Man Utd want summer time overhaul as accidents price Arsenal – Premier League hits and misses

Amorim should rip this Man Utd crew aside in the summertime

Manchester United had been one dangerous name away from being plunged right into a disaster at Everton.

Bruno Fernandes, the captain, as soon as once more needed to choose up the items after a primary half as dangerous as we have seen underneath Ruben Amorim. That’s saying one thing given they’ve claimed simply 15 factors from a doable 45 in that point.

Fernandes’ objective from a free-kick after 72 minutes was United’s first shot on course. They then wanted a set-piece for Manuel Ugarte’s equaliser. There was nothing else to talk of by the best way of massive openings.

It has been practically a month since United’s final objective from open play from the Premier League they usually have given us little encouragement that this may change anytime quickly.

United’s two strikers, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, had been signed over the past two summers at a mixed price of greater than £100m but have not scored within the Premier League in 2025. They are not the one underperformers.

Only a few gamers outdoors of Fernandes can think about themselves secure as INEOS tear aside the wreckage at Previous Trafford hoping to construct a crew worthy of the highest half. This present crop, sat in fifteenth with 12 video games left, definitely aren’t.

Patrick Dorgu, a winter switch window signing, was one of many few that would maintain his head excessive. His 89 touches – bettered solely by Fernandes – highlighted his significance. His attributes appear well-suited to the calls for of a wing-back on this set-up.

Maybe an indication that with some good signings in the summertime the extent of Amorim’s crew will enhance. Though, Dorgu might effectively succumb to the stress at Previous Trafford, simply as practically each signing, aside from Fernandes, has within the final decade.

Amorim and his crew can rely themselves fortunate that the underside three are as distant as they’re. In any other case they might be in critical hazard of a primary relegation for 50 years.

It appears all of the Manchester United head coach can do now, with the gamers at his disposal, is limp to the top of the season and rip all of it up in the summertime. With out an overhaul, Amorim will proceed to battle.
Zinny Boswell

Arsenal’s defeat may be terminal to their title hopes

Arsenal’s late win at Leicester, secured by Mikel Merino’s double, coupled with Liverpool’s 2-2 draw in opposition to Aston Villa, had raised hopes that the Gunners would possibly but preserve this title race alive, regardless of their accidents. These hopes took an almighty blow with defeat to West Ham.

It was no nice shock that they struggled in assault. Any facet would with out their 4 major attackers. The absences of Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus had been keenly felt, even when Mikel Arteta refused to just accept their harm checklist as an excuse.

He selected as an alternative to deal with the shortage of high quality proven by those that did play in a fiery press convention. However the paucity of choices accessible to him was summed up by the sight of him sending on two left-backs, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Myles Lewis-Skelly, when chasing the sport within the second half.

A kind of left-backs swiftly departed following a crimson card. Lewis-Skelly might have few complaints in regards to the resolution, regardless of his foul happening on the midway line. However at that time the sport was already drifting away from Arsenal, who had 20 photographs however didn’t create any clear alternatives.

Their depleted assault was in fact an element within the consequence. West Ham deserve large credit score for his or her glorious efficiency too. However in the end it was uncharacteristically lacklustre defending which did for Arteta’s facet. West Ham took benefit for Jarrod Bowen’s objective.

Arsenal’s finest hope of preserving in contact with Liverpool throughout this era was all the time more likely to be leaning on their defence and nicking the odd objective. However Bowen’s header left them with an excessive amount of to do. A draw would have been dangerous sufficient. A defeat may be terminal.
Nick Wright

Potter lastly will get his West Ham break

A efficiency that harked again to the golden days of the David Moyes period. Compact and dedicated defensively, untold risk on the break, lit up by particular person high quality. West Ham had been nice worth for all three factors on their newest go to to Emirates Stadium – Graham Potter’s favorite looking floor.

The Hammers boss is preserving good firm. Solely Carlo Ancelotti can boast a file nearly as good as his, having turn into the second supervisor to win at Arsenal with three totally different golf equipment. And greater than being a welcome reprieve for Potter, it was a tactical triumph.

