Carrick proves Man Utd DNA isn’t a myth
Something about Manchester United’s derby day was different, but it felt right.
When Bryan Mbeumo scored his goal, the Stretford End roared. The Stretford End roared not only because Bryan Mbeumo scored a timely goal in a dominant United display, but also because it represented what the Old Trafford faithful had explicitly or implicitly been longing for.
United galloped forward, led by Bruno Fernandes, flanked by Patrick Dorgu and Amad. They were fearless, front-footed, and familiar. It was an attacking style that United has become accustomed to.
Although the 2-0 scoreline does not accurately represent United’s control of the game, their season-high number of offsides, which led to three disallowed goals, reflects a modified style that maximised the effectiveness of United’s attacking options.
Mbeumo, who has made the most runs behind the defence this season in the league per 90 minutes, proved to be a masterstroke when played down the middle. Fernandes, the league’s chief creator, fittingly returned to an advanced No 10 role and scored his ninth goal of the season.
“United’s DNA” has been questioned this week. Is it real? Should United base their whole plan on what feels like folklore? Should United move away from Sir Alex Ferguson-ball? Sir Alex was in the director’s box smiling all afternoon long, but why was he smiling? Carrick effectively simplified the situation by returning to what United is best at, in the most effective manner, and at the most opportune moment.
William Bitibiri
From European glory to relegation chatter
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from West Ham’s win against Tottenham in the Premier League.
Tottenham are drifting towards a conversation they should never be part of.
The 2-1 defeat to West Ham wasn’t just another London derby loss to shrug off. It was a warning flare. Spurs are currently priced at 50/1 for relegation, which may seem improbable, but it nonetheless presents an unsettling narrative. They are now just 10 points above the Hammers in the drop zone.
And that, in itself, is the most damning indictment of all for Thomas Frank.
Tottenham, a club in the Champions League and a holder of a European trophy, is better than this.
Form is the driver of this narrative and it is ugly. Just four wins from the last 18 matches gives Frank a win percentage of 22 per cent. That is relegation form. Spurs are leaking goals, losing control of games they should dominate and looking short on belief when momentum turns against them.
There was a time when Tottenham pulled the trigger quickly in moments like this. Nuno Espirito Santo learnt this lesson the hard way. The irony will not be lost on Spurs supporters that the man now sitting in the West Ham dugout – having just beaten them – was dismissed with a 53 percent win rate, more than double what Frank has delivered across the last 18 games.
The appointment of Frank aimed to stabilise and advance the club. The opposite is happening.
Lewis Jones
The city has a Haaland problem.
A dejected Erling Haaland looks on from the substitutes’ bench.
Erling Haaland is Manchester City’s greatest derby goalscorer of the Premier League era, but you would not have known it watching the 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford. His performance was a pale imitation of the machine-like striker that has devastated United on so many occasions.
Pep Guardiola pulled him off once it was clear the game was over, soon after Patrick Dorgu crashed in United’s second. The striker had 14 touches, three successful passes, and not a single shot on target. The city was lost without his goal threat.
The fact Haaland was brought off for an 18-year-old midfielder, Divine Mukasa, with 15 minutes of prior Premier League experience shows how sparse the current attacking options are for Guardiola. Omar Marmoush’s return from AFCON can’t come soon enough.
Erling Haaland only had 14 touches before his 80th-minute withdrawal
The city manager cautioned that Haaland was fatigued before the derby, and his declining performance underscores the issue. The striker has gone seven games without a non-penalty goal, his longest drought since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
City has already signed winger Antoine Semenyo and is set to bring in centre-back Marc Guehi, but they could use a striker to ease the burden on Haaland. Strength in depth has been a crucial factor behind Arsenal pulling away in the title race.
There is still time to catch the Premier League leaders, although City’s four-game run without a win does not instill confidence. Unsurprisingly, this coincides with Haaland’s struggles in front of goal.
A title twist is only conceivable if Haaland is fully fit and performing at his peak. He looks like he needs a rest, and thankfully for City, they have a rare off week before a home game against the Wolves.
City faces a significant challenge until Haaland rediscovers his form.
Zinny Boswell
Did Arteta get it wrong on Saka?
Here are the highlights from the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has talked up the importance of rotation as Arsenal compete in four different competitions. They are on a gruelling streak of four consecutive away games. But it still seemed strange that his most influential attacker was named on the bench against Nottingham Forest.
There seemed no obvious need for it, given Bukayo Saka had started only two of Arsenal’s last four fixtures. This was especially true considering the significant opportunity created by Manchester City’s slip-up. What followed at the City Ground put the decision under even greater scrutiny.
Arsenal laboured until Arteta’s triple change early in the second half, after which Saka, on for Noni Madueke, looked by far the most likely player to make the breakthrough. He very nearly did, denied by Matz Sels at full stretch when his header was bound for the corner.
