Newcastle are literally throwing their season on the line.
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Watch for free: Highlights of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
Had Newcastle not fallen down the table and lost all their points, they would have finished second. If they hadn’t lost half of those points they would have finished fifth.
Eddie Howe called this the “epidemic” of the season, and Aaron Ramsdale suggested the 25 point drop was the story of their campaign. No team has dropped more places while in the lead, with Newcastle leading the table with a five-point lead.
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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe reflects on Newcastle’s defeat to Crystal Palace.
The more you think about it, Howe says, the more it’s a problem that keeps happening. But Newcastle must stop the rot. Newcastle’s season has gone into a downward spiral, having lost seven of their last 10 games, and the pressure is mounting on Howe.
The feeling that Howe’s future may depend on Newcastle’s standing in Europe or whether he misses next season is starting to catch up with the Magpies manager. That feeling will only increase given the fact that all the top teams appear to be on board, with Newcastle watching.
There was some sympathy for Howe in the situation, but that was giving way to indifference, with the fans who traveled to London not even waiting for the players to applaud.
Newcastle are standing on the beach, but after tasting the riches of Champions League football and their first silverware in decades, flip-flopping and feet up is not where they want to be with six games left.
William Bitibili
Wake up: Spurs’ sliding is real
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Watch for free: Highlights of the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.
What began as a promising day for the start of the Roberto de Zerbi era at Tottenham ended in a shocking reality. Is this team really good enough to remain in the Premier League?
For much of this season, the story has been framed differently. As regular commentators, we have been asking the question: Are Tottenham really that bad a team to lose to? Most people would say no. However, that stance is rapidly changing after the 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.
Spurs are strong candidates for relegation. Perhaps, as Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher theorized on Super Sunday, the case is more convincing than those around them, given the format and confidence level. “Tottenham look like they’re going to be eliminated, but it looks like the other teams are up to something,” he said.
Only Derby, Sunderland and Swindon Town started the calendar year in the top flight with longer winless periods than Spurs’ current winning streak, and all three were relegated in their respective campaigns. De Zerbi needs a miracle to avoid the same fate.
All the warning signs are there. And now what felt like an impossibly shocking event with little real substance actually feels very possible.
laura hunter
Will the real Cole Palmer please stand up?
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Watch for free: Highlights of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Cole Palmer was given a hug and a word in his ear by Pep Guardiola at full-time on Sunday. Exactly what the Manchester City manager said to his former player remains a complete mystery, but some encouragement and advice could come in handy for the Chelsea star, who is currently not as bright as usual.
That’s just one goal in his last 11 appearances for club and country, and barring fleeting flashes, Palmer is unlikely to be a game-changer.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said Palmer “struggled to make a difference” when he was used as a No. 10 against Japan last month, while Liam Rosenior was in desperate need of inspiration in attack, despite Chelsea failing to score in their third successive Premier League defeat.
Palmer made headlines last summer when Chelsea became world champions, scoring twice and scoring a further goal in the final against Paris Saint-Germain. However, after being plagued by injuries in the first half of the season, he still lacks the form to win games at this crucial moment of the season.
peter smith
Unique? special? Cherki receives all the praise from Pep
“For the second goal, I said, ‘Okay, shoot it or pass it to the right. I couldn’t see it on the outside. He’s a top, top, top talent.’
Josep Guardiola sounded almost in awe of Rayan Cherki’s performance as he spoke of Rayan Cherki’s performance after the Frenchman led Man City to victory over Chelsea. His pass to Marc Gehi was excellent and caught not only Guardiola but his opponent as well. Cherki’s cross to Nico O’Reilly was also good. And he helped Jeremy Doku disenfranchise Moises Caicedo for the third time.
Cherki becomes the first player to register more than 10 assists in his debut season in the Premier League since Dimitri Payet in 2015/16. He’s so much fun to watch.
“The numbers and the quality of our first season in the Premier League are incredible. This is unique,” Guardiola said.
As City look to win the title, Cherki will be pulling the strings for Guardiola’s team and shaping their defense.
peter smith
Le Bris is a candidate for manager of the year
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Nordi Mukiele gives Sunderland the lead against Spurs in the Premier League.
Sunderland are really impressive.
