premier-league-2020-21-game-week-25-live-updates-results-matches

That's all we've got for you folks. The Premier League's Gameweek 25 is finally over and the world is a sadder place to be again. Sad, isn't it? But worry not, because the European adventures currently grace our Tv screens, so switch over and be happy again.

But until next time, this is goodnight and goodbye.

Matchweek 25: ✅ pic.twitter.com/YErsFb5hW3

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2021

Le superbe coup-franc inscrit par #Raphinha 🇧🇷 contre Southampton ! Grosse saison de l’ancien rennais pour ses débuts en #PremierLeague 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #LEESOU pic.twitter.com/KNDHpKQdrQ

— Les-Transferts (@LesTransferts) February 23, 2021

Marcelo Bielsa: "The difference of the three goals is different to how it was between the two teams, even if I think the victory was deserved. Throughout the game it was difficult to establish differences between the two teams. Even if we had a good offensive game - we created double the chances they did - the dominance alternated.

"When the games are so close, the team that scores first gets the advantage. It is not definitive but has weight.

"Raphinha is a player very necessary because he can unbalance teams by himself. Our game is based on combinations and to have a player who can combine and create in individual actions, that is very important.

"Illan Meslier had an influence on the final result because he neutralised the opportunities of the opponent."

More from Ralph Hasenhuttl: "First half good, second half disaster.

On disallowed goal: "Maybe it was a little bit too early but 50 meters in front of goal, waiting for the referee's whistle. Let us not discuss the referee today. We deserved to lose today because in the second half we have not been playing what we should be against this team. In the firs half we showed we can compete as a team, the second half balls in behind was causing us problems and that is too easy. No chance to get something here.

"Nathan Tella was good, he is brave, has good in drilling and knew we wanted to have good one v one qualities. We had good chance, we did not make it but they did.

"To find an explanations for the second, we have not discussed it. They came out and played more long balls in behind but the timing for us was horrible, we got caught too many times. The closing down was difficult in the second half and nothing worked quite well.

"We speak about this for a few weeks now, hopefully Oriol Romeo is not injured and every time we lose a game we have players struggling with injuries.

"It was a good tackle (by Romeu) but we had good moments on the other side, we gave them one chance in the first 45 minutes so 3-0 was maybe too high. It was deserved, they killed us in the second half."

Ralph Hasenhuttl: "In the end we are losing and this is not perfect. The second half of the season is always working like this, we have chances and don't score.

"Our disallowed goal was one second played too early and it is tough to take at the moment, a deserved win for Leeds because they had more energy in the second half. We gave up in the second half and that is not what I like.

"They have good one against one quality and every ball in behind we had problems to deal with. As long as we defend together, were committed they only had one chance. In the second half we were stretched. They showed our weakness immediately and are strong in one on one, we could not manage it."

Marcelo Bielsa:  "The difference between the two teams was not as big as the scoreline, the game was very disputed even if our offensive game was big or more than the opponents. We created double the chances they did but the transmit of the game was very up and down.

"They had two different types of full-backs and the right back did not attack while the left-back attacked more and defended less. We were alternating between Raphinha, Helder Costa and Jack Harrison to see which adapted best to what was happening on both sides. In the second half when we scored quickly, there were more possibilities for Raphinha to get in behind more."

On signing a new contract at Leeds: "I simply wanted to reflect that when there is a third of the league still to play for, many games can offer conclusions that perhaps have an influence on the final decision. In no way do I want to position my way in an advantageous position with the club. If the club offer me an extension and I delay it, that would seem as though the club is more interested in me than I am in the club but that is not the case."

Patrick Bamford:  "More important than anything today was winning, it was quite an even game and the first time I have seen a team come and press like we do. We got the first goal and managed to get the three points.

"We were getting caught on the ball and played the pitch better and played it into the opposition half a bit quicker. We got the first goal and managed to get two more. The pitch was like going to a winter wonderland at Christmas."

