1
Foden and Rodri cheer up rampaging City
Manchester City is inevitable. It was that quality that gave Manchester United such a scare in a derby that looked like it would be nothing more than a victory for the champions. That included the 48 minutes when United took the lead. Even as Erling Haaland made the biggest mistake in Premier League history, Liverpool and Arsenal could only watch in vain hope. City remained calm. United's recent humbling derby was a reminder that there is more to Pep Guardiola's team than the partnership of Kevin De Bruyne and Haaland. For 23-year-old winner Phil Foden, it may feel like there are no worlds left to conquer. And with the same safety-catch service that Sergio Busquets provided to Guardiola's Barcelona team, Rodri remained switched on at the death to snatch Sofian Amrabat and give Haaland the winning goal. . United players left the field exhausted from trying to coexist with the untouchables. John Brewin
2
Rashford fades after lightning strike
Erik ten Hag insisted the derby defeat may not have gone the team's way, lamenting the “narrow margin”. His comment that his team's defense was “excellent” may also raise some eyebrows. Ten Hag's confidence has been further damaged by 11 defeats in the Premier League. Perhaps one day a United team might pitch at the Etihad, Emirates or Anfield rather than just defend deep. That seems a long way off. In keeping with his heartfelt contribution to The Players' Tribune, Marcus Rashford, who was reportedly playing through injury and was isolated up front, showed off his best and more frustrating side. His first-half goal was a lightning strike from a player who often takes center stage in derbies. Then, in the second half, after struggling as an outball against United's heavy defense, he lost out to Kyle Walker's superior speed and strength and had the unfortunate role of scoring City's equaliser. JB
3
Clattenburg at the center of the storm
Perhaps Mark Clattenburg, who was hired by Nottingham Forest as a referee analyst, is trying to make some money, but it remains to be seen where it will go, and in any case, what happened at the City Ground on Saturday means that A few lines were added to his timesheet. Former Premier League referee Clattenburg has been prevented from entering the match officials' changing room – a haven for former colleagues after Liverpool's controversial 99th minute win – after the final whistle. The figure helps us think deeply about his seemingly limited authority. His main task in the immediate aftermath was to ease the pain of the club's owner, Evangelos Marinakis. A surreal sight as Clattenburg, who is also the pantomime villain referee in the rebooted Tea Time TV show Gladiators, takes court in the mixed zone. This is usually an area where elite athletes can make their case to the media after a match for a small fee, and is available upon request. , the question arose: What exactly does Forrest think he can gain with his help? ben fisher
Four
Ferguson's Second Season Syndrome
Evan Ferguson is a great prospect, physically gifted, gifted with sensitivity, imagination and composure. But while it is often said that young players are given their first season for free and can take advantage of opponents who are unfamiliar with their style, Ferguson is currently experiencing that slump, appearing in 25 games last season. He previously scored 10 goals, but that has dropped to six goals in 32 games so far this season. He hasn't scored a goal since November. It's too good for him to get back on track, but he's lost confidence and is in desperate need of rest. So the question for Roberto De Zerbi is whether that break amounts to rest, whether Ferguson has been removed from the team for his own benefit, or whether something is going his way. Is this the only solution that can be obtained if the player continues to play? However, Brighton have struggled in the meantime, following a home draw with Everton, an FA Cup exit at Wolves and a decisive defeat at Fulham. This means that whatever De Zerbi does, he needs to bring his young striker back to life as a matter of urgency. Daniel Harris
Five
Watkins Kenilworth know-how
Ollie Watkins knew what to expect when he first played at Kenilworth Road in 2016 as a young winger for Exeter City. But it still took substitute Lucas Digne to seal Aston Villa's vital victory after Watkins' two first-half goals were canceled out by a resurgent Luton. The 28-year-old, who played four times against Luton in League Two and then again against Brentford in the Championship, has scored 16 goals in the Premier League this season and is set to be included in England's Euro 2024 squad. There is. “It's a great story and I feel like I'm pinching myself all the time, but I just enjoy it,” Watkins said. “I'm confident so I try not to think too much about missed opportunities. Moving on. My mind is completely focused on the next move and I believe in my abilities. Now I'm in the Premier League. It’s settled in. I’m right next to the top scorers and I’m really enjoying my football.” Ed Aarons
6
Chelsea fans reveal their feelings
