MATCHWEEK 17 is HEREand there are some blockbuster Premier League ties taking place this weekend.
In today’s early kick off, Manchester City suffered yet another defeat at the hands of Aston Villa which now means Pep’s side have one win in their last TWELVE matches!
The standout 3pm clash is West Ham’s meeting with Brighton as Julen Lopetegui looks to ease pressure on his managerial situation.
But SunSport will also bring you all the goals from the remaining three matches taking place today.
- Kick off times: 12.30pm/3pm/5.30pm
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View from SunSport’s Jack Rosser at the London Stadium
The general vibe at West Ham is that everyone, fans and players, have somewhere better to be.
Jarrod Bowen has given it a go at getting West Ham into this one but that is about all there has been to report.
Neither side are playing with any real intensity and that is being reflected in the stands where the atmosphere is incredibly flat. Everyone just wants to tick this off and get Christmas underway.
View from SunSport’s Jack Rosser at the London Stadium
West Ham and Brighton should both be utterly ashamed of themselves after that first half.
The way both are playing either side could easily be winning this if they bothered to turn up, but neither look capable of much.
West Ham are defending well enough but every time they venture forwards the attacking player is largely on their own.
And the less said about Niclas Fullkrug’s full debut, the better.
View from SunSport’s Justin Allen at Portman Road
JACOB MURPHY has been running the show for Newcastle.
It was fitting he blasted in a rocket off the underside of the bar for 2-0 because he has been magnificent.
Murphy also timed his run to perfection to get on to Fabian Schar’s long pass down the right before teeing up Alexander Isak for the opener after 26 seconds.
The right winger has been causing Ipswich no end of problems.
And Toon were gifted an early Christmas gift by Ipswich for a third.
Keeper Arijanet Muric’s ball out from the back to Jens Cajuste was intercepted by Bruno Guimaroes, who teed up Isak to slot in.
Kieran McKenna’s side leak too many goals and until they sort that out can forget any chance of their return to the Premier League lasting more than this season.
Ipswich have not won a top-flight game at Portman Road since 2002. They have no chance of winning here today.
HT: West Ham 0-0 Brighton
This is by no means a Premier League classic.
Neither side can really find a rhythm in the game but currently that is suiting Lopetegui’s side more.
One thing the fans will be pinning their hopes to hear is that things can only get better.
HT: Ipswich Town 0-3 Newcastle
This could be a painful watch for the home fans.
The Magpies are dominating and looking clincal in front of goal.
It is hard to see any result but an away win at Portman Road.
HT: Brentford 0-1 Nott’m Forest
It is quite an even game at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Forest have taken one of their chances and have something to defend now.
Brentford will need to take it up a couple of gears if they want to protect theiir impressive home record.
Ipswich Town 0-3 Newcastle
45+1. Big mistake from Ipswich in defence is punished.
Guimaraes plays in Isak and he puts this game to bed.
This could be a long afternoon for Ed Sheeran and his Ally Pally hangover.
Goal – Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
West Ham 0-0 Brighton
45+1. The Hammers have come into this game more now.
They have had the better chances in the first-half.
Despiite this, we are still all square in the capital.
Brentford 0-1 Nott’m Forest
38. The deadlock has been broken in West London.
Aina is the goalscorer as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side look to consolidate fourth spot in the league.
Wood went to shoot and missed the ball completely but it fell to Aina who took his chance well.
Ipswich Town 0-2 Newcastle
32. Eddie Howe’s side are in complete control of thi game now.
Gordon comes up with the assist this time and Murphy slots home to double the visitors’ lead.
It looks a long way back now for the Tractor Boys.
Goal – Jacob Murphy (Newcastle)
View from SunSport’s Justin Allen at Portman Road
Newcastle are looking comfortable so far at Portman Road.
Fabian Schar played a peach of long pass forward to Jacob Murphy racing down the right.
