The highlight games for this weekend’s action are Everton versus Man Utd and Man City versus Liverpool. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game-week 8 EPL matches, with his unique and insightful commentary. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at time of publication.
BRIGHTON v BURNLEY
Friday 6th
A 17.30 start time in England, live on Pay Per View.
Brighton suffered their 4th-loss of the season on Sunday evening, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium.
After conceding a penalty that no one had a clue about, the Seagulls went a goal down.
The reason no one had a clue about the penalty was the foul was initially given on the edge of the area but the dreaded VAR wanted to get involved and advised the on-field referee, Graham Scott to have another look on his monitor.
Graham decided that the foul was in the area and a penalty was awarded to Tottenham, which was duly despatched.
Tariq Lamptey, who is an excellent young Right-Back equalised for Graham Potter’s boys just after the break.
Unfortunately, Brighton couldn’t hold on and conceded a Spurs 2nd-goal which ultimately was the winner for Tottenham resulting in another Seagull loss.
Graham Potter will target this home fixture against the team at the foot of the table to try and register just a 2nd-victory of the season for his boys.
Burnley sits rock bottom of the Premier League table with just 1-point from their 6-games so far.
Six games, not seven with Sean Dyche’s boys having the opening weekend off due to Manchester United being rubbish in Europe last term.
Chelsea were the latest team to inflict a defeat on Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday when the Blues comfortably beat the Clarets by a 3-0 scoreline.
A goal midway through the 1st-half then 2, after the break, resulted in another loss for Burnley who have only scored 3-goals themselves in the 6-fixtures, which, along with Sheffield United is the least goals scored throughout the league.
Sean now knows where to concentrate his training this week up in the cold of Burnley where it’s a coat colder than anywhere else in England.
There are rumours of a takeover at Turf Moor which could be used as an excuse as to why Burnley are doing so bad but Sean Dyche won’t have any of that talk and will definitely target this fixture against Brighton to get the first victory of the season.
At the Amex last season, this was an early Game Week-5 fixture that took place in mid-September along time before the World was destroyed by the pandemic.
After a goalless 1st-half, Jeff Hendrick scored late on for Burnley to cancel out an earlier Neal Maupay Seagulls goal to take a share of the points from a 1-1 draw.
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SOUTHAMPTON v NEWCASTLE
Friday 6th
Friday Night football with this game kicking-off at 20.00 in England live on Sky Sports.
Southampton are the form team at the moment, winning 4 out of their last 5-Premier League fixtures with the 5th being a draw, giving them 13-points from a possible 15.
The latest win was a comfortable 4-3 victory against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Most will be screaming ‘comfortable’ it was only by a goal but in truth, Wreck-It’s men were 4-0 up at one point and Villa scored 2 of their 3-goals when the 90-minutes were up, giving at worse, a scare to the travelling cardboard Saints.
Having had an initial goal ruled out due to the dreaded VAR ruling that someone’s toe was offside, Jannik Vestergaard scored his 2nd-goal in 3-games after the equaliser against Chelsea a couple of weeks back, to put Southampton in front.
Jannik is a good man as many would have gone straight to the referee and asked sarcastically,
‘Was that a goal?’ followed by a few profanities.
The referee, by the way, was from Barnsley.
James Ward-Prowse then scored 2-superb free-kicks to give Ralph’s Saints a 3-0 lead at the break.
Danny Ings added a 4th early in the 2nd-half, a beautiful strike and comfort set in.
Southampton then conceded 3-goals with the last 2 coming in the 93rd and 97th minute to jangle the nerves of the Saints but in truth, whilst unprofessional, the players had switched off and knew the victory was in the bag.
The 3-points gives Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men, 13-so far and puts them in a cluster of 3-clubs with 13, after Game Week-7 and moves them up to 5th in the Premier League table, which considering that 12-months ago, Leicester had just hammered them 9-0, Southampton are in a pretty good place at the moment.
Newcastle themselves got a great victory on Sunday beating Everton by a 2-1 scoreline.
Callum Wilson won and converted a penalty early in the 2nd-half to put the Magpies in front.
Whilst a soft penalty, the VAR didn’t want to overturn the decision although did leave Callum waiting a few minutes to convert.
With 6-minutes to go the 2-former Bournemouth boys, Ryan Fraser and Callum combined to produce a simple tap in for Mr Wilson to give him and Newcastle a 2nd-goal.
Everton did score a late consolation but Newcastle ran out winners and the 3-points earned gives Steve Bruce’s boys 11 for the season so far, the same as Pep’s Low Flying City and 4-more than Big Brucey’s relegation-threatened former club Manchester United.
