Premier League: 10 Major Discussion Topics from the Latest Round of Action
This past set of top-flight action delivered plenty of drama, surprise results, and interesting subplots. Ranging from battles between managers to individual brilliance, here are the major discussions stemming from the matches.
1. McFarlane Stands Firm When Facing Guardiola
The young coach's unforeseen confrontation with the Manchester City boss recalled recollections of earlier managerial mismatches. In the case of the Chelsea boss, embarking on his top-level coaching bow, the mission was halting Chelsea's dreadful sequence against Manchester City. A last-gasp goal from the Chelsea star snatched a crucial draw, an achievement previous incumbents had struggled to achieve.
The Reds' Struggle to Close Games Out
Despite the German playmaker scoring the net, Liverpool ended up aggrieved after allowing a lead slip away against Marco Silva's side. The issue of not managing to command encounters when in front continues, with the squad previously letting slip similar leads in earlier matches. Before the team master the skill of seeing out a game, the campaign will remain a challenging process.
Declan Rice Backs The Swedish Striker to Start Scoring
Viktor Gyökeres is going through a lengthy dry spell from general play, but his teammate Declan Rice is adamant the player is nevertheless hugely influential. He highlighted the striker's work off the ball and selfless efforts as integral to Arsenal's success. "The goals are going to arrive," was Rice's optimistic assessment for his struggling strike partner.
The United Boss Must Get Benjamin Sesko to Sharpen Up
Given the Red Devils adopting in a notably defensive way, the responsibility rested with the attacking partnership to produce. Whereas the Brazilian continued his impressive run, Benjamin Sesko suffered another frustrating afternoon. The Slovenian has scored scarce since his big-money switch and wasted a late chance to snatch the match. The coming months offers a clear need for Sesko to find his form.
5. Le Fée Leaves Ange Postecoglou's Side in a Muddle
The Black Cats boss positioned his creative talent in a more defensive role initially, before releasing him up the pitch as the contest progressed. The switch proved inspired, with the playmaker becoming the main instigator of the visitor's push for an leveler. After hitting the woodwork, Le Fée delivered a perfect through ball for the all-important strike. Having settled in to the intensity of the English game, his influence is on the rise.
6. Nuno Fails to Take Opportunity to Use Pablo Felipe
In a dismal loss for the Hammers, head coach Nuno Espírito Santo chose not to introduce any of his named replacements. This meant new signing the forward, who watched on even with his team's utter ineffectiveness. The manager suggested it would have been "too harsh" to send the fresh striker into the action. But, with scoring at a premium, the need to integrate the 22-year-old rapidly is painfully apparent.
Lewis Miley Delivers Another Major Case
The teenage sensation produced a further superb performance whilst operating out of position. He was flawless in defence, created the breakthrough, and set the standard in a stop-start encounter. Now that specialist full-backs back, the question for manager the Newcastle boss is whether to accommodate the incredibly composed youngster in his preferred central midfield role. "Coming Magpies teams will undoubtedly be constructed around Miley," seems an increasingly accurate prediction.
Are the Sean Dyche Impact Wearing Thin at Nottingham Forest?
Sean Dyche's initial influence at Nottingham Forest was admirable, but questions are now arise about the squad's versatility. Forest's counter-attacking threat remains, but looks reduced without previous personnel. Whilst disciplined when defending deep, Dyche's men have looked vulnerable when required to chase a game. Cheap turnovers in these situations has proven disastrous, a lesson they have to rectify rapidly.
The Striker's Hot Streak Stops Brentford's Travel Woes
Brentford put in a display that masked their dismal travel sickness. Vital to their impressive victory was the red-hot form of forward the Brazilian. His goals are offering a foundation for the team to progress. Teammate the German international even floated the ambitious target of European qualification as a possibility, highlighting the fresh confidence in the camp.
