Where does football go as it moves on from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
Full Results (Matchday 37)
Aston Villa 4–2 Liverpool
Manchester United 3–2 Nottingham Forest
Brentford 2–2 Crystal Palace
Everton 1–3 Sunderland
Leeds 1–0 Brighton
Wolves 1–1 Fulham
Newcastle 3–1 West Ham
Arsenal 1–0 Burnley
Bournemouth 1–1 Manchester City
Chelsea 2–1 Tottenham
Game of the Matchday
Aston Villa 4–2 Liverpool
Aston Villa secured Champions League football next season with quite some style, sweeping aside the reigning Premier League champions with a commanding 4-2 victory in their final home match of the campaign. Just as a relatively quiet first half was about to end, Morgan Rogers found space inside the area to stroke the ball home and ignite a much needed spark. That spark turned into fireworks after the break as both Villa and Liverpool let loose. Virgil van Dijk briefly equalised with a 52nd-minute header, followed by a couple of missed chances from the visitors, which allowed Villa to ruthlessly punish them on the transition. Ollie Watkins took over, scoring a brace before turning provider to tee up John McGinn for a spectacular finish into the top corner. Van Dijk did manage to bag another consolation header deep into stoppage time, but it did not dull the electric atmosphere at Villa Park. Perfect confidence booster for the Villans before their Europa League final.
Biggest Surprise
Bournemouth 1–1 Manchester City
This was a result with huge ramifications for both sides. A 1-1 draw means Manchester City’s title hunt is over. A 1-1 draw means Bournemouth have now confirmed European football for next season. Coming into this game, Andoni Iraola's impressive Bournemouth had been unbeaten in their previous 16 Premier League games, so it perhaps should not be the most surprising result but the consequences of this game is what makes it surprising. The champions looked fatigued and devoid of creativity against the Cherries' high-intensity pressure They fell behind when Junior Kroupi scored an excellent goal off of a counter-attack. Bournemouth had the chance to seal the game through David Brooks but he failed to convert two big chances. While Erling Haaland thumped an equalizer in the 90+5th to spark just a teeny tiny bit of hope, in truth even the Cityzens knew it was too little too late. The home side effectively increased their unbeaten streak to 17 games thanks to a performance full of energy, commitment and discipline.
Best Team Performance
Manchester United 3–2 Nottingham Forest
Manchester United extended their unbeaten run to 5 games with another quality 3-2 victory in their final home game of the season at The Theater of Dreams, Old Trafford. Their talisman Bruno Fernandes was once again on top creative form, creating a match-high 8 chances. United lead early in the 5th minute through an unlikely Luke Shaw goal and kept that lead till the break. The Red Devils really amped it up after halftime as they registered an xG of 3.32 in the second half. Although Nottingham Forest scored 2 goals off the back of two Elliot Anderson crosses into the box, goals from Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo ensured that the red side of Manchester finish their home season on a good note. The last goal of which was more of a moment for the creator of the goal than the finisher's, Bruno's moment, a perfect cross for Bryan Mbeumo to turn home in the 76th minute. A historic 20th assist of the campaign to officially match the all-time single-season Premier League record. He matched the record and almost broke it too, only to be denied by the post from a Diogo Dalot shot. Can he break it? He has 1 match to do so.
Player of the Matchday
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins loves to score against Liverpool and he did it again by being a constant nuisance for the Liverpool backline. He made runs after runs in behind the defence almost single-handedly anchoring Aston Villa's offensive transitions. The English striker registered a brilliant brace, hitting his landmark 14th goal of the Premier League season, also providing the assist for John McGinn's goal. His underlying numbers were also top-notch — 1.54 xGA, 6 total shots, 5 shots on target and 10 touches in opposition box — all match-leading stats. And he could have scored more!
Honorable mentions - Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) & Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Moment of the Matchday
Arsenal finally win the Premier League again after 22 years!
Arsenal did it. They have finally won the Premier League. After all all those consecutive years of finishing 2nd. After being a laughing stock — to put it a little harshly — they have reached the top of the mountain. They have people like Junior Kroupi and Thierno Barry to thank but none more so than themselves for lifting their head up after each year, each season and going at it again. Now the question that remains is can they do the improbable and slay the current Champions League champions PSG in the Champions League final to win the biggest club trophy for the first time ever? You know what they say about London buses, and on bus has come in the form of Premier League.
Looking Ahead – Matchday 38 Fixtures (IST Kick-offs)
Sunday, 24 May
Brighton vs Manchester United - 8:30 pm
Burnley vs Wolves - 8:30 pm
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal - 8:30 pm
Fulham vs Newcastle - 8:30 pm
Liverpool vs Brentford - 8:30 pm
Manchester City vs Aston Villa - 8:30 pm
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth - 8:30 pm
Sunderland vs Chelsea - 8:30 pm
Tottenham vs Everton - 8:30 pm
West Ham vs Leeds - 8:30 pm
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