Premier League: 10 Key Talking Points from the Weekend's Action
This past batch of English action served up a wealth of excitement, shock outcomes, and compelling narratives. From battles between coaches to personal masterclasses, here are the primary discussions emerging from the matches.
1. McFarlane Makes a Statement When Facing Guardiola
The Chelsea manager's surprise duel with Pep Guardiola evoked memories of earlier unequal sideline contests. For the Chelsea boss, embarking on his first-team maiden game, the mission was ending his side's astonishingly bad sequence against Manchester City. An injury-time strike from the Argentine midfielder snatched a crucial point, an achievement past coaches had found it tough to do.
The Reds' Inability to Shut Up Shop
Despite their big-money signing scoring the net, the Merseyside club finished frustrated after surrendering a winning position slip versus Fulham. The concern of not managing to command games when ahead continues, with the side nearly letting slip identical advantages in recent outings. Until they discover the art of killing off matches, the campaign promises to be a frustrating affair.
3. Rice Supports The Swedish Striker to Fire
Viktor Gyökeres is experiencing a notable run without scoring from live action, but his teammate the Gunners lynchpin is adamant the player is nevertheless immensely influential. Rice pointed to Gyökeres' pressing and unselfish contributions as integral to Mikel Arteta's side title charge. "Success are going to follow," was his confident prediction for his misfiring strike partner.
Ruben Amorim Needs The Slovenian to Sharpen Up
Given Ruben Amorim's team setting up in a particularly defensive way, the responsibility was placed on the forward pair to deliver. Whereas one forward maintained his impressive run, his strike partner endured another frustrating outing. He has found goals hard to come by since his high-profile transfer and missed a golden opening to claim the game. The new year presents a obvious imperative for him to regain his confidence.
5. Le Fée Leaves Ange Postecoglou's Side in a Spin
Régis Le Bris positioned Enzo Le Fée in a deeper position initially, before unleashing him into advanced areas as the match wore on. The decision turned out to be inspired, with Le Fée becoming the chief creator of the visitor's comeback for an leveler. Following hitting the post, Le Fée supplied a sumptuous assist for the all-important strike. Now settled in to the demands of the top flight, his influence continues to grow.
6. Nuno Wastes Opportunity to Use Pablo
During an woeful loss for the Hammers, manager the Portuguese coach decided not to utilize any of his named replacements. This meant January recruit Pablo Felipe, who watched on despite his team's complete lack of threat. The manager felt it would have been "too harsh" to send the fresh striker into the fray. However, with goals at a premium, the urgency to assimilate the new boy rapidly is glaringly clear.
Lewis Miley Makes Yet Another Big Claim
The teenage sensation produced a further outstanding performance whilst filling in out of position. He was flawless in defence, created the opening goal, and raised the tone in a untidy affair. Now that first-choice right-backs available, the conundrum for coach him is how to fit the incredibly mature teenager in his preferred central midfield berth. "Next Newcastle teams will undoubtedly be constructed with Miley," seems an a accurate assessment.
Are the New Manager Bounce Wearing Thin at The City Ground?
The manager's early effect at the club was notable, but concerns are beginning to surface about the side's versatility. Forest's transition prowess is still there, but seems less potent in the absence of key attackers. While well-organised when protecting a lead, Dyche's men have been exposed when needing to open up. Cheap turnovers in those situations has shown punishing, a problem they must address immediately.
9. Thiago's Hot Streak Halts Thomas Frank's Side's Travel Woes
Brentford put in a display that contradicted their troubled form on the road. Vital to their commanding victory was the in-form scoring of forward the goal-getter. His presence are providing a base for the squad to aim higher. Teammate the German international even suggested the lofty dream of continental football as a possibility, highlighting the renewed belief coursing through the squad.
