Nunez is a problem for Liverpool

Darwin Nunez had the entire goal to aim at but powered his shot straight into the torso of Jordan Pickford. It was a glorious chance, only eight minutes after Everton’s opener. How this game, how Liverpool’s season, might have been different had he converted.

The Uruguayan is not solely responsible for the finishing issues which have undermined their title charge, of course, but he typifies them. And in his case, it is a consistent problem.

According to Opta, Nunez has scored roughly eight goals fewer than he should have since arriving in the Premier League, based on the quality of chances he has had. It is a record which makes him the competition’s second-biggest underperformer related to his expected goals in that timeframe.

His latest miss was described as “unforgiveable” by Sky Sports‘ Jamie Carragher. Nunez has scored 11 Premier League goals this season but it is the wasted chances which have come to define him.

The hope for Liverpool has always been that, in time, Nunez would find the killer touch to match the quality of his movement and his knack for finding space in the box. But that hope is now receding.

As Carragher put it: “This is what he is. He can cause trouble but he is erratic with his finishing. It is not enough to win you trophies, so there is a big decision to be made on him.”
Nick Wright

Tarkowski, Branthwaite pummel Liverpool into submission

We’ve become accustomed to defenders acting as the playmakers for a team in the modern era. Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold importance to Liverpool’s has been well documented and showcased over the years. But Everton have two defenders who are just as key to their team’s attacking output, albeit in a very different way.

James Tarkowski and Jarrod Branthwaite set the tone for Everton’s powerful performance over Liverpool with two outstanding performances when tasked with causing chaos in the Liverpool penalty area. It was like the ball was a magnet to them when pumped into the penalty area.

First contact, won. Second contact, won. Even third contact, won.

Combined, Tarkowski and Branthwaite had seven touches in the Liverpool penalty area. That pressure put on the Liverpool backline told and caused alarming levels of panic – as shown by both goals. The pair also managed the day job immaculately, too. Walking away with a deserving clean sheet. Tarkowski made nine clearances and Branthwaite made eight. Heroes in blue.
Lewis Jones

Leaky Man Utd rescued by Bruno once again

Bruno Fernandes produced a captain’s performance to bail out Manchester United once again.

The influential midfielder single-handedly saved his side from an embarrassing result against rock-bottom Sheffield United as he scored twice – including a stunning long-range strike to make it 3-2 – and provided an assist for their fourth in the 4-2 victory.

Fernandes is questioned over his emotional behaviour but there is no doubting his huge importance in dragging United through tricky moments. He has now scored seven goals in his last six Premier League appearances.

When they need him most he always steps up and proves his captaincy credentials in a side that continues to leak goals.

United let in two “unacceptable” goals, according to boss Erik ten Hag, which takes their tally conceded to 50 in the league this season. The Red Devils have now conceded 50+ in two of their last three campaigns, having done so in just one of the first 29.

If Ten Hag is to prove he is the manager to take United forward, amid swirling speculation around his future, then he must fix their porous defence to prevent such chaotic games from happening.

But while the defence continues to disappoint for Ten Hag, his captain fantastic Fernandes does not and he will always be able to rely upon the Portuguese international.

Odegaard’s masterclass inspires Arsenal

As Arsenal ripped Chelsea apart at the Emirates Stadium, it was striking just how many of their attacks went through Martin Odegaard. His total of eight chances created was his highest in a Premier League game. His fingerprints were all over the 5-0 win.

Indeed, his influence went deeper than those final passes. He was involved in the build-up to the opener, feeding Bukayo Saka on the right before Arsenal worked the ball infield. Not long after that, there was a sensational turn and through-ball to release Takehiro Tomiyasu for a cross that should have been converted.

He spent the bulk of the game in his usual territory on the right side of midfield, where those combinations with Saka and Ben White have become so familiar. Chelsea couldn’t get close to Arsenal there. But Odegaard was influential elsewhere too.

In fact, some of his best work, that turn and pass to release Tomiyasu in the first half and the sensational ball in behind to set up Kai Havertz’s first goal in the second, came from the left-hand side. Odegaard drifted, always on the move, always probing for openings.

He finished the game with two assists and a player-of-the-match award, this latest creative masterclass putting him on 78 open-play chances created this season – a total 15 higher than any other Premier League player’s. But creativity is not all Odegaard offers.

As always, he was relentless in his out-of-possession work too, running just shy of 12km, a total second only to Declan Rice on the night. He pressed and harried tirelessly, winning more duels (eight) than any other player on the pitch. Chelsea had no answers.
Nick Wright

Poch’s fears realised – Chelsea are ‘Cole Palmer FC’

Ahead of their short trip to north London, Mauricio Pochettino urged Chelsea to show they are not “Cole Palmer FC”. Unfortunately for the manager, his team’s dismal performance at the Emirates showed that’s exactly what they are.

Without Palmer for just the second time in the Premier League since he arrived last summer, Chelsea were embarrassed by Arsenal.

The 21-year-old has provided the most goals and the most assists for the Blues this season, meaning it was hardly surprising they managed just one shot on target compared to Arsenal’s 10.

Removing Palmer from the team was like removing the knot that had been tying Chelsea’s players into something resembling a functional outfit. Without him, everything unravelled.

