Pep Guardiola suffered four consecutive defeats for the first time in his managerial career as Manchester City’s dismal spell hit a new low with a late collapse in their 2-1 loss at Brighton.
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With just 12 minutes left, Guardiola’s troubled side were clinging onto the lead given to them by Erling Haaland in the first half.
But they collapsed in the closing stages as Joao Pedro equalised before Matt O’Riley bagged Brighton’s winner seven minutes from full-time.
For the first time in his glittering career as a manager with City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Guardiola has been beaten four times in a row.
It was also the first time City had lost four successive games since a run between April and August 2006 under Stuart Pearce.
Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City.Source: AFP
After exiting the League Cup to Tottenham and suffering a first league loss since December at Bournemouth, City were thrashed 4-1 by Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in midweek.
The slump continued as they failed to kill off Brighton before the second half implosion that threatens to derail their bid for a fifth successive Premier League title.
Second-placed City are two points behind leaders Liverpool, who can extend that gap to five points if they beat Aston Villa at Anfield later on Saturday.
City have been beset by injury problems, most notably the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the rest of the season.
Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji were only fit enough for the bench, while Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish were absent from the squad.
Guardiola had insisted he would solve City’s problems but he has so far been unable to come up with the answer to their mounting crisis.
City had paid for failing to turn their dominance into more than a one-goal lead against Sporting and profligacy was a problem again on the south coast of England.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 09: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, interacts with Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton & Hove Albion following the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Manchester City FC at Amex Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
– City in turmoil –
Savinho should have put City ahead when Mateo Kovacic’s pass sent him surging into the Albion area, but the Brazilian’s weak finish allowed Bart Verbruggen to save.
Kovacic was the catalyst when City took the lead in the 23rd minute with a goal equal parts inspiration and perspiration.
The Croatia midfielder’s inch-perfect pass split the Brighton defence but Haaland still had work to do as his initial shot was blocked by Verbruggen, leaving the Norwegian in a race with Jan Paul van Hecke to poke the ball in before it could be cleared.
Haaland’s 15th goal in all competitions this season was only the second time he had netted in his last six league appearances.
Haaland’s 75th league goal since joining City in 2022 was almost followed by the 76th moments later, his low drive repelled by Verbruggen at the near post.
Kovacic’s long-range volley forced another good stop from the increasingly over-worked Verbruggen.
But City fatally dropped their intensity just before half time, allowing Fabian Hurzeler’s side to gain a foothold.
Brighton’s Cameroonian midfielder #20 Carlos Baleba (2R) celebrates on the pitch.Source: AFP
Jack Hinshelwood wasted a golden opportunity to haul Brighton level early in the second half as his close-range header from Pervis Estupinan’s cross was palmed away by Ederson.
Ederson raced off his line to save at Kaoru Mitoma’s feet before Pedro scuffed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Pedro made amends for that miss as the Brazilian punished woeful City defending to equalise with 12 minutes left.
Mitoma was given too much space for a pass into Welbeck in the six-yard box. Rico Lewis’s block-tackle stopped Welbeck shooting but Josko Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes didn’t clear the danger, allowing Pedro to pounce with a close-range strike.
Guardiola slumped into his seat but there was worse to come for the City boss in the 83rd minute.
Pedro slipped his pass through City’s leaky defence and O’Riley timed his run perfectly to clip a composed finish past Ederson from 10 yards to leave the champions in turmoil.
RESULTS
Brentford 3 (Wissa 27, 58, Damsgaard 50) Bournemouth 2 (Evanilson 17, Kluivert 49) Brighton 2 (Pedro 78, O’Riley 83) Manchester City 1 (Haaland 23) Crystal Palace 0 Fulham 2 (Smith Rowe 45+2, Wilson 83) West Ham 0 Everton 0 Wolves 2 (Sarabia 2, Cunha 51) Southampton 0
Ange Postecoglou “always wins things” in his second season in charge and his big statement remains on track as Tottenham defeated heavyweights Manchester City 2-1 to advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
The Round of 16 clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a classic display of ‘Angeball’ as Spurs were electric early with two goals in the first 26 minutes of the game.
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City had more of the ball with 65% possession for the night but they could only get two of their 15 shots on targets, while Tottenham constantly threatened on the counter attack.
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Spurs tested out City’s second choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega with seven of their 11 shots being on target as their speed and creativity in midfield caused headaches for Pep Guardiola.
Postecoglou’s side made early in-roads with Dejan Kulusevski picking out much-maligned attacker Timo Werner at the far post to open the scoring in the sixth minute, but it was not all smooth sailing as defender Micky Van de Ven injured his hamstring in a slide tackle in the 11th minute.
Tottenham’s advantage grew to two in the 26th minute when midfielder Pape Sarr curled a beautiful low strike home from the edge of the box after a short corner, but their Australian boss would have entered the dressing room at half time frustrated.
Spurs conceded in the fourth and final minute of added time when Savinho – who had to be stretchered off in the second half with a leg injury – crossed the ball to Nunes at the back post.
The late goal made for a nervy second half for the home fans as City have trailed many times so far this season and on each occasion they have come back and won.
But this time around it was not to be as Guardiola made a head scratching move.
Goal scoring machine Erling Haaland remained on the bench for the entire game despite City’s search for an equaliser.
Postecoglou on other hand brought Brazilian attacker Richarlison on in the 69th minute to try extend their lead, and he had the chance to bury City when he was through on goal in the 83rd minute but hit a tame shot directly to Ortega.
It did not matter in the end as Tottenham defended soundly in a scoreless second half – which included six minutes of added time – to bounce back from their disappointing Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.
Spurs have also kept alive their hopes of claiming their first trophy since 2008 when they won this very competition.
They will face Manchester United at home in a quarter-final and Postecoglou was refusing to buy into notions that things may get easier after toppling City.
“Are you suggesting the sides left are easy?” the Australian asked a reporter who wondered if the Cup now felt “wide open”.
“There’s always an opportunity if you keep winning. But as I say, there’s still some decent teams in there. It’s not really the quarter-final stage. But for us, what’s important is we’re in it. As long as we stay in it, we’ve a chance.”
FLURRY OF GOALS MARKS LIFE AFTER TEN HAG
Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy could hardly have asked for a better start to his new gig with the Red Devils piling on the goals against Leicester City as they won 5-2 at Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy said pre-game that his side “can be unstoppable” when “players, staff and supporters pull together” and remarkably there were six goals scored to half time as United lead 4-2 at the break.
Casemiro – who scored the last goal under Erik ten Hag – started the new era with a stunner from long-range and the highlights continued as the game went on.
Garnacho thumped a low cross into the roof of the net for their second, Bruno Fernandes then curled home a lovely free kick for United’s third and Casemiro scored his second from a delicate chipped cross by Marcus Rashford.
In the second half, Fernandes got a brace of his own by coolly going around the keeper and beating a defender on the line to make it two straight Carabao Cup matches at Old Trafford where seven goals have been scored.
In the previous round, United smashed League 1 side Barnsley 7-0.
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LIVERPOOL HANG ON IN SECOND HALF THRILLER
Liverpool walked into the change rooms locked at 0-0 with Brighton at half time, but a flick was switched after the break as five second half goals lit up the Amex.
The Reds prevailed 3-2 to keep Arne Slot’s dream start to life at Anfield despite a late Brighton fightback.
The match looked all but over when, in the 63rd minute, Cody Gapko fired home his second of the night.
But a blunder at the back gave the Seagulls a sniff with a goal to Simon Adingra in the 81st minute before Luis Diaz added Liverpool’s third four minutes later.
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A stoppage time goal to Tariq Lamptey courtesy of a wicked deflection gave Brighton hope of levelling it up at the death knock but Liverpool held firm to book their place in the quarter-finals against Southampton.
In other matches, Arsenal were far too strong for Championship side Preston North End as the Gunners won 3-0 away from home to advance to the next round against Crystal Palace.
