Pre-season friendly matches can often be over-analyzed and scrutinized without recognition, and although they do not necessarily represent the whole truth, they should never be ignored.
Exhibition matches are always full of little gems, from players making screams that will soon be lost in the history of the sport, to unnecessarily lively business between unsuspecting rivals.
Stop what you are doing and admire this magical part? #MUFC @AndrinhoPereira
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) 28 July 2021
With just a handful of weeks until we welcome the Premier League back to our lives, the clubs up and down the country are starting to put a little more energy and attention into their preparations for the season.
But how did they all progress in Saturday’s stack of friendly matches?
We start at bet365 Stadium for the weekend’s most feel-good story. Wolverhampton Wanderers left the Potteries with one 1-1 draw on Saturday, but more importantly, Raul Jimenez left with his first goal since suffering a nasty head injury in November 2020.
The Mexican knocked home on the return to interrupt Danny Batth’s opener Stoke Cityand with none of the sides able to come up with a winner, the game ended completely square.
He is back. ?
? @ Raul_Jimenez9 pic.twitter.com/UoSjKoaamX
– Wolves (@Wolves) July 31, 2021
Aston Villa stopped the fear of Jack Grealish’s future on Saturday afternoon and hammered Bristol City 3-0 at Ashton Gate. Teenager Jaden Philogene-Bidace opened the scoring after just six minutes, and Ezri Konsa struck with a defensive error to double the lead just before half-time.
Ollie Watkins ended the victory for Villa on the hour mark, and Bristol City simply could not respond to their superior opponents.
Brentfords the preparations for life in the Premier League were hit by a setback on Saturday, when they went under for one 1-0 defeat against other top clothes West Ham United. Said Benrahma proved the difference against his previous side, cut inside and hit a fantastic shot in the top corner to score the only goal of the match.
????????? Benrahma! ? ♂️ ?? pic.twitter.com/g8oS34isA2
– West Ham United (@WestHam) July 31, 2021
Elsewhere, Leicester City played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Queens Park Rangers, pulls one last equalizer against the Championship side. Charlie Austin had given the hosts the lead at half-time, before Yoann Barbet doubled the lead 10 minutes after the break.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall withdrew one in 75 minutes, and new signing Patson Daka pulled the Leicester level after clinically finishing from within the area. However, the drama did not end there. Rob Dickie restored QPR’s lead with eight minutes to play, but a Kelechi Iheanacho penalty meant the friendly substitutions were shared on Loftus Road.
A look at @ PatsonDaka20’s first goal in a Leicester City shirt ??? pic.twitter.com/F5NWIrsyvH
– Leicester City (@LCFC) July 31, 2021
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Reading, with Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the visitors, after Cheikhou Kouyate had seen red on the half-hour mark. John Swift equalized for Reading, but late goals from Jordan Ayew and Scott Banks caused the Eagles to shoot high.
Brighton also ran out 3-1 winner over Luton Town, when the seagulls started life without defender Ben White. Aaron Connolly gave Graham Potter’s side the lead within 10 minutes, and Enock Mwepu made it 2-0 in 35 minutes.
Harry Cornick gave Luton hope for the half-time, but Percy Tau restored the two-goal advantage in 62 minutes.
? That structure! That finish !? https://t.co/uILnnfa4dl pic.twitter.com/YMQkH0wxgn
– Leeds United (@LUFC) 31 July 2021
Leeds United fell to a 3-2 defeat to Real Betis, even though Patrick Bamford gave them a dream start with a smart header in six minutes. Strikes from Aitor Ruibal, Borja Iglesias and Youssouf Sabaly sent Betis forward and out of sight, although Mateusz Klich withdrew one with half an hour to play.
The match was played at a fast pace and the mood flared up and Nabil Fekir fired a real kick to Pascal Struijk. However, Leeds could not find a draw and Betis saw the win.
Armstrong ➡️ @ ShaneLong7 ➡️ Armstrong
A third for #SaintsFC: pic.twitter.com/OSmHXcGSou
– Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) 31 July 2021
Southampton earned a convincing 3-1 victory over Swansea City, although they had to come from behind, after Mohammed Salisu scored an own goal in a quarter of an hour. Nathan Tella equalized a minute later, and Nathan Redmond turned the game upside down nine minutes later.
Stuart Armstrong put the game beyond doubt for Swansea in 58 minutes, and they looked the match with comfort.
Finally, Burnley scored two goals in the second half to turn a deficit Tranmere in a 2-1 victory, after Nathaniel Knight-Percival kicked in goal for the hosts. Ashley Barnes took a 20-minute equalizer, and Dwight McNeil won the match with an off-field attack.
Results
Brentford 0-1 West Ham
Bristol City 0-3 Aston Villa
Luton 1-3 Brighton
QPR 3-3 Leicester City
Reads 1-3 Crystal Palace
Real Betis 3-2 Leeds United
Stoke City 1-1 Wolves
Swansea 1-3 Southampton
Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Burnley
