Top-Flight Football: 10 Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Fixtures
This past round of Premier League games provided plenty of excitement, shock outcomes, and fascinating storylines. Ranging from clashes between managers to star performances, we examine the key discussions coming out of the encounters.
The Chelsea Boss Makes a Statement Against Guardiola
The Chelsea manager's unforeseen confrontation with the Manchester City boss brought back recollections of past David vs Goliath coaching battles. For the debutant, making his top-level management debut, the challenge was ending his side's woeful recent record against Guardiola's side. A dramatic goal from the Argentine midfielder secured a crucial result, an achievement former managers had failed to accomplish.
The Reds' Failure to Close Games Out
Despite Florian Wirtz finding the net, the Merseyside club finished disappointed after letting a advantage slip at Marco Silva's side. The issue of failing to control encounters when ahead continues, with the side previously letting slip identical leads in previous matches. Until the team discover the art of seeing out a game, the quest will remain a frustrating affair.
The Arsenal Midfielder Supports Gyökeres to Start Scoring
Viktor Gyökeres is going through a significant run without scoring from open play, but his fellow star the Gunners lynchpin insists the forward is nevertheless hugely important. He highlighted Gyökeres' pressing and unselfish performances as integral to the league leaders success. "Good things are sure to arrive," was Rice's confident message for his struggling colleague.
4. Amorim Needs Sesko to Sharpen Up
With the Red Devils adopting in a incredibly cautious manner, the responsibility rested with the offensive pair to make the difference. Whereas the Brazilian maintained his excellent performances, Benjamin Sesko experienced another frustrating outing. He has scored elusive since his high-profile move and spurned a golden chance to claim the game. January provides a clear requirement for the striker to discover his form.
5. Le Fée Puts Tottenham in a Spin
Régis Le Bris used Enzo Le Fée in a unfamiliar role at first, before unleashing him further forward as the match wore on. The move was inspired, with Le Fée becoming the architect of his team's comeback for an leveler. After glancing the woodwork, he supplied a exquisite assist for the all-important strike. Having fully adapted to the demands of the English game, his impact continues to grow.
Nuno Espírito Santo Fails to Take Opportunity to Introduce Pablo
In a woeful defeat for the Hammers, boss Nuno Espírito Santo opted against utilize any of his available replacements. This meant recent acquisition Pablo Felipe, who stayed on the bench despite his team's chronic ineffectiveness. Nuno felt it would have been "unfair" to introduce the new player into the fray. However, with firepower at a premium, the need to blood the new boy quickly is abundantly clear.
Lewis Miley States Yet Another Major Case
Lewis Miley delivered a further superb performance while playing at right-back. The youngster was impeccable in his defensive duties, provided the first goal, and raised the tone in a untidy match. With specialist right-backs available, the dilemma for boss him is whether to include the astonishingly composed teenager in his best central midfield position. "Next Toon teams will surely be constructed on Miley," seems an a accurate statement.
Are the New Manager Bounce Running Out at Nottingham Forest?
Sean Dyche's early influence at Nottingham Forest was positive, but questions are starting to arise about the squad's versatility. Forest's breakaway prowess exists, but appears less potent in the absence of previous attackers. Whilst structured when sitting back, Forest can struggle when required to come from behind. Cheap turnovers in those moments has been punishing, a problem they must rectify quickly.
The Striker's Goal Rush Stops The Bees' Travel Woes
Brentford delivered a display that belied their troubled travel sickness. Key to their commanding win was the red-hot streak of number nine Igor Thiago. Thiago's finishing are offering a base for the squad to aim higher. Attacker the German international even suggested the lofty aspiration of a top-seven finish as a target, emphasizing the growing confidence in the squad.
