Benjamin Sesco’s form symbolizes Manchester United’s resurgence under manager Michael Carrick – hit or miss | Soccer News

Nothing symbolizes Manchester United’s resurgence more than Sesco’s form.

Few things epitomize Manchester United’s resurgence under Michael Carrick more than the sight of Benjamin Sesco.

Half of the forward’s goals this season have come in just six games since taking over as head coach, with all four being decisive goals.

Sesco’s win against Crystal Palace was his first goal since being trusted to start by the new manager recently and showed he can be more than just a super sub.

The work Carrick and the backroom staff have been doing with the 22-year-old on the training pitch is clearly paying off, and the confidence instilled in him is equally evident.

Before scoring the double against Burnley in Darren Fletcher’s last game as a caretaker, Sesco had scored just two goals in his previous 10 starts at Old Trafford.

Carrick inherited a player who has already had half a season to adapt to the Premier League, but he deserves huge credit for polishing what was a true diamond in the rough during the first part of the campaign.

It would have been easy for Sesco to get frustrated with many of his recent game-winning performances, with just seven touches in the opening 35 minutes, but Sesco persevered and had four shots, including a stunning header to seal the win.
Ron Walker

Arsenal’s set-piece mastery pays off again

There was a palpable sense of anticipation inside Emirates Stadium when Julian Timber won the first corner of Arsenal’s game against Chelsea. Just a few moments later, they were ahead. One corner, one goal. Their set-piece mastery continues to reward them.

William Saliba’s opening goal was his 15th corner goal of the season, after Bukayo Saka’s back post was headed over by his centre-back partner Gabriel, followed by Julian Timber’s 16th, which he curled into Declan Rice’s centre.

“The first goal was on top,” Liam Rosenior admitted to Sky Sports afterwards. He said Chelsea had spent extra time preparing for set-pieces in the lead-up to the match, but they were not the first team to have Arsenal’s corner kick reversed, nor would they be the last.

Mikel Arteta was keen to point out that most of Arsenal’s goals have come from other sources recently. All four games against Spurs were scored from open play. However, their set-pieces, especially corner kicks, remain game-breaking weapons.

Saliba’s header was Arsenal’s ninth goal from a corner kick in the Premier League this season. It was the Timbers’ ninth game-winning goal from a corner kick. The emphasis on set-pieces may not be for everyone, but there is no doubting its value for Arsenal in close games.

Premier League rivals are still struggling to find a solution.
nick wright

When will Chelsea realize they need a leader?

Chelsea as before. Goals conceded from set pieces, red cards and a general lack of responsibility. At first this indiscipline was a hot topic, but now it’s getting boring to talk about the same thing every week.

He has nine red cards this season, seven in the league. He conceded three goals from set pieces in two league games. In 3 games against Arsenal in 2026, Robert Sanchez made 3 mistakes. When will Chelsea learn from their mistakes?

Liam Rosenior has a young team, but that’s not enough. Under sporting directors Paul Winstantry and Lawrence Stewart, who previously worked at Brighton, they are following the same project on the south coast to develop young players and lead them to success.

But importantly, Brighton also have James Milner. Brentford (currently two points behind Chelsea) have also signed young players, but have also brought in Jordan Henderson to balance things out.

Chelsea just don’t have that balance, with Pedro Neto’s red card and childish mistakes like Arsenal’s, and Sanchez’s nervous personality without consequences. The decision not to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma appears puzzling, despite considering new AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan earlier in the summer.

Rosenior said after the Arsenal game that discipline and set-pieces were letting his young team down. What Chelsea need is someone like Thiago Silva, who can keep his cool and bring organization to set-pieces.
Sam Blitz

If things continue like this, the Spurs’ momentum will not change.

It still seems strange to say this, but relegation is becoming more likely for Tottenham by the week.

The 2-1 defeat against Fulham was their fourth consecutive defeat and eighth in their last 13 Premier League games. The result extended their winless streak to 10 games, the club’s longest run in the Premier League, dating back 32 years.

If the alarm bells weren’t already ringing at Tottenham, they certainly are now.

More worryingly, Igor Tudor’s side mustered just one shot on target, and that came from Richarlison within 10 minutes of coming on. Their 13 shots had a total xG value of just 0.88.

Once they got one back, anxiety quickly spread among the crowd at Craven Cottage. Up until then there had been little sense of urgency, but this goal seemed to have both Spurs players and fans on a high. But the final push for an equalizer will be minimal, if any at all.

For a team struggling with unthinkable relegation, it seemed like a necessary lack of heart.

The silver lining is that Nottingham Forest (two points, one place below Spurs) lost 2-1 to Brighton, so although they haven’t progressed, they haven’t fallen down the table.

Tudor himself said afterwards: “I don’t want to talk about relegation.” However, this predicament cannot be helped for now. There are three important matches against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Forest before the international break.
Dan Long

Forest are really having problems scoring goals.

Nottingham Forest have taken 66 shots in their last three games. There is only one goal. One point. This sums up their struggle towards the bottom of the Premier League.

Vitor Pereira didn’t miss any chances today. They had more than enough to get something out of the match. But they lacked the necessary clinical edge.

Last year, Chris Wood scored 20 goals in the Premier League, fourth most in the league. Forest’s best player in the league this term is Morgan Gibbs-White with seven.

In fact, their top seven scorers don’t even come close to what Wood alone did last season. It’s abundantly clear what the big problem is, but with only 10 games left it won’t take long to fix it.
Callum Bishop

Hürzeler went back to basics at Brighton

Fabian Hürzeler went back to basics and won back-to-back championships for the first time since October.

The Seagulls appear to have overcome a six-game winless streak. A player who was instrumental in Brighton’s transfer was James Milner, who has emerged as the record holder for appearances in the Premier League.

This experience proved invaluable as he anchored the midfield and allowed another old and new Brighton player to come into his own.

Pasar Gross, who returned to the club in January, created the most chances and became a thorn in the side of Nottingham Forest.

They, along with the energy of just 20-year-old Jack Hinshelwood, added pace to Brighton’s well-rounded midfield.

Hürzeler often relied on the likes of Carlos Baleva to perform multiple tasks in midfield, but this trio provided a new dynamic that created a winning formula. Hartzeler may be reluctant to change the system now.
William Bitibili