A brief summary of the action on Matchday 32 of the 2022/23 English Premier League
Leicester City 2-1 Wolves
Leicester climbs out of relegation zone as battle to stay up heats up
After a 10-match winless streak, Leicester has managed to beat Wolverhampton 2-1 in the English Premier League to escape the relegation zone. Thomas Castagne scored the winning goal in the 75th minute for Leicester.
They came from behind to secure their first victory since Feb. 11. The match also marked Dean Smith’s first home game in charge since replacing Brendan Rodgers. Leicester moved above Everton and Nottingham Forest in the standings, climbing out of the bottom three with six games left.
Wolves went in front in the 13th minute after Youri Tielemens was dispossessed in his own half. Matheus Cunha ran forward and clipped home a curling finish from just outside the area. Leicester equalized in the 37th minute after Jamie Vardy was brought down by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa, and Kelechi Iheanacho converted the spot-kick after a stuttering run-up.
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa keep Europe hopes alive
Aston Villa managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Brentford in the English Premier League on Saturday, thanks to a late equalizer from Douglas Luiz. Although Ivan Toney scored his 20th goal of the season in the 65th minute to give Brentford the lead, Luiz’s close-range finish in the 87th ensured that Villa did not leave empty-handed.
This draw keeps Villa’s hopes of qualifying for Europe alive, as they remain in sixth place, two points behind Tottenham in fifth. However, Villa struggled to match their dazzling performance from their 3-0 win over Newcastle last weekend, only managing to create a few chances in the first half.
Brentford had several opportunities to extend their lead in the second half, but were unable to capitalise on them. Bryan Mbeumo in particular caused problems for the Villa defence, but missed several good chances to score. Despite this, it looked like Toney’s goal was going to be enough to secure Brentford’s victory, until Luiz’s late intervention.
The draw means that Brentford stay in 10th place, six points behind Villa, and will need to win their remaining games if they want to have any chance of qualifying for Europe themselves.
Everton 0-0 Crystal Palace
Anxiety at Goodison as Everton drops into relegation zone
Everton’s struggles continued as they slipped into the English Premier League relegation zone following a goalless draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday. Despite earning a point at Selhurst Park, Everton fell into the bottom three because Leicester City beat Wolverhampton 2-1.
The Toffees were reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute when defender Mason Holgate was sent off for a questionable tackle, but Sean Dyche’s squad held on for the draw. Everton has now gone five games without a win. Palace’s Eberechi Eze thought he gave the home side the lead in the 57th minute when he chipped the ball over goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, but he was ruled offside. Palace remained unbeaten since the return of manager Roy Hodgson, who oversaw three straight wins entering the match.
The draw kept Palace in 12th place while Everton, which hosts fourth-placed Newcastle on Thursday, was third from last in the standings, tied on points with Leicester but trailing on goal difference with six games remaining.
Fulham 2-1 Leeds United
Leeds United slip in relegation battle
Leeds United’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the English Premier League were dealt a blow on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat to Fulham, largely due to two errors from goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
In the second half, Meslier was unable to handle two crosses from the left and his parries led to goals for Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira. An own-goal from Joao Palhinha offered some late hope for Leeds, but they ultimately suffered their fourth loss in five games.
Fulham could have won by a bigger margin, with Pereira and Willian both hitting the woodwork from free-kicks. Leeds fans expressed their dissatisfaction by chanting “We want Orta out”, referring to the director of football, and the name of former manager Marcelo Bielsa.
The defeat left Leeds in the relegation zone, two points from safety, while Fulham remained in contention for a European qualification spot.