Reds Rio Gives Magpies Monday Misery

The second matchday saw an epic ending with a thriller on Monday night but more on that later as this weekend saw the final promoted side win while two sides hit five in London. 

Blues Batter Hammers

Friday night saws Chelsea ease to a 5-1 win over West Ham United at London Stadium. The hosts struck first with Lucas Paqueta striking in the sixth minute before Joao Pedro (15) and Pedro Neto (23) completed the turnaround for 2-1. 

Endo Fernandez's effort on 34th minutes made it 3-1 into half time but the points were soon wrapped up by two strikes in four minutes before the hour mark from Moises Caicedo (54) and Trevor Chalobah (58) for a 5-1 victory.

Spurs Continue City Curse

Tottenham Hotspur extended their run of success over Manchester City with a 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The visitors opened the scoring through Brennan Johnson on 35 minutes before Joao Palhinha doubled the lead just before the interval. The 2-0 lead remained as City were unable to overturn their recent curse of results against Tottenham. 

Cherries Claim Wolves Win

Bournemouth bounced back from their opening day defeat with a narrow 1-0 win over Wolves at the Vitality Stadium. The crucial goal came as early as the fourth minute as Marcus Tavernier slotted in for the hosts. Wolves' hopes of a comeback were dented early in the second half as Toti Gomes was sent off on 49 minutes and the hosts held on for the win. 

Bees Buzz Against Villa

Brentford also bounced back from an opening weekend defeat with a 1-0 win at the Gtech Community Stadium over Aston Villa. Summer singing Dango Ouattara scored the crucial goal after just 12 minutes as the hosts sealed the three points. 

Clarets Joy Over Sunderland

The first battle of the newly promoted sides saw Burnley secure a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Turf Moor. The first half proved to be an evenly matched one as neither side could trouble the scoreboard. The hosts did open the scoring on 49 minutes with a Josh Cullen effort for 1-0 and the points were wrapped up in the 88th minute as Jaidon Anthony scored for 2-0. 

Gunners Fire Five Past Leeds

After success in the opening weekend, Leeds suffered a huge 5-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening. The hosts were 2-0 to the good in the first half after strikes from Jurrien Timber (34) and Bukayo Saka (45) before Viktor Gyokeres opened his Arsenal account on 48 minutes for 3-0. Timber score his second of the game on 56 minutes to make it 4-0 and the rout was complete in added time as Gyokeres slotted in a penalty for a 5-0 final score. 

Eagles Denied By Forest

A battle between two sides who swapped places in the European completions due to controversy ended all square at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest. The hosts opened the scoring on 37 minutes through Ismaila Sarr but were pegged back by a 57th minute equaliser from Callum Hudson-Odoi for 1-1 as the points were shared.

Hills Alive For Toffees

Everton made the perfect start in their new Hill Dickinson Stadium with a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. The historic first Premier League goal at the stadium went to Iliman Ndiaye as he struck in the 23rd minute and the win was sealed in the second half with a James Garner effort to complete the 2-0 win. 

Cottagers Deny Red Devils 

Sunday afternoon saw Fulham score both goals in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Craven Cottage. The visitors were gifted the lead just before the hour mark by a Rodrigo Muniz own goal for 1-0 but were denied the win by a leveller on 73 minutes from Emile Smith-Rowe for the 1-1 draw. 

Reds Rio Gives Magpies Monday Misery

Monday night saw a five goal thriller at St James' Park as Liverpool left it late to seal a 3-2 win over Newcastle United.  The Reds struck the opener through Ryan Gravenberch on 35 minutes before the hosts saw Anthony Gordon sent off for a challenge on Virgil Van Dijk and the narrow lead became 2-0 on 48 minutes via a Hugo Ekitike effort. Newcastle staged a comeback with a Bruno Guimares (57) effort before William Osula levelled on 88 minutes. 

The two sides have played out many memorable clashes in the past one ands this one followed the historic streak as Rio Ngumoha silenced the home fans with a stunning winning goal ten minutes into added time to secure the 3-2 win and become Liverpool's youngest ever scorer.

Double Delight For Promoted Duo

After four long years with the magnetic board sitting on the wall ready to be used again, this blog resumes after the hiatus since the 2021-22 Premier League opening weekend. Hopefully, I will be able to do more than the single weekend this 2025-26 Premier League season. 

