Midweek Premier League Round-up: Arsenal’s Resolve, Everton’s Bottle and Saints Continue to Improve

Everyone loves a Tuesday night round of Premier League games and this set didn’t disappoint.

We had red cards, shocks, and plenty of last-minute goals to feast on; here’s our roundup of Tuesday night’s action.

 

Arsenal’s New Found Resilience

Mikael Arteta thought it would be a class idea to start David Luiz and Shkodtan Mustafi together to face Chelsea on Tuesday night, and it took just 26 minutes for it to blow up in his face when Mustafi’s short backpass resulted in Luiz flooring Tammy Abraham in the box to see red and gift Chelsea the lead.

Teenage sensation Gabriel Martinelli equalised for the visitors before Cesar Azpilicieta thought he’d scored a late winner for Chelsea. Arsenal captain for the night, though, Hector Bellerin, popped up with a late equaliser that was, to be honest, completely deserved.

https://twitter.com/drsamhoustonphd/status/1219735498522091527?s=21

The game highlighted a mix of the spirit Arteta has instilled in this Arsenal team and the problems he still faces, as well as Chelsea’s problems at home.

 

Everton’s Bottle Went Again

Everton seemed set for a routine victory when they were 2-0 up with a minute to go against Newcastle United.

Moise Kean’s first goal for the club, at the 22nd time of asking, coupled with a Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s strike, put the Toffees on route for a much-needed three points, but Toon defender Florian Lejeune had other ideas.

The Frenchman popped up with two stoppage time goals – in the 94th and 95th minutes – to cause meltdown at Goodison Park.

Everton completely threw away what would have been a welcomed win, and manager Carlo Ancelotti even referenced Liverpool’s famous Istanbul comeback when speaking to the players after. Oops.

Ancelotti: "The players are really sad for this moment. I said to them I lost the Champions League final after winning 3-0, these things happen."

— Adam Jones (@Adam_Jones94) January 21, 2020

 

Bournemouth’s Finally Got a Win

Bournemouth slapped Brighton 3-1 to earn their first win in seven Premier League games and ease some pressure on manager Eddie Howe.

The Cherries raced into a 3-0 lead before Aaron Mooy pulled one back for Brighton late on, but a terrible run of form that has seen Bournemouth drop into the bottom three seems to have come to an end.

https://twitter.com/ollymaymedia/status/1219715738019270663?s=21

It’s important they, now, follow this win up with a result against Aston Villa in their next league game.

 

Southampton Continue to Rise

Just weeks ago Southampton looked dead and buried. They were all over the place defensively, were losing games 9-0 (just one, but still), and manager Ralph Hasenjüttl’s time seemed all but up.

Fast forward to the present day and things are completely different. The 2-0 win at Crystal Palace on Tuesday was their fifth win in seven league games, and they’ve also lost just one in that time.

They’ve climbed to ninth in the table – above Arsenal and just two points behind Sheffield United, who are having the season of their lives.

https://twitter.com/andrewdalhouse/status/1219930804484222976?s=21

They’re just three points off fifth, too!

 

The Best of the Rest

Aston Villa picked up a well-needed three points against Watford thanks to Tyrone Mings’ 95th minute winner. Dean Smith’s side have leapfrogged their opponents and moved out of the relegation zone into 16th.

Sheffield United received nothing for their efforts against second place Manchester City at Bramall Lane. Sergio Agüero came off the bench to tap in Kevin De Bruyne’s cross on 73 minutes to ensure Pep Guardiola and his men took all three points back to Manchester.

📊| Sergio Aguero has 16 Premier League Goals and is 1 Goal away from top-scorer, Jamie Vardy despite starting 11 games less.

KING KUN! pic.twitter.com/zTAsg0R4EI

— City Chief (@City_Chief) January 21, 2020

Plenty of action on Tuesday and it promises to continue, this week. There are three more games on Wednesday night before Liverpool travel to Wolves on Thursday.

Can Nuno’s men end Liverpool’s unbeaten run, see the rest of our Premier League predictions for this week to find out.

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