Football is often decided by small moments, and Gameweek 31 showed that better than ever. The final scores only tell part of the story, while missed chances and what-if moments reveal a much harder truth for the teams and players who came up short.
Chelsea saw their hopes of reaching the Champions League slip away at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, while Tottenham Hotspur controlled large parts of their game but left without any points.
Even Manchester United were lucky to earn a draw after surviving against
a ten-man Bournemouth side. This week reminded us that having the ball or creating chances does not always guarantee a win.
So here are the unluckiest teams of Gameweek 31.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs fans will be frustrated at how their team left the stadium with nothing after a strong start. They controlled much of the first half and moved the ball well, keeping Nottingham Forest on the back foot.
Mathys Tel was the standout, always trying to create chances and even hitting the bar just before half time, a moment that could have changed the game.
Pape Sarr worked hard in midfield, contributing both offensively and defensively. But when Tel went off with a possible injury in the 67th minute, the team lost momentum and eventually fell 3-0.
Even though Spurs played well and created chances, the result showed how sometimes good performances aren’t enough to win.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United will feel this was a game they should not have lost. They were the better side for most of the match against Sunderland and created the clearer chances.
Anthony Gordon continued his fine form with another goal, while Nick Woltemade did well to win the ball and set him up. Sven Botman also came close to doubling the lead, but his header hit the post.
Things went from bad to worse late on when Malick Thiaw had a goal ruled out for offside. After controlling the game for so long, Newcastle then conceded a late winner, turning what should have been a positive result into a painful defeat.
Chelsea
Chelsea controlled much of the game, keeping 65% of possession and spending most of the match in Everton’s half, yet they lost 3-0.
Enzo Fernandez ran the midfield with almost 90% passing accuracy, while Estevao was a constant threat and nearly scored when he hit the crossbar from a corner.
Despite their dominance, Chelsea couldn’t find a goal. Everton’s quick counter-attacks and a few defensive mistakes meant the Blues’ strong performance went unrewarded.
It was a tough day for the team and a reminder of how football can be unpredictable, as effort doesn’t turn into points often.
Liverpool
Liverpool had a frustrating afternoon at the Amex stadium, looking far more dangerous than the 2-1 score suggested.
They created plenty of chances and outperformed Brighton in expected goals, but finishing let them down.
Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Milkos Kerkez all stood out with ratings above 7.0, while Cody Gakpo worked hard to create opportunities. Kerkez was the only one to score, deciding the game for Brighton.
To make matters worse, Hugo Ekitike went off early with an injury, disrupting Liverpool’s flow. Despite controlling much of the match, luck was not on their side. Even so, the team is still doing all it can to secure a Champions League spot as the season nears its end.
Manchester United
If any team was unlucky this weekend, it was Manchester United. They were under pressure for most of the game against a strong Bournemouth team and looked set to lose after Harry Maguire got a red card.
Bruno Fernandes showed why he is so important, scoring a key penalty and helping set up the James Hill own goal that kept them in the match.
Amad Diallo also made a difference, using his speed to stretch Bournemouth on counter-attacks and forcing a great save early on. Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro were standout performers, each earning a rating above 7.
United’s 2-2 draw felt like a lucky escape, and while they got a point, they owe a lot to players like Bruno, Shaw, and Yoro who stepped up even when the team was struggling.
