James Milner makes history with Brighton win, but Chelsea aren’t ready for the challenge – Premier League hits and misses | Soccer News

Chelsea have lost too much to win a major title at the moment

This Chelsea team is not ready for the challenge.

That’s the only way to look at it after extending their lead further at home to a draw with Burnley on Saturday. All three promoted teams came from behind to snatch points from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

After the match, Liam Rosenior and Scott Parker spoke about the talent in the Chelsea team. There’s no doubt about it. That’s why they have been able to continue their impressive run under coach Enzo Maresca. However, as coach Rosenior is aware, that form cannot last for long with this team.

They outperformed their Conference League opponents last year, won the Club World Cup in the summer, and are expected to advance in the FA Cup this season.

But the home fans, who were shouting “Chelsea, champions” before this game went backwards again, know their side still have a long way to go before they can be consistent (throughout the 90 minutes and game after game) and become serious contenders for the Premier League.

The number of red cards suggests that this side lacks discipline, or at least a lack of composure, as they have failed to produce in key moments in either box, unable to convert their advantage against weaker teams into maximum points.

Rosenior was candid in his assessment after the match, stressing the need to win at Chelsea. But in earlier times it was an expectation, now it is just a wishful ambition.
peter smith

Milner’s historic record is a testament to quality and longevity

James Milner made his Premier League debut on 10 November 2002. Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga was also born on the same day. Jude Bellingham never existed. Milner’s manager, Fabian Hürzeler, was nine years old.

After 653 games, he holds the Premier League’s all-time appearances record.

Milner’s record spanning 23 seasons and six different clubs is not only a testament to his incredible fitness and longevity at 40 years old, but also to his undeniable qualities as a footballer.

He is a three-time Premier League champion, Champions League winner and world champion, and captained Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team, one of the most successful in Premier League history.

His performance on a record-breaking day summed up how he got here.

Milner displayed composure and maturity, holding the midfield together and coaching his team-mates as Brighton secured their first win in six games in his first start in eight games. Coincidence? His manager doesn’t think so.

Brighton manager Hürzeler said: “It’s difficult to describe him in one word.”

“I think he’s a great leader on the pitch and a great communicator. He understands the game well and is still very healthy on top of that.”

“I don’t know what he does to get this fitness. Every week and every training session he runs the most and sprints the most, so it’s not surprising to me that he can perform like this.”

“But I think the important thing is to be a really good leader, to be there to manage the big moments, to be there as a communicator. And that’s what he did today.”

Milner is everything you would expect from someone who just broke a record that seemed unbreakable. The work ethic, leadership and composure that made him so great continues to shine through, showing he can still be as effective as a player at age 40 as he was before playing 16,654 games.
Noah Langford

Selfless Haaland can do anything.

Erling Haaland is often praised for his contributions at the top end of the pitch. This reliability of output has made the difference for Manchester City on many occasions. His 29 goal contribution this season is 11 more than the next best player in the Premier League (Igor Thiago).

But his recent performances have not been about brilliance or subtlety in the box. Neither of City’s two goals in the win against Newcastle were scored. Still, Josep Guardiola hailed him as City’s “player of the match” and praised his “incredible influence”.

Haaland showed some selfless play, occupying Dan Byrne and Malik Thiau to create space for Omar Mamouche and Nico O’Reilly. His importance was demonstrated by the smart way City opened up Newcastle.

The first goal came from a flick-on from Haaland deep in midfield, while the second was headed in thanks to a smart move off the ball and a deft cross from O’Reilly. Usually these actions are reversed. That used to be important to him.

But this version of Haaland is a giving type, as keen to provide and create as he is to score. Guardiola added of the striker’s performance: “We have to play more directly against man-marking, and unless we can win the ball or fight the ball 50-50, we don’t have a chance. He did that. There were a lot of good things.”

Only Rodri (13) won more duels than Haaland (11). He attempted more aerial balls than any other player and managed the most touches inside the opposition box (seven) while drawing three fouls. The big No. 9 no longer needs to score to influence the outcome of the game. He has proven he can do it all.
laura hunter

Burnley aren’t finished yet

“As long as I sit in this chair, it won’t matter.” Scott Parker passionately defended his team’s resilience after the come-from-behind draw with Chelsea.

On top of the come-from-behind victory at Crystal Palace in the last Premier League, this feels like a galvanizing moment for the club.

There has been a lot of criticism leveled at Parker and his team, but given Mansfield’s embarrassing exit in the FA Cup last weekend, much of the criticism was not for naught. But Parker and his players showed at Stamford Bridge that they are still fighting.

With this determination, you can ensure a more positive outcome. Is that enough for a miraculous recovery? The gap between them and safety has narrowed to eight points with 11 points remaining, but it is likely that the gap is still too large if Nottingham Forest, who have a game in hand, play based on their 3-0 win against Fenerbahce in the Europa League, their first game under manager Vitor Pereira.

But either way, it’s important for the future that Burnley keep fighting like they did on Saturday.
peter smith

Bayley’s struggles sum up Villa’s sharpness

Leon Bailey and Unai Emery were right about the winger’s return to the team after his loan move to Roma fell through last month. However, in his first Premier League start after returning to Aston Villa, he struggled mightily.

There was jeers when Villa and Bailey were substituted with a one-goal difference at home against Leeds, and although he managed to draw 1-1 and extend his team’s advantage over the Reds from fourth to six points, Bailey’s situation highlights the challenges for Emery.

Another, Emi Buendia, was previously on loan but is now expected to be a starter at Villa, with the manager making a habit of reintegrating players. Tammy Abraham and Douglas Lewis returned to the club on loan during the winter transfer window.

This gave Villa some depth and Abraham came off the bench to equalize. No team in the Premier League has picked up more points from being out of position. But on this evidence, Villa must focus on stopping the lower-ranked players rather than chasing the title.

The home side’s form has been alarmingly poor, having won just two of their last six games at Villa Park, and the tension in the crowd was never more evident than when Bailey lost the ball. It will be a battle to remain in the Champions League.
Adam Bate

Leeds are a formidable force who are difficult to beat.

Leeds are not the great entertainers of the Premier League. He doesn’t tempt with 30-pass sequences or create artistic play patterns. What they do do, however, is provide 90 minutes of clarity. Structure and purpose.

And now it’s proving incredibly difficult to stop. Just two defeats in 14 Premier League games tells its own story.

In a department that chews up momentum and spits it out without warning, such consistency is no coincidence. As Villa discovered, Leeds become compact and stubborn when they drop into the mid-block. It’s harmonious and sharp when they chase you.

And they have a player with game-changing quality in Anton Stacchi, whose free-kick from 35 yards was a special moment.

Daniel Farke has played a blinder role in building such a solid team. Considering consistency, it’s something you can ultimately survive on quite comfortably.
lewis jones

West Ham have dropped points but their performance level hasn’t dropped.

West Ham will feel they dropped two points with the draw with Bournemouth, but the result, and more importantly the performance, should not be underestimated.

Bournemouth arrived at the London Stadium unbeaten in six league games, with renewed European hopes and players like Marcus Tavernier back in shape for the run-in.

However, West Ham looked decidedly average in the first half, after which they managed 20 shots on goal and an xG of 2.87, the most of any team without scoring in a Premier League game this season.

Crisencio Somerville once again shone with his incredible speed and trickery, while a defense that has often lacked steel this season withstood Bournemouth’s counterattack.

West Ham have bounced back from the brink and are showing the form and performance of a team that can survive.
david richardson