It was quite a chaotic start to weekend’s fixtures, with the first actions coming from St Mary’s where Spurs and Southampton both had injuries within the first six minutes. Richarlison was first off, covering his face with his shirt, before Armel Bella-Kotchap made way for the Saints after landing awkwardly on his shoulder. It was in fact the earliest ever substitutes for both teams in a Premier League match.
The medical staff continued to earn their money, with Jan Bednarek next off. He attempted to return to the field after pulling up, but couldn’t last much longer and by the 38th minute, Ben Davies also went down clutching the back of his thigh. A disaster for both units, however January signing Pedro Porro managed to get the first goal of the game in additional time of the first half. Son Heung-Min found Porro unmarked on the right side of Southampton’s box and he smashed it over Gavin Bazunu at the keepers’ near post.
Elsewhere in the first 45 minutes, Leeds took an early lead thanks to Jack Harrison. Willy Gnonto continues to impress as Javi Gracia makes a positive start to life in Leeds, as the Italian youngster drove into the box before driving a low cross towards the penalty spot, where Jack Harrison finished with aplomb. Aston Villa scored early as well. Douglas Luiz tapping one in after a fine cross from Leon Bailey to put Villa in front against Bournemouth.
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At the Gtech Community Stadium, it was a more patient performance from Thomas Frank’s side. Leicester had a few chances with Harvey Barnes coming closest but it was Mathias Jensen getting the first goal of the game for the Bees. The ball bounced away from the Foxes’ six-yard box but the Dane was first on the team to smash one goalward, and a fortuitous touch from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall left Daniel Iverson helpless.
The second half chaos continued early on at Molineux, with Mario Lemina getting a goal ruled out for offside, before Leeds took over the game and got themselves a commanding lead. Luke Ayling found himself free at the back post in the 49th minute, heading it into an almost-empty net, with Jose Sa finding himself battling Leeds attacker and missing the ball over his head. 13 minutes later, Rasmus Kristensen added a third to Gracia’s sides lead, and it looked like game over until Illan Meslier provided Wolves with a lifeline.
Jonny struck a volley sweetly from 35+ yards out and the French keeper, making his 100th appearance this afternoon, couldn’t recover in time. Moments later, Matheus Cunha provided Julen Lopetegui with more to think about. 3-2 was a nervy scoreline for Leeds to hold onto, but a red card for Jonny after his foot travelled over the ball and onto the shin of Ayling saw him go for an early bath. It wouldn’t be the only red card of the game either. Rodrigo sent the Leeds fans home happy by adding a fourth in injury time, and Matheus Nunes was summoned to the field by referee Michael Salisbury in the tenth minute of added time, and sent him off whilst he was on the bench. It was a much needed win and the 4-2 scoreline was a huge win for Leeds, who collected their second away victory of the season.
The action at St Mary’s continued to rumble on. Spurs’ narrow 1-0 lead was shattered by Che Adams who managed to poke one home for the Saints in the 46th minute. Antonio Conte’s side improved massively for the next period of play, with another goal for Harry Kane and a first Tottenham goal for Ivan Perisic providing some breathing room, however Southampton weren’t done yet.
Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott came back to haunt Spurs and the Lilywhites were unable to hold on, another ex-Arsenal player hurting them. Ainsley Maitland-Niles went down in the box after a lax boot swing from Pape Sarr and with a minute left to play, and James Ward-Prowse, a man who’s record at free-kicks is far superior to his penalty efforts stepped up. He’s missed the two penalties he’s taken so far this season, but the third time was the charm for JWP. The game finished 3-3 and Spurs find themselves behind Man Utd despite playing two games more, and just two points ahead of a rampant Newcastle side.
Elsewhere, Brentford and Leicester were unable to be separated. James Maddison found Harvey Barnes with a brilliant dissecting pass through the Brentford defence, who chipped it over David Raya for Leicester’s equaliser. Shandon Baptiste saw red after coming on from the bench, grabbing two yellow cards in three minutes of play.
Aston Villa continued to dominate proceedings at home against Bournemouth. Jacob Ramsey added a second for Unai Emery’s side in the 80th minute before Emiliano Buendia wrapped it up in the 89th.
The results of such a climactic afternoon can be seen in the table immediately. Leeds move out of the bottom three and into 14th place. Southampton’s point doesn’t do much to their position but they are now two points away from safety, with Everton facing Chelsea next. Brentford stay in 8th place, tied on points with Brighton and Liverpool ahead of them in the table. Aston Villa move into tenth place, Chelsea falling into the bottom half of the table.
RESULTS:
Brentford 1-1 Leicester City
Aston Villa 3-0 Bournemouth
Southampton 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-4 Leeds United