The 49-year-old’s type does not often permit for a possession share as little as 32 per cent, however he obtained his set-up spot on, hitting the Gunners – devoid of any attacking risk – the place it harm. Mohammed Kudus provided all the things Arsenal lacked. Jarrod Bowen delivered the killer blow.

Maybe this would be the consequence that ignites Potter’s cost in east London, having solely collected 4 factors from his first 5 league matches. “We were tactically very disciplined,” he mirrored post-match. “This result is big for us.”

He’ll breathe a bit simpler – for now.
Laura Hunter

Villa strike gold within the January window

Signing massive names within the switch window is all the time thrilling – however there’s by no means a assure that the gamers will carry out.

Nevertheless, to the delight of Unai Emery and the fanbase, it looks as if Aston Villa have struck gold in January.

Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio will seize the headlines after linking up on two totally different events to finish the comeback in opposition to Chelsea however the positives do not cease there.

Donyell Malen has seemed brilliant in all six of his appearances for the membership, Andres Garcia is already a fan favorite after overcoming his error in opposition to Liverpool and Axel Disasi impressed in midweek, along with his absence sorely missed when Tyrone Mings limped off injured.

The New 12 months is notoriously troublesome to function in when signing gamers however the early indications are that Villa actually have accomplished a “masterclass” within the window, as described by Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Redknapp.
Patrick Rowe

Chelsea unravelling on the unsuitable time

Chelsea are unravelling. Enzo Maresca’s facet have now dropped 15 factors from successful positions this season – and 13 of those have arrived since Boxing Day.

The Blues seemed again to their finest within the early levels of this sport, as Pedro Neto flooded ahead, and Cole Palmer seemed assured on the ball. They gave the impression to be having fun with it once more.

Nevertheless, Villa battled again, and the guests had no reply for Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio in the long run.

Chelsea are lucky to have a sport in hand on Villa in seventh and that Bournemouth suffered a defeat to Wolves – however their type is worrying.

They did not land a glove on Brighton throughout the 3-0 defeat final week and now collapse late on in opposition to Villa. Two crushing defeats to fellow contenders within the race for Champions League soccer.

Maresca instructed Sky Sports activities forward of the sport that each fixture is now a “final” however little or no silverware can be heading their method if that was the case.
Patrick Rowe

Everton miss out on victory however progress underneath Moyes clear to see

Manchester United beat Everton 4-0 again on December 1. That was Ruben Amorim’s first dwelling league sport in cost and there was pleasure about what his appointment would possibly result in at Previous Trafford – and questions over whether or not Everton can be enjoying Premier League soccer of their new stadium subsequent season.

Quick ahead to half-time at Goodison on February 22 and it was Everton revelling within the new supervisor bounce David Moyes has delivered to his second stint on Merseyside, with Amorim and United scrabbling round for options to their poor type.

At 2-0 up, Everton had been as glorious as United had been lacklustre. It is a crew reworked underneath Moyes, with people reinvigorated. Beto has extra targets within the final 4 Premier League video games than he had within the earlier 44. Abdoulaye Doucoure has three objective involvements in his final three league appearances after needing 37 appearances to file that many beforehand.

They’re nonetheless removed from the place bold Moyes needs to take them – because the second-half drop-off which allowed United to attract 2-2 confirmed. However Premier League security is all however assured and a top-half end is of their sights.

A stoppage-time penalty controversially overturned might have denied them the possibility to seize a memorable win in one among their ultimate Goodison video games however they’re on a optimistic path as they head in direction of that new stadium.
Peter Smith

Spurs are ‘re-energised’

The phrase ‘re-energised’ was the buzzword from Ange Postecoglou in his post-match press convention.

It summed up his facet completely. The efficiency wasn’t excellent – as Ipswich’s early blitz on their objective recognized – however there was a lot extra vitality and verve to the assaults being constructed. Dejan Kulusevski but once more was on the coronary heart of most of those bursts of attacking soccer, supported ably from Heung-Min Son, who gave Ipswich defender Ben Godfrey the runaround in one among his finest performances for a very long time.

