The Best Games of Matchweek Five!

After a thrilling international break, which I’m sure everyone watched and totally didn't just ignore, it’s time to get back to the domestic league. 

Liverpool 2-2 Everton: THE MERSEYSIDE DERBY!

Liverpool and Everton hadn’t been so tightly contested in a long time. Everton had gone ten years without winning in the derby, and this was their chance to prove how good they were. Liverpool were looking to prove that they were the kings of England, after a demolition by Aston Villa.

Liverpool played really well on Saturday, most notably their upfield ball movement. Thiago was particularly good, controlling tempo as usual. Unfortunately, Virgil Van Dijk was clumsily tackled by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, injuring badly enough to have to leave. Incredibly, Pickford wasn't sent off, or even booked for that matter. Thiago was also injured after a poor tackle from Richarlison, who saw red, reducing Everton to 10 men. In front of goal, the Reds looked very convincing. The first goal came from a wonderful low cross from Andy Robertson to Sadio Mane, who finished well. Minutes later, Mohamed Salah did excellently to capitalise on a poor clearance from Yerry Mina, striking a half volley from 15 yards. Liverpool showed their spirit and almost scored in the 92nd minute, but VAR ruled it offside. However, it seemed like Mane was actually onside. Liverpool will feel like they were robbed in the 203rd Merseyside derby.

Everton weren’t at their usual best today, being much slower than they had played before. They showed lots of determination to equalize right after they were scored on. Everton's midfield, most notably their new signing Abdoulaye Doucoure, had lots of drive, and also organised their formation while defending and attacking. Michael Kean did ever so well to score a header, from a good cross by (you guessed it!) James Rodriguez. Pickford had an in-and-out game, making some great stops, like the save he made to block Trent Alexander-Arnold scoring from a well taken free kick, but also put in that bad challenge against van Dijk. Dominic Calvert Lewin continued his amazing form, scoring a header from another Everton break. James looks like he has now fully fit into the Premier League, putting up another consistent game. 

The Merseyside derby was full of drama and goals. The Toffees will be happy to have settled for a point, considering the odds that were against them. The Reds however, will be angry that Everton were not down to nine men, and that their last minute winner was ruled out.

Spurs 3-3 West Ham

Spurs looked to be in great form before this game, and a win looked likely. It is always so hard to predict what kind of West Ham team would turn out, considering their inconsistencies. However, it was clear that there would be goals, as both sides had great attacking options.

Spurs got off to a great start. Within 16 minutes, they were 3-0 up, and far far away. Son scored in the first minute, a swift counter attack, and Son finished excellently by hitting it into the low corner. Kane again showed he was in form with two well taken goals. The first, the better of the two, was an incredible solo goal by Kane, nutmegging Declan Rice and a nice low shot. The second goal was a goal from a great Reguilion cross. However, Spurs just sat back in the second half, and they paid for it. West Ham pulled back three goals, to tie the game. Spurs never looked all that convincing in the second half that they would hold onto the 3-0 lead. Jose Mourinho will be furious that they gave away a great lead, considering how hard they had to work for it.

West Ham started the game really poorly. They looked open for the first three goals, and didn’t have any order about them. They were dominated throughout the entire first half. In the second half, they looked much more dangerous, putting in some great crosses. They could have won the game if they had taken their chances better. Then, late on, they started a great comeback. Their first goal came from another great cross, Fabian Balbuena steering a header into the Tottenham net. The second goal was a horror show from Davidson Sanchez, who should have cleared a dangerous cross, but instead headed it into his own net. In the 94th minute, Manuel Lanzini pulled out a goal of the season contender, a ROCKET of a shot that went in off the crossbar after Spurs cleared a free kick. 

Tottenham looked like their good run of form would continue after they were three goals to the good. However, it was not to be. West Ham will be ecstatic to have come from behind, and to have climbed what seemed like an insurmountable hill. Spurs will be kicking themselves that they let go of two precious points.

Man United 4-1 Newcastle 

Newcastle vs Man United was to be a telling story in the saga of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, because I'm sure that there weren't too many people in the United club and fanbase that still had full trust in him. Newcastle were looking to continue their good form, after a convincing 3-1 win against Burnley.

Newcastle started the game very well, and within the first two minutes, they launched a confident attack. Allan Saint Maximin has been doing so well last season, and showed he is class again this season with a superb run and pass to Jonjo Shelvey, who passed it to Emil Krafth, and his shot hugly deflected off of Luke Shaw, and into the net. After their blistering start, they looked less confident going forward. Although they were well organised in defense, they looked shaky from set pieces. It came as no surprise, when nobody seemed to challenge Harry Maguire for the equalising header. A few minutes later, they conceded again to some brilliant United passing. They conceded two more goals in added time. Not very convincing.

Man United put up a master class of a performance. They started slow, and should have stopped the Newcastle attack that resulted in the opening goal. Luke Shaw was unlucky to have a shot deflected off him, and past David De Gea. Halfway through the first 45 minutes, Maguire latched on to a decent cross, and equalized with a thumping header. In the 85th minute, Marcus Rashford put up a play and passed to Bruno Fernandes, which could only be described as telepathic. Fernandes finished with a plum, nesting the ball into the far top corner. Aaron Wan-Bissaka got in on the goal action with a power shot from close range, and Rashford topped the evening off with a comfortable finish after another United break. The Red Devils seem to have put the 6-1 drubbing by Tottenham behind them.

Manchester United were by far the better team on the night. Whenever it seems like Solskjaer’s job is on the line, he and his team put together a good run of performances that silence the doubters. Newcastle don’t have much to take away from this game, but they did do well to keep out the red side of Manchester before injury time.