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6 days ago
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Our matches today:
Aston Villa v Fulham
Arsenal v Newcastle
I’m looking forward to these. Villa badly need points and will have taken confidence from their win over Bologna in midweek, but they’ll face a different challenge in Marco Silva’s side.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will have taken heart from Liverpool’s defeat, but Newcastle are perhaps the most physical team in the league with one of its best midfields.
Amorim was, though, right not to blame the ref for his side’s abjectivity, but I’ve not a clue how Nathan Collins escaped a red card for fouling Bryan Mbeumo. The rationale is that Mbeumo wasn’t in control of the ball, but he was looking for a one-touch finish, so had no need to be, and had he not been deliberately impeded by a defender making no effort to make a legitimate challenge, he might have scored.
Another manager under pressure is Ruben Amorim. I’m not sure United’s performance yesterday was entirely his fault – the issue wasn’t the system nor its principles, rather a lack of composure and intensity – but ultimately that too is his responsibility.
Incidentally, I absolutely loved Daniel Welbeck’s finish for Brighton’s third goal. His peak years were sadly hampered by injury, but his dotage has been brilliant. He’s still got it physically, while his touch, imagination and intelligence are even better than before.
Across London, meantime, aggravation: Chelsea lost again, their performance in beating PSG to win the Club World Cup a distant memory. On the one hand, a dip after that was inevitable; on the other, it was one game, and there’ve been precious few others of similar standard.
I was out last evening – get me – so I’m only just catching up with Spurs v Wolves and, in particular, Jose Palhinha’s late equaliser.
I also enjoyed this comment from @Xhong_Zina30 under the above link:
As a Spurs fan I’ve really enjoyed Frank’s tactical flexibility, seeing the team drop points in different ways beats dropping points the same way like last season.
And what a celebration from Oliver Glasner. That man knows something.
Imagine Crystal Palace had the resources to hang on to their best players – they’re second in the table having lost Michael Oliseh and Eberechi Eze. Keep them, and you’re talking about a title challenge.
I’m glad Goals on Sunday is back on Sky. Real talk: I’ve not a clue why it was binned to begin with. Someone with expertise chatting about their unique experience, while reviewing action, what’s not to like?
Preamble
Morning all and welcome to your Sunday football blog. As ever, there’s a good lot of action to enjoy and we’ll be looking forward to it here, from now. Feel free to send in your plans; we’ll be bringing you Villa v Fulham and Arsenal v Newcastle, as well as reflecting on yesterday’s typically ridiculous Premier league action.
