A brand new yr is underneath manner, however there was little motion within the Premier League desk because the second half of the season obtained began this previous weekend.
Arsenal missed the possibility to maneuver inside three factors of leaders Liverpool after their stalemate with Brighton, however the hole on the high didn’t prolong as Manchester United held the Reds to a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Chelsea, in the meantime, missed the possibility to maneuver as much as third as their current droop continued, dropping factors in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, whereas one other crew in bother, Tottenham, gave up a lead of their defeat to Newcastle United.
Manchester Metropolis, in the meantime, registered back-to-back wins for the primary time since October, however Brentford have been the massive winners, as they registered their first away win of the season with a 5-0 thumping of struggling Southampton.
However, which groups have been fortunate to get the factors, and who can think about themselves unlucky? Right here, we use Opta information to seek out out.
Fortunate winners: Arsenal
Arsenal had gained again some floor on the high of the desk, with three back-to-back wins over the festive interval placing them proper again within the combine within the title race.
Nonetheless, regardless of a optimistic begin on the south coast that noticed them take an early lead, the Gunners couldn’t maintain on as they have been held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton and have now didn’t win 4 of their final 9 Premier League video games when main at half-time.
Ethan Nwaneri was a vibrant spark for them within the first half, turning into simply the sixth participant to attain a couple of Premier League aim earlier than turning 18, however given their quiet second half, they will possibly rely themselves fortunate to haven’t left empty-handed.
Arsenal created possibilities price 0.88 anticipated objectives (xG), the fourth-lowest complete throughout the weekend, accumulating simply 0.29 of that in a second half that noticed them have only one shot on the right track.
Brighton, then again, completed wi1.52 xG, stepping up their efficiency and scoring with one in every of their two ‘huge’ possibilities (outlined as a possibility from which a participant can be anticipated to attain) after the break.
The Seagulls have now drawn their final 4 matches, so possibly this outcome was not an excessive amount of of a shock ultimately.
Unfortunate losers: Fulham
Now, Fulham didn’t technically lose – in truth, they fought from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with Ipswich City – however given the metrics, Marco Silva will really feel his crew may have gained on Sunday.
Sam Szmodics gave Ipswich a first-half lead earlier than a dramatic second interval at Craven Cottage, wherein three penalties have been scored.
Liam Delap’s spot-kick was sandwiched in between two from Raul Jimenez, who scored Fulham’s second equaliser within the 91st minute, however Silva was left livid after the sport as a result of sure choices he felt didn’t go Fulham’s manner.
2 – After Fulham’s 69th-minute penalty and Ipswich’s 71st, that is the shortest hole between two penalty objectives in a single half of a Premier League recreation since Opta have actual aim instances within the competitors (from 2006-07). Blink. pic.twitter.com/ua9HubxtHU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 5, 2025
The Cottagers dominated possession and had 15 photographs, greater than double Ipswich’s tally, whereas solely three groups throughout the league bettered their 2.24 xG, although Jimenez’s spot-kicks inflate that.
Nonetheless, Fulham’s 13.3% shot conversion charge maybe tells a unique story. It compares poorly to Ipswich’s 28.6%, so possibly Silva’s crew may even be counted as fortunate to say some extent.
Unfortunate losers: Liverpool
This one is one other draw, and although Liverpool didn’t lose, they dropped extra factors, lacking the possibility to maneuver 9 factors clear on the high of the desk with a recreation in hand.
The Reds have been robust favourites in opposition to a United aspect that had not gained in 4 video games, and that’s with out taking a look at their dismal report at Anfield, the place the Purple Devils had not scored within the league since 2018.
Nonetheless, Amad Diallo’s Eightieth-minute equaliser salvaged Ruben Amorim’s aspect some extent, with Liverpool unable to capitalise on their robust kind regardless of their possibilities.
Solely Brentford (4.46) bettered Liverpool’s 2.82 xG over the weekend, with the Reds additionally having 4 huge possibilities, although solely Mohamed Salah, from the penalty spot, took his. An enormous likelihood is outlined by Opta as a possibility from which a participant can be anticipated to attain.
Liverpool’s unbeaten streak nonetheless goes on although, and so they can rely themselves barely fortunate that Harry Maguire didn’t bury his gilt-edged likelihood within the dying seconds to finish that run.