He supplied a superb cross for Alexander Isak to slam home.
Assistant Natalie Aspinall did not raise her flag until the goal was scored — adjudging Murphy was offside.
But after more than two minutes of checking, VAR reversed the decision and ruled the Toon star onside.
And finally the Newcastle players and fans were able to celebrate.
Toon should have scored further with Anthony Gordon and Isak missing sitters.
But keeper Martin Dubravka had to do well to save from Sam Szmodics after being put one on one by a Conor Chaplin pass.
Ipswich Town 0-1 Newcastle
23. Newcastle are dominating the game.
They have had 60% possession so far and five shots in the game.
Ipswich Town have had a few glimpses on the counter but not really tested Dubravka.
Credit: Getty West Ham 0-0 Brighton
17. It has been a slow start at the London Stadium.
Neither side is creating anything in front of goal.
The fans in the capital will be regretting having not gone Christmas shopping this afternoon.
Brentford 0-0 Nott’m Forest
5. Forest have dominated possession in the early stages.
That will not bother Thomas Frank, they are all about the direct play on the counter.
The only two shots of the game so far have both been from the hosts.
Ipswich Town 0-1 Newcastle
1. The Magpies break the deadlock after just 26 seconds.
Murphy does well setting him free and he makes no mistake in beating Muric to score.
It has all gone quiet at Portman Road.
Goal – Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
Brighton starting XI:
Brighton will be looking to put some pressure on the sides above them with victory in the capital this afternoon.
1. Verbruggen, 34. Veltman, 29. van Hecke, 5. Dunk, 30. Estupinan, 20. Baleba, 27. Wieffer, 8. Gruda, 14. Rutter, 22. Mitoma, 9. Pedro
Credit: @OfficialBHAFC West Ham starting XI:
Fullkrug leads the line for The Hammers as they look to improve their woeful home form this season.
1. Fabianski, 29. Wan-Bissaka, 26. Kilman, 15. Mavropanos, 33. Emerson, 28. Soucek, 19. Soucek, 19. Alvarez, 10. Paqueta, 14. Kudus, 20. Bowen, 11. Fullkrug
Credit: @WestHam Newcastle starting XI:
The big news for The Magpies is that there is no Nick Pope this afternoon, Martin Dubravka deputises.
1. Dubravka, 21. Livramento, 5. Schar, 33. Burn, 20. Hall, 8. Tonali, 39. Guimaraes, 28. Willock, 23. Murphy, 14. Isak, 10. Gordon
Credit: @NUFC
Ipswich Town starting XI:
The Tractor Boys will be hoping to give their fans some festive cheer at Portman Road this afternoon.
1. Muric, 2. H. Clarke, 26. O’Shea, 15. Burgess, 3. Davis, 5. Morsy, 12. Cajuste, 7. Burns, 20. Hutchinson, 23. Szmodics, 10. Chaplin
Credit: @IpswichTown Nott’m Forest starting XI:
After his exploits coming off the bench in their last game, Elanga makes the starting line-up for the visit to the capital.
26. Sels, 4. Morato, 5. Murillo, 7. Williams, 8. Anderson, 10. Gibbs-White, 11. Wood, 14. Hudson-Odoi, 21. Elanga, 31. Milenkovic, 34. Aina
Credit: @NFFC Brentford starting XI:
Thomas Frank’s side are looking to keep their impressive home record going against high flying Forest in the capital.
1. Flekken, 20. Ajer, 22. Collins, 16. Mee, 23. Lewis-Potter, 6. Norgaard, 27. Janelt, 24. Damsgaard, 7. Schade, 19. Mbuemo, 11. Wissa
Credit: @BrentfordFC Bees favourites to keep home form
Brentford have been in exceptional form at the Gtech Community Stadium this campaign and the bookies do not see that changing today.
Brentford – 7/5
Draw – 5/2
Nott’m Forest – 9/5
All match odds brought to you by Betway.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
