19th Liverpool title, Chelsea's pursuit of Leicester, and Eibar sensation: European football day events

The first Liverpool championship in 30 years and the success of Chelsea

In the central match of the 31st round of the football championship of England, Chelsea and Manchester City fought. The excitement around the match was due not only to the status and high position of both teams in the standings, but also to the fact that in the event of a misfire, Liverpool made the championship for the first time since 1990. To delay the coronation of the Merseysides a little, the “townspeople” had to beat their rivals from London on the road.

The clouds over the “City” began to thicken already during the first half. Despite the advantage in possession of the ball, the guests were inferior in the number of dangerous moments, and in the 36th minute were in the role of catching up. Bernard Silva and Benjamin Mendi made a gross mistake in midfield, which Christian Pulisic took advantage of. The American midfielder broke through to the opponent’s goal and easily outplayed Ederson. For him, this goal was the seventh of the season.

Josep Guardiola's wards managed to speed up and in the 55th minute regained parity. Kevin De Bruyne scored, continuing to fight for the title of best soccer player of the championship. The Belgian masterfully executed a free kick, taking Kepu Arrisabalagu by surprise.

In the middle of the half, Chelsea could have been outnumbered if the chief referee of the match, Stuart Atwell and VAR assistants, would have estimated Antonio Rudiger’s foul on a direct red card. However, the German escaped punishment, and after 11 minutes, the defender earned the removal of Manchester City. Tammy Abraham twice tried to push the hosts ahead, but his kick in the fall was reflected by Ederson, and Fernandinho interrupted the attempt to enter the ball with the ball, and in violation of the rules. The Brazilian played with his hand and left the field. An experienced Willian approached the “point” and set the final score.

Chelsea took advantage of the misfire of Leicester in the match with Brighton and intensified the struggle for third place. For seven rounds before the end of the season, the team shares only one point, while the foxes have a much more complicated calendar: in the end, they will have duels with Everton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United, while "Aristocrats" of the top teams will only meet with the newly made champion.

Liverpool fulfilled the dream of its fans and won the coveted trophy for the first time since the 1989/90 season, reducing the backlog of Manchester United in the number of titles (19 vs. 20).

As for Jurgen Klopp, he not only took the ninth cup in his career, but also became the first German coach in history to whom the Premier League submits. It is noteworthy that after the foundation of the tournament in 1992, exclusively foreign experts led to the victory of the team.

In addition, Liverpool set a Premier League record, having issued the championship for seven rounds before the end of the championship. At the same time, the Merseysiders needed the most days to win the title - 321. The reason for this was a pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The long-awaited victory of Arsenal and Burnley

Success in the 31st round was achieved by another London team. “Arsenal” on the road cracked down on “Southampton” (2: 0) and interrupted the protracted unsuccessful series. The last time, wards of Mikel Arteta took three points 111 days ago - on March 7 they beat West Ham with a minimum score.

The episode with the first goal was not without a curiosity. The goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, the goalkeeper of the hosts, involuntarily assisted the Arsenal forward Edward Nketia. The Irishman started to gape with the ball outside the penalty area, but decided not to take it out of the field, but to play through the center, where the opponent’s forward was on duty. Nketia could only send the ball into the net.

The second goal of the guests was preceded by a removal in the “Southampton” for “foul of last hope”. Jack Stevens with a tackle interrupted the breakthrough of Pierre-Emerick Obameyang and was sent to the locker room. Alexander Lacazette only shot on goal from the free kick on the second attempt, and Joseph Willock successfully played on finishing.

In a parallel match, two teams met, the last victories of which in the Premier League date back to the end of February. But if the Burnley strengthened in the middle of the standings, then Watford was located at a distance of one point from the relegation zone. Despite all efforts, they failed to improve their position. The hosts took over, and the author of the only goal was Jay Rodriguez.

The fiasco of Valencia and the plight of Hispaniola

“Valencia” approached the meeting at the “Municipal de Ipurua” in the status of a clear favorite, but unexpectedly lost to the local football players from “Eibar”. Already in the 16th minute, the hosts took the lead after an own goal by Joffre Kondogby. Opornik clumsily played at the corner and cut the ball into his own goal.

In the remaining time, the wards of Albert Selades tried to restore the status quo, but rather the Eibar was closer to increasing the difference in the account. The appearance in the second half on the field of Denis Cheryshev, who was noted for a spectacular blow from a turn, did not help the guests. The pupil of “Real” that there was a force attached to the ball, but he went well above the goal. Already at the end of the meetings, the nerves lost at Elyakim Mangal. The defender received a second yellow card for breaking the rules during horse riding.

“Eibar” not only broke away from “Mallorca” and “Leganes” in the struggle for survival, but also complicated the position of the main outsider of La Liga. Espanyol suffered a second defeat in a row and is now eight points behind the saving 17th line. This time Betis became the offender of the Catalans, having won the first victory after the resumption of the season.

The hero of the match was Mark Bartre, who at the beginning of the second half responded to a corner feed by Sergio Canales. For the defender, this exact shot was the third in the current championship, which allowed him to set a personal record for the number of goals for the season in Example.

However, his best scorer was set two years ago. Then he hit five goals - two in the Bundesliga and the German Cup (for the Dortmund Borussia), and one more in the Spanish Championship (for the Betis).

As for the “Espanyol”, its position can be called deplorable. Earlier in history, only four teams escaped relegation to Segunda, having 24 points after 31 matches. The last time Granada succeeded in doing this five years ago.