Newcastle knocked out Chelsea 2-0 to gain revenge for their Premier League loss at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and they will take on Brentford in a quarter-final.
Crystal Palace upset Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park, while yesterday Southampton defeated Stoke City 3-2 and Brentford overcame Championship club Sheffield Wednesday on penalties.
Liverpool’s perfect start under manager Arne Slot came to an abrupt end as Nottingham Forest stunned Anfield with a 1-0 win on Saturday.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal 18 minutes from time to secure Forest’s first away league win against Liverpool in 55 years.
Liverpool had won all three of their opening games under Slot without conceding, including a 3-0 win away at Manchester United two weeks ago.
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But the Reds were sloppy and sluggish after the international break and made to pay.
“We had a lot of ball possession but only managed to create three or four quite good chances, so that is by far not enough if you have so much ball possession,” said Slot. “We lost the ball so many times in simple situations.” Luis Diaz was unlucky not to spark the home side into life when he robbed Ryan Yates and smashed a shot off the inside of the post midway through the first half.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks dejected following the team’s defeat during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on September 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Diogo Jota volleyed straight at Matz Sels, who then denied Alexis Mac Allister with a header but Liverpool never managed to click through the gears against a well-organised Forest side, who are yet to lose in the Premier League this season.
The visitors did ride their luck when Sels fumbled a looping Diaz header and just scooped up the loose ball before it crossed the line.
Slot tried to liven up Liverpool with a triple change on the hour mark as Diaz, Jota and Mac Allister were sacrificed after their exertions on international duty.
– Early ‘setback’ –
Trent Alexander-Arnold was pushed forward into midfield as a result, but the move backfired as it was Forest’s substitutes who were the ones to make a difference.
Anthony Elanga sprinted forward on the counter-attack and fed Hudson-Odoi, who cut inside and fired brilliantly low and hard beyond Alisson Becker.
TOPSHOT – Nottingham Forest’s English midfielder #14 Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Ian Hodgson / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /Source: AFP
Slot’s men failed to rally and the stands at Anfield even began to empty with five minutes remaining — a rare sight during Jurgen Klopp’s glorious reign in charge.
“If you lose a home game it’s always a setback,” added Slot. “Especially if you face a team who, we never know, maybe they will go all the way to fight for the Champions League, but normally this team is not ending up in the top 10, so if you lose a game against them that’s a big disappointment.” Defeat leaves the Reds three points behind champions Manchester City, who stretched their perfect start to the season with a 2-1 win over Brentford.
And Slot has little time to come up with a solution as Liverpool travel to AC Milan to begin their Champions League campaign on Tuesday.
“If I would change my way of preparation after a loss, that means I only do the best work I can after we lose,” said the former Feyenoord boss.
“We will try to in the best possible way be prepared for Tuesday, which is going to be a completely different game but also a game where we will face a lot of quality.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Fans of Liverpool leave during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on September 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
– Haaland denied hat-trick history –
Manchester City took full advantage of Liverpool’s defeat to move clear at the top by stretching their 100 percent record to four games despite a disastrous start.
However, Haaland’s form at the start of the season remains unstoppable, even if the Norwegian just missed out on a record third consecutive hat-trick in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old’s powerful deflected effort brought City level before he showed a combination of strength and skill to shrug off Ethan Pinnock and dink the ball over the onrushing Mark Flekken.
Only the post denied Haaland another hat-trick after half-time but he now has a Premier League record nine goals in the first four games of the season.
“He’s just an absolute machine in front of goal and I can’t speak highly enough of him,” said City’s Jack Grealish of Haaland, who had been doubtful due to the death this week of a close family friend.
“It does speak volumes about him as a person and his mental strength.”
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester United FC at St Mary’s Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
– United bounce back to steady ship –
Manchester United had been left to fester on their humbling by Liverpool for two weeks over the international break, but bounced back after a slow start at Southampton.
The Red Devils needed a penalty save from Andre Onana to deny Cameron Archer before two goals in five minutes just before half-time swung the game decisively in the visitors’ favour.
Matthijs de Ligt nodded in his first United goal before Marcus Rashford ended his six-month drought by finding the bottom corner with a curling effort.
Southampton are yet to register a point in four games since their return to the top flight and inflicted more damage on themselves when captain Jack Stephens saw red for a wild lunge on Alejandro Garnacho.
The Argentine dusted himself off to then round off the scoring with a thumping finish into the roof of the net in stoppage time.
“Once Andre stopped the penalty, straight after, we scored a goal with Matthijs de Ligt, the game was all ours and we dominate the game from that point,” said Ten Hag.
Aston Villa’s Columbian striker #09 Jhon Duran (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Everton at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /Source: AFP
– Everton blow another lead –
Aston Villa moved up to third after Everton blew a two-goal lead for the second consecutive game.
Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave the Toffees a dream start at Villa Park.
But Everton remain without a point this season due to dreadful defending. Ollie Watkins struck twice either side of half-time to level before Jhon Duran’s stunning strike from distance earned Villa a third win in four games.
Brighton remain unbeaten but were unable to break down Ipswich in a 0-0 draw at the Amex.
Crystal Palace came from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Leicester thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s double.
West Ham also struck late through Danny Ings to snatch a 1-1 draw at Fulham.
English Premier League results
Southampton 0 Man Utd 3 (De Ligt 35, Rashford 41, Garnacho 90+6)
Fulham 1 (Jimenez 24) West Ham 1 (Ings 90+5)
Manchester City 2 (Haland 19, 32) Brentford 1 (Wissa 1)
Liverpool blinked in the Premier League title race in a dramatic 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday to leave Arsenal still on top thanks to their superior goal difference.
The Gunners cruised to a 3-0 win at Brighton on Saturday, while Manchester City responded to conceding early at Crystal Palace to emerge 4-2 victors.
Here’s where each of the contenders stand and how their run-ins compare.
Fixtures to come: April 14: Aston Villa (H) April 20: Wolves (A) April 23: Chelsea (H) April 28: Tottenham (A) May 4: Bournemouth (H) May 11: Manchester United (A) April 19: Everton (H)
The Gunners are getting ever closer to a first title in 20 years. Mikel Arteta’s men have won 10 and drawn one, away to City, in their last 11 Premier League games and have also amassed what could be a crucial goal-difference lead across that run as well.
Just under a year ago, Arsenal’s title challenge was realistically ended by a humbling 3-0 home defeat to Brighton.
This weekend the roles were reversed as the visitors strolled to victory at the Amex in a further demonstration of their development over the past 12 months.
However, a run to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years could prove a distraction and sap Arsenal’s energy.
They face Bayern Munich over the next two midweeks and will take on City or Real Madrid in the semi-finals should they progress.
Tough away games at north London rivals Tottenham and at Manchester United also lie ahead, but Arsenal have reason to believe. The destiny of the title back in their own hands.
Arsenal are leading the title race. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Liverpool – 71 points (+42)
Fixtures to come: April 14: Crystal Palace (H) April 20: Fulham (A) April 24: Everton (A) April 27: West Ham (A) May 5: Tottenham (H) May 11: Aston Villa (A) May 19: Wolves (H)
Liverpool suffered a case of deja vu at Old Trafford, just three weeks on from a 4-3 defeat there in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Once again, it was a case of missed opportunities and isolated moments of magic from United that may have denied their old rivals matching their record of 20 English top-flight titles.
Another tricky local derby awaits later this month away to Everton, while Liverpool face Champions League chasing Tottenham and Aston Villa in two of their final three games.
Liverpool face a tough run to finish the season. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Manchester City – 70 points (+40)
Fixtures to come: April 13: Luton (H) April 25: Brighton (A) April 28: Nottingham Forest (A) May 4: Wolves (H) May 11: Fulham (A) May 19: West Ham (H) TBC: Tottenham (A)
City remain ominously poised in their quest to become the first side to win four consecutive English top-flight titles.
