Premier League hits and misses: Has Jose Mourinho lost his mojo? Ruben Dias for PFA Player of the Year?

Brighton find a way to keep defying the stats

Simply as there was as soon as a somewhat merciless – if generally correct – use of Tottenham’s nickname as a technique to describe wilting below stress, so too would possibly Brighton quickly discover themselves an apt depiction of a group who typically dominate video games and infrequently win them.

Even a draw towards Crystal Palace, who had one contact within the opposition field up till second-half added time, would have befitted the definition. Brighton had 25 pictures, 52 touches in Palace’s field, 75 per cent possession, and 13 corners.

However nonetheless, solely Joel Veltman, a defender turned wing-back, was the one one who may discover the again of the online regardless of the wealth, and expense, of attacking expertise on present. And even that proved inadequate in the long run.

“In terms of placing the ball within the internet, it has to come back from upstairs [the boardroom],” former Brighton supervisor Gus Poyet informed Sky Sports activities after the sport. Their present boss, Graham Potter, slumped in his seat when Christian Benteke plundered in a Ninety fifth-minute winner, having seen this all earlier than.

If Brighton’s xG for and towards married up with outcomes, they’d be chasing Europe proper now, not preventing relegation. Many have prompt that outcomes will meet up with the statistics in the long run. Placing the ball at the back of the online is way from a given, and you aren’t getting factors for creating probabilities.

Sure, this defeat ended a six-game unbeaten run, Brighton’s longest since their promotion in 2017. Even some excellent outcomes towards Tottenham and Liverpool can not cover the very fact they scored 4 objectives throughout these matches, owing their streak much more to the 5 clear sheets they stored in that point.

All of the components are there for Potter and Brighton to step up a gear. Properly, virtually all of them. Propelling the Seagulls in direction of the highest half and away from the underside might be so simple as discovering somebody to place the ball at the back of the online.
Ron Walker

Questions remain over Auba’s best role

There aren’t many strikers who have gotten the higher of John Stones and Ruben Dias this season and we will now add Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the listing of these to have tried and failed.

Per week on from his scintillating, hat-trick efficiency towards Leeds United, the 31-year-old regarded like a special participant towards Metropolis. The standard of opposition have to be taken into consideration, in fact. Nevertheless it was nonetheless hanging simply how little he impacted the sport.

Aubameyang’s contribution towards Leeds supported the argument he’s only when used centrally somewhat than off the left. However with Stones and Dias respiration down his neck on the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, he regarded ill-equipped for the duty at hand. “He bought bullied,” as Sky Sports activities pundit Jamie Redknapp put it afterwards.

Aubameyang is devastatingly efficient when operating in behind an opposition defence however he isn’t naturally suited to enjoying along with his again to at least one and there was loads of proof of it towards Metropolis.

Arsenal wanted somebody to carry the ball up, relieve the stress on their backline and permit them to maneuver up the pitch. As an alternative, Aubameyang may solely give up possession meekly, permitting Metropolis to proceed pushing the hosts again.

He obtained little in the way in which of service in an attacking sense, solely touching the ball 19 occasions and failing to muster a single shot on objective. However nor was there any of the motion that makes him such a harmful prospect when operating inside from the left.

In reality, it was solely after Alexandre Lacazette’s introduction within the closing phases, as soon as he had moved away from the central hanging place and again to the flank, that Aubameyang started to look extra snug. Maybe that’s his greatest place in any case.
Nick Wright

Ruben Dias making case for PFA Player of the Year award?

There was a sense at Manchester Metropolis they’d by no means see the like of Vincent Kompany once more when he hung up his boots. Properly, not solely have they changed him they might simply have surpassed him with the skills of the imperious Ruben Dias, who was magnificent as Metropolis made it 18 wins in a row in one other defensive masterclass efficiency towards Arsenal.

Jamie Redknapp referred to as him “phenomenal” within the aftermath whereas Gary Neville awarded him the man-of-the-match award, saying: “It was a fully implausible efficiency once more. I believed that (Aymeric) Laporte could be the rock of this defence for a few years to come back however Dias is popping out to be the star man. We requested how they’d substitute (Vincent) Kompany. Properly, watching Dias week-in, week-out, he is so younger, bodily good, nice on the ball, and he is bought actual management qualities. He was excellent immediately.”

Discuss has been comparatively quiet surrounding the PFA Participant of the Yr vote, which is undertaken by the professionals within the spring, however Bruno Fernandes is seemingly the new favorite. But, it’s going to absolutely to be exhausting to choose towards a participant from a membership that’s cantering in direction of the Premier League title with the potential to interrupt all defensive information within the course of. It is 11 clear sheets now and simply two objectives conceded in 13 Premier League begins alongside John Stones for the good Dias. They’re fairly the pairing.

Is it attainable for a defensive participant to obtain the votes from his friends for the award? Historical past does counsel it is robust however doable. Virgil van Dijk was the newest winner in 2019 whereas N’Golo Kante edged out the extra apparent case for Eden Hazard within the 2017 award. Dias deserves a shout.
Lewis Jones

Has Mourinho lost his mojo?