The draw is far from disastrous. Arsenal have added to their lead at the top of the table. But Arsenal supporters are entitled to wonder whether the outcome would have been different had Saka started the game rather than come into it late.
Nick Wright
Kerkez is finally kicking on
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s draw against Burnley in the Premier League.
Full-backs at Liverpool will be judged harshly. The legacy of previous players looms large over you. But Milos Kerkez has stopped looking like a player learning his surroundings and started performing like one shaping them. Liverpool didn’t get the result they wanted against Burnley, but there were more positive signs that Kerkez is starting to look like the player they signed from Bournemouth.
His game is built on intensity, but what has impressed most over recent weeks is control.
After being likened to a youth player earlier this season by Gary Neville, there is a calmness to his positioning now, a deeper understanding of when to go and when to stay. Early-season exuberance has been refined into efficiency. He provided a real thrust down the left against Burnley and more assurance in his decision-making. No player created more chances (6) than him as he continually penetrated with conviction down the left flank.
He looks stronger, sharper, and more attuned to the demands Slot wants. It bodes well for the future.
Lewis Jones
Sanchez is strong, despite criticism.
Here are the highlights from the Premier League match between Chelsea and Brentford.
Chelsea won a game in which the spotlight once again shone firmly on Robert Sanchez – but this time, he stood up to it.
The Chelsea goalkeeper has spent much of the last few seasons under constant scrutiny, with questions raised about his decision-making and reliability. On another afternoon, that pressure could easily have told. Brentford created enough chances to punish Chelsea, particularly in transition, and Sanchez was tested early and often.
This was not a flawless Chelsea performance, but two things stood out.
Firstly, Sanchez’s response to pressure was noteworthy. The Spaniard produced several crucial saves, most notably racing off his line to deny Kevin Schade when the Brentford forward was clean through, moments that could easily have shifted the momentum of the game. Those interventions held significant importance for a player facing doubts about his confidence.
Secondly, Chelsea’s increasing proficiency in handling dangerous situations was evident. Even when Brentford threatened to force their way back into the contest, Chelsea remained composed enough to see the game out, with Sanchez providing a calm presence behind a defence that has never looked settled.
There will still be debate around Chelsea’s long-term solution in goal, but on this occasion, Robert Sanchez delivered when it mattered, and Chelsea took full advantage at the other end.
Sometimes survival is just as important as style.
Sam Cohen
Crystal Palace is facing a challenging situation.
Oliver Glasner hit out at Crystal Palace’s hierarchy after his depleted team were beaten by Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Crystal Palace is struggling. While there have been indications of poor performance and results for some time, the past 36 hours have significantly escalated the situation.
First, there were the revelations that both Oliver Glasner and Marc Guehi were heading for the exit. Rumours about both Oliver Glasner and Marc Guehi had been circulating for some time and were perhaps not surprising, but the manner in which the Austrian manager delivered this news was unexpected.
Usually a calm character, Friday’s news conference and Glasner’s bombshells pointed towards a shift at the club – one that, just nine months ago, was basking in FA Cup glory.
And after a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland, in which Glasner says he was unable to bring on any substitutes to help the team, the manager took aim at the club’s hierarchy over the timing of Guehi’s departure.
“We’ve been completely abandoned,” he told Sky Sports. Glasner asserted that he would not abandon his players, positioning himself and his team against Steve Parish and the club hierarchy.
This statement directly challenges the chairman: either support me or dismiss me. So far, by Glasner’s calculations, Parish hasn’t backed him, and managers who have challenged the club this season have often been ousted soon after.
On the pitch, it’s now ten games and over a month without a win for Crystal Palace in all competitions. They are missing the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Daniel Munoz, although they should return soon.
That will give the Eagles a much-needed boost but will likely do little to repair the relationship between manager and chairman. How that plays out for the remainder of the season will be an intriguing prospect.
Charlotte Marsh
Can anyone stop Sunderland at home?
Here are the highlights from the Premier League match between Sunderland and Crystal Palace.
The Stadium of Light has always been one of football’s finest grounds, and this season, Sunderland have made it their fortress.
The Black Cats remain unbeaten there in the Premier League this season, which might come as somewhat of a surprise considering they lost their last three regular season games at the ground last term.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect is their ability to rally from behind and secure points. They did so again against Crystal Palace on Saturday and never looked harangued when going behind.
Rege Le Bris praised the maturity and confidence of his team, and they certainly showed it. Especially in the second half, they remained patient before finally getting their deserved winner.
Along with Leeds, the two promoted sides are harnessing the magic of their home support to help keep them in the league. In fact, Sunderland are just three points from the top four – a European push is more likely to happen than a relegation battle.
