Liverpool show strength in depth against a hopeless West Ham attack. Graham Potter – Premier League hits and misses | soccer news

Deep strength key to Liverpool’s title challenge

It looked like it wouldn’t be Liverpool’s day for a long time.

Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold did not have their shooting boots on and the ball continued to go wide of the goal. Liverpool’s hero of the hour, Darwin Nunez, curled a superb effort over the crossbar from 30 yards after heading a free header wide from Andy Robertson’s cross. Because it looked like Liverpool were headed for a third successive league draw starting in 2025. Points have dropped in the Premier League title race.

But Nunez and Liverpool ended up performing well, and it is Arne Slot’s ability to empty Liverpool’s bench with new attacking options that could prove crucial in their bid for a first title in five years.

Even without the injured Diogo Jota, Liverpool had an incredible 37 shots on target at Brentford. This is a Premier League away team record. .

It was Nunez who provided the assist on this occasion, but Harvey Elliott, who has not played as much playing time this season as he would have liked, also played a key role off the bench with his second assist.

If Mo Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo don’t understand you, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott will! And at a time when other teams in the league are struggling with injuries and depleted squads, that depth could be a crucial factor in Liverpool’s bid to regain winning ways at Anfield.
Oliver Yu

Blunt West Ham produces a stunning attacking display

West Ham fans could smile at a statistic after the midfielder hit all three of his shots against Fulham on Tuesday. But few saw the funny side of the team’s attacking play against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

In the final third there is no shot on target and no threat at all. This time the line was led by Mohammed Kudus instead of Lucas Paqueta, but whatever Graham Potter had planned, it was a surprising display.

In the first half, groans were heard around the ground as Lukasz Fabianski and his center backs continued to exchange passes. Palace may be difficult to break down, but at times West Ham looked unwilling to even try. Is it better to maintain possession than to attack and risk losing it?

Of course, the absence of Jarrod Bowen, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio has reduced their attacking options. But West Ham fans expect much more momentum from the team, regardless of who is available.

Potter’s reign is still in its early stages and he will be hoping that more training time will lead to more cohesive performances. However, this evidence suggests that the group’s mindset should shift to a more aggressive one.
peter smith

Mateta continues his hot form in front of goal

Watch out for corner flags. Jean-Phillipe Mateta is looking hot.

His brace against a dismal West Ham means the Crystal Palace sharpshooter has now scored four goals in his last three games. This is a run that began at the turn of the year with four players matching his return for the season prior to 2025. After a slow start to the season, he looks back on his dominant best as he linked up with Eberechi Eze to spark West Ham’s new attack. The manager frothed as he connected for another goal.

By re-establishing Mateta, Eze has now given Mateta eight Premier League assists and no Palace player has assisted a team-mate more often in the history of the competition. This tally matches Michael Olise’s previous record of eight assists for Eze.

Mateta’s form may have waned since the start of the season, but his overall consistency has pleased Palace manager Oliver Glasner. After the game he told the media: “If he gets the ball somewhere around the box and finishes freely, it often results in a goal. He was the same, but like our attackers, he is a really hard worker.” .

“He always needs players who can give him the ball, but when he gets the ball in the right place, which is what we work on every day with the whole team, then we know he has the ball. Amazing finish, I know.”
william vitibiri

When Bournemouth click, something magical happens

Justin Kluivert is sure to grab the headlines. His match-winning contribution was made even more impressive by his all-action display. The Dutchman was happy to rush through the defensive half and run without possession for difficult yards before coming to life when Bournemouth launched their characteristic counter-attack.

But such a shock defeat (Newcastle have not lost by three goals at home since December 2021) was only possible with synchronicity across the pitch. As Andoni Iraola admitted after the game, Bournemouth performed beautifully and ‘perfectly’. They made Newcastle look average in every department. Alexander Isak was anonymous.

Bournemouth did what very few teams have done or will do against Eddie Howe’s side at St James’ Park. With a team that has won nine games in a row in all competitions, it would be bold to have the courage to go head-to-head and continue to target high turnovers. We are talking about the most talented club in the Premier League.

But Iraola only knows one way. His transitional style is fascinating to watch when it clicks and Saturday’s display was a great example of everything clicking perfectly.
Laura Hunter

Newcastle’s quest to achieve club record proves too far gone

All good things must come to an end. But for Eddie Howe, it was only his old team Bournemouth who won nine in a row in astonishing style.

The Cherries’ win means Howe is yet to beat his former club, who have now lost twice and drawn four of six league games since his departure.

Howe blamed “fatigue” for the crushing defeat and it seemed a step too far for his side aiming for a club record 10th successive win in all competitions.

Their very disappointing performance saw poor striker Alexander Isak, who had scored in his previous eight Premier League appearances, fail to register a shot from open play.

Fortunately, Howe and his team now have a full week to recover and get some much-needed rest and recovery after a hectic game.

Howe will also be delighted that their next away game is a disastrous trip to Southampton, giving the Magpies the perfect opportunity to get a quick win and put this crushing defeat behind them.
Declan Ollie

pressure is applied to the rood

These are difficult times for Ruud van Nistelrooy. It’s the worst result Leicester City have endured for more than 20 years and the very moment his reign began. When he arrived the Foxes were not even in the relegation zone. In this form, it appears doomed.

His predecessor, Steve Cooper, was not very popular with supporters at the King Power Stadium, but this was a lower score than any he had ever had to endure. There were several chants calling for the board to be fired, while others were aimed at sporting director Jon Rudkin.

But Van Nistelrooy did not escape. The ongoing complaints about James Justin’s arrival will likely soon end following the arrival of Woyo Coulibaly, but Jordan Ayew is also being targeted by supporters and the fans’ favorite has been denied minutes.

Ayew was ridiculed when Facundo Buonanotte finally came on to replace him and was furious that Bilal El Khannouss was removed. Fans choosing to do what they perceive as the ‘wrong’ team doesn’t always make headlines, but the toxic scenes that follow tend to do so.

Van Nistelrooy said the players have to deal with this but the problem is that when things start to go wrong they lack resilience and things unravel. They came into the game against Fulham but there are weak spots in this team. Foxes never give up. But they lost seven in a row.
Adam Bate

Is Europe coming for Fulham?

After an easy run into the game at the King Power, Fulham cruised to victory without ever getting out of second gear.

Emile Smith Rowe marked his 100th Premier League appearance in style after nodding in the goal, and soon after Adama Traore came off the bench to slot into the bottom corner with an expert effort that is not often talked about for his style of play. .

Marco Silva’s side always seemed to be in control of the game and have now cemented their place in the European football competition after moving up to ninth place. That leaves them two points behind Aston Villa and Man City.

It’s been 13 years since the Cottagers last lost their passports for a trip to Europe, but Raul Jimenez has returned to his best form, Harry Wilson has shone on the right and the duo of Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi have been dreaming of flying on the opposite flank. Yes. It could become a reality by the end of the season.
patrick rowe