#LEESOU BONUS POINTS AS IT STANDS:

3 - Dallas
2 - Meslier
1 - Raphinha#FPL pic.twitter.com/oqJzobs5S6

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 23, 2021

Back to winning ways for Leeds as they ease past Southampton#LEESOU pic.twitter.com/ifNGII6WLr

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2021

Leeds (1.53) 3-0 (0.83) Southampton

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) February 23, 2021

Leeds have taken more points this season than in the whole of their last Premier League season (35-33).

— Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) February 23, 2021

Raphinha one of the stars of the season, one of the buys of the season, £17m from Rennes, one of the entertainers of the season. Threatens with dead ball or moving, great energy, all attacking adrenalin. Responding so well to the inspirational Bielsa #lufc. Rightly MOTM #LEESOU

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 23, 2021

FULL-TIME AND LEEDS UNITED WIN THIS ONE..

The first half was average. That second half was sensational and Leeds United swept the Saints aside like they were nothing. Three superb goals from the hosts and they could have maybe had far far more than that. Definitely could have had more.

CHANCE FOR LEEDS UNITED!!! A chance for a Leeds fourth but Pablo Hernandez laces a volley wide. And that would have been a spectacular goal had it found the net but McCarthy watches as it flies wide wide wide.

Three minutes of added time...

Into the final three minutes of normal time, and Leeds United want more goals. Bamford tries an effort, it's blocked and then Helder Costa spanks it well over the crossbar from the rebound. Poor.

Raphinha does get booked for taking off his shirt. FPL managers all over the world groan.

2004 - Raphinha is the eighth different player to score directly from a free-kick for Leeds in the Premier League, and the first since Stephen McPhail against Manchester City in March 2004. Torpedo. pic.twitter.com/wQtCWSpD1S

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2021

Will get a yellow for celebration.

— Andy (@LetsTalk_FPL) February 23, 2021

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

INTO THE NET FROM THE FREE-KICK..

Superbly done by Raphinha who finally gets a reward for his work tonight. Over the wall, past McCarthy and into the net.

Down the other side, Leeds United break on the counter and Djenepo upends Helder Costa about 25 yards out from goal and earns a yellow card. Raphinha is over it..

Into the final eight odd minutes of the game as Bednarek absolutely hammers a cross in from the right and after the ball cannons off a few players...Meslier catches. Not sure what the center-back's intensions were there but he smashed that in.

Big win for Leeds, this. They've been much sharper in the final third and looked much more dangerous than Southampton throughout. #LUFC 2-0 #SaintsFC #LEESOU

— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) February 23, 2021

Goal – DALLAS
Assist – HELDER COSTA

Leeds 2-0 Southampton (78 mins)#LEESOU #FPL

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 23, 2021

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!

COUNTER-ATTACK PERFECTION FROM DALLAS..

Helder Costa is fed down the right, he has Raphinha and Patrick Bamford down the middle but opts to find Stuart Dallas on the edge of the area. The midfielder cum defender collects, and then swings a toe at the ball, catches it wonderfully and it flies past McCarthy.

All Southampton now and Leeds United have produced very little since scoring. The emphasis is on the Saints but still..and here come Leeds...

Change for Leeds United. Pablo Hernandez is on, Tyler Roberts is the man being replaced.

Things have quietened down since that early flurry from Leeds with the subs doing their bit for Southampton as Danny Ings whacks another shot wide. The possession scale has been tipping towards the Saints' over the last ten minutes...but things aren't working so far.

Problem for Southampton because Oriol Romeu can't continue. The Spaniard has to be replaced and limps off the field with Moussa Djenepo the man replacing him. Limited options and whatnot.

Corner number two is a complete non-event.

Corner for Southampton AND PATRICK BAMFORD NEARLY TURNS IT INTO HIS OWN NET!!

Nuts from Bamford as he sneaks ahead of Meslier and kicks the ball high into the sky, and just clear of his own crossbar, out for another corner. That could have gone either way. It was Ward-Prowse's corner, Vestergaard's header and Bamford's clearance. 