Kevin De Bruyne was handed the night off for Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa and showed the value of a rest as he scored twice and teed up Erling Haaland to end his goal drought at Palace.
The challenge of facing the mighty Real Madrid awaits Pep Guardiola’s men in the Champions League but they could barely have asked for a better fixture next weekend between those quarter-final ties than at home to Luton.
City appear to have the best run-in of the three contenders, but still need both their rivals to stumble down the final straight.
United had won their previous four Premier League games to rekindle hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, but a 2-1 defeat leaves them eight points adrift of Villa.
“Mate they were shocking. I’m not exaggerating, absolutely shocking,” ex-Premier League star and Sky Sports football pundit Paul Merson said
“How they can think they can get in the top four – and what’s the point of getting in the top four anyway? Just to get into the Champions League? They’re not going to win it, so what’s the point in being in it?“
Manchester United lost in stoppage time. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Ratcliffe revealed his ambition to topple Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the English game within three years.
But the work that lies ahead of the British billionaire on and off the field was exposed as Fulham dominated a ragged United for long spells.
“You put all that money in and you watch that today and they are a gillion miles away. … I don’t know where they’re going to catch up,” Merson said.
“He (Ratcliffe) went ‘I want to take over Man City’ – well pull it in, try and take over a couple of the others first.
“The last five or six weeks, they’ve just been covering over the cracks … and all of sudden they got found out today by a Fulham team.
“It’s not like their serial winners who know how to play away from home.”
Merson said he’d be “shocked” if United got “anywhere near the league title” in the short-term.
“If Man United won the league in the next five years, whoever’s the manager should get knighted,” he said.
Fulham finally took one of their chances midway through the second half when Calvin Bassey lashed home his first goal for the Cottagers from a corner.
Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
United looked to have snatched a point against the run of play late on when Harry Maguire tapped in after Bernd Leno spilled Bruno Fernandes’ effort.
But there was another twist in the tale as Fulham secured their first away win since the opening day of the season.
Adama Traore left Maguire trailing in his wake before teeing up Iwobi to curl inside Andre Onana’s near post.
“The players deserved it, clearly the best team won the game,” said Fulham boss Marco Silva.
“We were the team which played better, created more chances and had more control of the game.”
FODEN SAVES CITY
Manchester City edged past Bournemouth 1-0 to close the gap on leaders Liverpool to one point.
City were again far from their flowing best but, just like in a 1-0 victory over Brentford in midweek, did enough to keep their title challenge on track.
The in-form Phil Foden scored the only goal at the Vitality Stadium as the England international stroked into an empty net for his 16th goal of the season after Neto parried Erling Haaland’s initial effort.
At the other end, Ederson was required to save City from dropping two costly points when he kept out Dominic Solanke’s header on the line by the finest of margins.
And former City forward Enes Unal was inches away from an equaliser when his header shaved the post in stoppage time.
VILLA SURGE CLEAR AFTER BIG WIN
Aston Villa opened up a five-point lead over Tottenham in the battle for a top-four finish with a 4-2 win over Nottingham Forest, despite a wobble either side of half-time against Forest.
Unai Emery’s men were coasting towards a first home win of 2024 as they led 3-0 inside 39 minutes.
Ollie Watkins tapped in Leon Bailey’s cross after just four minutes before Douglas Luiz struck twice.
Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team’s third goal. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Forest remain just four points above the relegation zone and reacted too late to help their survival hopes.
Moussa Niakhate pulled a goal back deep into first-half stoppage time before Morgan Gibbs-White’s delightful dink cut Forest’s deficit to one just three minutes into the second period.
However, Villa quickly restored their two-goal cushion when Leon Bailey tapped in after Watkins’ initial effort was saved.
“We played a really fantastic match in the first half and only the first 15 minutes of the second half we had some doubts, but we stayed calm and reacted well,” said Emery.
GLASNER’S DREAM STAR
Oliver Glasner got off to a dream start as Crystal Palace manager with a 3-0 win over 10-man Burnley.
Palace had won just three times in 20 games stretching back to September to bring Roy Hodgson’s second spell in charge to an end.
Former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Glasner could not have wished for a kinder fixture to start against a Burnley side seemingly destined for an immediate return to the Championship.
Any hope of a first win this year for Vincent Kompany’s men disappeared with a first-half red card for Josh Brownhill.
Oliver Glasner, Manager of Crystal Palace, celebrates after Jordan Ayew scores the team’s second goal. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Chris Richards opened the floodgates 22 minutes from time as Palace moved eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Jordan Ayew made it 2-0 before Jean Philppe-Mateta’s penalty rounded off the scoring.
Everton were denied a huge win in their battle to beat the drop by Lewis Dunk’s 95th minute equaliser for Brighton in a 1-1 draw at the Amex.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s thumping finish on 73 minutes opened the scoring before Brighton were reduced to 10 men when Billy Gilmour saw red.
But Everton could not hold on as Dunk headed in Pascal Gross’ cross. A point edges Sean Dyche’s men one point clear of the relegation zone.
After mounting a surprise title tilt last season, with Granit Xhaka enjoying one of his finest campaigns for the Gunners, Mikel Arteta still believed he could find an upgrade in the centre of the park – and he splashed a Premier League-record £105m for Declan Rice.
Now, Rice is becoming an integral cog in the engine room as the Gunners remain firmly in the mix for the title.
What impresses Arteta most about Rice? “The way he dominates key aspects of the game,” replied the manager.
“First of all, it’s the way he reads the game, his intelligence, his decision-making on and off the ball, when to pass the ball, how to pass it, where to look, how to execute, and the timing of that, which is very, very relevant, especially in his position.”
He’s only growing more and more connected with his teammates. He could be the key to going one better than last season and finishing with the coveted trophy.
Although the Gunners rounded out the first half of the season with a disappointing defeat at the Emirates to West Ham, it doesn’t take away from what’s been yet another dazzling run for Arteta’s side.
Declan Rice has looked worth every bit of Arsenal’s major investment. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ASTON VILLA (3rd, +15 GD, 39 pts): A
Mid-season MVP: Douglas Luiz
Plenty of expert predictions for this season had Villa finishing well out of the title race. Manchester United great Gary Neville predicted a sixth-place finish, while former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher had them out of the top six. It’s fair to say precious few predicted a genuine title challenge, but that’s what Unai Emery’s men have served up. A staggering 15-game win streak on home soil came to an end just before Christmas, though they salvaged a draw with a 97th-minute equaliser against Sheffield United.
Villa’s inability to beat a number of lower-table teams this season — see Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Bournemouth and now Sheffield United — is their biggest blemish this season.
Three of those four games also came away from home, so if Villa are serious about a top four finish they must find a way to take maximum points when expected, especially against those who are struggling.
Ollie Watkins continues to turn in several all-action displays up front, contributing nine goals and six assists to date this season.
But the player most vital to Villa’s transformed fortunes is Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz who orchestrates every deadly move from midfield.
Luiz’s box-to-box displays have been something to behold as he breaks up opposition attacks only to drive the team up the field and thread the needle with aplomb.
Douglas Luiz is the midfield lynchpin driving Aston Villa forward. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)Source: AFP
BOURNEMOUTH (12th, -5 GD, 25 pts): B+
Mid-season MVP: Dominic Solanke
Last season was a shemozzle, a mess, a rollercoaster (but not the fun kind). Remember the 9-0 thumping from Liverpool that saw Scott Parker sacked in August? Then came an ownership takeover, a slump to last place in March, before a late-season resurgence to finish 15th under Gary O’Neil, who probably deserved to win manager of the season.
They embarked on a stunning spending spree in the off-season, with a whopping net spend of €126.19m – sixth in the Premier League and in front of Liverpool and Newcastle United. Then they sacked manager O’Neil before the season began. The new owners had high expectations – but while there’s been some promising signs, things haven’t been smooth sailing. They were 19th and winless after nine games (three points), but have since turned things around impressively to rack up 22 points from the next nine games (W7 D1 L1).
