The Post Match Review - Matchweek 28

We're starting to get to the business end of the Premier League season, so let's see whether the state of play has changed after the Matchweek 28 fixtures.

Friday

Wolves 2 - 0 Aston Villa

Wolves - The Midlands side finally got their long awaited second win of the season, and it was well deserved as well, as they limited Aston Villa to only a handful of half chances, and then capitalising on their own. The reality is that relegation is still very much likely, and some may say almost definite, but at least Wolves are showing that even this late in the season, they are not prepared to go down without a fight.

Villa - This result has the potential to be a monumental blow depending on what happens for the rest of the season, as Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all probably celebrated the result. The Villains are looking at the daunting possibility of being overtaken by three teams in the next few weeks if this result is the start of a dip in form, especially as they have Chelsea in midweek.

Saturday

Bournemouth 1 - 1 Sunderland

Bournemouth - The Cherries continued their unbeaten run with this result, which may not have been seen possible from how they started. The home side had plenty of chances to win the game in both halves (21 shots in total, 5 on target), and on another day they might have done, but substitute Evanilson made sure that wouldn't be the case. Andoni Iraola will probably be hoping though that his side start putting away chances soon.

Sunderland - The Black Cats had some notable absentees from their squad, but also had a notable returnee in Granit Xhaka. One of these absentees was Brain Brobbey, who had been one of Sunderlands most prolific striker this season, and he was replaced by Eliezer Mayenda. For the first half it seemed like no Brobbey no problem, but the Black Cats are going to hope the injury list doesn't stop them having the respectable first season back that the start of the season was leading towards

Burnley 3 - 4 Brentford

Burnley - Fans who went to the game at Turf Moor were booing the home side at half time, but would probably have left the ground at full time feeling like their side had been robbed. They thought they had won the game when Zian Flemming got his second, before the goal was cancelled due to a fractional, before Ashley Barnes thought he'd gotten an equaliser, but that was ruled out for handball, which many people have called harsh and inconclusive. Unlike the position Wolves are in, Burnley's last three results against Palace, Chelsea and now Brentford may show that they may be making one last push for survival.

Brentford - The game started relatively comfortably and to script for Brentford, racing into a three goal lead, but an own goal from Michael Kayode started what would've been a rather embarrassing result if VAR gave Burnley's goals. Mikkel Damsgaard saved the Bees from embarrassment and still in the race for Europe, but Keith Andrews would probably hope to never experience that type of capitulation for the rest of season.

Liverpool 5 - 2 West Ham

Liverpool - This game had the potential to be a banana skin for the Reds, but just from the first half alone, they proved otherwise with Ekitike, Van Dijk and Mac Allister giving Liverpool a three goal lead that made the rest of the game relatively easy despite the West Ham fight back. The Liverpool fans would have likely watched Wolves beat Aston Villa, so this win is a massive boost in the lead up to that game, as Wolves despite being bottom may pose a bigger problem than people may have first expected

West Ham - Despite how the result looks, the Hammers weren't at all terrible, and the fact they conceded five times is probably a bit harsh. Tomas Soucek's goal, with the Burnley team staging a massive comeback, gave the Hammers fans hope, as did a Taty Castellanos goal later in the half. In reality, the situation that West Ham are in, this wasn't a game they expected

Newcastle 2 - 3 Everton

Newcastle - Eddie Howe's post match talk to the team was pretty much straightforward in terms of criticism, and that was them twice falling asleep right after equalising. First from Beto capitalising on a Nick Pope error, and then Thierno Barry scoring a goal he likely knew nothing about as the ball ricocheted off of him after Lewis Hall collided with the striker. Falling asleep after scoring, and being the architects of both of Everton"s second two goals is a combination that Eddie Howe and the Magpies hope they never see again for the rest of the season.

Everton - The Toffees probably couldn't believe their luck, with Newcastle basically handing them goals on a plate, and one of the biggest beneficiaries from it was Guinea-Bissau striker Beto, who ran onto Pope's save to tap home from close range. He could've had two and had the game out of sight, but his one-on-one only resulted in an effort which thundered off the bar. It may not have been as easy as Everton would have wanted, but in their push for Europe, the win is probably all they care about at this point.

