Arsenal 2 vs 3 Aston Villa
Goals: Aubameyang x 2; Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey x 2
No further news at the time of publication.
Brighton 0 vs 0 West Bromwich Albion
The Seagulls lined up with three centre-backs as expected with mid-priced striker option, Neal Maupay (£6.5m), getting a 90-minute run-out.
The Baggies’ key man, Matheus Pereira, hit the woodwork just before the break but his side again failed to score.
Burnley 4 vs Hearts 1
Goals: Rodriguez (pen), Thompson, Richardson, Gudmundsson
Assists: Richardson, Tarkowski, Thompson
In one of two Burnley friendlies this afternoon, James Tarkowski, fully recovered after a minor injury, was one of only a few players who are in contention to start in Gameweek 2 to make an appearance.
Rodriguez took a penalty in the absence of Chris Wood.
Burnley 4 vs Mansfield Town 2
Goals: Brownhill, Wood x 2, Thomas
Assists: McNeil x 2
There were notable 90-minute appearances for Phil Bardsley, Charlie Taylor and Chris Wood, who notched a brace.
It therefore looks like Taylor (£4.5m) has won the battle to start over Pieters ahead of the start of the season given that he lined up alongside Bardsley.
Ben Mee remains injured but has time on his side.
Crystal Palace 1 vs 1 Brøndby IF
Goals: Zaha Assists: Ayew
It now looks increasingly likely that budget option, Tyrick Mitchell (£4m), will start in GW1 after his third consecutive start of pre-season at left-back and another 90 minutes under his belt.
With Patrick van Aanholt back in training, he will admittedly be a short-term option.
Moreover, Jaïro Riedewald, who can cover at left-back, played the whole 90 minutes in central midfield with Palace’s other central midfielders either working their way back to full fitness or covering at centre-back, in the case of Cheikhou Kouyaté.
Wilfried Zaha continued his blistering pre-season form but we all know that that counts for nothing once the real action starts next weekend.
Everton 2 vs 0 Preston North End
Goals: Kenny, Calvert-Lewin
Assists: Walcott, Richarlison
Mason Holgate left Goodison Park on crutches after injuring his toe in a match where the Toffees lined up in a 4-3-3 with a mixture of youth and experience.
Budget enabler, Anthony Gordon, played for 78 minutes in midfield to strenghten his claims of a starting spot next weekend.
Leeds United 3 vs 1 Paços de Ferreira
Goals: Struijk, Hernández, Costa
Assists: Douglas, Bamford x 2
Luke Ayling again lined up at centre-back and looks to do so in next weekend’s trip to Anfield whilst new centre-back signing, Robin Koch, integrates himself into the team.
Leicester City 1 vs 1 Blackburn Rovers
Goal: Amartey
In a much changed starting eleven, there were starts for Jamie Vardy, Demarai Gray and Harvey Barnes.
Liverpool 7 vs 2 Blackpool
Goals: Matip, Mané, Firmino, Elliott, Minamino, Origi, van den Berg
Assists: Milner, Minamino, Origi, Firmino, Jones, Elliott
Despite the Reds’ usual front three all starting, it must be stressed that all of the first-choice back four were away on international duty so we shouldn’t read too much into this other than an increase in match fitness.
Newcastle United 0 vs 1 Stoke City
Allan Saint-Maximin managed 73 minutes in the Magpies’ last pre-season friendly.
Watford 2 vs 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Goals: Son (pen) Assists: Lamela
Son looks to have confirmed his position as Spurs’ second-choice penalty-taker after Harry Kane, with the South Korean being preferred ahead of Dele Alli.
Tottenham’s captain for the day had previously missed his last penalty in the league away to Aston Villa with Alli successfully stepping up in the injury absences of both Son and Kane shortly afterwards.
West Ham United 3 vs 5 Bournemouth
Goals: Bowen x 2, Anderson
Assists: Cullen x 2, Snodgrass
Ben Johnson (£4m) started the match poorly and was hauled off for Ryan Fredericks after just 26 minutes, which really dents his chances of starting at home to Newcastle United in GW1.
This was pretty much a full strength Hammers’ team with Michail Antonio shifting to the wing to allow Sébastien Haller a start up front.
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