After a 6-1 defeat to Man City they could have fallen apart, but instead they’ve been one of the form teams in the league to soar out of the relegation battle.
The big difference from last season has been Solanke’s form, with the ex-Liverpool striker hitting 12 league goals in 18 games – more than last campaign’s top scorer Philip Billing (7) managed in a full season. If he stays at Bournemouth (amid interest from Tottenham and West Ham), the Cherries could even threaten a top-half finish.
Dominic Solanke is enjoying an absurd goalscoring run. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
BRENTFORD (14th, -3 GD, 19 pts): C-
Mid-season MVP: Bryan Mbuemo
It was always going to be a tall task spending half a season without star striker Ivan Toney, but Brentford have managed to survive.
Toney was banned from playing until early January after breaching the FA’s gambling rules, meaning the Bees had to rely on other sources for goals.
Cameroonian winger Bryan Mbuemo has largely shouldered the burden and has a club-leading seven Premier League goals to his name.
However, Brentford — and this will be a constant theme for a lot of these teams, so bear with us — have been crippled by serious injuries throughout the season.
Kevin Schade, who turned his loan move to Brentford into a permanent one in the summer, was meant to help share the goalscoring duties but has been out of action since late September with no return date set in.
Star defender Rico Henry is out for the season while right back Aaron Hickey has also been sidelined for several months among others.
The Bees’ form this season has also been quite patchy, winning just one of their first eight games before four victories in their next six. But they’ve now lost four in a row and six of their last seven, seeing them slide towards the relegation zone.
With Toney due to return in mid-January, it could be the boost Brentford need to kickstart their season once again.
Brentford have struggled without their star striker Ivan Toney this season. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
BRIGHTON (8th, +5 GD, 30 pts): B-
Mid-season MVP: Pascal Groß
After the lofty heights of a sixth-place finish last season, high expectations had been set for the Seagulls in the 2023/24 campaign.
But a bright start in which Brighton won five of their opening six games is in the distant past, as Roberto De Zerbi’s side have tasted victory just three times in the following 12.
Although De Zerbi’s great entertainers have been kept scoreless just once this season, they have scored two or more goals just five times since a 3-1 win over Bournemouth in late September.
What is most alarming about Brighton this season is the number of goals they’ve shipped, which stands at 33.
For reference, 16th-placed Nottingham Forest and 18th-placed Luton Town have conceded 34.
Part of this is no doubt down to a backline crippled by injuries.
Star left back Pervis Estupinan had been out for some time before marking his return to action with a screamer against Tottenham, while Tariq Lamptey and Adam Webster have also spent time on the sidelines.
De Zerbi has also switched between Jason Steele and summer signing Bart Verbruggen in the goalkeeper position, offering little consistency in a crucial part of the field after Roberto Sanchez’s exit to Chelsea.
One shining light of consistency this season has been German stalwart Pascal Groß, who continues to be a vital cog in De Zerbi’s Brighton machine.
Another bright spot for Brighton is the goalscoring prowess of Joao Pedro, who joined from Watford for a club-record fee of £30 million.
And despite all of the things that have gone awry for the Seagulls this season, they’re still just three points away from the Europa League spots.
Joao Pedro (centre) leads the goalscoring charts for Brighton. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
BURNLEY (19th, -20 GD, 11 pts): D
Mid-season MVP: Josh Brownhill
Burnley won the Championship last season at a canter but life in the Premier League has most certainly not been kind.
There was plenty of intrigue as to whether Vincent Kompany’s brand of football at Turf Moor would hold up against the best England has to offer and so far, the answer has been a resounding no.
Kompany took a significant risk going into the season with the youngest squad in the Premier League with an average age of 24 years and 170 days.
So far, it is a risk that has not paid off as Burnley sit 19th and have conceded the second-most goals in the league.
Burnley lost 11 of their first 13 games, achieving a win and a draw over fellow relegation candidates Luton Town and Nottingham Forest respectively.
But apart from that, there hasn’t been much to sing about on the terraces of Turf Moor although a much-needed 2-0 victory away at Fulham will give Kompany’s troops a needed lift going into the second half of the season.
Skipper Josh Brownhill has been one of the few shining lights in this Burnley team, providing a wiser head in a team brimming with young and eager minds.
Staying up this season will be a mammoth task but with Kompany’s remarkable leadership skills, don’t count out the Clarets just yet in the fight for survival.
Vincent Kompany has a massive job on his hands to keep Burnley in the Premier League. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
CHELSEA (10th, +2 GD, 25 pts): F
Mid-season MVP: Cole Palmer
If Chelsea fans thought last year would be the worst of it, well, can only provide our condolences.
A fresh start under new manager Mauricio Pochettino as well as several of the players becoming more familiar with the Premier League had Blues fans hoping for the world.
Instead, they’ve been delivered an atlas.
Chelsea managed to ship off $AUD435 million worth of talent (per Transfermarkt) elsewhere including Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City) and Mason Mount (Manchester United) to name just four.
But the players brought in — at an estimated total expense of $756 million — have simply not lived up to the billing.
Defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo was the most expensive of the lot, joining Chelsea from Brighton for an eye-watering $187 million.
Yet the Ecuadorean continues to struggle to live up to his price tag and doesn’t look at home in Pochettino’s system.
Sure, Pochettino has been dealt a somewhat rough hand with injuries as skipper Reece James continues to spend more time off the pitch than on it while the likes of Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella are sidelined for some time.
Yet for a team that has been so expensively assembled and one of Chelsea’s grand stature, just six wins from 17 league games is simply not good enough.
One summer signing who has looked sharp since arriving is Cole Palmer, who looked to be a seriously risky piece of business at $76 million.
But the Manchester City youth product has delivered several crucial performances for Pochettino’s side and is cold as ice when stepping up to take penalties.
Despite Palmer’s emergence, it cannot be ignored that Chelsea are a serious risk of failing to qualify for European football for a second-straight season.
And if that happens, it’s safe to say Chelsea’s answer will be to throw more money at it and hope it fixes itself.
Despite heavy investment in the summer, Chelsea are still struggling badly. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
CRYSTAL PALACE (15th, -9 GD, 18 pts): C-
Mid-season MVP: Eberechi Eze
After Roy Hodgson steered the club away from relegation at the end of last season, Crystal Palace rewarded him with a one-year extension.
It’s taken just 19 games for Hodgson, a boyhood Palace fan, to have the Eagles once again nervously looking over their shoulder at the drop to the Championship.
After just two defeats in the first eight games, Hodgson’s troops have suffered a massive nosedive in form.
Palace have lost seven of their last 11 fixtures, with only one win — against 19th-place Burnley — in that run.
The main issue crippling Palace is their inability to find the back of the net, with their tally of 19 goals the third-lowest in the league: only Burnley (18) and Sheffield United (15) are worse.
Talk is heating up about the Palace top brass eyeing up a move for Steve Cooper, who was recently sacked by Nottingham Forest, as a mid-season replacement for Hodgson.
It could be what the team needs if it is to surge up the table and unlock the attacking talent it possesses.
The dynamic duo of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze is one of the league’s most exciting on paper, but largely due to injuries they have not been able to share the field.
If those two can start to fire, Palace theoretically should pull away from the danger zone.
Roy Hodgson has overseen a worrying run of form at Crystal Palace lately. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
EVERTON (17th, -1 GD, 16 pts): B+
Mid-season MVP: Dwight McNeil
It’s worth starting with the obvious: Everton copped a Premier League-record ten-point penalty for financial breaches last month that dropped them to 19th and level on points with the bottom-placed team. Without it, they’d be in the top half of the table right now. But the players have responded brilliantly to that hefty blow, beating Newcastle and Chelsea comfortably in recent weeks to climb out of the relegation zone. They are doing so even after recording a €42.30m transfer profit in the off-season – one of only four teams to receive more than they spent. After narrowly avoiding relegation in recent seasons, the points penalty has ignited a fire in their collective belly and they look set to push well clear of danger.
