Category: Premier League

Palmer Hat-Trick Sinks Manchester United in 4-3 Thriller

Manchester City academy star, Cole Palmer sinks Manchester United in late thriller with a hat-trick to end their 7 year dry streak against United at Stamford Bridge. He registers his first professional hat-trick against United similar to academy team mate, Phil Foden.

Palmer has been on fire this year with now clocking in 24 G/A in 25 games in the Premier League for Chelsea after a surprise move from Manchester City early into the season for £40 million on deadline day. Ever since then he seems to be bailing Chelsea out of the mud with goals from the penalty spot but also crucial goals such as the one last night in the 100th minute of play.

His goal leaves a mark in Premier League history as the latest ever winning goal for the Premier League era where he, once again, saved his team single handedly.

He has also become the highest goal contributer in the world for under 24 in all competitions, surpassing Jude Bellingham and Florian Wirtz who are both having outstanding seasons for Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. This just shows his immense talent and impact he has had on this Chelsea side after nearly missing out on a move earlier this year.

He is now up to 16 goals in the Premier League second to only Erling Haaland on 18 goals. It isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Cole Palmer could take the crown from his former teammate with Chelsea’s run in of games compared to the pressure that City are feeling in the title race.

Despite the success of Cole Palmer and how well he played, there have to be eyes on the performance of the Manchester United squad with the winner of the game from Palmer, easily avoidable if they don’t switch off because it is the final minutes.

There have been questions for months now on the validity of Ten Hag and whether or not his play-style can bring United into winning positions, and the game seemed like it relied on personal excellence from Garnacho and less tactics from Ten Hag with the team in the final moments giving out different calls and shouts which ultimately led to the downfall of the Red Devils.

This win for Chelsea sends them into 10th with Manchester United still comfortably above them in 6th despite dropping the 3 points that could prove to be brutal in the run in to the end of the season.

Phenomenal Phil Scores Hat-trick Against Struggling Villa

An incredible performance from ‘the Stockport Iniesta’ gives Manchester City the hope of keeping their title race alive in 4-1 victory over Aston Villa. Foden registers his second hat-trick of the season after his hat-trick against Brentford earlier this year.

Pep Guardiola sent out a team that was considerably weaker than usual with Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and John Stones allowed to rest on the bench, assuming that they will be very important for the tie against Real Madrid on the 9th of April.

After his performance last night, Phil Foden has starting receiving praise once again for his talents shining whilst the superstars De Bruyne and Haaland were resting on the bench. He stepped up for the side and provided three crucial goals that set the game apart after being tied 1-1 after 20 minutes with the game looking very cagey.

In the post match interview, Pep Guardiola had nothing but praise for the youngster with his exhilarating performance in this crucial game;

“He’s still open-minded and he still has to understand some parts of the game, especially attention as he is sometimes distracted in the defensive parts. But his work ethic is unbelievable. He is so special, especially when he is playing in that central position.” – He told BBC Sport.

Fodens number 10 performances this season have grabbed him two hattricks and 10 assists across all competitions giving Gareth Southgate a very simple decision to make for the Euro’s. Start Foden in the 10 role for his country and good things will follow.

Embed from Getty Images

His teammates that are known for the goals and assists were celebrating with him from the bench after his smart free-kick which sent the Aston Villa keeper, Olsen, stuck in the mud with no chance of reacting to the quick free-kick.

With the win secured and Foden up to 31 G/A across all competitions this season, Manchester City look towards the weekend where they play Crystal Palace where, once again, they cant afford to slip up if they want to win the Premier League where they are leaving hope in the hands of their neighbours, Manchester United.

How City Should Line Up Against Aston Villa Tonight

Today’s game against Aston Villa is crucial for Pep Guardiola and his team staying in the title race. After the 0-0 draw against Arsenal on the weekend, City trail the top spot by 3 points, they cannot afford to drop any points in their upcoming games.

After their shocking performance in the reverse fixture earlier in the season where the treble winners only registered 2 shots in the 90 minutes, their availability in players has changed with Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne are officially available for picking which they weren’t earlier in the season.

The positive for Manchester City is that the game is set at the Etihad Stadium with Rodri returning to the lineup which only sets up for success after 39 games unbeaten at the Etihad and now 63 matches unbeaten for Rodri.

With certain injuries still causing harm to the full XI, it is expected that City will lineup with a weaker side than what they would hope for in the run in to the end of the season.

Lineup Prediction

With the injuries to Kyle Walker and John Stones, it is expected that Rico Lewis will slot into the right back position where he plays the inverted right back role perfectly for the team allowing the defenders to just focus on defending.