Champions Chomp Cherries 

Liverpool began their title defence with a hard fought 4-2 win at Anfield on Friday night against Bournemouth. The hosts opened the scoring through summer signing Hugo Ekitike on 37 minutes before a Cody Gakpo strike doubled the lead four minutes after the interval. The Cherries drew level with two efforts from Antoine Semenyo in the 64th and 76th minutes but it was to be a home win as Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah sealed with points with 88th and 90th minute goals for 4-2.

Magpies Held By 10-man Villa

The first dismissal of the season came at Villa Park on Saturday as Ezri Konsa saw red in the 66th minute after pulling back Anthony Gordon but Newcastle were unable to make the man advantage pay off in a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. 

Seagulls Stunned By Cottagers

Brighton and Fulham began the season with a point apiece after drawing 1-1 at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. Matt O'Riley put the hosts in front with a 56th minute penalty and they looked to be on for a win as the game entered the final stages. Fulham had other ideas though as Rodrigo Muniz levelled late on to force a share of the points at 1-1. 

Black Cats Crush Hammers

A perfect start to the season for Sunderland as they eased to a 3-0 win over West Ham at the Stadium of Light. Last season the first promoted side to win came on the October 5th and the hosts did so at the first attempt on Saturday. 

A close first half ended with the sides level but this was broken on the hour mark by Eliezer Mayenda striking for 1-0 before Dan Ballard doubled the lead on 73 minutes. The victory was sealed up in added time as Wilson Isidor struck for a 3-0 final score. 

Spurs Ease Past Clarets

Tottenham made a perfect start to the season after a mixed 2024-25 as they eased to a 3-0 win over Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A stunning opener for the hosts came on 10 minutes from Richarlison before he doubled the lead on the hour mark for 2-0. The points were secured on 66 minutes as Brennan Johnson rounded off the 3-0 win. 

City Cruise Against Woeful Wolves

Manchester City claimed the biggest win of the opening weekend as they cruised to a 4-0 hammering of Wolves at Molineux. Two goals in three minutes from Erling Haaland and Tijani Reijnders saw City lead 2-0 on 37 minutes before Haaland struck his second on the hour mark for 3-0 before Rayan Cherki completed the 4-0 rout in the 81st minute.

Blues Blunt Against Eagles

Sunday's action began with a 0-0 draw between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. The visitors thought they'd opened the scoring on 13 minutes but to their dismay, Eberechi Eze's free-kick was denied by VAR. From there it was an even contest as the sides shared the points. 

Forest Fly As Bees Stung

Nottingham Forest stormed to an opening 3-1 win over Brentford at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon. Chris Wood struck inside five minutes for 1-0 before Dan N'Doye doubled the lead on 42 minutes. Wood struck his second to make it 3-0 into the half-time interval and the visitors struck a consolation on 78 minutes as Igor Thiago slotted in a 78th minute penalty for 3-1.

Gunners Edge Past United

Arsenal opened the season with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Gunners sealed the win with a strike on 13 minutes from Riccardo Calafiori.

Leeds Topple Toffees

Monday night saw the second win for the promoted sides as Leeds left it late to secure a narrow 1-0 win over Everton at Elland Road. The crucial goal came in the 84th minute as Lukas Nmecha slotted in a penalty for the 1-0 victory. 

A Brilliant Brentford Debut While Champions City Defeated

The longest hiatus of any of my blogs comes to an end with the re-boot of this one starting with the 2021-22 Premier League opening weekend. 

Bees Sting The Gunners 

The season opener saw newly promoted Brentford stun Arsenal with a 2-0 win at the Brentford Community Stadium on Friday night. The Bees made history with their first ever Premier League goal coming from Sergi Canos on 22 minutes.

Their joy increased with a second strike on 73 minutes from Christian Norgaard and they held on to celebrate a first top flight win for 4 years. 

Manchester Win the Battle of the United's

Saturday's action began with a comfortable 5-1 opening victory for Manchester United against Leeds United at Old Trafford. A quiet first half saw the hosts take the lead with a Bruno Fernandes strike on the half hour. 

Leeds levelled four minutes after the interval through Luke Ayling before a eight minute spree from Man Utd saw Mason Greenwood score for 2-1 and Fernandes complete his hat-trick on the hour for 4-1. The win was wrapped up on 68 minutes as Fred made it 5-1 to send his side top of the table. 