The key marker of improvement behind Everton’s resurgence is their defensive record, a hallmark of Toffees boss Sean Dyche.
Everton have conceded just 25 goals this season, a figure equal with heavyweights like Newcastle and Manchester United.
Although Everton have improved as a collective, one star who looks especially rejuvenated under Dyche is winger Dwight McNeil.
The winger burst onto the scene at Burnley during Dyche’s tenure and the two are once again getting the best out of each other, with McNeil constantly whipping in dangerous crosses that have opposition backlines scrambling.
Despite a 10-point deduction, Everton have not been feeling sorry for themselves. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)Source: AFP
FULHAM (13th, -8 GD, 21 pts): C
Mid-season MVP: João Palhinha
After losing talismanic striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi club Al-Hilal in the summer, serious questions were going to be asked about Fulham and Marco Silva this season.
Would they have the same goalscoring credentials? Will Silva tweak his team’s style of play to mitigate the loss of Mitrovic?
Could they actually replace Mitrovic and achieve the same results?
In short, no.
Summer signing Raul Jimenez and Willian lead the club’s goalscoring charts in the Premier League with just four to their names, followed by Bobby Decordova-Reid and Alex Iwobi who have three each.
However, Fulham somehow managed to score 16 goals in the space of four games, including back-to-back 5-0 wins at home over Nottingham Forest and West Ham United.
Throw in a recent 2-0 defeat at home to relegation battlers Burnley and you start to see why Fulham are just a very, very odd team this season.
One man crucial to Fulham’s hopes of a comfortable mid-table finish this season is defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha, who almost joined Mitrovic out the exit door but to German giants Bayern Munich instead.
Palhinha could have easily downed tools given the move of a lifetime didn’t come off, but the opposite is true.
The Portuguese start leads the league in tackles by a massive margin and will be crucial to Fulham’s efforts in the second half of the 23/24 campaign.
Fulham are all but certain for a comfortable midtable finish. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
LIVERPOOL (1st, +23 GD, 42 pts): A+
Mid-season MVP: Mohamed Salah
They’re scoring goals for fun, have the best defensive record in the league and if it weren’t for an egregious officiating error, would be undefeated.
Oh, and they’re sitting in first place too.
It’s been some start to the season for Liverpool who have won 12 of their 19 league games so far.
Unsurprisingly, Mohamed Salah has been pivotal to Liverpool’s success this season thanks to his 12 goals and seven assists in the Premier League.
The new-look Reds midfield has also impressed, especially summer arrival Dominik Szoboszlai.
Despite all of the Reds’ success this season, they have not been without their flaws.
Liverpool have had to come from behind to either win or draw on eight occasions this season and of those eight games, a goal has arrived in second-half stoppage time.
One side of that argument plays into Jurgen Klopp’s previous comments about his players being “mentality monsters”.
On the other hand, it is an unsustainable trend that could come back to bite Liverpool dearly.
Of course, the biggest question that faces Klopp’s side is how they will cope without Salah when he takes off for the African Cup of Nations with Egypt.
Given he has been involved in 19 of Liverpool’s 39 league goals this season, his absence takes away the team’s best goalscoring threat.
But Klopp is one of the best managers in the world for a reason and will have devised a plan to make up for Salah’s absence.
Just how well that plan works will likely prove the difference between winning the Premier League and falling agonisingly short yet again.
Mohamed Salah is vital to Liverpool’s title hopes. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
LUTON TOWN (18th, -13 GD, 15 pts): C-
Mid-season MVP: Ross Barkley
They’ve got no money, the smallest ground in the league, and it’s fair to say they were given no chance of survival. From the start of the season, they showed they were up for the fight. But the big question was always around whether they had enough quality.
In their first 12 games, they had six points and had scored just 10 goals. It felt like they probably deserved more – they gave Man Utd a huge scare and came within inches of beating Liverpool.
But they turned things around after that. Since then, they’ve scored 10 goals in six games and racked up nine points!
After being all-but-written-off in pre-season, they’re mounting a genuine run at avoiding relegation.
The Hatters have now won both games since captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest, including a genuine ‘six-pointer’ over Sheffield United.
Ex-PL defender Stephen Kelly told BBC Radio: “Sometimes it can be a horrendous moment like that that galvanises you as a group of players.
“Quality-wise I don’t think Luton are there when it comes to the Premier League and they can’t compete with the finances. But they compete with hard work, energy and desire.”
Maybe the magic touch of quality comes from Barkley, who has slotted in perfectly after joining from French first-tier team Nice in the off-season.
The former Everton and Chelsea midfield star is shining in a deeper role, picking up the ball deep and driving forward. His long balls and ability to draw in defenders has been crucial for Luton’s attack. The 30-year-old is undergoing a career resurgence – and it might just carry the Hatters to survival.
Ross Barkley is enjoying a career resurgence at Luton Town. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
MANCHESTER CITY (4th, +22 GD, 37 pts): A-
Mid-season MVP: Rodri
The status that comes with winning four Premier League titles in a row explains why this season so far feels a little below par for Manchester City.
It’s been a rather bizarre season for Pep Guardiola’s side, who found themselves in fourth at the halfway mark of the 23/24 season.
Some things remain relatively normal: Erling Haaland leads the golden boot race with 14, City are the league’s highest scorers with 43 and have conceded the third-fewest goals (21).
But there’s a feeling City, for the first time in a long while, might be a little vulnerable.
The absence of star Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has no doubt played a major role in that sentiment, while Haaland’s recent injury has lightened the load on opposition backlines.
Yet there’s one alarming stat which suggests those two aren’t the vital pieces to City’s title charge.
Instead, it’s Spanish midfielder Rodri.
Granted he’s not going to provide the mind-boggling assist and goal numbers De Bruyne and Haaland provide.
But from the three games City have not had Rodri available, they have lost all three: a 2-1 loss to Wolves as well as 1-0 defeats to Arsenal and Aston Villa.
City also could and perhaps should have a better defensive record, if not for the 4-4 and 3-3 goalfests against Chelsea and Tottenham respectively.
In fact, City have conceded goals in the 90th minute and beyond for three of their four draws this season, pointing to a serious concentration issue that has crept in for Guardiola’s side.
However, there’s always a sense of inevitability with City given they know exactly when to peak during the final run-in and simply cannot be counted out until it’s mathematically impossible.
Manchester City have not won when Rodri has been absent. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
MANCHESTER UNITED (7th, -4 GD, 31 pts): B-
Mid-season MVP: Bruno Fernandes
Let’s start with the positives. They’re seventh on the ladder and still in top-four contention. Bruno Fernandes is putting together a season for the ages when it comes to playmaking (more on that below). But it’s fair to say there are still big problems.
Ten times this season, Manchester United have conceded more than one goal in the space of 10 minutes or less. This month alone that has included two in five minutes (Villa), two in six (West Ham), two in five (Bournemouth).
Then there’s the attack. United have scored just 21 goals this season, which is the equal-third fewest of any team in the Premier League.
Before their impressive comeback win over Aston Villa, United’s forwards had scored a combined four league goals from open play in 18 games. The team had gone over 420 minutes without scoring before Garnacho’s opening goal against Villa. Big-money signing Rasmus Hojlund’s goal in the game was his first in the league … in his 15th appearance!
“Too many people talk about the strikers at Man Utd,” Garnacho said after the game.
United fans will be hoping their forwards can finally find some form and shut up the critics.
Thankfully, they’re getting plenty of service from Fernandes, who keeps creating chances at a remarkable rate. His expected assists this season stands at 6.47 per understat, while his actual assists is just three. If his teammates can stop missing so many chances, United can still make something of this season.
