Premier League: 10 Crucial Takeaways from the Latest Round of Action
This past set of top-flight games provided no shortage of intrigue, surprise results, and interesting subplots. From clashes between bosses to star performances, here are the key discussions emerging from the matches.
The Chelsea Boss Stands Firm Versus Pep Guardiola
The Chelsea manager's unforeseen battle with Pep Guardiola brought back memories of past unequal sideline contests. In the case of McFarlane, embarking on his first-team maiden game, the task was halting his side's astonishingly bad recent record versus Guardiola's side. A dramatic strike from the Argentine midfielder secured a valuable draw, something previous incumbents had struggled to achieve.
The Reds' Failure to Close Games Out
Despite their big-money signing finding the net, Liverpool were left aggrieved after surrendering a advantage evaporate against Marco Silva's side. The problem of being unable to manage games when in the lead remains, with the team previously throwing away identical leads in recent matches. Until they master the skill of defending a lead, the campaign is likely to stay a challenging affair.
The Arsenal Midfielder Backs Viktor Gyökeres to Start Scoring
The Swedish forward is enduring a notable run without scoring from open play, but his teammate the Gunners lynchpin insists the player is still vitally valuable. Rice praised Gyökeres' pressing and unselfish performances as crucial to the league leaders success. "Success are going to follow," was the midfielder's confident message for his struggling teammate.
Ruben Amorim Requires Benjamin Sesko to Improve
With the Red Devils adopting in a incredibly conservative way, the responsibility was placed on the attacking duo to deliver. Whereas the Brazilian maintained his excellent run, the summer signing suffered another forgettable game. The young striker has found goals scarce since his high-profile switch and wasted a excellent opportunity to win the match. January provides a pressing imperative for Sesko to discover his confidence.
The Sunderland Star Puts Tottenham in a State of Confusion
Régis Le Bris positioned his creative talent in a unfamiliar role at first, before pushing him up the pitch as the match wore on. The move proved a masterstroke, with the playmaker emerging as the architect of his team's push for an equaliser. After directing the woodwork, Le Fée provided a perfect pass for the all-important finish. Having found his feet to the pace of the English game, his influence is on the rise.
The West Ham Manager Wastes Chance to Use New Signing
In a embarrassing performance for West Ham, head coach the Portuguese coach chose against utilize any of his available bench players. Among them was new signing the forward, who remained unused despite his side's chronic lack of threat. He felt it would have been "unfair" to introduce the new recruit into the fray. Yet, with scoring at a dearth, the urgency to assimilate the youngster quickly is abundantly apparent.
The Teenager States A Further Huge Case
The teenage sensation produced yet another superb showing whilst playing in an unfamiliar role. He was excellent in his own half, provided the opening goal, and lifted the team in a stop-start match. With first-choice right-backs available, the conundrum for manager the Newcastle boss is if to accommodate the astonishingly mature teenager in his preferred engine room role. "Coming Magpies line-ups will surely be built on the lad," seems an ever more fair assessment.
Could the Dyche Effect Fading at Nottingham Forest?
Sean Dyche's first influence at Nottingham Forest was notable, but doubts are starting to surface about the squad's versatility. The team's breakaway prowess remains, but looks less potent without previous attackers. Although structured when protecting a lead, they can struggle when forced to chase a game. Giving the ball away in those circumstances has proven punishing, a issue they need to address quickly.
Igor Thiago's Scoring Form Ends Thomas Frank's Side's Travel Woes
The West London club put in a display that contradicted their dismal form on the road. Key to their dominant victory was the in-form form of number nine the Brazilian. The striker's goals are offering a foundation for the team to progress. Winger Kevin Schade even suggested the ambitious dream of European qualification as a possibility, emphasizing the growing confidence within the team.