Liverpool lastly exploit worth of set items and Granit Xhaka’s influence key in Sunderland enchancment – Premier League hits and misses

Step apart Arsenal, Liverpool can do set-plays too

At 3-0 up within the first half of a 5-2 victory over West Ham, Liverpool had scored seven straight targets from set items within the Premier League. It marks the longest run of any facet in competitors historical past. And but, it appears like solely yesterday that we have been condemning that side of their recreation as out of date. They used to have the worst report in Europe.

Arne Slot and his technical workers have labored some magic on the coaching floor as a result of, virtually in a single day, Liverpool have grow to be as harmful as Arsenal from set performs. If solely this formulation have been discovered earlier Aaron Briggs would possibly nonetheless have a job.

The three nook targets they scored in opposition to West Ham have been helped in no small half by West Ham themselves. The Hammers did not react to the second section for Hugo Ekitike’s opener, gave Virgil van Dijk a free bounce on the second and allowed three contacts on the ball with out intervention as Alexis Mac Allister netted a 3rd.

Mateus Fernandes even advised Sky Sports at full time that his facet had labored all week on a plan to cease Van Dijk, now the second-highest scoring central defender in Premier League historical past behind John Terry. It did not have any impact.

“In some games, when the game is stuck and you know you can score from a set-piece – which we lacked in other moments – it’s very important,” Cody Gakpo mirrored. This is a brand new degree unlocked in Liverpool’s salvation mission, scoring 5 with out both of their £100m plus rated forwards – each injured.

“There was a time when we were 23 goals behind Arsenal, including penalties, and we have closed the gap a bit,” remarked Slot. “Set pieces can make a massive difference.” On this event they have been the distinction.
Laura Hunter

West Ham’s outdated habits will make them die onerous

Just when West Ham have been clawing their means again in the direction of a fantastic escape, their outdated unhealthy habits re-emerge.

Liverpool’s set piece prowess will rightly be hailed however that has been the Hammers’ Kryptonite all time period. Conceding three extra nook targets earlier than half-time took them to fifteen nook targets conceded all season.

To put into perspective about how unhealthy that’s, no different Premier League workforce is in double digits in that very same self-discipline.

On prime of that, no top-flight workforce has conceded extra targets from set items (16) or crosses (12) this time period.

Despite two totally different managers, so many striker signings, and constant rotations within the goalkeeper and centre-back departments, if West Ham go down then their incapacity to defend their field would be the story of their season.
Sam Blitz

Xhaka leads Sunderland again on observe

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris praised the “resilience” and “intensity” of his facet after their 1-1 draw at Bournemouth busted a three-game dropping streak within the Premier League. It was no coincidence Granit Xhaka was beginning for the primary time in six weeks.

The Black Cats have had a belated actuality examine of late after their unimaginable begin to this season. But with captain Xhaka again on the pitch at Bournemouth they seemed extra like their outdated selves.

The Swiss introduced his mixture of combat, calm and high quality to the center of the park, topping the passing accuracy amongst Sunderland starters and recording essentially the most final-third passes, but additionally successful possession extra instances than another team-mate bar Dan Ballard, and incomes the joint-most fouls.

His withdrawal simply after the hour was a part of his managed return to motion following his lengthy ankle layoff. And this was proof of why Sunderland want him match and firing within the remaining phases of the season to complete their spectacular marketing campaign strongly.
Peter Smith

Now Burnley’s resilience will actually be examined

How do you mentally get well from clawing again a three-goal deficit solely to blow it in added time – after which see one other equaliser chalked off by VAR?

That is the query Burnley head coach Scott Parker should reply earlier than his Burnley facet journey to Everton on Tuesday.

The wind has been firmly ripped from the Clarets’ sails, with the intestine punch method of Saturday’s 4-3 defeat to Brentford a tricky capsule to swallow.

Burnley had lastly seemed to be constructing some momentum with 4 factors from two video games in opposition to Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

Even clinching a draw to make it 5 from three would have represented their finest type of the season however as an alternative all that tough work, endeavour and character to get well from 3-0 down inside 35 minutes will really feel in useless. Scott Parker stated his overriding emotion was certainly one of feeling “sad for the players” after the match and that could be a sentiment they in all probability share.