Andy Carroll got 5-minutes at the end to get game time but will be wanting more.
Miguel Almiron was a constant threat against the Toffees and although doesn’t score many goals, does give the Magpies pace and is a plus to Steve Bruce’s side.
With Miguel, Callum, Ryan, Allan SM and Andy, along with the Longstaff brothers and Jonjo Shelvey when fit, Newcastle do have the makings of a good team that should be competing for at least a Europa place and the possibility of a good Cup run.
When these two met at St Mary’s last term, it was the final fixture before the suspension of the Premier League back in March.
Newcastle got the away-day victory by a single goal but although only the 1-notch, it wasn’t without its excitement.
Southampton’s Moussa Djenepro was shown a straight Red Card on the half-hour mark then Matt Ritchie missed a penalty for Newcastle just before half-time.
Midway through the 2nd-half, Allan Saint-Maximin got the Magpies solitary winner to give Big Brucey a pre-lockdown victory.
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EVERTON v MANCHESTER UNITED
Saturday 7th
Early Saturday Afternoon football with a 12.30 start time in England live on BT Sport.
Everton have gone from top boys to also-rans in the last couple of weeks, having gained only 1-point from 9 on offer in the last 3-fixtures.
After the opening 4-games all produced victories, Carlo’s boys have lost 2 from their last 3-games, the latest being a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle on Sunday.
Everton conceded 2, second-half goals to trail going into stoppage time.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his 8th of the season in the 91st-minute to pull a goal back for the Toffees but ultimately this was just a consolation and Everton lost the game.
One significant point to mention is that James Rodriguez missed the game against Newcastle and was a big loss to Carlo’s side.
After Sunday’s 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer should now start looking over his shoulder.
Paul Pogba gave away a 2nd-half penalty that resulted in the Arsenal goal.
It’s always been a narrative of this column that Ole should be given time at Old Trafford and that to constantly change the Manchester United manager only breeds contempt.
However, that narrative is becoming ever so slightly diminishing as games go by as the defeat against Arsenal wasn’t a shock.
The team lineup from the start was wrong, again it’s been a constant of this column that if Ole continues to pick Fred and Scott McTominay then United won’t progress.
If Ole continues to pick Fred and Scott, then OGS will be down the concrete.
If any Manchester United fan wants to argue that point, then feel free to contact EveryTip.
Fred, Scott McTominay and Dan James are not going to enhance Manchester United, it’s as simple as that.
Against Arsenal, United were woeful, Ole left it 60-minutes until he changed things, Fred and Scott were none-existent, Arsenal’s eleven were against 9-United players for 60-minutes, no wonder the so-called pundits had Arsenal in control.
Any eleven against nine are going to have the advantage.
Ole brought on Nemanja Matic, Edinson Cavani and Donny Van Der Beek.
Edinson must be wondering why he’s turned up in Manchester, Donny doesn’t know what day it is and Nemanja, although class, is past his sell-by and shouldn’t be expected to try and constantly save relegation-threatened Manchester United.
Most will scoff at the relegation-threatened comment, however, have a look at the 1973/74 season.
Ole is now treading water, once again. This column predicts that if the Norwegian boss continues to pick Fred and Scott McTominay, there will be a seat at the Job Centre with OGS on it.
Mauricio Pochettino is hovering Ole, have a look at yourself.
Paul Pogba as also been given the benefit of the doubt over the past few years but that benefit is going.
Paul isn’t the player that earned him a £90 Million move from Juventus and is certainly not the player that won him a World Cup winners medal.
The question now is who’s at fault?
Is it Ole for not using Paul correctly?
Or is it Paul for downing tools?
There was a statement from Gary Neville in the commentary on Sunday, that stated that Ole couldn’t continue to lose games and keep Paul out of the starting eleven.
However, whilst not to argue with Gary, the next question is Why?
It’s irrelevant how much Paul cost a few seasons back, Ole needs to rely on Paul to perform and at the minute, for whatever reason, PP isn’t.
Paul was culpable for the Arsenal goal and didn’t really do much else in the 90-minutes.
Are there ulterior motives that are stopping Ole progressing?
If so, Ole needs to put that to bed and stick to his beliefs and not get caught up in the whole Manchester United philosophy.
A philosophy that isn’t working and only works when winning.
Ole needs to have a reality check and look at his next starting eleven.
Donny, Edinson, Nemanja, Juan, Alex Telles, Martial to come back.