Leeds 0 - 1 Manchester City

Leeds - This definitely feels like a game Leeds would have won if they played again, as they were the dominant team in terms of chances in the first half, with eight shots to City's four, but they were unable to capitalise on any chance in either half. The best chances for the home team came from Brenden Aaronson, who had an effort saved in the first half, and Jaka Bijol, who almost scored from a corner seconds after coming on. Elland Road will host Sunderland in midweek, which may be a perfect time to respond to what potentially was a massive missed opportunity, albeit without Daniel Farke on the sideline after he got sent off

Man City - The Cityzens showed why so many pundits are tipping them for the title ahead of Arsenal, as in a game they didn't have their way for large portions, they only needed one chance to get in front, and it came at probably the best time, seconds before half-time. Erling Haaland's precautionary absence was seen as a chance for Leeds to do Arsenal a favour, but similar to previous seasons, it ended up being no problem at all, and the far too familiar sky blue steam train is in full flow now.

Sunday

Brighton 2 - 1 Nottingham Forest

Brighton - The first of four home 2-1 winners of this Sunday, Brighton made it two from two for the first time in a while. Diego Gomez also made it two from two with a spectacular opener, and then Danny Welbeck scoring directly after Forest's equaliser, in a game which started at a blistering pace, and had all the goals in the first 15 minutes. This was also one of two results which West Ham fans were very happy to see.

Nottingham Forest - Forest made the same mistake as Newcastle did the day before, conceding directly after scoring, but this one may have consequences come the end of the season. Gibbs-White gave the away side hope, but that was short lived. Nottingham Forest's recent problems with putting chances away meant they left the Amex with nothing, and they'll be hoping they striking form improves and they aren't made to rue results like this.

Fulham 2 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

Fulham - Harry Wilson is having a season to remember at the moment, and this game just added to his already unbelievable tally for this season, with his close range volley getting Fulham off to a brilliant start. Alex Iwobi's stunner later in the half gave them useful breathing room, beating Solanke and scorching a strike low into the net. This win marks only the second time the Cottagers have done the double over Tottenham, and it is a double that Forest and West Ham very much may appreciate come the end of the season.

Spurs - There's no doubt about it now, Spurs are in a relegation scrap, even though that sounds ridiculous to say. Despite the positive that may have come from the Arsenal game, minus the scoreline, that was completely thrown out as it's another London derby defeat, in which depending on midweek results could see them precariously dangling above the relegation zone. Richarlison gave Spurs hope of a needed fightback which unfortunately never really materialised. Seeing as Spurs only won one of their current remaining fixtures if you compare it to last year, you got to imagine many fans will be very nervous right now.

Manchester United 2 - 1 Crystal Palace

Manchester United - Carrick's men just seem to keep on winning, but it didn't look likely at all from the first half after Lacroix's header only a couple of minutes in. However, after they then got a penalty from the Palace defender, Manchester United were in full flow from there on in, against the now 10 men of Crystal Palace, and the recently in-form striker Benjamin Šeško was the main beneficiary of it. From being nowhere near months ago, now it seems like Champions League football is a formality for the Red Devils.

Crystal Palace - Maxence Lacroix, who had just returned from injury in midweek, got his second in two games to give Palace what was a deserved lead. However he would quickly become the villain as his pull on Matheus Cunha saw him sent off, and his side capitulated afterwards. Palace are away to Spurs in midweek, where they'll have to do without him to give the other relegation threatened sides a helping hand.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Chelsea

Arsenal - It ended up being a game of set pieces in the end, specifically the Gunners trademark, corners. William Saliba and Jurrien Timber ended up being the players to get the Gunners over the line. The goal that they conceded would probably be the only thing Mikel Arteta will be angry about because, as Gary Neville put it, Arsenal got Arsenal'd. However as they are looking to not capitulate like in previous seasons, it doesn't matter how you win them at this point.

Chelsea - There may be mixed feelings after this game, as some may say Pedro Neto's red card cost the Blues, whereas others may be feeling like their team had been robbed of two penalties, one for a Rice handball, and then for a perceived foul from David Raya. Chelsea dominated a large portion of the game before the red, so fans would probably point at that being the turning point of the game. It was also a game which Sanchez wasn't the most composed he's been, which in this season was a bit of a surprise. The Blues' game away at Villa in midweek will be a great opportunity for Chelsea to bounce back and cut the gap between them and the Villains, and to keep their hopes of Champions League football alive.