1
Arsenal need a ruthless lead
It took them an hour of huffing and puffing, but Arsenal did something at Stamford Bridge that they hadn't managed since September: they scored an away goal at the first division. After toothless performances at Newcastle and Inter last week, and last month at Bournemouth, Gabriel Martinelli's fine finish was in itself a moment of relief, but Mikel Arteta was frustrated that his team failed to find a winner. Their expected goals figure was lower than Chelsea's (1.27 to 1.69), but that doesn't take into account Leandro Trossard's costly mistake on the death goal or Kai Havertz's potential opening goal, which I was just offside. The Gunners will almost always control games, especially now that Martin Ødegaard is fit and firing again, but that old itch hasn't gone away. They are not ruthless enough and still lack a killer in the penalty area. sunday stand
Only once in the last 34 seasons have Liverpool accumulated more points in their first 11 games than in the 28 they have now. That was in 2019-20, when Jürgen Klopp's team accumulated 31 points in the same period and ended the club's 30-year wait. for the league title. In Arne Slot, Liverpool have a head coach not only with the methodology to win 15 of his first 17 games in charge, including three in a demanding week against Aston Villa, Bayer Leverkusen and Brighton, but also with the temperament to handle the pressure of a title. career. There is also a humility that the players appreciate. Watch how he refused to take credit for Liverpool thriving from the corners of Villa repeatedly on Saturday night and insisted it was all down to the quality and ingenuity of his team. The team is being buoyed by Slot and the painful experience of failing at the end of last season's title race. “We should have learned from last year,” said club captain Virgil van Dijk. “We are only in November but I see us facing the difficult moments quite well. “I can't predict what the last part of the season will be like, but so far everything is going well.” andy hunter
3
The brilliance of Baleba, Brighton's key piece
João Pedro and Matt O'Riley were the scoring heroes Brighton's memorable comeback against Manchester City, but it was Carlos Baleba's second-half performance that had the home fans purring with appreciation. The Cameroonian midfielder was instrumental in the turnaround after his arrival and was the latest evidence of his rapid progress under Fabian Hürzeler, as he was brought in to replace Moisés Caicedo when he joined Chelsea for a British record fee of £115 million last year. Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are believed to have already shown interest in Baleba, but would surely have to pay a high price for the 20-year-old given Brighton's reputation for demanding premium fees for their stars. “If there are big clubs that want me, it is not something that worries me or excites me,” he said before the game against City. “I just need to work hard and keep a cool head.” Ed Aaron
4
Can United adapt to Amorim?
With the arrival of Rúben Amorim as the new manager of Manchester United, outgoing interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy preferred not to answer when asked if the 3-4-3 preferred by the Portuguese can be implemented by the current squad. “That's a very good question,” he said. “What's important for me when I started as caretaker at the beginning of this four-game period was to stabilize myself and continue to play what the players are used to at 85% and make small adjustments and that's where you start to come into your own. a little identity, try to regain confidence. You could see that the quality of the players is still not consistent because there is a lot to improve, but there is a basis in the last four games of strong unity, good spirit, players who were in it and looking for results and we got it. four. There is a lot to analyze, are there sides, interiors? “I can’t comment on that.” Jaime Jackson
5
Newcastle substitutes push to start
Substitutes Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali who took the game away from Nottingham Forest were reminded that patience can be a virtue for big-money signings. Neither player's talent is in doubt, but Barnes' injuries and Tonali's off-field issues (specifically with his game) threatened to classify both players in the “flop” section. “Harvey Barnes did what he does, he's an exceptional player,” Eddie Howe said. Barnes' goal was his special play, cutting in from the left to score with his right, a reverse Arjen Robben. Barnes has also been limited by the pre-eminence of Anthony Gordon, but is desperate to fulfill his potential in a black and white jersey. “I can do what I do from the bench from the beginning,” he noted later. Tonali, signed as the world-class midfielder his manager was missing, has a considerable emotional debt to repay Howe and Newcastle. His performance in Nottingham, sealing victory against admittedly tired Forest legs, suggested he is capable of delivering. John Brewin