Ole! Do not pick Fred, Scott and Dan, if you want to keep your job at Manchester United, however, if you want a fresh challenge elsewhere, continue to pick the same starting eleven.
There’s an old saying, ‘The definition of madness is to continue to do the same thing but expect a different outcome!’
Ole’s not a madman but the coming weeks will decide.
Manchester United head to Turkey on Wednesday to take on Basaksehir of Istanbul in the Champions League, so jet-lag could be a factor for this early Saturday kick-off.
Every couple of years the great Baddiel, Skinner and Lightning Seeds tune comes out proclaiming that Football is Coming Home when England play in a World Cup or Euro Championship.
Ultimately it never does but the tune is still iconic and worth a sing-song at any time.
One of the verses in the song goes like this,
‘But I still see that tackle by Moore And when Lineker scored,
Bobby belting the ball And Nobby dancing’
Everyone remembers the great Nobby Stiles dancing around the Wembley pitch in 1966 when England won the World Cup and football was home.
Nobby played every minute of the 1966 World Cup and was instrumental in England’s 4-2 victory against West Germany in the final.
Unfortunately, the world lost a great human being this week when Nobby Stiles died aged 78.
Not only did Mr Stiles win the World Cup in 1966 but also the European Cup in 1968 playing for his beloved Manchester United against Benfica, again at Wembley, beating the Portuguese team by a 4-1 scoreline.
A true legend of the game that not only the footballing world will miss but a loss to everyone.
No ones ever danced like Nobby!
Rest in Peace Nobby Stiles.
Another loss this week that is not connected to football but would be remiss not to mention is the great Bobby Ball also passed away aged 76.
Bobby was part of a double act with his great mate Tommy Cannon called Cannon and Ball that were regulars on the TV back in the 80s when there were only 3-channels.
Yes kids, just 3-channels.
Cannon and Ball were seen regularly live on the Piers in Blackpool and are remembered fondly by this EveryTip contributor when growing up in the late 70s and early 80s.
Rock on Tommy!
Later in Bobby’s career, he turned to acting and was a natural even though he never had any real training and was cajoled into playing roles on the TV screen.
Another true legend sadly lost.
Rest in Peace Bobby Ball.
After the sad loss of Nobby and Bobby, it was then heartbreaking to hear that James Bond was no longer.
Yes, there are many guises of the legendary spy but for a generation of people, there is only one James Bond and that is Sir Sean Connery, the first in Dr No and From Russia With Love and the first of the lotharios that played Ian Flemings alto ego.
After Roger Moore took over as Bond for a while, Sean was back for Diamonds Are For Ever and Never Say Never Again in the early 70s.
As well as Bond, Sir Connery also played Indiana Jones dad and starred in a few other classics.
One of the great moments in Sir Sean Connery’s career was when he and Sir Alex Ferguson, whilst having partaken in a few alcoholic beverages, gate-crashed Sir Andy Murray’s press conference after a game at the US Open.
‘You smell of wine’ Andy pronounced.
Yes, the 2-Scottish Sirs had drunk a few glasses with Andy’s mum Judy whilst the game was taking place.
Another legend is gone.
Rest in Peace Sir Sean Connery.
A few weeks back in this column it was muted that the immoral £14.95 Pay Per View was wrong and the Premier League were taking advantage of the already struggling public.
Marcus Rashford as been lauded and rightly so for trying to get the government to give free school meals during the school holidays.
Whilst Marcus has done a great job in highlighting the fact, this column did say that Marcus should not only question the bumbling government but also question the Premier League.
Of course, that won’t happen as it’s easier for Marcus to have a go at the Tory twits than the Premier League that effectively pay his wages.
It’s subsequently come out that there has been approximately only 40,000 Pay Per View payments given to Sky and BT Box Office and a lot are giving the £14.95 to food banks which is a moral way to progress the country.
As said previously, Marcus Rashford should be campaigning against the Premier League’s decision to charge £14.95 on top of the already extortionate subscription fee that both Sky Sports and BT charge.
Even Mike Cashley at Newcastle as decided that the £14.95 is way too much and as said it should be no more than £4.95.
Whilst admirable from Mr Ashley, there should not be a Pay Per View system for televised matches and all should be part of the monthly subscription that families pay, families that Marcus Rashford is campaigning to get free school meals, that may be Manchester United fans, that have at times, been asked to pay £14.95 to watch their beloved team.
At Goodison Park last season, this fixture took place at the beginning of March with Bruno Fernandes cancelling out a Dominic Calvert-Lewin strike to take both teams in level at the break.
