Top-Flight Football: Ten Major Discussion Topics from the Latest Round of Fixtures
This past set of top-flight fixtures delivered a wealth of intrigue, shock outcomes, and interesting subplots. Ranging from clashes between coaches to personal masterclasses, we examine the primary discussions stemming from the matches.
Calum McFarlane Holds His Own Versus Pep Guardiola
The Chelsea manager's unforeseen battle with Pep Guardiola evoked memories of earlier managerial mismatches. In the case of the debutant, making his first-team maiden game, the task was halting Chelsea's dreadful sequence versus the champions. A last-gasp strike from the Argentine midfielder earned a crucial result, an achievement past managers had struggled to do.
The Reds' Failure to Close Games Out
Despite the German playmaker scoring the net, Arne Slot's team finished aggrieved after letting a lead evaporate at Fulham. The problem of being unable to control matches when in the lead continues, with the side previously letting slip comparable leads in earlier outings. Before Slot's men master the knack of defending a lead, the quest is likely to stay a frustrating one.
Declan Rice Shows Faith In Gyökeres to Find Form
Viktor Gyökeres is enduring a significant dry spell from live action, but his fellow star the Gunners lynchpin insists the player is still vitally influential. He highlighted the striker's hold-up play and unselfish efforts as crucial to the league leaders success. "Success are sure to come," was the midfielder's supportive prediction for his misfiring colleague.
The United Boss Must Get The Slovenian to Improve
With Manchester United setting up in a particularly cautious way, the responsibility rested with the attacking duo to produce. While Matheus Cunha persisted with his impressive form, Benjamin Sesko experienced another frustrating afternoon. He has scored scarce since his high-profile switch and missed a excellent chance to snatch the contest. The coming months presents a pressing requirement for him to discover his scoring touch.
The Sunderland Star Leaves Tottenham in a Muddle
The Black Cats boss deployed his creative talent in a deeper position initially, before unleashing him into advanced areas as the match wore on. The decision turned out to be inspired, with the playmaker emerging as the main instigator of the visitor's fightback for an equalizing goal. Following glancing the post, the midfielder supplied a perfect assist for the levelling strike. Having found his feet to the pace of the top flight, his impact continues to grow.
The West Ham Manager Wastes Opportunity to Use New Signing
During an embarrassing defeat for the Hammers, head coach the Portuguese coach chose not to introduce any of his available bench players. This included recent acquisition Pablo Felipe, who remained unused despite his team's chronic failure to score. He felt it would have been "unjust" to throw the fresh recruit into the action. But, with goals at a premium, the need to blood the youngster quickly is abundantly apparent.
Lewis Miley Makes A Further Huge Claim
The teenage sensation produced yet another superb display whilst playing out of position. He was flawless in his defensive duties, set up the opening goal, and raised the tone in a untidy match. Now that specialist full-backs returning, the conundrum for manager Eddie Howe is if to accommodate the astonishingly composed player in his natural engine room position. "Next Newcastle teams will surely be built with the lad," seems an a fair assessment.
Are the New Manager Bounce Running Out at The City Ground?
Sean Dyche's first influence at Nottingham Forest was notable, but concerns are starting to emerge about the side's plan B. Forest's counter-attacking ability exists, but looks less potent in the absence of certain attackers. While structured when sitting back, Dyche's men have been exposed when forced to open up. Giving the ball away in these circumstances has been disastrous, a lesson they have to solve rapidly.
9. Thiago's Goal Rush Stops Thomas Frank's Side's Travel Woes
Brentford put in a display that contradicted their poor form on the road. Vital to their dominant victory was the red-hot streak of number nine the Brazilian. Thiago's goals are giving a foundation for the side to progress. Attacker he even mentioned the optimistic target of continental football as a possibility, underlining the fresh optimism in the team.
