Top-Flight Football: Ten Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Fixtures
The most recent round of Premier League action delivered no shortage of excitement, unexpected scores, and fascinating storylines. From battles between coaches to star performances, let's delve into the key discussions coming out of the matches.
Calum McFarlane Stands Firm When Facing A Master Tactician
The young coach's unforeseen battle with the celebrated tactician evoked thoughts of past unequal sideline contests. For the debutant, making his top-level coaching bow, the mission was overcoming the Blues' dreadful recent record against Manchester City. An injury-time strike from the Argentine midfielder snatched a hard-fought point, a feat past managers had found it tough to achieve.
2. Liverpool's Struggle to Shut Up Shop
Even with their big-money signing finding the net, Liverpool finished disappointed after letting a winning position evaporate against Marco Silva's side. The issue of being unable to control games when ahead continues, with the squad previously throwing away comparable margins in recent outings. Until the team learn the skill of killing off matches, the campaign promises to be a challenging one.
3. Rice Backs Gyökeres to Start Scoring
The Swedish forward is going through a lengthy run without scoring from live action, but his fellow star the England international has stressed the player is nevertheless hugely influential. Rice pointed to his pressing and team-oriented performances as crucial to Arsenal's success. "Success are going to follow," was the midfielder's confident assessment for his off-colour strike partner.
Ruben Amorim Must Get Benjamin Sesko to Sharpen Up
Given Ruben Amorim's team lining up in a notably conservative fashion, the onus was placed on the attacking duo to produce. While the Brazilian continued his excellent performances, his strike partner experienced another difficult game. The Slovenian has found goals scarce since his high-profile switch and wasted a excellent opportunity to snatch the match. The new year presents a pressing imperative for him to find his scoring touch.
5. Le Fée Leaves Spurs in a State of Confusion
Régis Le Bris deployed Enzo Le Fée in a unfamiliar role at first, before pushing him into advanced areas as the game developed. The switch turned out to be a masterstroke, with Le Fée becoming the main instigator of his team's push for an leveler. After glancing the post, Le Fée delivered a exquisite pass for the levelling finish. Having found his feet to the demands of the top flight, his campaign keeps improving.
6. Nuno Fails to Take Opportunity to Introduce New Signing
Amid an woeful performance for West Ham, head coach Nuno Espírito Santo opted against utilize any of his named substitutes. This included new signing Pablo Felipe, who remained unused despite his side's complete lack of threat. He felt it would have been "unjust" to send the fresh player into the match. However, with scoring at a premium, the urgency to assimilate the new boy rapidly is painfully clear.
The Teenager States A Further Major Statement
Lewis Miley produced another exceptional showing while playing out of position. The midfielder was flawless in his own half, provided the breakthrough, and raised the tone in a scrappy affair. With established right-backs available, the question for coach Eddie Howe is how to include the incredibly composed player in his natural midfield berth. "Future Magpies teams will undoubtedly be built around Miley," seems an ever more safe assessment.
Are the New Manager Bounce Fading at The City Ground?
The former Burnley boss's early effect at the club was admirable, but doubts are starting to surface about the team's adaptability. Their transition threat exists, but appears reduced in the absence of previous attackers. Whilst disciplined when defending deep, they can struggle when needing to open up. Losing possession in these moments has shown punishing, a problem they must address immediately.
9. Thiago's Hot Streak Halts Thomas Frank's Side's Poor Road Form
Thomas Frank's team put in a showing that belied their troubled travel sickness. Vital to their dominant victory was the red-hot streak of striker the goal-getter. The striker's presence are giving a foundation for the squad to build on. Teammate Kevin Schade even suggested the lofty aspiration of European qualification as a target, emphasizing the fresh confidence within the team.
