2021/22 Premier League Review: Matchday 8
Pintsized Background
Well, the Newcastle takeover certainly got off to a flying start. Courtesy of an early piece of Callum Wilson magic, Newcastle fans across the North-East found themselves in dreamland. That was, until, Sir Harold Kane awoke from his three-month-long slumber. Hard luck Geordies, it’s not long till January where you can refresh your entire squad!
Catch up on the preview and predictions of Premier League: Matchday 8 Predictions if you haven’t already, and have a good old laugh at our expense.
More interested in number crunching? Find out how each Pintsized predictor ranked this weekend on Premier League Statistics: Matchday 8.
The Good
Match of the Week
Aston Villa 2-3 Wolves. I was considering slotting Norwich and Brighton in here as a sick joke, but I’m a bigger man than that. Instead, Villa’s second-half capitulation will have to do. Ings continues to violate opposition defences with clever routes, there is no doubt the golden boot is on the cards if he can keep fit. A spirited Wolves comeback, topped off with a hilarious deflected free-kick bobbling into an open corner cements this as a certified Premier League classic.
Player of the Week
Robert Firmino (3 Goals, 1 Assist, 3 Key Passes, 1 Big Chance Created). Salah snubbed once again in Player of the Week, but it must be acknowledged that the Egyptian’s engine was critical to Firmino’s success against Watford. Not to mention his wonder goal and a filthy through ball to Sadio Mane to open the scoring. Still, Firmino’s lethality in front of the goal was insane. Tap ins or not, questionable opposition quality… Firmino’s composure in front of the net proved King.
Honourable Mention
Nathan Redmond (1 Assist, 1 Shot on Target, 4/4 Successful Dribbles, 6 Key Passes, 5/10 Crosses, 5/7 Ground Duels, 1 Big Chance Created). Southampton are a sleeper team that have been gelling together in the shadows this season. Redmond finally found form with a huge performance against Leeds. Leeds’ open play style played into Redmond’s pacey runs and clever positioning. Without Redmond on Saturday, Southampton would have struggled to conjure any sort of offensive output resembling Redmond’s individual contribution.
The Bad
Match To Forget
Norwich 0-0 Brighton. It wasn’t a dreadful match, per se, but Brighton’s inability to slice through Norwich’s paper-thin defence was dull to watch. A bit of a VAR nightmare sparked a bit of entertainment, but it was largely solid defensive performances from both sides.
Performance to Forget
Jonjo Shelvey (23mins Played, 1 Red Card, 0 Key Passes, 0 Shots, 1/4 Ground Duels Won, 2 Fouls, 3 Times Possession Lost). A nightmare display from Jonjo in front of his new Saudi overlords. A despairing glance up towards the box after receiving his marching orders tells the story of an uncomfortable locker room atmosphere.
Dishonourable Mention
Paul Poga (1 Key Pass, 0 Shots on target, 0/1 Successful Dribbles, 2/14 Ground Duels Won, 13 Times Possession Lost, 6 Fouls). Not to sound like Graeme Souness lite, but it was a less than stellar showing than one of United’s main men. In a title race that is seemingly beyond United’s grip already, the Red Devils desperately needed a statement victory over a struggling Leicester side. Instead, Pogba’s misplaced passes and inability to physically impose himself in the centre of the park played a major role in United’s loss.
The Ugly
Top Prediction
Not a single correct score from any of the three predictors. Terrible.
Predictor of the Week
Pintsized (6/10 Results). A solid showing from the motley crew, but Pintsized just pipped ahead with one extra successful result over Steviano and Ryan.
Dunce of the Week
Ryan/Steviano (5/10 Results). As I was saying, a razor-thin week in terms of success.
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