THE top two recorded predictable wins which keep the title race going to the wire. At the other end of the table, Burnley look set to join Sheffield United in the Championship next season after being thrashed by the Magpies. Forest gave their survival cause a massive boost with a much-needed win at Bramall Lane.
FocusM looks at the results of the English Premier League games played thus far.
Luton Town 1 v Everton 1
The Friday night game saw Luton squander a golden chance to pick up three points against already-safe Everton. The Toffees took an early lead via a spot kick converted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which was cancelled out by Elijah Adebayo’s superb finish.
It was the usual tale of all-endeavour-but-no-end-product for the Hatters and with just two games remaining, it is looking very grim for Rob Edwards and his team.
Arsenal 3 v Bournemouth 0
That Arsenal is made from sterner stuff these days is all too apparent. That they have learned valuable lessons from last season’s failed title tilt is also abundantly clear. Mikael Arteta’s men are focused on the task at hand and this steely performance underlined their credentials as champions.
The visitors could not stem the tide of an Arsenal team determined to be on the front foot in front of a noisy Emirates Stadium. Goals from Bukaya Sako (pen), Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice made this win almost routine.
Brentford 0 v Fulham 0
A game with nothing at stake unsurprisingly produced little of note. With both sides safe from relegation and no hopes of European football, the players seem to have mentally switched off. Chances were few and far between and supporters of both sides will already have their minds on the summer transfer window, wondering which of their stars will be pinched.
Ivan Toney has been mentioned as being on the radar of a few big clubs but his poor run continues, struggling to find the sharpness that made him one of the league’s top marksmen before his lengthy ban.
Burnley 1 v Newcastle 4
Burnley looks doomed. This thrashing at home means they are very likely to be relegated alongside Sheffield United. Vincent Kompany’s young side has shown bravery and courage by the spade, but their naivety and lack of Premiership quality have been telling.
Newcastle were simply a class above and the fact there were four different goal scorers tells its own story. This handsome victory moves the Magpies up to sixth and makes them look well-placed to claim a European spot.
Sheffield United 1 v Nottingham Forest 3
With quality players like Callum Hudson-Odoi and Maurice Gibb-White in their ranks, Nottingham Forest have the personnel to dig them out of trouble. The former scored twice to give the home side the crucial victory that gives them the edge to avoid the drop, especially with Luton and Burnley dropping points.
With Forest’s appeal against their points deduction to be heard this week, the home side could actually be confirmed safe before their next league game.
Manchester City 5 v Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
Manchester City responded to Arsenal’s win emphatically in the day’s late kick-off. Wolves came with a game plan to keep things compact and frustrate their hosts. But moments of shabby passing and clumsy tackles led to two penalties on an evening in which Eerling Haaland put the Wolves to the sword with four goals.
The burly Norwegian forward now has 25 league goals and looks set to retain the Golden Boot he won last season. On their current form, City appear to be favourites to retain the Premiership title. – May 5, 2024
All photos credited to The Guardian
