1
Quansah is so confident amidst high stakes
It was a phenomenal performance from Liverpool, and the quality and consistency of the players' decision-making (except, perhaps, in front of goal) was extraordinary. It's almost an insult to the collective to single out any individual for credit and Jarell Quansah certainly wasn't looking for any when he told Sky after the game that “he didn't play the perfect game but I'm trying hard to be good.” There was an obvious mistake on his part, when he gave the ball to Julián Álvarez in the 57th minute with the goal very close to the result, but beyond that moment he seemed surprisingly confident. A couple of highlights: controlling Erling Haaland's run in the 35th minute and overcoming some challenges in the 80th before sending a low shot wide – demonstrations of his calm and bravery. Quansah has played 24 times this season, enough to feel part of the group, but before this game his debuts in the Premier League had been against Luton, Burnley, crystal Palace and wolves. For him to produce such a confident display in a game of this importance is a testament to his character and another demonstration of Jürgen Klopp's almost incomparable manpower. Simon Burnton
2
Guardiola deals with De Bruyne's anger
When asked after the game about Kevin De Bruyne's displeasure at being substituted, Pep Guardiola said: “I like it if he's upset… he'll have the chance next game to show how wrong he was.” Last May, after being repeatedly told by De Bruyne to “shut up” during Manchester City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, Guardiola spoke of how much he enjoyed being challenged by the Belgian. “I love it when we yell at each other,” he said. “I like this energy. It's not the first time, you don't see it, but he yells at me in training. After that he becomes the best.” It is often assumed that such displays of frustration in football are signs of disrespect, which a head coach must quickly and emphatically eliminate. But Guardiola sitting next to a veteran player in the middle of the match, to treat his opinion with respect, seems like a much more adult response, and another demonstration of his own, almost incomparable, human management. S.B.
3
Maddison back in shape
For Ange Postecoglou, there were many positive takeaways from Tottenham's dissection in the second half Aston Villa but one of the biggest was surely seeing James Maddison burst into the six-yard box to open the scoring. Not because it was a spectacular goal, although it followed a brilliant cross from Pape Sarr, but because of the demonstrated desire to reach the area and finish with finesse. Maddison missed almost three months of the season with an ankle injury and, although he has been back in the thick of things with Spurs since late January, he is now fit and healthy, which bodes well for the club and the country. “We've got a few like that who are just getting their groove back,” Postecoglou said after a win that means Spurs' hopes of returning to Champions League action are in their own hands. ben fisherman
4
Frank has to stop the slide.
On the one hand, Brentford is going through a desperate streak: 11 defeats in its last 14 league games. When his fans started booing Thomas Frank during Last week's 2-2 draw against Chelsea., the feeling of the outsiders seemed to be one of surprise. Frank has achieved great things with the club, but no fan has infinite patience. On the other hand, that run has coincided with a series of injuries to key players and, if Ivan Toney's return from suspension has not spurred a recovery, that is at least in part due to the games: in eight games since he returned in victory over Nottingham Forest, Brentford played twice against Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal. They have lost them all, but only Liverpool won comfortably. The performances have improved; The question over the remaining 10 games of the season, as the schedule gets a little kinder, is whether there is enough self-confidence left to start getting results again. jonathan wilson
5
Everton waste a golden opportunity
On loop: Sean Dyche spins in frustration on the Old Trafford touchline as Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Beto and Amadou Onana miss another golden opportunity to do damage manchester united. These came before and after Bruno Fernandes' initial penalty and before and after Marcus Rashford's subsequent penalty. The Everton manager was admirably upbeat when he spoke to the media considering how his team could and should have won if they had finished. He could and should have meant zero, of course, because, as Dyche said, the statistic that really matters is the bottom line. Everton have 25 points, four above the relegation zone, and should survive, but must ensure they do; Taking advantage of your opportunities would help. Jaime Jackson
6
Woodrow embodies the underdog spirit
Of all Luton's fairytale stories, it's hard to top Cauley Woodrow's. The hero of Saturday's draw against Crystal Palace had only scored one goal in the first division – against the same opponents in May 2014, when he was still a teenager and making a name for himself at Fulham and various England youth teams. But the 29-year-old, who returned to the club where he began his career in 2022, had a chance in the absence of top scorer Elijah Adebayo and helped end his team's five-match losing streak with a dramatic late goal. . “It's typical of us – there are a lot of stories like that at Luton Town,” said manager Rob Edwards, who revealed that Ross Barkley continued to play at Selhurst Park despite suffering a suspected broken nose in the first half. “Cauley is a brilliant lad who had a difficult start to the season due to injuries, but he always gives his all. We have to be a collective; If we want to achieve something, we have to do it together.” Ed Aaron
7
Wolves continue hunting Europe
Did anyone have Gary O'Neil as a decent candidate for the season manager job in August? Be honest now. After his victory Fulham, the Wolves have evened their point tally for all of last season with 10 games left to play. It's a testament to how much O'Neil has improved the team he inherited from Julen Lopetegui: after a shaky first half against Fulham, they showed the attacking instincts that have taken them from being the league's lowest scoring team last season. to one of the most dangerous teams outside the top six this campaign. Two points behind seventh-placed West Ham, O'Neil can realistically aim to climb higher and secure the club in European football for the first time since 2020. Will Magee
8
Fati is not yet living up to the billing
When Brighton announced the arrival of Ansu Fati from Barcelona, their fans were giddy with excitement. The Seagulls generally avoid temporary arrivals, but Fati, despite his injury problems, was deemed worthy of making an exception. But in the heavy rain on Sunday, Fati's performance against Nottingham Forest It was equally humid. It is true that the decisive goal of the game came from a free kick that he had won. However, overall it lacked the spark. If the season were to stop tomorrow, their time on the south coast would be considered a failure. But Fati still has time to turn the situation around. And with Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March out for the rest of the season, and top scorer João Pedro still sidelined, now would be the perfect time for Fati to shine. Sam Dalling
9
Moyes lacks balance in midfield
West Ham are not so safe without Declan Rice in midfield. Rice could devastate teams and also protected the back four brilliantly. He was irreplaceable, to the point that West Ham have signed three players to replace him and he is still not as effective. David Moyes, however, cannot look back. He has to find the right balance. Their favorite central trio of Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse is functional. Alvarez is not dynamic, Soucek is not a passer and Ward-Prowse offers little in open play. But Kalvin Phillips, on loan from Manchester City, did not see the response against Burnley. Phillips and Ward-Prowse were substituted at half-time and West Ham were more dangerous with Lucas Paquetá in the middle, Michail Antonio up front and Jarrod Bowen at the back on the right. Jacob Steinberg
10
Sheffield United suffer from set pieces
With 22 set-piece goals to their name last season and three noble defenders, many assumed that corners and free kicks would be among Sheffield United's strengths this season. It has turned out to be quite the opposite: Jack Robinson scored from a corner against Bournemouth, but that was only the Blades' third set-piece goal of the campaign and they have consistently struggled to defend set-piece situations at the other end. United would have left the south coast with a crucial victory had they not conceded twice more from corners: Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara leapt unopposed at the near post before Enes Unal snatched a point for the home side in stoppage time after that United were unable to clear their lines. Chris Wilder must know that if his team is to have any chance of avoiding the drop, he must address this weakness. W.M.