The pace of Jeremy Doku and the close control dribbling of Jack Grealish will not be as effective as usual against this set defence of Villa since the introduction of Pau Torres and Eric Konsa in their back line this season.

Injuries

Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake and John Stones were marked out of the Arsenal tie due to injury, with Ake’s injury coming during the game between the title contenders possibly leaving him out of contention for selection as the tie between City and Real Madrid is coming up soon which is very crucial to their chances of a double treble.

The loss of Kyle Walker could cause problems for City as the main striking force in Villa’s attack is their burning pace between Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey. With Ollie Watkins picking up an injury in their 2-0 victory over Wolves, their scoring prowess has taken a hit and can give Manchester City some hope pre-game.

The game is set to play at 20:15 this evening streamed on Sky Sports from the Etihad Stadium. The game is crucial for Manchester City as a MUST-WIN game.

Late Drama at Brentford Leads to Dramatic 1-1 Draw For Manchester United

Manchester United stray further away from their European football spot in a dramatic 1-1 draw against an out of form Brentford who are looking to break their 7 game streak without a win including shocking losses to Burnley, West Ham and staggering losses to Arsenal and Liverpool.

Battling out for a place in the Europa League, Ten Hag’s Manchester United put up a miserable performance with the only action coming after the regulated 90 minutes with both goals coming in the 96th and 99th minute of the game.

Embed from Getty Images

United’s poor performance left the wrong impression on the new club owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. According to a report from The Telegraph, Ratcliffe, who recently took over a minority stake in the club, was left unimpressed with their performance against Brentford over the weekend.

The report claims that he was not happy with their defeat to Fulham in February and thoroughly unimpressed with what he saw against Brentford.

It seemed as Mason Mount had just grabbed United the victory in the 96th minute however, Brentford had other plans completely running over United’s defence which seemed to lack concentration after the goal went in with fans in the stadium left in despair after joys and cheers for the ‘fergie time’ esc goal in added time.

If Manchester United want to have some strength and hope to reach the top once again, Erik Ten Hag needs to be looked at with his players letting the foot off the gas in the most crucial moments it seems. With the history of the huge club, fans of the Red Devils were hoping Ten Hag could bring them their once glory back to them however, it seems fans are turning on him and even the new majority owner of the club is agreeing with the quota that is going on across the Premier League at the moment.

Embed from Getty Images

Their next game is against Chelsea FC who have had a similarly poor season for the standards of the club. With United having a better season than the blues, can Ten Hag gain redemption for his mistakes or will Pochettino be able to get one over the dutch mans side?

Manchester United Football Club is no longer a team battling for the title, they are fighting a losing battle for a spot in the Europa League. Changes need to be made.

Title Race Goes in Favour Of Liverpool After 0-0 Draw at the Etihad

Arsenal travelled up to Manchester to battle it out against the Citizens in the Premier League for the title race with both teams coming into the game needing a win to put them in contention.

However, all plans didn’t go accordingly as the draw between the 3rd and 2nd spot at the Etihad with both teams leaving with 1 point each in a goalless draw giving Liverpool the drivers seat in this Premier League title race with all hopes on one of the three teams messing up and dropping a game in their upcoming fixtures.

Manchester City have struggled this season against the ‘big six’ especially in comparison to last year where they seemed to get the better of the teams nearly all season. This year, where it matters the most to beat the top six teams, with Liverpool and Arsenal ahead of the blues in this years title race.

All fingers are pointing towards Liverpool to take the title due to them being in the Europa League rather than the Champions League whilst Manchester City and Arsenal have made deep runs in the Champions League meaning they could in theory, draw each other in the semi-finals or the final of the competition.

Manchester City defender, Manuel Akanji, publicly critisised the Arsenal players tactics where he accuses them of tacitally fouling them when on the attack with the referee only giving out two yellow cards across the whole 90 minutes compared to the amount of fouls that were given in the game, 29 fouls, with 20 fouls coming from the side of Arsenal. The refereeing was very lenient in this game and fans have picked up on that online.

Similar to last year, the title race will come very close to the wire however, the difference is that there are 3 teams in this race now compared to just the 2 last year with Liverpool joining in.

