Matchweek 24 of the 2023/24 EPL season saw Arsenal destroy West Ham away, Scott McTominay bob up again, and Erling Haaland return with a bang.
Arsenal embarrass West Ham in record-breaking day
After a pulsating 3-1 win over title rivals Liverpool a week ago, it was important Arsenal rocked up on Sunday against West Ham looking to consolidate that win — especially as the Gunners were criticised for over-celebrating in the immediate aftermath of victory at The Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s men did exactly that – and a lot more.
Heading in as $1.50 favourites, Arsenal completed one of the most dominant away victories in recent time, finishing 0-6 victors. To put the result into context, the Gunners were $45 pre-game at -5.0. A battering usually reserved for relegation-bound clubs, it was especially galling that West Ham (eighth) suffered this ignominy at home. The embarrassment was there to see, with hoards of fans leaving before half-time. The scoreline was West Ham’s joint-heaviest ever home league defeat. It was also Arsenal’s joint-largest ever away league victory. But perhaps the aspect that hurt most was that ex-captain and record outbound transfer Declan Rice starred in the win, with two lovely assists and an absolute banger ($4.40 anytime goalscorer) to boot.
The win put Arsenal level with Manchester City on both points AND goal difference, which could become a big factor later on in this campaign.
Bukayo Saka’s reaction to Declan Rice’s stunner 😅#WHUARS pic.twitter.com/0Ce1TC5wpq
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 11, 2024
McTominay maintains United’s purple patch
How does he keep doing it?
Super sub Scott McTominay yet again bobbed up when Manchester United needed it most on the weekend, heading home in the 86th minute to give Manchester United a 2-1 win over Aston Villa as $2.90 underdogs in the match of the round. Needing a spark, manager Erik ten Hag turned to the Scot in the 73rd minute to conjure something special and he did exactly that to deliver for any punter who back him at $3.60 as anytime goalscorer. McTominay’s winner off the bench means United are now six games unbeaten in 2024. It also sees him extend his lead as the club’s top EPL goalscorer (seven) in 2023-24.
Perhaps most importantly, however, the win sees ten Hag’s side keep alight their slim hopes of a Top 4 finish this season. Out at $21 just weeks ago, three wins on the bounce has seen United shorten into $7.50.
🔴🏴 Ten Hag: “You have to credit a player like Scott McTominay. He is an example for many players these days”.
“There are not many players any more who are ready for every minute they can be on the pitch”.
“He is always ready to come on and make a difference”, told BBC. pic.twitter.com/Kz7fJAYVo7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 11, 2024
Haaland back in business
If the long-awaited comeback of Kevin De Bruyne has strengthened Man City’s hopes for a record fourth consecutive title, then the return of Erling Haaland to the scorer’s sheet spells even more trouble for title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.
After 77 days without an EPL goal, Haaland returned with a bang on Matchweek 24, netting both of City’s goals in a 2-0 win over Everton ($1.68 pre-game at -1.0). The Norwegian was $3.00 prior to kickoff to hit the back of the next twice or more with Palmerbet. Perhaps most impressively is that despite not adding to his total goals for 2023-24 in two-and-a-half months, he STILL sits atop the EPL top goalscorer list for this season. In what’s looming as the first genuine three-way title race in some time, Pep Guardiola’s men remain $1.57 title favourites with Palmerbet.
Bet Now ON ALL EPL MARKETSYes, Erling Haaland’s numbers are real 😳
He’s scored more goals in his first 50 starts than any other player in Premier League history. pic.twitter.com/SOjnyzvYak
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) February 11, 2024