The Best Games of Matchweek Eighteen!

Everton 2–1 Wolves

Everton had already made an impressive start to the Premier League season, winning 5 away games before the new year. On the other hand, Wolves hadn’t won in their last 5 games, so they knew that a win against Everton would be a great place for a new start. 

Everton were probably a slight favorite coming into this game, and they pulled through. Even without their main man Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was out injured, they still managed to find goals through their creativity. Gylfi Sigurdsson looked very lively throughout his time on the field, creating channels of space which his team exploited. 

Abdoulaye Doucoure also looked very good today. His passes were accurate, and each one had purpose. His movements on and off the ball were excellent. I think that Everton did a great piece of business in signing him from Watford. However, I feel that James Rodriguez is lacking something. After a blistering first few weeks of the season, he has sort of dropped off. He is undeniably talented, but for all the money that Everton paid for him, he needs to make more goal contributions. 

The first goal for Everton came when Sigurdsson linked up brilliantly from a James cross, laying it across the edge of the box for Alex Iwobi, with acres of space around him. The Nigerian sidefooted the layoff into the bottom corner with a smart finish. The second goal originated from an Everton corner that was headed away. However, no Wolves players were able to repossess the ball. André Gomes recycled the ball and put in a perfect cross for Michael Keane to head into the far corner. Keane is superb from set pieces, and he is starting to put in more and more goals with every new season. Everton move into fourth place after the win. Europe is definitely calling for them.

Wolves may have lost, but they were actually very good today as well. Just like Everton, Wolves were without their main man. With Raul Jimenez injured, Wolves relied on Fabio Silva to lead the line. Silva may not be scoring much, but he looks very dangerous all throughout the field. He is only 18 years old, so he still has lots to learn. Personally, I think that Ruben Neves was the best player on the field overall. He looked so dangerous from every position, and almost scored a goal-of-the-season contender, where he controlled and volleyed the ball from 25 yards out, missing the goal by mere inches. Neves also scored the only goal for Wolves on the night. Leander Dendoncker had two great opportunities, though he missed both; he hit the ball wide when he was on the edge of the box, and headed the ball high from a set piece. 

I must say, however, that Wolves again looked fragile defensively, just like in their game against Burnley a couple of weeks back. Their defense was slow, and through-balls were their kryptonite. Alex Iwobi almost doubled the score after he was fed in by Rodriguez, only for Iwobi’s shot to be saved by Rui Patricio. For me, Nelson Semedo in particular is one of the big problems. Yes, he can put in a good tackle, but he is prone to dispossession in dangerous positions, mainly due to his thin frame compared to a strong, bulky defender like Conor Cody or Virgil Van Dijk. However, I think that the main issue with the Wolves defense is a lack of communication. All too often, attackers wind up surrounded by Wolves defenders, but when the pass comes, the attackers are able to split away from the group. 

Wolves know that this was a great chance to move up the table, but they squandered it. However, they have an even better chance next week when they host West Bromwich Albion. For Everton, their fantastic away form continues. Things seem to really be clicking this season for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Spurs 1–1 Fulham

Spurs were huge favorites to win this game, despite their recent track record of underperformance. Fulham know they need to get points on the road in order to mount a challenge for Premier League survival.

Spurs looked very sharp in the first half. The Lilywhites constantly pressed Fulham, and restricted their passing as well. Pierre Højbjerg was especially good, combining with Harry Winks to form a strong central defensive midfield. Another Tottenham player that I really liked was Sergio Regulión. The Spaniard has all the qualities of a modern fullback, using his pace to get high up the field. And just like a modern fullback, Regulión has incredible distribution. Tottenham's sole goal of the game came when Højbjerg launched the ball down the field for Regulión. The 24-year-old then controlled it, crossing it to Harry Kane who was inside the box. The striker never misses from there, heading it far into the low corner past keeper Alphonse Areola. However, one thing that I did notice about Spurs today was how wasteful they were. Not counting the goal, Spurs had three other golden opportunities which could have won them the game, had they taken them.

The first great chance happened early on, when Regulión was blessed with two quick scoring opportunities, after Serge Aurier fizzed the ball to him in the box. His first shot was blocked by a Fulham defender, and his second attempt really should have been better, as he skyed it over the bar. The second of Spurs’ great chances happened when Aurier was released by Musa Sissoko on the edge of the box, to cross it into an unmarked Kane. Strangely, the Englishman wasn’t clinical enough, hitting the ball over from just a few yards out. The third great opportunity came when Heung Min Son was played in with a through ball by Tanguy Ndombele. The South Korean has so often stayed calm and composed under such circumstances but, in this instance, somehow fluffed his lines. His low shot across goal hit off the post, and back into the hands of Areola. Eventually, these missed chances came back to bite them, as Fulham equalized late on. José Mourinho will be furious that his team let two points drift by.

Fulham are getting a reputation in the Premier League as a tough team to beat, and they showed that here. Scott Parker’s side was compact all throughout the game, but sprung to life when they needed to. A huge credit needs to be given to Areola. He made big saves that his team needed. His point blank save against Son in the box, where he was able to get his foot in the way of his low shot, helped to keep Spurs at bay. Another standout player who continues to impress me is Ademola Lookman. His creativity and persistence to find space is simply captivating; the late Fulham equalizer was a result of this. Lookman made a sharp turn to drive off Davidson Sanchez, and then played in a deadly cross for Ivan Cavaleiro to head past Hugo Lloris inside the box. Lookman is able to contribute to goals as well, making him the ideal playmaker and goalscorer for the Whites.

Fulham may not have the most talented squad, but what I like about them is that Scott Parker knows how to get them to work together in unison. The two wingbacks Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson played a great part in stretching the Spurs team with their quick passes, allowing for the Cottagers to move forward. Fulham may not be great at pressing, but the midfield three are always quick to intercept floating long balls and poor giveaways. Much of Fulham’s success stems from their great vision and coordination with each other, largely on display in this game. This may sound crazy, but, given their resources, I honestly don’t think that there is a more organized team in the Premier League. When each player fulfils their task, the sum is greater than its parts. I seriously hope that Fulham will survive relegation, because they are a real joy to watch in the Premier League. Seriously, go and watch them sometime.

Fulham will be delighted that they came to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and earned a point. This result still leaves them in the relegation zone, but they are only two points from safety. Spurs, on the other hand, will be looking to go back to winning ways when they travel to Sheffield United.