Fulham, Villa win as PL resumes with tributes to queen
Steve Cooper and Marco Silva, the respective managers of Nottingham Forest and Fulham, carried wreaths as they led their teams out toward the centre circle ahead of a prematch minute’s silence for Queen elizabeth II at the City Ground.
Over at Villa Park, the lights were dimmed, the middle of the field was illuminated, and tributes to the late monarch were displayed on the screens. Later, a soprano sang God Save the King in front of the players of Aston Villa and Southampton.
When the clock reached 70 minutes at both matches, fans stood and applauded in memory of The Queen — who died last week after 70 years on the throne. Play even briefly stopped.
The Queen was remembered and honoured with touching tributes as the Premier League resumed after a two-week break — prompted by the death of the long-serving monarch — with wins for Fulham and Villa on Friday.
They were the first two of seven matches taking place in this round of the top flight from Friday-sunday, with three games called off because of logistical issues and on safety grounds while authorities make preparations for The Queen’s funeral on Monday.
The entire round of fixtures was postponed last weekend as a mark of respect.
Fulham took their time to get going after its hiatus, then scored three goals in six second-half minutes in a comefrom-behind 3-2 victory at Forest in an entertaining match between two promoted teams.
Tosin Adarabioyo, Joao Paulinha and Harrison Reed were the scorers in that rush of goals in the lead-up to the hour mark, and Fulham moved up to sixth place.
Forest, who are in next-tolast place, went ahead through Taiwo Awoniyi in the 11th while Lewis O’brien’s goal in the 77th sparked a tense finish.
Jacob Ramsey was Villa’s match-winner with a 41st-minute goal against Southampton.
Coming after a battling 1-1 draw with Manchester City two weeks ago, Villa climbed to 13th place.
It was a forgettable game between two teams still searching for a consistent identity.
Southampton slipped to a third defeat in four games to leave legitimate questions over the future of manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Villa’s performance was workmanlike and far from fluid, in reality doing little to ease long-term fears of the team’s direction in the league under Gerrard.
Fourth from the bottom at kick-off, Villa had won just one of their previous 10 league games and, in truth, did little to suggest they would improve that record for the majority of the first half.
It took 34 minutes for Philippe Coutinho, who had scored just once and failed to provide an assist since March, to create a rare chance when he spun away from James Wardprowse and drilled over.
Villa snatched the lead when a corner was played short to Coutinho and his cross found Ollie Watkins, whose header was turned onto the bar by Gavin Bazunu. Southampton failed to clear the looping ball and Ramsey smashed in from five metres.
Energised, Villa pushed for a second with Leon Bailey’s shot deflecting wide and Douglas Luiz’s corner turned over by Bazunu.
Southampton never threatened, leaving Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez untroubled and allowing Villa to comfortably hold their lead.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
MEETINGS
32 games
Wins
Tottenham 15, Leicester 12 Draws 5
Last meeting
Tottenham 3, Leicester 1 (Sunday, May 1, 2022, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
LAST RESULT
Tottenham — 2-1 Fulham (H) Leicester — 2-5 Brighton (A)
LEAGUE POSITION
Tottenham — 3rd Leicester — 20th
TEAM NEWS
— Manager Antonio Conte has a full squad to choose from with the exception of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura, who is out with a tendon issue.
— Manager Brendan Rodgers will be without Ricardo Pereira and Ryan Bertrand for the game, while
Dennis Praet faces a late fitness test because of a foot issue. Talisman Jamie Vardy was benched against Brighton and is likely not to start this game either.
Tottenham Leicester
OFFICIALS
Referee: Simon Hooper Adrian Holmes, Mark Scholes Fourth official: Jarred Gillett Andre Marriner Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart