Max Dauman may have provided Arsenal’s season-defining moment, but where is Chelsea’s plan B? Premier League hits and misses | Soccer News

Did Dauman deliver a season-defining moment?

It was great to see Max Doman celebrate his historic goal against Everton. The 16-year-old was mobbed by enthusiastic teammates streaming down the touchline as incredulous fans crowded the stands.

Arsenal 2-0 Everton – Match report and highlights

This goal showcased the talent of a sensational young player. Jordan Pickford was caught on the field, but Dowman still had work to do, having to beat two Everton defenders and the length of the pitch. He made everything look effortless and gliding all the way to the end.

His exhilarating cameo in the 74th minute changed the game, turning a potentially damaging draw into a jubilant victory, shifting the pressure from Arsenal to Manchester City and moving the Gunners closer to the title.

This goal quickly puts him on a par with former prodigies such as Wayne Rooney. His future shines with extraordinary potential. And this could be the defining moment of Arsenal’s season as they chase a trophy they haven’t won for 22 years.

As much as Arsenal have been playing hard and getting results in recent weeks, it felt like many of their fans didn’t really believe they would deliver. But Dauman’s youthful talent and incredible moment when he skated from one end of the pitch to the other and rolled the ball into an empty net may have changed that.
nick wright

There are too many factors for City to corner Arsenal.

Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League with a nine point difference. Yes, Man City have a match. Yes, Arsenal have to go to the Etihad. But City’s threat of building an epic winning streak that would see them eclipse three-time runners-up Mikel Arteta’s record does not hold true this time.

City’s build-up play at West Ham lacked the spark it once had, the magic in the final third is gone, and there are vulnerabilities left in the opposition half that weren’t there before.

West Ham showed they can reap rewards against this team by being persistent and determined and clinical inside the City box. Just like Nottingham Forest, who are also struggling, did it last time in the Premier League.

Then Josep Guardiola accepted the same thing: creativity, consistency and Erling Haaland’s goals were missing at this critical stage of the campaign.

He insists Haaland will return. He will believe City can challenge again next season. But he doesn’t seem too convinced, saying the title fight isn’t over yet.
peter smith

Where was Chelsea’s plan B?

Chelsea have been dangerous and creative so far under Liam Rosenior’s reign, but this felt like the first sign that the project was hitting Newcastle’s stubborn wall.

It was a reminder that clever attacking patterns and fluid football alone have their limits when space runs out in the Premier League and opponents refuse to play together.

Chelsea have never failed to score in league matches under Rosenior. There have always been breakthroughs. Always a moment of incision. There’s always a solution.

There was nothing against Newcastle.

When Chelsea can play through their team, they look very attractive. When the pitch stretches and the transition opens, the attacking players will be active. However, once the game is condensed, the system can start to seem a little fast-paced.

Newcastle asked Rosenior a simple question. “What if Plan A isn’t good enough?” Chelsea had no answer.
lewis jones

West Ham gain psychological advantage in battle for survival

Relegation battles are often a psychological game, with West Ham having the advantage after picking up one point against Manchester City.

After the match, coach Nuno Espirito Santo praised his team’s “heroic” defending, which lifted them out of the relegation zone for the first time since early December.

The Hammers are a rejuvenated side fighting for survival but having lost just one of their six games.

Two wins in a row and a draw in those games have made them the in-form team in that scrap, and while the teams around them have slumped, there is a spirit at the London Stadium that keeps their relegation rivals on their toes.

Konstantinos Mavropanos’ play was representative of West Ham in many ways. He tenaciously scored the equalizer at the end, only to be saved by Erling Haaland’s close-range volley that hit him in the face.

Teams like Tottenham, Leeds and Nottingham Forest, who are struggling to muster the spirit, let alone the form to stay on the line, will go into Sunday’s game with great doubts.
William Bitibili

Newcastle have a template that troubles Barça

It was like watching the old Newcastle under Eddie Howe.

It was a performance filled with the energy and organization that characterized Howe’s success at Newcastle, and was epitomized by the hard-working Anthony Gordon, who produced the game-clinching moment.

This is a huge result for Eddie Howe’s side and could be a springboard for their season in terms of moving up the Premier League table.

There was a risk that the season would stagnate for a bit, but they are now firmly back in the European qualifying bracket, with a six-point difference over fifth-placed Chelsea.

They also have a template for success as they head to Barcelona for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

If they can replicate what they produced at Stamford Bridge, they will have enough tools and pace to trouble Barça during the break.
Oliver Yu

Is Sunderland having a tough season?

Sunderland fans had to wait until the league’s 13th trip to the Stadium of Light this season to see their team lose at home. This became a bastion for Régis Le Bris’ team, putting them in a position where they could no longer be considered outsiders in the European race. Now it feels far away.

The first loss of the season at home quickly became their third straight loss. Brighton had a big stroke of luck with Yankuba Minte’s bizarre, sliced ​​second-half goal. Until then, Sunderland had hardly lost. In fact, they got off to a good start in the first half and were in the lead.

However, the response seemed slow. Let’s not forget that Sunderland fans were already waiting for a reaction after their embarrassing defeat to League One losers Port Vale in the FA Cup. All the team could manage was one shot on target. There were some dissatisfaction with full time.

Sunderland allowed the game to stagnate. Fans will hope the same thing doesn’t happen in their season. It stands to reason that once you reach the 40-point mark, which essentially ensures survival, there could be a dip. Regis Le Bris can’t afford to let this get worse.

Developing bad habits in the Premier League can quickly come back to haunt you. Sunderland will have to do this again next season. Preparations will begin now.
Ginny Boswell

Scott’s delay in England selection should be taken seriously

In a game that sorely lacked any illusions of Premier League flair – Bournemouth’s fifth goalless draw of the season – Alex Scott stood out as the only player capable of making something happen. He excelled all over the pitch and was second only to Marcos Senesi in touches of the ball (90). No player on either team has a better passing accuracy (90%) than him.

In addition to being a possession power in his class, the midfielder won more duels than any other player (14), drew more fouls than any other player (four) and was the only player to consistently face Burnley’s steely defence. Scott can create even when space is limited or in tight spaces. Late in the game he jinxed Burnley’s box, passing the ball to Adrian Traffert and giving Enes Unal a potential winner.

Although Unal ended up missing the mark, his adventurous approach play was still impressive. The 22-year-old is fearless in that regard as well.

Thomas Tuchel has been spoiled for choice among central midfield options to feature for England at this summer’s World Cup, but there is certainly an argument that the Bournemouth man will be one of them.
laura hunter