Top-Flight Football: Ten Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Action
The latest round of Premier League fixtures served up a wealth of excitement, shock outcomes, and fascinating storylines. Ranging from clashes between coaches to personal masterclasses, here are the key discussions emerging from the encounters.
The Chelsea Boss Holds His Own When Facing A Master Tactician
Calum McFarlane's unexpected confrontation with the Manchester City boss recalled recollections of earlier David vs Goliath coaching battles. For McFarlane, embarking on his first-team maiden game, the challenge was halting his side's astonishingly bad run of form when playing the champions. A last-gasp strike from the Argentine midfielder snatched a valuable draw, an achievement former incumbents had failed to achieve.
2. Liverpool's Struggle to Shut Up Shop
Even with the German playmaker getting the net, Arne Slot's team finished aggrieved after surrendering a winning position slip versus Fulham. The issue of not managing to command matches when ahead persists, with the team nearly squandering identical advantages in previous outings. Until they learn the art of killing off matches, the campaign is likely to stay a frustrating one.
The Arsenal Midfielder Backs The Swedish Striker to Find Form
Arsenal's striker is enduring a lengthy dry spell from general play, but his teammate the Gunners lynchpin is adamant the number nine is nevertheless hugely valuable. The midfielder praised Gyökeres' hold-up play and team-oriented contributions as crucial to Arsenal's form. "Success are sure to come," was his confident message for his misfiring teammate.
Ruben Amorim Needs Sesko to Improve
With Manchester United lining up in a particularly cautious fashion, the burden was placed on the forward pair to produce. While the Brazilian persisted with his impressive performances, his strike partner suffered another forgettable afternoon. The young striker has scored hard to come by since his high-profile transfer and spurned a late chance to snatch the game. The new year offers a pressing imperative for Sesko to discover his form.
The Sunderland Star Puts Tottenham in a Muddle
Régis Le Bris used the French midfielder in a deeper position to start, before unleashing him up the pitch as the game developed. The decision was inspired, with the playmaker emerging as the main instigator of Sunderland's push for an leveler. After glancing the post, the midfielder provided a perfect through ball for the levelling strike. Having fully adapted to the pace of the English game, his impact continues to grow.
Nuno EspÃrito Santo Fails to Take Chance to Use Pablo
During an woeful performance for West Ham, head coach the Portuguese coach opted against use any of his permitted bench players. This meant January recruit the forward, who remained unused despite his team's utter ineffectiveness. Nuno felt it would have been "unjust" to throw the new recruit into the fray. However, with goals at a premium, the urgency to assimilate the 22-year-old quickly is glaringly apparent.
7. Miley Delivers Yet Another Major Case
The teenage sensation delivered a further superb performance while filling in at right-back. The midfielder was excellent in his own half, provided the opening goal, and lifted the team in a stop-start match. With specialist right-backs back, the question for boss him is if to include the remarkably talented player in his preferred central midfield berth. "Coming Magpies sides will certainly be built with him," seems an increasingly safe prediction.
Could the Dyche Effect Fading at The City Ground?
The former Burnley boss's early influence at the club was admirable, but concerns are starting to surface about the team's versatility. Forest's transition prowess exists, but appears reduced without previous players. While disciplined when defending deep, Forest can struggle when needing to come from behind. Cheap turnovers in these situations has proven costly, a lesson they have to address quickly.
9. Thiago's Hot Streak Stops Brentford's Travel Woes
Thomas Frank's team produced a showing that masked their troubled travel sickness. Key to their commanding win was the prolific scoring of striker Igor Thiago. Thiago's goals are giving a platform for the team to aim higher. Winger he even mentioned the ambitious dream of European qualification as a target, underlining the fresh belief within the team.