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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 32 Recap (2025/26)

              

Full Results (Matchday 32)

  • West Ham 4–0 Wolves

  • Arsenal 1–2 Bournemouth

  • Brentford 2–2 Everton

  • Burnley 0–2 Brighton 

  • Liverpool 2–0 Fulham 

  • Crystal Palace 2–1 Newcastle 

  • Nottingham Forest 1–1 Aston Villa

  • Sunderland 1–0 Tottenham 

  • Chelsea 0–3 Manchester City

  • Manchester United 1–2 Leeds 

Game of the Matchday 

Brentford 2–2 Everton

The Gtech Community Stadium was once again the playground to a matchday's most entertaining game. Brentford and Everton shared the points in a high-octane 2-2 draw that leaves them both still in the fight for European spots. Keith Andrew’s side looked to have things under control when Igor Thiago continued his ridiculous scoring form against the Toffees this season, having scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, and following it up with a brace this time around. However, Everton’s resilience under David Moyes is becoming a trademark, and they managed to claw their way back twice in the match. Both sides traded blows with a combined 4.37 xG, reflecting the sheer number of quality chances created. The game was ultimately settled by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 91st-minute equalizer, although Brentford would feel like they lost 2 points here, having missed 3 big chances and hitting the woodwork twice.

Biggest Surprise

Arsenal 1–2 Bournemouth 

Bournemouth have done it again, while Arsenal are seemingly doing it again. Bournemouth arrived at the Emirates and totally blew the title race wide open with a 2-1 victory. With this result, the Premier League is incredibly not in Arsenal's hand now. The Gunners looked complacent from the start and were punished early when Junior Kroupi pounced on a deflected William Saliba block for a cross to steer home. While Viktor Gyokeres managed to level the game from the penalty spot for his 12th goal in the league, the Gunners never truly found their rhythm against a disciplined Cherries defense. And while Bournemouth's attacks were few and far between, they were still more threatening and highly effective as the decisive blow came in the 74th minute when Alex Scott sent David Raya the wrong way to clinch the win. It was Arsenal’s first home league loss of 2026 and a performance that produced just 0.18 xG from open play, giving Manchester City a massive window to close the gap, which they did against Chelsea emphatically. 

Best Team Performance

West Ham 4–0 Wolves

West Ham are finding some form in an important point in their season. They delivered their most complete and dominant team performance of the campaign to dismantle a helpless Wolves side 4-0, making it just 1 loss in their last 4 league games. The Hammers were recorded a massive win that pushed rivals Tottenham into the relegation zone. Konstantinos Mavropanos was the unlikely hero at both ends, netting a brace, while Valentin Castellanos added two goals of his own to bury the visitors. Nuno Espirito Santo's men had less of the ball, but were able to do so much more meaningful with it, as despite having 56% possession, Wolves could only generate 0.59 xG. West Ham on the other hand remained solid defensively and transitioned sharply, creating 6 big chances and scoring 4, while also hitting the woodwork once. A massive win for them that may prove decisive in their fight for survival.

Player of the Matchday

Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)

This weekend was brimming with star displays all across the league, although none could prove more vital than Rayan Cherki's. He was having a rather dull day at Stamford Bridge, but as soon as the 2nd half started Cherki burst onto the scene. The Frenchman quickly became a constant nightmare for the Chelsea backline, recording two assists in just six minutes to effectively end the contest. He became the first player to register 10 assists in a debut Premier League campaign since Dimitri Payet, proving exactly why City invested in his technical quality. His cross to pick out Nico O'Reilly was vital and his vision in assisting Marc Guehi in a congested final third was just sublime. Add to that, his key role in pressing Moises Caicedo which ended up with Jeremy Doku scoring City's 3rd. It was a mature masterclass that highlighted his evolution, helping City cut the gap at the top to 6 points, with a game in hand and Arsenal visiting the Etihad next Sunday. Advantage with the Cityzens.

Honorable mentions - Konstantinos Mavropanos (West Ham), Noah Okafor (Nottingham Forest) & Mats Weiffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Moment of the Matchday

Jean-Philippe Mateta scores twice to come from behind against Newcastle

Watch Mateta's impact off the bench here

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s impact off the bench against Newcastle provided a moment that could prove pivotal for Crystal Palace’s pursuit of a European spot, if they can't get the job done in the Conference League. Trailing at the break to a William Osula strike, Palace looked toothless until their talismanic Frenchman was introduced to provide the physical platform and clinical edge they lacked. Mateta ignited the comeback in the 80th minute, ghosting in to head Tyrick Mitchell's cross into an empty net and ending a goal drought dating back to January 1. The decisive moment arrived in the 94th minute; with the pressure at its peak, Mateta remained ice-cool and smashed home a penalty after Sven Botman’s foul on Jefferson Lerma. Recording a 1.12 xG from just two touches in the box, his clinical cameo moved him to 31 Premier League goals at Selhurst — putting him one behind Wilfried Zaha’s all-time record. It was a brace that  moved Palace into 13th,  firmly in the hunt for European places with games in hand.

Looking Ahead – Matchday 33 Fixtures (IST Kick-offs)

Saturday, 18 April

    • Brentford vs Fulham - 5:00 pm

    • Leeds vs Wolves - 7:30 pm

    • Newcastle vs Bournemouth - 7:30 pm

    • Tottenham vs Brighton - 10:00 pm

    Sunday, 19 April

    • Chelsea vs Manchester United - 12:30 am

    • Aston Villa vs Sunderland - 6:30 pm

    • Everton vs Liverpool - 6:30 pm

    • Nottingham Forest vs Burnley - 6:30 pm

    • Manchester City vs Arsenal - 9:00 pm

    Tuesday, 21 April

    • Crystal Palace vs West Ham - 12:30 am

    Wednesday, 22 April

    • Brighton vs Chelsea - 12:30 am

    Thursday, 23 April

    • Bournemouth vs Leeds - 12:30 am

    • Burnley vs Manchester City - 12:30 am

    by ShotBlogged


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