In a duel of two teams battling two completely different battles – European and relegation – Newcastle sealed the win against Ipswich at Portman Road Stadium already at the break, taking a 3-0 lead behind Alexander Isak’s first-minute opener and added-time effort and Jacob Murphy’s 32nd-minute goal.⚽️ GOAL 🏴 | Ipswich Town 0-2 Newcastle | Jacob Murphypic.twitter.com/XdVg9EEjsK— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) December 21, 2024 ⚽—1’⚽—45+2′ ⚽—54′ Alexander Isak lets ’em know after his first Premier League hat trick 👌 pic.twitter.com/betbYiXIcH— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 21, 2024 Nine minutes into the second half, Isak completed his hat-trick and made it convincing 4-0 and sealed the final score. After this victory, the Magpies are breathing down Man City’s neck, sitting only one point and spot behind, while the Tractor Boys remain 18th, but in jeopardy that Wolverhampton could move them to the penultimate position with a win against Leicester tomorrow (17.00).Only Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer have scored more Premier League goals in 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 than Alexander Isak 🇸🇪🔥 pic.twitter.com/vazhWrRK4v— LiveScore (@livescore) December 21, 2024 In London, Brentford and Nottingham each created a single decent chance during the initial 45 minutes. The Bees’ Yoane Wissa failed to exploit Morato’s severe mistake in the 21st minute, and the home team was punished seven minutes before the break when Ola Aina joined the attack – which he rarely does – and netted the goal as if he were a forward, utilizing Neco Williams’ timely cross.⚽️ GOAL 🏴 | Brentford 0-1 Nottingham | Ola Ainapic.twitter.com/NNSyg3VgP0— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) December 21, 2024 Brentford managed to hold out for only six minutes after the break, as the Trees increased their advantage through Anthony Elanga, who used Keane Lewis-Potter’s “gift” and sent it home for 2-0. Kristoffer Ajer was shortly close to reducing the gap, but Matz Sels superbly saved his team. Thomas Frank’s boys failed to threaten dangerously after that moment and Forest peacefully awaited the ref’s final whistle and the vital three points won away from home, which move them to the third spot, at least until Arsenal play their match against Crystal Palace (20.30).⚽️ GOAL 🏴 | Brentford 0-2 Nottingham | Elangapic.twitter.com/8ESAUyotvY— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) December 21, 2024 Although fireworks were expected at London Stadium, West Ham and Brighton put in weak displays, especially in the first half, when neither side had a chance to open the scoring. On the other hand, the tension was pretty high, as the opening 45 minutes were crowned with three bookings and as many as 20 fouls.Nightmare isn’t over for Pep: Villa defeat CityThe second period was a completely different story, as the crowd witnessed two goals in the span of only six minutes – between the 51st and 57th. First, Mats Weiffer gave the lead to the visitors, exploiting Lukasz Fabianski’s error, but the Ghanaian Mohammed Kudus equalized, sending Bart Verbruggen’s deflection behind his back, making it 1-1.MATS WIEFFER PUTS AWAY THE REBOUND WITH A GREAT FINISH ON THE VOLLEY TO BREAK THE DEADLOCK!!!📽️ @GoalsXtrapic.twitter.com/3Rg3nzCQlk— Football Report (@FootballReprt) December 21, 2024 🚨🏴 GOAL | West Ham 1-1 Brighton | Mohammed KudusMOHAMMED KUDUS HAS EQUALIZED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/8x8deMp9nV— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) December 21, 2024 Even though both teams wanted three points, it seemed that either crew was satisfied with a point, and thus, the rivals hesitated to take much risks. Following this draw, the Seagulls kept the advantage of five points in front of the Hammers and moved closer to only three points to Man City in the sixth spot.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 17SaturdayAston Villa – Man.City 2-1 (1-0)/Duran 16, Rogers 68 – Foden 90+3/Brentford – Nott.Forest 0-2 (0-1)/Aina 38, Elanga 51/Ipswich – Newcastle 0-4 (0-3)/Isak 1, 45+2, 54, Murphy 32/West Ham – Brighton 1-1 (0-0)/Kudus 57 – Wieffer 51/20:30: (5.70) Crystal Palace (4.00) Arsenal (1.67)Sunday17:00: (5.30) Everton (4.00) Chelsea (1.63)17:00: (1.45) Fulham (4.50) Southampton (7.00)17:00: (2.55) Leicester (3.65) Wolverhampton (2.75)17:00: (1.90) Man.Utd. (3.70) Bournemouth (4.40)19:30: (4.10) Tottenham (4.40) Liverpool (1.80)***odds are subject to change***
