Premier League 21-22 Round 5 is a review of the fifth weekend of matches in the 30th edition of the Premier League, season 2021 – 2022. A feature where Power of Pop returns to a sports focus – viz. football – in our musings on pop culture. This weekly review will feature our observations of the various encounters amongst the twenty English clubs that make up the Premier League.
Premier League 21-22 Round 5 FRIDAY 17/9/2021
It’s probably fair to say that both Newcastle (€241.40m) and Leeds (€252.30m) are third-tier #PremierLeague clubs with a relegation battle ahead of both clubs this season.
So this 1-1 draw between them last night made perfect sense. Game was played at a frenetic pace as both teams were evenly matched. Chances were created but the lack of quality proved decisive in the number of goals scored.
Standout player last night was probably Newcastle’s Allan Saint Maximin (€30m) who tormented the Leeds defence and got his team’s equaliser. Similar in style and build to Wolves’ Adama Traore but more effective in the final third. More performances like this will probably get Saint Maximin a move to a better club sooner or later.
Premier League 21-22 Round 5 SATURDAY 18/9/2021
Liverpool returned to the league summit with an emphatic 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. Palace of course inflicted early league leaders Spurs’ first defeat by the same score. All three goals scored via set pieces from Mane, Salah and Keita confirming Pool’s big 4 status.
Over at the Etihad, a ridiculous refereeing blunder saw Manchester City escape with a point against unlucky Southampton. Incompetent referee Jon Moss overturned his original decision granting Saints a clear-cut penalty and red card to offender Kyle Walker after VAR intervened. Thoroughly unjust but there you go!
Amongst the 2nd tier sides, Aston Villa brushed aside high-flying Everton 3-0 with goals from Cash, Bailey and Digne own goal. As usual, critics lauding Toffees manager Rafa Benitez’ early achievements were left with egg on their faces!
Predictably, Arsenal have recovered from their horrendous early season start and have now recorded two league wins in a row. 1-0 to the Arsenal is a familiar chant of course and this time Martin Odegaard’s first-half free-kick was enough for the points. Burnley would probably gripe about a penalty decision overturned by VAR but objectively probably a fair one.
For the third tier, Brentford continued their good start with an away win over toothless Wolves. At Carrow Road, Watford won the battle of the promoted teams, downing Norwich 3-1 with Sarr looking impressive again.
Premier League 21-22 Round 5 SUNDAY 19/9/2021
Chelsea returned to the summit after a resounding 3-0 win over London rivals Spurs. Although Spurs had a bright early 30 minutes, they had no answer to Chelsea’s superiority after Kante was brought on in the second period.
At the London Stadium, Manchester United kept pace with the leaders with a hard fought 2-1 win against West Ham. Ronaldo once more getting on the score-sheet to bring the Red Devils level after Varane’s earlier own goal. Jesse Lingard – who spent last season on loan at West Ham – came back to haunt the Hammers with a delicious winner. West Ham have themselves to blame for not taking a point after inexplicably sending on Mark Noble to miss a last minute penalty with his only kick in the game. Never a good idea, David Moyes!
Surprise package Brighton now sit in FOURTH after a 2-1 win over the Foxes. But Leicester were effectively robbed of the points by THREE dubious VAR decisions viz. Brighton’s penalty and two disallowed goals for offside – are you offside from a corner?
Note that this Premier League 21-22 Round 5 review was first featured at the PowerofPop Facebook page. Till Round 6 …
… still there’s more …