1) Red-letter day for Anfield attackers
Roberto Firmino scoring Liverpool’s 7th and ultimate function on Sunday used to be such an apt option to whole their best day. Two targets every for Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo pointed to Jürgen Klopp having discovered his subsequent all-star ahead line, after which on got here the outgoing legend to cap all of it with a neat end and that trademark smile. Neither of the brand new males – nor Diogo Jota – is a like-for-like substitute for what Firmino and Sadio Mané as soon as dropped at Liverpool however Gakpo’s velocity and completing, plus Núñez’s chaotic component, can nonetheless supplement Salah. Gakpo arrived at Liverpool in January as a participant unfamiliar with taking part in centrally however Sunday showed him because the inheritor obvious to Firmino. Salah, Liverpool’s new report Premier League goalscorer, used to be at his good easiest, a pest to Manchester United even throughout his workforce’s tough first 1/2. He stays a minimize above, is near-impossible to prevent in complete waft and drives Luke Shaw, particularly, to distraction. John Brewin
2) Nelson is newest hero in name saga
When the lesser-spotted Reiss Nelson is belting in a winner together with his weaker foot within the ultimate seconds of the sport, the indicators are that is your 12 months. When Gabriel Jesus used to be laid low in December it used to be tempting to write down off Arsenal’s name bid, however then Eddie Nketiah stepped up and others chipped in too. When Nketiah’s radar started to falter, new arrival Leandro Trossard facilitated a recalibration of Mikel Arteta’s assault and helped Arsenal banish the reminiscence of a short lived blip. When Trossard departed injured early towards Bournemouth, his undercooked deputy, Emile Smith Rowe, lasted best 47 mins. Nelson used to be Arteta’s remaining lodge however stepped up in taste, straight away putting in Ben White’s equalizer sooner than offering a second for the ages. Arteta is probably not unaware of the reality his workforce can’t stay dwelling at the edge like this with outwardly more difficult assignments to return, however it says masses for the well being of his squad {that a} peripheral determine comparable to Nelson can are available in and click on so spectacularly. By hook or via criminal, Arsenal are fixing each and every downside. Nick Ames
3) Win papers over cracks for Potter
When Chelsea beat Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in January, their best function got here from a collection piece throughout the second one 1/2. In the win towards Leeds at house on Saturday, their best function got here from a collection piece throughout the second one 1/2. Ultimately Graham Potter continues to be now not out of the woods – despite the fact that there have been some sure indicators towards Leeds, it used to be rarely convincing. Chelsea light after failing to take their possibilities throughout a vibrant opening spell and, even after their person elegance informed as they broke thru towards a deficient facet, they then made some defensive substitutions and nearly shipped an equaliser. Perhaps they may be able to push on now and possibly that is the beginning of a comeback for Potter. Yet he’s going to know that Chelsea must be significantly better at each ends of the pitch once they host Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League on Tuesday. Nervous house wins towards suffering groups do not truly turn out a lot. Jakob Steinberg
4) Dyche’s False 9 delivers numbers
No one is suggesting Sean Dyche’s Everton are as regards to reminiscent of height Barcelona or Pep Guardiola’s pre-Haaland Manchester City however, within the absence of a confirmed and known centre-forward, in all probability taking part in with six midfield avid gamers isn’t any such dangerous shout. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin hamstrung and Neal Maupay quick on self assurance and targets, Everton performed Demarai Gray furthest ahead on the City Ground, with Abdoulaye Doucouré and Amadou Onana taking turns to improve him. The outcome used to be Everton scoring two times in a primary 1/2 for the primary time this season and any other 10 photographs in general, making it 60 in Dyche’s first six video games. They additionally had double Forest’s anticipated targets, with Dwight McNeil and Alex Iwobi having a look unhealthy from extensive spaces, however had the manpower in midfield to retain some extent of keep an eye on in spite of Forest’s passionate second-half fightback. Victory escaped them, however the proof is there to indicate Everton are on an upward trajectory. Peter Lansley
5) Foden flying amid health considerations
Phil Foden is again in flying shape, his function towards Newcastle a fourth in 3 video games. But he took any other knock to the foot on Saturday, an harm that in the past pressured him out for 4 weeks after January’s defeat at Manchester United. “Unfortunately I’ve hurt it again and now I need to rest up. We’ve got two days off now so hopefully I’ll have the chance to,” he said. “It’s one of those injuries where the physios can’t really help, you have to learn how to manage it. Whether it’s not training as much, trying to look after it, I’m trying to find that balance.” It caused Foden, who loves to play, to ask the city for an extended rest in January. “I had to because of how sore it was. I’d have only made it worse, not performed to my level,” the 22-year-old said. The hope now is that Foden can manage the problem for the rest of the campaign. Jamie Jackson
