ball less than two minutes before the Uruguayan headed home.

The official had allowed the visitors to restart play after a collision between two of their players when Forest had possession outside the penalty area.

Evangelos Marinakis, the Forest owner, stormed to the side of the pitch and was reportedly removed from the tunnel by security after asking for an explanation.

Steven Reid, the Forest first-team coach, was also sent off and Mark Clattenburg, Forest’s referees’ analyst, was blocked from entering the officials’ dressing room. In the aftermath of the goal, a supporter encroached on to the pitch and had to be removed by stewards.

Liverpool could argue it was ‘karma’ after they wrongly saw a goal disallowed at Spurs five months ago.

Two wrongs, of course, do not make a right and this was another poor weekend for officiating.


 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Live Chat