Manchester City are set to face off against Aston Villa on the 3rd of April, where in the reverse fixture, they lost the game 1-0 after only registering 2 shots all game however, they were without Rodri and he has made his return to the team maintaining his 60+ game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Why INEOS Must Back Erik Ten Hag

“Eras can come to an end.” That was the statement Erik Ten Hag made in his first Manchester United press conference over 18 months ago. Last night’s thrilling 4-3 victory against Liverpool marked a significant milestone for Erik Ten Hag, securing his 62nd win and the highest win rate (60.78%) for a Manchester United manager after 102 games. Despite almost missing a comeback in regular time due to Marcus Rashford’s last-minute miss, the team’s advancement to the semi-final against Coventry at Wembley had Ten Hag commending their character and determination at Old Trafford. “This could mark a turning point, despite our missed chances throughout the season,” Ten Hag reflected, using a crucial match against Arsenal as an example of lost opportunities for decisive moments.

Embed from Getty Images

Since INEOS’s takeover announcement on Christmas Eve, speculation about Ten Hag’s future at Manchester United has been widespread among established media outlets, with many expecting a change in management next season. Despite this, INEOS has remained silent on these speculations. However, a significant portion of the fanbase strongly supports Ten Hag, advocating for his continuation into a third season, supported by a solid recruitment strategy and football structure. David Ornstein of The Athletic recently noted INEOS’s current lack of intention to replace Ten Hag, contrasting with Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, who reported on INEOS’s rumored exploration of potential candidates. The premature managerial changes speculated by the media since Christmas appear both unjust and misguided to many observers.

Erik Ten Hag has faced numerous challenges this season, including criticisms regarding the lack of a definitive playing style, inconsistent results, and struggles in crucial matches. However, attributing these issues solely to Ten Hag seems unfair, especially considering the unprecedented injury challenges that have forced constant lineup changes, disrupting the team’s ability to establish a consistent playing style. Key players like Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, and Harry Maguire, intended to solidify the team’s defensive foundation, spent much of the season sidelined with injuries. This, coupled with the absences of Maguire and Varane, forced Ten Hag to adapt with available players like Jonny Evans, who, despite his commendable performance, is not typically recognized for his passing skills. This situation has inevitably led to a fluctuation in playing style, underscoring the complexity of the challenges faced by Ten Hag in molding Manchester United’s approach amidst such constraints

The discourse surrounding Erik Ten Hag has sometimes been merited, particularly regarding his tactical decisions during matches and his management of fundamental team dynamics, exemplified by his interactions with notable players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho. Despite his recent goal, Antony’s hefty £80 million investment remains a point of contention for its perceived lack of value. While some fans may disagree, I believe a strategic pivot by INEOS could significantly benefit Manchester United. The club would prosper under a unified recruitment philosophy that transcends individual managerial tenures and focuses on a consistent type of player profile suited to the club’s long-term vision.

The inconsistency in Manchester United’s recruitment strategy post-Alex Ferguson has been a fundamental issue. Players acquired to fit into Louis van Gaal’s possession-oriented system were at odds with the direct and counter-attacking approaches favored by Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This strategic dissonance has led to underperformance and difficulties in offloading players burdened with excessive wages. The fault lies not with the managers who came and went but with a recruitment strategy that lacked coherence and foresight.

Embed from Getty Images

As Erik Ten Hag and INEOS chart a new course for Manchester United, the impending recruitment and sporting strategy overhaul could be pivotal. With the potential addition of Dan Ashworth and Jason Willock to guide these efforts, Manchester United is poised on the cusp of a transformative era. This strategic realignment, focusing on sustainable and philosophy-aligned recruitment, could be the catalyst for Manchester United’s future.

Pressure will undoubtedly grow on Erik Ten Hag if he fails to deliver Champions League football and is ousted from the FA Cup against Coventry. However, whatever happens in the final two months of this season, it would be less productive for the club to change managers, and their focus should be on other issues within the club as previously discussed. It would be counterproductive for INEOS to act like Clarke did with Chelsea and change a manager. Erik is still early in his tenure, and with so many issues on and off the pitch he has had to contend with, it’s unrealistic to expect change to happen so soon. In addition, Manchester United players fight for this manager, unlike previous regimes where they would down tools; those players won’t do that under Erik. The future is bright at Manchester United, and undoubtedly, the Erik Ten Hag era has just begun.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Commanding Victory: A Step Closer to Champions League Qualification

Get the latest insights into Tottenham Hotspur’s dominant display in their commanding victory over Aston Villa, signaling a significant step forward in their quest for Champions League football next season

Tottenham Hotspur Display Flair and Finesse in Dominant Win Over Aston Villa

Tottenham Hotspur asserted their Championship League ambitions with a commanding 4-0 victory over Aston Villa, moving within two points of fourth-placed Villa with a game in hand.

This emphatic win is a significant boost to Tottenham’s hopes of securing a place in the coveted competition next season.

