Around the Premier League: Matchweek 11
After some mid-week UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League group stage matches, the Premier League returned for some regular season action.
Arsenal stays atop the table in a victory over Leeds United, Salah strikes as Liverpool gets a massive win over Manchester City and Bournemouth continues to bounce back.
Let’s dive into these top storylines from soccer’s top league.
Arsenal Defeats Leeds United to Stay in First
Arsenal continued their Premier League-leading start with a 1-0 win over Leeds United.
A game that was expected to be an easy three points for the Gunners was played much tighter than anyone could have anticipated.
Leeds had plenty of great scoring chances but could not find the back of the net. The top-scoring opportunity for Leeds was Patrick Bamford’s penalty attempt in the 64th minute that; Bamford struck wide.
Leeds’ scoring struggles can be attributed to a lack of shot accuracy. They attempted 16 shots, but only four of them hit the net.
Bukayo Saka scored the game's lone goal in the 35th minute off a beautiful through ball from Martin Ødegaard.
While Aaron Ramsdale made four saves enroute to his fourth clean sheet of the season.
Arsenal will look to stay atop of the table as they go against Southampton on Sunday. While Leeds will look to secure three points on Sunday against Fulham.
Salah’s Goal Leads Liverpool Over Manchester City
Liverpool got a much-needed result as they defeated Manchester City 1-0 on Sunday.
Manchester City appeared to open the scoring in the 53rd minute as Phil Foden’s shot ricocheted off Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and went in.
Liverpool protested that Erling Haaland interfered with Alisson by kicking the ball out of his hands. The goal ended up being disallowed but not due to goaltender interference; instead, it was due to a foul committed earlier in the build-up by Haaland.
In the 76th minute, Mohamed Salah controlled a long outlet pass by Alisson and broke the deadlock with a beautiful strike past Ederson.
However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Liverpool as star mid-forward Diogo Jota was stretchered off with a calf injury that is expected to keep him out until at least the end of the World Cup break.
Next up for Manchester City is Saturday's match against Brighton & Hove Albion. While Liverpool will look to climb up the table in a matchup against West Ham on Wednesday.
Bournemouth’s Resurgence
After opening the 2022-23 campaign with a 1-0-3 record with multiple goal losses to the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal while also being embarrassed 9-0 against Liverpool, Bournemouth looked like a team doomed to be fighting to avoid relegation. However, they have bounced back quite nicely.
Bournemouth sacked their manager, Scott Parker, following the 9-0 Liverpool loss, and it has lit a fire under the Bournemouth players.
Led by interim manager Gary O’Neil, Bournemouth has gained points in their last six matches, including wins over Leicester City and Nottingham Forest.
Bournemouth now sits tenth on the table and within striking distance of a Europa League spot.
They will look to keep up their recent success in a match on Wednesday against Southampton.
Ben Palillo is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.
