Premier League FIFA 20 tournament: Jota shines to book QF berth
The third day of the Premier League's FIFA 20 tournament, the ePL Invitational, kicked off Thursday with another quartet of single-elimination clashes.
Wolves pre-tournament favorite Diogo Jota and Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell were among those fighting for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Here's how the day's events unfolded:
Round of 16
Diogo Jota (Wolves) vs. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
In the day's opening fixture, Jota's reputation as a FIFA savant was confirmed courtesy of the winger's 8-2 clubbing of Leicester City defensive midfielder Wilfried Ndidi. Jota scored four goals with himself, an accomplishment Ndidi seemed nonplussed about. Hard to blame him.
Wow! @Wolves win 8-2! 💪
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 23, 2020
And @DiogoJota18 scored FOUR goals!
A real captain's performance 😉#ePremierLeague pic.twitter.com/SSC4brd7Is
"I think I know more of the game than him!" Jota offered postmatch to Ndidi's delight. The Portuguese international joined countryman Andre Gomes as the only two players to bag a tournament-high eight goals through three days of competition.
Todd Cantwell (Norwich) vs. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United)
The trend of one-sided results continued as Sheffield United striker Lys Mousset manhandled Norwich's Cantwell by a 6-2 margin in the second match of the day. The Frenchman's dominant second-half showing had the Canaries stud heading down a dark tunnel gasping for air.
It's a memorable win for @SheffieldUnited and @lysmousset9 🙌
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 23, 2020
They run out 6-2 winners against @NorwichCityFC, after a brilliant second-half performance 💪@SheffieldUnited will meet @Wolves in the quarter-finals 🍿#ePremierLeague pic.twitter.com/FvLfx0PXEz
By the time Mousset made it 4-2 for the Blades 20 minutes into the second frame, Cantwell looked set to whip his controller out the window. Tough season for Norwich all around.
Neal Maupay (Brighton) vs. Philip Billing (Bournemouth)
Brighton's Neal Maupay set the standard with Tuesday's Round 1 battering of Aston Villa's John McGinn, and the French forward continued his hot streak by dismissing Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing by a 4-2 scoreline.
What a performance! 🤩@OfficialBHAFC knock out @afcbournemouth with a 4-2 win, with all four of their goals coming from Glenn Murray 👏
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 23, 2020
The complete display 👌#ePremierLeague pic.twitter.com/ivcsRBG9J5
Glenn Murray scored all four goals for Maupay, who appeared the keener of the two with the fancy video game throne, while Billing looked like he was trapped in the laundry room waiting on the dryer to finish.
Josh Franceschi (Arsenal) vs. Dwight McNeil (Burnley)
In Thursday's finale, talented Burnley winger Dwight McNeil dispatched celebrity Arsenal supporter and vocalist for English band You Me at Six, Josh Franceschi, courtesy of a 3-1 victory. Franceschi will be singing the blues after this one.
So @BurnleyOfficial take the W against @Arsenal
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 23, 2020
Chris Wood's late goal capped a 3-1 victory 💪
How far can they go in the #ePremierLeague Invitational? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gXrmfHr4x2
The attacking impetus displayed by MacNeil's charges is enough to have Clarets gaffer Sean Dyche shaking in his wellies. Expect McNeil to face a stiffer challenge in the quarterfinals.
What's next?
Now we're getting to the good stuff. The quarterfinals begin at 7 a.m. ET on Friday. Here's a look at the slate of matches:
- Trent-Alexander Arnold (Liverpool) vs. Christian Atsu (Newcastle)
- Andre Gomes (Everton) vs. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
- Diogo Jota (Wolves) vs. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United)
- Neal Maupay (Brighton) vs. Dwight McNeil (Burnley)
Both the semifinals and final will take place on Saturday.