Arsenal 2-0 Everton

Brentford 1-4 Newcastle

Brighton 1-2 Man United

Burnley 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Chelsea 3-1 Bournemouth

Crystal Palace 3-2 Aston Villa

Liverpool 3-1 Wolves

Luton Town 1-2 Fulham

Man City 4-0 West Ham

Sheffield United 1-3 Tottenham

By my count, it looks like we have 23 out of 32 spots filled for the next round of the SESL cup already.

Group A: CLY + HIB qualified, AI qualify as long as they don't lose by 8+ or ELG/DUM don't draw. The winner of ELG/DUM qualifies, and a draw sees DUM go through (unless AI lose by 8+, in which case ELG may qualify with a draw as well)

Group B: MOT, BRE, STI all qualified since 4th and 5th play each other next round. PT vs FRA winner goes through, with PT through with a draw.
 

Group C: RR, CB, and ALO all through. Winner of DFA vs MON through, with DFA through with a draw

Group D: Our tightest group. EF already through, with three of COW, EST, FAL, and FOR set to join them

Group E: SJ, SRA, BER, ARB all qualified

Group F: LIV, STE, RAN, KIL all qualified

Group G: ANN and ROS qualified, two of CEL, GM, SM to also qualify, though SM will likely need to win by 6 to make it OR win and hope GM lose big

Group H: INV, ALB, HEA, NAI all qualified

I fear that for the second time this season I have missed out on getting a participation paid out before an auction happened. Apologies to any managers who may have been a few k short on a bid that they really needed (I'm hoping that was not the case, but you never know). Last week a crazy week for my life, but fortunately this week is starting much calmer.

Everything seems pretty expensive this year - I like the explanation put forward by Dave that perhaps engagement is up.

I also am excited to see the next auction run. If an 0/9 winger is 1100k, how much is that 0/10 UT player of your dreams going to go for???