Welcome to The Debrief. In his Sky Sports column, Adam Bate combines data and opinion to examine the key stories from the latest Premier League matches. this week:
Manchester United forward reaches double figures Sunderland’s second-half sensation Brighton records missed chances
More firepower from Manchester United
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Watch for free: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest match highlights
Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2, with Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbeumo both taking their tally of Premier League goals this season to 10. The pair join summer signing Benjamin Sesco, who has finished in double digits this campaign.
The last time United achieved this feat in a Premier League season with three players was five years ago, when they finished second under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This was his most prolific season since Sir Alex Ferguson left.
Firepower makes a difference. It secured United third place and brought them back to Champions League football. Although their defensive performance is similar to last year, this number of goals allowed them to move up 12 places in the standings.
After scoring 44 points, the lowest in the Premier League last season, United have now reached 66 points with one game in hand, marking the first 50 per cent increase in a top-flight season since World War II. This was achieved even though the new players were only a conditional success.
Cunha was hampered by a minor injury during the first half of the season, but he still achieved results in important games. Mbeumo got off to a strong start, but his form faltered a little after the African Cup of Nations. Sesco’s accomplishment is especially impressive considering he struggled for several minutes. However, United are the only team to have three players in double figures.
The trio have only started seven games together in the Premier League. However, with Bruno Fernandes back in his natural No. 10 position, there should be some optimism about the future as they are a complementary front line.
Mbeumo and Sesco both rank in the top five in the Premier League for off-the-ball runs per 90 minutes. Cunha’s best work was with the ball, where he attempted over 100 dribbles, something no United player did last season. He and Fernandes can make things happen.
Michael Carrick and United will have work to do in the summer, as the resumption of European football will create even greater demands. We need to rebuild our midfield and revamp our defense. But perhaps the most difficult positions to address are already filled.
Senne Lamence has developed a talent for scoring goals and Fernandes is one of the best playmakers in the Premier League. More will be expected from a second front three, but what this season has shown is that Manchester United now have the firepower.
Sunderland’s second half specialist
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Free to watch: Everton vs Sunderland highlights
In Sunday afternoon’s away game against Everton, Sunderland lacked the upper hand in the first half, but they turned things around after the interval to win 3-1 and put themselves in a strong position to qualify for European football next season.
Everton probably expected that too. Despite Regis Le Bris’s impressive return to the Premier League, no team in the competition has scored fewer goals in the first 45 minutes of a game. They wait before opening.
Replacing Le Bris was a victory. That could include the early introduction of Luke O’Nien, who replaced the injured Omar Alderete and the defender had perhaps his best game at this level, but it was a change in attack that worked for Everton.
Trey Hume’s Kemsudine Talbi flipped a positive switch in this period. The triple change that followed gave them even more momentum. Wilson Isidore, one of the participating trio, scored the third goal. Currently, no team has won more games despite being behind at the break. Le Bris’ adjustment paid off.
“During half-time we agreed that it was important to take more risks, even if the balance of the game was a bit off in transition. It worked well. It’s very important to mention the subs. They gave us extra energy, pressed more and gave us a little more composure.”
Having a very dedicated “finisher” is a hallmark of a cohesive team. And while there are two ways to look at the statistics that show Sunderland winning 70 per cent of their Premier League goals in the second half, it clearly works in their favor.
Brighton make unwanted history
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Watch for free: Leeds United vs Brighton highlights
Brighton are the only team this season to have more points than Sunderland despite being lower at half-time. In fact, Fabian Hürzeler’s side are ranked third in the Premier League’s second half standings. However, they suffered a crushing defeat in stoppage time against Leeds.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 96th-minute winner was the home side’s first shot on target at Elland Road. Brighton had 19 attempts and an expected goals total of 2.76, the highest ever for an away team without a goal in a Premier League game this season.
Brighton’s shot map after losing 1-0 to Leeds at Elland Road
In fact, you need to go all the way back to the goalless draw between Josep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park more than four years ago to find an example where the away team had more chances to score than Brighton did in that game.
“We didn’t finish efficiently,” Haseler said. “It’s all about creating chances. We did that, especially in the second half. We have to be very reasonable. From a rational point of view, we should have won the game.” Even so, this could cost them.
A win would have put the Seagulls in a good position to secure at least sixth place and Champions League football. A failure against Manchester United could mean they miss out on European qualification altogether. And I ended up regretting the missed opportunity.
