Man Utd still prone to mistakes and Man City’s weak points exposed by Crystal Palace – Premier League talking points | Football News

Mistakes undermine Amorim’s Man Utd

Ruben Amorim has certainly changed the style of play at Manchester United and also changed the formation. They are trying to be more patient, but the 3-2 defeat against Nottingham Forest is a real setback. There was a palpable uncertainty and lack of belief as they chased the game in the closing stages.

In Ipswich, a majority of the ball possession was in their own half. Here they were able to get closer to the opponent’s goal with 71.6 percent of ball possession. For comparison: they only had this much possession once under Erik ten Hag – in a defeat against Crystal Palace.

The lack of creativity was alarming, especially after the withdrawal of Bruno Fernandes. But United were also undoubtedly let down by Nuno Espirito Santo’s impressive play. His careful substitutions gave Harry Maguire time on the ball. He couldn’t take advantage of it.

Amorim will want to turn United into a team that can dominate the ball with confidence and the example of the first goal – Matthijs de Ligt initiated a pass to start the move – was one he cited as evidence that it could be effective can.

“I know they need to have more confidence not only to receive the ball, but also to get the ball between the lines. And we did it for the goal. The first goal is one of those moves.”

But all too often, particularly towards the end of the game, United were overly cautious. “They’re trying to find the perfect solution,” Amorim said. “And the focus is on not losing the ball through sloppy passes. And that’s what they’re trying to do. But sometimes you have to take risks against low blocks.” As he discovered after a few weeks, this is just the beginning.

The team is still fragile and prone to inexplicable mistakes like the one from Andre Onana that gave Morgan Gibbs-White Forest’s second goal. This can ruin the best laid plans. This task will take some time – and their next Premier League game is the Manchester derby.
Adam Bate

Another setback leaves City climbing the hill in the title race

Man City are closer to the top of the Premier League table than they were at the start of the day, but their 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace was another setback to their ambitions to win a fifth successive title. This was a demonstration of the vulnerabilities that derailed them.

Key players are missing. Those who play had a heavy workload. And it all adds up to a City team that looks so vulnerable without possession of the ball. Crystal Palace scored two goals but could have easily scored two or three more if Ruben Dias hadn’t timed his blocks as well as he did.

Oliver Glasner emphasized the large gaps on both sides of Ilkay Gündogan and that the defense behind him is always in trouble when the opposing team finds these gaps.

City remain a threat at the top. The connection between Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland looked dangerous with every combination. Without a few good saves from Dean Henderson and Gündogan’s shot against the post, they could have scored more goals themselves.

But it is possession issues that are holding City back at the moment – and there is no easy solution with big away games at Juventus and at home to Manchester United fast approaching. Liverpool – with their game in hand – as well as Arsenal and Chelsea will be optimistic about extending their lead over the defending champions in the coming weeks.
Peter Smith

Hughes shines as Crystal Palace take over against City

Those who follow Crystal Palace have long known that Will Hughes is the beating heart of the midfielder when he plays.

This was reflected against Man City when a loud ‘Hughes’ could be heard at Selhurst Park every time he had the ball. It sounds like a boo, but it’s exactly the opposite. The same thing happens in most games he plays.

Hughes was a thorn in the side of Man City’s midfield team. Interrupt the game, put the opponent under pressure, win the ball back. He also prepared assists for both goals with first-class passes, and he also had the most shots and chances among his teammates (both three).

While the weather outside was terrible, Hughes – and Crystal Palace – were glorious. Overall, it was arguably their best performance at Selhurst Park this season.

Hughes’ starts may have been curtailed by the introduction of Adam Wharton in January, who himself has performed excellently since arriving at the club. But in his absence, Hughes takes his chance.
Charlotte Marsh

The strange, crazy case of Brentford

If Brentford could defend better or even play better away from home, who knows where they would be in the Premier League table?

With 40 goals scored in top-flight games at the Gtech Community Stadium, many have described Thomas Frank’s side as the ‘entertainers’ of the Premier League. That’s fitting this week, considering the same award was given to a famous Newcastle side three decades ago.

Perhaps “The Crazy Gang” – a name for another London club from this era – is more apt when referring to Brentford. Despite being so efficient at times, they are a strange bunch.

Either they fall behind and come back – like in the previous three home wins – or they start very quickly, sometimes scoring in the first minute and trying to put the goal away. On Saturday they also took the lead twice in the first half and lost both leads within four minutes.

The players are also fascinating. Mark Flekken has made the most saves of any Premier League goalkeeper this season, but also has the same number of assists as Phil Foden. He is the ninth goalkeeper to have assisted more than one Premier League goal after being at the club for less than 18 months.

Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have the two best conversion rates in the Premier League this season, while Nathan Collins has more blocks than any other player but is now making goal contributions in consecutive home games.

Apart from the goals, you have no idea what to expect when you play against Brentford at the Gtech. That’s why they are dangerous – and are now on the doorstep of Europe.
Sam Blitz

Howe must find answers for struggling Newcastle

“We have work to do.”

Newcastle coach Eddie Howe was under no illusions that his side needed to improve quickly after their fourth straight league game without a win.

“There is a good team, but we didn’t show it. We haven’t been good enough in the last four games,” Howe added.

Newcastle showed their quality in a 3-3 draw with Liverpool in midweek. A thrilling game saw them go head-to-head with the league leaders, but they were unable to match that performance against Brentford.

Howe’s side have now lost three of their last six away games in the Premier League, while they are winless in four games across all competitions, only suffering longer such runs under Howe in January 2022 (6 games) and March 2023 (5 games).

If Howe wants a return to Europe he needs to find answers quickly or Newcastle, still in the bottom half of the table, will fall behind.
Oliver Yew

Duran proves he’s not just a super sub

Aston Villa coach Unai Emery is currently having problems with his striker selection.

Jhon Duran made his first league start of the season against Southampton and took full advantage by scoring a clear winner.

The 20-year-old was a handful for the Southampton defense. His goal showed his bullish strength as he held off Nathan Wood and then showed composure and finesse to take advantage of his one-on-one chance.

Duran was substituted for Ollie Watkins in the 58th minute but this time there was no angry reaction from the Colombian after he was substituted in Villa’s 2-0 Champions League win over Bologna in October.

Watkins was dangerous but wasteful when he came on as a substitute against Southampton. He had four shots and eight touches of the ball in the opposition box – the most of any Villa player – but failed to convert.

The England international is likely to be fit for Tuesday’s Champions League game at RB Leipzig but Duran is breathing down his neck as he tries to shake off his ‘super substitute’ label.

Duran has now scored nine goals in all competitions, with this latest strike being his sixth winner of the season.

Duran is making the difference and hopes he is rewarded with more starts.
Declan Olley