Simply when Brighton supporters have been hoping their aspect was constructing some momentum after a run of 5 video games undefeated in all competitions, Saturday’s stoppage-time loss to Fulham arrived. Fabian Hürzeler’s aspect led at half-time, however their collapse was typical of performances on the street this season. Securing solely two away wins – in opposition to Chelsea in September and Nottingham Forest in November – has undermined their problem for Europe. Their subsequent two video games on the Amex, in opposition to Everton on Saturday and arch-rivals Crystal Palace subsequent week, are a chance to make up some floor. Solely seven factors separate them from Chelsea in fifth place, however Brighton’s report in opposition to David Moyes’s aspect at house is horrible, having didn’t beat them since 2019 when a late Lucas Digne personal objective sealed the factors for Graham Potter in opposition to an Everton crew managed by Marco Silva. Ed Aarons
2
Fireplace beast Farke will get ruthless with Perri
Identify probably the most likeable Premier League supervisor? Leeds United’s Daniel Farke would certainly characteristic very close to the highest of any ballot. The German, who explains his character is “95% espresso and cake on the couch, 5 per cent hearth beast”, represents one thing of a rarity in a Premier League world the place managers usually take themselves far too significantly. Not that Farke is afraid to be ruthless. Simply ask his goalkeepers. Whereas the as soon as a lot vaunted Illan Meslier is now demoted to 3rd alternative, final summer time’s £16m purchase from Lyon, Lucas Perri, has lately been displaced by Karl Darlow. “With Lucas, there’s an opportunity for him now to press the reset button,” mirrored Farke, as he ready to host Arsenal at Elland Highway on Saturday. “It’s a time for him to work arduous in coaching, convey himself into the very best form after which there’s at all times the prospect for a street again.” Whether or not the Brazilian keeper is reinstated, Farke is aware of gathering a minimum of some extent in opposition to Mikel Arteta’s stumbling title challengers would additional assuage any lingering relegation fears. Louise Taylor
3
Toth follows Kerkez with assist from Keane
It was not the one factor misplaced within the insanity of Bournemouth’s Ninety fifth-minute winner in opposition to Liverpool final weekend, however Alex Toth’s late entrance went largely unnoticed. Ten minutes earlier, the 20-year-old got here on for his debut after a £10.2m transfer from Hungarian champions Ferencvaros, who on Thursday visited Nottingham Forest within the Europa League. Toth was certainly one of three Hungarians to characteristic on the Vitality Stadium, with Dominik Szoboszlai and former Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez lining up for Liverpool. Robbie Keane, the Ferencvaros head coach, admitted he was decreased to tears by Toth’s switch after witnessing his progress first-hand. Toth was a youngster who seized his likelihood, registering 15 assists and 4 targets throughout 49 video games and evolving right into a key cog in Budapest. “He despatched me a protracted message, thanking me that I modified his life,” Keane stated. Ben Fisher
4
Two up prime could also be new West Ham method
Nuno Espírito Santo’s swap to a 4-4-2 system has given West Ham a brand new lease of life. Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos are main the road and have supplied useful workrate since becoming a member of earlier this month. Each forwards are ready for his or her first Premier League targets however their work off the ball has been key to West Ham attacking with extra vitality. Castellanos and Pablo are occupying opposition centre-backs and that has created more room for Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville on the flanks. Summerville has three targets in his previous three video games in all competitions and Bowen was wonderful throughout final week’s win over Sunderland. West Ham are nonetheless in large bother however their wingers will give them hope of inflicting an upset after they go to Chelsea on Saturday night. Jacob Steinberg
5
Woltemade or Wissa to ship uncommon win?
