EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 21 Recap

After a week-long layoff, the packed schedule has brought us a combined article covering two matchweeks. I’ll keep this intro as brief as possible, as we have two matchweeks to recap and another to preview. Liverpool continue to lead the charge with a six-point advantage and a game in hand, followed by Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, who are level on points. Chelsea, meanwhile, sit fourth and have stumbled heavily in recent weeks. Manchester City have climbed back to fifth, while Newcastle’s heavy defeat to Bournemouth dropped them to sixth and elevated Bournemouth to seventh. Rounding out the top ten are Aston Villa, Brighton and Fulham. Meanwhile, Manchester United sit 13th, with Tottenham in 14th, just eight points above the relegation zone, which currently consists of Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton. There’s a lot to cover, so without further ado, here is your English Premier League 2024-25: Matchweek 21 & 22 Recap & Matchweek 23 Preview.

Brentford 2-2 Manchester City

Brentford 2-2 Manchester CityManchester City dropped crucial points in their pursuit of the top as Brentford staged a late comeback to share the spoils at the Gtech Community Stadium. Phil Foden’s double appeared to have given City a comfortable lead, but late strikes from Wissa and Norgaard ensured the Bees’ resilience was rewarded. Brentford’s relentless pressure in the final minutes left City frustrated, highlighting persistent defensive vulnerabilities in Guardiola’s side.

Chelsea 2-2 AFC Bournemouth

Chelsea 2-2 AFC BournemouthChelsea’s winless streak extended to five games after a dramatic 95th-minute free kick from Reece James salvaged a point at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer’s goal had initially put the Blues ahead, but Bournemouth turned the tide with goals from Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo. Chelsea’s inability to capitalize on their dominance nearly cost them, but James’ late heroics ensured a share of the points.

West Ham United 3-2 Fulham

Graham Potter secured his first league victory as West Ham manager in a thrilling London derby. Goals from Soler, Soucek, and Paqueta capitalized on Fulham’s defensive errors, while Alex Iwobi’s brace kept the visitors in the contest. West Ham’s win provided a much-needed boost in their bid to climb out of the relegation zone.

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool

Nottingham Forest’s remarkable season continued with a gutsy performance at home to the league leaders. Chris Wood’s opener stunned Liverpool, but super-sub Diogo Jota came off the bench to deliver an equalizer. Liverpool dominated large spells of the game, but Forest’s resilience, combined with standout defending, particularly by Murillo, earned them a vital point and kept their top-four aspirations alive.

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins’ decisive second-half goal gave Aston Villa a crucial away win at Goodison Park. Everton showed promise under David Moyes but lacked the finishing touch to trouble Villa’s organized defense. Unai Emery’s men, in contrast, made the most of their chances, solidifying their position in the race for European football.

Leicester City 0-2 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace eased past struggling Leicester City, with second-half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guehi. Despite Leicester’s dominance in possession, their inability to convert chances proved costly. Palace’s clinical counter-attacks and solid defensive shape highlighted the gulf in confidence between the two sides.

Newcastle United 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Newcastle’s fine form continued with a commanding win over Wolves at St. James’ Park. Alexander Isak’s brace and Anthony Gordon’s late strike showcased the Magpies’ attacking prowess, while Wolves struggled to deal with their high press. The result reinforced Newcastle’s credentials as top-four contenders.

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

The North London derby lived up to its name as Arsenal edged out Tottenham in a tightly contested affair. Heung-Min Son gave Spurs an early lead, but a Solanke own goal and Leandro Trossard’s strike completed the comeback for Arsenal. Despite late Spurs pressure, Arsenal’s solid defense and midfield control proved decisive, maintaining their unbeaten run in recent weeks and boosting their title challenge.

Ipswich Town 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton ended their winless run with a professional display at Portman Road. Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter were on target in the second half, as Ipswich’s resistance crumbled. Brighton’s control of the game highlighted their quality, while Ipswich failed to muster much in the way of attacking threat.

Manchester United 3-1 Southampton

Amad Diallo’s late hat-trick capped off a remarkable turnaround for Manchester United against Southampton. After falling behind to an early own goal by Ugarte, United rallied late, with Diallo producing moments of brilliance to snatch the points. Southampton, despite their promising start, were left ruing missed chances as their struggles continued.

EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 22 Recap

Newcastle United 1-4 AFC Bournemouth

A sensational hat-trick from Justin Kluivert ended Newcastle’s nine-match winning streak as Bournemouth claimed an emphatic 4-1 victory at St. James’ Park. Kluivert opened the scoring early, restored Bournemouth’s lead before halftime, and completed his treble with a stunning strike in stoppage time. Milos Kerkez added the fourth after a swift counterattack. Bournemouth’s intense pressing forced errors from Newcastle’s backline, with assists from Semenyo and Ouattara highlighting their attacking efficiency. Bruno Guimares briefly equalized for Newcastle with a header, but the hosts’ forwards were kept quiet, registering just one shot on target. This was Newcastle’s first home game of the season conceding three or more goals.

Brentford 0-2 Liverpool

Liverpool left it late but secured a 2-0 win over Brentford with two stoppage-time goals from Darwin Nunez. Brentford’s defensive resilience, led by goalkeeper Mark Flekken, held firm for much of the game, but their inability to capitalize on counterattacks ultimately proved costly. Liverpool dominated possession and registered 37 shots but struggled to convert chances, with Gakpo missing a key opportunity and Szoboszlai hitting the woodwork. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s assist for Nunez broke the deadlock before the striker doubled his tally minutes later to seal the victory.

Leicester City 0-2 Fulham

Fulham’s second-half dominance earned them a 2-0 victory over Leicester, who are now on a seven-game losing streak. Emile Smith Rowe headed in Lukic’s flick-on to open the scoring, and Adama Traore’s volley from a Wilson cross sealed the result. Despite Leicester’s bright start, their lack of finishing quality left them vulnerable. Vardy’s energy wasn’t enough as Fulham controlled possession and punished the Foxes’ defensive lapses.

West Ham United 0-2 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace claimed a 2-0 win over West Ham, who failed to register a single shot on target after scoring three the week before. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored both goals, first from a counterattack in the 48th minute and then from the penalty spot after Lukasz Fabianski’s foul. Eberechi Eze delivered an assist and created four chances, while Mateta’s clinical finishing proved decisive. West Ham’s struggles in attack left them with an xG of just 0.28, reflecting a lackluster performance.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw at the Emirates in a pulsating clash against Arsenal. Leandro Trossard hit the woodwork early, but Villa’s Tielemans and Watkins scored second-half goals to counter Arsenal’s initial lead. Arsenal pushed for a winner late on but were denied by a combination of VAR and several key saves from Emi Martinez. Villa’s resilience under pressure and Watkins’ involvement in both goals highlighted their quality while Arsenal’s pursuit of the top took another stumble.

Everton 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Everton held off a late Spurs fightback to claim a dramatic 3-2 win at Goodison Park. Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring, and Everton went into halftime leading 3-0 after capitalizing on Spurs’ defensive errors. Second-half goals from Kulusevski and Richarlison brought Tottenham back into the game, but they couldn’t overcome their early deficit. Everton’s tactical switch to control the final third proved crucial in securing the win.

Manchester United 1-3 Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton continued their impressive form at Old Trafford, becoming only the second team in Premier League history to win three consecutive games there with a 3-1 victory. Minteh’s early goal gave Brighton the lead, and Mitoma doubled it after the break. Although Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot, Onana’s error allowed Brighton to secure a third goal. Brighton’s defensive organization restricted United to minimal chances, with Verbruggen not forced into a single save.

Nottingham Forest 3-2 Southampton

Nottingham Forest secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Southampton to move level on points with Arsenal. Forest dominated the first half, scoring three goals, including Chris Wood’s decisive header. Southampton improved in the second half, with Bednarek pulling one back and Onuachu threatening late on. However, costly defensive errors left the Saints unable to complete the comeback, as they remain the team with the most errors leading to goals this season.

Ipswich Town 0-6 Manchester City

Manchester City cruised to a 6-0 win over Ipswich, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland leading the charge. Foden scored twice and assisted Kovacic, while Haaland, McAtee, and others contributed to the rout. Ipswich managed just four shots on target and struggled to handle City’s relentless pressure. The result reaffirmed City’s attacking dominance and Ipswich’s struggles against top-tier opposition.

Chelsea 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Chelsea ended their winless streak with a 3-1 victory over Wolves. Despite falling behind early, the Blues scored two goals in quick succession during the second half, showcasing their resilience. Wolves’ continued issues with defending set-pieces were exploited, as Chelsea’s three goals all came from dead-ball situations. While players like Palmer and Jackson struggled for influence, Chelsea capitalized on Wolves’ defensive frailties to secure a much-needed win.

EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 23 Preview

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2025

AFC Bournemouth vs. Nottingham Forest – 10:00 AM

Bournemouth, fresh off their commanding win at Newcastle, face a high-flying Nottingham Forest side. Bournemouth’s unbeaten run of ten matches is a testament to their defensive organization and effective counterattacking play, with Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo leading the way. However, they’ll face a stern test against a Forest side who sit third in the table and have conceded the fewest goals in the league. Chris Wood continues to deliver for Forest, while Anthony Elanga’s creativity and pace provide a constant threat. I expect a tactical battle with Forest’s defensive solidity likely making the difference.

Prediction: AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Nottingham Forest

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Everton – 10:00 AM

Brighton ended their eight-game winless streak with a professional 2-0 victory over Ipswich and will aim to carry that momentum into their clash with Everton. Kaoru Mitoma’s return to form has been vital, while Rutter’s ability to link play adds a dynamic edge to the Seagulls’ attack. Everton, meanwhile, are desperate for a spark under David Moyes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fitness is key, but their lack of cutting edge in front of goal continues to haunt them. Brighton’s superior possession and pressing style should see them dominate proceedings.

Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Everton

Liverpool vs. Ipswich Town – 10:00 AM

Liverpool return to Anfield to face Ipswich in what looks to be a favorable matchup for the league leaders. Darwin Nunez’s recent form has added a new dimension to Liverpool’s attack, and Cody Gakpo’s consistency provides additional firepower. Ipswich, on the other hand, are struggling to adapt to the pace of Premier League football, as highlighted by their heavy defeat to Manchester City. Although Liam Delap’s work rate is commendable, the Tractor Boys’ defensive frailties could make this a long afternoon.

Prediction: Liverpool 4-0 Ipswich Town

Southampton vs. Newcastle United – 10:00 AM

Southampton remain rooted to the bottom of the table, and their defensive vulnerabilities were again exposed in their 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest. Newcastle, coming off an uncharacteristic defeat to Bournemouth, will be eager to get back on track. Alexander Isak’s red-hot form and Bruno Guimaraes’s midfield control alongside Sandro Tonali should prove too much for the Saints, whose lack of a consistent goal scorer remains a significant issue.

Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Newcastle United

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Arsenal – 10:00 AM

Wolves’ poor form continued with a 3-1 loss to Chelsea, and their defensive issues don’t bode well against a potent Arsenal side. The Gunners, frustrated by Aston Villa in a 2-2 draw, will look to return to winning ways. Leandro Trossard’s creativity and Martin Odegaard’s influence in midfield make them heavy favorites, especially against a Wolves side that struggles against high-intensity pressing.

Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Arsenal

Manchester City vs. Chelsea – 12:30 PM

Manchester City host Chelsea in a clash of two sides with contrasting form. City’s 6-0 demolition of Ipswich highlighted their attacking brilliance, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland leading the charge. Chelsea, despite their win over Wolves, remain inconsistent and overly reliant on individual moments from Reece James and Cole Palmer. This matchup feels poised for goals from both sides, and I think it will end in a draw this time around.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-2 Chelsea

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2025

Crystal Palace vs. Brentford – 9:00 AM

Crystal Palace’s resilience under Fabien Hurzeler continues to shine, as they remain unbeaten in their last five matches. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s clinical finishing and Eberechi Eze’s creativity provide a solid foundation for the Eagles. Brentford, however, are unpredictable, as seen in their thrilling 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa’s partnership remains their biggest threat, but Palace’s defensive discipline could prove decisive.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brentford

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leicester City – 9:00 AM

Spurs’ struggles under Ange Postecoglou show no signs of slowing down, with their defensive frailties exposed yet again in their loss to Everton. Leicester, on a seven-match losing streak, face similar challenges. Jamie Vardy’s experience could be key for the Foxes, but Spurs’ attacking trio of Maddison, Son, and Kulusevski should have enough to secure the win.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Leicester City

Aston Villa vs. West Ham United – 11:30 AM

Aston Villa’s resurgence under Unai Emery has been remarkable, with Ollie Watkins leading the charge. Their ability to dominate at Villa Park makes them formidable opponents for a West Ham side still finding its feet under Graham Potter. While Lucas Paqueta provides creativity for the Hammers, Villa’s home form and solidity should see them through.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham United

Fulham vs. Manchester United – 2:00 PM

Fulham’s European aspirations have taken a hit with recent inconsistent performances, but Raúl Jiménez’s goal-scoring form offers hope. Manchester United, buoyed by Amad Diallo’s late hat-trick against Southampton, need consistency to push for the top four. This clash could hinge on the midfield battle, with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte pivotal for United.

Prediction: Fulham 1-3 Manchester United