There was additionally the added bonus of getting a ruthless goalscorer within the ranks with Brennan Johnson is ok type in entrance of objective. Like father like son actually. David Johnson had been prolific at Portman Street throughout a four-year spell and his son Brennan adopted in his footsteps with two quickfire targets in Suffolk. It is three on the spin now for Spurs. The assumption is again.
Lewis Jones

Ipswich discovering out the tough realities of Premier League soccer

Soccer might be merciless. Ipswich did so many issues proper. The gameplan was to press Spurs onerous and quick with an eye fixed of enjoying direct balls to Liam Delap in harmful areas. It ought to have led to them being 3-0 up within the first 5 minutes – not an exaggeration.

Delap missed two nice openings from the left earlier than hitting the crossbar with a deft header. However it’s been a kind of seasons for Ipswich the place they’ve been punished for his or her underperformance in each packing containers. Spurs did not want three possibilities to attain – they wanted solely two and scored from each.

That’s the harsh actuality of this degree. Ipswich have picked up seven factors at Portman Street this season – solely Southampton have picked up fewer dwelling factors. There’s a lot to love about this Ipswich crew however outcomes are proving so onerous for them to return by.
Lewis Jones

Palace away type displays their potential

Crystal Palace have been stellar away from dwelling. They’ve picked up 24 factors on the highway and are on a run of 5 straight wins that features scalps at Manchester United and convincing shows at West Ham and Leicester. Their dwelling type, having solely picked up 11 factors at Selhurst Park, is what’s holding them again.

Eberechi Eze confirmed glimpses of what he’s all about in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win at Craven Cottage. It was no shock that his boss Oliver Glasner defined after the sport that this was the primary time his talisman was totally match for the reason that Euros ultimate in June.

There was an air of confidence about him, like within the twenty fifth minute when he stood nonetheless on the ball ready for his former team-mate Joachim Anderson to take the ball off him.

The 26-year-old accomplished probably the most dribbles of anybody within the match with 4 and completed his outing with an 89 per cent cross accuracy. VAR might have denied him one of many assists of the season, however he was as soon as once more that artistic maverick in midfield that we have grown to take pleasure in watching over time, pulling his team-mates into the sport and up the pitch throughout instances they had been underneath the cosh in opposition to a ball-dominant Fulham facet.

Eze wasn’t alone in shining for the Eagles. Munoz was one other whose arrow-like effort doubled Palace’s lead however his all-round efficiency caught the attention as soon as once more. After the sport, Glasner described him because the Premier League ‘prototype’ due to his trade going backwards and forwards from his wing-back place. Jean-Philippe Mateta has proved he is a eager goalscorer whereas Maxence Lacroix on the again alongside Marc Guehi gives the muse for his or her ahead thinkers.

Their expertise on show isn’t questionable. Glasner was tight-lipped about doubtlessly claiming Palace’s best-ever Premier League end. They’d have to complete in ninth to do it and are presently seven factors behind Aston Villa with a sport in hand who occupy that spot. It looks as if they only want to repair their dwelling type to be in with an opportunity of creating some historical past this marketing campaign. Simpler mentioned than performed although, they play Villa at dwelling subsequent in an actual take a look at of their mettle.
William Bitibiri

Saints closing in on undesirable data as nightmarish season continues

Those that cowl Southampton frequently are operating out of issues to say a couple of season that has been – make no bones about it – nightmarish.

They haven’t been out of the relegation zone since August and the inevitable relegation is closing in. Harm limitation shall be key from right here on in, however they’re closing in breaking new data – and never the nice variety.

After Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton, they’ve have picked up simply 4 factors from their 13 dwelling matches within the Premier League this season. Just one crew in top-flight historical past has picked up fewer factors at dwelling at this stage of the season – Sunderland in 2006/07 (3 factors – P13 W0 D3 L10).

They’ve additionally misplaced eight Premier League dwelling video games in succession, which is simply three wanting the file (11) set by Watford in 2021/22. And it’s now 11 dwelling defeats this season, which is 4 wanting the file (15) additionally set by the Hornets in that very same marketing campaign.

With 21 defeats in all up to now and 12 video games left to play, it isn’t past the realms of chance for the Premier League file of 29 defeats in a season to be underneath risk.

