1) Polished Metropolis put authorized matter apart
As if greater than 100 costs weren’t sufficient, Manchester Metropolis got another reason to return out combating on Sunday. That they had simply been pushed down to 3rd within the league by their not very noisy neighbours, United, in Sunday’s earlier match. Metropolis responded as solely they’ll, by taking the lead whereas their opponents had been nonetheless attempting to determine their formation. Was it a 3-2-2-3? No matter it was, it was 3-0 by half-time. Villa had been overrun, Bernardo Silva was the brand new João Cancelo and Metropolis had been second once more. By Wednesday evening, in the event that they play like the primary half once more on the Emirates, they’ll absolutely be high. They haven’t even needed to go on a run. They’re simply higher than all the remainder, with a supervisor who’s in a league of his personal. Tim de Lisle
2) Arteta faces key choice selections
Everyone is aware of how Arsenal will line up – from one to 11 – and there was a revealing second on Saturday when the Brentford supervisor, Thomas Frank, was requested if it made it simpler to arrange to play in opposition to them. “In a approach, sure,” Frank replied. Frank added that Arsenal had been nonetheless not straightforward to play in opposition to as a result of they do what they accomplish that nicely. However after a second below-par efficiency on the spin – Arsenal didn’t should beat Brentford, having been underwhelming in defeat at Everton – it felt cheap to wonder if Mikel Arteta would possibly clean up his beginning crew for Wednesday’s dwelling recreation in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. Is it time for Fabio Vieira or Jorginho in midfield? Or Saturday’s goalscorer, Leandro Trossard, on the wing? Arteta instructed the query wouldn’t have come up if Arsenal had gained, which was a good level. However theyhad not gained and, fairly abruptly, they’re wobbling. Arteta has large selections to ponder. David Hytner
3) Jones’s successor will inherit high quality
Whoever succeeds Nathan Jones as Southampton supervisor should try and rescue the membership from relegation, and will have the gamers to take action. For 70 minutes in opposition to Wolves there was loads of expertise and software on present. Then all fell aside to hasten the Welshman’s exit. In his ultimate match he gave Premier League begins to a few gamers who look helpful recruits for the subsequent man. Carlos Alcaraz scored a wonderful objective and buzzed with vitality in midfield. At 6ft 7in, Paul Onuachu seems ultimate for a supervisor favouring a direct strategy. And Kamaldeen Sulemana was Saints’ most sustained attacking risk, zipping throughout after they had been within the ascendancy, although he may additionally have chased again a bit tougher. “The coach has nothing to do with the loss,” Sulemana mentioned, although the membership’s homeowners, Sport Republic, didn’t agree. Whereas João Moutinho mentioned Julen Lopetegui has introduced “depth, high quality, calmness” to Wolves, Jones did no such factor for Southampton. John Brewin
4) Félix reveals high quality however will nonetheless go away
“The extra we perceive him, the extra he understands us.” Graham Potter’s post-match verdict on João Félix could have carried undertones of some well-meaning Nineteen Seventies zoologist attempting to pressure chimpanzees to attract photos with crayons, nevertheless it additionally raised a be aware of frustration. Félix is the perfect and most mature of Chelsea’s flood of recent younger attacking gamers. Félix was the conduit for his or her finest attacking moments on Saturday. However the reality he’s a temp with no choice to purchase is definitely fairly complicated given he’s now a part of a crew flooded with extra everlasting attacking components, all attempting desperately to discover a form on the hoof. What’s the level of constructing a crew round this non-trialist in such circumstances? Regardless of how a lot Potter succeeds in understanding Félix, the prime attacking arrow in his quiver will likely be off on the finish of the season. Which is a real disgrace for each, not least Félix, who seems completely satisfied in a Chelsea shirt after his years of ill-fitting compromise underneath Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid. Barney Ronay
5) Howe nonetheless wanting upwards amid downturn
Would a typical Newcastle supporter’s pint of brown ale be half-empty or half full? Newcastle had been lucky to go away Bournemouth with a degree on Saturday however they’re now a club-record 17 Premier League matches unbeaten. There may be additionally a Carabao Cup ultimate on the horizon, sandwiched in between tough league matches in opposition to Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis. With 16 video games to play, Newcastle are fourth, two factors above fifth-placed Tottenham with a recreation in hand, however a fifth attract six league matches presents encouragement to these beneath them. Eddie Howe, nonetheless, is decided to remain upbeat. “You may in a short time come unstuck should you don’t stay constructive in our second,” Howe mentioned. “Whether or not you’re shedding, drawing or successful, it is very important be constructive and to strive to not overreact at any scenario. General this season we have now to be very constructive about what we’ve accomplished.” Ben Fisher
