Soccer
The courage of Premier League winner Liverpool returns; Chelsea struggle for balance; Does Man Utd have a creativity problem? Elsewhere Michail Antonio and Patrick Bamford are playing the lead role and are there any signs of Fulham’s progress?
Without a win in two Premier League games and missing their defensive talisman, let’s not be too excited about a narrow win over a team that can’t buy a win just yet
But behind that word of warning, the Reds’ performance in their 2-1 win over Sheffield United bore some traces of their winning Premier League campaign
It doesn’t take long for the memories to turn rosier in hindsight, but Liverpool’s journey to the title last season was often not the result of fluid football or total domination, but results obtained Remember the last minute victory at Aston Villa in November? Or even Dean Henderson’s howler who gave them a victory at Sheffield United in September?
There hadn’t been any such giveaways from the Blades at Anfield on Saturday, but there was plenty of courage from Liverpool to move against a Sheffield United side who like their hosts produced a performance much more reminiscent of their 2019/20 success as their quake starts this campaign
As Chris Wilder’s men gained confidence after taking their first lead of the season in 13 minutes, it was Liverpool who knocked the next one out of nowhere thanks to the magic of Jordan Henderson and a tap- in by Roberto Firmino
And while the Blades held up well in the second half, a brilliant performance from Sadio Mane saw Diogo Jota nod his first Premier League goal at the perfect time
It wasn’t vintage Liverpool, it was about winning Liverpool And after dropping points in back-to-back games, and without Van Dijk, victory in this style might have looked familiar to Jurgen KloppRon Walker
It looks like Chelsea can only have one or the other – goals or a clean sheet So far this Premier League season they have already drawn 3-3 twice and in just one match replaced that tally while keeping their opponents on the other end in a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace before the international break
But their last two games in all competitions saw no goals and none conceded Despite trademark signings Timo Werner and Kai Havertz from Old Trafford, they barely made their mark Christian Pulisic was the main threat attack from Chelsea, although his influence was also infrequent
Right now their best summer business moments seem to have been the arrivals of Thiago Silva and Edouard Mendy It’s not unfair to say the pair were the main reasons Chelsea kept a clean sheet Silva was imperious at the back – as Frank Lampard himself said – while Mendy made three superb saves to keep Man Utd at bay
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink summed it up perfectly when he told Sky Sports after the game: « I want to see entertaining football but I understand why they play with five [at the back] and why they are looking for a leaf white because they need to gain confidence at the back I want to see goals and people running forward, but Chelsea are not there yet They are improving step by step
« They conceded three goals against West Brom and Southampton and it takes a bit off your confidence, so they should gain confidence on the defense today But now it’s all about balance and how do we find the right balance in scoring goals and keeping clean sheets « Charlotte Marsh
As Donny van de Beek looked mournfully at the stands as the rain continued to fall in Manchester, Gary Neville joked about the co-comment: « He must be thinking, ‘What am I doing here?’ «
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer simply said in advance: « He will have his games, don’t worry » But Van de Beek’s continued absence – he has yet to start a Premier League game – will be again in the spotlight after a conservative demonstration where the Solskjaer team fought for creativity Although they have played five league games, not six, only West Brom has created less chances than Manchester United so far.
With Paul Pogba on the bench until the hour, the responsibility fell on Bruno Fernandes but he was unusually moderate, while Dan James did not justify his selection from the start
« I wanted to see Man Utd play without fear, » Patrice Evra told Sky Sports studio « People were afraid to pass the ball It’s not in Man Utd’s DNA to play this kind of game with fear; we need leaders, characters «
Chelsea were not inspiring either and the expected goal data from host 068 – their lowest of the season so far – to Chelsea21’s 0 told a story; two cautious and leaky sides that effectively canceled each other
Although his defense eventually got a clean sheet, it was the fifth Premier League game Solskjaer’s side failed to win at home
There were some proactive changes and Edinson Cavani’s performance off the bench was certainly promising The Uruguayan almost had a quick impact as a dart race led to a shot that rippled the net lateral
« He was sharp, he played without fear, » Evra said of the veteran striker, but a matter of invention behind forwards – especially when Fernandes and Pogba aren’t purring – remainsKate Burlaga
Where would West Ham be without Michail Antonio? Well, the simple answer is the league, given how many vital goals the converted striker has scored after the Premier League return in June.
And the 30-year-old picked up when he stopped at the end of last season, adding to his previous goals at Arsenal and Leicester as he opened the scoring against Manchester City with a spectacular kick that will last for a long time in memory
All of this means Antonio now has 11 goals to his name since the summer resumption, a total improved only by Tottenham forward Harry Kane with 12
And this from a player who started off as a wide man due to his unreliable finish, but has since been converted into a deadly sniper who surely has to knock on Gareth’s England door Southgate?
