1
Etihad draw leaves title in doubt
In their last two league matches, Manchester City have faced two title rivals, achieving the same result with vastly different styles. Unless Arsenal and City meet in the Champions League semi-finals (not a very appealing prospect at the moment), the next match between any of the current top three teams is scheduled to be between Liverpool and Arsenal. It will be held in Philadelphia on July 31st. To play a friendly match. As such, the title will be decided by the results against the rest of the division, and the good news for fans who like fair fights is that the results of the opponents will be taken into account and the deducted points will be added up, making the matches surprisingly It's about being balanced. The current average position of teams playing against City is exactly 10, Arsenal also have 10 and Liverpool have 10.33. Everyone has their reasons for feeling like this is their year. Arsenal have the advantage of playing one more home game and one less away game. City have the advantage of being able to play the more difficult games at home, exactly where they want to be. Liverpool start with a two-goal lead. simon burnton
2
Welbeck should go elsewhere
Danny Welbeck's contract with Brighton expires in the summer and the striker could be considering where he will start next season. The 33-year-old scored a stunning opener against Liverpool on Sunday and tormented defenders for 90 minutes while Brighton played on the break. His colleague was impressive, often joining his 10 teammates in the defensive third to slow Liverpool's moves as much as possible. Welbeck will likely only start due to Joao Pedro's injury, while Evan Ferguson, who has not scored in the last 22 games, was on the bench. Considering the competition to be at the front is more youthful, Welbeck may need to leave the Amex to earn more regular minutes. If a new contract is not on the horizon, or Welbeck thinks it's time to leave, there will be plenty of offers for the smart striker who continues to prove he's got plenty of football and goal-scoring talent. right. I can't win
3
Onana stands out amid United's lethargy
Manchester United didn't have much to celebrate at Brentford on Saturday, but amidst the general turmoil, Erik ten Hag's big change is starting to have a positive impact. When United lost 4-0 to Brentford last season, one of the reasons was that David de Gea struggled to play out from the back. Andre Onana was brought on to solve that problem, but he had a nightmare start to life at Old Trafford and regularly looked like he was failing one-on-one. He may not yet be the calm beacon of authority that many want in a goalkeeper, and may not be United's goalkeeper long term, but he is no longer a clear-cut man who needs an immediate solution. is not a problem. The double saves from Yehor Yarmoljuk and Kean Lewis-Potter were exceptional, the decision-making on crosses has improved significantly compared to the early weeks of the Premier League, and Ten Hag is overall 'excellent'. praised the performance. Jonathan Wilson
Four
Hammers central figure Phillips collapses
Things went from bad to worse for David Moyes' West Ham against Newcastle after replacing Michail Antonio with Kalvin Phillips. First, the midfielder conceded a penalty, which was cleverly converted by Anthony Gordon and converted by Alexander Isak. Newcastle substitute Harvey Barnes then dropped his shoulder past Phillips for Barnes' second goal, the winner in the 90th minute. It was further proof that it was not Phillips' day as the Manchester City loanee boarded the bus taking West Ham to Newcastle Airport. Heckled fans gathered outside the venue, and when one fan called Phillips “worthless,” he gave him the middle finger in retaliation. Don't let such controversy overshadow the excellent performances of Isaac, Barnes and, despite being sent off in the 95th minute, Gordon, as well as West Ham's Antonio, Mohamed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen. If not, Phillips will surely regret leaving Leeds. Louise Taylor
Five
Blaze finally got half the answer right.
