Premier League: Ten Major Discussion Topics from the Latest Round of Fixtures
The latest round of Premier League fixtures provided a wealth of intrigue, shock outcomes, and fascinating storylines. Ranging from clashes between coaches to individual brilliance, we examine the key points emerging from the encounters.
Calum McFarlane Makes a Statement Versus Guardiola
Calum McFarlane's unforeseen battle with Pep Guardiola evoked memories of past unequal sideline contests. For McFarlane, making his top-level management debut, the mission was overcoming Chelsea's woeful sequence when playing Manchester City. A dramatic strike from the Chelsea star earned a valuable result, a feat previous incumbents had struggled to accomplish.
2. Liverpool's Failure to Shut Up Shop
Even with the German playmaker getting the net, Liverpool ended up frustrated after surrendering a advantage slip away against Marco Silva's side. The problem of being unable to manage games when in the lead persists, with the squad previously throwing away identical margins in recent weeks. Before the team learn the knack of defending a lead, the campaign promises to be a difficult affair.
The Arsenal Midfielder Supports Gyökeres to Fire
Viktor Gyökeres is experiencing a lengthy goal drought from live action, but his fellow star the England international is adamant the number nine is still immensely influential. He pointed to Gyökeres' hold-up play and selfless efforts as crucial to the league leaders form. "Good things are going to arrive," was Rice's supportive prediction for his off-colour colleague.
Ruben Amorim Requires Sesko to Sharpen Up
Given the Red Devils lining up in a notably cautious way, the burden rested with the forward duo to make the difference. While the Brazilian maintained his fine performances, the summer signing endured another forgettable outing. The Slovenian has hit the net scarce since his high-profile transfer and wasted a late opening to snatch the game. The coming months presents a obvious need for Sesko to discover his form.
5. Le Fée Puts Tottenham in a Spin
The Sunderland manager used Enzo Le Fée in a unfamiliar role to start, before pushing him up the pitch as the match wore on. The move turned out to be a masterstroke, with Le Fée turning into the architect of his team's fightback for an leveler. After glancing the woodwork, the midfielder provided a sumptuous through ball for the levelling goal. Having settled in to the pace of the English game, his campaign keeps improving.
Nuno Espírito Santo Misses Chance to Bed In New Signing
In a woeful defeat for the London club, head coach Nuno opted against introduce any of his permitted bench players. Among them was January recruit Pablo Felipe, who stayed on the bench even with his team's chronic ineffectiveness. He felt it would have been "too harsh" to send the recently-arrived player into the match. However, with goals at a dearth, the imperative to blood the 22-year-old quickly is glaringly obvious.
The Teenager Delivers Yet Another Huge Case
The 19-year-old produced a further outstanding display while playing in an unfamiliar role. The youngster was excellent in his own half, provided the first goal, and set the standard in a stop-start affair. With established full-backs returning, the question for boss Eddie Howe is how to accommodate the astonishingly talented teenager in his preferred central midfield position. "Coming Magpies sides will undoubtedly be constructed around Miley," seems an ever more safe statement.
Are the Sean Dyche Impact Fading at Forest?
Sean Dyche's initial impact at Nottingham Forest was admirable, but questions are starting to arise about the side's plan B. The team's transition prowess exists, but seems diminished in the absence of certain attackers. While structured when sitting back, they have been exposed when needing to open up. Cheap turnovers in those moments has shown punishing, a problem they have to solve quickly.
Igor Thiago's Scoring Form Ends Thomas Frank's Side's Away-Day Blues
The West London club put in a display that masked their dismal travel sickness. Key to their commanding display was the in-form scoring of number nine the goal-getter. The striker's finishing are providing a base for the side to build on. Attacker Kevin Schade even mentioned the optimistic target of a top-seven finish as a target, highlighting the growing confidence in the camp.