1
Action man Jones does the lot for Slot
Curtis Jones’s all-action display against Chelsea was all the more impressive, given that the Liverpool midfielder and his partner have a newborn daughter at home – and he slept in the spare room before Sunday’s game. Called in to cover for Alexis Mac Allister, who picked up a knock on Argentina duty, Jones brought energy to Arne Slot’s midfield in an outstanding box-to-box display. He kept Cole Palmer quiet, might have won two penalties with runs into the box (the second was overturned by VAR) – and was in the right place again to poke home a second-half winner. Jones’s form will be a big boost for Slot with a brutal run of fixtures set to test the depth of his squad. The 23-year-old is surely overdue an England senior debut, having been part of the recent Nations League squad. Jones is the kind of dynamic midfielder Thomas Tuchel may be looking for, and more game time for Liverpool could convince the interim manager, Lee Carsley, to bed in a player he called “one of the most talented I’ve worked with.”
Niall McVeigh
2
Tight margins go against O’Neil again
The obvious topic of debate at Molineux centred on whether Bernardo Silva impeded José Sá’s ability to save John Stones’s 95th-minute header. The officials concluded Silva had no impact on the goal and, while hugely disappointed, the first thing Gary O’Neil did when he got into his manager’s office was to study how Stones was able to register an effort on goal. O’Neil acknowledged the minutiae make the difference in tight games, leading him to bemoan having to substitute the 6ft 4in Wolves goalscorer Jørgen Strand Larsen, owing to fatigue. “In every game Jørgen has run his race after 60, 65 minutes,” O’Neil said. “Jørgen knows how important it is to get himself in better shape. Everyone thinks: ‘It’s OK, [Gonçalo] Guedes has gone on and given us energy.’ But if Jørgen is on, do we concede the goal from the corner, does Jørgen help us?” It was a moment that will haunt Wolves until they return to action at Brighton on Saturday. Ben Fisher
3
Chelsea gain Neto positive despite defeat
Enzo Maresca was upbeat despite Chelsea’s defeat , saying: “If you have to lose, this is probably the way you want to.” The visitors had 57% possession and led Liverpool in most attacking metrics – if not the one that really mattered. A big part of Maresca’s impressive start has been in finding creative consistency with a settled front four: Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke operating behind the improving Nicolas Jackson. In Sunday’s first half, Sancho had plenty of the ball but was marshalled by Trent Alexander-Arnold, leading Maresca to introduce Pedro Neto at the break. Neto also found it difficult getting in behind the Liverpool right-back, but switched up his approach, cutting infield dangerously and then playing more centrally (with Palmer on the right) when Christopher Nkunku was brought on to the left. Neto cost Chelsea £54m but is yet to complete 90 minutes in the league for his new side. His invention and flexibility at Anfield should earn him more game time soon. NM
4
Ghana’s losses could be Bournemouth’s gain
Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus and Iñaki Williams with Jordan Ayew on the bench … it really is inexplicable that Ghana should be in serious danger of failing to qualify for the Cup of Nations. A 2-0 defeat last Sunday leaves them needing to win in Angola and then beat Niger at home to secure their place at Morocco 2025, and then only if Sudan fail to take a point from their two remaining games. Kudus, it’s true, did not have the best return to club action, as he was sent off in West Ham’s 4-1 defeat at Tottenham, but Ayew got Leicester’s winner at Southampton and Semenyo was Bournemouth’s most consistently dangerous player as they beat Arsenal. Twice he skinned Ben White with almost embarrassing ease, constantly cutting infield to shoot, a persistent threat. The good news for Bournemouth is that, so long he remains at the club, he should be available for next season’s Christmas programme. Jonathan Wilson
5
Martínez worth more than sum of clean sheets
Speaking on international duty last week, Emiliano Martínez bemoaned the number of goals Aston Villa had conceded in the Premier League, with just the solitary clean sheet against Manchester United. They failed to shut out Fulham again on Saturday, but the Argentinian played a starring role in their 3-1 win when saving Andreas Pereira’s – admittedly weak – penalty. “Emiliano Martínez is the best goalkeeper in the world,” was Unai Emery’s verdict. “It means we need him in moments like today. I was sitting on the bench and I was dreaming of his [penalty] save. He did it.” Never one to shy away from the limelight, Martínez celebrated his save by turning to the travelling supporters behind his goal and making a show of kissing the Villa badge on his shirt. If Villa are conceding a few too many, Emery is not going to blame the man between the sticks. Ben Bloom
