Arsenal are their biggest enemy
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch for free: Arsenal vs Manchester United highlights
Arsenal looked to be in complete control against Manchester United in the first half when Lisandro Martinez converted Martin Odegaard’s cross into his own goal. However, when a calm head was needed, it instead caused confusion.
Brian Mbeumo’s equalizer was the result of a clear mistake by Martin Zvimendi, but it was only the second time in the eight minutes since his opener that he had found his way behind the Arsenal defence. Bruno Fernandes also missed a great chance just before that. So Arsenal can’t say they weren’t warned.
Their composure was shattered and they spent the rest of the game struggling to pick up pieces, but their sharpness reflected the mood of the fans. Arsenal are the leaders of the Premier League, but there is no sense of that at the Emirates Stadium at the moment.
Patrick Vieira subsequently questioned the team’s mental strength, but the most damning assessment came from the former Manchester United captain. “They have to go back to basics and embrace this challenge rather than fear it,” Roy Keene said.
That fear stems from how their previous title challenge ended. It is increasingly permeating their performance. Liverpool’s goalless draw with Nottingham Forest wasn’t a disaster, but alarm bells are now starting to ring.
It was the first time since December 2023 that Arsenal had conceded three goals in a single game, but the way they were shot at their feet felt familiar. They have developed a habit of making things more difficult than they need to be.
The 4-point cushion is still available. But this is a team and fanbase struggling to shake off the weight of the previous season.
nick wright
Carrick’s dream start at Manchester United could be even better
Manchester City – tick-tock. Arsenal – tick. Michael Carrick could not have asked for a better start to his time as Manchester United’s head coach, and he could still get even better.
Carrick breathed new life into United, freeing the forwards from Ruben Amorim’s antiquated 3-4-3 formation and bringing back the club’s ‘DNA’ – fast wingers and attacking football against the Premier League’s top two teams.
Late in the game, with the score at 2-1 at the Emirates, Luke Shaw could have easily chosen the hard-working Mason Mount to contain Bukayo Saka, but he boldly brought on Benjamin Sesco to replace the injured Patrick Dawg.
The winning goal came when Sesco dropped into the middle and the attacking-minded Matheus Cunha shifted to the left and was able to slip into space before being rounded up.
“We’re not riding high,” Carrick said, but some Man United fans left the Emirates chanting “We’re going to win the league.” They currently sit within the top four and although a title challenge is highly unlikely, securing a Champions League spot is much more achievable.
Manchester United’s next five games include Fulham, Tottenham, West Ham, Everton and Crystal Palace.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was unbeaten in his first 11 games since taking over on an interim basis in 2019, winning 10 times. This performance earned him a three-year contract.
With 15 games remaining, another former Man United player will put his right to an extension in charge on the line.
david richardson
Konsa is England’s best defender
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch for free: Newcastle vs Aston Villa match highlights
Is Ezri Konsa currently the best English centre-back in the Premier League? It’s hard to argue against that.
Newcastle away will be a fierce competition. Instead, Konsa made it look gentle. More than anything, that is a testament to top-level defense.
What stood out was not his crunching tackles or sliding blocks, but his positioning. Konsa was always where Newcastle didn’t want him to be. He read the game two to three seconds faster than the players around him.
There is now a maturity in his defense that shows he is a player who truly understands the risks. When to step out and when to hold the line. It was a performance that oozed class and intelligence.
This was not a one-off either. Konsa’s consistency has been quietly excellent for some time now, which perhaps explains why he started six of England’s World Cup qualifiers.
Now, Konsa plays with authority, composure, and a soccer brain that elevates those around him.
If England are looking for a reliable defender as the pressure mounts at this summer’s World Cup, Konsa makes a convincing case.
lewis jones
If Spurs are in a relegation battle, so are Palace.
Crystal Palace have had a tough six weeks.
Marc Guehi has left for Man City, Oliver Glasner has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, not to mention an embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league side Macclesfield, and there is speculation about Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future.
