November 12, 2018 - Matchplug Blog

Premier League Match Day 12 Review: United suffer derby loss as Fulham remain bottom

The Premier League entered matchday 12 last weekend. With the International break fast approaching, several teams looked to end with a bang but that wasn’t the case for Manchester United.

Cardiff 2 vs 1 Brighton

A late Sol Bamba goal was enough to help Cardiff City beat Brighton and earn an important win in their battle to beat the drop this season. The Welsh side can also count on a first-half red card given to Brighton as a help for themselves.

Leicester City 0 vs 0 Burnley

The former Premier League champions and Burnley played out a very boring draw in this game that brought a little on-field action. Off the field, the home side was spurred on by their fans who were looking for a good home win to banish the negativity of the death of their owner. But it never came.

Huddersfield 1 vs 1 West Ham

Huddersfield were denied a second Premier League win of the season by a late equalizer by Felipe Aderson. The Terriers had taken the lead in the 6th minute when Alex Pritchard became their first player to score a home goal in the Premier League for them this season. But they were pegged back by West Ham on the 74th minute.

Newcastle 2 vs 1 Bournemouth

Bournemouth came into this game after beating Fulham away from home on their last travel and they were expected to earn another win here, but Rafa Benitez’s men dug deep to earn all three points thanks to a brace of goals from Solomon Rondon.

Southampton 1 vs 1 Watford

The Saints were looking to grab an unlikely win in this game and have a good case after having a goal controversially ruled out for offside, but Watford played well and deserved their equalizer, although a 2-0 scoreline would have made it harder for them to have earned a point.

Crystal Palace 0 vs 1 Tottenham

Palace suffered yet another defeat as their misfiring front men continue to fail to net a goal for them. This time, the Eagles defended well and matched Spurs in terms of goal attempts, but they still fell to a Juan Foyth 66th minute goal and would look for a win after the International Break.

Liverpool 2 vs 0 Fulham

Liverpool laboured on Sunday but they still ended up winning bottom of the table Fulham. The Reds needed a response after going down 2-0 against Red Star in the Champions League in midweek, and their fans would be delighted that they have remained unbeaten after 12 games in the Premier League this season.

Winless have now lost their last 5 games on the trot.

Chelsea 0 vs 0 Everton

Everton went to Stamford Bridge with a determination to end Chelsea’s unbeaten run and the Toffees almost had their way. However, the Blues stood firm and earned a draw that was probably deserved. The game was tensed, Jorginho’s tackle of Sigurdson epitomises how tough the game was.

Manchester City 3 vs 1 Manchester United

Manchester United could not take advantage of the momentum their 2-1 win over Juventus in Turin had brought them as they were beaten by their city rivals in this Manchester derby. City kept asking questions of Mourinho’s defence and they continued to struggle to cope with City’s intensity.

When Anthony Martial scored the penalty to make it 2-1 it appeared like something familiar was about to take place, but that wasn’t to be after Ilkay Gondugan came off the bench to make it 3-1 in favour of City.

Arsenal 1 vs 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

laboured laboured for so long and were ultimately saved from a home defeat because Wolves were very wasteful. The Premier League new boys took the lead at the Emirates Stadium on the 13th minute. They defended very well from then on and had several chances to win the game late on but they kept missing them all before the Gunners scored an 86th-minute equalizer through Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The international break means there would be no Premier League action for the next two weeks, however, we hope that Chelsea would keep their unbeaten run when we resume as they travel to Tottenham.

Former Arsenal star Undergoing medical at West Ham ahead of January move

Former Arsenal star, Samir Nasri is set to make a stunning return to the Premier according to reports.

The attacker was banned for doping-related offences earlier this year and his ban is set to expire from January 1.

However, he can begin to train with a potential suitor from this month, and it appears that West Ham are ready to offer him a chance to revive his career.

He won the Premier with Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City in 2014 and the duo are set to be reunited at the London Stadium.

Reports from Talksport claims that the Irons have offered the midfielder a trial and he is set to start training with them pending when the January transfer window reopens and he would sign on permanently.

Pellegrini is looking to turn ambitious West Ham into a top 8 team and would need the help of as many experienced player as he can get.

Nasri was offloaded by Pep Guardiola in 2016 after the Catalan became tired of his weight and attitude and the Hammers would hope that it has improved since that time.

Arsenal face Sevilla threat in their bid to land Danny Welbeck replacement

Arsenal are facing a major hurdle in their bid to sign AS Roma striker, Patrik Schick as a replacement for Danny Welbeck.

The England attacker suffered a major injury in their game against Sporting Lisbon and has undergone surgery, however, the Gunners currently do not know how long he would be sidelined, so they are pursuing a deal for Schick.

The 22 years old Czech Republic international is currently out of favour at Roma and wants regular first team football. He was scouted by the Gunners before he joined Roma from Sampdoria last summer but decided to move to Rome instead.

A move for Schick would be a struggle to pull off for the Gunners according to Italian media.

They opine that the attacker wants regular first-team football, but Unai Emery cannot guarantee him that.

Sevilla and Crystal Palace are two other teams who want to take him on as well. The Spaniards and the Eagles have promised him first-team football, and he may decide to go to Seville instead as he would be playing in Europe there.

Tottenham set to battle Borussia Dortmund for the signature World Cup star

With the next transfer window just two months away, clubs have begun making plans and one team we all feel should be making plans to add to their line up is Tottenham.

The Lilywhites became the first team not to add a single to their roaster in a transfer window last summer, and they would make do with some new players when the winter transfer window opens.

Reports on Talksport claims that Mauricio Pochettino’s men are set to sign Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez, but they face competition from Borussia Dortmund.

Gomez was a star for Uruguay at the last World Cup and he has continued his fine form for the Spanish side this season.

He has formed a good partnership with former Liverpool flop, Iago Aspas and has either been scoring or providing an assist this season.

Harry Kane is the undisputed first-choice attacker for Spurs, but Pochettino wants a backup for the England man. Borussia Dortmund believe that the prospect of playing more regularly would convince Gomez to join them instead.