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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 38 Recap (2025/26)

                    

Full Results (Matchday 38)

  • Brighton 0–3 Manchester United

  • Burnley 1–1 Wolves

  • Crystal Palace 1–2 Arsenal 

  • Fulham 2–0 Newcastle 

  • Liverpool 1–1 Brentford 

  • Manchester City 1–2 Aston Villa

  • Nottingham Forest 1–1 Bournemouth 

  • Sunderland 2–1 Chelsea 

  • Tottenham 1–0 Everton 

  • West Ham 3–0 Leeds

Game of the Matchday 

Liverpool 1–1 Brentford

The final Game of the Matchday award goes to the match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield. Both times wanted the win for different reasons. Liverpool wanted it to end Mohammad Salah's and Andy Robertson's Liverpool career with a bang while Brentford wanted qualification for European football next season. While neither team got what they wanted, their desire to get the win meant this was an engaging match of football. Mo Salah almost got his moment but was denied by the post from his free-kick. Dango Ouattara missed a golden chance very late on to win the match for The Bees only to put his header wide. 7 big chances combined from either side but they failed to make the one which counted. 

Biggest Surprise

Manchester City 1–2 Aston Villa

The discipline which Unai Emery has instilled in Aston Villa must be applauded. After smashing 3 beautiful goals past Freiburg in the Europa League Final days prior to their match with Manchester City at the Etihad, many expected the Villans to be in a relaxed mood. What was not expected was them to be the party-poopers in the final outing as a City boss of Pep Guardiola along with one of his most trusted duos of Bernardo Silva and John Stones. The first half went according to plan for City, leading by a goal and restricting Villa to 0 shots. The match completely flipped after the break with City having 0 shots on target and a resurgent Villa side generating an xG of 1.77, creating 4 big chances and scoring 2 goals through their talisman Ollie Watkins. Phil Foden's late goal was ruled out for a controversial offside which lead to a chorus of boos from the Cityzens. With this rather unexpected win, Aston Villa finish the season in 4th place, proving the league is a marathon not a sprint having scored their first league goal of the season in their 5th match and winning for the 1st time in their 6th match.

Best Team Performance

Crystal Palace 1–2 Arsenal

Arsenal were confirmed Premier League Champions before this match and they went out at Selhurst Park to play like one. The numbers put them ahead of every team in terms of big chances created (7) and although they missed all of them, it still highlights how well their creativity was running in this match. With the league secured and a Champions League Final on the horizon, Mikel Arteta opted to rotate much of his playing 11. Gabriel Jesus broke the deadlock in the 41st minute before Noni Madueke doubled the lead right after the restart. Even when Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back late, it was never a doubt for the Gunners to secure the victory.

Player of the Matchday

Joao Palhinha (Tottenham)

Joao Palhinha has made himself a cult hero at Tottenham. After chipping with important goal contributions throughout the season at various points in the season – something which is not even his main skillset – he once again scored a crucial goal to give his side the win against Everton to officially survive the season on the last day. Beyond the winner, he was absolutely everywhere. Palhinha had the most touches (87), took the most shots (5), had the most defensive contributions (17), won the most duels (10) and was fouled the most times (5). An immense all round display from the Portuguese midfielder to finish the campaign.

Honorable mentions - Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) & Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Moment of the Matchday

 Several Premier League legends bid farewell!

An honourable mention to Seamus Coleman as well who concluded his wonderful Everton career at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but the Moment of the Matchday occurred at 2 stadiums, for 5 legends. Whatever Erik Ten Hag said about eras ending – this is it. Liverpool said goodbye to their Egyptian King Mo Salah and their loyal workhorse Andy Robertson, two of the most influential pillars in this modern heavy-metal football Liverpool was known for in the last decade. They left not on a winning note, but helping to secure Champions League football for The Reds next season nonetheless. Over in the blue side of Manchester was the farewell to their own pillars of the past decade, their Barnsley Beckenbauer John Stones, their ultimate team player Bernardo Silva and the mastermind behind both their and the league's evolution as a whole, Pep Guardiola. Aston Villa defeated The Blues but they did it with utmost respect. So much so when Silva and Stones got substituted, they joined City in giving the legends a guard of honour both times separately. Such was the impact these players and the manager had that legends of the game such as Fernandinho were present at the ground to give respect. Teary-eyed, with the fans chanting their song about you, what a way to leave. To the legends, thank you.

by ShotBlogged


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