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Where does football go as it moves on from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?

Where does football go as it moves on from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
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Premier League Matchday 21 Recap (2025/26)

         

Full Results (Matchday 21)

  • West Ham 1–2 Nottingham Forest

  • Bournemouth 3–2 Tottenham

  • Brentford 3–0 Sunderland 

  • Crystal Palace 0–0 Aston Villa

  • Everton 1–1 Wolves 

  • Fulham 2–1 Chelsea

  • Manchester City 1–1 Brighton 

  • Burnley 2–2 Manchester United

  • Newcastle 4–3 Leeds

  • Arsenal 0–0 Liverpool

Game of the Matchday 

Newcastle 4–3 Leeds

This game went on for 104 minutes. And what an absolute rollercoaster it was! This reinvigorated Leeds side arrived at St James’ Park and decided to play with zero fear. Goals flew in at both ends, with Leeds repeatedly knocking Newcastle down, only for the hosts to keep getting themselves back up. Leeds looked on course to extend their unbeaten run to eight games, but deep into stoppage time, Harvey Barnes popped up with the decisive goal — his winner being the latest winning goal in Premier League history. It was a brutal way for Leeds’ run to end, but also sheer footballing excitement. Seven goals, constant momentum swings, and a finish that felt ripped straight out of dreams of any footballer. 

Biggest Surprise

Fulham 2–1 Chelsea


Going into this game, Fulham had only won 1 home game against their London rivals in 9 matches. And it looked like that was not going to change. But Marc Cucurella flipped the whole game on its head when he received a red card for denying Harry Wilson a goal-scoring opportunity. Chelsea (2.39) still produced better xG than the hosts (1.20). Ultimately it didn't matter as Raul Jimenez put Fulham ahead before it looked as if Liam Delap might spoil to party to make it 1-1. And then maybe the real surprise of it all came in the 81st minute as Harry Wilson scored with his right foot for the first time in his Premier League career to send the Blues back home empty-handed.

Best Team Performance

Brentford 3–0 Sunderland

Sunderland have already shown this season they are by no means an easy opponent to deal with, unlike the pattern of recent seasons for the promoted sides. A big reason for that is their sturdy defence, which is why Brentford, who were themselves tipped for relegation this season, scoring 3 against them makes them the standout this matchday. A performance so complete, it had a goalkeeper's penalty save, a defender's assist, a midfielder's assist and a goal, and goals and assist from the attackers. Every unit contributed, every role was fulfilled, and the result is a team, who were relegation contenders before the season began, eyeing for European places.

Player of the Matchday

Igor Thiago (Brentford)

This is not a glitch, you are not seeing the same picture of the same man from the previous recap. It's just what he does. And he doesn't look like stopping. Igor Thiago followed his hat-trick against Everton with a brace against Sunderland in what was an outstanding performance. He registered 1.63 xGA showcasing his attacking brilliance. Whereas Erling Haaland has cooled down, Thiago has turned red-hot once again, after a dip in numbers prior to the Everton game from the Brazilian himself. He has his eyes firmly set on the Golden Boot, and it's thanks to displays like this.

Honorable mentions - Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham) & Lewis Miley (Newcastle)

Moment of the Matchday

Antoine Semenyo scores his last goal for Bournemouth in stoppage time

Watch Semenyo's goal here

You might call the scriptwriters lazy, but I say why need to overthink when the narrative is as beautiful as it can possibly be. Antoine Semenyo, in what was his last game in the red and black of Bournemouth before his move the Manchester City, on his birthday, scored in the dying minutes against Tottenham to end the Cherries' streak of being 11 matches without a win. He was kept rather quiet all game, with both of his shots coming after the 90th minute. To his defence, he picked his time alright. He unleashed a curler from distance through the visitor's back line to bow out in the perfect manner. What a beautiful way for the stars to align.

Looking Ahead – Matchday 22 Fixtures (IST Kick-offs)

Saturday, 17 January (IST)

    • Manchester United vs Manchester City - 6:00 pm

    • Chelsea vs Brentford - 8:30 pm

    • Leeds vs Fulham - 8:30 pm

    • Liverpool vs Burnley - 8:30 pm

    • Sunderland vs Crystal Palace - 8:30 pm

    • Tottenham vs West Ham - 8:30 pm

    • Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal - 11:00 pm

    Sunday, 18 January (IST)

    • Wolves vs Newcastle - 7:30 pm

    • Aston Villa vs Everton - 10:00 pm

    Tuesday, 20 January (IST)

    • Brighton vs Bournemouth - 1:30 am

    by ShotBlogged


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