4 CRACKING GAMES AS FANS RETURN TO STADIUMS

Another night of interesting Premier League results. The first set of games with fans back in Premier League stadiums, kicked-off last night with up to 10,000 fans allowed for the larger grounds.

Man United 1-1 Fulham

We’ll start at Old Trafford, where Manchester United could confirm 2nd place with a win against already relegated Fulham. The hosts started very well and were causing Fulham a multitude of problems in the first 10 minutes and really could have been 2 or 3 up at that point.

It took just 15 minutes for United to find the back of the Fulham net but a controversial decision again from VAR.

David De Gea played a long ball through to Edinson Cavani who then scored a 40 yard screamer. But when De Gea played the pass Cavani was offside, despite this on its way through the ball seemingly touched the boot of Bruno Fernandes and Cavani was onside when that occurred.

On reflection the ball looks like it doesn’t hit Fernandes’ boot but VAR stated that it could not confirm if it had or not and therefore couldn’t rule it out.

So the fans go wild and United have broken the deadlock.

It took another 60 minutes for another goal to be scored but this time it was a Fulham equaliser. Great play from the Cottagers on the right side with Decordova-Reid and a sumptuous cross to find Joe Bryan, the play-off hero, at the back post to head it past De Gea and into the United net.

Old Trafford fell instantly silent. With just 10 minutes to go, unbelievably some fans were spotted leaving the stadium!

The score finished a draw and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, post-match, referred to his team as “too loose”.

Southampton 0-2 Leeds

Next, we’re off to the South-coast to St Mary’s where Saint’s fans were looking forward to watching their team battle with this season’s entertainers Leeds United.

Southampton kicked into gear from the first whistle. It was chance after chance for the home side for the first quarter of the game.

It took to the 73rd minute for there to be a goal and what a goal it was. Patrick Bamford was one on one with the goalkeeper after Rodrigo’s ball over the Saint’s defenders and a superb finish through the legs of Alex McCarthy to fire Leeds ahead and get his 16th Premier League goal of the season.

Southampton had some very good opportunities to level the game but it was a 95th minute goal from Tyler Roberts that killed the game and secured another 3 points for Leeds United.

Brighton 3-2 Man City

It was a game that would be tough for Brighton even with fans back in the stadium. But a fantastic comeback ensured they would inflict the first defeat on City as the new Champions.

It was a dramatic first 10 minutes at the Amex. Ilkay Gundogan scored inside the first 2 minutes giving City an early lead. Just minutes later Danny Welbeck is through on goal and a challenge on him from Joao Cancelo gets the Portuguese a red card. So after that City are 1-0 up but find themselves with one less player.

The score remained the same at the break and just 3 minutes after the break City were 2-0 up through a fabulous finish from Phil Foden. So City now just need to hold on and they will get the 3 points.

However, Brighton get more and more chances and finally one goes in. Leandro Trossard patiently waits for the right moment to strike and fires it into the roof of the City net. The 7,500 fans begin to believe they can get something from this game.

It clearly has a massive impact on the players as Albion find the net twice inside 4 minutes to flip the scoreline on its head. Goals from Adam Webster and Dan Burn finish off a remarkable comeback win for the Seagulls who give their fans an entertaining game on their return to the stadium.

Chelsea 2-1 Leicester

It was time for the crunch game of the night and with both teams inside the Top 4 and both wanting to further their chances of Champions League football next season we were going to be in for a treat at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea completely cut through Leicester in the first half having over 10 attempts on goal but non of them could find the net and the two that did cross the line were ruled out for offside and handball. So a lucky first half escape you would say from Leicester’s point of view.

The second period gets underway and it took less than two minutes but from a corner Chelsea put themselves in front as Antonio Rudiger helped the ball in at the back post.

Chelsea’s second came around 20 minutes later when Timo Werner was fouled inside the box by Wesley Fofana. VAR checked it and penalty was given. Jorginho steps up and rolls it into the far post passed an oblivious Kaspar Schmeichel.

There was however hope for Leicester as substitute Kelechi Iheanacho got one back for the visitors after Leicester nicked the ball off Chelsea in their own defensive third. Despite having more chances to level the game, Leicester failed to take them and Chelsea survive just long enough to see the 3 points come their way.

It now means that Chelsea are very likely to qualify for Top 4 as long as they avoid defeat at Villa Park on Sunday.

Leicester have to hope that Liverpool slip up in one of their two final games while also looking for a win at home against Spurs on the final day.