Premier League
English Premier League talking points
Talking points from the English Premier League weekend:
Feel-good factor sweeping Arsenal
Even in the latter years of Arsene Wenger’s long and illustrious reign as Arsenal manager, the atmosphere at The Emirates could often be toxic among the divided home fans.
The same can be said when Unai Emery replaced him and there have been a sizeable minority who have wondered whether Mikel Arteta was the right man to lead Arsenal forward.
But after their best start to a Premier League season since 2004-5, with four straight wins, the feel-good factor has swept the stadium and there is a growing belief in Arteta’s project.
Even when Gabriel made a dreadful mistake to hand Fulham an opener on Saturday (Aug 27), the fans remained very much on board and they roared their side to a 2-1 victory.
There is a long way to go but suddenly the red half of north London has its pride back and the season looks full of promise.
United need focal point in attack
Cristiano Ronaldo’s rich haul in front of goal was among the few bright spots for Manchester United last season but with the Portuguese unable to break into the starting line-up under Erik ten Hag, the team are in dire need of a traditional striker.
Ten Hag employed Marcus Rashford up front in the win at Southampton but he proved ineffective, often drifting wide or dropping deep. The injured Anthony Martial can also operate as a striker but the Frenchman has had limited success in the role.
United often took a direct approach in attack against Southampton but failed to break down their opponents more than once due to the lack of a natural goal scorer, a problem ten Hag will be keen to fix before the transfer window closes next week.
Firmino underlines value to Liverpool
Roberto Firmino has sometimes been overshadowed at Liverpool by Mohamed Salah and their former forward Sadio Mane but on Saturday he showed just how valuable he is after helping to kick-start his side’s season with a vintage showing in a record-equalling 9-0 rout of Bournemouth.
The tireless Brazilian was unstoppable in the first half, creating three assists and then scoring himself – all inside the opening 31 minutes at Anfield.
He scored again in the second half as he showed just why manager Jurgen Klopp holds him in such high esteem and last month called him “the heart and soul of this team”.
Impressive Brighton enjoying purple patch
Brighton & Hove Albion beat Leeds United 1-0 to make it 10 points from a possible 12 in a brilliant start to the campaign and their defensive discipline has been the envy of some of their more illustrious rivals in the competition.
Graham Potter’s side, who are emerging as early contenders for a top-six push, currently boast the best record in the top division, having conceded just once, an own goal by Alexis Mac Allister in their impressive win over Manchester United.
In Pascal Gross they have an experienced figure at the other end of the pitch and the German midfielder scored his third goal of the season to secure the win over Leeds and extend his team’s unbeaten run in the top flight to a club-record nine games.
Gerrard needs to stem Villa’s decline
Aston Villa have won just once in their last eight Premier League games and Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat by West Ham provoked boos around Villa Park as the slump continued.
Steven Gerrard’s honeymoon period is over and the former England skipper is badly in need of some positive results to deflect some of the unwanted spotlight.
Villa’s biggest problem is a lack of creativity with too much of the onus on Philippe Coutinho, who went off injured against West Ham. They have only scored three times and have also gone nine Premier League games without a clean sheet.
With Arsenal and Manchester City up next, the omens are not good for Villa to climb the table any time soon after three defeats in their opening four games.
-Reuters
Liverpool will have to wait for a few more days to be crowned Premier League champions despite a 1-0 victory at Leicester City after Arsenal kept their slender hopes just about alive with a 4-0 romp at 10-man Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to score Liverpool’s winner in the 76th minute at the King Power Stadium to restore their 13-point lead at the top with five games left.
While Liverpool can almost taste a record-equalling 20th English crown, Leicester’s defeat confirmed their relegation back to the Championship after just one season.
The Midlands club have now been relegated from England’s top flight a record 13 times.
Chelsea secured a massive win in their bid to qualify for the Champions League as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage with Pedro Neto scoring in stoppage time.
The win pushed Chelsea above Nottingham Forest in to fifth place, the last spot for qualification to the Champions League, although Forest play at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
Chelsea have 57 points from 33 games, two behind third-placed Newcastle United and one behind Manchester City. Forest and Aston Villa are level with Chelsea on 57 points.
Wolverhampton Wanderers guaranteed their safety as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. Pablo Sarabia’s stunning free kick wrapped up a fifth successive league win, the first time Wolves have achieved that in the top flight since 1970.
Liverpool were wasteful at Leicester with numerous chances going begging and Mohamed Salah suffering a frustrating afternoon including hitting both posts with an early shot.
Salah hit the woodwork again moments before the ball came out to Alexander-Arnold who fired a left-footed shot through the crowd to give his side the points — ripping off his shirt and celebrating wildly with the travelling fans.
