The weekend’s Premier League action saw Arsenal send out an emphatic statement with a 5-1 thrashing of defending champions Manchester City. Here are five key talking points.
Forest show they are real deal with strong comeback
Nottingham Forest recovered from a 5-0 hammering by Bournemouth to dish out a drubbing of their own as they demolished Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0.
Questions had emerged about their Champions League credentials after the five-goal hiding by the Cherries on Jan 25, but, against Brighton, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men demonstrated steel with substance to register their most important comeback victory yet.
With over 60 per cent of the campaign completed, Forest are third, six points ahead of fourth-placed City, whom Chelsea could leapfrog should they beat West Ham United on Feb 3. The result was unavailable at press time.
In a season where they have defied expectations – England icon Gary Lineker had tipped them for relegation – qualifying for Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 1980-81 would be the biggest story of this EPL season.
Haaland should know
Arsenal’s newest tyro
Since he made his Arsenal first-team debut at 17 in 2019, Bukayo Saka has established himself as one of the world’s best wingers. But, in his absence since December due to a hamstring injury, a new home-grown hero has emerged.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has impressed since his senior debut in last September’s 2-2 draw at Manchester City. Then, Lewis-Skelly clashed with Erling Haaland, who turned to the teenager, asking him, “Who the f*** are you?”
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrates scoring their third goal in a 5-1 win over Manchester City on Feb 3.PHOTO: REUTERS
A box-to-box midfielder at youth level, the Englishman, 18, has found top-flight opportunities at left-back. Yet he has done enough to be preferred to £42 million (S$70.6 million) summer signing Riccardo Calafiori against City on Feb 2, when he netted his first Arsenal goal and was named the Man of the Match in the 5-1 win.
Haaland and the footballing world will know his name by now.
Returning Moyes’ magic
steering Everton to safety
Shortly after a losing start – a 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa – to his second tenure as Everton manager, David Moyes claimed that he was “no magician”.
But, with the 4-0 win over Leicester City, the Scot has steered the Toffees nine points clear of the relegation zone. Everton are now 16th with a game in hand over the bottom four.
Everton manager David Moyes looks on during the English Premier League football match against Leicester City on Feb 1. They won 4-0.PHOTO: AFP
Former manager Sean Dyche won just three of his 19 league games this season, with Everton failing to score in 11 of them. Moyes, meanwhile, had already secured three wins in his first four matches, with the Toffees bagging eight goals – suggesting that he had cast a spell over his charges.
Villa need a Champions
League hangover antidote
In midweek, Aston Villa became one of just eight teams to seal an automatic spot in the Champions League last 16. But, three days later, they were brought back to earth with a 2-0 loss to relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins reacting after a 2-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Feb 2. PHOTO: Action Images via Reuters
The defeat, coming after a 4-2 win over Celtic on Jan 29, marks the seventh time that the Villans have failed to win after a midweek European fixture this season.
With Unai Emery often reluctant to rotate his pack – Villa made just two changes from the Celtic match – the Midlands side have found it difficult to cope with back-to-back matches in a short spell.
Not having a squad that can compete on both fronts could cost them dearly, as they risk missing out on next season’s Champions League. They are eighth, four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
The Villa board must assemble a team worthy of their new-found status as part of Europe’s elite and give Emery the much-needed armoury to tinker with. The loan signings of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio are a good start.
Not looking good for
McKenna’s Tractor Boys
Before the season, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna was courted by Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United after winning back-to-back promotions from League One and the Championship.
Despite the interest, the 38-year-old extended his contract with the Tractor Boys to 2028, with the club pledging to back him significantly on their return to the top flight for the first time since the 2001-02 season. McKenna has splashed out over £120 million (S$202 million) on transfers, bringing in 15 players.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna applauding fans after a 2-1 defeat by Southampton on Feb 1. PHOTO: REUTERS
While there have been occasional bright spots, such as a win over Chelsea, their 19th position in the 20-team table tells a story of a season-long struggle for points.
Following the 2-1 home defeat by bottom side Southampton, a drop back to the Championship is looming and it could be costly affair for Ipswich.
Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics, combat sports and policy-related news.
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Publish date : 2025-02-03 04:38:00
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