It’s been a sensational return to the Premier League for Sunderland and it will take some performances to end their unbeaten home league run.
Charlotte Marsh
Burnley’s strategic approach proved effective.
It was one of those points that felt like considerably more than a point.
Scott Parker’s masterplan to take something from Anfield didn’t involve conceding 32 shots or Dominic Szoboszlai crashing a penalty off the bar, but it did without doubt revolve around the notion of staying in the fight.
Burnley didn’t flinch when Liverpool knocked on the door in the opening half hour. They didn’t flinch when Florian Wirtz forced it open, either.
Despite their lead, it was Liverpool playing with urgency after the break. In a second it was inevitable that Burnley would break out of their low block, if momentarily, and push for an equaliser.
That part of the plan was executed to perfection. Ibrahima Konate nearly turned his ball into his own net moments before Marcus Edwards brought Burnley level.
“You never say die,” said Kyle Walker of his side’s showing on Saturday. Burnley’s rope-a-dope point at Anfield could be pivotal in the battle to stay alive in the Premier League on a day when Leeds and West Ham won.
Michael Morrow
Raucous Elland Road serves as the ace in Farke’s pocket.
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Leeds’s win against Fulham in the Premier League.
The screams of delight from Elland Road after Lukas Nmecha’s last-gasp winner were so loud that you probably could have heard them from Barnsley.
That’s been the story at home for Leeds recently. They’re now unbeaten across their last five Premier League home matches—gaining points from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and now an in-form Fulham side—and that run doesn’t look like ending anytime soon.
Farke’s revamped side have embodied a powerful, gritty style of play that the home fans are finding it easy to get behind.
Their win today was earmarked by two 10-minute periods in which the powerful Leeds attack terrorised the frail Fulham defence. Leeds’ two best chances – Calvert-Lewin’s inexplicable miss from six yards out and Brendan Aaronson’s scuffed half-volley one-on-one with Bernd Leno – came when the home crowd was spurring them on the most and should’ve resulted in goals.
Just when the game looked gone, and Fulham’s defence grew in confidence, the Elland Road roar got Leeds back in the game, just in time to rattle Fulham into three mistimed tackles, in turn creating the winning opportunity.
“To play at Elland Road, we all know what it means. The home support is unbelievable and they make it hard for the opposition,” said opposition manager Marco Silva before the game. “It is never easy to play there.”
And so it proved, as it has for almost every opposition side of late.
With Farke’s side continuing to grind out results with the help of their home crowd, it’s hard to see any team remaining unfazed with a trip to Elland Road on the calendar.
Noah Langford
More injury blows leave Silva desperate for backing
Fulham’s recent unbeaten run has been so impressive that the recent clamour for reinforcements seems to have taken a back seat.
Today’s loss at Leeds is a harsh reality check for Marco Silva and his men and demonstrates what Fulham fans know all too well – that the club will stagnate without new signings imminently.
New injuries to Sasa Lukic and Emile Smith Rowe may take the headlines, but they are the least of Fulham’s problems. The Whites had just seven touches in the Leeds United box, their fewest in a Premier League game since December 2024.
With Rodrigo Muniz out until February and Raul Jimenez having a poor game, Silva’s only option up top from the bench was Jonah Kusi-Asare, the 18-year-old Bayern loanee who is yet to score a professional goal outside the German fourth division.
There are two weeks left in the January window – despite being heavily linked with attacking reinforcements, Fulham are yet to make a signing.
“Everything we try and do this January, we are relying on it. We are completely aligned,” Silva said at a recent press conference.
“For me, it’s tougher than the summer. If you sign players, they have to make an impact. Not just short term, for the long term.”
Should they fail to bring new faces, Fulham will be left not just short of players to make a push for Europe, but also possibly short of a manager to match their ambition come the end of the season.
Noah Langford
Forest echo back to last season with dogged display
Nottingham Forest had one of the best defences in the Premier League last season but clean sheets have been hard to come by this term. Saturday’s stalemate with Arsenal was just their fifth of the campaign – all of them have come under Sean Dyche.
Holding the Premier League leaders felt very much like a Nuno Espirito Santo display from last season and there was a reason for it.
This was the first game since August when Forest could start Matz Sels, Ola Aina, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and Neco Williams in a match. That was the back five that gave opposition attacks so little joy last term and it was the same for Arsenal on Saturday.
Milenkovic and Murillo made 15 clearances between them. Williams won seven duels when he was up against Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka. Out of the back four, Aina won most possessions in the defensive and middle thirds.
But in front of them was the star of the show in Elliot Anderson, winning 12 out of his 15 duels. Only William Saliba made more ball recoveries than the England international, who won the battle with Declan Rice in midfield.
Forest may have been dragged closer to the drop zone by West Ham winning but if they keep defending like this, they will be fine in terms of survival.
Sam Blitz