Damage has disadvantaged Newcastle followers of their first alternative to want Alexander Isak nicely at Anfield, or maybe not. They may a minimum of discover comfort within the struggles of their former striker – earlier than his leg fracture at Tottenham – and his new employers. No-one has really benefited so removed from final summer time’s acrimonious switch saga and Liverpool’s puzzling determination to spend a British-record £125m on Isak, having already acquired Hugo Ekitiké, the decide of their summer time signings thus far. Nick Woltemade could disagree: 9 targets in 24 begins in all competitions is an encouraging return from the 23-year-old’s debut season in English soccer. That stated, his targets have dried up – none previously 10 video games – and Yoane Wissa has been most popular up entrance in two of Newcastle’s previous three matches. Eddie Howe’s crew will go above Liverpool on objective distinction with victory at Anfield, a floor the place Newcastle haven’t received a league recreation since 1994. Given Arne Slot’s issues in defence there’s alternative for Woltemade and/or Wissa to display that Newcastle have moved on from Isak in any case. Andy Hunter
6
Douglas Luiz already very important for Villa
How will Unai Emery resolve Aston Villa’s midfield conundrum? The plain reply is Douglas Luiz, who this week returned on mortgage with an choice to re-sign the Brazilian completely, after Youri Tielemans joined John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara on the sidelines. Douglas Luiz’s final recreation for Nottingham Forest – final week’s defeat in Braga – led to disappointment. His was a efficiency in line with a tough few months, with the 27-year-old restricted to only 5 league begins after becoming a member of on mortgage from Juventus. When Villa visited Brentford in August, Tielemans, McGinn and Kamara all began alongside Amadou Onana. Now the 18-year-old academy teen George Hemmings, who made his debut final month, is seemingly subsequent in line. Villa don’t at present plan so as to add additional in central midfield earlier than Monday’s switch deadline, so Emery wants the return of Douglas Luiz to work. BF
7
Feisty Fulham convey chew to Previous Trafford
This generally is a feisty affair, as Fulham’s three purple playing cards in 40 seconds – Marco Silva, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Willian – within the 2023 FA Cup quarter-final confirmed. On Sunday, any acrimony could also be solely off-field when the 1958, a Manchester United fan group, holds its newest protest in opposition to the membership possession. On the grass, Michael Carrick is aiming for a 3rd consecutive win of his second interim United tenure. Silva, nonetheless piloting the Cottagers, hopes for the newest optimistic consequence with Fulham struggling just one defeat of their previous eight outings to sit down simply 4 factors and three locations beneath the hosts. Jamie Jackson
8
Sliding doorways second for Glasner
In a parallel universe, Oliver Glasner might be the Nottingham Forest head coach. In 2023, it was between the Austrian and Nuno Espírito Santo for who ought to exchange Steve Cooper. Ultimately, the Portuguese obtained the nod and Glasner was left to attend for Palace just a few months later. In the direction of the tip of his first full season in cost, Nuno’s relationship with the Forest hierarchy soured and he was despatched packing. It seems like Glasner is dealing with an identical destiny, albeit additional alongside the timeline. Even earlier than saying his impending summer time exit, there was open hostility at Selhurst Park over recruitment. The sense is that the state of affairs can not stick with it , particularly after the exit of Marc Guéhi final week and no substitute but by way of the door. If Palace lose on the Metropolis Floor, the 2 groups can be stage on factors and the Eagles dealing with an surprising relegation battle, which can spell a untimely finish for Glasner. Will Unwin
9
O’Reilly to strengthen Metropolis’s defensive defend
Towards Galatasaray, Nico O’Reilly was given the job of defending the Manchester Metropolis defence. Shifting from left-back to cowl for the suspended Rodri, the England worldwide carried out nicely however did require loads of mid-match teaching from Pep Guardiola. Contemplating how Rodri has struggled since coming back from damage, it might be an thought to have him be a part of forces with O’Reilly in defensive midfield, providing a extra fearsome barrier for a shaky defence. It will convey a extra balanced method, even when it seems to be considerably conservative by Guardiola’s requirements. It may additionally supply an answer for when Rodri is unavailable in future, with Nico González a participant who wants further assist amid the hectic tempo of the Premier League. Metropolis have greater than sufficient with flying full-backs and 4 attackers on the pitch, so a little bit pragmatism may go a great distance within the enterprise finish of the season. WU
10
Sunderland lacking Xhaka’s starvation
An ankle damage compelled Sunderland’s captain, Granit Xhaka to sit down out his crew’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham final Saturday and it was maybe no coincidence that his midfield companion, Noah Sadiki stated post-match the London aspect had been “hungrier”. The inspirational captain will once more be sidelined – for under the second time within the league this season – as Regis Le Bris’s crew defend their unbeaten Premier League dwelling report in opposition to Burnley. Can Sunderland recapture their ferocious crew spirit with out Xhaka? The possible remembers of Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi and Lutsharel Geertruida ought to assist , however it might be a mistake to underestimate Burnley. Scott Parker’s aspect look doomed however have taken some extent apiece from their final three league matches – in opposition to Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham. Furthermore, the arrival of free-kick knowledgeable James Ward-Prowse, on mortgage from West Ham, ought to improve the guests’ set-piece routines on Monday evening. LT
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