10 THINGS WE LEARNED from the Premier League: Pape Matar Sarr’s energy is boosting Tottenham, Chris Wilder is not worried about the safety gap and Villa’s grip on Champions League spot is slipping
Another weekend of Premier League action has been and gone.
Manchester City returned top of the Premier League table as Erling Haaland struck twice to sink Everton, while United breathed new life into their late Champions League push after beating Aston Villa 2-1 to move just six points off fourth place.
Elsewhere, Ange Postecoglou‘s Tottenham side claimed a thrilling late victory at home when Brennan Johnson’s 96th minute winner secured them all three points against Brighton.
Chelsea claimed a much needed win against Crystal Palace. Conor Gallagher netted twice against the Eagles, where he spent last season on loan, and Fernandez secured the points in the fourth minute of added time at Selhurst Park to leave Palace just five points above the relegation zone.
Mail Sport covers 10 things we learned from the weekend’s Premier League action.
Mail Sport covers 10 things we learned from the weekend’s feisty Premier League action
Rasmus Hojlund is turning things around for United
Rasmus Hojlund endured a rough start to life in Manchester following his £72million move from Atalanta in the summer. Despite finding the back of the net in Europe, Hojlund went months without scoring in the league for United – until eventually bagging against Aston Villa in December.
However, it appears as though Hojlund’s luck has changed. The Danish international has collected 40 passes in the opposition’s half since Christmas (an average of 8.1 times per match). His average before the Xmas break was 8.2.
Prior to Christmas, Hojlund received the ball just three times inside the penalty area – marking out an average of 0.3 times per match. But, in the last couple months, Hojlund has received the ball inside the box 1.2 times per match – which has helped his upturn in form.
Hojlund’s progress could be seen during Manchester United‘s 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, where he opened the scoring in the 17th minute of the game with a fine finish.
Rasmus Hojlund endured a rough start to life in Manchester following his £72m summer move
Harvey Elliott becomes super-sub
Liverpool starlet Harvey Elliott made the difference against Burnley on Saturday afternoon, providing two match-winning assists after his half-time introduction by Jurgen Klopp.
Elliott has started 25 Premier League games for Liverpool and has been a replacement in 35. It’s not the ratio an ambitious 20-year-old would want, but he’s proven himself as a super-sub.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has said Elliott must avoid getting frustrated over his position on the bench. He said: ‘Harvey goes through a lot of things personally. He would love to be playing week in, week out but playing at the highest level you also have to be patient and grab your moments when you get them.
‘He has to keep going, don’t be frustrated that you don’t play as sometimes it is part of the business, but when you get your opportunities you have to perform and that’s what he has done again.’
Liverpool starlet Harvey Elliott made the difference against Burnley on Saturday afternoon
Pape Matar Sarr’s energy is boosting Tottenham
Pape Matar Sarr is providing Tottenham with a new lease of life. He has excelled this term and established himself as one of Ange Postecoglou’s key men, making 31 Premier League appearances so far this season.
The 21-year-old starlet played a key role in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday, finding the back of the net for Spurs upon his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
His midfield play showed why he is held in such high regard at the club. He enjoyed a successful first half but came into his own in the second before finding Tottenham’s equaliser.
He drilled the ball home from a tight angle with his left foot. It was a tough finish that deserved recognition and it’s safe to say he got it. Sarr was clapped off the pitch after being subbed with 10 minutes to go for Ben Davies.
Pape Matar Sarr is providing Tottenham with a new lease of life after establishing himself as one of Ange Postecoglou’s key men
Ivan Toney is living up to expectations
Ivan Toney only returned in January from an eight-month ban for breaching FA gambling rules. During his time on the sidelines, Toney – who is out of contract at the end of next season – had been linked with Chelsea and Arsenal.
Many were wondering whether the links were justified for a player who had not featured for eight months. But, he has proven his doubters wrong. His latest performance exemplified his value to the team, scoring Brentford’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Wolves.
The striker has now scored three goals in his last four games – showing why he is one of the most capable forwards in the Premier League.
