Premier League: 10 Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Fixtures
This past batch of English games delivered plenty of drama, shock outcomes, and fascinating storylines. From duels between managers to personal masterclasses, here are the key discussions emerging from the games.
1. McFarlane Holds His Own Against Guardiola
The young coach's unexpected duel with Pep Guardiola brought back memories of past David vs Goliath coaching battles. For the debutant, making his first-team management debut, the task was halting the Blues' astonishingly bad sequence when playing the champions. A last-gasp goal from the Argentine midfielder earned a crucial result, an achievement past incumbents had failed to accomplish.
The Reds' Struggle to Close Games Out
Despite their big-money signing getting the net, Liverpool were left aggrieved after letting a lead evaporate against Marco Silva's side. The issue of being unable to command encounters when ahead continues, with the team nearly throwing away similar leads in previous outings. Until the team master the skill of killing off matches, the quest is likely to stay a difficult process.
The Arsenal Midfielder Shows Faith In Gyökeres to Start Scoring
Viktor Gyökeres is enduring a notable run without scoring from live action, but his teammate the England international has stressed the number nine is still vitally important. Rice pointed to the striker's hold-up play and unselfish efforts as integral to Mikel Arteta's side form. "The goals are bound to come," was Rice's supportive prediction for his off-colour strike partner.
The United Boss Must Get The Slovenian to Find His Edge
With Manchester United setting up in a incredibly cautious manner, the burden fell on the attacking pair to make the difference. While the Brazilian maintained his impressive performances, his strike partner experienced another difficult afternoon. The young striker has hit the net elusive since his big-money move and wasted a golden opportunity to win the match. The new year provides a obvious imperative for Sesko to find his form.
The Sunderland Star Puts Spurs in a Muddle
The Sunderland manager used his creative talent in a more defensive role at first, before pushing him up the pitch as the game progressed. The switch turned out to be inspired, with Le Fée emerging as the main instigator of the visitor's fightback for an equalizing goal. After glancing the post, the midfielder supplied a exquisite pass for the crucial finish. Having found his feet to the demands of the Premier League, his influence continues to grow.
Nuno Espírito Santo Fails to Take Chance to Bed In Pablo Felipe
In a embarrassing performance for the Hammers, boss Nuno chose not to introduce any of his available bench players. Among them was recent acquisition Pablo Felipe, who stayed on the bench despite his team's utter failure to score. Nuno suggested it would have been "too harsh" to throw the recently-arrived recruit into the match. However, with firepower at a premium, the imperative to blood the 22-year-old as soon as possible is glaringly clear.
The Teenager Makes A Further Major Case
Lewis Miley delivered yet another exceptional display while playing out of position. The midfielder was excellent in his own half, provided the breakthrough, and set the standard in a stop-start encounter. With established full-backs returning, the conundrum for boss the Newcastle boss is if to accommodate the incredibly mature youngster in his preferred engine room position. "Next Newcastle line-ups will surely be built around Miley," seems an increasingly accurate prediction.
Are the Dyche Effect Fading at The City Ground?
The former Burnley boss's early impact at the club was positive, but concerns are beginning to surface about the side's plan B. Their transition threat is still there, but looks less potent in the absence of previous personnel. Whilst well-organised when defending deep, Forest have been exposed when forced to chase a game. Cheap turnovers in those circumstances has proven costly, a issue they must solve rapidly.
Igor Thiago's Goal Rush Stops Brentford's Away-Day Blues
The West London club put in a display that masked their dismal away record. Vital to their commanding win was the prolific form of number nine Igor Thiago. His presence are offering a base for the squad to build on. Teammate Kevin Schade even suggested the ambitious dream of European qualification as a possibility, underlining the renewed belief within the team.
