Matchweek 22 of the 2023/24 EPL season saw Man United snatch a 4-3 classic, Liverpool brush aside Chelsea, and Luton deliver an almighty upset.
United teen hits 97th-minute winner in instant EPL classic
There’s a history of 4-3 classics in the Premier League; Liverpool’s win over Newcastle in 1995-96 immediately comes to mind, Manchester United’s victory over rivals City in 2009-10 too. United’s 4-3 win over Wolves in Matchweek 22 may well be thought of in that bracket in years to come, such was a seesawing nature of a match that featured three goals from the 85th-minute onwards.
Erik ten Hag’s men went in as marginal $2.40 favourites at Molineux (Wolves $2.65) but, 3-1 up late, looked to be heading to a comfortable win after Marcus Rashford ($5.50 first goalscorer), Rasmus Hojlund ($2.50 anytime goalscorer) and Scott McTominay ($3.80 anytime) had all got on the scoresheet. What followed, though, had to be seen to be believed. Not only did the Red Devils concede in the 85th minute but, at 3-2 up in the 95th minute, inexplicably decided to send both centre-halves up for an attacking corner that then saw Wolves score on the break to level things at 3-3.
Enter 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo. The local product scored one of the goals of the season with a nutmeg outside the box, driving run and curling finish that sealed an unbelievable 4-3 win. Playing for his boyhood club, it was Mainoo’s first EPL goal, starting a $6.75 anytime goalscorer chance pre-game. To put the result into context, Over 6.5 goals was paying $26 pre-match while United prevailing 4-3 was a whopping $101 in correct score markets.
18-YEAR-OLD KOBBIE MAINOO WINS IT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED AT THE DEATH 💥
The nutmeg. The finish. It’s his first Premier League goal and what a time to do it.
Absolutely incredible stuff.
Watch 📲 https://t.co/6G5KLl8fc3#PL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/roGZsdQlON
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) February 1, 2024
Reds’ statement win as status quo remains
For a second consecutive EPL matchweek, the three clear title challengers in Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all sealed three points, leaving no change at the top of the table. But it was Liverpool who delivered the statement win of the round.
Going in as $1.45 favourites at Anfield after manager Jurgen Klopp had emotionally announced his plans to finish his time with the club at the end of this season, the Reds at times treated Chelsea with contempt. Or, at the very least, the mid-table club that they are at present, with no signs that things will change in the short-term. In prevailing 4-1, Klopp’s men covered the $4.60 pre-game handicap of 2-0, in a scoreline that was paying $21 before kickoff. It was a night to remember for 20-year-old Connor Bradley, who was player of the match for a stellar performance at right back. The Northern Ireland international scored one ($5.75 anytime goalscorer) and assisted two in a display that could make the German manager rethink his plans for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Aged 20 years and 206 days, Conor Bradley became the youngest @LFC player to score and assist a goal in a Premier League match since… 🔴
Raheem Sterling (19y 252d) in August 2014 v Southampton 📅 pic.twitter.com/KDXTHJL4JE
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 31, 2024
Luton turn upset into blowout
It’s a very, very rare occasion that a $4+ outsider finishes as 4-0 victor. But that’s exactly what Luton Town did on Matchweek 22, in an incredible result at Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters went in $4.40 at home to Brighton, but went 2-0 up inside two and a half minutes when eventual hat-trick hero Elijah Adebayo and Chiedozie Ogbene scored. Not done with that, the hosts scored again either side of the break to seal perhaps the club’s best night since they returned to the fop-flight. Speaking of which, it was Luton’s biggest top-flight win in over 30 years, while Adebayo scored the club’s first top-flight hat-trick since 1990. Pre-match, Rob Edwards’ side were a whopping $60 at -3.0.
The result is one of Brighton’s most chastening defeats in recent times. For Luton, though, they lift themselves out of the relegation spots and continue to dream of remaining in the world’s best league.
Bet Now ON ALL EPL MARKETSAugust 2023: Brighton 4-1 Luton
January 2024: Luton 4-0 Brighton
Progress 🧡 pic.twitter.com/nmjOR4vFFA
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) January 30, 2024