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Wan-Bissaka torments United alternative
Aaron Wan-Bissaka appeared as if he had a degree to show in opposition to Manchester United. The best-back has had an intriguing position for West Ham this season. Julen Lopetegui has noticed hidden artistic tendencies within the defender and given him freedom to assault. Wan-Bissaka has inverted and he was irrepressible in opposition to United. Noussair Mazraoui, his alternative at United, couldn’t comprise the previous Crystal Palace participant. Wan-Bissaka saved operating clear and delivering crosses, and he ought to have had an help when his ball reached Emerson Palmieri, who scuffed large. If there’s a concern, although, it’s that Wan-Bissaka’s positioning does make West Ham open. Alejandro Garnacho had numerous area and didn’t make sufficient of it. United had been ridiculously irritating in entrance of objective. A greater workforce would have punished West Ham through the first half. They obtained the win, although, and on the finish Wan-Bissaka was making a significant lunging deal with to disclaim Garnacho. Jacob Steinberg
Alex Iwobi performed for six totally different managers in 4 years at Everton together with caretakers – Marco Silva, Duncan Ferguson (twice), Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benítez, Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche – so maybe it’s no shock it took him time to achieve a degree that glad the Goodison Park crowd. However his identify by no means reverberated across the outdated stadium prefer it did on Saturday when Fulham supporters serenaded the midfielder not just for a effective objective – one that ought to have been the platform for a cushty victory over a poor opponent – however for a mature and influential show. The 28-year-old is having fun with a effective season and Silva, Iwobi’s one supervisor throughout his time at Craven Cottage, believes there may be extra to return. “What Alex has executed this season has been so good, he’s bettering game-by-game and he’s extra decisive for us,” mentioned the Fulham supervisor. “Final season was most likely the most effective from him at this degree and I feel he’s going to be even higher this season. He’s taking rather more duty and pushing the workforce ahead.” Andy Hunter
3
Van Dijk turns desk on set-piece coach
Nicolas Jover is Arsenal’s now world-famous set-piece coach. As soon as at Brentford, a ending faculty for nook and free-kick gurus, after which at Manchester Metropolis, Jover was the genius behind 26 Premier League set-piece targets final season, a document 16 from corners. An issue with being a set-piece specialist is being solely nearly as good because the final set piece. As Virgil van Dijk stooped to attain Liverpool’s first objective, Jover’s identify was mud, solely to be revived by Mikel Merino scoring Arsenal’s second from Declan Rice’s free-kick. Premier League technical areas are these days filled with such operatives, Aston Villa’s Austin MacPhee’s Doobie-Brothers-stylings are a part of the furnishings, as is Carlos Vicens by Pep Guardiola’s facet. It may be a cut-throat, outcomes enterprise; Wolves sacked Jack Wilson from the position earlier this month. After which there’s the issue that soccer isn’t simply set items. Towards Liverpool, Arsenal gained just one attacking nook. John Brewin
4
Howe wants upturn in outcomes
Newcastle present little signal of rising above mid-table irrelevance, which was definitely not the plan when Saudi Arabia’s public funding fund took over three years in the past. Eddie Howe professed himself proud of most of their efficiency at Chelsea, the place higher decision-making from Alexander Isak might need introduced a draw, and took it as an indication of motion in the proper route. However the Magpies look blunt and they’re going to definitely cross their fingers that Anthony Gordon’s groin damage, which dominated him out on Sunday, is of no longer-term consequence. Whereas a Carabao Cup rematch with Enzo Maresca’s facet on Wednesday, this time at house, presents scope for a confidence enhance the Premier League exams carry on coming. On Saturday they host Arsenal and the victories want to start out coming once more quickly. “A few wins modifications the image in a short time,” Howe mentioned. “So long as the gamers are giving every little thing and are dedicated I’ll take the outcomes.” Others with an curiosity of their fortunes would possibly need one thing extra to point out for that angle. Nick Ames
5
Nuno not getting carried away
Nottingham Forest appeared like scoring with each assault at rivals Leicester on Friday however their defensive construction has been crucial to their success to date this season. Solely Liverpool have conceded fewer targets than Forest, for whom Chris Wooden has scored seven of their 11 league targets. Nuno Espírito Santo has turned Forest into formidable opponents and, other than a visit to Arsenal, their November seems like a possibility to construct on their sensible begin, with house matches in opposition to West Ham, Newcastle and Ipswich. Nuno has instructed Forest supporters to get pleasure from this second however the Portuguese is the final one who will get carried away. Requested about using excessive within the desk, Nuno was fast to extinguish the query. “It doesn’t imply something,” he mentioned. “What’s necessary is [training on] Monday. We’re going to put together for West Ham. Now we have to right particulars – you may see the [Leicester] objective, now we have to attempt to enhance.” Ben Fisher
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Tottenham’s midfield weaknesses on show
