EPL

Spot-on Pereira punishes Wolves, more Yorkshire gains for Kane - the Premier League weekend's quirky facts

By Sports Desk January 18, 2021

Willy Boly had an eventful derby and there was a penalty double for Matheus Pereira as West Brom boss Sam Allardyce maintained his unbeaten record against the team he used to support as a boy.

Albion claimed a huge victory in their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League at Molineux on Saturday, beating bitter rivals Wolves 3-2.

There was no such entertainment at Anfield on Sunday, with a hugely hyped clash between Liverpool and leaders Manchester United ending goalless, while Antonee Robinson's red card was costly as Fulham were beaten by Chelsea.

Ilkay Gundogan matched his best Manchester City goal tally for a season in a 4-0 rout of Crystal Palace, while Tottenham captain Harry Kane made his mark in Yorkshire yet again 

With the help of Opta data, we take a look at some of the quirkiest stats from the top-flight action over the weekend.

 

Boly in thick of the action as Wolves pay the penalty 

West Brom ended an eight-match winless run to claim three precious points against their big rivals Wolves.

Defender Boly became the first Wolves player to concede a penalty, provide an assist and score in a Premier League game since Adlene Guedioura in May 2011 - which was also against West Brom at Molineux.

Baggies midfielder Pereira was on target with two spot-kicks, becoming the fifth player to score a brace of penalties in a top-flight game this season. The last time there were so many penalty doubles was back in the 2010-11 campaign.

Allardyce was a Wolves fan as a youngster, but his allegiances have long gone out of the window, as the Albion head coach has not lost in 12 Premier League games against Wanderers - his longest unbeaten streak against any side.

 

Gun firing on all cylinders

Kevin De Bruyne sparkled once again as in-form City hammered Palace to go second in the table.

The midfield maestro laid on one of two goals for John Stones, taking his tally of assists for City to a landmark 100.

Gundogan is another midfielder who has caught the eye this season and the Germany international was on target with a sublime long-range finish at the Etihad Stadium.

The former Borussia Dortmund playmaker has scored four goals in his past six Premier League games, as many as he could muster in his previous 55 matches in the top flight. His tally of six for the season is the joint-most he has scored for City.

 

Kane comes up smelling of White Roses again

Prolific Spurs skipper Kane led by example yet again in a 3-1 win at bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.

Kane scored his 19th goal of what is proving to be another outstanding season in Tottenham's first league win at Bramall Lane since 1975, having failed to secure maximum points in their previous seven visits.

England captain Kane has scored in each of his past six Premier League games in Yorkshire, a run that former Leeds United striker Mark Viduka was the last to achieve in 2003.

Leeds will have to be wary of the talismanic striker when Jose Mourinho's men return to the White Rose county for a clash at Elland Road on May 8.

 

Dire States: Rash Robinson costs Fulham

Fulham full-back Robinson was sent off late in the first half of the London derby at Craven Cottage for a rash lunge on Cesar Azpilicueta.

Chelsea had to be patient as they pushed for a winner, but Mason Mount struck to consign Scott Parker's relegation-threatened side to a 1-0 defeat.

Robinson was the eighth player from the United States to be given his marching orders in the Premier League.

The former Wigan Athletic left-back's dismissal also made Fulham the first club to have two players from the USA see red, Carlos Bocanegra being the other.

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  • Ten Hag unconcerned by Fernandes' fitness ahead of Man Utd's trip to Brighton Ten Hag unconcerned by Fernandes' fitness ahead of Man Utd's trip to Brighton

    Erik ten Hag is not worried about Bruno Fernandes' fitness ahead of Manchester United's final game of the Premier League season.

    Fernandes impressed in an attacking midfield role in United's 3-2 win over Newcastle on Wednesday.

    The Portugal international was forced off through injury late on, yet Ten Hag is not overly concerned.

    "Bruno didn't miss so much and he's fit," Ten Hag told United's media channels. 

    "I would say that is one of my least concerns, if he can keep going. He's fresh and he's in very good form but the others you mentioned, it's important [to get game time].

