Gameweek 37 would see the penultimate week of action in yet another thrilling Premier League season. With the title still to play for Liverpool would travel to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United, before Manchester City hosted Leicester City at the Etihad stadium. Elsewhere, Spurs travelled to Bournemouth, before Arsenal hosted Brighton, and Chelsea likewise with Watford. Manchester United would travel to Huddersfield in desperate need of a win as they chase a top four place. Anyway, here’s the FPL Updates gameweek review…
Goalkeeper
Jonas Lossl – It’s been a tough season for Huddersfield Town. They can look back with pride on two seasons in the topflight in which they defied expectations. In the end it seems the Terriers came up a bit short in terms of quality, especially higher up the pitch. However, the Yorkshire side will be desperate to secure an immediate return to the big time, so will begin eyeing up targets for the summer. They did manage somewhat of a last hurrah as they took a good point against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, as they bow out of the Premier League in style.
Defenders
David Luiz – Chelsea faced a tough test as they prepared for their home clash with Watford. They will remember all too well what happened at Vicarage Road last season as a ten-minute spell saw the Hornets record a stunning 4-1 win that will live long in the memories of their fans. Chelsea have been fighting to secure a top four spot while also competing in the Europa League. English sides could hold all four European final places by next week, in so becoming the first nation to ever achieve the feat in modern football history.
Ryan Fredericks – West Ham United are playing for a top half spot now and seem hellbent on achieving it as they hammered Southampton 3-0 at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The star of the show was undoubtedly former Spurs fullback Ryan Fredericks, who became the first defender in a decade to score a perfect 10 match rating with WhoScored. He even managed his first goal in five years as he charged forward and played a neat one-two before firing low past the keeper. The fans were delighted in the knowledge that a final day win will see a top ten finish.
Nathan Aké – AFC Bournemouth started as underdogs as they hosted Spurs at Dean Court on Saturday. Mark Travers started in goal for the Cherries and turned in a man of the match performance on the way to an impressive win. The home side were helped with red cards for Heung-Min Son and Juan Foyth, which meant that Spurs would have to play a whole half with nine men. The North London side still had chances to win it but would regret their poor finishing when Nathan Aké headed home a late winner to delight the home crowd.
Seamus Coleman – Everton kicked off the weeks action as they faced Burnley at Goodison Park on Friday night under the lights. The Toffees have enjoyed a strange season under Marco Silva, with a strong squad only sometimes showcasing the talent that the former Watford and Hull City boss has at his disposal. They may be disappointed that they won’t be playing in Europe next season but signed off in style securing a 2-0 win in front of their own fans. There will be a sense of optimism around Goodison to see what business takes place in the summer.
Vincent Kompany – Manchester City had a monumental home clash with Leicester City on Monday night. Having already watched Liverpool go top with a win over Newcastle it was vital that City recorded a win. However, they found it tough, and in a very tight match it looked like it may be slipping away for Pep Guardiola’s men. Step forward captain Vincent Kompany, who drove forward, and when the Foxes players failed to close him down, he unleashed a stunning strike from range into the top corner to spark wild scenes at the Etihad. One final win will do it for City.
Midfielders
Andros Townsend – Crystal Palace are one of the Premier League’s best away sides and showcased just why as they secured a 3-2 win in Wales to relegate Cardiff City. It’s been a strange season for the Eagles, who have given their home fans very little to cheer this campaign, with their best performances coming almost exclusively on the road. It remains to be seen who they will lose over summer, with clubs circling like sharks for a couple of their more impressive talents, such as Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Eden Hazard – Chelsea dispatched Watford with relative ease on Saturday afternoon, running out comfortable 3-0 winners in a potential banana skin for the Blues. As always, the star of the show was Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard who set up 2 goals for his teammates despite not finding the net himself. It looks like the former Lille man will leave the club in summer, which is bad news for the Blues given their inability to sign players for the next two transfer windows. It may be a case of promoting from within for Mauricio Sarri’s side.
Scott McTominay – One shining light for Manchester United of late must be the performances of young academy graduate Scott McTominay, who has featured regularly at the heart of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield of late. The newly appointed manager has gone through a rotten run of form since being given the job on a permanent basis and may face a big summer of change if United are to achieve a top four finish next season, let alone any potential title challenges in years to follow. Overall, a very disappointing season for the Red Devils.
Forwards
Marko Arnautovic – West Ham United striker Marko Arnautovic yet again showed that he is one of the Premier League’s most potent marksmen when on form. He netted a brace against Southampton on Saturday; however, it may have been a goodbye to the Hammers faithful from Arnautovic, who made no secret of his desire to leave the club in the past. A new deal in the recent past seems to have had little impact on Arnautovic, who may see it as his final opportunity to secure a massive move in the summer.
Salomon Rondon – Few expected much from Salomon Rondon when he completed a season long loan move to Newcastle from West Bromwich Albion in summer. However, the former Zenit man has become a fan favourite on the way to a decent finish for Rafa Benitez’s side, who comfortably avoided relegation thanks to a patch of great form towards the back end of the season. One would imagine the move will be made permanent in summer, however it may rest on the result of West Brom’s play off campaign.
Written by Ryan Nevin (@RNevin7)