Bruno Fernandes is providing chances but his United teammates are struggling to finish them. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
NEWCASTLE (9th, +12 GD, 29 pts): B-
Mid-season MVP: Anthony Gordon
It was always going to be a difficult ask for Newcastle to build on the wild ride all the way to the Champions League they enjoyed last season.
And so far, that’s exactly what it’s proving to be.
A 5-1 win over Aston Villa and an 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United are distant memories as Eddie Howe’s side limped its way to the halfway mark, losing four of their last five games.
The depth of Eddie Howe’s squad has been tested beyond belief as the addition of a European schedule has placed plenty of strain on a playing group desperately short on depth.
Couple that with lengthy injury spells to key players like Nick Pope, Harvey Barnes and Sven Botman to name three and it’s easy to understand why the Magpies are suffering this season.
There’s also been the unwanted distraction of marquee summer recruit Sandro Tonali’s suspension for gambling, robbing Newcastle of a player deemed pivotal to their domestic and European hopes.
But amid all the doom and gloom in the Toon, winger Anthony Gordon has been a shining light.
Gordon wears his heart on his sleeve and it’s his relentless energy that has resulted in vital goals for Newcastle.
The 22-year-old has six league goals to his name but, most crucially, has started 17 of 19 games.
Having guided Newcastle back to the Champions League last season, Howe’s job is extremely likely to be safe despite the team’s struggles this season.
But given it is the first sustained period of on-field woes, it will be extremely intriguing to see how patient Newcastle’s Saudi ownership are.
Newcastle are struggling to emulate the highs of last season. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (16th, -12 GD, 17 pts): D
Mid-season MVP: Morgan Gibbs-White
It wasn’t anything close to the transfer extravaganza prior to their Premier League return last year, but Nottingham Forest still decided to loosen the pursestrings and bring a raft of stars to the City Ground, including star wingers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga.
Despite the high-profile additions, Forest boss Steve Cooper couldn’t quite get them firing when he needed to and as a result the cult hero was sacked.
Looking at Forest’s results this season and it’s hard not to see why club owner Evangelos Marinakis lost patience with Cooper.
Things appeared reasonably bright for the Reds at the start of the season having lost just four of their opening 11 games and even then, those defeats were to Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.
But after a surprise 2-0 win at home against Aston Villa, the wheels fell off for Cooper and his team.
Four straight losses — including a 5-0 humiliation away to Fulham which resulted in Marinakis hurling his matchday accreditation into the front garden of a home near Craven Cottage — cranked up the pressure on Cooper.
A 1-1 draw against Wolves only proved to be a brief stay of execution, as a 2-0 loss to Tottenham the following week brought an end to Cooper’s time at the club.
Former Wolves boss Nuno Esperito Santo has now arrived and although he tasted defeat amid controversial circumstances in his first match in charge, Forest looked a brighter side in a 3-1 win away to Newcastle.
Although Forest may privately harbour aspirations bigger than just survival, Nuno’s remit will no doubt be to avoid the drop.
Dynamic forward Morgan Gibbs-White will be vital to achieving this aim, as will the goalscoring prowess of Kiwi striker Chris Wood.
Morgan Gibbs-White (left) is one star who is set to play a big role in keeping Forest up. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
SHEFFIELD UNITED (20th, -32 GD, 9 pts): E
Mid-season MVP: Gustavo Hamer
The Blades have lacked a cutting edge (sorry) up front, but they’ve also been sliced apart defensively. They’ve got the worst offensive and defensive record in the league by some distance. In fact, after 19 games, they hold the second-worst defensive record in Premier League history. Their 47 goals conceded is second only to Barnsley 1997-98 (50 conceded).
But to be fair, expectations were low this season, especially when they sold two key players in Iliman Ndiaye to Marseille and Sander Berge to rivals Burnley. At times they have been a shambles that feels more like a bunch of individuals than any sort of united team. They’ve lost two games 5-0 and another 8-0, sacked a manager and need a miracle to avoid relegation. It’s been a sorry season.
Hamer, a 15 million pound signing, has been a rare shining light. He struck an absolute screamer on his Premier League debut and has impressed with his workrate on and off the ball. He is creative and courageous – which sometimes results in gifting possession to the opposition too frequently – but he has the kind of intensity and drive to win that is infectious. At least, Sheffield fans will hope so, otherwise it will be straight back to the Championship for the Blades.
Sheffield United are favourites to be relegated. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
TOTTENHAM (5th, +11 GD, 36 pts): A
Mid-season MVP: Ange Postecoglou (we had to!)
From leading the league in October, to managing to find a way to score goals after losing arguably the club’s greatest-ever striker Harry Kane, and most importantly playing an attractive style of football, it’s been one hell of a start to the season for Spurs. They’ve faced a major injury crisis that’s about as bad as any team in the league, and took out two of their star signings (and most important players overall) James Maddison and Micky van de Ven.
At the same time, they’ve been struck down by suspensions – like Cristian Romero, who sums up their season with his two red cards followed by a big injury.
Sure, they had a poor November, but overall the first half of the season has been more than impressive.
They lost 14 games last season. At the mid-point of this season, they’ve lost five.
And if Postecoglou thought he had already undergone a brutal test with a casualty ward at capacity as well as constant suspensions, he’s got a nightmare scenario in the very near future.
He’s about to lose star midfield duo Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr to the African Cup of Nations as well as club captain Heung-Min Son to the Asian Cup.
But the Australian boss has never shied away from a challenge and he won’t be about to do so now.
Perspective is also needed when viewing Postecoglou’s achievements amid the brutal hand he has been dealt when it comes to the unavailability of several of his first team stars.
When he’s had everyone free to play, we’ve seen just how good this Tottenham team can be.
Postecoglou has enjoyed a true rollercoaster of a Premier League season and we’re only at the halfway mark. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
WEST HAM (6th, +3 GD, 33 pts): B
Mid-season MVP: Jarrod Bowen
Prior to the season, the big question surrounding West Ham was about how they would navigate life without talismanic midfielder and captain Declan Rice after his £105 million move to Arsenal.
Granted, a direct replacement of Rice’s quality was just about impossible.
But thanks to the summer additions of Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, Rice’s absence is not as keenly felt as first feared.
Hammers boss David Moyes also began the season as one manager tipped as a likely chance of getting sacked and, for a brief period this season, it looked like that could have eventuated.
A run of five defeats in seven games heaped pressure on the Scot, but in typical Moyes fashion, he managed to turn the ship around.
Since that run, West Ham have lost just once — a rogue 5-0 hammering at the hands of Fulham — and have won six of their last eight to rocket up from 12th place all the way to sixth.
Pivotal to this uptick in form is the dynamic trio of Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen.
Paqueta leads the league in the most through balls with 19, ahead of the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bruno Fernandes and Martin Odegaard, and has five assists to his name.
After a slow start, Kudus has found his feet in the Premier League and has four goals in his last six league games.
But it is Bowen who has been the real shining light of West Ham, with his 11 goals to date proving vital.
His pace and ability to stretch opposition backlines is crucial to the Hammers hitting teams in transition and, as it stands, should be considered a lock for England’s squad at EURO 2024.
Jarrod Bowen is in sensational form for West Ham this season. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
WOLVES (11th, -4 GD, 25 pts): C
Mid-season MVP: Matheus Cunha
When Julen Lopetegui resigned on August 8, many Wolves fans would have been forgiven if they feared the worst going into this season.
The relatively underwhelming appointment of Gary O’Neil — who was sacked by Bournemouth not long after the end of the 2022/23 season — did little to allay those fears.
Despite the initial fears, Wolves fans backed O’Neil to the hilt and that bond has strengthened over the course of this season.
The highs have been very high for Wolves so far, with home wins against the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City giving the Molineux faithful plenty to sing about.
But the one thing that has tightened the bond between Wolves fans and O’Neil is the fact the club has been on the wrong side of an alarming number of VAR calls.
It began in the first match of the season when Wolves were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty after Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic.