With Mauricio Pochettino and Todd Boley bearing the brunt of the game against Brentford, a banner held up by two young Chelsea fans read: “We don't need your kit. We want you to fight for ours.” It was dark. Their players aren't that popular either. Djordje Petrovic said: “I haven't heard it so I can't comment.'' The goalkeeper had the excuse of being on the other side of a discontented Chelsea side. “We all believe in the coach and we all support him,” the Serbian continued, but this answer may not pass the sniff test. Nicholas Jackson had a great header, but he also made mistakes and lost control of the ball once in the first half, which could have hurt Hackney Marshes. “That's not enough, because I miss so much,” Jackson said with surprising honesty. While Pochettino had to shoulder the brickbat, Bailey spent the weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix. JB
After newsletter promotion
7
West Ham can enjoy Europe to the fullest
It was fitting that Goodison Park showed the difference between David Moyes, as they went through a frantic repertoire of 'sign on' and 'sit down if you're unemployed', but the point of view is probably West Ham fans' Now, it wasn't what I was best at. Moyes' old club are under threat of a third successive relegation battle and a second point deduction, but his current employers are ahead of last year's for the third year in a row as their dreadful football comes to a head. They have earned the points and are looking ahead to the final stages of the European competition. Lucas Paqueta's return to fitness alongside Jarrod Bowen and Mohamed Kudus promises another season ahead. Thursday's Europa League last-16 trip to Freiburg brings even more promise. Coach Moyes said: “I hope we can start to take advantage of the fact that we have a little more experience in Europe. In the first season we weren't confident and I thought we lost in the semi-finals because of a bit of naivety and the way the game was played and the refereeing. I think we learned from that and the money the club made from doing well in Europe must have been huge for them.” andy hunter
8
O'Neill is wrong about Newcastle
The war of words began after brilliant counter-attacking goals from Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Tino Libramento gave Newcastle a 3-0 home victory over Wolves. Visiting manager Gary O'Neill insisted his team's dominance was due to the team's “quality” and that the defeat was due to “bad mistakes”, but manager Eddie Howe maintained Newcastle's first clean sheet and secured a goal in 2024. All of their home wins in 2018 were due to 'tactics'. Few locals will object. Instead of the gung-ho high press that has led to too many goals conceded in recent weeks, Newcastle are playing it safe. First, they have regressed to containment and counter mode. Right-back Kieran Trippier rarely crosses the halfway line, and left-back Dan Byrne, who has recently become vulnerable, is well protected by Joe Willock. This allowed Fabian Schar to produce three goals from central defense and show off his excellent distribution skills. O'Neill continued to insist that Howe would choreograph the team in one direction, but this time for the first time it was largely was wrong. Louise Taylor
9
Eze performs well at the right time.
Eberechi Eze played just 65 minutes after returning from a hamstring injury, but still made a huge impact. His pop-up resulted in a free kick, from which he scored. Palace sat deep and tried to contain Spurs, but his every touch felt like a potential threat. If he regains fitness after a stop-start season, he could be just in time to secure a place in England's squad for the Euros. England will probably bring four or five wide forwards to Germany. Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden are certain to feature, but with Jack Grealish struggling for form and fitness and Marcus Rashford in poor form, other spots are also being targeted. Anthony Gordon is also an obvious candidate, but Eze is yet to be called up to the first team, although he was selected to play against Malta and North Macedonia in June. Oliver Glasner said: “All of England knows that Ebbs is a great player who can decide games.'' Jonathan Wilson
Ten
Berger shows top-level quality
This is Sander Berge's second full season in the Premier League, and the Norwegian has shown that he is more than capable at this level, given that, like his first season, it will almost certainly end in relegation. . First he was relegated at Sheffield United, with Burnley set to follow the same path, but he appears to be the most likely of the Clarets players to move away from the Championship. He has the physicality, intelligence and ball quality to make a difference at this level, but that is often difficult to show on a struggling team. Against Bournemouth, he often broke up play to push Burnley forward and helped create opportunities. But Vincent Kompany's attackers are straightforward when it matters most. Berge won promotion with Sheffield United last season and will no doubt be hoping for another chance in the Premier League sooner rather than later. I can't win