If there was a manual for staying in the Premier League as a newly promoted team, many of Sunderland’s best qualities would be listed.
There are no bells and whistles, just the basics and it works very well. They value things that are often overlooked.
Regis Le Bris’ side are averaging 1.81 points per game at home, the sixth-highest scoring rate in the league. They have kept a clean sheet in six games at the Stadium of Light, with only Arsenal and Manchester City having a better defensive record at home.
Overall, they have lost the same number of league games (10) as reigning champions Liverpool.
It is to Le Bris’ credit that he was able to maintain consistency throughout the season in a team that is relatively new to the Premier League. It is recognition and proof that it is possible with the right combination of ability and risk. It’s also nice to watch soccer.
Sunderland took a gamble in the summer with such an aggressive recruitment drive, but they knew Le Brice could figure it all out. The Frenchman should be a candidate for manager this season. His accomplishments in overcoming all odds are quite remarkable.
laura hunter
Forest’s third and final flaw needs to be addressed.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.
There were positives for Nottingham Forest in their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. Forest were organized and had the resilience to frustrate talented opponents. But familiar problems remain at the heart. It’s that forests aren’t doing enough in the most important areas.
Eight games without a home win tells its own story. The last time the City Ground tasted victory was against Tottenham in December. Since then, the energy and intent have been present, but the cutting edge has been lacking. That’s why it hasn’t improved since Sean Dyche was replaced.
Of their 32 Premier League goals this season, just 14 have come at home, the lowest return in the division.
Just look at them and you’ll see why.
Igor Jesus had moments against Villa where his sharp striker made the difference, but his half-chances need to be more than that. There is hesitation and lack of conviction at key moments.
The rest is the supply line. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Callum Hutchinson found space and played the ball into promising areas, causing doubts for Villa’s defence. However, the final actions – shots, crosses, decisions – were not of the quality required.
That was the theme of their season at the City Ground. And that’s the danger for Forest.
lewis jones
The familiar story of Watkins’ inability to convert when it matters.
There’s a difference between a striker who slumps and one who builds a reputation, and Ollie Watkins currently drifts firmly into the latter category.
This is not a natural reaction to another frustrating afternoon for the striker, who drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest. This is a pattern that has been quietly building over the past two seasons.
What Watkins did was very correct. His movement stretches the defense, his pace is always out-of-ball and his work rate fits the demands of modern Premier League football perfectly. But when that moment arrives in front of the goal, that certainty isn’t always there.
Since the start of last season, only Erling Haaland has missed more big chances than Watkins (43). However, there is a cruel twist here. Haaland went on to score 19 more goals in the same period. That’s the difference between a good forward and a ruthless forward.
Therein lies the concern for Aston Villa.
When missed chances start to lead to consequences, like the one-on-one chance he fired over the bar at the City Ground, it becomes a problem that cannot be ignored.
lewis jones
The Salvation of Jean-Philippe Mateta
On deadline day, there was no way Jean-Philippe Mateta could find a way back to Crystal Palace.
The striker had been keen to move to AC Milan, but this did not materialize due to a continuing knee injury, which has kept him from playing for Crystal Palace for the past four months.
It was a rather quiet departure in the summer, and it must have felt like he might be tarnishing the great legacy of the club he has been so fond of for so many years.
But after making his return against Fiorentina on Thursday, he came off the bench and scored three goals in two games, including a double in the win over Newcastle.
As a striker, all you need to do to be loved again is score goals, and Mateta is doing just that.
It would have been a real shame for the Frenchman to whine and leave at a club where he has achieved so much and contributed so much to the most successful period in the club’s history.
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Jean-Philippe Mateta presents Player of the Match award to Tyrick Mitchell
Regardless of whether he leaves this summer, he has renewed love from Crystal Palace fans and is committed to contributing to the club for as long as he remains.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Mateta has also proven in two games that he remains a key player up front despite the arrival of Jorgen Strand Larsen in January.
He also has his name in the shop window of the French national team for this summer’s World Cup. That’s one of the main reasons he didn’t have surgery and focused on rehabilitating his knee so he could play again.
Mateta’s contribution will continue to be crucial as Crystal Palace aim for European glory and a historic Premier League point.
charlotte marsh