It is a query which took root in his second spell at Chelsea, surfaced all through his ill-fated tenure at Manchester United, and has reared its ugly head as soon as once more at Tottenham – has Jose Mourinho nonetheless bought it?

Managers and gamers all undergo tough spells, true greatness is measured on one’s capability to bounce again from such setbacks, however there comes a time when poor type can not be classed as a blip, when issues seem endemic.

Tottenham’s alarming stoop of 5 defeats of their final six Premier League video games has not simply jeopardised their possibilities of qualifying for the Champions League, it has shaken the foundations of Mourinho’s elite-level fame to the core.

Spurs had been prime of the Premier League in mid-December, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son had been working in good concord, ripping groups to shreds, and speak of the title was rife.

However since surrendering prime spot to Liverpool at Anfield, Spurs, identical to the Premier League champions, have endured a wretched run, managing simply three league wins since.

Mourinho’s powers have steadily tapered down through the years and he finds himself in an analogous place to the one he endured at Previous Trafford, with the very philosophy which propelled him to stardom on the flip of the century bearing the brunt of the criticism.

Given Spurs’ present type, and Mourinho’s continued struggles to get a tune of his Spurs squad, securing a top-four end seems to be a tall order. After defeat on the London Stadium he admitted it himself, however removed from conceding defeat, he hinted the place he believes salvation lies.

Tottenham turned to Mourinho for one motive and one motive alone, and that was to win silverware. The Premier League is gone, however with a Carabao Cup ultimate in April presenting the prospect to finish Spurs’ 13-year look forward to a trophy, and a Europa League marketing campaign providing a route into the Champions League, it could be silly to jot down off Mourinho simply but.
Jack Wilkinson

Man United’s season springs into make-or-break time

Now for the true checks.

The overarching mitigation for Manchester United’s laboured show towards Newcastle was that it occurred simply three days after a taxing European tour. However there was additionally a way United knew to not push themselves too exhausting. Partly, maybe, as a result of Newcastle had been certainly in the end there for the taking and crumbled when United lastly roused themselves. And partly, possibly, as a result of United had been eager to avoid wasting themselves for the encounters to come back.

As soon as Actual Sociedad are dispatched within the Europa League – and given the dimensions of their away-leg victory, it’s all-but sure United will end the job – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s aspect face the hardest month of their season: Crystal Palace, away; Chelsea, away, Manchester Metropolis, away. After that it’s West Ham, at present fourth within the Premier League desk, after which away to Leicester within the FA Cup.

Whereas the current, pricey outcomes towards Sheffield United and West Brom are related reminders of the danger of fixture forecasting based mostly on league place, United’s upcoming schedule is daunting by any measure.

Sunday evening’s mitigations apart, United will certainly must play higher than they did towards Newcastle between now and April if their season is to not derail. Edinson Cavani’s health might be very important. He was badly missed towards Newcastle, which is the well mannered means of claiming that Anthony Martial, passive and pedestrian, was past disappointing. Provided that Marcus Rashford clearly prefers to start out from the left, and Mason Greenwood is seemingly not but fairly prepared or completely trusted to guide the road, there’s an fascinating centre-forward dilemma forward for United and Solskjaer this summer season.

However for now, United’s focus have to be on what’s coming in spring. After a winter of contentment, the following month each threatens and guarantees make-or-break.
Pete Gill

Moyes has heady Hammers daring to dream

A victory of any type towards Tottenham is often sufficient trigger for fervent celebration in West Ham circles, however this one felt totally different.

The predatory intuition of Michail Antonio, one other magical second from a revitalised Jesse Lingard and a component of luck, which noticed Spurs twice denied by the woodwork, moved the Hammers into the top-four locations within the prime flight on the 25-game mark for the primary time since 1985/86.

That season they completed third within the previous First Division, a repeat this time period would see the Hammers qualify for the Champions League for the very first time, and David Moyes is relishing the prospect of constructing {that a} actuality.

On the similar stage of final season West Ham had been within the backside three, 21 factors worse off than they’re now and preventing for his or her top-flight standing, however having held on by their fingernails, the Hammers have come of age below Moyes.

13 video games stand between West Ham and the holy grail of a European marketing campaign, and whereas they’re below no illusions the exhausting work has solely simply begun, they’re daring to dream concerning the journey which may lie forward.

“The place does it take us? I’m actually hoping we will get in one of many European competitions,” Moyes stated after Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Spurs. “But when it would not and we end outdoors it, I feel it could be exhausting to say the gamers haven’t had an excellent 12 months.”

From recruitment, to the way in which he has arrange his group, that assertion is one other instance of Moyes’ behavior of getting issues proper this season. The Hammers have been so excellent that this marketing campaign mustn’t relaxation on whether or not they make Europe or not. However had been they to make it, there wouldn’t even be a debate.
Jack Wilkinson

Barnes becoming too difficult to ignore

There isn’t any stopping Harvey Barnes, in the meanwhile.