The psychological fatigue is not going to be simple to take away inside three days, particularly after the jubilation of one other late equaliser within the 98th minute – rapidly turned to bitter disappointment by a VAR evaluate.

It will take lots for Burnley to bridge the eight-point hole to security regardless, however this may haven’t made it really feel any extra achievable.
Ron Walker

Moyes nonetheless dreaming of Europe with prime six now in putting distance

David Moyes stated within the buildup to Everton’s tricky-looking journey to Newcastle United that his gamers weren’t prepared simply but to surrender on their ambition of European soccer subsequent season and people hopes are nonetheless very a lot alive after their scintillating 3-2 win at St James’ Park.

A fortnight in the past, the Toffees may have moved into sixth place within the desk, just for back-to-back defeats in opposition to Bournemouth and Manchester United to see them slip right down to ninth. But Saturday’s victory strikes them as much as eighth, simply three factors off seventh-placed Brentford and with the highest six now inside putting distance.

The method of the guests’ show within the northeast, during which they not solely defended resolutely all through, but additionally twice responded to being pegged again by the Magpies, solely to instantly return in entrance, bodes effectively for his or her remaining ten video games of the marketing campaign.

And while you take note of that solely league leaders Arsenal have received extra top-flight away factors [29] than Everton [24] this season, then the Toffees should now have each likelihood of qualifying for Europe for a fifth time below Moyes.
Rich Morgan

Midweek adjustments don’t repay for Howe and Newcastle

The dominant win in Azerbaijan within the first leg of their Champions League play-off spherical gave Eddie Howe a uncommon alternative. An alternative to rotate his facet and relaxation gamers within the second leg.

Given that his facet had received simply as soon as in six earlier Premier League video games, having his stars match and firing for the go to of Everton would in idea give him one of the best likelihood of stopping the rut.

And but, the Magpies seemed as depleted as ever.

The efficiency was gradual, jaded and lacked any creativeness. St James’ Park is normally a fortress of noise, however was usually left silent as followers had little or no to get behind. And anytime there was some hope, it might be snatched away by a scientific Everton.

Barcelona are awaiting within the spherical of 16 of the Champions League. But certainly now, Howe and his males have to arrange for that tie understanding that it may certainly be the ultimate time they hear the well-known anthem this yr.

The defeat leaves Newcastle 12 factors adrift of the fifth spot that’s anticipated to be sufficient to qualify for Europe’s elite competitors. They’ve even received work to do in the event that they need to make the Europa League or Conference League.

Pressure is rising at St James’. Pressure is rising on the gamers. Pressure is most positively rising on Eddie Howe.
Callum Bishop

Panic for Villa amid Molineux distress

Unai Emery reduce an unusually animated determine within the press convention after Aston Villa’s 2-0 defeat to Wolves. After spending a lot of the season telling the world that Villa weren’t contenders, he admitted he had been dreaming of a title win only a month in the past.

Five factors from a doable 15, culminating on this dismal defeat to the underside membership have ended these hopes. Now, Villa face a battle to carry on for a spot within the prime 5 and so Emery used his platform to rally supporters, preaching unity amid the panic.

And there might be panic after this. Former Aston Villa and England midfielder Lee Hendrie talked on Sky Sports of Villa’s season “hanging in the balance” and argued that he may “see Villa falling apart” – and plenty of supporters are sharing such sentiments.

Those Villa followers cursing Emery’s workforce picks and the most recent insipid efficiency during which their facet misplaced duel after duel do have a degree. Why was the out-of-form Ollie Watkins most popular to Tammy Abraham? Why was Lucas Digne recalled at left-back?

But whereas Emery will not be above criticism, he’s certainly proper to evangelise perspective with Villa nonetheless within the Champions League spots and chasing European silverware. He known as for togetherness forward of the go to of Chelsea on Wednesday. It now feels large for Villa.
Adam Bate