Newcastle depth uncovered by ruthless Villa

Newcastle named the identical aspect for a seventh consecutive match and ran out of legs – Aston Villa confirmed them why it’s a squad recreation with their 4-1 win.

Unai Emery made 4 adjustments from Villa’s Champions League second-leg victory over Paris Saint-Germain having lit a fireplace below those that have been not noted.

• Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle – Report & Highlights
• Because it occurred | Groups | Match stats
• Stay Premier League desk | Watch PL highlights at no cost
• Not acquired Sky? Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW 📺

Ollie Watkins and Ian Maatsen each staked their claims for beginning spots as Villa’s freshness took the sport away from the guests within the second half.

Newcastle had additionally regarded unstoppable, scoring 9 targets in two video games in opposition to Manchester United and Crystal Palace this week regardless of being with out head coach Eddie Howe.

How may assistant Jason Tindall have modified the group after these victories? It will have been a courageous name to drop both Harvey Barnes or Jacob Murphy, who’ve each been in excellent type, for Anthony Gordon or change one in every of their midfield three for Sean Longstaff or teenager Lewis Miley.

Howe’s squad lacks the identical depth as Villa’s as they turned to Marcus Rashford, Amadou Onana, Jacob Ramsey, Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen from the bench. Newcastle’s second-half adjustments have been Emil Krafth, Matt Targett, Joe Willock, Callum Wilson and Gordon.

Emery’s capability to rotate with out shedding momentum gave Villa the sting, whereas Newcastle’s bench merely couldn’t provide the identical impression. Because the season enters its defining stretch, it’s squad power – not simply starting-XI high quality – that may make all of the distinction.
David Richardson

O’Reilly offers Man Metropolis glimmer of hope

In a season that has given Manchester Metropolis followers little or no to shout about, they will look to 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly as they search a glimmer of hope for a resurgent subsequent season.

After netting his first Metropolis league purpose throughout their comeback 5-2 win in opposition to Crystal Palace final weekend, his second put Metropolis nicely on their approach to incomes the 2-0 victory at Everton that may strengthen their probabilities of securing Champions League soccer for a fifteenth straight season. His current run of video games has additionally seen an important purpose in opposition to Plymouth within the FA Cup earlier than his two assists off the bench helped his aspect battle again in opposition to Bournemouth in the identical competitors.

• Report and highlights – Everton 0-2 Man Metropolis
• Because it occurred | Groups | Match stats
• Stay Premier League desk | Watch PL highlights at no cost
• Not acquired Sky? Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW 📺

Guardiola is just not hiding O’Reilly’s want to play additional ahead, however when he’s ghosting by the traces and popping up with a purpose like he did at Goodison Park or volleying house from the sting of the world like he did at Palace, he is ready to use his pure attacking capabilities anyway.

Metropolis have been removed from inspiring at Everton, and have been distant from their convincing selves this season as an entire. However O’Reilly’s versatility, dynamism and youthful exuberance may assist Metropolis discover a method again to their finest.
William Bitibiri

Does Hurzeler know what he is doing?

When the away finish determined to greet Fabian Hurzeler’s determination to substitute Danny Welbeck with a rendition of ‘you do not know what you are doing’ it was awkward sufficient for the Brighton head coach. That isn’t even together with the truth that Brighton proprietor Tony Bloom, the person who hires and fires, was sitting in that very away finish.

It’s often powerful for a supervisor to return again from such ridicule from your individual fanbase. And Hurzeler did lower a prickly determine within the post-match press convention after the 4-2 defeat at Brentford, being fairly brief with journalists on sure topics, however he did in equity reply the questions on that chant from the away finish.

He stated: “That is effective. They’ve their opinion. The group performed nicely after that [the substitution].”

Not fairly Ange Postecoglou degree of ear cupping however he actually was attempting to make a degree. This friction between head coach and fanbase, triggered by some very inconsistent house type this season that has seen them draw to Leicester, Southampton and Ipswich, plus now a run of 5 video games with no win, will likely be giving Bloom loads of meals for thought.
Lewis Jones

How will Everton cope with out stalwart Tarkowski?

There isn’t a doubting that David Moyes’ impression at Everton has been stark. Regardless of defeat in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, his aspect’s show confirmed the strides they’ve taken since his return to Merseyside, however James Tarkowski’s hamstring damage would be the factor enjoying on Moyes’ thoughts.