The winger put in one other good efficiency as Leicester beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park to maneuver second within the Premier League.

Barnes grabbed an help for James Maddison’s opener earlier than reacting quickest to energy residence the rebound after Emiliano Martinez parried Jamie Vardy’s shot, nevertheless it was his spectacular direct play that might have caught the attention of watching England supervisor Gareth Southgate.

He now has 9 Premier League objectives this season, shifting him forward of Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling within the prime goalscorers charts and his type has impressed Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Redknapp.

“I have been so impressed with Harvey Barnes all season,” he stated on Tremendous Sunday. “He has a lot energy and tempo. He have to be a nightmare to play towards. He is a participant who’s so excessive on confidence with a supervisor who actually believes in him.

“You could possibly see earlier than half-time that Brendan was telling him, ‘each time you get the ball, I need you to run with it’. It helped that he was up towards a right-back in Ahmed Elmohamady that hasn’t performed numerous soccer, however he is been doing all of it season.

“He is bought great high quality and I am actually having fun with him in the meanwhile. He may not get into the Euros as he is bought an extended listing forward of him in Rashford, Grealish, Sancho, Sterling, Saka to call however a number of.”

Barnes has already revealed his want to seal a spot in England’s squad for the upcoming European Championships, and if this type continues, will probably be virtually inconceivable for Southgate to disregard him forward of Euro 2020.
Oliver Yew

Grealish’s importance to Villa underlined

“I hope he’ll be again for Leeds subsequent week,” stated Dean Smith after Jack Grealish missed Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat by means of harm.

They don’t seem to be solely the phrases and hopes of Smith however each single Aston Villa fan.

Any aspect in world soccer would miss Jack Grealish. He is been phenomenal this season and his type to date led to a glowing reference from Sky Sports activities‘ Paul Merson on Soccer Saturday.

“I feel that a lot of him and I feel he is likely one of the greatest round. I feel if I am a supervisor at one of many massive boys and no disrespect to Aston Villa right here, however if you happen to’re seeking to undergo your profession and try to win one thing, I am £120/130m for him, I might pay. If I am Barcelona I am shopping for him tomorrow morning it would not matter how a lot it’s I am shopping for Jack Grealish as a result of Jack Grealish on the Nou Camp would completely rip it up.”

Villa actually did miss him towards Leicester. Smith’s aspect regarded extraordinarily flat and didn’t have any actual spark in assault within the absence of their skipper and talisman.

The stats additionally present how necessary he’s to this Villa aspect. Below Smith, Villa have averaged 1.5 points-per-game in league competitors when Grealish has featured in comparison with 0.9 points-per-game with out him, dropping all three Premier League matches with out the midfielder because the begin of final season.

Smith might be determined to get him again as shortly as attainable, however they have to resist the urge to hurry him again and face any additional setbacks.

Additional down the road, hypothesis will at all times proceed to encompass Grealish’s future. Hyperlinks to a transfer to a few of Europe’s prime golf equipment at all times not far-off from the England midfielder’s identify, however his absence towards Leicester underlined his worth and significance to Villa.
Oliver Yew

Credit running out for Bruce and Newcastle

There have been inexperienced shoots of restoration for Newcastle within the first half at Previous Trafford. Steve Bruce’s aspect amassed extra pictures (six) and extra makes an attempt heading in the right direction (4) than Manchester United and Allain Saint-Maximin’s strike had deservedly restored parity on the interval.

The winger is slowly returning to health having missed two months of the season from struggling long-term results of coronavirus, however getting the Frenchman again as much as full pace can not come quickly sufficient for Bruce.

Solely Callum Wilson (15) has been immediately concerned in additional Premier League objectives than Saint-Maximin’s 5 for Newcastle this time period, regardless of this solely being his eleventh begin within the competitors.

Determining the place the objectives will come from in Wilson’s present absence will proceed to alarm supporters. Joelinton was handed a begin rather than Dwight Gayle, and for 55 minutes throughout Sunday’s 3-1 defeat, the Brazilian made life awkward for Harry Maguire.

However the sight of the club-record £40m striker subsequently hobbling off solely provides to rising fears Newcastle will get sucked into the relegation zone, with Fulham now simply three factors off security.

“We stayed within the recreation for an hour and an enormous turning level for us was the lack of massive Joe,” Bruce stated. “We hope it isn’t too severe. It is a groin or a hip downside however he is not fairly so certain but.

“The followers do not need to see their group on the flawed finish of the desk and I perceive that absolutely. We have got a singular fanbase who make us the membership we’re, however I am nonetheless assured that we’ll be effective.”

Newcastle have taken simply eight factors from their final 14 Premier League video games, in comparison with 15 taken in that point by their nearest relegation rivals Fulham. Bruce stays bullish he’ll enhance on that file within the remaining 13 video games, however such confidence amongst supporters is operating out.
Ben Grounds