EPL Review: Ten Hag toast, Rodri irreplaceable, Palmer sensational

Following each weekend of Premier League motion, theScore examines a very powerful developments and largest speaking factors to emerge from the slate of matches. Under, we dissect Matchweek 6 of the 2024-25 season.

‘Sacked within the morning’ 🎶

Manchester United allowed themselves to be duped by a lucky FA Cup triumph final season. Had been it not for that victory over rivals Manchester Metropolis – and the extraordinarily fortunate semifinal win over Coventry Metropolis that preceded it – Erik ten Hag virtually actually would not nonetheless be the supervisor at Previous Trafford.

And but, there he’s. Nonetheless. Manchester United are worse off for it.

The Dutchman has survived a number of humiliating outcomes since taking up, however at what level will his leash run out? Ten Hag insisted, but once more, that he and his group want extra time to place all the things collectively following Sunday’s 3-0 shellacking at dwelling in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur.

The United brass ought to as a substitute hearken to the Tottenham followers who mockingly chanted that Ten Hag could be “sacked within the morning” throughout the match.

He can attempt to use Bruno Fernandes’ harsh purple card as an excuse – a yellow would’ve been the right name on the play – however, in fact, the Purple Devils had been getting blown out of the water properly earlier than taking place a person. Tottenham’s first aim, by which the seas parted for Micky van de Ven to storm proper by means of from his personal half and arrange Brennan Johnson, was symptomatic of Manchester United’s points. It was painfully straightforward for Spurs to interrupt by means of United’s ineffective press and assault the holes that emerged.

All the way down to 10 males and needing to be laser centered popping out of the halftime interval to maintain the deficit to only one aim, United conceded underneath two minutes into the second stanza. The sport was successfully over at that time. The gamers must take their share of accountability, after all, however not being ready simply seconds after the restart reeks of a managerial failure.

If Timo Werner may really end comparatively straightforward probabilities, it could’ve been a lot, a lot worse for Ten Hag and his group. The scoreline really flattered United, if something.

For a membership the stature of Manchester United – one thing that is change into straightforward to overlook given their present malaise – these constant failures cannot be allowed to proceed. At greatest, this membership is treading water proper now. Ten Hag clearly is not able to rectifying the scenario, which has left United twelfth within the desk with simply two wins from six video games.

Fast free-kicks 📝

Life with out Rodri begins for Pep

Pep Guardiola is already uninterested in being requested the identical query. He isn’t but certain how, precisely, Manchester Metropolis will change Rodri. “I’ve to seek out options,” he stated bluntly after shedding the midfield talisman for the season to an ACL harm. Mateo Kovacic, an excellent – however completely completely different – participant to the Spaniard, operated within the Rodri function in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle. The stability wasn’t fairly proper. Metropolis have clearly gained with out Rodri earlier than – he missed the primary three video games of this season after being granted an prolonged break following Euro 2024 – however, general, there is probably not a extra priceless participant to his group than the 28-year-old. Previous to his harm, Metropolis hadn’t misplaced a league sport with him within the lineup relationship again to February 2023. There in all probability is not one other supervisor higher positioned to formulate a brand new tactical plan within the wake of a key harm, however this shall be one in all Guardiola’s greatest exams.

How shortly issues change

Simply a few weeks in the past, following their loss to Arsenal within the north London derby, issues had been bleak for Tottenham. Detractors had sharpened their knives, with Ange Postecoglou showing actually agitated by the criticism being geared toward him and his gamers. Spurs had been minutes away from a humiliating loss to Coventry Metropolis of their subsequent match however turned issues round with a late brace. All they’ve finished since that galvanizing result’s win three straight video games, scoring three objectives in every victory, to arrest what threatened to devolve right into a harmful early-season slide. Dejan Kulusevski is prospering in a midfield function, Dominic Solanke is discovering his ft along with his new membership, and Brennan Johnson is on a roll. How lengthy will it proceed?

Mbeumo’s large transfer is coming

Thomas Frank is aware of that he cannot preserve maintain of Bryan Mbeumo for much longer. The Brentford striker continued his red-hot begin to the season Saturday, scoring his fifth aim in six matches. Had been it not for a severe ankle harm final season, the Cameroonian worldwide might have already got accomplished a giant switch that is trying increasingly seemingly with every passing week. “He was the most important miss final yr even once we had Ivan (Toney) out,” Frank stated of the 25-year-old. “We missed our key participant … I am satisfied sooner or later he’ll play for a much bigger membership; I’ll undoubtedly purchase him if I used to be at a much bigger membership.” There have been some tenuous hyperlinks with Liverpool in the summertime, however count on the rumors to get louder each in January and, after all, on the finish of the season.

Trossard: Zero to hero

Leandro Trossard let his group down along with his pointless purple card final week in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. He was eager to make amends after serving his suspension within the midweek League Cup fixture. He did simply that. Although the eventual profitable aim in opposition to Leicester Metropolis on Saturday was (accurately) credited as an personal aim by Wilfred Ndidi, Trossard created it within the 94th minute, including that very important contribution to the aim he scored earlier within the contest. Initially seen as a complementary depth piece when he was signed, the Belgian has as a substitute change into a significant contributor for Mikel Arteta. His clever motion dovetails properly with Kai Havertz as Arsenal proceed to function with no true No. 9 up entrance.

Star performer 🌟

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Who else? Palmer made historical past this weekend, turning into the primary participant to attain 4 objectives within the first half of a Premier League match when he tore Brighton & Hove Albion aside at Stamford Bridge. His record-breaking efficiency included a 10-minute hat-trick and a sensational free-kick.

Because the begin of final season, no participant – not even Erling Haaland – has been straight concerned in additional Premier League objectives than Palmer, who’s racked up 28 objectives and 15 assists in that point.

“When you will have a participant in your group like Cole Palmer, then something is feasible,” Jadon Sancho stated, in response to ESPN. How proper he’s.

There is a scary ease with which the 22-year-old does all the things on the pitch, whether or not it is creating for his teammates or discovering the online himself. Manchester Metropolis clearly have not wanted him, given their monumental latest success, however at what level do we now have to begin asking if it was a blatant mistake to promote him to Chelsea? We’re in all probability already previous that time.

Finest XI 😎

(Courtesy: FotMob)

Spotlight of the weekend 🎥

If you wish to research excellent volley method, watch this from James Justin.

Stat of the weekend 🔢

Bruno Fernandes’ (unfortunate) purple card in opposition to Tottenham on Sunday was the primary dismissal of his Manchester United profession in 242 appearances.

Social media second 📱

Romeo Lavia left a cheeky message for Chelsea teammate Palmer after his historic efficiency Saturday.

The place we stand 👀

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