1
Salah evaluates the new defense of the Palace
Liverpool have not lost at Selhurst Park since November 2014, when Dwight Gayle opened the scoring in a 3-1 victory for a team then managed by Neil Warnock. But having seen their title aspirations falter last season after losing at Anfield in April to an Eberechi Eze goal, Arne Slot will be wary of facing a Crystal Palace team yet to record a Premier League victory. this season. Fresh off his brilliant goal against Bologna in the Champions League, Mohamed Salah will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a revamped Palace defense that has looked unconvincing this season despite a 0-0 draw against manchester united in their last home game. The Egyptian scored his 200th goal against Liverpool in December, taking his tally to eight in just 11 appearances, not to mention seven assists. Ed Aaron
2
Havertz aims for Van Persie's record
At least Kai Havertz is honest. “It's a nice feeling, but it would be even better if I could do it with Arsenal and it would mean a lot more,” the German striker said when asked about winning the Champions League during his time at Chelsea. After his goal against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek sparked a comfortable victory, Havertz has the perfect opportunity to equal Robin van Persie's record of scoring in seven consecutive games at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal face difficulties . Southampton on Saturday. His blossoming partnership with Leandro Trossard has made up for Martin Ødegaard's absence in recent weeks as Mikel Arteta's side have shown their adaptability during a series of test matches at home and in Europe. EA
3
O'Neil finds himself in another dogfight
The Wolves' poor start to the season can be seen from both a positive and negative perspective. The sight of a horrified Gary O'Neil has become a meme but, regardless of the results, his team has often played well. Even in the 6-2 loss to Chelsea, Wolves went into half-time tied 2-2, having been the better and more dangerous team. After that – and this is where the negative aspects begin – individual errors began to multiply. A similar pattern occurred against Liverpool last Sunday. The league leaders escaped Molineux with no small amount of relief, grateful that Nélson Semedo brought down Diogo Jota in the box just after Rayan Aït-Nouri's deserved equaliser. O'Neil's reputation was earned by shooting Bournemouth and then Wolves from the relegation fights, but he is now trying to refine his approach. His current team, devoid of Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, tries to get the ball out of defense. This is where the repeated mistakes have been made. Would a more direct approach work against Brentford? Thomas Frank's team often enjoys pressing high to pick defenders' pockets. John Brewin
4
Hermansen needs help in Foxes goal
After allowing Everton 17 shots on goal a fortnight ago, Leicester allowed 36 shots to fall on their goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen, at the Emirates last week. Yes, it was at the home of title contenders Arsenal, yes the visitors almost grabbed an improbable point anyway, but Steve Cooper's winless team must ensure this is not a plan for their season. “I must admit it was a bit much,” Hermansen said afterward. Arsenal's defeat. “No matter who you play, (36 shots) is just too much. We have to see what we can improve and try to do better for the future.” Hosting Bournemouth, and the red-hot Antoine Semenyo in particular, this weekend, their fingers must be tightened. The match begins a vital period for Leicester, who also face Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich next month. sunday stand
5
Who will be next in the role of Rodri?
To fill Rodri's void, Pep Guardiola has so far chosen Nico O'Reilly, in the Carabao Cup against Watford, and the double pivots Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic (Premier League, Newcastle) and Ilkay Gündogan and Matheus Nunes (Champions League, Slovan Bratislava). During Fulham's visit we will see the fourth part of the coach's solution to the only position for which he has not been able to find a high-level natural replacement. Maybe John Stones will have the opportunity he declared be “100% ready” take if his coach decides, although moving to midfield from defense when in possession is a different game to being the general in Guardiola's field, which is when he plays at number 6. Phil Foden was the player of the game at 4-4 on Tuesday. 0 in Bratislava in his first start of the campaign and showed understandable rustiness and lasting class. Unlike the enigma of Rodri, Foden is as natural a playmaker as Kevin De Bruyne, so although the Belgian remains an injury doubt, the youngster's presence does not mean a loss of quality. Jaime Jackson
6
Lopetegui must solve the Hammers' problems
A fourth consecutive home defeat would go a long way to dooming Julen Lopetegui's West Ham regime. Meanwhile, adventurous, exciting but porous Ipswich are looking to end their winless streak since returning to the top flight; None of the promoted teams have achieved a victory. Rumors in the East End have been hot this week with rumors of a dispute between Lopetegui and Mohammed Kudus, hooking up at half-time at Brentford last week. If West Ham tradition dictates that talented players should be given freedom, Lopetegui is not that manager. Lucas Paquetá has also lacked influence and application, as has Jarrod Bowen. The Hammers were much more effective at Brentford once Lopetegui added defensive muscle and Konstantinos Mavropanos put in a spectacular performance at full-back. Max Kilman, the defender who Lopetegui demanded his former club Wolves sign for his new club, still has some things to do but retains his coach's trust. Lopetegui won't panic just yet, but the lack of flair in his usual football style is what can cause long-term problems. J.B.