“We just keep going, mentally we’re really strong,” manager Arne Slot, whose side could be crowned champions if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, told Sky Sports.
“They enjoy playing football and it helps when you are playing for something special. Today (Alexander-Arnold) knows when it matters most he can just bring a bit more which is something all the top, top players have.”
DISTANT SECOND
If Arsenal avoid defeat by Palace, Slot’s side will seal the title if they beat Tottenham Hotspur at home next Sunday.
“We will focus on Tottenham and looking forward again to a home game and I think the stadium will be full,” Slot, who can become the first Dutch manager to win the English title, said. “It’s a nice game to look forward to.”
Liverpool have 79 points with Arsenal a distant second on 66. Arsenal may have their eyes now on a Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain, but they showed against Ipswich they will not hand over the title to Liverpool.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring early on and Gabriel Martinelli made it 2-0 after a delightful flick by Mikel Merino.
Ipswich were reduced to 10 men before halftime as Leif Davis crudely raked his studs down the back of Bukayo Saka’s calf and the second half was academic.
Trossard grabbed his second in the 69th minute and Ethan Nwaneri added a late fourth to leave Ipswich stuck in 18th place on 21 points. They will be relegated if they drop points again or 17th-placed West Ham United pick up one more point from their remaining five games.
Chelsea were heading for a damaging defeat at neighbours Fulham as the hosts led with Alex Iwobi’s 20th-minute goal.
Substitute Tyrique George equalised with an instinctive shot in the 83rd minute, his first Premier League goal, before winger Neto swivelled and unleashed a thunderous strike in stoppage time to send the away fans wild.
Manchester United reached the Europa League semi-final with an astonishing comeback win against French club Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday but their Premier League woes returned against Wolves.
They are in 14th place and have now lost eight Premier League home games this season, their most defeats at Old Trafford in a league campaign since 1962-63.
“Wolves scored in the only opportunity they had. we had many chances, and we didn’t score. If you don’t score goals, you are not going to win games,” manager Ruben Amorim said.
-Reuters
Egyptian outlet, Ahram, has reported that Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract with Liverpool, extending his stay at Anfield beyond the 2024-25 season as he prepares for what could be the final chapter of a storied career with the club.
While the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, British media reports indicate the 32-year-old forward has signed a two-year extension, keeping him at the club until at least 2027.
Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, has become a modern-day icon at Anfield.
The Egyptian international has scored 243 goals in 394 appearances—third on the club’s all-time scorers list—and has helped the Reds secure seven major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League titles.
“I had my best years here,” Salah told the club’s website. “Hopefully it’s going to be 10. I signed because I believe we can still win big trophies together.”
He has maintained his prolific form this season, scoring 32 goals and providing 22 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. His 27 Premier League goals currently lead the division.
During his time with Liverpool, Salah has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times, been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice, and claimed two FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
Now entering the latter stages of his career, Salah remains focused on adding more silverware to his collection and further cementing his legacy at Liverpool.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga, who became the second-youngest Premier League player when he made his senior debut in Monday’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle United, had to wear a blank shirt because it is sponsored by an online cryptocurrency gaming platform.
Britain’s Gambling Act 2005, which underwent a review in 2020, prohibits players under 18 from wearing kits displaying gambling sponsors. Monga, an England U16 international, made his senior debut at 15 years 271 days old.
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri remains the youngest Premier League player in history, having debuted in the competition when he was 90 days younger than Monga.
Leicester, who suffered an eighth straight loss in the league without scoring a goal, are 19th in the standings, 15 points below the safety zone.
-Reuters
Record-extending seekers, Nigeria Flying Eagles, seek dominance continuation over Tunisia
King Mohammed VI congratulates Morocco’s women’s futsal team, crowned African champions
Morocco claim historic Women’s Futsal AFCON title in last-minute thriller
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Financial rainfall awaits Nigeria’s Flamingos for every goal scored in Algeria
- OBITUARY1 week ago
NFF mourns the demise of former FIFA referee, Bosede Momoh
- feature1 week ago
Ghana’s Cardinal, Appiah Turkson, listed as a possible Pope
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Former WAFU President, Ogufere mourns Christian Chukwu
- CAF Champions League6 days ago
Al Ahly, Sundowns brace for Cairo showdown with final spot on the line
- U-20 FOOTBALL2 days ago
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles set to begin 8th African title chase
- Badminton1 week ago
It’s Nigeria again as Eniola Bolaji wins the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award
- U-20 FOOTBALL4 days ago
African youth stars chase glory as U-20 AFCON kicks off in Egypt today