And even now they haven’t eclipsed the file lowest factors complete in Premier League historical past (11) set by Derby in 2007/08. Yet one more win or three extra attracts would do the job, however, proper now, it is onerous to see the place these factors will come from.
Dan Lengthy

Elegant Cunha the distinction once more for Wolves

Matheus Cunha was but once more the difference-maker for Wolves.

The Brazilian’s star high quality will possible preserve Vitor Pereira’s facet up along with his winner at Bournemouth transferring them 5 factors away from the relegation zone.

Wolves made three signings within the winter window, with Marshall Munetsi making an actual impression on his first begin for the membership within the win on the south coast.

However make no mistake, the most important little bit of enterprise the membership pulled off in January was preserving Cunha on the membership after he signed a brand new four-and-a-half-year contract amid curiosity from quite a few Premier League golf equipment.

The brand new deal, nonetheless, accommodates a launch clause in extra of £60m, which is lively in the summertime.

Extra performances just like the one at Bournemouth, which noticed him rating his thirteenth league objective of the season, will certainly see the clause triggered.

If Cunha does ultimately depart then he’ll possible exit Molineux a hero along with his beautiful type set to maintain Wolves within the Premier League.

Brentford have a Incredible 4 – however will all of them keep?

It’s not fairly on the degree of Actual Madrid’s ‘Incredible 4’, however Brentford’s thumping win over Leicester confirmed they’ve a quartet actually on track for the time being.

It’s led by Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa – two forwards who reside subsequent door to one another in west London and preserve becoming a member of one another on the scoresheet. Each gamers have now overtaken Ivan Toney’s Premier League objective tally, with the England worldwide a distant reminiscence for the Bees. In actual fact, Brentford are the one crew within the Premier League with two gamers on double-digit objective tallies.

Kevin Schade couldn’t again up his hat-trick within the reverse fixture however had loads of possibilities and promise on Friday, but it surely was the efficiency of Mikkel Damsgaard that basically united this assault.

“Damsgaard is the one that really gets them going,” mentioned Thomas Frank post-match. “He’s the magician of the team,” added Wissa. The Danish midfielder took his tally to 10 Premier League assists. Solely Mohamed Salah has extra.

The query is, nonetheless, whether or not they can preserve this quartet long run? Mbeumo will nearly definitely have elite suitors, as will Damsgaard. Wissa was focused by Nottingham Forest in January, as did Schade with Dortmund.

Maybe a Europa spot is the one consequence during which all 4 keep. It provides Brentford one thing to struggle for on this season run-in.
Sam Blitz

The place now for Leicester and Van Nistelrooy?

Leicester took one step ahead in opposition to Arsenal final week. They’re firmly again to sq. one after one other powderpuff efficiency in opposition to Brentford to maintain them marooned within the backside three.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has turned his facet into file breakers, however not in the best way they might have favored. They’re the primary crew in Premier League historical past to lose six straight dwelling video games with out scoring.

Trailing 3-0 to the Bees earlier than the break, loads of followers determined even then their Friday evening leisure was higher served elsewhere.

Their subsequent query shall be the place issues go from right here, and when – and if – Van Nistelrooy can flip issues round.

There’s little to counsel he can. He has now managed half of Leicester’s league video games this season, however picked up fewer factors, scored barely half as many targets and conceded 5 greater than earlier than he got here in.

Opta give the Foxes a 94.6 per cent likelihood of happening. And their subsequent few video games? Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester Metropolis, and Newcastle make up 4 of their upcoming 5 matches.

Even when that they had a neater fixture checklist, Van Nistelrooy has proven nothing to counsel he can get the very best out of those gamers at each ends of the pitch.

His insistence in persevering with with Jordan Ayew and Bobby Decordova-Reid out vast has turned the Foxes followers, solely one among Jamie Vardy’s seven league targets have come within the final 10 video games, and defensively groups are routinely scoring from their first likelihood.

Not all of that is on the supervisor, whose assets are restricted to say the least. However even techniques apart, he can not less than construct some resilience on this facet. And he’ll have to over the following six weeks if Leicester are going to remain in contact with Wolves, and if he will preserve his job.
Ron Walker