Djordje Petrovic was caught out once more. Nicolas Jackson again missed from just yards out. Mykahilo Mudryk failed to touch the ball in Arsenal’s box, let alone aim a shot at David Raya’s goal.

Meanwhile, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez – signed for more than £200m, remember – were run ragged by Arsenal’s midfield, while Kai Havertz – who toiled as Chelsea’s No 9 last season – toyed with Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.

But perhaps the most worrying thing for Chelsea is that, despite Pochettino’s attempt to motivate his side, this was all grimly predictable.
Joe Shread

Mateta flourishing under Glasner

It’s hard to believe that Jean-Philippe Mateta has been at Crystal Palace since January 2021. Most of his appearances over the last three and a bit years have come off the bench, usually utilised when the Eagles were in need of a goal. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.

That is to say, he was seen as more of a squad player. But this season, he has found himself with 21 Premier League starts from 33 games, and the arrival of Oliver Glasner has seen Mateta stride into form.

In just nine appearances, he has scored more Premier League goals under Oliver Glasner (8) than he did under either Roy Hodgson (5 in 35 games) or Patrick Vieira (6 in 44). That includes back-to-back league doubles.

But he also helped out defensively too. In the second half, he drove back to win a tackle against Bruno Guimaraes as Newcastle looked to break in a standout moment, showing his willingness and confidence to help the team across the pitch.

Crystal Palace have never been known as an especially free-scoring team, despite having bundles of attacking quality. But if Mateta can continue scoring goals and linking up well with those around him, it gives Glasner a good base to work from in what will be an important summer.
Charlotte Marsh

More away-day woe for Newcastle

Newcastle’s 11-day break came at the wrong time and so too did a fixture at in-form Crystal Palace – now their European hopes hang in the balance.

Eddie Howe’s side lost momentum after their 4-0 victory over Tottenham – their third win in four – as Palace outclassed them. Newcastle must draw a line under this result and performance, and move on quickly.

“We can’t make excuses, we’re going to blame ourselves and try to come back better,” admitted Howe. “We’re still in the mix but we can’t play like we did today if we’re going to maintain our push to be in the European places.”

It was another torrid day on the road for Newcastle having lost eight of their last 11 away games.

Newcastle need to make up three points on sixth-placed Manchester United although three of their final five fixtures are away from St James’ Park, but a home fixture against Sheffield United on Saturday presents the ideal chance to get back on track.
David Richardson

From nightmare start to record points tally?

Take a bow, Andoni Iraola. Something remarkable has almost been achieved.

Bournemouth are a point off their all-time record Premier League tally, with four games to spare. The Cherries are hitting new levels under their talented young manager in his debut season.

How long ago had you forgotten their nine-game streak which kicked off his reign?

The job he’s done since has made it so forgettable.

If the season started the day he broke his duck in late October, Bournemouth would be fifth in the table, ahead of Man Utd, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle.

They would only be five points off Aston Villa, who look certain to be playing Champions League football next season.

Because, sadly for the Cherries, league tables don’t work like that, a record points tally is the best they can settle for this term.

So putting aside the gut-wrenching lows and dizzying highs before ending ultimately in unremarkable mid-table, to any neutral glancing a cursory eye, Iraola’s performance evened out has been sensational.

Bournemouth were happy they had Gary O’Neil in post last season. But they are cock-o-hoop they now have his successor.

We could be harsh and say Bournemouth would have even more points but for wasteful finishing; in itself, another compliment that there is more to come from the Cherries.

They should not have been hanging on to their 1-0 lead at Wolves, should not have had to batten down the hatches with 10 men for the final few minutes.

Bournemouth have the fourth-worst difference between their goals scored and expected goals tallies in the whole Premier League, falling 2.15 goals below where they ‘should’ be.

Bearing in mind 13 teams have exceeded their own xG tally, they are falling behind the rest of the Premier League significantly in many cases.

The fact players not called Dominic Solanke have scored only 31 goals for them this season plays a major part in that.

But, that’s an issue for another day, another season. For now, Bournemouth have some record books to enter.
Ron Walker

Wolves’ season ending in a whimper

Gary O’Neil called this Wolves’ worst performance of the season, eschewing the opportunity to point to a controversial VAR decision and instead putting the spotlight firmly on his players following their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Molineux.

The supporters stuck with their team, having seen two goals disallowed and a much improved second-half showing. But Wolves were miserable for the best part of an hour, a lethargic display in which even some of their stars of the season were flat.

O’Neil did not want to use fatigue as an excuse but given that the energy shown by Boubacar Traore and Tawanda Chirewa after coming on helped shift the momentum, it is easy to think that a tough season has begun to catch up with some of these players.

Joao Gomes was uncharacteristically sluggish, Mario Lemina making tired decisions. Nelson Semedo, another of their players of their season, slipped in the first half and went down with cramp in the second. O’Neil described his team’s display as strange.

After seven without a win, a season that looked full of hope in March, with two routes to Europe, risks ending in a whimper. O’Neil spoke wistfully of October when Matheus Cunha, Pedro Neto and Hee-Chan Hwang were fit and firing. It feels an age away right now.
Adam Bate

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