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Metropolis’s European plans beneath risk
Manchester Metropolis’s tame outing at Manchester United on Sunday confirmed how they’ve flatlined this time period, the goalless draw additionally damaging their prospects of Champions League qualification – after beating Leicester the next night time, Newcastle vaulted them and went into fifth place. With out Erling Haaland, unavailable till mid-Could on the earliest, Metropolis had been toothless at Previous Trafford, and with Crystal Palace arriving on the Etihad on a run of six wins in seven matches – the opposite was a draw – it’s time for Pep Guardiola to earn his wage by making certain his aspect are much better, or Europa League soccer could also be on the playing cards subsequent season. Jamie Jackson
2
Lallana takes function in saving Saints’ blushes
It will likely be a case of deja vu for Simon Rusk as he takes interim cost of Southampton for the second time this season after the sacking of Ivan Juric. The previous Boston, York and Crawley midfielder oversaw a Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool and a goalless draw at Craven Cottage after Russell Martin misplaced his job in December. The primary headline to return out of one other sorry membership assertion this week was the appointment of Adam Lallana as Rusk’s assistant – the 36-year-old has made 14 Premier League appearances since rejoining the Saints final summer time after 4 years at Brighton. Rusk’s and Lallana’s main goal is to choose up the 2 factors that may guarantee they keep away from Derby’s infamous 11-point nadir, beginning with the go to of Aston Villa. Billy Munday
3
Ndiaye faces powerful defence at Metropolis Floor
The reduction in David Moyes’ voice was clear as he spoke concerning the return of Iliman Ndiaye to his beginning lineup final weekend. The Senegal worldwide, who had not began since mid-February due to a knee damage, transformed a second-half penalty to earn Everton a degree at Goodison Park in opposition to Arsenal. “We’ve missed Ili, we actually have,” Moyes stated. “He’s one in every of our main skills within the frontline.” Ndiaye, who frolicked with Boreham Wooden at youth degree and made his skilled debut whereas on mortgage at seventh-tier Hyde United, has scored in 4 of the six video games he has began beneath Moyes because the Scot’s return in January. That stated, he could discover it powerful in opposition to a Nottingham Forest aspect who haven’t conceded at house within the league for nearly three months. BM
4
Dunk working out of time at Brighton
Subsequent month marks the fifteenth anniversary of Lewis Dunk’s Brighton debut in a 0-0 draw in opposition to MK Dons after they had been nonetheless within the backwaters of League One. The defender has been instrumental in his boyhood membership’s stand up the pyramid, which culminated in him main them into the Europa League final season. However having misplaced his place with England after being an unused member of the Euro 2024 squad, the years seem like catching up with him. Accidents and a lack of type have restricted the 33-year-old to only 19 Premier League begins up to now this marketing campaign, in contrast with greater than 30 in all however one in every of Brighton’s campaigns since they had been promoted in 2017. With just one 12 months remaining on Dunk’s contract, PSV Eindhoven’s Olivier Boscagli is among the many potential replacements being thought of this summer time. Dunk is anticipated to begin on Saturday, in opposition to a Leicester aspect who appear to have forgotten learn how to rating a objective, as Brighton attempt to get their European push again on monitor. Ed Aarons
5
Kiwior involves the fore for Arsenal
“We misplaced perhaps our greatest defender for 4 months, then Jakub Kiwior is available in and delivers the performances he’s delivering,” enthused Mikel Arteta after Tuesday’s sensational win over Actual Madrid. “It’s not a coincidence.” The Poland centre-back has been a bit-part participant season and was nearly allowed to go away Arsenal final summer time amid robust curiosity from a number of Italian golf equipment. However regardless of a couple of jitters in the beginning in opposition to Madrid, the 25-year-old, who crammed in out of place at left-back final season, confirmed he’s able to enjoying on the very highest degree with an assured efficiency in opposition to Kylian Mbappé and co. Arsenal are but to be defeated within the eight video games he and William Saliba have began collectively in central defence, and it is going to be fascinating to see if both is rested in opposition to Brentford on Saturday with the second leg on the Bernabéu to return in midweek. EA
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Chelsea to take nearer have a look at Delap