From the onset, it was evident that Tottenham were determined to make a statement.

Goals from James Maddison and Brennan Johnson propelled Spurs to an early lead, further solidifying their aspirations for Champions League qualification.

Aston Villa’s chances suffered a severe blow when John McGinn was sent off for a rash challenge on Destiny Udogie, handing Tottenham a crucial advantage which they ruthlessly exploited.

Embed from Getty Images

Statement Performance Leads Spurs to Victory

Tottenham Hotspur’s convincing victory demonstrates a marked improvement in their performance, showcasing their determination to claim their spot in the Champions League next season.

The win also underlined Tottenham’s strength in forward positions, with in-form players such as Heung-min Son and substitute Timo Werner delivering impactful performances.

Despite their outstanding performance, Tottenham’s triumph was marred by an injury to Micky van de Ven, raising concerns about the team’s defensive stability.

Van de Ven’s absence could pose a significant challenge for Spurs as they navigate the remainder of the season and pursue their Champions League aspirations.

Exploring Potential Managerial Successors for Manchester United

With the summer approaching and rumours swirling about a potential change in leadership at Manchester United, the spotlight is on possible successors to take the helm. Given the current circumstances surrounding INEOS and the team’s performance this season, we examine five potential candidates, listed without any specific order, who could be in contention to guide the Red Devils into a new era.

Embed from Getty Images

Hansi Flick: The Proven Tactical Mastermind in the Frame for Manchester United

With a staggering 83% win rate and a Champions League title under his belt, Hansi Flick has emerged as a strong contender for the Manchester United managerial role. The former Bayern Munich and Germany manager boasts a wealth of experience and a commanding presence, making him an attractive option for the Red Devils.

Flick’s tactical approach emphasizes high-intensity play, verticality, and high pressing, resulting in entertaining, high-scoring games. His philosophy aligns with Manchester United’s vision for the future, and his track record speaks for itself. At 59 years old, Flick brings a winning mentality and a proven ability to manage top-tier teams, making him a serious candidate for the job.

Embed from Getty Images

Rúben Amorim: Portugal’s Rising Star Eyeing a Move to Manchester United

Meet Rúben Amorim, the Portuguese coach who is turning heads in European football. The 39-year-old manager has been dubbed the “new Jose Mourinho” for his impressive accomplishments at Sporting Lisbon, where he led the team to their first league title in 19 years.

Amorim’s style of play is characterized by dominating possession and promoting young talent, and his fiery personality has drawn comparisons to the legendary Mourinho. With his success in Portugal, many believe he could bring a fresh and dynamic approach to Manchester United, who are reportedly interested in securing his services.

The Portuguese coach has proven his mettle in the Primeira Liga, and it remains to be seen if he can replicate his success in the Premier League. But one thing is for sure: Rúben Amorim is a name to watch in European football.

Embed from Getty Images

Roberto De Zerbi: The Entertaining Dark Horse in the Manchester United Managerial Race

Brighton’s current manager, Roberto De Zerbi, may not be a household name, but he has emerged as a noteworthy candidate in the Manchester United managerial discussion. Although Brighton has struggled defensively, De Zerbi’s commitment to attacking football and entertaining style of play has caught the attention of many.

However, his lack of experience managing top-tier clubs may be a cause for concern. Despite this, his potential for exciting football makes him an intriguing option in the race to become the next manager of Manchester United. It remains to be seen whether his credentials will be enough to secure him the coveted position.

Embed from Getty Images

Simone Inzaghi: The Unlikely but Exciting Candidate for Manchester United’s Managerial Role

While Simone Inzaghi may seem content at the helm of Inter Milan, his dynamic and fast-paced style of play has caught the attention of Manchester United’s leadership. At just 47 years old, Inzaghi has already led Inter to a Champions League final, demonstrating his managerial prowess.

Although a move to Manchester United may be a long shot, Inzaghi’s exciting brand of football could inject new energy into the team. It remains to be seen whether the allure of managing one of the world’s biggest clubs will be enough to tempt him away from Inter Milan. Regardless, Inzaghi’s impressive track record makes him a compelling candidate for the job.

Embed from Getty Images

Thiago Motta: The Young and Dynamic Serie A Success Story Catching INEOS’ Eye

Despite being relatively unknown in English football, Thiago Motta has been making waves in Serie A with his impressive performance at Bologna FC. Currently sitting comfortably in the top four, Motta’s success has caught the attention of larger clubs, including Barcelona and Liverpool.

