2021/22 Premier League Review: Matchday 13
Pintsized Background
Blindsided by the mid-week matches of Matchday 14, the results of last weekends matches have hardly sunk in. Granted, it wasn’t the goal-fest of yesterweek, but points were picked up and dropped in the most unlikely of places. I’m looking at you, Chelsea and Man United.
Failed to catch the action from the Premier League last weekend? No worries. Peep our preview of Premier League Predictions: Matchday 13.
Unconvinced by Pintsized’s mystical predicting powers? Take a look at our prediction success last week detailed in Premier League Statistics: Match Day 13.
The Good
Match of the Week
Manchester City 2-1 West Ham. A bit of festive snow, City dominance and two goals in extra time to break the hearts of both sets of fans. In typical Moyes fashion, the Hammers proved frustratingly solid at the back – leaving City to try their luck with shots outside of the box or tight angles. Mahrez almost squeezed a beauty past Fabianksi if not for Ben Johnson’s heroics on the goal line. Shall we talk about Lanzini’s goal of the season by the way? A perfectly weighted volley that cracked the crossbar and aesthetically bobbled in behind Ederson.
Player of the Week
James Maddison (1 Goal, 2 Assists, 5 Key Passes, 1 Big Chance Created, 3/3 Dribbles, 5/7 Ground Duels). James Maddison… now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time. The Leicester man was primed to shake up the Ballon d’Or rankings just a couple of years back but has fallen on challenging times. A breakout performance against Watford may just be what reinvigorates the twenty-five-year-old. Maddison’s goal was a chance more difficult to miss than finish, but his passing and vision unlocked a stubborn Watford defence.
Honourable Mention
Takehiro Tomiyasu (1 Assist, 1 Clearance, 1 Interception, 3 Tackles, 5/7 Ground Duels, 2/3 Aerial Duels, 3 Key Passes, 6/6 Long Balls). The Japanese right-back is fast emerging as a cult hero for Arsenal. The twenty-three-year-old was only facing a disjointed Newcastle defence, but his form this season has been nothing short of fabulous. A perfectly weighted lob allowed Martinelli to score with his first touch of the game. Liquid football.
The Bad
Match To Forget
Norwich 0-0 Wolves. Even when Wolves cannot get their engines going in the final third, they are capable of dragging opponents into a dreadfully dull affair. Norwich will rue a couple of chances, especially Pukki flapping during a one-on-one, but it was a forgettable match for highlights. Well played Norwich for repairing the rot from the start of the season.
Performance to Forget
Jan Bednarek ( 1 Clearance, 1 Blocked Shot, 0 Interceptions, 0 Tackles, 0/3 Ground Duels, 4 Times Possession Lost, 2 Fouls). Bednarek made no attempt to stamp his authority on the game outside of a reckless challenge on Sadio Mane. Drifting by as a passenger in the Southampton defence, Bednarek allowed Diego Jota, Mohammed Salah and Mane to cut in deep behind the Saints’ line. With a foul that could have seen red, Bednarek will want to forget last Saturday’s match.
Dishonourable Mention
Bruno Fernandes (0 Key Passes, 0/2 Crosses, 1/3 Dribbles, 4/12 Ground Duels, 15 Times Possession Lost, 3 Fouls, 1 Error Led to Shot). When Manchester United need their talisman most, the Portuguese magician has started to drift. To be fair, there are a lot of moving pieces in the background which are changing the shape and style of United on the pitch. For the creative output, it must be difficult for Fernandes to adapt so rapidly. Even then, far more output is to be demanded from the £60m man.
The Ugly
Top Prediction
Ryan/Steviano (Man City 2-1 West Ham). The only correct score of the week, shared by the two loveable rogues.
Predictor of the Week
Ryan (5/9 Results, 1/9 Scores). Whisper it. But, Ryan, is catching up the pace with the front-runners.
Dunce of the Week
Pintsized (4/9 Results, 0/9 Scores). If only the Burnley vs Spurs match had taken place, that would have bumped my stats, I swear!
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