Liam Delap has an audition on Sunday: Chelsea are focusing on the striker and have an opportunity to evaluate him after they host Ipswich City. They are going to be cautious of the 22-year-old, whose launch clause drops to £30m if Ipswich go down, given he has already terrorised them as soon as this season. He was in bulldozing type when Kieran McKenna’s aspect earned their solely house league win of the marketing campaign by successful 2-0 in December, Chelsea had been unable to deal with his power and pace, and Delap, who has scored twice in his final two appearances, will hope to make the same impression at Stamford Bridge. Jacob Steinberg
after publication promotion
7
Reintegrating Cunha trickier than it appears
Having all however secured their Premier League standing with a comeback victory in opposition to Ipswich, Wolves now discover themselves within the enviable place of trying upwards at groups like Everton, West Ham, Spurs and Manchester United fairly than trying beneath them. However Vítor Pereira faces a range headache earlier than internet hosting Ange Postecoglou’s aspect on Sunday: the reintegration of his star attacker, Matheus Cunha. Whereas the Brazilian’s expertise and match-winning potential are plain, Wolves have flown throughout his suspension, stringing collectively three consecutive league wins for the primary time since 2023. In current matches, they’ve accrued extra factors per recreation with out Cunha than with, albeit in opposition to groups decrease within the desk, the present attacking unit discovering a rhythm and confidence that Pereira is not going to wish to disrupt. Can he stability the will to unleash his most potent attacking weapon with out upsetting the staff’s hard-earned momentum? Yara El-Shaboury
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Liverpool search a calming run-in
It isn’t a query of who will win the Premier League title however how it is going to be gained: at a canter or with Liverpool testing the nervousness ranges of their supporters as soon as once more? The reply ought to grow to be clearer after West Ham’s go to. A listing of particular person errors resulted in the long run of Liverpool’s 26-game unbeaten league run at Fulham final weekend and left Arne Slot’s staff nonetheless needing 11 factors to safe the membership’s twentieth league championship, though the whole can be fewer ought to Arsenal drop any extra factors. West Ham, Leicester and Tottenham, Liverpool’s subsequent three opponents, current the extra simple path to victory than making an attempt to recover from the road in opposition to Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Crystal Palace within the ultimate 4 video games of the season. Anfield may very well be an apprehensive place on Sunday and can be seeking to the staff’s skilled leaders to get the job nearly achieved. Andy Hunter
9
Howe’s success a reminder for Ratcliffe
It’s truthful to say that throwing Eddie Howe’s identify into the hat as a possible successor to Erik ten Hag didn’t endear Dan Ashworth to Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Manchester United’s proprietor was reportedly underwhelmed, telling his then sporting director that he wished somebody with extra charisma. In the end, Ratcliffe recruited Ruben Amorim and Howe stayed put at Newcastle however Ashworth, who has now moved on from Previous Trafford, stays a extremely regarded choose of teaching character and functionality. Throughout an earlier government stint at Newcastle, Ashworth didn’t at all times see eye-to-eye with Howe, but absolutely appreciated his tactical acumen and capability to enhance gamers. Comparisons are sometimes invidious however was Amorim actually a greater appointment? Though solely time will inform, Sunday’s conflict of the 2 Uniteds on Tyneside could provide Ratcliffe pause for thought. To not point out a reminder that assumptions might be harmful. Louise Taylor
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Scott prepared to provide Cherries contemporary impetus
The constant brilliance of thrilling younger skills like Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen has been the mainstay of Bournemouth’s success this season. However Andoni Iraola’s aspect are working out of steam and it is perhaps time to inject contemporary impetus. They’re winless of their final six league video games, their longest such run since February final 12 months, and have dropped seven factors from successful positions of their final 4 matches, which is as many as they dropped of their first 27 this season. Enter Alex Scott. Having arrived with a stellar Championship repute, Scott’s progress has been frustratingly punctured by a meniscus tear which saved him out for 4 months. He’s match now, although, and gives versatility in central midfield, able to deep playmaking and driving ahead. With Ryan Christie sidelined owing to a groin damage for Monday’s match in opposition to Fulham, the 21-year-old’s dynamic edge might reignite Bournemouth’s spark. YE-S
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