Resumo da 31ª rodada da Premier League

A weekend full of surprises in the Premier League during Matchday 31 brought some major changes to the standings.

The league leaders, Liverpool, lost for the first time in six months, falling 3-2 on their visit to Fulham. However, their closest chasers, Arsenal, couldn’t fully capitalize, as they were held to a draw by Everton.

The third-place team, Nottingham Forest, also failed to take advantage, suffering a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa, who are now closing in on the race for European spots.

Speaking of that race, Manchester City played to a goalless draw in the derby against Manchester United and dropped to sixth place after Newcastle’s win, with the ‘Magpies’ now sitting fifth despite having one game in hand.

Matchday 31 – Games

Premier League Matchday 31: Everton x Arsenal

Arsenal couldn’t take full advantage of Fulham’s gift after they beat Liverpool and only managed to close the gap to the ‘Reds’ by one point following a 1-1 draw with Everton.

The ‘Gunners,’ who fielded a rotated squad due to their midweek clash against Real Madrid, took the lead in the 34th minute after a counterattack where Raheem Sterling played the ball wide to Leandro Trossard, and the Belgian finished with a low, angled shot.

However, early in the second half, a questionable foul by Myles Lewis-Skelly on Jack Harrison was called as a penalty, and Iliman Ndiaye converted it to make it 1-1.

A result that works for Everton but not for Arsenal, who now sit 11 points behind the league leaders with only seven matches remaining.

Premier League Matchday 31: Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa secured a big win this weekend by defeating Nottingham Forest 2-1, bringing them closer to the European competition spots. That’s now seven straight victories for Unai Emery’s side.

The ‘Villians’ quickly tilted the game in their favor when, in the 13th minute, Morgan Rogers received a pass from Youri Tielemans, set himself up brilliantly, and finished with a low shot across goal to make it 1-0.

Just two minutes later, in the 15th, a Dutch connection with a Borussia Dortmund past struck. Ian Maatsen made a run down the left, pulled off a great individual play, and crossed the ball to Donyell Malen, who simply tapped it in for the 2-0.

In the second half, in the 57th minute, Neco Williams sent in a cross that found Jota Silva, who hit a low shot across goal that left Dibu Martínez with no chance.

Murillo came close to leveling the score with a shot that hit the post, but the 2-1 held. Aston Villa now sits seventh with 51 points, just two behind fourth place, while Forest is third with 57 points.

Premier League Matchday 31: Fulham x Liverpool

Fulham pulled off the biggest upset of the weekend by defeating Liverpool 3-2 in a thrilling match that keeps the Liga Premiada title race alive.

The ‘Reds,’ who still hold a comfortable lead at the top, opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a great goal from Alexis Mac Allister, who struck a powerful, low shot from long range.

However, the ‘Cottagers’ responded with a flurry of goals to turn the match around before halftime. First, it was Ryan Sessegnon, who pounced on a rebound off a Liverpool defender and fired it home first-time in the 23rd minute.

Then, in the 32nd, Alex Iwobi capitalized on a mistake by Andrew Robertson, a series of deflections, and a weak response from Caoimhin Kelleher. In the 37th minute, Iwobi cleared a ball that Rodrigo Muniz controlled brilliantly, outmuscled Ibrahima Konaté, and slipped it through the keeper’s legs to make it 3-1.

Liverpool pulled one back in the 72nd minute after a pass from Conor Bradley to Luis Díaz, who controlled it, cut in, and finished low to the far post for 3-2.

The ‘Reds’ kept pushing for an equalizer, but the woodwork, Bernd Leno, and poor finishing denied them. They now sit on 73 points, 11 ahead of Arsenal. Meanwhile, Fulham climbs to eighth with 48 points, just five away from fourth place.

Premier League Matchday 31: Manchester United x Manchester City

In Kevin De Bruyne’s final derby, Manchester United and Manchester City played to a goalless draw at Old Trafford.

A result that benefits neither side and hurts the Citizens, who dropped to sixth place and are currently out of the European competition spots—though they sit just one point behind fourth place.

Pep Guardiola’s side was more aggressive throughout the match but couldn’t find the breakthrough, with André Onana emerging as the standout performer. The ‘Red Devils’ now sit 13th with 38 points.