With no more goals in the 2nd-half, the game finished in a 1-1 scoreline.
Surprisingly the normally calm Carlo Ancelotti was shown a Red Card when the whistle went after complaining a bit too vigorously.
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CRYSTAL PALACE v LEEDS UNITED
Saturday 7th
A rare 15.00 kick-off in England live on Pay Per View.
Crystal Palace took on Wolves in another Pay Per View fixture last Friday and came away from Molineux on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline with both goals conceded in a frantic 10-minutes midway through the 1st-half.
Roy’s Eagles couldn’t get back into the game and Palaces problems were compounded when Luka Milivojevic, who was making only his 2nd-start in the 7-Premier League games so far, was shown a straight Red Card with 4-minutes of the game remaining giving the Serbian another stint on the sidelines and out of this fixture against Leeds United.
Crystal Palace have 10-points from the 7-games played and have slipped down the Premier League table into 13th-spot after Game Week-7.
Roy Hodgson just needs to keep an eye on things as the defeat against Wolves was the 3rd from the last 5-fixtures.
In the rain of West Yorkshire on Monday night, Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites were taught a Premier League footballing lesson by Brendan Rodgers and his Foxes.
Within a minute of the start, Patrick Bamford had a guilt-edged chance to calm the nerves of the cardboard Leeds faithful but fluffed his lines and headed the ball straight at the Leicester ‘keeper who quickly got the ball moving.
As the ball fell to Robin Koch, the German defender misjudged his back pass that Jamie Vardy quickly pounced on and provided an assist for Leicester’s 1st-goal.
The Foxes then scored a 2nd to leave Leeds trailing 2-0 at half-time.
Marcelo made a change at the break and for 20-minutes the Whites looked like they were going to get back into the game, with Stuart Dallas pulling a goal back.
Pablo Hernandez, who is supposedly 35-years old but looks 52, hit the bar with a speculative shot that would have seen Leeds level.
Unfortunately for the Whites, the Foxes regained control and scored 2-more to leave Elland Rd with a 4-1 away-day victory.
Leeds United are currently 12th in the table with the same 10-points as today’s opponents and whilst a great start to life back in the Premier League, that is now 3-defeats from the 7-played so far, although there are 3-victories too so Marcelo and his boys won’t be panicking just yet.
Probably a concern for Leeds United, that was evident against Leicester is the loss of Kalvin Phillips.
Maybe the International break will come just at the right time and Kalvin can get back on the field as the Whites are not the same when Mr Phillips isn’t playing.
The last day of January 1998 is not a date that many will remember but this was the last time these 2-great clubs played each other at Selhurst Park in the Premier League.
There have been numerous games since but none taking place in the Top Flight.
In January 1998, Leeds United came away from London with a great 2-0 victory with goals from Rodney Wallace and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink both scored before the 15-minute mark.
Crystal Palace’s starting eleven that day was Kevin Miller in goal, Mark Edworthy, Valerien Ismael, Hermann Hreidarsson, Andy Linighan, Jamie Smith, Dean Gordon, Tomas Brolin, Andy Roberts, Marcus Bent and Bruce Dyer.
Tomas Brolin got an absolute roasting by the travelling Leeds faithful after Tommy Boy’s unsuccessful spell at Elland Rd, where it’s fair to say, the Swedish lad was carrying a few extra pounds.
The Leeds eleven included ex-Palace ‘keeper Nigel Martin, Gary Kelly, David Robertson, Robert Molenaar, Lucas Radebe, David Wetherall, David Hopkin, Bruno Ribeiro, Harry Kewell, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Rod Wallace.
Although 22-years ago, there are a few obscure stories involving the Crystal Palace players and Barnsley FC.
Barnsley were in the Premier League for their one and only season in 1997/98.
Firstly, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper, Kevin Miller spent 3-seasons at Oakwell after he left Palace in 1999.
Making the journey up North with Kevin was his Eagle team-mate Bruce Dyer who had a great career at Barnsley and still lives in the area working with the youngsters in the local schools.
Bruce, Bruce, Bruce-Dyer was part of 2-Barnsley teams that played in memorable games in the late 1990s and 2000.
The first being a brilliant 7-1 demolition of Huddersfield where Barnsley were 6-0, yes 6-0 up at half-time.
Big Brucey scored 2-goals and was unfortunate that he failed to get his hat-trick when Craig Hignett snatched the ball off Dyer after the Reds were awarded a penalty.
Craig subsequently missed the spot-kick.
Craig was on a hat-trick too with Eric Tinkler, Ashley Ward and Darren Barnard making up the 7.
What’s probably not known about that destruction of the Terriers is that Sean McClare missed 3-sitters and the Hignett missed penalty meant the score could have been 11-1.
Another strange fact was that the Barnsley eleven picked by John Hendrie, against Huddersfield was the only time the players ever played together.
Craig Hignett made his debut for the Reds but Ashley Ward never played again after initially facing a 4-match ban after the game, then subsequently sold by Barnsley, meaning Craig, Bruce and Ash, only played that one great fixture against the Reds Yorkshire rivals.
What could have been?
In May 2000, Bruce scored 2-more goals against Birmingham at St Andrews in the 1st-leg of the Championship Semi-Final play-off, which the Reds won 4-0.
Ex-Palace man Neil Shipperley and Craig Hignett with the other 2-goals.
Probably the most obscure player playing for Crystal Palace against Leeds United that day in 1998 was a defender called Valerien Ismael, who just happened to be the Eagles most expensive signing.
Cut to 22-years later and Valerien has just been appointed as the new Barnsley FC manager after Gerhard Struber left to join the New York Red Bulls.
Barnsley or New York? No contest!
Valerien as made a great start to his life at Oakwell and the faithful wish him well.
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CHELSEA v SHEFFIELD UNITED
Saturday 7th
Late Saturday Afternoon football live on Sky Sports with this game kicking-off at 17.30 in England.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea beat a struggling Burnley side on Saturday by a 3-0 scoreline.
Whilst Burnley are struggling, that’s not Frank’s problem and his new-look Blues put in a professional display with a 1st-half goal from Hakim Ziyech and 2, 2nd-half goals from Kurt Zouma and Timo Werner, giving Chelsea a convincing away-day victory.
The win gives Frank’s Blues 12-points and lifts them up to 7th in the Premier League table, just 4-points off Liverpool who are currently at the summit.
Frank’s Blues host Rennes on Wednesday night in the Champions League.
Sheffield United suffered another loss on Saturday, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane against Man City.
What made it worse for the Blades was that old boy Kyle Walker scored the solitary winning goal for City against his boyhood club.
Chris Wilder was not happy, his face told the story, a story which reads 6-defeats from the opening 7-fixtures with the other just accruing a point from a draw.
James from Swinton isn’t happy too, it’s rumoured that little Jim is going to give his Blunts another 2-games to get the victory then he’s going back to his 1st-football love of Barnsley FC which the lad was a fan as a youngster until something went wrong.
Jim’s told his lovely girlfriend that he wants a Barnsley shirt and shorts for his Christmas present from her.
She gave him a Tiffany brochure but little James has no idea what Tiffany is and thinks he’s alone now.
Either way, Barnsley FC are on a roll and the Blunts are sat in the relegation places.
This was an early fixture of the 2019/20 protracted season with the game at Stamford Bridge ending in a Desmond 2-2 draw.
Tammy Abraham scored twice for Chelsea in the 1st-half to take the Blues in at the break with a comfortable lead.
Callum Robinson replied for the Blades within a minute of the restart but left it very late to grab a point when the unfortunate Kurt Zouma turned past his own ‘keeper to give Chris Wilder’s boys a point from the 2-2 scoreline.
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WEST HAM v FULHAM
Saturday 7th
A 20.00 start time in England with this late Saturday evening game live on Pay Per View.
West Ham took the lead through Pablo Fornals at Anfield on Saturday but couldn’t hold on and conceded a penalty just before half-time to go in level at the break.
In the 2nd-half, Liverpool took the upper hand and scored a 2nd and ultimately a winner to inflict a 2-1 defeat on the Hammers.
That’s David Moyes 1st-defeat in 5-fixtures which although will annoy the Scot, shouldn’t be dwelled on too much as most teams lose at Anfield, with West Ham’s game being Liverpool’s record-equalling 63rd-unbeaten at the home of the Champions.
What was significant in the defeat was the absence of Michail Antonio who as become pivotal in the way David Moyes sets his Bubbles up.
David tried with Sebastian Haller playing the same role as Michail against Liverpool but the big French guy isn’t of the calibre of Mr Antonio.
After a defeat against the current Premier League champions, a visit from a team lying in the bottom-4 of the table is probably just what the Hammers would want.
Fulham are lying in the bottom-4 but jumped out of the relegation places on Monday night following a brilliant 1st-victory of the season for Scott Parker and his Cottagers.
