Premier League: Ten Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Action
The most recent set of top-flight fixtures provided no shortage of excitement, unexpected scores, and interesting subplots. Ranging from clashes between coaches to star performances, we examine the key points stemming from the encounters.
The Chelsea Boss Holds His Own When Facing Pep Guardiola
The Chelsea manager's unexpected battle with Pep Guardiola recalled memories of earlier unequal sideline contests. For McFarlane, taking charge for his senior management debut, the task was halting Chelsea's woeful recent record against the champions. An injury-time strike from Enzo Fernández earned a hard-fought point, something former coaches had failed to achieve.
The Reds' Inability to See Out Matches
Despite their big-money signing scoring the net, the Merseyside club ended up frustrated after allowing a winning position slip away at Marco Silva's side. The issue of not managing to manage games when ahead persists, with the side nearly letting slip similar margins in recent outings. Until Slot's men discover the knack of seeing out a game, the campaign is likely to stay a challenging affair.
Declan Rice Backs The Swedish Striker to Find Form
Arsenal's striker is enduring a notable run without scoring from live action, but his midfield colleague Declan Rice has stressed the player is still immensely important. He pointed to Gyökeres' work off the ball and team-oriented contributions as key to Mikel Arteta's side success. "Good things are going to follow," was the midfielder's optimistic prediction for his misfiring teammate.
4. Amorim Must Get Benjamin Sesko to Find His Edge
Given Ruben Amorim's team setting up in a particularly conservative fashion, the responsibility rested with the forward partnership to deliver. While Matheus Cunha maintained his fine performances, Benjamin Sesko suffered another difficult game. The young striker has found goals scarce since his high-profile transfer and spurned a excellent opening to claim the match. January presents a obvious imperative for Sesko to discover his confidence.
5. Le Fée Leaves Ange Postecoglou's Side in a Spin
The Black Cats boss positioned Enzo Le Fée in a unfamiliar position at first, before pushing him up the pitch as the contest developed. The decision turned out to be masterful, with the playmaker emerging as the chief creator of the visitor's comeback for an equaliser. Following hitting the woodwork, Le Fée delivered a sumptuous assist for the all-important goal. Now settled in to the pace of the English game, his impact is on the rise.
6. Nuno Misses Chance to Introduce Pablo Felipe
In a woeful loss for the Hammers, head coach Nuno chose not to introduce any of his named bench players. This included new signing the forward, who watched on despite his team's complete lack of threat. The manager suggested it would have been "too harsh" to throw the new recruit into the action. But, with goals at a dearth, the urgency to blood the 22-year-old as soon as possible is abundantly obvious.
The Teenager Makes A Further Big Statement
The teenage sensation turned in yet another outstanding performance whilst operating out of position. The midfielder was excellent in defence, set up the first goal, and set the standard in a scrappy match. Now that first-choice defenders available, the conundrum for manager him is whether to fit the remarkably mature youngster in his best engine room role. "Next Newcastle line-ups will undoubtedly be built on him," seems an increasingly accurate prediction.
Are the New Manager Bounce Fading at Nottingham Forest?
Sean Dyche's initial effect at the club was positive, but concerns are now surface about the side's plan B. The team's counter-attacking ability remains, but seems reduced in the absence of previous players. While disciplined when protecting a lead, they have looked vulnerable when required to chase a game. Cheap turnovers in these circumstances has proven disastrous, a issue they must address rapidly.
The Striker's Scoring Form Ends Thomas Frank's Side's Away-Day Blues
Thomas Frank's team produced a showing that masked their troubled travel sickness. Vital to their dominant victory was the prolific form of striker Igor Thiago. His finishing are offering a base for the squad to aim higher. Teammate the German international even suggested the ambitious target of a top-seven finish as a target, emphasizing the fresh confidence in the team.