• Report and highlights – Everton 0-2 Man Metropolis
• Because it occurred | Groups | Match stats

His withdrawal meant Michael Keane was thrown into motion and struggled to maintain up with the tempo of the sport, and was booked inside minutes of his introduction. With the stress mounting earlier than Metropolis took the lead, Keane almost gifted the away aspect a purpose with a lax header again in direction of his purpose that Omar Marmoush virtually capitalised on, solely to be denied by Jordan Pickford.

Not solely is the drop off by way of match health stark, the composure that Tarkowski brings to his again line was additionally misplaced. Centre-back choices are skinny at Goodison with Jake O’Brien capable of fill in, however after performing so nicely at full-back of late, it might require extra change than Moyes would really like. Tarkowski’s potential absence has supplied a dilemma for Moyes.
William Bitibiri

Bournemouth falter in race for Europe

Bournemouth surpassed their file Premier League factors tally with the 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace however the overwhelming feeling for Andoni Iraola’s aspect after a forgettable afternoon of soccer should certainly be one in every of disappointment.

Crystal Palace have been all the way down to 10 for the entire second half after Chris Richards’ crimson card and had shipped 10 targets of their previous two video games, but Bournemouth may barely lay a glove on them. A measly 0.3xG was all they may muster after the break.

• Report & highlights: Crystal Palace 0-0 Bournemouth
• Because it occurred | Groups | Match stats

This can go down as a giant alternative missed of their pursuit of European soccer – much more so when you think about Brighton, one in every of their rivals for qualification, have been overwhelmed at Brentford. These outcomes open the door to Fulham.

Monday’s win over Fulham had reignited Bournemouth’s hopes of European qualification after a six-game winless run within the league. Now Iraola’s aspect are on shaky floor heading into the ultimate 5 video games and of their worst second of the season.

Bournemouth have had the beating of their subsequent opponents, Manchester United, over the previous couple of video games at Previous Trafford however face a testing run after that with video games in opposition to Arsenal, Aston Villa and Man Metropolis, earlier than they host Leicester on the ultimate day.

Eighth is predicted to be sufficient to earn a route into the UEFA Convention League play-offs, until Crystal Palace win the FA Cup this season. Bournemouth have come to this point below Iraola, as underlined by breaking their file factors tally, however extra is required to make historical past.
Zinny Boswell

Boring West Ham frustrate their followers once more

The West Ham supporters weren’t impressed with the efficiency from their aspect within the 1-1 draw in opposition to Southampton in any respect. Booed off at half-time, booed off at full-time.

Their group have been nicely off it within the first half, when Southampton had one of the best possibilities. Jarrod Bowen’s purpose gave the Hammers a flying begin to the second half and so they have been unlucky to not add one other.

• Report & highlights: West Ham 1-1 Southampton
• Because it occurred | Groups | Match stats

However Graham Potter opted to carry on to the 1-0, going to a again 5 and making defensive substitutions… after which they conceded anyway. Towards a Southampton aspect set to publish one of many lowest Premier League factors totals ever.

The West Ham supporters turned up on Saturday anticipating to be entertained within the sunshine; wanting their aspect to chop unfastened in opposition to a Southampton group which have been so poor all season. They didn’t get that in any respect.

West Ham stepped away from the David Moyes period final summer season in a bid to ship extra thrilling soccer however solely 4 groups have scored fewer targets and their supporters appear as dissatisfied with the product on the pitch as ever earlier than.
Peter Smith

The deadliest of duos?

Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are an exceptional duo. The numbers are fairly staggering contemplating they play for a group not within the high half. Mbeumo’s double in opposition to Brighton means he has now scored 18 occasions this season – solely Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak are forward of him within the Golden Boot race.

His mate Wissa is simply two behind him on 16 targets. In case you throw their assists into the combo too then Mbeumo and Wissa have 43 purpose involvements between them this season. Solely Isak and Jacob Murphy, who’ve 46 purpose involvements, can higher that return on the subject of membership team-mates and purpose involvements.

The outcome stored alive Brentford’s outdoors hopes of qualifying for Europe. That’s the degree their fantastically lethal duo ought to be enjoying at.
Lewis Jones