6) Fernandes leads United meltdown
As Anthony Elanga replaced Marcus Rashford in the 85th minute, there was the sight of petulance that supposedly departed Manchester United with Cristiano Ronaldo. It appeared the captain, Bruno Fernandes, was asking to come off the pitch instead, following the pattern of much of his second-half behaviour. One attempt to get Ibrahima Konate punished for a nonexistent foul was well below the standards of sportsmanship expected from someone wearing a captain’s armband. “Unprofessional,” was a word Erik ten Hag used repeatedly during his post-match duties, while on Sky a simmering Roy Keane said: “Fernandes’s body language was disgraceful.” It was only last month that United officials were proudly briefing the success of their “no dickheads” policy. Fernandes was hardly alone in losing his head with Luke Shaw, another senior player, seemingly intent on getting a red card. United offered a very public exposure that team spirit is not as effectively reformed as advertised. They melted down, and their captain led the way. JB
7) Porro offers promise in poor week
Amid the disappointment of a second 1-0 away defeat by, on paper, inferior opposition last week there was one bright note for Tottenham: wing-back Pedro Porro, signed from Sporting Lisbon in January, is improving on the right. Saturday’s trip to Wolves was the Spaniard’s fourth appearance for the club, three of which have ended in defeat. Understandably, he has required time to settle in the Premier League because it is a big step up from the Portuguese league, but he is showing signs of adapting. Against Wolves he got forward well and stuck to his defensive tasks admirably, showing another of his attributes when he hit a free-kick from just outside the area on to the crossbar. “Pedro Porro played a good game like all the team,” Spurs’ assistant manager Cristian Stellini said. “We know Pedro Porro is this type of player. We need to help him to adapt himself to a new league but today he was important for us.” Will Unwin
8) Pivotal spell looms for Moyes
David Moyes appeared sanguine after the embarrassing defeat at Brighton that left his side mired in a relegation battle, but the reaction of the away supporters told a different story. The West Ham board’s patience with the manager who guided them to sixth- and seventh-placed finishes in the past two seasons has yet to run out – David Sullivan insisted he remains behind Moyes “despite a very poor performance” on the south coast – but the next week could be crucial. West Ham travel to Cyprus to face Larnaca in the first leg of their Europa League Conference last-16 tie on Thursday, before hosting Aston Villa on Sunday. “We’ve got a great opportunity when we go into Europe in midweek and we’ve got a game at home next Sunday, so you’ve got to try and make sure we get the points to try and climb the table,” stated Moyes. Ed Aarons
Match file: Brighton 4-0 West Ham
9) Wise Walcott could also be Saint’s savior
Against Leicester, Theo Walcott plugged gamely down Southampton’s proper flank, leaving the sphere simply previous the hour to loud applause from the house enthusiasts. It used to be from Walcott’s go that Timothy Castagne conceded the penalty James Ward-Prowse overlooked. After Carlos Alcaraz had scored the eventual winner within the first 1/2, the much-travelled former academy big name – whose teammates in his first spell on the membership integrated Dennis Wise, now 56 – led the rearguard effort. Walcott’s contract expires this summer time, and he used to be making a primary league get started since November however stated, at the back of the scenes, he has been “trying to help out the young players” because the intervening time supervisor, Rubén Sellés, works to stay the Saints up. “I’ve never really experienced so many manager changes and I’m nearly 34,” Walcott stated. “It’s very disruptive.” Now, given a style of motion, he needs to play a fuller phase. “People think I’ve been injured but I haven’t been, I’ve been here.” JB
Match file: Southampton 1-0 Leicester
10) Palace should forestall firing blanks
Just 5 touches within Aston Villa’s penalty house and 0 photographs heading in the right direction tells a lot of the tale of Crystal Palace’s newest failure to win a fit in 2023, or to attain within the first 1/2. An personal function from Joachim Andersen and a pink card from Cheick Doucouré, for 2 bookings within the area of 5 mins, left no margin for error. Small marvel the ones touring from south London booed Patrick Vieira’s workforce at complete time. “This is a problem we’ve had for a while,” stated Vieira of his workforce’s malfunctioning ahead line. “We have to improve it if we want to win games.” Last season, Vieira’s workforce have been hailed for his or her attacking verve, however they have been blunted simply via Unai Emery’s Villa, in a similar way missing in artistry however more potent and extra disciplined. Alarm bells are ringing. Without targets and wins, Palace will lurch ever downwards into the snatch of groups fighting towards relegation. JB