While his inexperience in English football may be a concern, Motta’s young and dynamic approach could be just what Manchester United needs to reinvigorate their team. Although it remains uncertain whether INEOS is seriously considering Motta, his accomplishments in Italy make him a promising candidate to watch.

Embed from Getty Images

Amid escalating speculation surrounding Manchester United’s managerial position, the pressure on Erik ten Hag has reached a critical juncture, especially following a turbulent season and an impending crucial fixture against Liverpool. As the summer unfolds, the urgency for INEOS to decide looms, with three of the biggest clubs in Europe—Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Barcelona—all actively searching for new leadership. The managerial carousel is in full swing, and time is of the essence for Manchester United and INEOS to navigate these turbulent waters and secure a figure who can guide the club through the challenges ahead. The upcoming decisions hold immense significance not only for Manchester United’s future but also in the broader context of the dynamic managerial landscape in European football.

Stalemate at Anfield As The Title Race Goes Down To One Point

The treble winners travelled to Merseyside to face off against Liverpool where they were hoping to go top of the league and give a third leader of the league in the weekend. But it wasn’t meant to be.

Liverpool came into the game with serious injuries and a very broken down team compared to the City squad that was filled with veterans and looked like an easy win on paper.

However despite going up 1-0 with a brilliant set piece from De Bruyne allowed Stones to put the ball past Kelleher in the back of the net, they went down to 1-1 with a slow back pass to Ederson from Akè and led to a penalty given to the home side.

The collision that led to the penalty left Ederson with, what seems like, a groin injury and was sent to the bench and Ortega was subbed on to try and stop the goals from flooding in from the returning Mohammed Salah, which he did very well.

The return of Mohammed Salah and Andrew Robertson gave Liverpool fans something to be glad about with Salah’s record against City being quite extraordinary with 4 goals in 5.

The game ended 1-1 and left fans wondering what does this mean for the Premier League table and it could mean that Arsenal have the chance to create a lead with 10 games left with the next game being against Manchester City.

Until then, Manchester City face off against Newcastle in the FA Cup to find a spot in the semi finals to possibly face off against Liverpool once again.

Why Phil Foden Has Been Called The Best Player In The League

Pep Guardiola, in the post match interview for the win over Manchester United, has named Phil Foden as the best player in the Premier League this season after carrying City to so many wins this year.

His statement comes off the back of a 3-1 victory over their rivals where Phil Foden scored the first two goals which allowed them to gain momentum and win over the game.

In the past 2 games, Phil Foden has scored 3 crucial goals that have put his team in the driving seat taking his team closer to the leaders of the Premier League, Liverpool, closing the gap to 1 point between the two teams.

Embed from Getty Images

The Stockport star is already having a personal record breaking season with 18 goals and 10 assists this year for City, with his personal best being 16 goals which was a few years ago. He is already smashing that record with many games yet to come and with Phil having a crucial part in the lineup this year, fans can expect many more goals to come from the 23 year old.

With the City squad missing Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland for a lot of the season, it fell upon to Foden to carry the team to victories and kept them in contention with the Premier League title race despite missing their top goalscorer and assist machines.

Foden has taken up a role that is undeniably a lot to burden to the youngster but he seems to be thriving with this new role and finding himself having huge success scoring a lot of goals and setting his team up for success. In this new system he is thriving with success and even with the return of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, he has shown no signs of relaxing his output and still being as important as he was when they were absent from the squad at the back end of 2023.

Embed from Getty Images

England’s EURO 2024 Chances

With England joining the EURO’s once again, this year seems to be the best chance they have to win it with the vast amount of talent that they have available to them. The only problem is the selection of team by the manager, Gareth Southgate.

There are many England players who have been putting up huge numbers this year leaving a tough choice for the England gaffer to make this upcoming tournament this year.

The biggest problem for Southgate to tackle is the midfield that he will choose. He has the choice of many inform midfielders such as:

  • Phil Foden
  • Jude Bellingham
  • Declan Rice
  • James Maddison
  • Cole Palmer
  • Kobbie Mainoo
  • Ross Barkley
  • Connor Gallagher

There is also the issue of Southgate having favourites and possibly choosing his ‘comfort’ midfield which consists of two sitting midfielders and a box to box midfielder. This could mean the introduction of players such as Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips who are definitley out of form this year but fell into the England squad for their World Cup and Euro 2020 run where they made it quite far making the Final of the EURO’s and the Semi-finals of the World Cup.

Phil Foden, with the form that he is currently in, HAS to start for England alongside Jude Bellingham who are both sitting on 28 G/A this season for their respective clubs. If Southgate can’t change his team sheet and adapt around these highly skilled players, he will not bring the EURO’s back to England.