England's Top Division: Ten Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Fixtures
This past round of Premier League games delivered no shortage of intrigue, surprise results, and fascinating storylines. Ranging from clashes between managers to star performances, here are the major points emerging from the games.
Calum McFarlane Makes a Statement Against A Master Tactician
The Chelsea manager's unexpected confrontation with the Manchester City boss recalled memories of previous managerial mismatches. In the case of the Chelsea boss, making his first-team coaching bow, the task was ending his side's astonishingly bad sequence versus Manchester City. A dramatic goal from the Argentine midfielder earned a hard-fought point, a feat former incumbents had failed to achieve.
The Reds' Inability to See Out Matches
Despite the German playmaker getting the net, Arne Slot's team were left disappointed after letting a advantage slip at Fulham. The issue of failing to manage games when in the lead remains, with the squad previously letting slip identical leads in previous weeks. Until they learn the knack of killing off matches, the season is likely to stay a frustrating one.
3. Rice Supports Gyökeres to Fire
Viktor Gyökeres is going through a notable dry spell from live action, but his midfield colleague the Gunners lynchpin insists the player is nevertheless immensely influential. The midfielder pointed to his work off the ball and team-oriented contributions as key to Arsenal's success. "Good things are going to come," was the midfielder's confident prediction for his misfiring strike partner.
4. Amorim Must Get Sesko to Find His Edge
With the Red Devils setting up in a particularly cautious manner, the onus was placed on the attacking pair to produce. While one forward maintained his fine form, his strike partner experienced another difficult outing. The Slovenian has hit the net scarce since his major transfer and spurned a golden opening to snatch the game. The new year provides a pressing need for the striker to discover his confidence.
Enzo Le Fée Leaves Ange Postecoglou's Side in a State of Confusion
Régis Le Bris positioned the French midfielder in a deeper position to start, before releasing him up the pitch as the game developed. The move was masterful, with the playmaker becoming the main instigator of Sunderland's fightback for an leveler. Following glancing the upright, the midfielder provided a perfect through ball for the crucial strike. Now found his feet to the intensity of the top flight, his influence continues to grow.
The West Ham Manager Wastes Chance to Bed In New Signing
In a woeful performance for the Hammers, manager the Portuguese coach decided against use any of his named bench players. This included January recruit Pablo Felipe, who stayed on the bench even with his club's chronic failure to score. The manager suggested it would have been "unfair" to introduce the new striker into the fray. However, with firepower at a dearth, the need to integrate the youngster as soon as possible is abundantly obvious.
Lewis Miley Delivers A Further Major Claim
Lewis Miley turned in yet another exceptional performance whilst playing at right-back. The youngster was excellent in his defensive duties, created the opening goal, and set the standard in a untidy affair. Now that specialist right-backs back, the conundrum for coach the Newcastle boss is if to fit the remarkably talented teenager in his preferred engine room berth. "Coming Toon sides will surely be built with him," seems an a fair prediction.
8. Is the Dyche Effect Running Out at Forest?
The former Burnley boss's first effect at Forest was notable, but concerns are beginning to surface about the team's adaptability. Forest's breakaway ability is still there, but seems less potent without previous attackers. While structured when sitting back, Dyche's men can struggle when required to chase a game. Cheap turnovers in such circumstances has been costly, a problem they must solve rapidly.
The Striker's Hot Streak Ends Brentford's Poor Road Form
Brentford put in a showing that belied their dismal form on the road. Key to their dominant win was the red-hot streak of striker the goal-getter. The striker's goals are offering a platform for the side to aim higher. Teammate Kevin Schade even floated the optimistic target of European qualification as a target, emphasizing the renewed optimism coursing through the camp.
