THE Premier League season is hurtling towards a dramatic conclusion – with five crunch clashes on tonight.
Nottingham Forest picked up a huge three points after beating Fulham 3-1, while fellow relegation battlers Everton secured a dramatic 1-1 draw at Newcastle after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late penalty.
While Tottenham drew 1-1 at West Ham in the late kick-off.
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Home is where the heart is
When sides come up from The Championship, one of the biggest factors in survival is making your home ground a fortress.
Burnley have struggled with that this season and tonight’s game was a classic example.
On paper, in terms of stats, they were the better side and created far more clear-cut chances than Wolves.
Vincent Kompany’s side just seem to be lacking natural goalscorers in the final third however.
Cherries pick up valuable win
Bournemouth fans will not want to reflect back on that game as a Premier League classic from Andoni Iraola’s side.
However, winning games is what counts at this time of the season.
The Cherries are now only four points behind West Ham in seventh place and European football is not out of the question.
To achieve that would be a huge positive for their first season under their new manager.
Credit: Getty Forest address points deduction
After falling behind to Crystal Palace at home on the weekend, the turnaround by Nuno Espirito-Santo contributed to a big four points in their last two games.
As a result, they are now three points clear of Luton Town, who travel to The Emirates to face Arsenal tomorrow.
It looks like it is going to be a titanic battle to secure Premier League status at the bottom but tonight’s win was a huge statement.
Magpies flying south in the table
Newcastle missed the chance to put some pressure on the sides above them this evening by not putting the game to bed.
They created enough chances to win this game comfortably but at one-nil, gave Everton hope they could land a sucker-punch.
As a result, the glimmer of hope of achieving European qualification took a huge blow tonight.
Spurs struggle for consistency when it counts
In the race for Champions League football, victory this evening would have seen Tottenham move level on points with Aston Villa.
With Unai Emery’s side travelling to The Etihad tomorrow, it surely would have been advantage Spurs.
They will be hoping the Premier League is given five places for next season’s competition as they seem unable to peg Aston Villa back from fourth place.
Credit: Getty FT: West Ham 1-1 Tottenham
Despite Spurs having the majority of possession during the game, the stats show that a draw was probably a fair result.
If Postecoglou wants to take this team to the next level, he needs to address that.
West Ham defended well and, as ever, they look dangerous on the break with Bowen and Kudus.
FT: Burnley 1-1 Wolves
Vincent Kompany will see this as a chance missed this evening.
His side gave him the performance he asked of from them, but they just could not turn chances into goals.
Wolves looked like they had more quality in the final third and threatened whenever they came forward.
FT: West Ham 1-1 Tottenham
What a frantic end to this game.
West Ham were pressing, looking for a winner and move broke down and Tottenham had a three on three situation.
The Hammers got the ball back and went straight up the other end but Paqueta could not find that killer pass.
West Ham 1-1 Tottenham
90. The fourth official raises their board to notify of an additional four minutes.
West Ham come forward and force a corner.
Chance for Ward-Prowse to do his thing.
FT: Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace just really could not get a foothold in the game.
They struggled to get Eze involved enough in areas of the pitch where he could hurt The Cherries.
Bournemouth did not create as much as Iraola would have liked but they got that all-important goal to take all the points.
West Ham 1-1 Tottenham
82. Both managers are making changes, trying to find something to create that winning goal.
Tottenham look good in their build-up play but they are lacking that killer pass in the final third.
David Moyes’ side need to start giving their fans more to get them off their seats and create an atmopshere for these final stages.
FT: Nott’m Forest 3-1 Fulham
It was a game of two halves for Marco Silva’s side this evening.
In the first half, they were not at the races and it looked like a walk in the park for Nott’m Forest.
Despite turning up the pressure in the second half, Fulham did not take the chances they created.
Huge win for Forest in their relegation battle.
West Ham 1-1 Tottenham
75. The visitors are asking questions of West Ham’s defence.
Credit where it is due, The Hammers have been resolute and when Tottenham get corners, they are dominating the aerial battles.
David Moyes will still be hoping his side can find another goal on the break.
Credit: AFP FT: Newcastle 1-1 Everton
Eddie Howe will very much see this as two points dropped by his side at St James’ Park this evening.
They had plenty of chances to kill the game off and even had a second goal ruled out for offside.
A silly challenge in the box has cost them, although Everton are still on their longest run without a win since the 1950s.
FT: Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace
West Ham 1-1 Tottenham
65. As you would expect Spurs are dominating possession.
Under Postecoglou they do look to play a style that sees them retaining possession.
Despite this, it is The Hammers who are creating the more chances.
FT: Burnley 1-1 Wolves
Burnley 1-1 Wolves
90+3. Time is running out for Vincent Komany’s side.
This has been their problem all season, not winning enough games at Turf Moor.
It may well be what sees them relegated.
Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace
90+3. Into the third minute of added time and it is all about game management now for the hosts.
They have the lead and there is no need to throw players forward.
Controlling possession and frustrating their opponents will see them through now.
West Ham 1-1 Tottenham
60. This game looks like it will definitely not stay 1-1.
Both sides are looking dangerous when they come forward and another goal seems immenent.
West Ham’s direct style of play is really stretching this Spurs defence.
Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace
88. The visitors claim they should be awarded a penalty.
VAR sent the referee to the monitor but he stuck by his decision of no penalty.
Seeing the replay, it was never a foul and thankfully common sense has prevailed.
Burnley 1-1 Wolves
83. Neither side has given up on winning this game.
It is end to end stuff, Wolves creating a good chance for Sarabia but his shot was blocked.
With both Forest and Everton picking up points this evening, The Clarets really need to find a winning goal.
Credit: Reuters FT: Newcastle 1-1 Everton
West Ham 1-1 Tottenham
53. Antonio is starting to cause problems for the hosts.
Using his physical presence, he finds Paqueta who cannot find a finish and the keeper saves.
The Brazilian should really be doing better from that position.
Newcastle 1-1 Everton
90+5. We are in the midst of nine additional minutes at St James’ Park.
It is a case of stick or twist for both sides.
Everton may take a point considering how much The Magpies have dominated this game.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
