Where does football go as it moves on from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
Full Results (Matchday 35)
Leeds 3–1 Burnley
Brentford 3–0 West Ham
Newcastle 3–1 Brighton
Wolves 1–1 Sunderland
Arsenal 3–0 Fulham
Bournemouth 3–0 Crystal Palace
Manchester United 3–2 Liverpool
Aston Villa 1–2 Tottenham
Chelsea 1–3 Nottingham Forest
Everton 3–3 Manchester City
Game of the Matchday
Everton 3–3 Manchester City
Manchester City slipped in the title race against Everton in amazing fashion. A six-goal thriller with massive implications at the top end of the table. The first half was rather subdued as there were only two shots on target taken, both of which were by Manchester City. It looked like it was going to be a goalless half before City took the lead through Jeremy Doku. Everton’s response in the second half was executed to perfection, at least until the final 15 minutes of the game, as Thierno Barry’s predatory brace and a Jake O'Brien header turned the game on its head to make it 3-1 in the favour of the Toffees. The atmosphere was feral as the Toffees looked set to derail the champions, only for Erling Haaland to equalize straight after Everton's third goal which dragged City back into the game. The home side created numerous big chances, most of which fell to Iliman Ndiaye who failed to convert any one of them. With Gianluigi Donnarumma up for the corner very late on the game, Doku’s 97th-minute equalizer finally shared the spoils with an outstanding finish from outside the box. With a massive 4.26 combined xG and the game having much more significant consequences, it was picked for the weekend’s best game over other games.
Biggest Surprise
Aston Villa 1–2 Tottenham
Tottenham have finally woken up it seems as they produced the their most controlled performance of the season against Champions League chasing Aston Villa at their own backyard. Villa entered the contest as favourites to tighten their grip on the top four, but they were stunned by a surprisingly clinical Spurs side that raced into a two-goal lead through Conor Gallagher and Richarlison in 25 minutes. While a 1-2 scoreline suggests a close contest, it was anything but. Emiliano Buendia struck a 90th-minute consolation, which was Villa's fifth shot and their first on target, which really puts into context just how toothless the Villans were at Villa Park. While they do get the 3 points, this victory will do loads of good for the confidence of Spurs.
Best Team Performance
Arsenal 3–0 Fulham
Arsenal fans must have thought they went back in time because this looked like the Arsenal of old. The Gunners effectively ended the contest in a stellar first half display, with Viktor Gyokeres involved in all three goals. He bagged a clinical brace and provided the assist for Bukayo Saka, speaking of whom, Saka — much like his team — looked like his old self again. His creative flair was outstanding. Mikel Arteta’s side recorded 18 shots, with 9 of them being on target and maintained 64% possession without ever looking troubled in transition. They generated 3.22 xG and also hit the woodwork once. Defensively they restricted Fulham to just one shot on target and conceded just 0.37 xG. Arsenal emphatically winning 3-0 while City drawing 3-3 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium means the Gunners are back at the driving seat once again. And with performances like this one, it looks like they will stay there.
Player of the Matchday
Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)
Jeremy Doku almost single-handedly salvaged a point for Manchester City in a match that looked destined for a disastrous result for the Sky Blues. The Belgian was unstoppable as he scored a vital brace, including a stunning 97th-minute equalizer to silence a raucous home crowd. He created the most chances (4), had the most touches in the opposition box (12) and completed the most dribbles (5). . Beyond his goals, Doku’s technical security was remarkable — he was fouled seven times, won 14 of his 19 ground duels, made 5 recoveries and 2 tackles and completed 5 of his 7 dribbles, consistently carving open an Everton defense that had no answer for his explosive pace. As has been the case a few times this season, he looked like he was the only City player who consistently looked capable of breaking the opponents' resilience, proving exactly why most of Citiy's attacks start on his flank with him putting on the dribbling boots especially during this tense run-in.
Honorable mentions - James Garner (Everton), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) & James Hill (Bournemouth)
Moment of the Matchday
Jeremy Doku equalises with a screamer against Everton in the last moment
The moment that defined the matchday could may well be the moment that defines the season for Manchester City as Jeremy Doku made sure Manchester City left Merseyside with at least something to show, with Arsenal still having a potential banana skin matchup against West Ham on the horizon. With Everton leading 3-2 and the clock ticking toward a result that would have handed Arsenal a massive advantage in the title race, a Phil Foden corner was miscontrolled by Marc Guehi and Doku picked it up on the edge of the box and curled home an absolute beauty. He made sure that while Arsenal may still have the advantage, it is a slight one.
Looking Ahead – Matchday 36 Fixtures (IST Kick-offs)
Saturday, 9 May
Liverpool vs Chelsea - 5:00 pm
Brighton vs Wolves - 7:30 pm
Fulham vs Bournemouth - 7:30 pm
Sunderland vs Manchester United - 7:30 pm
Manchester City vs Brentford - 10:00 pm
Sunday, 10 May
Burnley vs Aston Villa - 6:30 pm
Crystal Palace vs Everton - 6:30 pm
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle - 6:30 pm
West Ham vs Arsenal - 9:00 pm
Tuesday, 12 May
Tottenham vs Leeds - 12:30 am
Thursday, 14 May
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace - 12:30 am
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