Not only that, but Hammers fans will be relieved that Antonio’s second-half replacement was only due to a bit of a cramp ahead of their trip to champions Liverpool – live on Sky Sports – on the weekends. next endRichard Morgan
Sheffield United may still have just one point from their six Premier League appearances so far, but it was a display to allay fears, boost self-confidence, encourage continued confidence in the process
Chris Wilder called him « more of a Sheffield United performance » and his side faced off against the champions – albeit without the pervasive influence of Virgil van Dijk – in a way that suggests a return from to their efforts is not far
They were higher up the pitch, more determined, more aggressive here It was only against Leeds – when their debauchery was punished to death – that Wilder’s side got more shots and created more ‘open play opportunities, and there have been more touches in the opposition zone at Anfield than against any other team so far this quarter Ethan Ampadu, named to the left of the three full-backs in Jack O’Connell’s absence, fell back to midfield with great effect as tenacious Ben Osborn covered the pitch on the left flank, while John Egan was a imposing figure on the back and Sander Berge unleashed with intention
A clinical touch remains elusive – Rhian Brewster made his first start here but must acclimatize at the end of his Premier League life – and there have been defensive failures that have given undisputed headers in some decisive moments
Man City and Chelsea are next, but the Wilder’s Blades remain strong in structure and united in spirit and name Results will turn with this type of level of performanceKate Burlaga
Roy Hodgson had barely readjusted in his seat after his team’s beautiful 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace in a familiar environment at Fulham when asked a familiar question
Wilfried Zaha had just inspired his side to a deserved victory at Craven Cottage Palace had 10 shots on target in the game, the most they have achieved in an away Premier League since August 2018, also against Fulham (10) – and Zaha was instrumental in posing Jairo Riedewald’s first game before scoring the second himself
So how good was the Palace talisman? « Once again every press conference begins with Zaha in one way or another and if I’m not careful I’ll have to explain to her why I’m making negative comments. We’re more than happy with him »
It’s pretty common if Palace does well to have Zaha in the foreground, but Hodgson is right Against Fulham 10 other people have confirmed their selection – and unlike in previous seasons, Palace now has options on all the ground Gary Cahill was admirably replaced by Scott Dann while Jordan Ayew, sidelined due to coronavirus, was not missed.But at Riedewald Palace have arguably their most improved player this season
Purchased as a defender under Frank de Boer in 2017, the Dutchman has been converted to a central midfielder under Hodgson, and although he can appear unsightly at times, he has had as much influence on proceedings as Zaha in a fiercely contested fight London Derby
Still only 24 years old, Riedewald scored his first Premier League goal in his 33rd game in the competition, with what was his very first shot on target Until fifth in the standings with 10 points in six games, Palace collects the fruits of the introduction of other elements in his gameBen Grounds
A glance at Fulham’s recent record in top London derbies suggested that the wait for a first Premier League win of the season should go on a bit longer, and although they remain Rooted deep after a fifth loss in six games, Scott Parker has vowed to « face » the battle that awaits him after a 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace
« We are a young team, always trying to gel but there were some big positives today and that’s when the chips fell, you have to face and keep working hard and I am sure we will come out the other side, « he said
Fulham’s single point harvest after his first six games is his worst comeback at this point in a top-level campaign, but Ademola Lookman has a player who can deliver the sharpness and dynamism Parker has admitted his team missed in the last third on Saturday
Lookman has already opened their Fulham account and no player has had more than their six shots on the Palace goal, hopelessly unlucky when hitting the inside of the post with just one attempt There was also a start to first league encouraging for Mario Lemina, and when Ruben Loftus-Cheek is fully up to speed on the other flank, Fulham will be a much better propositionBen Grounds
After drawing and losing their last two Premier League games, Leeds had a point to prove at Villa Park and they certainly changed the style against one of the league’s in-form sides
Leeds produced a dazzling attacking performance that brought Aston Villa back to earth with a bump but Luke Ayling also impressed at the back – clearing a vital goal line to turn Jack Grealish off in the first half – and there is had groomed football in one touch on the pitch
One of the most eye-catching moves in Leeds’ arsenal – and there were plenty of them – was the ferocity with which they counterattacked, advancing in pace and numbers and overloading the midfielder with the Aston Villa, then their defense They did all of this too without one of their star men in Injured Kalvin Phillips, with Ezgjan Alioski, Jack Harrison and Helder Costa shining in his absence.
But the headlines will go to Patrick Bamford Questions had been raised about his ability to perform in the Premier League, having only scored in the top flight once in his career But after doubling his season total with a superb hat-trick, he surely had to respond to his skeptics
Leeds must now continue to play as they did on Friday night, when they were briefly third in the Premier League table – their highest position at the end of a day in the division since 20 September 2002 If their performances against Liverpool and Man City were any warnings, it was a disturbing statementCharlotte Marsh
There was a big dose of reality for Aston Villa on Friday night To put it simply, they were overtaken by a teeming Leeds side, with these thoughts of their last home game – that famous 7-2 win over Liverpool – nothing but a distant memory
Let’s start with the positives Despite a slow start, Aston Villa quickly found their feet in the first half and were only inches away from taking the lead when Luke Ayling cleared Jack Grealish’s effort off of the line They also had the best chances early in the second half, but will be wondering ‘what if’ with Villa limited to half the chances from the 55th minute as Leeds slipped into fourth gear
They couldn’t stop Leeds’ thunderous counterattack and full-backs Matty Cash and Matt Targett languished on the wings Certainly Cash did well in the first half but the combination of Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison quickly became too much for him to handle
This brings Aston Villa’s four-game winning streak to an abrupt end and they missed the chance to dominate the Premier League table for the first time since August 2011 It’s time for Dean Smith to re-evaluate with the goal of instantly returning to a winning formulaCharlotte Marsh
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News from around the world – UK – Premier League hits and misses: Liverpool’s courage comes back, Man Utd has a creativity problem?
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