Premier League: Ten Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Fixtures
The most recent set of top-flight games provided plenty of drama, unexpected scores, and fascinating storylines. Ranging from clashes between bosses to individual brilliance, we examine the primary conversations emerging from the encounters.
Calum McFarlane Holds His Own Versus Guardiola
Calum McFarlane's surprise duel with the Manchester City boss recalled memories of previous unequal sideline contests. In the case of McFarlane, embarking on his senior coaching bow, the challenge was overcoming Chelsea's astonishingly bad sequence against the champions. A dramatic strike from Enzo Fernández earned a valuable draw, a feat past coaches had failed to accomplish.
2. Liverpool's Struggle to Shut Up Shop
Despite the German playmaker finding the net, Arne Slot's team were left aggrieved after allowing a lead evaporate against the Cottagers. The problem of not managing to control encounters when ahead continues, with the team previously squandering comparable margins in recent weeks. Before they discover the art of seeing out a game, the campaign promises to be a challenging affair.
The Arsenal Midfielder Shows Faith In Gyökeres to Find Form
Viktor Gyökeres is enduring a lengthy dry spell from general play, but his fellow star the England international insists the player is nonetheless immensely influential. The midfielder pointed to Gyökeres' pressing and team-oriented contributions as key to the league leaders form. "Success are sure to follow," was his confident message for his off-colour teammate.
The United Boss Needs Sesko to Sharpen Up
With Ruben Amorim's team setting up in a notably conservative way, the burden fell on the attacking partnership to make the difference. While Matheus Cunha persisted with his impressive performances, his strike partner experienced another frustrating afternoon. The Slovenian has scored scarce since his high-profile transfer and wasted a golden opening to claim the match. The new year provides a obvious requirement for the striker to discover his form.
Enzo Le Fée Leaves Ange Postecoglou's Side in a Muddle
The Black Cats boss deployed Enzo Le Fée in a deeper role initially, before unleashing him further forward as the match developed. The switch was a masterstroke, with the playmaker turning into the main instigator of Sunderland's fightback for an leveler. After directing the post, he delivered a perfect pass for the levelling goal. Having fully adapted to the pace of the English game, his campaign keeps improving.
6. Nuno Wastes Opportunity to Bed In Pablo Felipe
Amid an dismal performance for West Ham, head coach Nuno Espírito Santo decided against use any of his available substitutes. This included new signing the Brazilian striker, who stayed on the bench despite his team's complete failure to score. The manager suggested it would have been "too harsh" to introduce the fresh recruit into the action. But, with scoring at a premium, the urgency to blood the new boy as soon as possible is abundantly obvious.
The Teenager States Yet Another Huge Statement
Lewis Miley produced yet another superb showing while operating at right-back. The youngster was excellent in his own half, created the first goal, and lifted the team in a stop-start affair. Now that first-choice full-backs back, the conundrum for manager him is how to accommodate the astonishingly mature youngster in his best central midfield role. "Coming Toon line-ups will undoubtedly be constructed on him," seems an increasingly fair assessment.
Are the Sean Dyche Impact Wearing Thin at Forest?
Sean Dyche's first influence at Nottingham Forest was positive, but concerns are now surface about the side's versatility. Forest's counter-attacking threat is still there, but appears less potent in the absence of previous personnel. Although structured when defending deep, they have been exposed when needing to open up. Losing possession in these situations has shown disastrous, a problem they must rectify immediately.
The Striker's Scoring Form Ends Thomas Frank's Side's Travel Woes
The West London club put in a display that belied their dismal travel sickness. Key to their impressive victory was the prolific scoring of striker Igor Thiago. Thiago's presence are giving a platform for the team to aim higher. Winger Kevin Schade even mentioned the ambitious target of continental football as a potential outcome, underlining the fresh belief within the team.