Seagulls Fly High at Burnley

Brighton & Hove Albion opened with a win as they came from behind to win 2-1 against Burnley at Turf Moor. James Tarkowski gave the hosts the lead inside two minutes and they looked to be on the way to an opening win as the game entered the final 20 minutes. 

However, they were stunned by two goals in five minutes as Neal Maupay and Alexis Mac Allister both struck to complete the comeback and seal a 2-1 win. 

Chelsea Cruise Clips Eagles' Hopes 

Chelsea made a perfect start to the season with a comfortable 3-0 win against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. The Blues opened the scoring through Marcos Alonso on 27 minutes before Christian Pulisic doubled the advantage to 2-0 five minutes before half time. The win and the three points were sealed before the hour mark as Trevor Chalobah struck for 3-0. 

Toffees Stick It To Saints 

Everton came from behind to win 3-1 over Southampton at Goodison Park. The Saints struck an opener on 22 minutes through Adam Armstrong and held the narrow lead into half-time. 

The hosts pegged them back with a Richarlison strike two minutes after the restart before an Abdoulaye Doucoure effort put them ahead on 76 minutes. The Toffees' comeback was completed nine minutes from the end as Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed a 3-1 win. 

Wolves Undone By Foxes

The new era at Wolverhampton Wanderers began with a 1-0 loss to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The crucial goal came four minutes before half-time as Jamie Vardy continued his good form from last season with the winning goal. 

Hornets Edge Villa In Thriller

Watford sealed a winning return to the league as they edged a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa at Vicarage Road. The hosts opened the scoring through Emmanuel Dennis inside ten minutes before Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead just before half-time. 

Cucho Hernandez Suarez put the hosts 3-0 up on 68 minutes but their lead soon became 3-1 as John McGinn got Villa off the mark and they set up a frantic finish with a Danny Ings penalty in added time but Watford held on for the victory. 

Rampant Reds Cruise Past Canaries

Norwich City failed to make it a perfect start for the promoted sides as they lost 3-0 to Liverpool at Carrow Road. The Reds struck an opener on 26 minutes through Diogo Jota before Roberto Firmino doubled the lead after the hour mark. The win and a piece of history were sealed on 74 minutes with Mohamed Salah's strike making it 3-0 and ensuring he scored in the opening game for five consecutive seasons. 

Magpies Halted By Hammers

West Ham United came from behind twice to seal a 4-2 opening win against Newcastle United at St James' Park. The hosts led inside five minutes courtesy of Callum Wilson's strike before Aaron Cresswell levelled on 18 minutes. 

Newcastle regained the lead just before half-time with Jacob Murphy's effort for 2-1 but were pegged back by Said Benrahma's equaliser for 2-2 before Tomas Soucek and Michail Antonio struck to complete the turnaround and seal the 4-2 win. 

Champions City Stunned By Spurs 

Manchester City's title defence suffered an early blow as they lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, The crucial goal came on 54 minutes as Son Heung-Min continued his good form to strike the winner for a 1-0 success. 

Further results from the early part of the season before work and offline life became a priority.

2019 Europa League/Champions League Final Reviews

The final games of the season saw two all-English finals beginning with the Europa League last Wednesday.

Chelsea eased to a second title in six seasons with a 4-1 win over fierce rivals Arsenal. The sides were level into half-time before ex-Gunners forward Olivier Giroud put the Blues 1-0 ahead on 49 minutes.

Pedro doubled the lead on the hour mark before an Eden Hazard penalty five minutes later look to have sealed the win at 3-0. Arsenal hit back with an effort from Alex Iwobi but it was sheer consolation as Hazard struck his second and Chelsea's fourth on 72 minutes to confirm the title would be heading to Stamford Bridge.

Saturday evening saw the Champions League final in which Liverpool claimed a 2-0 win to secure a sixth title over debuting finalists Tottenham Hotspur.

A perfect start for the Reds saw Mohamed Salan slotting them 1-0 ahead with a penalty inside just two minutes. The narrow lead remained into half-time and past the hour mark as the sides cancelled each other out in terms of attack.

Spurs hopes of forcing extra time were ended three minutes from the end as semi-final hero Divock Origi slotted into the bottom corner to confirm the title for Liverpool and seal a 2-0 victory, avenging their loss in last season's final.