7
All eyes on Gordon in his old stomping ground
Attention remains focused on Anthony Gordon not simply because the role of pantomime villain awaits him upon his return to Goodison Park. The ridicule would have been much louder if the former Everton winger had returned in the Liverpool red shirt, as was briefly discussed this summer. Gordon embodied the improvement Eddie Howe had called for when Newcastle produced their best performance of the season in last weekend's game. draw with Manchester Citylooking fitter, pressing high to telling effect and, as Pep Guardiola said, being part of a team that was “impossible to contain” for 90 minutes. And doing it in an unaccustomed center forward role. With Alexander Isak still doubtful for the trip to Goodison, the 23-year-old could take on those duties again against his former club. His impact against an Everton defense that could lose the influential Jarrad Branthwaite to injury again could prove pivotal in Newcastle's quest to build on City's performance and make up for their last away game at Fulham. andy hunter
8
United visit Villa Park in need of consolation
Vast terabytes of internet lamentation followed Manchester United's latest Sunday of shame. How to fix the irreparable theater of (still) broken dreams? Indefinitely. This week has allowed them to return to places that remember happier days in the club's history: Porto, where they almost drew, and Villa Park. On Sunday he will face Unai Emery, a coach who has beaten them with three different clubs. Most famously, Emery's Villarreal denied Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the 2021 Europa League final, with Arsenal winning 2-0 in March 2019. His first game in charge of Villa, in November 2022 , it was a 3-1 victory in the prelude. the excellent work he has done since then. And yet since then, although United's taming by other opponents is no longer surprising, Villa have lost their last four games to Erik ten Hag's side. United's 3-2 Boxing Day victory last season, a dramatic comeback, was their first under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's co-ownership, a new dawn that has already faded into United's last long, dark night. Their 2-1 victory at Villa Park in February came thanks to now-discarded save specialist Scott McTominay. J.B.
9
Chelsea's English trio can boost Carsley
While criticism of Todd Boehly's chaotic management of Chelsea was (and remains) certainly not unfounded (and praise for the team in the form of Enzo Maresca remains a bit premature), the Blues are becoming quickly into one of the Premier League teams to watch. A key reason for this is the exciting trio of all-English attacking midfielders who are constantly flourishing under Maresca. To have Cole Palmer flanked by Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke is to boast an enviable triumvirate, blessed with a near-perfect combination of pace, poise and unfathomable talent. With nine goals and seven assists between them in the league this season, the numbers bode well for Boehly, as well as interim England manager Lee Carsley. Maresca's main problem could be keeping his other attacking players happy while they huddle on the bench. D.B.
10
Hürzeler wonders about the defensive conundrum
Confirmation that Jan Paul van Hecke faces a long spell on the sidelines was the news Brighton didn't want to hear after their defensive problems against Chelsea last week. The Dutch international had been called up by Ronald Koeman for the Nations League but withdrew due to an inductor problem that could leave him sidelined until the end of November. That means Fabian Hürzeler must decide whether to stick with Adam Webster, who was seriously at fault for Cole Palmer's first goal at Stamford Bridge, or turn to Igor to partner Lewis Dunk at the back against Tottenham. Since Ange Postecoglou's team is also known for its tendency to play with a high defensive line, there should be plenty of goals at the Amex. EA
