Author – Amrit Santlani
Brazilian veteran Willian scored twice as Fulham inflicted more misery on relegation strugglers Leicester City, while Nottingham Forest and Everton picked up crucial wins on Monday in their attempts to stay alive in the top flight. The 35th matchday of the Premier League has already thrown up a few surprises, and Monday’s three games saw plenty of goals.
Fulham beat Leicester City 5-3, while Everton also scored five goals against Brighton, dealing a blow to the Seagulls’ European ambitions. Nottingham beat a spirited Southampton side 4-3 to pick up three important points in their fight to stay afloat.
Willian scores twice as Fulham beat Leicester Leicester City 5-3
Fulham hosted Leicester at Craven Cottage, with the visitors looking to stay alive in the Premier League, but found themselves 4-0 down after the break. Willian opened the scoring for the hosts; the Brazilian veteran curled a long-range free-kick past Daniel Iversen and in.
The Foxes’ defense was taken by surprise when they lost their way on a counter-attack shortly afterwards, with Carlos Vinicius doubling the home side’s lead. Tom Cairney scored a superb goal when he cut in on to his right foot and curled a fine finish past Iversen to make it 3-0 before the break.
Six minutes after the restart, another Fulham counter-attack saw them seal the three points with Cairney completing his brace. James Maddison provided an assist for Harvey Barnes as Leicester reduced the deficit, before Willian completed his brace with a sensational shot from outside the box.
Before that, the Foxes had a penalty, but Jamie Vardy was denied by Bernd Leno. The visitors had a second penalty when Maddison was fouled in the box and the Leicester captain stepped up to score his side’s second. A mistake by Shane Duffy allowed the Foxes to score again, but it was too little too late for Dean Smith’s side.
Danilo scores in Nottingham’s 4-3 win over Southampton
Nottingham Forest hosted Southampton knowing they needed a result, as they have upcoming games against Arsenal and Chelsea, but a nervy 4-3 win helped them climb two places above the relegation zone.
Forest caused Southampton more pain when Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice and Brazilian midfielder Danilo scored the winner. The Saints dominated possession at the start of the game, but were caught by surprise at the back when Awoniyi struck from close range after a counter-attack to open the scoring.
In just three minutes, the striker doubled the score after a brilliant assist from Danilo, and the Nigerian hit a powerful shot to complete the double. Southampton reacted well after going two goals down. Carlos Alcaraz hit a cross-shot past Stuart Armstrong as the visitors looked for a way back into the contest.
Brennan Johnson gave his side a penalty, and Morgan Gibbs-White slotted home to double Forest’s lead, although Lyanco headed in from a corner to give the Saints a glimmer of hope.
Danilo, however, ended any hopes of a comeback with a powerful shot after Gibbs-White’s run to seal the three points for his side. Renan Lodi left the field injured, while Felipe played the full ninety minutes. James Ward-Prowse scored a late penalty for Ruben Selles’ side, but they couldn’t get the equalizer.
Meanwhile, Everton beat Brighton 5-1 to move out of the relegation zone, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight Mcneil scoring two goals each, while Jason Steele scored an own goal and Alexis Mac Allister scored a consolation goal for Roberto de Zerbi’s side.