OneFootball
Seamus Leonard·23 November 2020
OneFootball
Seamus Leonard·23 November 2020
It was another behind closed doors Sunday, with four Premier League games perfectly spaced out for our viewing enjoyment.
Most eyes were on how a severely-depleted Liverpool would cope with the visit of high-flying Leicester.
Arsenal made the trip to Elland Road to take on Leeds, and there were a couple of other tasty encounters as well.
There were genuine fears for Liverpoolâs incredible home record heading into this one.
With a makeshift centre-back partnership, a novel midfield trio, and Mo Salah missing due to COVID-19, it seemed the fates were conspiring against JĂŒrgen Kloppâs men.
But the defending champions are made of stern stuff, and they produced a stunning performance to sweep away the visitors.
The victory could and arguably should have been more comprehensive. Brendan Rodgers and Leicester can take some solace from the fact that it wasnât.
For the Merseysiders, itâs now 64 game league games unbeaten (and counting) at Anfield.
Arsenal travelled to Elland Road on the back of three defeats in their last four league games.
They needed all three points to get push them back up towards the European spots.
What they got instead was Nicolas PĂ©pĂ©âs ridiculous second-half headbutt on Ezgjan Alioski.
After hitting the woodwork three times and forcing Bernd Leno into a number of fine stops, Leeds will consider themselves unlucky not to have bagged the win.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will take the point and the clean sheet. But he needs goals, and quick!
If nothing else, Everton are always value for money.
A brace from in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye DoucourĂ©âs first goal for the club helped the Toffees to a 3-1 lead at the break at Craven Cottage.
But it should have been all-square with 20 minutes to go.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek managed to reduce the hostsâ arrears, but the key moment of the match came a couple of minutes earlier with Ivan Cavaleiroâs comical effort from the spot.
Not that the struggling Cottagers will be laughing.
Itâs safe to say that SĂ©bastien Haller has not become a fan favourite at West Ham.
Signed for a club-record fee from Eintracht Frankfurt in July 2019, the Ivory Coast international has had to deal with being labelled a flop.
But he came up trumps at Bramall Lane, with his fierce drive from just outside the penalty area proving the difference between the sides.
Two wins on the bounce now for the Hammers. The Blades, on the other hand, still await that elusive first league win of the season.