And if Tottenham’s name comes up in any conversation about the relegation battle now, then surely the Eagles – level on points with Spurs but below 15th in the table – will be too.
Since their 2-1 win against Fulham on December 7, they have now gone eight games without a win in the Premier League.
In fact, they are currently winless in their last 11 games across all competitions (D4 L7), currently the longest winless streak for a Premier League team, and the Eagles’ longest such run since 13 games between January and March 2023.
In this match they took two points in the league, scoring only three goals while scoring 18.
There were plenty of signs that they could avoid being dragged into the mix as things take shape over the coming weeks, but with a win required at the moment and tricky trips to Nottingham Forest and Brighton next up, it’s hard to see where they can go from there.
Dan Long
Damsgaard’s injury is a concern as Brentford lack creativity
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Free to watch: Brentford vs Nottingham Forest match highlights
As Rob Green said, Nottingham Forest were unpretentious but effective. But it was more than enough to cause Brentford to falter at home for the second time this season.
The hosts had two clear chances before half-time and attempted 35 crosses, but Mats Sells was forced into a save just once in 90 minutes at G-Tech. They played against a Forest team playing peak Sean Dyche football for the majority of the game, but the opposition was in their hands.
Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic will head everything all day long. Brentford couldn’t get Forest moving enough and on the rare occasion they produced something from some clever passing they almost scored.
The timing of the visitors’ two goals could not have been more decisive and Brentford’s attack struggled, with few ideas to counter the visitors’ low blocking.
Brentford don’t play Dyche every week. But losing Mikkel Damsgaard to a suspected knee injury won’t help their cause, given the lack of truly creative replacements in midfield. Keith Andrews himself said he was very happy to see the Danish midfielder play and said he hoped more than anyone that his diagnosis was not serious.
Ron Walker
Newcastle’s summer reinforcements failed to fill Isaac’s void
Newcastle’s summer reinforcements in the forward area were aimed at softening the blow of life without Alexander Isak. In fact, it is beginning to highlight how difficult it will be to replace him.
The 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa felt like a case study in attacking incompetence. It took a lot of effort, a lot of running, but very little incision. When the game needed some inspiration, Eddie Howe turned his back on the bench and got no energy at all.
Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga and Nick Woltemade (who cost a combined £175m) were all given chances but the game eluded them. Ramsey looked lost, Elanga’s pace did not translate into the final result, and Woltemade looked isolated against Villa’s centre-backs.
On the other hand, fellow summer signing Yoan Wissa was unable to find space to pose a threat from the start.
Isaac’s absence looms large here. He didn’t just score goals, his movement and intelligence won the game for Newcastle. Without him, the offense is flatter, easier to contain, and more predictable.
Reinforcements will always be judged over time, but early evidence at the moment suggests that Newcastle have not found the right blend to cover Isak’s unique profile.
lewis jones
Estevao excited for Chelsea
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Free to watch: Highlights of Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea
Joao Pedro was player of the match at Crystal Palace, but Estevao continued to provide excitement. The 18-year-old Brazilian became the youngest Chelsea player to score and assist in the same Premier League game since Neil Shipperley in 1993.
His goal in the 3-1 win was excellent, showing not only his speed but also the skill and strength to thwart a quality defender in Tyrick Mitchell. The finish was strong and the ball went past Dean Henderson. No wonder Chelsea supporters want to see more of him.
Estevao’s touch map for Chelsea against Crystal Palace
It was Estevao’s first goal since the win over Barcelona in November, but Chelsea as a whole have been a bit out of sorts since then. It was their first away win in the Premier League since defeating Burnley in the same month, and ended a five-game winless run.
Liam Rosenior has plenty of options in Chelsea’s attacking positions. This, coupled with fitness issues, has seen Estevao make more appearances off the bench than in the starting lineup since the defeat to Leeds in early December.
But Estevao’s potential far exceeds that of his fellow players in Chelsea blue, not only in the future but also here and now. No player of his age has scored more goals for his club in the Premier League. His influence at Selhurst Park feels like just the beginning.
Adam Bate
