1
Amad’s quick feet crucial for United
Though Manchester United continued to win after playing brilliantly against Manchester City and Arsenal in Michael Carrick’s first two games as manager, the quality and coherence of their performances decreased thereafter. Lacking balance without the injured Patrick Dorgu, they’ve been rescued on three separate occasion by Benjamin Sesko’s goals – goals which eventually forced him into the team at the expense of Amad Diallo. But though Amad is easier to omit than Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, both of whom are older, dearer and more productive, without him United lacked a dribbler: a player eager to run at opponents, who isn’t necessarily seeking the quickest route to goal, and whose quick feet in tight spaces are invaluable against disciplined defences. It is no coincidence that on his return to the starting XI, against Villa last weekend, United delivered their best display since those early weeks. Though, at some point soon, Sesko’s form will again demand his inclusion, this time it is unlikely to be Amad who makes way. Daniel Harris
2
Mitoma absence benefits March
The Amex has not been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool in recent years: they have only won once at the ground in their last five visits and that was in the Carabao Cup last season. Their last Premier League victory there came in March 2022 and Arne Slot’s side will face a Brighton team who have won three of their last four matches. Fabian Hürzeler may have to do without Kaoru Mitoma again after the Japan forward sat out their win at Sunderland owing to an ankle injury he picked up against Arsenal the previous weekend. His absence could mean there is more of a role for Solly March to play – March scored twice against Liverpool in a 3-0 win back in January 2023 – after he returned from almost a year out injured as a substitute against Nottingham Forest this month. Ed Aarons
3
Fulham look to Wilson for touch of genius
There have never been as many players in the game able to score and create goals with moments of unlikely magic, and Harry Wilson is one such; so far this season, he has bagged nine and assisted six. The question, though, is whether he is a useful player in the form of his life or one maturing into something more significant and, given he’s 28, the former seems more likely. Fulham, though, will hope he’s in the process of stepping up a level. Though they lie 11th in the table, European football remains a viable prospect: they are only four points behind seventh-place Brentford, who occupy what is currently the sole Conference League spot, and there exists the strong possibility that eighth – perhaps lower – will be good enough for continental competition, depending on who lifts the various cups. Consequently, a win this weekend is essential and, as has been the case so often this season, Wilson may hold the key. DH
4
Chelsea’s easy ride proves Everton’s point
It is with rich irony that Chelsea’s first Premier League game since being fined for breaching financial rules during Roman Abramovich’s ownership should be away at Everton, the club the Premier League made an example of when reinforcing its authority over disobedient members (except the wealthiest ones who tried to join a European Super League). Cheat for seven years by making illicit payments totalling £47.5m for players who help you win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League and two FA Cups, and not only do you get to keep those trophies but you escape with a fine of £10.75m and a nine month academy transfer ban. If you’re Chelsea. Breach financial rules by £19.5m over a three-year period while taking out loans to build a new stadium and losing sponsorship deals owing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and you receive a 10-point deduction reduced to six on appeal. If you’re Everton. The Premier League wanted a 12-point punishment, don’t forget, which would have pushed Everton closer to a relegation that could have triggered administration. Evertonians were condescendingly dismissed as conspiracists when accusing the Premier League of operating a two-tier disciplinary system in 2023. This week they received confirmation they were correct. Andy Hunter
5
Farke urges Leeds to constrain Thiago
Daniel Farke’s contract at Leeds runs until the end of the 2026-27 season. He is keen to extend that deal but Elland Road directors maintain any talks are “off the table” until the team secures Premier League survival. A home win against Brentford on Saturday evening would represent a significant step towards it for a Leeds side currently 15th but only three points clear of the relegation zone. “We have 32 points, we’re on a good path and I’m pretty sure we’ll show that we deserve to stay in this league, but there’s still work to do,” cautioned Farke on Thursday. If Keith Andrews will be mindful that Leeds’ recent performances have often been better than their results – something perhaps evidenced by the midfielder Anton Stach’s Germany call-up – the Brentford manager will not underestimate the attacking threat posed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Farke feels much the same about the visiting centre-forward, Igor Thiago. “Brentford are pushing for Europe,” he said. “We’re capable of finding solutions to their questions but one key topic is controlling Igor Thiago.” Louise Taylor
6
Newcastle look to bounce back in derby
Eddie Howe has asked his Newcastle players to approach the Tyne-Wear derby as if “their lives depend on winning it”. Howe is desperate to end not merely his club’s 10-game winless run in league meetings with Sunderland but avenge the December defeat at the Stadium of Light when Nick Woltemade’s spectacular own goal gave Régis Le Bris’s side victory. While much may be contingent on the psychological fallout of Newcastle’s 7-2 Champions League defeat at Barcelona on Wednesday night, injuries could also shape the outcome. While Howe is hoping Sandro Tonali can overcome a groin problem, Le Bris waits to see whether a raft of key players in Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Reinildo and Enzo Le Fée will be fit enough to start at St James’ Park. Goals have not exactly been free-flowing for Sunderland in recent weeks but their manager can only be heartened by Newcastle’s failure to keep a clean sheet in all but five of their last 35 games. LT
7
Villa need to sort out home wobbles
How Aston Villa would welcome a return to winning ways after defeat at Old Trafford made it three straight losses in the Premier League. Victory against West Ham on Sunday would not only provide a natural fillip but could also prove a major psychological boost heading into the international break. Villa do not return to league action until a trip to Nottingham Forest on 11 April and if they win this weekend they will spend the next three weeks nestled inside the top four. The thing is, Villa Park is not the fortress it once was, with Villa having taken victory from just one of their last five home matches in the league. They won seven in a row between September and January. This week John McGinn, discussing their shot at the Europa League, insisted he and his teammates do not want to be perceived as “one-season wonders” and remedying their home form will go a long way to ensuring that. Ben Fisher
8
Judgment day for Spurs and Forest
Neither Tottenham nor Nottingham Forest should be disgracing themselves with the ignominy of a relegation scrap. It’s easy to blame the players but the suffering is principally the fault of myopic and megalomaniacal boardroom leadership, respectively. At this stage of proceedings, though, only the players can resolve the situation, and Sunday’s match looks set to be settled in midfield. Forest’s trio of Ibrahim Sangaré, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White should be among the best in the division, while Spurs may have stumbled upon a workable combination just in time. Finally allowed to play in his position, Archie Gray is excelling and, with Pape Matar Sarr providing ballast alongside him, there is now scope for Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons to roam and create, secure – ish! – in the knowledge that behind them is a back five with full-backs eager to supply width. This is not just the biggest game of the weekend, it is the biggest game of the season so far. DH
9
Gyökeres can earn hero status against City
Mikel Arteta found himself having to defend Viktor Gyökeres after he managed only 22 touches for Arsenal against Manchester City in September’s 1-1 draw at the Emirates. “We have to provide more for him, that’s it,” said Arteta. Six months on the Sweden striker’s recent performances have suggested he is now on the same wavelength as the rest of Arsenal’s attackers, having scored his 16th goal of the campaign against Everton last week. Following his £64m transfer last summer, a reunion with his former club Sporting awaits in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next month. But Gyökeres has an opportunity to establish himself as an Arsenal hero if he can score the goals that see off City at Wembley in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. EA
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