1
Quansar was very confident in a high-stakes gamble.
This was an incredible performance from Liverpool, and the quality and consistency of the players' decision-making was exceptional, except perhaps in front of goal. It's almost insulting to the group to single out individuals for their accomplishments, and when Jarrell Quansah told Sky after the match: “We didn't have a perfect game, but we're trying to have a good game.” , I certainly wasn't looking for anything. He made one glaring mistake. He passed the ball to Julián Álvarez in the 57th minute and almost scored, but from that moment on he was surprisingly confident. There are a few highlights. He controlled Erling Haaland's run in the 35th minute, and in the 80th minute danced some difficult moves before firing a low shot that deflected away with his palm. It shows his calmness and courage. Quansah has made 24 appearances this season, enough to feel part of the group, but prior to this game his only Premier League starts were against Luton, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Wolves. That he produced such a solid performance in such an important game is a testament to his character and another testament to Jurgen Klopp's almost unparalleled man-management. simon burnton
2
Guardiola deals with De Bruyne's fury
Asked after the game about Kevin De Bruyne's dissatisfaction with being substituted, Pep Guardiola said: “It's good that he's upset…I want him to know how wrong I was in the next game. We'll have a chance to prove it.” Last May, after De Bruyne repeatedly told him to “shut up” during the Champions League semi-final between Manchester City and Real Madrid, Guardiola spoke of how much he enjoyed the Belgian's challenge. “We just love screaming at each other,” he said. “I like this energy. It's not the first time – I may not have seen it, but he shouted at me during training. Then he becomes the strongest.” Such frustration in football Expressions of are often considered a sign of disrespect and are quickly and decisively policed by the head coach. But for Guardiola to sit next to a senior player during a match and treat his opinion with respect seems like a much more adult response, and another example of his own almost unparalleled management of people. It's also a demonstration. S.B.
3
Madison is getting back on track.
For Ange Postecoglou, there were many positive takeaways from Tottenham's second-half analysis of Aston Villa, but one of the biggest takeaways was undoubtedly James Maddison's run into the six-yard box to open the scoring. This is probably a sight that evokes. It wasn't because it was a spectacular goal, following a superb cross from Pepe Sarr, but because it showed a desire to get into the box and finish with a brilliant finish. Maddison missed almost three months of the season with an ankle injury and only returned to Spurs at the end of January, but he is now nearing his best form, which bodes well for both club and country. “We've got some guys like that who are getting their rhythm back,” Postecoglou said after the win. This means Spurs' hopes of returning to the Champions League are in their hands. ben fisher
Four
Frank has to stop the slide
Brentford, on the other hand, are in a hopeless situation, having lost 11 of their last 14 league games. When fans started booing Thomas Frank during last week's 2-2 draw with Chelsea, the outsider sensation seemed surprising. Frank has achieved great things for the club, but no fan base has infinite patience. On the other hand, this conceded goal coincided with a series of injuries to key players, and even if Ivan Toni's return from suspension didn't fully spark a comeback, it was at least partially due to the nature of the game. . He returned in the win over Nottingham Forest, with Brentford playing against Manchester City twice, as well as Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal. Both teams lost, but only Liverpool had a comfortable victory. Performance has improved. The question with the remaining 10 games of the season is whether there is enough confidence left to start producing results again as the fixture list gets a bit kinder. Jonathan Wilson
Five
Everton waste a great chance
On the loop: Sean Dyche looks frustrated on the touchline at Old Trafford as Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Beto and Amadou Onana miss another brilliant chance to hurt Manchester United. Run away. These were before and after Bruno Fernandes' opening penalty and Marcus Rashford's subsequent spot-kick. The Everton manager was in admirable spirits, speaking to the media about how his team could have won and how they should have won had they finished. Of course, it could and should mean zero. Because, as Dyche said, the statistic that really matters is the final scoreline. Everton have 25 points and he is four places above the drop zone so they have to survive, but they have to make sure they survive. Taking chances will help. jamie jackson
6
Woodrow embodies the spirit of the underdog.
When it comes to Luton fairy tales, it's hard to beat Cory Woodrow's story. The hero of Saturday's draw against Crystal Palace has only scored once in the Premier League – against the same opponents in May 2014, when he was still a teenager, against Fulham and England. He made a name for himself in the youth team. However, the 29-year-old returned to the club where he started his career in 2022 and was given a chance in the absence of top scorer Elijah Adebayo, helping his team end a five-game losing streak with a dramatic late goal. did. . “That's typical of us. There's a lot of stories like that at Luton Town,” said manager Rob Edwards, adding that Ross Barkley suffered a suspected nose fracture in the first half despite being forced into action at Selhurst Park. He revealed that he played in “Corey is a great player and has had a difficult start this season with injuries, but he always gives his all. We have to be a collective. If we want to achieve anything, we have to do it together. It won’t.” Ed Aarons
7
Wolves continue hunting towards Europe
Did anyone name Gary O'Neill as a legitimate candidate for Manager of the Season back in August? Please be honest now. After the win against Fulham, Wolves equaled last season's overall points tally with 10 games remaining. This is a testament to how much O'Neill has improved the team he inherited from Julen Lopetegui. After a shaky first half against Fulham, they showed their attacking instincts and went from being the lowest scoring team in the league last season to being one of the highest scoring teams. The most dangerous team outside of the top six this season. O'Neill, who are two points behind seventh-placed West Ham, could realistically aim to climb further up the table and secure a place in club European football for the first time since 2020. Will McGee
8
Fatih has not yet responded to the charges.
When Brighton announced the loan move of Ansu Fati from Barcelona, supporters were giddy with excitement. The Seagulls usually avoid temporary signings, but Fati was deemed worthy of an exception despite his injury problems. But Fati's performance against Nottingham Forest in heavy rain on Sunday was similarly damp. Indeed, the decisive goal of the match came from a free kick that he won. But overall he lacked brilliance. If the season were to stop tomorrow, his mission on the south coast would be seen as a failure. But Fati still has time to turn things around. And with Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March sidelined for the rest of the season, and top scorer Joao Pedro still on the sidelines, now is the perfect time for Fati to shine. Sam Dalling
9
Moyes lacks balance in midfield
West Ham are not that safe without Declan Rice in midfield. Rice bulldozed his team and screened the back four beautifully. He was so irreplaceable that West Ham signed three players to replace him, but none of them have been very effective yet. But David Moyes can't look past the past. He has to find the right balance. His favorite center trio of Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse is working. Alvarez isn't dynamic, Soucek isn't a passer, and Ward-Prowse doesn't contribute much in open play. However, Kalvin Phillips, on loan from Manchester City, was unable to find a solution against Burnley. Phillips and Ward-Prowse were substituted at half-time, making West Ham more dangerous with Lucas Paqueta in the middle, Michail Antonio up front and Jarrod Bowen back on the right. jacob steinberg
Ten
Sheffield United struggle with set pieces
Many expected Sheffield United's strength this season would be corner kicks and free kicks, as they scored 22 set-piece goals last season and boast a strong back three. The opposite proved to be true. Jack Robinson scored from a corner kick against Bournemouth, but it was only his third set-piece goal of the season for the Blades, who have consistently struggled to defend dead-ball situations at the other end. United would have left the south coast with a decisive victory had they not conceded two more goals from corners – Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara dived unopposed at the near post and United Enes Unal snatched a point for the home side in stoppage time after failing to clear the line. Chris Wilder will know he must address this vulnerability if his team is to have any chance of avoiding elimination. W.M.
