Premier League Round 25 Saturday review
Only a few days after they contested Round 24, Premier League teams met again for Round 25. Seven matches took place on Saturday. With the transfer window over, we looked at Nigerian players who made an appearance for their teams.
In an afternoon kick-off, Brighton welcomed Watford at the Amex Stadium. The match had few chances on both sides as defences performed well. The game finished a goalless draw. Leon Balogun was on the bench for the Seagulls but didn’t come in. Isaac Success Ajayi wasn’t at all in the Hornets squad due to a hamstring injury.
Philip Billing was back in the squad for Huddersfield Town as they travelled to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea. Chelsea’s new signing Gonzalo Higuaín was quick to get on the score sheet, scoring in the 16th minute. Edin Hazard converted a penalty just before the break to give the home side a 2:0 lead at half time.
The second half saw more of the same. Chelsea got their third goal in the 66th minute through Hazard. Three minutes later Higuaín also got his second goal. David Luiz scored the final goal of the match in the 86th minute. With this 5:0 confidence-boosting victory Chelsea moves back into the top four in the table.
Philip Billing – Player of Huddersfield Town – YouTube/OfficialHTAFC
Everton hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park hoping to bounce back from the midweek defeat. But Rubin Neves shocked them in the 7th minute giving Wolves the lead from the penalty spot. The Toffees managed to recover and equalize in the 27th minute through André Gomes. However, the visitors restored their lead just before half time with a Raúl Jiménez goal.
Ademola Lookman replaced Theo Walcott in the 60th minute to give Everton a boost. Instead, Wolves added a third goal in the 66th minute. Leander Dendoncker was the scorer. This goal confirmed the away win, third in a row for Wolverhampton.
The Cardiff City Stadium was the venue for the evening kick-off matchup between Cardiff and Bournemouth. Dominic Solanke made his first appearance for the Cherries after his transfer from Liverpool.
The home side came out strong and was awarded a penalty in the 5th minute, which Bobby Reid successfully converted. The score was 1:0 at halftime. But the second half started in a similar fashion.
Just 15 seconds after the restart, Bobby Reid scored his second of the evening to effectively seal the victory for the home side. Jordon Ibe came in off the bench in the 62nd minute as Solanke was subbed off. The 2:0 win makes it the first for Cardiff after four matches without triumph.