SUPER SAVE FROM MCCARTHY!! Raphinha got to the byline and slid the ball into Llorente’s path, hoping that the ball found the net. But the Saints' keeper reacted and denied Llorente's first Leeds goal on what is his first home start.

Changes for both sides. First Southampton make a double change with Danny Ings and Takumi Minamino replacing Nathan Tella and Nathan Redmond.

Leeds United are forced into a change with Klich unable to continue and is replaced by Alioski. That will see Stuart Dallas shifted further forward into midfield with Alioski moving to left-back.

Absolutely sensational start from Leeds United. They've had four shots in the opening eleven odd minutes of the second half, as compared to the two they had in the entirety of the first half.

And another for LEEDS UNITED!! Raphinha does well and works the ball to Liam Cooper at the back post but the defender’s header across goal is hoicked clear. 

CHANCE FOR LEEDS UNITED!! They slice Southampton open, Bamford is found on the far right and smashes his effort at McCarthy. The rebound falls back for him, he picks out Tyler Roberts near the penalty spot and he hits it right at the Saint's keeper as well.

Both goalkeepers have been in action here with Meslier forced to make two saves, first from Nathan Redmond and then from Stuart Armstrong. The Frenchman dealt with both before Leeds flew down the other side, after the first shot, and scored. The aftermath of the second one sees Tyler Roberts fire just wide of McCarthy's far post.

Goal – BAMFORD
Assist – ROBERTS

Leeds 1-0 Southampton (47 mins)#LEESOU #FPL

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 23, 2021

Bednarek & JV were just totally switched off there. Dumb

— Alex Stewart (@AFHStewart) February 23, 2021

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!

TWO MINUTES. THAT'S ALL IT HAS TAKEN.

Patrick Bamford with a brilliant finish after Tyler Roberts did ever so well to set the forward off and running through the middle. He doesn't take a first touch, allows the ball to roll through his legs and then fires a left-footed effort into the far right corner.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!! AND WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY..

Leeds United does the honors and they've made a change. Helder Costa has replaced Jack Harrison.

HALF-TIME Leeds 0-0 Southampton

An entertaining end-to-end encounter but it’s goalless at the break#LEESOU pic.twitter.com/PgmEScy4Ez

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2021

Nathan Tella attempted [5] and completed [3] more take-ons than any other player on the pitch in the first half vs. Leeds United

Lively throughout, but never getting that pen. 👀 pic.twitter.com/CrSeY2qgrP

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2021

⚽️ Leeds United vs Southampton | Oriol Romeu perfect sliding tackle on Raphina #LEESOU pic.twitter.com/m38aQ1YOdb

— D9INE (@D9INE_FOREVER31) February 23, 2021

HALF-TIME AND THAT IS INDEED THAT..

Goalless at the break but this game has had it's moments. Moments where it could have turned into a goal-fest, moments where it could have all become really nice to watch, moments where goals could have been scored but for two teams struggling to win, this wasn't bad. It was a decent half of football when you add that factor into the mix.

Another attempt, this time from the other side, Leeds United clear and it falls for Stuart Armstrong on the edge of the area. He shanks it well wide and that could be that..

Corner for Southampton, it's swung into the box and the Saints have corner number two.

Three minutes of added time..

Southampton, after much debate, take it again but fail to score this time. Salisu tried his level best to get to the cross before a defender but it just hasn't been that kind of night.

Free-kick to Southampton, Ward-Prowse takes and finds Che Adams with a peach of a pass and the forward proceeds to put the ball into the net. Unfortunately it doesn't count as the Saints' don't play to the whistle and the on-field ref pulls it back.

Tackle of the decade, that

— Alex Stewart (@AFHStewart) February 23, 2021

Apparently, it's nothing the magic sponge can't solve as the Brazilian is back on the field and the game has moved on.

Stoppage in play as Raphinha gets his ankles looked at. He looks in a lot of pain.

Free-kick for Southampton on the far left, Bertrand floats it into the box...and off goes Leeds United. They're off, on the break, Raphinha is leading the charge and THAT'S A MAJESTIC TACKLE FROM ROMEU!!

