Analysis

Chelsea win again but performance hinted why Enzo Maresca is talking down title bid - Premier League hits and misses

Plus: Ruben Amorim takes a big step at Man Utd; Russell Martin runs out of time at Southampton; Man City show their fragility again; Ismailia Sarr stars for Crystal Palace at faltering Brighton...

Monday 16 December 2024 09:04, UK

Chelsea move closer to top - but title credentials look less convincing

Chelsea succeeded where Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City had failed by winning at home, but had they been punished by Brentford, as they might have been, it would have been just as self-inflicted.

Robert Sanchez and Chelsea's centre-back options have been highlighted as their Achilles heel, but it was their inability to finish Brentford off and the manner of the goal they did eventually concede - from their own attacking throw - which gives some credence to Enzo Maresca's insistence they are not ready to challenge for the title.

From the outside, this can look like a perfect example of a team winning without playing well - the hallmark of any good side. But the way Chelsea let Brentford, a side who had lost six of seven on the road, wrestle back control of the game out of nowhere and come inches away from getting something is another sign that maturity is still developing.

The Blues have still come an awful long way under Maresca. Whereas their title rivals all have established, experienced names through the spine of the team, Chelsea are still on the way up. They are getting there but still have a way to go.
Ron Walker

Amorim ends United's dismal away big-six record on derby debut

When Ruben Amorim's Sporting thrashed Pep Guardiola's Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League, Manchester United fans dreamed of what was to come. It didn't take long for him to get his first taste of a Manchester derby, just five Premier League games into his tenure, but it marks a significant step towards progress.

Gary Neville backs Ruben Amorim's call to drop Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho

In catalysing a late comeback victory, Amad Diallo ended a poor away run against the big six. Ruben Amorim claimed United's first win away from home against a big-six rival since a 3-0 victory at Tottenham in 2021 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United's display was far from vintage against a struggling City, but there was a deal of courage and control away from home, with the expected goals reflected in the scoreline, with City's 0.95 to United's 2.08.

As Amorim's quick to remind us all, United is a project that requires both time and patience, but the early signs are promising.
William Bitibiri

Fragile City a shadow of the mentality machines who dominated the Premier League

Matheus Nunes must have wanted the ground to swallow him up. The terrible back-pass, the panicked penalty giveaway… and then watching Manchester United ride the momentum of that gifted equaliser to score a derby-day winner less than 60 seconds later.

He's not the first City player to make glaring, game-changing errors during this shocking streak of results. This last-gasp collapse from City was reminiscent of the surrender against Feyenoord, when a Josko Gvardiol mistake sparked an implosion.

City are so fragile right now. Pep Guardiola's side - like their neighbours - were underwhelming and unconvincing throughout much of this match. But the real concern is how a team so resilient and machine-like in winning four Premier League titles in a row can now just cave in when a game is in their hands. That is a problem harder to fix than form dips or tactical slips.
Peter Smith

Low moments outweighed fleeting glimmers for Martin this term

Russell Martin had so much credit in the bank after promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking last season that when their first season back in the Premier League didn't quite go to plan at the beginning, the Southampton hierarchy stuck by their man.

He stuck by his principles and continued to play the possession-based game he has become renowned for, even when the chips were down and the doubters were out in force, determined to make it work. There have been fleeting moments of promise, that much is true, but the low moments have far outweighed them.

They were on top early on against Manchester United in September, but a missed penalty turned the game and they were comprehensively beaten 3-0. They were 2-0 up against Leicester with over an hour gone a month later, seemingly on course for their first win, but somehow ended up losing 3-2. They went toe-to-toe with Liverpool at the end of November - shortly after only losing 1-0 away at Man City - but mistakes were costly that day.

There were a smattering of boos when Tottenham scored the opener on Sunday evening but a mass exodus followed when they were 4-0 down inside half an hour - as did the first real calls for Martin's head, which grew louder and more intense throughout the game. After the full-time whistle - by which point he had already disappeared down the tunnel - cameras picked up a banner that read "R.M. Get Out Of Our Club".

In his post-match press conference, the 38-year-old spoke about how "as a manager, it hurts a lot" to hear the chants, though made it clear he did not take it personally. "It's not personal; I don't know them, they don't know me. So it's a criticism of the job I'm doing, I understand," he said.

Asked if the fans would get their wish, he added: "Not a clue, mate. Not a clue. You're speaking to the wrong man." Sadly for him, the right person granted the fans' wish just an hour after he spoke those words.
Dan Long

Sarr the star as Crystal Palace revival continues

If there was ever a time to have a near-perfect performance, your club's biggest game of the season is a good place to do it - just ask Ismaila Sarr.

The forward scored twice and assisted Crystal Palace's third in a match-winning turn against Brighton, earning him the player of the match accolade from co-commentator Lee Hendrie.

It is the second time he has managed to both score and assist in an away Premier League match this season, also doing so against Aston Villa. Only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (3) has produced more such displays so far in the 2024/25 campaign.

Sarr topped the charts in a number of statistical categories too, and comes amid a much-needed uptick in form for the Eagles.

They are now unbeaten in their last five Premier League games - losing just once in the last eight - and have opened up a gap of four points from the bottom three.

Performances, too, have been far improved. Palace needed all of their defensive nous in the second half as Brighton threw the kitchen sink at them. An unlucky Marc Guehi own goal aside, they did well to keep the Seagulls at bay.

Things finally seem to be clicking for the Eagles, who could easily have pulled the trigger on Oliver Glasner earlier this season. But they are being repaid for their faith, with Palace hitting the right heights ahead of the busy festive period.
Charlotte Marsh

Brighton lack ruthless streak to challenge for top four

Ipswich, Wolves, Southampton, Leicester and now Crystal Palace. Brighton have proved themselves to be no flat-track bullies against the league's bottom sides.

They squandered a two-goal lead at Leicester, wilted late on at Fulham and allowed Southampton to earn a point during their current four-game winless run.

The warning signs were there after conceding two improbable late goals in a 2-2 draw at home to Wolves in October. Brighton have thrown points away at will.

They flirted with the top four early in the season but are now at risk of missing out on European football altogether having spent £192m in the summer - unless they become more ruthless.
David Richardson

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