6
Young Ipswich duo catch the eye
Ipswich fully deserved their historic victory over Spurs and it was a particularly eye-catching afternoon's work for two of England's most vaunted young talents. Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap cost around £35million between them in the summer and, although both still have tough spots, their values are soaring every week. Delap's opportunistic effort was his sixth goal of the season and it is difficult to think of a 21-year-old centre-forward in the league with equivalent potential. Hutchinson, a bundle of energy who has worked hard on his decision-making, constantly relieved pressure with his running and was nearly impossible to dispossess, somehow stayed on his feet to help create the winner. Ipswich's battle against relegation may well go down to the wire but, by investing in two players who are sure to receive senior international recognition before long, they have set themselves up for the future, regardless of how their season unfolds. Nick Ames
7
Bees need to take home the stinger along the way
Brentford lost their talisman and main goal threat in the summer when Ivan Toney made the £40million move to Saudi Al-Ahli and yet you would never know it from watching them at the Gtech Community Stadium this season. The fact that Toney barely gets a mention these days is a testament to his offensive prowess without him. No team has bagged more home points (16) than the Bees this season and no team has scored more goals (18) while doing so. Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo share the scoring load, scoring seven and eight, respectively, to rank among the league's top five scorers. The flip side of all this is Brentford's dismal away form, having failed to pick up a point in five away games. By Thomas Frank's own admission, his team is “not perfect” but they will be desperate to find some attacking swagger in their next away game, against Everton after the international break. D.B.
8
It's time to clamp down on the wait time travesty
With wolves in trouble and facing repeated attacksJosé Sá fell to the ground asking for medical attention, which forced the referee to temporarily suspend the game as it was impossible to continue with a goalkeeper offside. While the Wolves number 1 rested and a lawyer rubbed his leg for a few seconds, his deputy, Sam Johnstone, did not bother to warm up, an indicator that nothing was happening. As medical staff ran across the pitch, Wolves outfield players headed to the touchline to receive instructions from Gary O'Neil as he looked to change tactics. It seems like a ridiculous situation for teams to get a timeout under false pretenses and referees need to find a way to stop these quasi-farces because they slow down the game and give an unfair advantage to the team planning these timeouts. won't win
9
Summerville a rare light in the middle of the darkness
Understandably, many questions have been asked about West Ham's summer signings – £130m spent on eight permanent signings and two loan deals of which only Aaron Wan-Bissaka has clearly worked out. But one of the others, Crysencio Summerville, is starting to make his mark. He is quick and direct, works hard and has quick feet and, although questions remain over his decision-making, he looks like he could become a valuable part of the front three. In just his third league start since arriving from Leeds in the summer, the Dutch winger was West Ham's most consistent threat, his shot hitting the post the closest they or Everton came. The question is how to fit him into a team with Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and a center forward, particularly while Lucas Paquetá remains available, but for a team so lacking in talent and offensive edge, any threat at this stage is worth celebrating. . jonathan wilson
10
Wilson: To start or not to start?
What does Harry Wilson need to do to get started? The question was inevitable once the Welsh conceded against Crystal Palacehis third goal of the week from the bench. “He's doing the right thing,” Fulham manager Marco Silva said. “He's not doing anything wrong. He is competing against very good players. If I can play with 12 or 13 it will be easier for me, but I can't.” The situation is understandable. Fulham's starting attackers were a pleasure to watch at Selhurst Park, with Raúl Jiménez's hold-up play complementing the Arsenal-bred trio behind him: Alex Iwobi, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe. It was Iwobi's exquisite pass that set up Wilson, and Silva clearly loves the Nigerian international, who also signed him for Everton. “Last season was the best for him in the Premier League. “I am sure it will be better this season,” Silva added. Wilson may have to be a Solskjær-style substitute for a little longer. Taha Hashim