Fulham swapped places with their opponents after 1st-half goals from Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ola Aina gave them a 2-0 victory over West Brom that dropped the Baggies into the relegation places and left Scott’s boys 4th from bottom.
What was a surprise was Scott’s normally possession-based style of football was not on show on Monday, with West Brom having 55% possession on the night.
Maybe Scott is changing his philosophy and it will be interesting to see the stat at the end of this game against West Ham.
After Fulham’s 1-year hiatus in the Championship, it was February 2019 when they last headed the short distance over to the London Stadium.
Ex-Liverpool star Ryan Babel put the Cottagers in front early in the game but goals from Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Issa Diop gave the Hammers a half-time lead.
Michail Antonio left it late to add West Ham’s 3rd but this was a comfortable 3-1 victory for Manuel Pellegrini’s Bubbles over Claudio Ranieri’s Fulham.
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WEST BROM v TOTTENHAM
Sunday 8th
A 12.00 start time in England live on Pay Per View.
West Brom swapped places with Fulham in the relegation zone on Monday after the Cottagers beat the Baggies by a 2-0 scoreline.
Both goals were conceded after just 30-minutes of play that gave Slaven’s men an hour to get back in the game but although West Brom had the majority of the possession, the Baggies couldn’t break down Fulham and left London pointless.
As mentioned, West Brom slip into the bottom-3 of the Premier League with just 3-points gained from the 7-fixtures played so far.
Slaven Bilic won’t panic just yet but this will be a tough game against Jose’s new-look title contenders.
Gareth Bale finally came to the Tottenham party late on Sunday evening by scoring the winner against Brighton at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium.
Tottenham were awarded a dubious penalty in the 1st-half which no one appealed for as it was just assumed a free-kick was being awarded.
After the VAR had intervened, Spurs free-kick was upgraded to a spot-kick which Harry Kane did what Harry does and scored from 12-yards.
After the break, Tottenham conceded an equaliser then Dracula introduced Gareth on the 70th-minute mark and within 3-minutes, GB headed home Tottenham’s winner, yes headed.
Gareth getting his long-haired head onto a Sergio Reguilon cross to score and give Jose another victory.
Spurs are currently 3rd in the Premier League table with 14-points, 2-behind Liverpool who sit alone at the summit.
A lot of Tottenham fans will be getting excited, which is expected but as not to pour water on the situation, look at the opposition Spurs have played and beaten.
All bar the victory against Southampton, have come against teams in the bottom half of the table.
Some will say that Tottenham beat Manchester United and whilst correct, Manchester United aren’t the force of old and are 15th in the Premier League.
The true form of Jose’s team will be judged when Spurs take on a Top-6 side which won’t happen until a visit to Stamford Bridge at the end of November.
Before then, Tottenham host Man City, which although will be a stiff test, at the minute, Man City are mid-table and are not Top-6, so Frank’s Blues are the ones that are going to provide the first real test for Jose Mourinho and his Lilywhites.
Jose takes his Tottenham side over to Bulgaria on Thursday night to take on Ludogorets in the Europa League, which is a 2nd away trip in succession, following last weeks defeat in Belgium against Antwerp.
It’s over 2-years since Tottenham visited the Hawthorns with Darren Moore’s Baggies getting a 1-0 victory over Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs.
Jake Livermore with the very late winner in the 92-minute to give West Brom the points.
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LEICESTER v WOLVES
Sunday 8th
Early Sunday Afternoon football live on Sky Sports with this game kicking-off at 14.00 in England.
The David Attenborough Derby sees Wolves head to the King Power Stadium to take on the Foxes.
Brendan Rodgers did a tactical masterclass on Marcelo Bielsa on the Monday Night Football gaining a great 4-1 victory over Leeds United in the rain of Elland Rd.
Knowing how fit and energetic Leeds would be, Brendan set his men up to sit back and catch Leeds on the break which is just what happened to produce the opening 2-goals.
It helped that the Whites defender Robin Koch made an error in his back pass that allowed Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy in on goal and the unselfish Vards quickly realised that Harvey Barnes was in a better position to score so passed to Harvey who slotted home after just 2 minutes.
The strange thing about that is moments earlier, Leicester could have been behind after Patrick Bamford had a clear chance to score but headed straight into the hands of Kasper Schmeichel who quickly set the ball in motion to get the opener for the Foxes.
Twenty-minutes later Youri Tielemans gave Leicester a 2-goal lead, again thanks to great work by Jamie Vardy.
After the break, Leeds rallied and scored a goal that looked like it would bring them back into the game.