The Brazilian was just about to shoot but Romeu flew in, inside the area, and stuck out a leg to produce arguably the greatest tackle this season will ever see.

Free-kick for Leeds United on the far right, Raphinha is over it and the Brazilian proceeds to float the ball right into McCarthy's hands. Poor.

Also fair 😂 https://t.co/6xxtYgRjmk

— Alex Stewart (@AFHStewart) February 23, 2021

VAR DECISION: NO PENALTY..

The on-field referee has taken a look, more than one, and then pointed for the free-kick in favour of Leeds United. 

VAR DECISION: REF TO THE SCREEN PLEASE..

VAR CHECK ONGOING...

The on field decision was a straight point to the spot one but the VAR have no decision yet.

PENALTY FOR SOUTHAMPTON!!!

Ward-Prowse finds Nathan Tella on the far left, he drives into the area and hits Diego Llorente before falling to the floor. Not sure if this is a penalty but the VAR are checking things.

CHANCE FOR SOUTHAMPTON!! Ryan Bertrand, of all people, burst beyond the Leeds United back-line and is found with a great over the top pass. The full-back chests it down, enters the 18 yard box and then smacks an effort right at Meslier to save. The Frenchman obliges and then the referee pulls play back for handball. No complaints from the left-back.

Corner for Leeds, Raphinha swings it deep into the box but the entire move comes to a grand total of nothing.

Raphinha is over the ball.

Dinked towards the far post, Diego Llorente nods it across the box and Liam Cooper battles Salisu for the ball, sticks out a foot and forces McCarthy to tip it over the top. Salisu did get caught there by Cooper but is fine to continue.

Yellow card for Jannick Vestergaard after he upends Tyler Roberts and Leeds United have a free-kick about 30 yards out from goal. It's placed smack in the middle though which means that any chance of a shot could be a problem. Let's see.

Superbly done by Raphinha as he weaves his way down the right, flies past Salisu's sliding tackle inside the area, and then picks out Tyler Roberts near the penalty spot. The low cross finds the midfielder and he proceeds to clear Elland Road with his shot.

Patrick Bamford has a couple of jogs into the Southampton defense, with the ball, but the first is stopped by the excellent Salisu while the second is dealt with by Vestergaard. The second one also saw Bamford hit the turf, looking for a penalty but the ref says no deal.

Vestergaard is dealing with more than everything that flies into the Southampton defence. Far more head tennis than one game should have but that's partly because the playing surface is coming apart at it's seams. And yet, the towering defender comes out on top.

Still, all Southampton as we cross the 16 minute mark and Leeds United are truly struggling to get anything going. Nathan Tella has been a large part of anything good that the Saints have produced.

I meant the fake fans noise, not the managers roaring. Because minutes later and you can still hear the duo going at it, consistently barking instructions.

Both Marcelo Bielsa and Ralph Hasenhuttl are having a screaming contest on the sidelines with their voice heard over the noise of fake fans. That's coming to an end now, isn't it?

Yet to click Leeds as they win themselves a free-kick on the far right. It's floated into the box by Raphinha and for some weird reason, Patrick Bamford chests it past his teammates. Weirder than weird that as the ball rolls into McCarthy's hands. Flag was up for offside anyway.

AND ANOTHER ONE FOR THE SAINTS!! Superly done by Nathan Tella as he dances past one and then two defenders with some lovely footwork, has Che Adams down the right but instead, the youngster opts to go all by himself. But it doesn't quite work out the way he expected with the shot right at Meslier from the edge of the box.

CHANCE FOR SOUTHAMPTON!!! They win a free-kick on the far right, James Ward-Prowse swings a beaut into the box and somehow Jannick Vestergaard sends a free header wide of the mark. That was a chance especially against a Leeds side that have been terrible at defending set-pieces.

