Premier League: Ten Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Matches
The latest round of Premier League action provided no shortage of excitement, unexpected scores, and interesting subplots. From duels between managers to individual brilliance, here are the key discussions emerging from the matches.
1. McFarlane Holds His Own When Facing Guardiola
The Chelsea manager's unexpected confrontation with the celebrated tactician recalled recollections of earlier unequal sideline contests. For McFarlane, embarking on his senior maiden game, the challenge was halting Chelsea's astonishingly bad recent record against the champions. An injury-time strike from the Chelsea star earned a hard-fought result, something former managers had found it tough to accomplish.
2. Liverpool's Inability to Close Games Out
Even with their big-money signing finding the net, Liverpool ended up aggrieved after allowing a winning position slip away at the Cottagers. The problem of not managing to command games when ahead remains, with the side previously letting slip comparable margins in recent weeks. Until they master the skill of seeing out a game, the campaign will remain a frustrating affair.
3. Rice Supports Viktor Gyökeres to Start Scoring
Viktor Gyökeres is going through a significant run without scoring from live action, but his teammate the England international insists the forward is nevertheless vitally influential. He highlighted the striker's pressing and selfless contributions as crucial to Arsenal's form. "Good things are sure to arrive," was Rice's optimistic message for his off-colour colleague.
4. Amorim Needs Sesko to Improve
Given Ruben Amorim's team lining up in a notably defensive manner, the onus rested with the offensive partnership to produce. Whereas the Brazilian continued his fine form, his strike partner suffered another frustrating outing. The Slovenian has found goals scarce since his big-money move and missed a excellent opening to win the match. The coming months presents a clear need for the striker to find his form.
Enzo Le Fée Puts Tottenham in a Muddle
Régis Le Bris positioned the French midfielder in a unfamiliar role at first, before pushing him further forward as the match wore on. The switch proved a masterstroke, with he turning into the architect of the visitor's comeback for an leveler. After glancing the post, Le Fée provided a sumptuous through ball for the all-important strike. Now settled in to the intensity of the top flight, his influence keeps improving.
6. Nuno Wastes Opportunity to Bed In Pablo Felipe
During an embarrassing defeat for the London club, boss Nuno Espírito Santo chose against use any of his named substitutes. This included new signing the forward, who remained unused despite his team's chronic lack of threat. He reasoned it would have been "too harsh" to introduce the recently-arrived recruit into the match. However, with goals at a dearth, the need to integrate the new boy as soon as possible is abundantly clear.
Lewis Miley Makes A Further Big Case
The teenage sensation delivered another exceptional performance whilst playing at right-back. He was impeccable in defence, created the opening goal, and lifted the team in a stop-start match. With established defenders returning, the conundrum for manager Eddie Howe is if to include the astonishingly mature youngster in his natural midfield berth. "Next Magpies sides will undoubtedly be designed with the lad," seems an ever more accurate statement.
Could the Dyche Effect Wearing Thin at Forest?
The manager's early effect at Forest was positive, but concerns are starting to emerge about the team's plan B. Their counter-attacking threat is still there, but seems less potent in the absence of certain personnel. While structured when defending deep, Dyche's men can struggle when needing to open up. Losing possession in such moments has shown disastrous, a issue they need to rectify immediately.
Igor Thiago's Goal Rush Stops Brentford's Poor Road Form
Thomas Frank's team produced a performance that belied their poor travel sickness. Central to their dominant victory was the prolific streak of forward Igor Thiago. Thiago's finishing are providing a base for the squad to progress. Attacker the German international even floated the lofty target of a top-seven finish as a target, emphasizing the growing belief in the team.