Unfortunately for Marcelo’s Whites, that just inspired Leicester, where Brendan brought on James Maddison and Cengiz Under.
Cengiz combined brilliantly with Jamie V against Arsenal a week back and from virtually the same sort of move, again set up Jamie to tap home and make it 3-1.
Brendan then gave the Sheffield Superstar a rest bringing him off in the 85th-minute.
Unfortunately for Jamie, as he was sat on the bench, Leicester were awarded a penalty which Youri Tielemans converted to give him his 2nd-goal of the game and the Foxes a comfortable 4-1 victory.
The penalty, by the way, took an age to be given as the on-field referee Andre Marriner failed to spot the infringement and after play had carried on for quite a while, was advised by the dreaded VAR to have a look on his monitor.
Once Andre did, there was no doubt a penalty was to be awarded.
The victory lifts Leicester up to 2nd in the Premier League with 15-points, 1-behind Liverpool, who coincidentally Brendan takes his Foxes to Anfield after the impending International break.
Beforehand, Leicester have this home game against Wolves and Liverpool have to go to the Etihad, so come the time of the trip to Merseyside, Leicester could be top of the Premier League table.
Rod Stewart wasn’t happy, he threw his Leeds United shirt straight at the dog late on Monday night with the Leicester victory, compounding his bad day following the fact that his beloved Celtic are now 9-points behind Rangers in the SPL (Scottish Pub League)
Rod’s dog Lennon is fed up every time Leicester plays and has to scarper, come to the final whistle because he knows he’s going to end up wearing the particular shirt of the team opposing Brendan’s Wonderful Human Beings.
He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that Leicester is the best place to be.
It seems an age since Wolves got a comfortable 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the first fixture of Game Week-7, last Friday night.
Goals from Rayan Ait Nouri and Daniel Podence midway through the 1st-half gave Nuno’s Gold and Blacks a victory that temporarily took them up to 3rd in the Premier League table but now sit 6th after all the fixtures have taken place.
Young Rayan is a 19-year old French defender who made his Wolves debut against Palace after signing on loan from Ligue 1 club, Angers in the summer.
What a great debut after a couple of games keeping the Wolves bench warm, Nuno finally gave the lad a start and was immediately repaid with Rayan’s opening goal that settled the Molineux nerves.
That’s now 4-unbeaten for Wolves with 3-victories and a draw since the 4-0 defeat against West Ham in Game Week-3, that shows Nuno Espírito Santo is heading in the right direction.
The Foxes entertain Braga on Thursday night in the Europa League prior to the visit of Wolves.
Last seasons fixture was the first game of the 2019/2020 season with both teams still on the beach and no one wanting to score in the 0-0 opening day draw.
Bet 365 offer Leicester at 8/7, the draw at 23/10 and 12/5 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
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MAN CITY v LIVERPOOL
Sunday 8th
Late Sunday Afternoon football with a 16.30 start time in England live on Sky Sports.
What a cracker of a fixture for everyone after the Sunday dinner.
For those not familiar with the Steel City of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, the place is similar to other big cities in Britain divided into small villages.
Most won’t have heard of Sharrow, a small part of Sheffield in the Southwest side of the City not far from Bramall Lane.
So what’s more fitting then for a player now plying his trade in Manchester that rarely scores to go back home and get the winner against his boyhood team.
Sharrow’s own Kyle Walker did exactly that last Saturday when Man City headed over the Pennines to Sheffield and following Kyle’s 1st-half strike, came away from Bramall Lane with a 1-0 victory.
Kyle Walker has had his critics over the years but now aged 30 is one of the best defenders on the World stage.
Maybe a few may scoff at that but Pep Guardiola rarely leaves Kyle out of his starting eleven and Gareth Southgate as him as one of his first names on the England team sheet.
Watch Kyle in this game against Liverpool, he will never be out of position and if on occasions finds himself in trouble, his vast pace will get him out of it.
To score the winner against his boyhood idols may have hurt for about 3-seconds but Man City are Mr Walker’s team now and Pep needs his top players to start performing after a slow start to the campaign.
City have 11-points from their 6-games so far and although mid-table, are only 5-points behind today’s opponents who have played a fixture more after City’s opening weekend off.
In theory, once all are on an even keel, Man City could be top of the Premier League with a victory over Liverpool.
Pep’s Blues entertain Olympiacos in the Champions League prior to the visit from the table toppers.
Liverpool somehow have worked themselves to the summit of the Premier League having not been convincing in any of the 7-fixtures played so far.