    "They missed some games. [Marcus] Rashford, of course. [Lisandro] Martinez missed, I would say, almost the whole season. So every minute that he can get, we have to give him."

    Should United win, and Newcastle fail to beat Brentford, then the Red Devils will be guaranteed European football next season, even if they lose the FA Cup final when they face Manchester City at Wembley on May 25.

    Ten Hag's future is uncertain, but Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi pointed to United's injury issues as a main factor in their frustrating campaign.

    "They have suffered a lot of injuries, problems, but they are still a very good team," he said.

    "Ten Hag's Ajax team has been one of the best in quality of play. For United, this season, it's been tough playing without a lot of important players."

    Brighton are entrenched in mid-table after failing to match the same heights they managed last season.

    However, two of their players - Pascal Gross and striker Denis Undav, who is on loan at Stuttgart - were on Thursday called up for Germany's Euro 2024 squad.

    De Zerbi said: "I am happy for Undav. He is becoming a great player. Pascal is not a surprise - he deserves to play for the national team."

    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    Brighton - James Milner

    James Milner has appeared in the final game in 16 different Premier League campaigns – if he plays in this match, he’ll be the first player in the competition's history to do so in 17 different seasons.

    Manchester United - Bruno Fernandes

    Fernandes has created 113 chances in the Premier League this season, 14 more than any other player. He also created the most chances last season (119) and is the first player to do so in back-to-back seasons since Eden Hazard in 2013-14 (93) and 2014-15 (100).

    MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

    In their first 19 Premier League matches this season, Brighton were the fifth-highest scorers in the Premier League (38 goals) and had a conversion rate of 13.3 per cent. In their last 18 games since the turn of the year, only Everton (15) have scored fewer goals than the Seagulls (17), with their conversion rate of 6.6 per cent the worst of any side in this time.

    United have lost their final league game in two of the last five seasons (W3), as many times as they had in the previous 33 campaigns (W23 D8).

    Brighton have lost their final game in four of their six Premier League campaigns, with the exceptions being a 2-1 win at Burnley (2019-20) and a 3-1 home win v West Ham (2021-22).

    Brighton have won each of their last four Premier League games against United – the last side to beat the Red Devils in five consecutive league games was Norwich City between 1988 and 1990.

    OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

    Brighton - 35.4%

    Man Utd - 35.9%

    Draw - 28.7%

  • Real Salt Lake v Colorado Rapids: Armas targets Rocky Mountain Cup Real Salt Lake v Colorado Rapids: Armas targets Rocky Mountain Cup

    Chris Armas is desperate to claim early-season silverware in the form of the Rocky Mountain Cup as the Colorado Rapids prepare to visit rivals Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

    The Rapids are flying high in fourth in the Western Conference standings, four points adrift of top side RSL after 13 matches.

    They should approach Saturday's derby in good spirits after their 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in midweek, while they have already beaten RSL once this season – by a 2-1 scoreline on the road in early March.

    "I wish we were hosting this one, the Rocky Mountain Cup is such an important thing to us and to our fans," Armas said.

    "It'd be nice if we maybe played one at home and one on the road. Two on the road is tricky but it is what it is.

    "We have the slight edge at the moment but we have work to do, to go there and get the trophy. You can go through an entire season and not play for a trophy, and now we are."

    RSL boss Pablo Mastroeni represented Colorado for 11 years of his playing career then coached them for three years upon his retirement, but he feels he has come a long way since then.

    "I think the biggest thing is my evolution as a person. When I first got into coaching, I'd just finished my career and threw myself into the deep waters," Mastroeni said. 

    "Over time you understand your game model and the way you want to play the game. These things take time, and it's really broadened my perspective." 

    PLAYERS TO WATCH 

    Real Salt Lake – Andres Gomez 

    Gomez scored his fifth goal of the season in Real Salt Lake's 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday. 

    He and Cristian Arango (11) have now combined for 16 goals this MLS campaign, the only team-mates to combine for more are Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez (21).

