Top-Flight Football: Ten Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Fixtures
This past batch of English action delivered no shortage of intrigue, unexpected scores, and interesting subplots. From duels between managers to personal masterclasses, we examine the major points emerging from the matches.
Calum McFarlane Holds His Own Against Pep Guardiola
Calum McFarlane's unexpected confrontation with the celebrated tactician recalled recollections of previous unequal sideline contests. In the case of the Chelsea boss, making his first-team management debut, the task was halting his side's woeful run of form versus Manchester City. An injury-time strike from the Chelsea star secured a valuable draw, a feat past coaches had failed to accomplish.
The Reds' Struggle to Shut Up Shop
Despite their big-money signing scoring the net, Liverpool ended up disappointed after surrendering a lead evaporate at Fulham. The concern of not managing to control encounters when ahead persists, with the side almost letting slip comparable leads in recent matches. Until the team master the skill of killing off matches, the campaign promises to be a frustrating one.
3. Rice Shows Faith In The Swedish Striker to Start Scoring
The Swedish forward is going through a significant run without scoring from live action, but his midfield colleague the England international insists the forward is nevertheless immensely valuable. Rice highlighted his pressing and selfless contributions as crucial to Mikel Arteta's side title charge. "Good things are sure to follow," was the midfielder's supportive prediction for his struggling colleague.
4. Amorim Needs Sesko to Find His Edge
With Manchester United setting up in a particularly defensive fashion, the responsibility fell on the offensive duo to deliver. While the Brazilian persisted with his fine run, his strike partner experienced another forgettable outing. He has scored scarce since his big-money switch and wasted a excellent chance to claim the match. The coming months presents a clear requirement for the striker to discover his confidence.
5. Le Fée Puts Ange Postecoglou's Side in a State of Confusion
Régis Le Bris deployed Enzo Le Fée in a deeper role at first, before releasing him up the pitch as the game developed. The switch turned out to be masterful, with the playmaker emerging as the architect of the visitor's comeback for an equaliser. Following glancing the post, the midfielder delivered a perfect through ball for the all-important strike. Now found his feet to the pace of the top flight, his campaign is on the rise.
6. Nuno Misses Chance to Use Pablo Felipe
During an woeful performance for the London club, manager Nuno Espírito Santo opted not to utilize any of his named bench players. Among them was recent acquisition Pablo Felipe, who remained unused despite his team's complete ineffectiveness. Nuno reasoned it would have been "unfair" to introduce the recently-arrived recruit into the action. But, with scoring at a dearth, the need to blood the youngster as soon as possible is abundantly apparent.
7. Miley Makes Another Big Claim
The 19-year-old delivered yet another superb showing while operating at right-back. The youngster was impeccable in his defensive duties, provided the breakthrough, and lifted the team in a untidy encounter. Now that established full-backs back, the question for manager him is if to accommodate the astonishingly mature youngster in his best midfield position. "Next Magpies teams will undoubtedly be designed around the lad," seems an increasingly fair assessment.
Are the Dyche Effect Running Out at The City Ground?
The manager's early effect at Forest was positive, but doubts are beginning to arise about the team's adaptability. Forest's transition prowess exists, but looks diminished in the absence of certain players. Although structured when protecting a lead, Dyche's men have looked vulnerable when needing to come from behind. Cheap turnovers in these situations has shown costly, a lesson they need to address rapidly.
The Striker's Hot Streak Stops Thomas Frank's Side's Poor Road Form
The West London club produced a performance that masked their troubled away record. Key to their impressive win was the prolific scoring of forward the goal-getter. Thiago's presence are offering a base for the team to build on. Teammate he even mentioned the ambitious aspiration of a top-seven finish as a potential outcome, highlighting the growing belief within the squad.
