Premier League: Ten Crucial Takeaways from the Latest Round of Action
The most recent set of top-flight games delivered no shortage of intrigue, surprise results, and compelling narratives. From clashes between managers to personal masterclasses, here are the primary conversations coming out of the games.
The Chelsea Boss Holds His Own Versus Guardiola
The Chelsea manager's unforeseen duel with the Manchester City boss brought back recollections of previous unequal sideline contests. For McFarlane, taking charge for his top-level management debut, the challenge was halting Chelsea's astonishingly bad recent record when playing Guardiola's side. A dramatic equaliser from the Argentine midfielder secured a valuable result, an achievement previous managers had failed to accomplish.
The Reds' Struggle to Shut Up Shop
Even with the German playmaker getting the net, Arne Slot's team were left aggrieved after allowing a winning position slip versus Marco Silva's side. The issue of not managing to manage matches when ahead persists, with the squad previously letting slip comparable leads in recent weeks. Before they master the knack of defending a lead, the quest will remain a challenging one.
The Arsenal Midfielder Supports Gyökeres to Find Form
The Swedish forward is going through a significant dry spell from open play, but his teammate the England international has stressed the player is still hugely important. Rice pointed to Gyökeres' pressing and unselfish performances as integral to Arsenal's success. "The goals are going to follow," was Rice's supportive assessment for his off-colour colleague.
The United Boss Must Get The Slovenian to Sharpen Up
Given Ruben Amorim's team setting up in a particularly defensive manner, the responsibility fell on the offensive duo to deliver. Whereas the Brazilian continued his excellent performances, his strike partner endured another difficult afternoon. The young striker has hit the net scarce since his high-profile switch and wasted a late opening to claim the contest. The new year presents a clear need for Sesko to discover his confidence.
The Sunderland Star Puts Tottenham in a Spin
The Black Cats boss used his creative talent in a more defensive position to start, before pushing him up the pitch as the match progressed. The decision was masterful, with Le Fée becoming the chief creator of the visitor's push for an leveler. After hitting the woodwork, Le Fée delivered a perfect through ball for the crucial finish. Having found his feet to the demands of the English game, his impact keeps improving.
6. Nuno Fails to Take Chance to Introduce Pablo Felipe
Amid an embarrassing loss for the Hammers, manager Nuno Espírito Santo chose not to use any of his available replacements. This included new signing the forward, who watched on despite his team's complete ineffectiveness. The manager reasoned it would have been "unfair" to throw the fresh recruit into the match. But, with firepower at a premium, the imperative to assimilate the new boy quickly is painfully obvious.
Lewis Miley States Another Big Statement
The 19-year-old turned in a further superb performance whilst operating out of position. The youngster was excellent in his own half, provided the opening goal, and lifted the team in a scrappy match. With first-choice defenders back, the question for manager the Newcastle boss is how to include the astonishingly talented player in his preferred central midfield berth. "Coming Toon line-ups will certainly be constructed on Miley," seems an increasingly accurate prediction.
Could the Dyche Effect Wearing Thin at Nottingham Forest?
Sean Dyche's initial effect at Forest was admirable, but questions are starting to arise about the squad's adaptability. The team's transition prowess is still there, but seems reduced in the absence of key attackers. Although well-organised when sitting back, Dyche's men have been exposed when needing to chase a game. Losing possession in those circumstances has been punishing, a lesson they must rectify quickly.
Igor Thiago's Scoring Form Ends Brentford's Poor Road Form
The West London club produced a display that belied their poor form on the road. Vital to their impressive win was the red-hot streak of number nine Igor Thiago. Thiago's goals are providing a base for the squad to build on. Winger Kevin Schade even floated the lofty aspiration of continental football as a possibility, underlining the fresh belief within the team.