In the previous four games played at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United went into half-time trailing 2-0, 4-0, 2-0 and 5-0. This was clearly a trend that needed to be broken, given that they have only recovered from a half-time deficit once this season to avoid defeat, against Brighton in November. On Saturday, they went goalless in the first half at Sheffield United for the first time since December. “Everyone's opinion was… we were out of the game in 25 minutes, so we had to do something about it,” said Wilder. “We needed to come up with a game plan to get a foothold in the game and strengthen our belief. I think we did that…” The logic is sound. The first half was not good, so the second should definitely decide the game. Bad news: They're even worse at those things. simon burnton
Burnley's Vincent Kompany's number two Craig Bellamy believes the future is bright. Burnley are the youngest team in the Premier League and are still likely to be eliminated, but they fought hard against Chelsea down to 10 men and deserved a 2-2 draw. “It was tough coming into this league,” Bellamy said. “We are the youngest team and Chelsea are the second youngest team, but in this league you get better as time goes on,” Bellamy said, reflecting on his career and joining Coventry City in 2001. Ta. He slumped in form and was released, but his rise has skyrocketed since his move to Newcastle. “I was a 'waste of money',” the Welshman said. “The following year I was named PFA Young Player of the Year and qualified for the Champions League. It was just a belief. This league can knock you down – you learn and grow, And I feel like the players are definitely putting that into practice.” jacob steinberg
7
Daish turns to psychology
Sean Dyche looked calm after Seamus Coleman's last-minute tirade handed Bournemouth victory and extended Everton's winning streak to a club-record 12 games in the top flight. His attitude was not just a media front, he suggested. [the players] Because that's wrong. I feel even worse because it was a mistake at the end of the game and we are in a difficult situation. ” Dyche has extensive experience in relegation battles, winning some and losing others. He knows when to use carrots and sticks and now believes his words are more important than his actions. “Everyone thinks [management] It’s about the 4-3-3 and all that,” he said. “Believe me, the game has fundamentally changed. Part of your role now is that of a soft psychologist. I'm not a trained psychologist, but you've been doing this work for years. So I'm a kind of psychologist. I've been involved in football all my life.” ben bloom
8
Villa looking for depth in team
Aston Villa may have to sell big this summer after posting a £119.6m loss in their accounts for the 2022-23 season, but their succession plans are far behind most of their midlands rivals. Looks much healthier than that. Wolves, who had to add seven academy players to their match-day squad due to five injuries up front, cut the Premier League's allowance by releasing £150m worth of talent last summer. I just passed through the wall. Nottingham Forest were now four points behind. Leicester City are also subject to punishment. Clubs are allowed to lose up to £105m over three years, but the depth of the squad remains strong, even if Villa's claims that the latest figures are “in line with their strategic business plan” are questionable. suggests there is no need to panic. Even if Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey were sold for £50m, players like Morgan Rodgers, who was signed from Middlesbrough in January for £8m in earnest, would emerge. pete lansley
9
Wharton, the newest palace jewel
Crystal Palace's lauded recruitment department has unearthed another gem in 19-year-old Adam Wharton, signed from Blackburn for £18.5m in January. If Eberechi Eze was the standout player at the City Ground, his runs were a perfect fit for Wharton. His vision and the lightness of his left-footed passes were spot on time and time again. Following in the footsteps of Eze and Michael Oliseh, Wharton is the latest palace diamond to be mined from the EFL, which is loaded with talent if you look in the right places. Colombian defender Daniel Muñoz, who was also signed in January, also performed well for Forest. It's no wonder that former Palace striker turned manager turned Eagles sporting director Dougie Freedman is one of the most respected members of football's growing number of front office executives. That Palace is known as a talent factory is a tribute to the department led by Friedman. Wharton was capped by England Under-21s last week, the latest evidence. John Brewin
After coming so close to winning the points, injured Luton must somehow muster themselves up for another big effort against Arsenal on Wednesday. Rob Edwards estimated there were only 10 healthy outfield players left due to injuries to Reece Burke, Alfie Doughty and goalscorer Tahith Chong. Luton's manager must come up with a way to solve their defensive crisis, but the former Manchester United player produced another excellent performance, scoring three goals in March despite coming within three defeats. As a result, Chong will be keen to feature against Arsenal. “I'm really happy for him,” Edwards said. “He's growing in confidence and gaining influence. We knew his potential when we signed him, and he's starting to realize that now. He still has a lot of room to grow and that's exciting for him.” Ed Aarons
