Man Utd issues nonetheless apparent regardless of Fulham win and are Tottenham boring? – Premier League hits and misses

A profitable feeling – however United’s issues nonetheless plain to see

Ruben Amorim had confused the significance of the outcome over the efficiency earlier than Man Utd’s 1-0 victory at Fulham and his hope would be the momentum of selecting up three factors on the highway can provide his facet a lift.

They actually regarded like they wanted one throughout nearly all of this match. United’s warning was plain to see as they defended in numbers and regarded for the protected possibility in possession. It was notable earlier than the sport that Fulham had been listed as favourites – and the guests performed as much as their underdog tag.

This outcome will not masks the issues Amorim has to unravel. He himself famous the shortage of thrust within the ultimate third and the query marks over each Rasmus Hojlund and his alternative Joshua Zirkzee stay. Alejandro Garnacho, a participant they may effectively promote earlier than the deadline, regarded the most definitely to offer a spark amid an in any other case uninspiring assault. Fulham, regardless of a poor attacking set-piece report themselves, nearly uncovered that well-documented United weak point late on.

But, with a Europa League journey to Bucharest on Thursday adopted by dwelling video games in opposition to Crystal Palace after which Leicester within the FA Cup, maybe there’s a likelihood for United to construct some constructive rhythm to enhance their short-term outlook. The larger image stays a significant work in progress.
Pete Smith

‘Boring, boring Tottenham Hotspur?’

Ange Postecoglou is famed for his assault, assault, assault fashion. You rating two, we’ll rating three, mate.

It has been the bedrock of why he has acquired to the highest desk of soccer administration. However there are indicators beginning to emerge that his soccer is sort of straightforward to cease. Even Leicester, who’ve conceded on common 2.5 objectives per sport of their final 9 video games, managed to limit Spurs to crumbs by way of likelihood creation of their 2-1 victory.

Sure, fatigue is a giant problem for Postecoglou and his injury-hit squad however to create 1.1 price of anticipated objectives in opposition to a staff which are odds-on to be enjoying Championship soccer once more subsequent season just isn’t adequate when you think about the highs this staff have hit underneath the large Aussie.

Because the clock ticked down with Spurs chasing an equaliser, even the enhance of getting seven added minutes of their favour didn’t kickstart any type of momentum. That determine might have been 70 minutes and nonetheless Spurs wouldn’t have discovered an equaliser. Their assaults have been predictable and missing high quality. Throughout their final 13 video games Spurs are solely averaging 1.3 anticipated objectives per 90 and have struggled to interrupt down the likes of Wolves, Ipswich and now Leicester.

Are you not entertained? No, I wasn’t in the present day.
Lewis Jones

West Ham present enhancements underneath Potter

4 video games in and West Ham are beginning to present indicators of life underneath Graham Potter. After a tepid efficiency in opposition to Crystal Palace final weekend, one thing was wanted to show issues are headed in the appropriate course.

And the Hammers followers might need feared the worst within the opening 10 minutes of the 1-1 draw in opposition to Aston Villa – however as soon as their staff discovered a foothold, they didn’t let go.

They have been maybe aided by Villa’s disarray as soon as Tyrone Mings was substituted, however benefiting from these conditions is to not be handed up.

Max Kilman must be credited with preserving West Ham within the sport after they have been underneath stress, and Lucas Paqueta for spearheading the Hammers’ comeback.

Since Potter got here in, West Ham’s numbers have been steadily growing. Their efficiency, notably within the second half, is extra akin to what Potter does and what the Hammers need to see.

Now it’s a case of consistency. Can they forgo the sluggish begin? Can the draw be become a win? Hopefully these questions can be answered within the coming weeks.
Charlotte Marsh

Quirky Brentford penalty trick sums them up as a membership

Brentford are a soccer membership continually searching for marginal positive aspects and within the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, we noticed one other.

With Bryan Mbeumo stepping up for his retaken penalty, each Yoane Wissa and Keane Lewis-Potter have been seen celebrating even whereas the Brentford talisman was strolling as much as make contact with the ball.

“That’s like a distraction thing to maybe put off the goalkeeper,” stated Jamie Redknapp. “I’ve never seen that in my life, it’s crazy!”

Requested if it’s a tactic, or simply confidence, Thomas Frank added: “They are very good friends, they know each other very well and so probably a bit of both.”

So no marvel Brentford have a 95-per-cent penalty success charge within the Premier League, the joint-best ratio within the historical past of the competitors.

Alongside the scoring-in-the-first-minute fame they’ve delighted followers with this season, it’s one other in an extended listing of quirky ways up the Bees’ sleeve.
Sam Blitz

Esse’s dream Palace debut

For 2 seasons, Romain Esse had been tearing it up within the Championship as one in all Millwall’s most promising gamers and, by the point he left the membership on January 18, he had performed 66 occasions for the Lions. He doesn’t flip 20 till Could.

So there was no shock when he was snapped up by Crystal Palace for a payment that might reportedly rise to £14.5m.

Esse has been instantly built-in into the Eagles’ first-team squad and made his debut as a late substitute within the sport in opposition to Brentford, with Oliver Glasner’s facet trailing 2-0. His impression was nearly immediate, together with his first purpose coming simply 119 seconds after his introduction.

He grew to become the primary teenager to attain on his Premier League debut (19 years, 258 days) since Rayan Ait-Nouri for Wolves in October 2020 (19y 146d).

It didn’t spark the comeback Palace wished, but it surely instantly endeared Esse to the Selhurst Park trustworthy and as a brand new participant, you can’t ask for way more than that.
Dan Lengthy