Taking part in each Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison in a three-man midfield needs to be thrilling. It’s a dangerous strategy but it surely means there are two effective artistic presences there alongside Yves Bissouma. But the proof of Tottenham’s victory over West Ham final week was that Spurs look better-balanced with solely considered one of them, and Pape Sarr alongside Bissouma on the base of midfield. Towards West Ham, the difficulty was that Spurs had been open on the counter; in opposition to Crystal Palace the issue was extra they appeared to lack the bodily presence to alleviate the strain. Maybe, as Ange Postecoglou intimated, the difficulty was psychological as a lot as the rest, however Kulusevski appeared unusually rattled whereas Maddison couldn’t impose himself. Not that issues improved a lot after the hour when each had been withdrawn and Sarr got here on, however by then, maybe, the injury was executed. Not for the primary time, Spurs appeared a workforce who might be obtained at. Jonathan Wilson
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Harsh lesson for Wieffer
“He will likely be upset and he needs to be,” mentioned Fabian Hürzeler of Mats Wieffer, the late Brighton substitute whose lack of composure equipped Wolves’ late, counterattacking equaliser. As a Feyenoord participant, Wieffer’s workforce averaged 2.52 factors, a joint-record for the Eredivisie, however right here was the ruthlessness of the Premier League. In these closing moments, and regardless of Evan Ferguson’s well-taken objective, Brighton had proven off their inexperience. Their supervisor should shoulder among the blame, although maybe Wolves’ surge to salvation might need been averted had extra battle-hardened gamers akin to Danny Welbeck, who drained after his objective, or Lewis Dunk, denied his 250th look by a warm-up damage, or James Milner, lacking since August, been on the sphere. Nonetheless, credit score Wolves for a comeback few noticed coming. They’re not executed but. “We’ll undoubtedly be effective this season and that solely reaffirms my ideas,” mentioned Gary O’Neil, regardless of his workforce’s complete of two factors. John Brewin
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Do Villa actually endure European hangovers?
Regardless of conceding a last-gasp equaliser in opposition to Bournemouth on Saturday, the information suggests Aston Villa aren’t really tending to endure a drop-off in efficiency after Champions League matches. Unai Emery’s workforce have gained all three matches on their return to Europe’s elite competitors to high the desk. However the considering, after a poor first half within the 3-1 win over Wolves and a goalless draw with Manchester United earlier than Saturday’s disappointment in opposition to Bournemouth, that the emotion of the Champions League is costing them is countered by the information. In accordance with SofaScore’s stats for possession, anticipated targets and large possibilities created, Villa are literally performing much less convincingly within the matches earlier than their Champions League video games than those after. . Peter Lansley
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Lewis-Potter impresses in thriller
After 43 minutes of what Thomas Frank described as a few of Brentford’s worst soccer throughout his time in cost, the ball arrived at Keane Lewis-Potter’s ft on the left wing in opposition to Ipswich. Accidents meant the beginning of Lewis-Potter’s Brentford profession didn’t fairly go to plan after his then club-record transfer from Hull in the summertime of 2022, which got here with hefty expectations. “You possibly can’t anticipate everybody to be Vinícius Júnior or [Kylian] Mbappé,” empathised Frank. However Saturday supplied full proof of his skills. Together with his facet two targets down, Lewis-Potter minimize inside with a deft first contact, earlier than jinking his means by means of two gamers to launch Vitaly Janelt for Yoane Wissa’s opener. “It was one motion that sparks every little thing,” mentioned Frank of Lewis-Potter’s transfer. “Increase, 2-1 and immediately somewhat perception.” In a bonkers match that repeatedly swung each methods, Lewis-Potter usually caught the attention, at all times driving ahead and drawing each the yellow playing cards that prematurely ended Harry Clarke’s full Premier League debut. “Most likely his greatest recreation,” mentioned Frank. “I’m very, very happy together with his efficiency.” Ben Bloom
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Accidents mount for Metropolis
Accidents are a priority as Manchester Metropolis take to the street for 4 matches at Tottenham (EFL Cup), Bournemouth (Premier League), Sporting (Champions League) and Brighton (PL). Pep Guardiola named solely 5 outfield replacements in opposition to Southampton as he did, too, for Wednesday’s victory over Sparta Prague because of the unavailability of Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Jérémy Doku and Kyle Walker. The supervisor mentioned: “We talked about that, now we have to maintain ourselves. Good sleep, drinks, good meals, sleep lots, coaching and restoration. I’d like to have everybody – it’s not the place. OK. Now we have to do what now we have to do.” He could relaxation gamers. “I don’t know if I’m going to suppose in opposition to Spurs about some gamers from the academy. If gamers are effective they will play in opposition to Spurs but when they’ve doubts I’m not going to take a danger – that’s for positive,” Guardiola mentioned. Jamie Jackson
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