6
No 9 gives United new dimension
Should Rasmus Højlund light up Manchester United’s frontline, Erik ten Hag’s team will be a different proposition. The evidence? His 66th-minute uber-cool sandwedged finish that claimed victory over Brentford and showed what United missed when he got injured in their opening US summer tour game. This ruled him out until late September. Three starts later Højlund has two goals and is thriving in the No 9 shirt this season that puts him in a United lineage that includes Bobby Charlton and Andy Cole . “It means a lot, but I’m not trying to put extra pressure on it, because it’s a number on the back,” the 21-year-old said. “But obviously, it has great meaning for this football club, and also to me. I try to do better every day. I’m playing for Manchester United, and have the No 9 on for Manchester United: it’s a good life.” Jamie Jackson
7
Welbeck and Baleba increase pressure on Howe
There is a lot of, often justified, hype surrounding Newcastle’s high profile midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton but, as Brighton triumphed on Tyneside, Fabian Hürzeler’s 20-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba looked the pick of that department. Baleba played a significant part in securing a somewhat fortunate Brighton win on a day when Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon missed glorious chances for Eddie Howe’s side, Bart Verbruggen shone in Brighton’s goal and Danny Welbeck scored a fine winner after a clever one-two with Georginio Rutter. Welbeck, the scorer of five goals in eight league games this season, was later taken to hospital with a back injury but, after scans revealed nothing worse than bad bruising, he joined his teammates on Brighton’s flight home. Howe must now contemplate two tricky and potentially season-defining fixtures: Chelsea away in the League and then the same opponents at home in the Carabao Cup. Louise Taylor
8
Reinvented McNeil the difference for Everton
At Burnley, Dwight McNeil was known as a winger and dead-ball specialist. Necessity at Everton has led to his reinvention as an effective, industrious No 10. At Ipswich, the excellent Iliman Ndiaye scored Everton’s opener as he and Jack Harrison worked down the flanks. Down the middle, McNeil’s control and assist for Michael Keane’s goal was high class. “I have known Dwight a long time,” said Sean Dyche. “He is a very fit player and is quicker than people think. He can carry 95 minutes comfortably when he is really on it.” Keane’s goal augmented his reputation as a fine finisher for a defender. “All the players know in training what a good finisher he is,” said Dyche. Keane said: “Getting chances and putting them away is difficult but it’s only one part of the job. But if you look at Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] and all the work he does there is no way I could do that.” John Brewin
9
Litany of Lopetegui problems gets longer
Where to begin with West Ham after their 4-1 defeat at Tottenham? Lucas Paquetá is doing nothing to justify his mooching demeanour in attacking midfield. Alphonse Areola is letting in soft goals and his distribution against Spurs was poor. The defence remains leaky – the Hammers have conceded three or more on four occasions this season – and there appears to be a problem with attitude, desire and discipline. Edson Álvarez picked up a ridiculous red card during the 5-1 defeat by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and the manner of Mohammed Kudus’s dismissal against Spurs raises questions over Julen Lopetegui’s authority. There is a view that Kudus, who is set to miss key games against Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Everton, would not have been scuffling with Spurs players if the squad were fully behind Lopetegui. Jacob Steinberg
10
Martin lacking a smart approach at Saints
Is the writing on the wall for Russell Martin? The way Southampton unravelled at St Mary’s, losing at the death after surrendering a two-goal lead, had an air of finality to it. There are plenty of statistics to suggest his side deserve better than their historically low points tally of one, but other numbers show where Martin’s progressive approach has fallen down. Saints have dropped eight points from winning positions this season while Leicester have picked up five points after trailing, with Steve Cooper’s more pragmatic approach lifting his side into mid-table. If the Saints hierarchy are seeking a reason to give Martin more time, they could look along the south coast. This time last year, Andoni Iraola was on the brink with no wins from nine league games, but eventually adjusted his approach and led Bournemouth up the table. For Southampton, next week’s trip to the Etihad offers something of a free hit before decisive games against Everton and Wolves. Niall McVeigh