2019 FA Cup Final Review

After Carabao Cup and Premier League success, Manchester City added the FA Cup to their trophy haul for the season with a record-equalling 6-0 win over Watford.

City led 2-0 at half-time after an opener from David Silva on 26 minutes was followed by a Gabriel Jesus strike eight minutes before the interval.

Watford's hopes were all but dashed by the hour as Kevin De Bruyne made it 3-0 and just seven minutes later its was a case of when rather then if City struck again with Jesus firing in for 4-0.

The rout was completed by a late brace from Raheem Sterling as he struck in the 81st and 87th minutes for 6-0, a scoreline that equals Bury's record of 1903. 

2019 Champions League/Europa League Semi Final Second Leg Reviews

After mixed results in the opening legs, it was two stunning second legs that set-up an all-English final in the Champions League.

Liverpool needed a miracle after a 3-0 loss in Barcelona and did just that with a superb 4-0 win to secure a trip to Madrid, winning 4-3 on aggregate.

Divock Origi fired the Reds 1-0 up (1-3 agg) inside seven minutes before two goals in as many minutes from half-time sub Georginio Wijnaldum made it 3-0 and levelled the tie at 3-3 on aggregate. Barcelona's miserable night at Anfield only got worse as quick thinking saw Origi slot in his second for 4-0 and complete the turnaround for a 4-3 aggregate win.

Wednesday night saw Tottenham Hotspur overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit to Ajax Amsterdam with a 3-2 win that ensured they advanced on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate. Ajax extended their overall lead with first half strikes from Matthijs De Ligt and Hakim Ziyech putting them 2-0 up and 3-0 ahead on aggregate. Tottenham fought back superbly as Lucas Moura struck twice in three minutes to level on the night at 2-2 (3-2 agg) before a last-gasp strike to complete his hat-trick stunned Ajax and sent Spurrs into the final on away goals.

For the first time ever, both European competitions will have a quarter of teams from the same country as the Europa League will also feature an all-English final.

Chelsea secured their spot in the final after a 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt saw the sides level at 2-2 on aggregate and resulted in the Blues winning 4-3 on pens. Ruben Loftus-Cheek made it 1-0 (2-1 agg) to Chelsea on 28 minutes before Luka Jovic levelled four minutes after half-time. The tie went into extra time but had then to be settled in a shootout with Chelsea winning 4-3.

Arsenal set-up an all-English final against their city rivals after claiming a 4-2 win over Valencia which saw them advance 7-3 on aggregate. The La Liga side opened the scoring through Kevin Gameiro on 11 minutes for 2-3 on agg but a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leveller six minutes later made it 1-1 and 2-4 on agg. Alexandre Lacazette put the Gunners 2-1 upon the night as they led 2-5 on agg but Gameiro struck again ti cut the gap before the hour. Valencia's hopes were ended by two further efforts from Aubameyang who completed his hat-trick late on for 4-2 and a huge 7-3 aggregate victory. 

2019 Champions League/Europa League Semi Final First Leg Reviews

The possibility of two all-English finals in European competition looks unlikely after mixed results in the first legs of the Champions League semi finals.

Tottenham Hotspur's hopes suffered a blow as they lost 1-0 to Ajax Amsterdam. The crucial strike came after just 15 minutes as Donny Van de Beek fired in to give Ajax what could be a valuable away goal.

Liverpool also will need to overturn a first leg loss as they went down 3-0 at Barcelona. Ex-Reds striker Luis Suarez put the hosts ahead on 26 minutes before two stunning strikes in seven minutes from Lionel Messi confirmed a 3-0 win with efforts coming on 75 and 82 minutes.

The English duo in the Europa League semi finals fared better in the first legs starting with Arsenal claiming a 3-1 win at home to La Liga side Valencia.

The Gunners suffered an early blow as Mouctar Diakhaby put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute but they fought back as Alexandre Lacazette struck an eight minute brace to level and put Arsenal 2-1 up before Pierre Aubameyang wrapped up the win late on.

Chelsea drew 1-1 away to Eintracht Frankfurt and will hold the advantage of an away goal into the second leg. Frankfurt opened the scoring through Luka Jovic on 23 minutes but the Blues hit back just before the interval as Pedto struck for 1-1 with what could be a vital away goal.