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Premier League Review: Surprise results, record-breakers and impressive debuts

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This was another weekend of shock results in the Premier League. The top two both lost while two of the bottom three claimed victories to help their fight against relegation. So, let’s take a look at the most significant talking points.

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

Wolves ravage the Reds

Ahead of the visit of Liverpool, Wolves had scored just 12 goals in 20 matches, an average of 0.6 goals per 90. They had two goals inside of 11 minutes against Jürgen Klopp’s side and captain Rúben Neves added a third in the second half to round off an exceptional performance at Molineux. 

Liverpool have now conceded three goals in three of their last four Premier League outings and have scored just one goal in those matches. The Reds are struggling at both ends of the pitch and, as a result, find themselves stuck in mid-table. Luck just isn’t on their side right now and nothing highlights that more than Expected Goals, with Klopp’s men racking up an xG total of 1.96 against Wolves, just 0.07 behind their opponents. The scoreline, however, didn’t reflect that and that has been the case over recent weeks. 

Arsenal come unstuck against the Toffees

It was an ideal opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to put even more pressure on Manchester City in the race for the title. With a five point lead and an early kick-off, the Gunners could extend their lead to eight points ahead of City’s trip to Spurs on Sunday. 

And despite dominating the ball and having more shots on the day, Arsenal couldn’t handle the hosts. Under new manager Sean Dyche, the Blues finished with a higher xG, limited the Gunners to just 0.91 xG and created four big chances at Goodison Park. It was a masterclass in how to control space on the pitch and will no doubt be a staple of the Toffees under the former Burnley boss. 

It was Everton’s first win since October. 

Harry Kane, record-breaker

Kane netted his 267th Tottenham Hotspur goal to become the club’s leading scorer. His strike in the first-half proved to be the winner against champions Manchester City and those three points lifted Spurs back into contention for a Champions League spot next term.  

The defeat extended Man City’s poor run away to Tottenham. In five trips across all competitions to Spurs’ new ground since it opened in 2019, City have lost all five matches and failed to score a single goal. They created chances yesterday but weren’t anywhere near as dangerous as their hosts. 

Leicester City’s new-look attack

The Foxes may have failed to add Jack Harrison to their attacking ranks in January but they did manage to bring in Tetê. The deal for the 22-year-old may have gone a little under the radar but everyone will be keeping a close eye on the Brazilian now after his memorable debut. 

His 8.5 rating could only be bettered by Kelechi Iheanacho (8.7) but the former Manchester City man did score and assist twice. Tetê scored, completed six of his seven dribbles and recovered the ball on 10 occasions to round-off one of the best debuts for Leicester in recent memory. 

Brighton continue to impress

Brighton remain in sixth position following a 1-0 win over Bournemouth. Kaoru Mitoma was again the match winner and he’s now scored in three successive matches. The 25-year-old also has five goals and an assist since football resumed following the World Cup break. 

He was the highest-rated player (8.1) against Bournemouth, finishing the game with a goal, an Expected Assists tally of 0.54 and he completed 75% of his dribbles. 

Mitoma is quickly rivalling Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo as the player clubs are going to be courting in the summer. 

Fernández makes his debut

Chelsea versus Fulham wasn’t necessarily one for the neutral. The Friday night clash finished 0-0 but it did give people to watch Enzo Fernández. The Blues paid a British transfer record to pry him away from Benfica and many wanted to see how he’d cope with the rigours of the Premier League. 

He answered it, rather emphatically. Enzo won eight of his 12 ground duels, recovered the ball on 10 occasions, won five of his six tackles and finished the game with a pass completion of 85%. Only João Palhinha (8.1) could boast a better FotMob rating (8). 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the 2022/23 Premier League season live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Premier League Review: Surprise results, record-breakers and impressive debuts

This was another weekend of shock results in the Premier League. The top two both lost while two of the bottom three claimed victories to help their fight against relegation. So, let’s take a look at the most significant talking points.

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

Wolves ravage the Reds

Ahead of the visit of Liverpool, Wolves had scored just 12 goals in 20 matches, an average of 0.6 goals per 90. They had two goals inside of 11 minutes against Jürgen Klopp’s side and captain Rúben Neves added a third in the second half to round off an exceptional performance at Molineux. 

Liverpool have now conceded three goals in three of their last four Premier League outings and have scored just one goal in those matches. The Reds are struggling at both ends of the pitch and, as a result, find themselves stuck in mid-table. Luck just isn’t on their side right now and nothing highlights that more than Expected Goals, with Klopp’s men racking up an xG total of 1.96 against Wolves, just 0.07 behind their opponents. The scoreline, however, didn’t reflect that and that has been the case over recent weeks. 

Arsenal come unstuck against the Toffees

It was an ideal opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to put even more pressure on Manchester City in the race for the title. With a five point lead and an early kick-off, the Gunners could extend their lead to eight points ahead of City’s trip to Spurs on Sunday. 

And despite dominating the ball and having more shots on the day, Arsenal couldn’t handle the hosts. Under new manager Sean Dyche, the Blues finished with a higher xG, limited the Gunners to just 0.91 xG and created four big chances at Goodison Park. It was a masterclass in how to control space on the pitch and will no doubt be a staple of the Toffees under the former Burnley boss. 

It was Everton’s first win since October. 

Harry Kane, record-breaker

Kane netted his 267th Tottenham Hotspur goal to become the club’s leading scorer. His strike in the first-half proved to be the winner against champions Manchester City and those three points lifted Spurs back into contention for a Champions League spot next term.  

The defeat extended Man City’s poor run away to Tottenham. In five trips across all competitions to Spurs’ new ground since it opened in 2019, City have lost all five matches and failed to score a single goal. They created chances yesterday but weren’t anywhere near as dangerous as their hosts. 

Leicester City’s new-look attack

The Foxes may have failed to add Jack Harrison to their attacking ranks in January but they did manage to bring in Tetê. The deal for the 22-year-old may have gone a little under the radar but everyone will be keeping a close eye on the Brazilian now after his memorable debut. 

His 8.5 rating could only be bettered by Kelechi Iheanacho (8.7) but the former Manchester City man did score and assist twice. Tetê scored, completed six of his seven dribbles and recovered the ball on 10 occasions to round-off one of the best debuts for Leicester in recent memory. 

Brighton continue to impress

Brighton remain in sixth position following a 1-0 win over Bournemouth. Kaoru Mitoma was again the match winner and he’s now scored in three successive matches. The 25-year-old also has five goals and an assist since football resumed following the World Cup break. 

He was the highest-rated player (8.1) against Bournemouth, finishing the game with a goal, an Expected Assists tally of 0.54 and he completed 75% of his dribbles. 

Mitoma is quickly rivalling Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo as the player clubs are going to be courting in the summer. 

Fernández makes his debut

Chelsea versus Fulham wasn’t necessarily one for the neutral. The Friday night clash finished 0-0 but it did give people to watch Enzo Fernández. The Blues paid a British transfer record to pry him away from Benfica and many wanted to see how he’d cope with the rigours of the Premier League. 

He answered it, rather emphatically. Enzo won eight of his 12 ground duels, recovered the ball on 10 occasions, won five of his six tackles and finished the game with a pass completion of 85%. Only João Palhinha (8.1) could boast a better FotMob rating (8). 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the 2022/23 Premier League season live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.