PL MATCHDAY 24 REVIEW: Arsenal preach sermon on humility, Amorim’s suffering continues

By Esosa Osa

It was a humbling week for some, a glimpse of redemption for a few and a Top 4 race that keeps giving.

It was a dark afternoon for Brighton as they were completely obliterated by Nottingham Forest, losing 7-0 at the City Ground. The young Brighton boss, Fabian Hurzeler put out a naive starting 11, with five attacking-minded players and 19-year-old Jack Hinshelwood as his lone DM. He was made to rue that move beyond his imagination.

An own goal from Skipper Lewis Dunk kick-started the misery 12 minutes in. Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood made it 3-0 before the half-time whistle, both goals provided by Anthony Elanga. Elanga was on hand to assist Wood for his second after 64 minutes and the New Zealander completed his hat-trick five minutes later. The misery did not end there as Neco Williams and Jota Silva grabbed two late goals to make it seven and deliver this season’s heaviest defeat thus far.

Mohamed Salah continued his kingly duties on Saturday afternoon, scoring a first-half penalty and stunning curler in the second-half to hand Liverpool an all-important win against in-form Bournemouth.

Southampton peeked at redemption after claiming a 2-1 away win against Ipswich Town. The Saints took the lead through a volley from Joe Aribo after 21 minutes but a mistake at the back handed Liam Delap a golden opportunity, 10 minutes later and the Englishman fired home for 1-1. The home side created the better chances afterwards but were denied by Aaron Ramsdale. Unfortunately for them, Paul Onuachu’s late rebound sealed the deal.

Everton made it three wins in three after smashing Leicester City 4-0 at home. Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring in 10.18 seconds which is now the Premier League’s fourth fastest goal. That certainly shook Leicester as they looked dizzy, conceding again in the sixth minute to Beto. The visitors failed to create any significant chance and conceded again as Beto got his second goal in added time of first-half. Illiman Ndiaye wrapped up the game at the 90th-minute mark after disastrous defending from Leicester.

Fulham secured a surprise victory at St. James’ Park, winning 2-1 with goals from both number 9s, Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz who cancelled Jacob Murphy’s first-half strike. Further frustrating Newcastle’s Top 4 challenge.

Wolves sit two points off the relegation zone after a 2-0 win against Aston Villa, thanks to goals in both halves by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha, the latter who recently penned a new contract keeping him at Wolves until 2029.

Ange Postecoglou bought himself more time after a crucial 2-0 away win at Brentford. In a Sunday afternoon affair well dominated by the Bees, Spurs grabbed the opener via an own goal from Vitaly Janelt. Brentford pushed hard with Yoane Wissa missing from close range and Djed Spence clearing Fábio Carvalho’s bicycle kick off-the-line. Luckily for Spurs, Pape Matar Sarr scored the second to seal the three points.

Manchester United fell to defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, thanks to two second-half goals by Jean-Philippe Mateta. United had more of the possession but Palace had the better chances, accumulating an xG of 2.60 compared to United’s xG of 1.12. The Eagles failed to capitalise on their two big chances in the first-half but perfectly dispatched their opportunities after the break.

In the weekend’s headliner, Arsenal put on a Five Star Show, humbling Pep Guardiola’s City 5-1. The Gunners got off to a perfect start after Captain, Martin Ødegaard capitalised on Manuel Akanji’s error to make 1-0 inside two minutes. City grew into the game and looked more dangerous just before the break. So it was no surprise when Erling Haaland grabbed the equaliser 10 minutes after the restart.

It barely lasted as Phil Foden’s error aided Thomas Partey to score Arsenal’s second. Thereafter, it was all red. Myles Lewis-Skelly scored a beauty for his first senior goal, then mimicked Haaland’s popular celebration. The two had an altercation in the reverse fixture and the young man kept it in mind. Kai Havertz wiped away thoughts of his shocking first-half miss with a brilliant goal after a counter-attack and 17-year-old, Ethan Nwnaeri curled in Arsenal’s fifth in the last minute of added time.

Chelsea narrowly escaped with a 2-1 home win against West Ham on Monday night, to wrap up Matchday 24 thanks to Pedro Neto and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s own goal. The Blues now climb back to 4th.