Premier League punches and mistakes: Man Utd piece missing, Chelsea shows title form | Football news

The missing piece of the Man Utd?

3:01

In so many departments this season, Manchester United have smelled of inconsistency, blowing hot and cold not just from game to game, but in two halves of the same game.

Nowhere was he more present than Saturday’s victory at London Stadium, where, for the second week in a row, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had to overcome a deficit at halftime to emerge with three points.

Just as they did at Southampton, where defeat was also starring United to the face, Solskjaer’s substitutes delivered, transforming a competition they had no right to transform after their starting XI was off the hook by a poor shot by Hammers.

The question was raised of how many more times Manchester United would get away with such an abject display in the first half, and why the brilliant attacking play of the second period could not be produced before falling behind.

But while Solskjaer seeks answers to both questions, the United manager can enjoy the glory of an area where his team is consistent, very consistent, and that is winning away from home.

The 3-1 win over West Ham not only extended Manchester United’s away league winning streak to nine games, but also confirmed a fifth win out of their top five this season for the first time since 1985/86.

The quality of Manchester United is unquestionable, but the same cannot be said for the consistency required to take the team to the top. This, it seems, remains Solskjaer’s biggest challenge, dare I say it, and one of the few obstacles standing between them and the title bid.
Jack wilkinson

Chelsea showing title form

There will be more wins for Chelsea than this one against Leeds, secured in injury time by Christian Pulisic. But this 3-1 win for Frank Lampard’s team, the day the fans returned to Stamford Bridge, was full of signs that this is a title challenge that can survive the stress of winter. Chelsea tops the table and is showing off some real steel.

They had to come from behind after Patrick Bamford’s early goal. Then there was the loss of Hakim Ziyech through injury. But these tests were passed and what was most encouraging was the way Chelsea viewed the game as Leeds pushed: all working, defending from the front, determined to secure the points.

There were more than enough chances in the game for Leeds to leave much earlier. Chelsea’s 23-shot tally is the highest of the season for them, as well as the most their opponents have faced in a game. An expected goal total of 4.07 is the highest of any team in a Premier League game this season. Chelsea have many attacking options.

Olivier Giroud’s recent impact only adds to that depth, his draw here adding to his four goals against Sevilla midweek. His bond with Timo Werner is promising, even if the German inexplicably failed to finish at the far post after Giroud’s film.

There was no goal from that corner, but Kurt Zouma’s header in the second half means Chelsea have scored more goals from the corners than any other team in the Premier League this season. This is a team that can harm its opponents in many different ways.

With Bamford’s goal only the third Chelsea have conceded in their last 11 games in all competitions, this is the kind of form on both ends of the pitch that brings success. The summer reversal was significant, but 16 games without a loss tell their own story. Chelsea are showing organization, depth and quality to compete for the title.
Adam Bate

Pep rolling with stones

2:31

Now it’s four starts and four clean sheets for John Stones since he returned to the Manchester City defense in November. It’s easy to forget that the English international only started four games for City in a 10-month span before he was given a shot at Olympiakos in the Champions League a month ago.

The first signs are that Stones may have returned to his best. Yes, Ederson could have played in his club outfit and went out to do his Christmas shopping such was Fulham’s lack of adventures, but Stones answered all calls, whether it be for passing out from behind or stopping Ademola’s dangerous runs. Lookman.

“The manager demands and expects a lot, we are all fighting for all the places,” Stones said. “We have to take a chance when we have one. It’s good, healthy competition.”

However, everything could have been pear-shaped. Stones’ recent good form has been very positive for City, but the center-back had a moment to forget when he didn’t realize Ederson was far from his goal when he landed a pass back. The Brazilian had no chance of recovering the situation, but fortunately for Stones, the ball rolled off the track.

It was just a reminder why perhaps, in the long run, Aymeric Laporte still has the reliability factor to be Ruben Dias’ partner when it really matters.

Stick with 4-3-3, Carlo

2:57

If Everton’s draw at Burnley taught us anything, it’s that Carlo Ancelotti has to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation. That’s where your players thrive and how you can get the most out of them.

Initially, Ancelotti had once again lined up with three center-backs and two full-backs, which was surprising after his ineffectiveness against Leeds last weekend. As the coach admitted before the trip to Turf Moor, this was due to necessity after injuries to wingers Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne.

But Everton started the game insanely bad with their new lineup. Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, often the constant interpreters, seemed devoid of confidence. They delivered the ball over and over in the first half hour and Allan was punished for his mistake when Burnley took the lead in three minutes.

And while Ancelotti will not receive another injury, Fabian Delph’s hamstring strain paved the way for a change back to 4-3-3, with Alex Iwobi and Ben Godfrey playing on the right and left side respectively. Everton seemed a lot safer from then on, Doucoure did those breakthrough runs that paid off in the summer and the makeshift full-backs did well.

While Iwobi and Godfrey filled a void on Saturday, they are by no means the answer to Everton’s woes. Let’s not forget that Everton have a talented young left-back in Niels Nkounkou, who has impressed in the EFL Cup, and Seamus Coleman will hopefully return soon. However, one thing is for sure: 4-3-3 is the way to go for this team.
Charlotte Marsh

The unhappy Hammers homecoming

1:59

David Moyes pointed to a dubious refereeing decision over West Ham’s collapse against Manchester United, but there was an all too familiar feel to the Hammers’ latest setback on their big return to the London stadium.

For 45 minutes, the script seemed to go just as West Ham would have wanted it on the momentous day they opened their stadium doors to fans for the first time since February, with Tomas Soucek giving them a well-deserved lead at halftime.

Despite all the positives of the first period, West Ham should have scored more and as time went on you wondered if they would live to regret the myriad of missed opportunities provided by Manchester United’s porous defense.

That, coupled with the willingness to sit down early in the second period, gave Manchester United a glimmer of hope, which they used to devastating effect.

The Hammers were aggrieved when Paul Pogba’s spectacular punch was allowed to hold up, despite huge calls that he had been pulled out of the game in preparation, and were still reeling as Mason Greenwood put the visitors ahead in the space of three seconds. minutes.

By the time Marcus Rashford added a third, West Ham’s hopes were over and his claim for an unwanted record was confirmed. No Premier League team has lost more points from a winning position than the Hammers’ tally of 19 in 2020.
Jack wilkinson