Against West Ham on Saturday night, Jurgen’s Reds conceded an early Hammers goal but got back level when Mo Salah was fouled in the area and a penalty was awarded.
The Egyptian King got up and took the spot-kick to put Liverpool level at the break.
In the 2nd-half, Klipperty Klopp introduced forgotten man Xherdan Shaqiri in the 70th-minute and it didn’t take the little Swiss man long to provide the pass of the match, to set up Diogo Jota, to grab Liverpool’s 2nd and ultimately the winning goal.
That’s now 63-games at Anfield unbeaten for Liverpool which equals the record set in 1980.
The last time Liverpool lost at home was in April 2017 against Crystal Palace.
After this away trip to the Etihad, the next home game is against Leicester which could give Jurgen’s boys the all-time unbeaten home record.
Ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers however, will have something to say about that.
Jurgen started with Nathaniel Phillips at the back against West Ham who appears to be the choice to step into the big shoes of Virgil Van Dijk, whilst the Dutch lad recovers from Jordan Pickford’s unpunished assault.
Nat didn’t look out of place and had a great game against West Ham that should see him keep his place for the visit to the Etihad.
Liverpool head over to Italy before the City game to take on Atalanta in the Champions League.
Liverpool had already one hand on the Premier League title when they visited the Etihad in July with City destroying the Champions-elect by a 4-0 scoreline.
Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden gave City a 3-0 half-time lead.
The unfortunate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was credited with an own goal in the 2nd-half to round off the rout.
City won that particular battle but ultimately Liverpool won the war.
Bet 365 offer Man City at Evens 1/1, the draw at 14/5 and 23/10 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
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ARSENAL v ASTON VILLA
Sunday 8th
Early Sunday evening kick-off at 19.15 in England live on Pay Per View bringing Game Week-8 to a close with the Premier League now having a break due to the International football.
Arsenal beat a very poor Manchester United team on Sunday by a 1-0 scoreline.
It’s the first time in 14-years that the Gunners have enjoyed a victory at Old Trafford and thoroughly deserved the win.
Mike Arteta got his tactics spot on against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Arsenal pressing from the start that would not allow Manchester United to get out of their own half.
Whilst the tactics were really to stop United playing, Arsenal were the better side but did lack firepower upfront.
Hector Bellerin was fouled by Paul Pogba in the 2nd-half that the referee awarded Arsenal a penalty.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang coolly converted to score the only goal of the game that gave Pep 2 the long-awaited victory at the home of United.
Arsenal have the same 12-points as today’s opponents, are in a cluster of 3-teams with 12-points and currently sit in 9th-place in the Premier League table. Ninth does appear low down but the Gunners are only 4-points adrift of Liverpool who sit at the top so there is plenty of hope for the Gooners.
Arsenal play on Thursday night Europa League duty against the Norwegian team Molde.
Ironically, despite beating Manchester United on Sunday, Mikel’s first words to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was to enquire about Molde where Ole played and managed a few times.
If Ole’s not careful, Molde may again be his next port of call.
On Sunday Aston Villa were losing 4-0 against Southampton after an hour at Villa Park.
After conceding the 4-goals, Villa decided they were going to score themselves with Tyrone Mings pulling a goal back.
With the 90-minutes up, Dean Smith’s Claret and Blues then scored 2-more, Ollie Watkins with a penalty after Jack Grealish was fouled, then Jack himself scored to make it 4-3.
What will have irked the cardboard Villa faithful is how their team didn’t start to play until it was too late.
If Aston Villa had started 10-minutes earlier then there could have been a positive result in favour of the Claret and Blues.
Dean will definitely be into his boys this week reaffirming that it’s best not to concede 4-goals then start to score when it’s too late.
Maybe stop the goals going in and start to score earlier in games.
At least Villa are entertaining with only Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton and Chelsea scoring more goals than the Villa Park boys this term so far.
At the Emirates, last term Unai Emery was still at the Gunners helm when Arsenal won a tight game by a 3-2 scoreline.
John McGinn gave Villa a 1st-half lead that also saw Ainsley Maitland-Niles shown 2-Yellow Cards and ultimately an early bath.
Nicolas Pepe converted a 2nd-half penalty to level the score but within a minute Wesley had restored Villa’s lead.
Callum Chambers again levelled for Arsenal, then with 6-minutes to go, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winner for the Gunners to give Unai a temporary stay of execution at the Emirates.
Bet 365 offer Arsenal at slight Odds On 3/5, the draw at 3/1 and 4/1 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
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