Bright start from Leeds as Bamford is found by Klich. He then plays a smooth one two with Tyler Roberts and then proceeds to slide the same man through into the area. But the pass is slightly too heavy for Roberts and slides out for a goal-kick. Bamford had Raphinha on his left as well.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!! AND WE'RE OFF AT ELLAND ROAD..

Southampton get us underway after everyone on the field takes a knee. There is no room for racism. Kick it out.

THE TEAMS SAUNTER OUT. ELLAND ROAD IS SILENT. FOOTBALL IS IMMINENT.

Patrick Bamford walks out carrying an Ipad, as a replacement for the normal mascots. The modern game..

Let's go!#LEESOU pic.twitter.com/mxP24sfDHL

— Natasha Henry (@NatashaSHenry) February 23, 2021

🗣 "You need fresh players on the pitch."

Ralph Hasenhuttl explains why Ings, Minamino & Djenepo drop to the bench #LEESOU pic.twitter.com/pCS5HFS18R

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 23, 2021

Marcelo Bielsa: "The change is made because we can count on Diego Llorente again and I am in agreement that the performance was good in the last game. It is necessary in this moment and we hope he can show the qualities that brought him here.

"There are no easy games in the Premier League, all the teams have highs and lows and I have the sensation that Southampton are recovering the levels of earlier in the season.

"I am not the best qualified to describe the opponent's style, I will leave that to others who are better qualified."

Bamford masterclass incoming? 🎯#LEESOU pic.twitter.com/PUfTC8eL1L

— Goal (@goal) February 23, 2021

2012 - This is the first meeting between Leeds and Southampton in any competition since October 2012, when the Whites won a League Cup tie 3-0 at Elland Road under Neil Warnock. Rekindled. pic.twitter.com/uRUybsrdFt

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2021

SCOUT: No forward has produced more points per million spent than Patrick Bamford (19.4) this season

1,626,122 have captained him for DGW25 but still await his first attacking return of the Gameweek#LEESOU #FPL pic.twitter.com/Qos8nnT3SO

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 23, 2021

The most yellow carded players from #LUFC & #SaintsFC 🟨

❍ Romeu: 6
❍ Ayling: 5
❍ Klich: 5
❍ Dallas: 5
❍ Bertrand: 5
❍ Ward-Prowse: 4
❍ Walker-Peters: 4 #LEESOU pic.twitter.com/tf2BWPhEPf

— Oddschanger (@Oddschanger) February 23, 2021

Che Adams it’s your time to shine son!

With 6.12% ownership in the top 10k if he delivers it could be massive👀 #LEESOU https://t.co/YS3vLHbi3Y pic.twitter.com/ojOSP3Rn7h

— FPL Steve👨🏻‍💻 (@SHARRlS) February 23, 2021

LINEUPS ARE OUT AND WE'VE GOT FOUR CHANGES!!

Just the one change for Leeds United as Jamie Shackleton drops out of the 11 and is replaced by Diego Llorente. The Spaniard has struggled with injuries and gets a third try to prove himself with Luke Ayling playing right-back and Stuart Dallas playing left-back, presumably.

Three changes for Southampton from that draw against Chelsea. The biggie? Danny Ings is benched and Che Adams replaces the striker with Stuart Armstrong and Nathan Tella joining him. Moussa Djenepo and Takumi Minamino join Ings on the bench.

🚨 TEAM NEWS 🚨

How #SaintsFC will line-up against #LUFC tonight: pic.twitter.com/lu52Ac1rWl

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 23, 2021

📋 One change for tonight's clash with Southampton, Diego Llorente replaces Jamie Shackleton

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 23, 2021

Your pick? #LEESOU pic.twitter.com/HsXhFLXJ2j

— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) February 23, 2021

It’s a rivalry, not a derby.

rivalry [noun]:
competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.

Example:
Crystal Palace have a rivalry with Brighton & Hove Albion, and have enjoyed back-to-back wins at the seaside town.

