Chelsea 4-4 Manchester City
It was a season of goals, goals and more goals – 1,246 goals in total and a Premier League record average of 3.28 goals per game. Incredibly, there were 84 games with five or more goals. So, where to start? It was as good a place as any: the November rains poured down, setting the stage for the relentless scoring winter that was to come. The sides took the lead in an exciting game that featured roaring headers from centre-backs Thiago Silva and Manuel Akanji, a defensive scramble and Rodri’s seemingly dramatic deflected winner , but Cole Palmer coolly converted a late penalty to join Raheem. Oh, and Erling Haaland scores with his ball. This game really has it all.
December 5, Luton 3-4 Arsenal
Luton Town’s return to the top flight ended in relegation, but unlike other promoted sides, they did turn things around. The Hatters lead Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal at home; the problem is that the line was crossed. Luton have taken the lead in 14 games this season but have won just six and lost five games in which they led at half-time – a Premier League record. It was one of the most memorable of their rivalries against the Elite – even the fluorescent colors of the team’s jerseys added a touch of pizzazz. Mikel Arteta’s title chasers were pushed to the limit as Ross Barkley led Luton’s charge before Kai Havertz’s equalizer put a stop to the situation. After an hour of action, the teams were at each other’s throats until Arsenal found the coup de grace – Martin Odegaard’s clinical cross bounced into the corner by Declan Rice and curled in the visitors’ goal. Celebrate wildly, as all late winners should do.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 Chelsea, November 6
New shocks collide with old-school Barclays in a bizarre game as nine-man Tottenham saw their unlikely title tilt derailed but celebrated meekly at Chelsea The crowd applauded during the impressive 4-1 victory. Spurs started like a train, scoring quickly through Dejan Kulusevski, before descending into an hour-long, VAR-fueled fever dream in the first half. Son Heung-min had a goal disallowed and Chelsea were ruled out for three goals – only a replay to reveal Cristian Romero’s horrific charge on Enzo Fernandez. Cole Palmer took the penalty before Micky van de Ven and James Maddison went off injured, allowing Ange Postecoglou to convert Difficulties struck at half-time and the situation worsened when Destiny Udogie was also sent off. But Spurs persisted and Chelsea missed opportunity after opportunity. After Nicolas Jackson’s final goal, Spurs had Eric Dier’s volley ruled out for offside before Rodrigo Bentancur and Son Heung-min both came close to equalizing. Jackson twice broke through Spurs’ backline in stoppage time, adding some wholly undeserved luster to the scoreline and helping Chelsea escape with victory.
Wolves 3-4 Manchester United, February 1
Has Manchester United’s season been a rollercoaster? Like that leaky corner of the Stretford Stand, it looks more like a log flume – there’s some tepid excitement, but it’s generally going in one direction. Erik ten Hag’s side often find themselves in dramatic situations due to their own shortcomings and this game at Molineux was no exception. Leading 2-0 after 22 minutes and 3-1 after 75 minutes, United were held back by the hosts’ never-say-die spirit, with Pedro Neto equalizing in the 95th minute. This is already a thriller, but what happens next is truly extraordinary. Kobbie Mainoo was one of the brightest players in a dark season, jumping into the Wolves area and finishing with aplomb. In the presence of Sir Alex Ferguson, the ghost of the old United was briefly but spectacularly conjured, hinting at a brighter future yet to be realized.
December 3, Liverpool 4-3 Fulham
Sunday afternoon’s game was followed by Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, another ridiculous fixture that extended the Championship’s winless run to three games. Liverpool seized the opportunity to overtake Manchester City but were forced out by Marco Silva’s Fulham, who have been a thorn in the side of the league’s heavyweights this season. The home side took the lead through Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pinpoint free-kick and Alexis McAllister’s deflected deflection, but Fulham hit back twice and then through Bobby DeCodo Val Reid took the lead with a header at the far post. Stunning long-range strikes from Wataru Endo and Alexander-Arnold once again delivered a last-minute victory that was a staple of the Klopp era. The away team performed poorly but the only real loser on the day was Sky, who chose to show West Ham United 1-1 Crystal Palace.
Newcastle 2-3 Manchester City, January 13
No team has provided more entertainment this season than Newcastle, who have the highest goals-per-game ratio in the league (3.87). Two of the three eight-goal games this season have been performances by Eddie Howe’s men – the 4-4 draw with Luton Town and the 8-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The scoreline wasn’t that surprising this January, but it was a game full of quality. Three of the goals were shortlisted for the Premier League’s Goal of the Month, with Alexander Isak and Kevin De Bruyne both unfortunately missing out. City took the lead through Bernardo Silva’s brilliant back-heel, Newcastle took the lead through clinical finishing on the stroke of half-time from Isaac and Anthony Gordon, before De Bruyne added a fine finish of his own and Oscar The comeback was announced with a brilliant assist from Bobb, who converted a tricky chance with a stunning three-touch finish. The youngster’s moment of street football magic marked City’s move to the Championship, but could have been even more significant. Had the game been a draw, Arsenal would have been champions.
