Premier League continues…25/06/2020

Thursday
There was further Premier League activity on Thursday evening with Burnley defeating visitors Watford with the only goal at Turf Moor. Central defenders Jimmy Dunne and Kevin Long were unused substitutes on the ‘Clarets’ bench.

There was disappointment for Southampton who suffered a two nil defeat at home to Arsenal. Michael Obafemi started up front for the ‘Saints’ but was quite ineffectual and was replaced at half-time by the fit again Shane Long who was much more involved in a distinctly improved second half performance but one that failed to produce any dividend. Teenage midfielder Will Smallbone was an unused substitute for the ‘Saints’. 

Wednesday
The Premier League continued this Wednesday evening with a depleted Sheffield United suffering another three nil reversal against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Enda Stevens was again disappointing while David McGoldrick completed 64 minutes but was unable to make any real impact. John Egan missed out through suspension following his dismissal last Sunday.

Conor Hourihane was introduced from the Aston Villa substitute bench on 70 minutes as his side secured a point with a late equaliser at Newcastle United for whom Ciaran Clark has not yet returned to full fitness.

Seamus Coleman captained Everton to a one nil victory over Norwich city at Crrow road where Adam Idah was an 80th minute substitute for the ‘Canaries’.

Matt Doherty was again in action for Wolverhampton wanderers who secured a one nil home victory over AFC Bournemouth.

James McCarthy completed the full match for Crystal Palace who went down to a comprehensive four nil defeat by champions elect Liverpool at Anfield.

Tuesday
Brighton & Hove Albion journied to third place Leicester City and played out a scoreless draw in the Premier League this Tuesday evening. Aaron Connolly started up front for the ‘Seagulls’ and his excellent run earned an early penalty kick but it was not converted by his strike partner. Connolly was a constant thorn in the defenders sides until his exhaustive withdrawal on 82 minutes. Shane Duffy was introduced to the action on 24 minutes and, save for one poor and silly challenge, played a significant part in a resilient defence.

In this evening’s other Premier League contest, Tottenham Hotspur defeated visitors West Ham United, for whom Darren Randolph was an unused substitute, by two goals to nil.

Monday
Burnley made the short journey to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this Monday evening and suffered another crushing five nil defeat, their third in succession against City. There appears to be some disquiet within the ‘Clarets’ management structure with Team Manager Sean Dyche admitting concerns about the failure to extend the contracts of several senior players, including Jeff Hendrick, which is expected to see them exit the club on the 30th June. None of the impacted players was included in tonight’s matchday squad while Robbie Brady was also a notable absentee. Central defenders Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne were both unused on the substitute bench.  

Sunday
Sheffield United suffered a crushing three nil Premier League defeat at Newcastle United this Sunday afternoon with Irish duo John Egan and Enda Stevens the centre of attention for the wrong reasons. Egan was dismissed for a second bookable offence five minutes into the second half and just a few minutes later a horrendous error by Stevens led to the opening goal for the hosts. David McGoldrick picked up an injury in the opening fixture last Wednesday and was not available today.

Conor Hourihane started for Aston Villa who went down to a two onw defeat by Chelsea at Villa Park later this afternoon. The Cork man made little impact and was withdrawn on 70 minutes.

Goodison Park hosted the ‘Derby Meeting’ of Everton and champions elect Liverpool at the very unusual time of 7pm on Sunday evening. The match finished scoreless with the best chances falling to the hosts in the closing stages. Captain Seamus Coleman was excellent and deservedly earned the ‘man of the match’ award.

Saturday
Aaron Connolly was a 71st minute substitute for Brighton & Hove Albion and provided the final pass which led to a two one Premier League victory for the ‘Seagulls’ over visitors Arsenal. Shane Duffy was an unused substitute on Saturday afternoon.

Darren Randolph was on the West Ham United substitute bench for the London Stadium visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Matt Doherty at 5.30pm where the visitors secured a two nil victory with Doherty providing the final pass for the second goal.

In the late kick-off, James McCarthy was a 65th minute substitute for Crystal Palace who defeated hosts AFC Bournemouth by two goals to nil at the Vitality stadium.

Friday
The Premier League continued on Friday evening with Norwich City going down to an emphatic three nil defeat by visitors Southampton at Carrow Road. Michael Obafemi started for the visiting ‘Saints’ in place of the injured Shane Long and was replaced on 82 minutes by midfielder Will Smallbone while teenage striker Adam Idah was introduced from the ‘Canaries’ substitute bench on 80 minutes.