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6) Marsch’s Leeds tenure divides opinion
What to make of Leeds’s type since Jesse Marsch’s dismissal? Defeat by Manchester United, whereas promising lots for lengthy durations, ended up feeling just like so many outcomes in the course of the American’s tenure. Leeds performed at a excessive tempo, precipitated their opponents issues and created some presentable probabilities. An absence of innovative ensured they didn’t take any of them, and so they ended up with nothing. Was Marsch the issue? It’s a query that can stay open to debate. The “no-manager bounce” evident throughout final Wednesday’s 2-2 draw in opposition to the identical opposition instructed the gamers responded positively to Marsch leaving. Marsch himself would possibly argue that efficiency was largely as a result of progress he felt was being made. With every passing week at Manchester United, in the meantime, Erik ten Hag proves the inestimable worth of a sensible and well-timed managerial appointment. Leeds – and Southampton, now linked with Marsch after firing Nathan Jones – can’t afford to get the subsequent large choice improper. Luke McLaughlin
7) March fixes sights on England ambition
For Solly March and Brighton the sky seems the restrict. One other excellent efficiency could not have yielded all three factors in opposition to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park however March’s fifth Premier League objective of the season ensured they nonetheless made up floor on Tottenham within the race for European qualification. The 28-year-old who spent two years on Palace’s books as an adolescent earlier than becoming a member of Brighton could even be in competition for an England call-up. Given his glorious latest type , it’s a prospect March believes isn’t so far-fetched. “It’s an ambition of mine so if I preserve placing in performances and scoring targets I feel I’ve an opportunity,” he mentioned. “Now might be the most important probability I’ve to try this. If everybody places within the effort and we find yourself in Europe, who is aware of if they’ll get a call-up?” Ed Aarons
8) Maddison seems a pure chief
Will James Maddison, having led Leicester out for the primary time, make a great captain? Leicester’s No 10 has been seen as a joker and risk-taker however he led by instance with a objective and an help in opposition to Spurs. Jonny Evans, the membership captain, has been sidelined by damage for a lot of the season, whereas common deputy, Youri Tielemans, was out with a calf damage. “That’s the primary time I’ve led the crew out and it was a pleasant feeling,” Maddison mentioned. “I try this anyway. I see myself because the captain of this crew with out the armband. I’m 26 now and I’m probably the most skilled gamers. Most weeks I’m doing that within the warm-up and within the altering room, getting the lads going.” Brendan Rodgers enjoys a detailed relationship with Maddison, and mentioned: “He’s a voice, he sees the sport on the very highest degree and he works to that. In my time he’s been a extremely influential participant.” Pete Lansley
9) Willian’s revival exemplifies Fulham rise
It’s a great crew that may stumble and nonetheless be using excessive. Earlier than Saturday Fulham had gone 30 days and not using a league objective. That they had additionally drawn with Sunderland within the FA Cup, however a replay allowed them to seek out their mojo. Towards Nottingham Forest, who misplaced each centre-backs to damage within the first 10 minutes, Fulham had been commanding. They scored twice, conceded none and hit the woodwork 3 times. Their star was Willian, whose dancing ft have introduced 3 times as many targets in half a season with Fulham as he managed for Arsenal in a full one. All three have been very important: the winner at Leeds, the opener within the assertion win over Chelsea, and the primary on Saturday. 5 Forest gamers stood in Willian’s approach, so his left-foot chip needed to go within the high nook – and did. A free switch from Corinthians, he’s providing nice worth. TdL
10) Villa regress to their imply on the Etihad
Pity the Villans. On the Etihad, Aston Villa needed to signify all Manchester Metropolis’s enemies, each actual and imagined. And so they needed to do it with Ashley Younger marking Jack Grealish. They did fairly nicely to not be obliterated. They even scored, with their first shot on course, within the 61st minute. Below Unai Emery they’ve develop into fairly Spursy, and never in a foul approach. Very like Tottenham, they win half their video games, go lacking in just a few others and infrequently trouble to attract. They’ve really crushed Spurs, together with Chelsea, Manchester United and Brighton. Their place in mid-table is on an extended lease, with solely Leicester threatening to bash down the door and nudge them all the way down to twelfth. TdL
Match report: Manchester Metropolis 3-1 Aston Villa
