English Premier League: Matchweek 22 Saturday Review

Burnley come from behind to pick up much-needed win over unlucky Fulham: 2-1

It hasn’t been an easy season whatsoever for either of these 2 sides. Going into this match, these were the 2 clubs with the most goals conceded in the entire league, and both were in desperate need of points.

It was Andre Schurrle who opened the scoring with a beautiful goal in the 2nd minute, as he broke through the Burnley defence, took the ball down with an exquisite 1st touch, and looped it over Tom Heaton from an acute angle with his 2nd touch. It looked as if Fulham would pick up the victory, but 2 unfortunate own-goals conceded just 3 minutes apart ensured that Burnley ran away with the 3 points. Both Denis Odoi and Joe Bryan will be kicking themselves for those. Fulham allowed 0 shots on target, but conceded 2 goals. How unlucky can you get?

This victory saw Burnley climb into 15th place, whilst Fulham remain firmly in the relegation zone.

Late Watford resurgence sees them sink Palace at Selhurst Park: 2-1

It was quite an even match at Selhurst Park between Crystal Palace and Watford on Saturday, with both sides mustering up 15 shots each and near-equal possession. The own-goal bug struck again, as a 38th minute scrum inside the Watford box led to a Palace goal which deflected in off Craig Cathcart. Despite most of the match being evenly contested on both paper and pitch, a short window of quality from Watford in the 2nd half earned them a much-needed victory. It in fact was Cathcart who made up for his own goal with a brilliant header to level the scores, and Tom Cleverley found the winner with a volley just a few minutes later, showing off some impressive technique.

Watford leapfrog Leicester and West Ham to rise to 7th in the table, while Palace sit in 14th.

Cardiff and Huddersfield cancel each-other out in a dull affair: 0-0

Legendary Italian journalist Gianni Brera once said that “the perfect game of football would end 0-0”.

Well, if you thought this was a perfect game of football, you should get your head checked! Huddersfield were largely the better side but failed to capitalize on any of their chances, whilst Cardiff attempted just 3 shots with none of the 3 testing the goalkeeper. Huddersfield will be kicking themselves, as they are currently shoe-ins for relegation and could easily have won this game as the more dominant side. Their lack of goals continues to plague them.