Wolves also had two penalty calls go against them in the 3-2 defeat to Fulham, with O’Neil even claiming referee Michael Salisbury told him he made a mistake in awarding one of the penalties.
It led O’Neil to state his team had lost seven points as a result of VAR’s ineptitude, but it also helped create a siege mentality amongst the entire club.
To an extent it’s paid off, with Wolves sitting 10 points clear of the relegation zone and only six points off seventh, the position which qualifies a team for the Europa Conference League.
Matheus Cunha, who joined on a permanent deal in the summer, is a big reason for Wolves’ improvement this season as are the goals from Hwang Hee-Chan.
Cunha’s four goals and five assists goes some way to explaining the attacking threat he provides for O’Neil’s team and will look to continue to be a nuisance for the opposition.
Ange Postecoglou admits “nothing magical” will happen in the January transfer window to help injury-hit Tottenham.
Postecoglou’s depleted side crashed to a 4-2 defeat at Brighton in the Premier League on Thursday.
Nine players were unavailable to the Tottenham boss and, after Sunday’s clash with Bournemouth, he will lose Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr and Son Heung-min for January due to the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup.
However, Postecoglou tried to quash assumptions he will herald the new year with a flurry of transfer activity.
“Nothing magical is going to happen in the January window,” Postecoglou said.
“What we need to do is just keep building. We’ve had one window with this team to change it around, to do things differently.
“The fact that we’re in the (fifth) position we are is a credit to the players. For all the challenges we’ve had, we just kept ploughing forward and that’s what we’ll do.
“We’ll see what we can do in January, but ultimately it’s about building a side that will get us to where we want to.”
Despite Postecoglou’s claims, The Telegraph reports the Australian has informed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy of the three positions in the team he needs strengthening in.
Unsurprisingly one of those is at centre back, a position Tottenham have been decimated in through injuries and suspensions at various intervals this season.
Additionally, Postecoglou is hoping for some help in central midfield as well as a winger.
Tottenham have been linked with a move for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, but the report claims the French club will look to hold onto him for the rest of the season.
Instead, The Telegraph reports Tottenham are eyeing up a move for Romanian centre back Radu Dragusin.
After spending last season on loan at Genoa, the 21-year-old made the permanent switch at the start of the 2023/24 campaign so he will not come cheap.
As for a new winger, Postecoglou appears likely to reunite with former Celtic winger Jota.
Jota moved from the Hoops to Saudi club Al-Ittihad in the summer but his move has not gone to plan and will be desperate for game time.
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is another name that could move to Tottenham in January amid the Blues’ need to balance the books to comply with FFP regulations.
However, The Telegraph claims Chelsea are unlikely to budge from their £50 million ($AUD93 million) valuation of Gallagher, a figure Tottenham are not keen to pay.
But that could change should defensive midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg depart Tottenham in January, with the Dane linked with a switch to Italian giants Juventus.
‘I AM BACK!’: Rocket sinks Ange’s men | 00:43
Tottenham’s long list of absentees means Postecoglou has used 27 players in all competitions this season.
As a result, their early title bid has taken a blow, with the north Londoners presently in fifth place, six points behind leaders Liverpool.
“We’re still at the beginning. Within that context, we want to compete. We’ve got ourselves in a position where we can compete. That’s what we need to keep pushing forward for,” Postecoglou said.
“For us to sustain and maintain that and be a team, it’s no secret we need a strong squad.” Hugo Lloris’ departure from Tottenham is set to be finalised shortly, with the French goalkeeper close to agreeing a move to Los Angeles FC on a free transfer.
“Obviously there’s stuff happening but I’ve been focused on the game. I’m sure we’ll hear something in the next couple of days,” Postecoglou said.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou bemoaned VAR’s decision to let Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk off with a yellow card after his horror challenge on Dejan Kulusevski.
With Brighton up 4-1 and into the final 10 minutes of regular time, Dunk flew into a tackle on Tottenham’s Swedish star.
Despite winning the ball, Dunk’s studs went into Kulusevski’s ankle and the challenge left the Tottenham star writhing in pain.
Thankfully for Postecoglou, Kulusevski was able to return to the field after receiving medical treatment.
Although Kulusevski was relatively unharmed by Dunk’s bruising challenge — which also forced him out of Brighton’s next match due to suspension — Postecoglou was left fuming at VAR’s inactivity.
When asked about VAR’s decision to award a penalty in the first half thanks to Kulusevski’s shirt-pull on Danny Welbeck, Postecoglou took aim at the time it took to give a penalty with a tongue-in-cheek response.
And he most certainly didn’t forget about Dunk’s tackle, either.
“It (Kulusevski’s foul on Welbeck) was obviously clear and obvious because it only took him (referee Jarred Gillett) three minutes to see it on the screen and VAR picked up everything today except the one tackle which nearly cost me another player,” Postecoglou said in his post-match press conference.
Had Kulusevski come off worse for wear, it would have robbed Postecoglou of yet another star player in an already-thin squad.
The Australian boss was once again forced to field a defensive backline comprised of four natural fullbacks after star centre back Cristian Romero suffered a hamstring strain.
Postecoglou expects Romero to miss “probably four or five weeks”, adding to Tottenham’s well-documented injury woes across the squad.
With Romero out injured, it leaves Postecoglou without yet another first-team figure as Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Ryan Sessegnon, Ivan Perisic and Rodrigo Bentancur all remain sidelined through injury while Yves Bissouma is suspended after his red card against Nottingham Forest.
Although the likes of Van de Ven and Maddison could return in January, it’s unlikely to stop Postecoglou from seeking out reinforcements in the transfer window to add to his threadbare squad.
Manchester City were thwarted by Cole Palmer’s 95th minute penalty as Chelsea salvaged a 4-4 draw from an incredible clash on Monday (AEDT), while Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool up to second in the Premier League.
A share of the spoils at Stamford Bridge leaves City one point ahead of Liverpool, who beat Brentford 3-0, and Arsenal at the top of the table.
Palmer came back to haunt his former club as City three times let the lead slip against the Blues.
Pep Guardiola’s men went in front in controversial fashion as Erling Haaland slotted home a penalty after he had been pulled down by Marc Cucurella as the two jostled for position at the back post.
But Chelsea have often saved their best in Mauricio Pochettino’s early months in charge for the toughest opposition.
Thiago Silva powered home from a corner to equalise before Reece James pounced on an error from Josko Gvardiol to set up Raheem Sterling to net against his former club.
Chelsea’s lead did not last until the break as Manuel Akanji was afforded acres of space to head in Bernardo Silva’s cross.
City were back in front less than two minutes into the second period as Haaland slid in to meet Julian Alvarez’s cross for his 17th goal in 18 games this season.
The Blues responded once more as Nicolas Jackson snapped up a gift from Ederson after the Brazilian goalkeeper parried Conor Gallagher’s shot back into the danger zone.
Rodri’s deflected effort on 86 minutes looked to have finally settled the game in the visitors’ favour.
Manchester City desperately tried to plead their case after giving away a last-minute penalty. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)Source: AFP
But Ruben Dias was penalised for diving in on Armando Broja in added time and Palmer, who joined Chelsea from City in August for £45 million ($AUD 86 million) showed no sign of nerves as he hammered home the spot-kick.
A point edges Chelsea back into the top half, but Pochettino’s men are still 10 points off the top four.
City face Liverpool in their next match after a two-week international break and the Reds made sure that is a top-of-the-table clash by maintaining their perfect record at Anfield this season.
Salah became the first player ever to score in each of Liverpool’s first six home league games of a season when he slotted into the far corner to open the floodgates on 39 minutes.
“In that moment, the composure for the first goal is insane,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
“There is no doubt when the ball is in that area, in the end you see it on the scoresheet. A pretty special player.”
Salah was then left unmarked to head in Kostas Tsimikas’ cross to the back post on the hour mark for his 12th goal of the season.
