Around the Premier League: Matchweek 22
This past weekend was filled with upsets as the Premier League draws closer to decision day.
Everton stunning Arsenal, Wolverhampton taking down Liverpool and Leeds United cleaning house were some of the top storylines from this past weekend.
Let’s dive into these top storylines from soccer's top league.
Everton Stuns Arsenal
In Sean Dyche’s first game as Everton’s manager, the Toffees came to play as they upset league-leading Arsenal 1-0.
Both squads had many scoring opportunities, but in the 60th minute, one chance was finally converted.
Dwight McNeil swung a corner into a crowd of bodies where James Tarkowski managed to head into the right corner giving Aaron Ramsdale no chance.
The Gunners would try to equalize, with their best chance coming on a 78th-minute shot from Leandro Trossard that Jordan Pickford punched away.
Arsenal had a few more chances late but struggled to find the frame of the goal for the entire game, with only three shots out of their 15 attempts being on target.
Arsenal will look to bounce back on Saturday when they host Brentford. While Everton will look to parlay this momentum into another three points when they travel to take on Liverpool.
Wolverhampton Take Down Liverpool
Liverpool’s nightmare 2022-23 campaign continued on Saturday as they fell to Wolves 3-0.
Wolverhampton got offensive pressure early, and in the fifth minute, they struck. Pablo Sarabia sent a pass into the box that Hwang Hee-Chan attempted to pass to Matheus Nunes, who was making a run toward the back post.
Instead, the pass deflected off the leg of Joël Matip and into the net for an own goal.
Then in the 12th minute, Wolverhampton doubled their advantage. Off of a free kick, Matheus Cunha sent a cross that pinballed off some defenders and onto the foot of Craig Dawson. Dawson blasted it past Alisson to make it 2-0 Wolverhampton.
In the 71st minute, Rúben Neves added an insurance marker for the black and gold. After a midfield turnover from Liverpool, Adama Traoré dribbled down the right wing before threading a pass to Neves, leaving him one-on-one with Alisson. Neves slid it past him to give Wolverhampton the 3-0 lead.
Liverpool had plenty of chances to get on the board. The red and white had 22 shot attempts, but only four were on target.
Wolverhampton will look to get a big three points when they face Southampton on Saturday.
Leeds United Clean House
After just 343 days, Jesse Marsch’s time as Leeds United manager has come to an end. On Monday, Leeds United announced that they had sacked Marsch following a Premier League winless streak that dates back to November.
The blue and yellow also sacked Rene Maric, Cameron Toshack and Pierre Barrieu. Michael Skubala has been appointed as the interim manager and secured a point in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United in his first game.
Leeds United currently sits 16th in the table and just one point clear of the relegation zone. Next up for the blue and yellow is another match against Manchester United on Sunday.
Ben Palillo is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.
