Man City drop points yet again and Newcastle have a new youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer
Eight Premier League teams competed this Saturday afternoon.
However, results and events elsewhere were overshadowed by a medical incident that saw Bournemouth vs Luton called off. Tom Lockyer, who Luton have since reported is now stable and responsive, suffered a cardiac arrest in the 65th minute.
Luton’s statement read, “Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher.
“He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides.
“Tom was transferred to hospital, where we can reassure supporters that he is stable and currently undergoing further tests with his family at his bedside.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support, concern and loving messages for Locks.”
Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher.
He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides.… pic.twitter.com/YCTiHtH5Nx
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) December 16, 2023
Before this afternoon, Tottenham ran out 2-0 winners at Nottingham Forest on Friday evening to continue their recovery following a five-game winless run. Ange Postecoglou’s men remain behind leaders Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa, who play tomorrow.
All eyes were on defending champions Manchester City, in fourth place, who hosted an inconsistent Crystal Palace team while Chelsea faced a struggling Sheffield United side.
Elsewhere, Newcastle took on a rejuvenated Fulham – who have all of a sudden turned into the league’s entertainers. Read on for Squawka’s breakdown of Saturday’s Premier League action.
Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United
Mauricio Pochettino has not enjoyed the best of starts as Chelsea boss but today avoided hitting a three-game losing streak. Pochettino last suffered three consecutive Premier League defeats a decade ago when he was Southampton’s manager.
Cole Palmer, arguably the club’s most valuable player this season, inspired the Blues to another home victory. The former Manchester City academy graduate put them in front before teeing up Nicolas Jackson to net his seventh goal of the campaign.
Right place, right time! 👏#CFC | #CheShu pic.twitter.com/9TEyPkgkIX
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 16, 2023
He has now both scored and assisted in three Premier League games for Chelsea this season, while no other Blues player has done so at all. In fact, his three games with both a goal and an assist are more than all other Chelsea players combined since the start of last season (two players), despite Palmer only signing in the summer of 2023.
“For me he’s a playmaker, a player who can link the team. He’s also a player with the capacity to score goals and give assists. The contribution of Cole Palmer from day one has been massive,” Pochettino said post-match.
Raheem Sterling was the provider for Palmer’s opener and in doing so has now been directly involved in 181 goals in the Premier League (120 goals and 61 assists), the same number as Michael Owen and Dennis Bergkamp.
Man City 2-2 Crystal Palace
We'll just leave this here.#CPFC | #MCICRY pic.twitter.com/Ii53vbgfKU
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 16, 2023
When they next play in the Premier League defending champions, Manchester City may have lifted another trophy. But Pep Guardiola’s men now depart for Saudi Arabia to compete in this year’s Fifa Club World Cup with a tinge of frustration after dropping more points at home. Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis put the hosts in a commanding lead before a seemingly down-and-out Crystal Palace mounted an improbable comeback to share the spoils.
Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back, only for Michael Olise to equalise from 12 yards in the 95th minute. Despite now being 19 games unbeaten at home in the Premier League (15 wins and four draws), City’s last three at the Etihad Stadium have finished level (1-1 v Liverpool, 3-3 v Tottenham and 2-2 v Palace). They’ve failed to win three consecutive home league games for the first time since October-December 2016, a run of four in which the first three were all draws (one loss).
Furthermore, City have dropped seven points over their last five league games against Palace — three of which were at home. Even more impressive, Palace are the first team to trail by 2+ goals away to City in the Premier League and avoid defeat since Manchester United won 3-2 in April 2018; City had won 68 consecutive home league matches from such a position.
What’s likely to concern Guardiola is the fact City have kept one clean sheet across their last 11 games in the Premier League, while they have conceded at least once in seven consecutive league games for the first time since January 2019 (eight).
The home side left the field to boos from a section of the crowd.
Newcastle 3-0 Fulham
Injuries have done a number on Newcastle’s campaign but the Magpies march on and misfortune elsewhere in the squad has been Lewis Miley’s gain. The native of Gateshead has emerged from Newcastle’s youth system and continues to play beyond his years. Nominally utilised in a central midfield role, the England U19 international combines individual skill with stamina and subsequently wrote history against Fulham this afternoon.
Having already turned provider, creating Alexander Isak’s goal in their 4-1 win over Chelsea last month, Miley (aged 17 years and 229 days) became Newcastle’s youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer. He also happens to be the league’s youngest scorer since Federico Macheda for Manchester United in April 2009 (17 years, 226 days).
ONE. OF. OUR. OWN. pic.twitter.com/WQ3mC57UDZ
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 16, 2023
“What a moment it was for me and my family. They were in the stand. Great feeling to see the ball in the back of the net,” he said after the game. “Hopefully I can score lots more. I haven’t checked my phone yet but I’m sure everyone will be buzzing for us.”
His goal had been coming, as the Londoners were reduced to 10 men in the 22nd minute when Raúl Jiménez was shown a red card. Miguel Almirón and Dan Burn would contribute to Newcastle’s lead as they returned to successful ways.
