Weekend Review: Palmer’s pair of penalties punish Postecoglou as Chelsea chase leaders
It was a dismal weekend for north London as both Tottenham and Arsenal dropped points, but wins for Chelsea and Brentford ensured high morale in the west
Chelsea’s (6/5) 4-3 comeback victory over Tottenham (9/5) was undoubtedly the most thrilling of the Premier League’s weekend action and gave the punters a welcome lift on Sunday evening.
Goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski inside the first 11 minutes sent the home faithful into raptures before strikes from Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernández either side of a Cole Palmer penalty turned the game on its head.
A second penalty from Palmer handed the visitors a two-goal cushion, which was halved after Son Heung-Min’s 96th minute consolation, but the Blues held on for a win that takes them second in the Premier League, four points off top.
League-leaders Liverpool were out of action this weekend, with Storm Darragh sparking the postponement of a midday Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday.
In turn, Manchester City (3/4) were presented with the chance to make valuable ground on the Reds with their game away at Crystal Palace (4/1) but were held to a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park.
It was a similar story for title contenders Arsenal (3/5), who failed to get the better of London rivals Fulham (4/1) at Craven Cottage, with the honours ending even after a 1-1 draw.
Ruben Amorim tasted defeat at Old Trafford for the first time as Manchester United boss on Saturday night, with the Red Devils (7/10) beaten 3-2 by Nottingham Forest (4/1), representing two defeats in four league games for the new manager.
Bet365’s Steve Freeth said: “We were going along nicely after seeing 8/11 Manchester City and 4/6 Manchester United chinned on Saturday, but we took a couple of hefty body blows on Sunday.
“Brighton and then 15/8 Spurs being ticked as winners when going 2-0 up before blowing their leads, much to the joy of bet365 customers who had already been paid out in singles, multiples and bet builders thanks to our 2 Goals Ahead early payout offer.
“The high-scoring nature of the game at Tottenham rubbed further salt into the wound with bet builder-backers rejoicing as players like Palmer, Son and Solanke were all on the scoresheet.”
Betfred’s Alan Firkins added: “Football is a volatile business. Seemingly from nowhere, Chelsea now look the most potent threat to leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, and thrillingly beat Spurs 4-3 to go second, earning a 6/1 title quote. Cole Palmer once again was the inspiration, and all this after being 0-2 down after just 11 minutes.
“Everton versus Liverpool didn’t survive the storm [Storm Darragh], so we’ll have to wait a little longer for the last Merseyside derby at Goodison before the Toffees move to Bramley-Moore Dock. Crystal Palace were the latest club to thwart Manchester City, but a draw was something at least for the beleaguered champions, out to a stunning 10/1 in the Premier League outrights.
“Arsenal were held at Fulham but remain our second favs for the title at 5/2, while another good result for the desk was Manchester United getting turned over at Old Trafford by Nottingham Forest.”
Ali Gill of Kindred Group noted it was still a positive weekend for the Unibet parent company despite the Chelsea victory.
“A great weekend for the book in the Premier League, despite a very punter-friendly ending on Sunday afternoon as Spurs pulled a Spurs, eventually losing 4-3 to Chelsea,” he said.
“With goals galore, Solanke, Son and most importantly Palmer on the scoresheet and a win for Chelsea, that was about at backer-friendly as it gets.
“But, outside of that, we came out ahead in the remaining games for a great match round overall, with City and Arsenal drawing and United losing all returning excellent margin.”
Betway spokesman Mike Reading commented: “In the Premier League, Arsenal and Manchester City’s draws brought smiles to the faces of our traders – and Liverpool fans, too.
“It looked like a treble of good results for Red’s fans could be in the offing when Spurs went two up early on against Chelsea. However, the Blues’ remarkable comeback turned the tide, and the high-scoring game proved to be an expensive setback for us.
“In the other Sunday fixtures, Newcastle’s surprise loss at Brentford and Manchester United’s historic defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, their first in almost 30 years, were both positive outcomes for us.”
While many have been left surprised by Chelsea’s rise to title challengers this term, few have been stunned by the form of Palmer, who continues to be the man the Blues turn to in times of trouble.
OLBG’s Jake Ashton remarked: “Chelsea star Cole Palmer has now shortened in the PFA player of the year betting odds (5/2) after another big display for the Blues saw him score two penalties in their comeback win against Tottenham on Sunday.
“Palmer continues to shine after winning the PFA young player of the year last season and another big campaign could well see him voted for the main award this campaign. The odds already suggest it’s a two-horse race between him and Liverpool’s Mo Salah (6/5), with no real contenders in the market after that.”
Elsewhere, in Spain, a last-gasp leveller from Real Betis snatched all three points from La Liga giants Barcelona, Real Madrid ran out 3-0 winners against Girona, and Atletico Madrid came from two goals down to topple Sevilla, courtesy of a 94th minute winner.
Freeth said: “The title race in Spain is also hotting up and, while we profited from Assane Diao’s injury time leveller for Betis against 1/2 Barcelona, we gave it back on 7/10 Real Madrid’s 3-0 win at Girona with both Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham among the goals.
“We had a good result at the other end of the table with 6/5 Valencia losing at home to Rayo Vallecano but finished with an early payout on Sevilla before being stung by Antoine Griezmann’s 94th minute winner for Atlético Madrid, which was a loser in another favourable 4-3 for the punters.”
Another 2 Goal Ahead payout in Serie A, with Bologna eventually drawing 2-2 to Juventus, was also a pain point for bet365 according to Freeth.
He said: “And 1/2 Roma beating Lecce 4-1 also cost us a few quid, but we finished strongly in Italy with 4/5 Napoli losing at home to Lazio.”
Meanwhile, the weather seriously impacted the racing schedule, but Firkins outlined how the contests that did take place ended positively for punters.
“Storm Darragh battered the domestic racing programme on Saturday, but what action did take place was music to punters’ ears – four winning favourites from five TV Races at Sandown, and an enhanced 6/1 treble of ‘good things’ courtesy of Fred duly obliging,” he explained.
“Tingle Creek hero Jonbon was cut to 5/2 from 10/3 for the Champion Chase, L’Eau du Sud enhanced his Arkle credentials in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (now into 13/2) and a dogged staying display in the deep ground saw London National winner Mr Vango backed from 12s to 8/1 for the Welsh Grand National on the 27th.”