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 22, 2021

💬 What's your score prediction for tonight's #LEESOU clash? pic.twitter.com/mGTBGh7RXb

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 23, 2021

⚪️ 🆚 😇

Tuesday night #PL football: incoming 🙌#LEESOU pic.twitter.com/oJlCw52b8V

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2021

YUP, IT'S ME AGAIN..

I know, you must be sick of me by now. Hell, I'm sick of me by now but we've got one more game of Premier League football before the Gameweek is over. Just one and it should be a really really nice one unless I've jinxed it by saying just that. Hopefully, that is not the case.

And that's all we've got for you folks. Ten games down, one game left and it all comes to a boil tomorrow night when Leeds United stack up against Southampton. Should be a fun game of football especially when you consider that the Saints have a lot to lose, while Marcelo Bielsa's side simply loves scoring goals. But for now, this is goodnight, goodbye and until next time..

Roy Hodgson says (a lot): "It's always great to score in the last minute, especially when we had to soak up a lot of pressure. The defending was very good, they threw their bodies on the line. We worked hard to make certain they didn't get many sights at goal.

"We didn't create as many chances we'd like. The two we created from crosses were goals. It was important tonight because we haven't been pleased with our defending recently. We thought we were falling short of our high standards.

"Tonight from the very start we showed we'd make it hard for them to score. The bodies were there, headers were there, blocks were there. We took maximum advantage from the counter attack.

"But we've had games like that ourselves - against Brighton, against Newcastle. It's nice to know the old adage about things evening themselves out, they have tonight. We get so hung up on statistics these days. The game is decided by goals.

"Goals are a question of how well you take your chances and defend theirs. Until there are prizes for corners and touches in the box, it's very important we keep in mind that results are borne out by goals you score and goals you don't concede.

"I get no satisfaction when we lose and we have more corners or touches in their box. [The opener was a] very good goal. Both goals were wonderful bursts by Jordan Ayew. Christian has been short of goals, he turns up in the last minute.

"I'm pleased for both of them. It's good for the future. We will need fighting performances like that. We're not Man City, we can't roll teams over. Brighton are a form team. I'm sure they'd say they didn't get the result they deserved."

Graham Potter:  "It is difficult, a very sore one, we did everything but get the points and that's the most important thing so we are very disappointed.

"They were in our box I think twice and scored two, that is the beauty of football but it doesn't feel so beautiful at the moment, it feels painful. It was a one-sided game in terms of pressure but they scored two, so that's life.

"I didn't think we did so much wrong in the first half, the goal is from one action at our half and you have to respond, which we did, pushed and pushed and thought we were going to win the game - players are distraught but it is part of life and football and we have to deal with it because we have a game at the weekend.

"In terms of chances created, what we looked like in the game, I was happy with the performance, we need to do a little bit more and I have to keep working on that. We have been on an unbeaten run, we have to respond now, it's not going to go your way all the time, you have to respond. That's the job."

Gary Cahill: "A lot of hard work and determination [went into the win]. We suffered a lot in the game. Defensively we had to work as a team.

"It's a derby, one for the fans to enjoy. It's a six-pointer. We're delighted to take three points.

"We knew how big this game was. We go level with Brighton or six points ahead and get out of the bottom zone. That was the aim. The last couple of results didn't go our way, we were open.

"We went back to basics today. We suffered a lot without the ball. To win it at the end was satistifing. When a game plays out like it did, all that matters is the result. There was some old-school defending out there today."

Christian Benteke: "It is a massive result. We know we play a derby against a very good side. It wasn't easy, they managed to come back in the game in the second half. We put our life on the pitch, tried to defend as much as we could and I had a chance to score a great goal.

"Today was all about three points, it wasn't easy but we got them. The plan was to be compact, we have been too open and we changed the tactic.

"We have got a lot of good players up front but I know my strengths, my qualities, it was about being ready when the gaffer needs me."

📊 Total goal attempts for the 2 PL games between Brighton & Crystal Palace this season:

Brighton 45 shots (8 on target) - 1 point
Crystal Palace 4 shots (3 on target) - 4 points pic.twitter.com/KZ1Wz8ShqF

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) February 22, 2021