Around the Premier League: Matchweek 20
After another stoppage of play for the FA and Carabao Cup, the Premier League returned this weekend with some excellent matches.
Lloris’ gaffe overshadows Arsenal's win over Tottenham, Manchester United gets a massive win over Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion's stunning Liverpool were among the top storylines from this past weekend.
Let’s dive into these top storylines from soccer’s top league.
Lloris’ Gaffe Overshadows Arsenal's Win Over Tottenham
In the latest rendition of the North London Derby, Arsenal defeated Tottenham 2-0 to open up an eight-point lead over Manchester City for first place.
This game will be remembered though not for Arsenal’s impressive road win but for Hugo Lloris’
own goal.
In the 14th minute, Bukayo Saka sent a weak cross from the goalline into the box that Lloris parried off both of his gloves and into the net for an own goal to give Arsenal an early 1-0 advantage.
Then in the 36th minute, the Gunners doubled their advantage. Saka dribbled up the right wing before passing it to Martin Ødegaard, who struck it from outside the box and curled it perfectly into the bottom right corner.
The Hotspurs tried their best to get back into the game, with their best chance being in the 55th minute when a Harry Kane header from inside the box was turned away by Aaron Ramsdale.
Tottenham never found the back of the net and has been shut out in two of their last three Premier League games.
The Hotspurs will look to bounce back on Thursday when they face Manchester City. While Arsenal will look to continue its excellent campaign when they face Manchester United on Saturday.
Manchester United Gets Huge Win Over Manchester City
The 189th rendition of the Manchester Derby came up red and white as Manchester United defeated Manchester City 2-1 in Old Trafford.
After a scoreless first half, Jack Grealish broke the deadlock. In the 60th minute, Grealish headed in a Kevin De Bruyne cross to give Manchester City the 1-0 lead.
After being dormant for most of the match, in the 78th minute, Manchester United came to life.
Casemiro sent a through ball to Bruno Fernandes, who slotted it into the back of the net.
Initially, Fernandes’ goal was ruled offside, but after a VAR review, the goal was allowed.
Just five minutes later, Manchester United struck again. Alejandro Garnacho spun around Nathan Aké and passed it on to the right foot of Marcus Rashford, who snuck it through Ederson’s legs to give Manchester United a 2-1 lead.
In the 87th minute, Erling Haaland had a chance to equalize but sent his header just over the crossbar, and that would be as close as Manchester City would get to salvaging a point.
Brighton & Hove Albion Stuns Liverpool
Liverpool’s nightmare 2022-23 campaign continued on Saturday as they fell to Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0.
After multiple scoring chances in the first half, Brighton & Hove Albion finally broke through just two minutes into the second half.
Matip played a sloppy pass trying to clear, which turned into a beautiful passing play for the blue and white, ending in a Solly March goal.
Just six minutes later, March struck again. Evan Fergurson played a through ball to March, who curled a beautiful shot past the outstretched arms of Alisson to double Brighton & Hove Albion’s advantage.
March again would be involved in the offense after he headed it right onto the foot of Danny Welbeck to make it 3-0 in the 81st minute.
Liverpool would try to ruin the clean sheet late but could not strike polyethylene.
Liverpool will try to bounce back on Saturday when they square off against Chelsea. While Brighton & Hove Albion will look to extend their win streak to three when they face Leicester on Saturday.
Ben Palillo is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.