Ivan Toney’s latest performance exemplified his value to the team, scoring Brentford’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Wolves
Chris Wilder is not worried about the safety gap
Chris Wilder is not focused on points, despite picking up three of them against Luton on Saturday afternoon. He said he was more focused on the squad’s tactics, their connection to the fans and bouncing back from their 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
‘Nobody has talked about the gap,’ he said after the Luton game. ‘We’ve just talked about the next game ever since we’ve come through the door. I know we’ve got 12 or 13 now, you don’t know what’s going to happen. You’ve just got to get your head down.’
The Sheffield United manager went on to add: ‘The biggest thing for me was the connection back with the supporters, it was 100 per cent that was what was needed.’
Chris Wilder is not focused on points, despite picking up three of them against Luton
Villa’s grip on Champions League spot is slipping
Manchester United’s victory over Aston Villa proved crucial in the race for Champions league football, with the Red Devils closing the gap to just five points.
Defeat also saw Unai Emery’s side slip outside of the top four over the weekend, with Tottenham now a point ahead after their last 2-1 home against Brighton.
It comes as no surprise the Villa fans are disappointed with the result considering Villa lost just three of their opening 18 Premier League matches this season.
Now they have lost three of their last six fixtures – including back-to-back defeats at Villa Park, where they had previously gone almost a full year without losing.
Manchester United’s victory over Aston Villa proved crucial in the race for European football
Rodrigo Muniz is Fulham’s bright light
There is no denying the fact Fulham have lacked a clinical goal scorer. The departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic left them sort of options but Rodrigo Muniz has stepped up to the plate.
Fulham were boosted by the arrival of Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea, but it is Muniz has grabbed the headlines as of late – scoring three goals in two games for the Cottagers.
He scored his first Premier League goals in their 2-2 draw with Burnley before bagging a brace against Bournemouth at home on Saturday afternoon. Some would say the No.9 spot is his to lose!
The departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic left Fulham short of options but Rodrigo Muniz has stepped up to the plate
Forest can threaten down the wing
Forest have shown they are capable of threatening down the wing after acquiring United and Chelsea academy products, Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Both players gained exposure to Premier League football through their respective clubs before being allowed to join Nottingham Forest during the summer transfer window.
Elanga and Hudson-Odoi both found the back of the net during Saturday’s clash with Newcastle. The former Manchester United starlet scored his side’s first goal in the 26nd minute before Hudson-Odoi added their second in the 45+6 minute.
It wasn’t enough to win the game as Bruno Guimaraes bagged a brace and Fabian Schar found the back of the net for the Magpies to see the game end 3-2 in their favour.
But Elanga was a constant thorn in Newcastle’s side. His pace caused Dan Burn several problems, while Hudson-Odoi enjoyed a lot of success cutting in from the left.
Forest have shown they are capable of threatening down the wing with Anthony Elanga (pictured) and Callum Hudson-Odoi both on song
Arsenal’s set pieces are helping them win games
Set pieces have become a real strength for Arsenal. They scored their 15th and 16th goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) against West Ham on the weekend.
They found the back of the net with a well-worked corner and then a free-kick in the first half of their 6-0 thumping over the Hammers.
As a result, the Gunners are now topping the Premier League charts goals scored from set pieces – which is helping them close to gap on Liverpool and Man City.
Having units such as Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba attacking the ball is certainly helping but the secret sauce appears to be in the delivery.
Arsenal scored their 15th and 16th goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) against West Ham on the weekend
Haaland slips on his goalscoring boots
Erling Haaland regained his goalscoring form after returning to the scoresheet during Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday following an injury break.
Haaland opened the scoring late in the second half to register his first goal since November – but that wasn’t enough for the Norwegian, as he quickly doubled Manchester City’s lead after cruising past Jarrad Branthwaite to fire the ball past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Erling Haaland regained his goalscoring form after returning to the scoresheet during Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday following an injury break
Fans were also quick to react to Haaland’s performance, describing him as ‘just too good.’ Posting on X one user said: ‘Haaland brushed Braithwaite like he was a piece of paper.’
While another added: ‘Haaland violated Braithwaite there’ another penned.’ Before one supporter finished by writing: ‘The PL’s most feared duo are BACK… Kevin De Bruyne x Erling Haaland’.