Diogo Jota fired in the third 16 minutes from time as Liverpool made it nine wins and 27 goals from nine games at Anfield in all competitions this season.
Aston Villa are also unstoppable on home soil of late as Unai Emery’s men beat Fulham 3-1 for a 13th consecutive win at Villa Park in the Premier League.
Antonee Robinson’s own goal opened the scoring before John McGinn and Ollie Watkins were on target as Villa climbed up to fifth and within a point of the top four.
Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool maintain their perfect record at Anfield this season. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)Source: AFP
West Ham snapped their streak of three consecutive Premier League defeats with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Tomas Soucek headed home a late winner for the Hammers to ease any rising pressure on David Moyes.
Brighton may have enjoyed famous back-to-back victories over Ajax in the Europa League, but the Seagulls struggles domestically go on after Sheffield United snatched a 1-1 draw from the Amex.
Simon Adingra put Brighton in front, but they were forced to see out the final 20 minutes with 10 men when Mahmoud Dahoud was sent-off and the Blades took advantage to level through Adam Webster’s own goal.
Dahoud’s red card sparked an absurd rant from Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, who aired a brutal take on how he views referees.
“I am honest and clear … I don’t like 80 per cent of English referees,” De Zerbi said.
“That isn’t a new opinion. I don’t like them. I don’t like their behaviour on the pitch.
“England is the only country where when there is VAR, you are not sure that the decision is right. In other countries, you have to be sure 100 per cent that the decision taken is right.
“In England, no, and I am not able to understand.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola sunk to a 13-year low in a worrying sign for his team going forward, while Liverpool’s slow starts are starting to catch up with them.
Elsewhere, Manchester United could be digging up the receipt for an $84 million summer signing as a 21-year-old Chelsea recruit is helping change his team’s fortunes.
Catch up on the weekend that was in the latest edition of Premier League Talking Points!
As Erling Haaland and his Manchester City teammates squabbled with a member of Arsenal’s security team after the final whistle in their damaging 1-0 defeat on Sunday, it was tempting to suggest that was the most fight shown by the champions all afternoon.
Toothless City mustered just four shots, which ranked as the fewest a Pep Guardiola side had managed in a top-flight game since Barcelona had the same tally against Espanyol 13 years ago.
City’s second successive league defeat — the first time they have suffered that indignity since December 2018 — won’t necessarily be fatal to their bid for a fourth successive title.
But Arsenal undoubtedly exposed a few chinks in the treble winners’ armour, not least the lack of contribution from Haaland, as they moved two points above City.
Haaland started the season with a flurry of seven goals in five league games, but since then the striker has scored just once in his last five appearances in all competitions, including three in a row without a goal.
He barely had a significant touch in the Arsenal penalty area as Gunners centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel subdued him in a manner that might give Guardiola a few sleepless nights as he ponders City’s slump during the international break.
Gunners claim crucial win over City | 01:10
$84M SIGNING STRUGGLES AGAIN AS VICTORY PAPERS OVER CRACKS
United were hurtling towards a third embarrassing home defeat in eight days until McTominay proved an unlikely hero despite not setting foot on the field until the 87th minute.
Erik ten Hag hailed the academy graduate as “the heart” of a club that continues to lurch from crisis to crisis.
Ten Hag was keen to suggest a dramatic victory could prove a turning point in a troubled season.
But many of the same old failings were on show against a Brentford side that have not won since August.
Andre Onana made another goalkeeping error for the Bees’ goal and United were largely toothless in attack in their search for an equaliser.
Indeed without the help of Brentford stopper Thomas Strakosha on his Premier League debut for both goals, United would have fallen to a seventh defeat in 10 games.
Despite the win, the spotlight burns bright and remains fixated on Onana.
“Onana continues to plumb new depths, his abysmal attempt to keep out Mathias Jensen’s shot arguably worse than a similar blunder against Bayern Munich, and it has already reached the stage where a period out of the team might not do Ten Hag’s $84 million summer signing any harm,” Ducker wrote.
“His confidence is on the floor, he is breeding panic and, according to Opta’s xG metrics, he has conceded almost two league goals more than would be expected given the quality of shots on target he has faced, the second worst record in the top flight this term.”
With the international break, Onana and United will have a much-needed break from the pressures of the Premier League.
But don’t expect either to escape the firing line of criticism once the international break is over.
McTominay stoppage-time brace saves Utd! | 01:13
ALARMING LIVERPOOL TREND THEY SIMPLY CAN’T SUSTAIN
Granted, Liverpool’s frustration at how they lost to Tottenham was extremely valid given the VAR error that cost them a goal.
But against Brighton, the Reds only had themselves to blame for the opening goal.
Towering centre-back Virgil van Dijk played the ball to Alexis Mac Allister, but the Argentine was caught napping as Brighton’s Simon Adingra pounced on the ball and fired past Alisson from range for the opener.
Adingra’s goal made it the seventh time in their 11 games across all competitions Liverpool had conceded the opening goal.
Talismanic winger Mohamed Salah managed to turn the game around with a double, but Brighton came bagged a 78th minute equaliser through Lewis Dunk and were unlucky not to have had a penalty themselves for a Van Dijk handball.
Although Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has found himself and his team somewhat re-energised with a slew of summer signings, the fact they concede first on so many occasions is worrying.
Surprisingly, they’ve only lost just once in the Premier League this season but to keep coming back after conceding the first goal is simply unsustainable for a full season.
Whether Liverpool have enough to challenge for the title with what they have at the minute is one question, but if they continue to start slowly, they can kiss their chances of winning the league goodbye.
Salah brace not enough for Reds victory | 00:46
MALIGNED SUMMER SIGNING SPARKS BLUES’ TURNAROUND
It’s far too early to start claiming Chelsea are back but with two league wins on the trot, the mood is slowly lifting at Stamford Bridge.
Central to the turnaround in form is Cole Palmer, who joined from Manchester City in a fee slightly north of the £40 million Tottenham forked out for England international James Maddison.
Although many poked fun at how much Chelsea paid City for Palmer, the youngster is showing glimpses of exactly why the Blues wanted him so badly.
Starting as a right winger against Burnley, Palmer drifted from his side of the field into dangerous central zones and constantly played in Raheem Sterling behind Burnley’s backline.
Not only that, but he displayed a calmness on the ball rarely seen by a Chelsea player in recent years as he took his time on the ball to pick out the ideal pass.
Given Palmer’s electric display, some early critics might be forced to eat their hats if he maintains this form in the coming months.
“To some within English football’s transfer industry, Chelsea were the joke of deadline day and Palmer was the punchline,” The Athletic’s Liam Twomey wrote.
“Those gut reactions look more misguided with every performance like this one, and it is very hard for Pochettino picking a Premier League starting XI that does not include him as long as current form and fitness levels hold.”
A clash against Arsenal awaits Chelsea once the Premier League resumes after the international break in what will be a true marker of how much Pochettino’s side have improved.
Expect Palmer to have a big say in how that match transpires.
Cole Palmer has sparked Chelsea back into life. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
IS IT TIME FOR SPURS TO START DREAMING?
Eight games into their first league campaign under Ange Postecoglou and having sold Harry Kane, there are precious few Tottenham fans who would have believed they would sit top of the table heading into October’s international break.
Not for the first time since Postecoglou took charge, Spurs were forced to go the hard way round getting three points at Luton.
Yves Bissouma’s dive that brought a second yellow card left his side down to 10 men for the entirety of the second-half.
Yet, they still found a winner through Micky Van de Ven and showed a steel to see out an aerial bombardment that would have undone many more talented Tottenham sides of the past.
Postecoglou has already installed a winning mentality that has seen him lift league titles in Australia, Japan and Scotland in his coaching career.
Doing so at Spurs would dwarf any of those achievements, but with no European football to drain their energy, Tottenham are entitled to start dreaming about what could be possible.