    Colorado Rapids – Rafael Navarro 

    Navarro scored the game's only goal in Colorado's win over Vancouver, becoming the first Rapids player since Diego Rubio in 2022 to score in three straight regular-season matches. 

    The only Rapids player in the last 12 years to score in four straight league games was Kei Kamara in 2019.

    MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

    The Rapids ended a seven-match losing streak in the Rocky Mountain Cup (two draws, five defeats) with a 2-1 victory at Real Salt Lake on March 9. 

    However, they haven't won two in a row against RSL since a pair of victories in September 2006 and April 2007.

    Real Salt Lake have won three of their last four home matches, drawing the other and keeping clean sheets in all of those games. The Rapids are the only visiting team to win at America First Field this year, but RSL may just get their revenge this weekend.

    OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

    Real Salt Lake – 49.2%

    Colorado Rapids – 23.3%

    Draw – 27.5%

  • Arteta hoping old mentor Moyes provides a helping hand in title race Arteta hoping old mentor Moyes provides a helping hand in title race

    Mikel Arteta and David Moyes have a long history, and the Arsenal boss is hoping the outgoing West Ham manager does him a favour on Sunday.

    Arteta was managed by Moyes for over six years during his time at Everton between 2005 and 2011.

    And the stars have aligned that Arteta's Arsenal must now defeat the Toffees at Emirates Stadium on the final day of the season to stand a chance of winning the Premier League title.

    But while Arsenal must do their job, they also require a favour from Moyes' West Ham, who take on leaders Manchester City. If Pep Guardiola's team win, then the title will be theirs.

    The Hammers' trip to the Etihad Stadium also marks Moyes' final game as West Ham's boss, and Arteta wants one more favour from his former mentor.

    "He's been instrumental and so important in my career, as a footballer and a person. He could help us to fulfil our dream and my personal dream to win the Premier League," Arteta said.

    "The only thing we've discussed is to give ourselves an opportunity to live a beautiful day. It's possible, it's football. We have to play like every single week.

    "We have to win, then hope West Ham to help us achieve us our dream. That first part is on us, it's the only thing we can focus on."

    Everton, on the other hand, have little but pride - and 15th place - to play for, having already secured their safety.

    The club confirmed on Friday that Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young had been offered new contracts, while Everton have also activated a one-year extension to Idrissa Gueye's deal.

    Dele Alli's contract is up, but he will remain with Everton's medical staff to continue his rehab, but Andre Gomes, Arnaut Danjuma and Andy Lonergan will leave.

    Director of football Kevin Thelwell said Everton will remain in discussions with Leeds United over Jack Harrison's future, with the winger set to return to Elland Road at the end of his loan deal.

    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    Arsenal - Gabriel Jesus

    Jesus has scored five Premier League goals on MD38, the most of any player currently playing in the competition. The Brazilian also has more Premier League goals against Everton than he does against any other opponent (eight).

    Everton - Dominic Calvert-Lewin

    Calvert-Lewin is Everton's top scorer in away Premier League games this season with four goals. He has scored in his last two on the road, last netting in three in a row in November/December 2020.

    MATCH PREDICTION: ARSENAL WIN

    Everton are winless in their last 10 Premier League away games (D4 L6), failing to score more than once in any of these. It is their longest run without an away win under the same manager since a run of 12 under Ronald Koeman between February and October 2017.

    Arsenal's 86 points so far is already their third highest in a single Premier League campaign, after their title-winning seasons of 2001-02 (87) and 2003-04 (90). Meanwhile, the Gunners' 89 goals this term is their most in a top-flight campaign since 1963-64 (90).

    No side have lost their final game of the Premier League season more often than Everton (14). Arsenal have won their final Premier League game of the season more often than any other side (22, including the last 12 in a row), also having the best win rate in such matches in the competition (71 per cent).

    Arsenal have lost just one of their last 27 Premier League home games against Everton (W22 D4), going down 1-0 in April 2021. 

    OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

    Arsenal - 61.9%

    Everton - 14.5%

    Draw - 23.6%

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