Game-Changing Troubles: Manchester City Struggle Without Rodri, Man Utd's Sofyan Amrabat Experiment Backfires

Man City just aren't the same without Rodri

Since joining the Premier League in August 2019, Rodri's impact on Manchester City cannot be overlooked. Without the Spaniard, the team has suffered a significant setback, losing 33 percent of their top-flight matches. In contrast, with Rodri in their side, Manchester City's losses drop to just 7.5 percent. His presence on the field clearly makes a difference in the team's performance.

City's recent loss to Wolves, coupled with their defeat against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, raises concerns about their performance without the influential presence of Rodri. While Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic are talented players, City seemed to lack urgency and creativity in possession. Consequently, Pep Guardiola made the decision to substitute Nunes during halftime.

City's vulnerability was evident when they lost possession, especially when Pedro Neto attacked down their left flank. Although Rodri alone couldn't alter the course of events at Molineux, the statistics indicate that City is undeniably more prone to vulnerabilities in his absence.

Amrabat experiment malfunctions Man Utd

: Arsenal Aims to Exploit the Vulnerability in City's Midfield

Rewriting:

Being able to address issues is a crucial quality for a football manager in the Premier League. With injuries affecting Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan Bissaka, and Sergio Reguilon, Erik ten Hag faced a challenge. In an attempt to resolve the problem, he deployed new signing Sofyan Amrabat in a mixed role on the left, just as he had done in United's comfortable 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace earlier in the week. However, the Crystal Palace team they faced this time was different from the previous encounter.

During this match, Crystal Palace demonstrated bravery, physicality, and a great deal of energy as they returned to action in the Premier League. As a result, Amrabat had to take on more defensive responsibilities and found himself struggling against the experienced Jordan Ayew, who excelled at winning free-kicks and relieving pressure from his defenders. Ayew managed to draw five fouls from the desperate Amrabat, bringing his total fouls won for this season to 25 - seven more than any other player.

Time and time again, Amrabat fell into the trap, resulting in a yellow card for a deliberate handball after Ayew skillfully maneuvered past him. This display epitomized Manchester United's forgettable season thus far. - Lewis Jones

Has Havertz turned a corner at Arsenal?

Arsenal had a phenomenal afternoon at Bournemouth on Saturday, with Kai Havertz having an exceptional performance. Since his transfer from Chelsea for a staggering £65m this summer, the 24-year-old had been facing difficulties. However, he finally found his stride and scored his inaugural goal for the Gunners in his tenth appearance as they triumphed with a resounding 4-0 victory on the scenic south coast.

Havertz, who is not the regular penalty taker for Arsenal, was given the opportunity by his teammates to end the club's goal drought, which had lasted since March, when his side was already leading 2-0. Showing composure, he confidently slotted the ball into the net, securing the victory. As he rushed to celebrate in front of the enthusiastic away crowd, the Germany international was soon joined by his fellow Arsenal players. This moment held great significance for him and understandably held a special meaning.

Image:

Kai Havertz netted his inaugural goal for Arsenal during his 10th appearance. Despite receiving a booking for a late tackle in the opening half, the midfielder showcased an enhanced display and earned a well-deserved standing ovation from the Arsenal supporters upon being substituted in the 81st minute.

Content must be written in English with placeholder:

Spurs riding the Postecoglou wave

In the press conference after the match, Mikel Arteta commended Havertz for his unwavering dedication both on and off the field, despite facing challenges since joining the team in north London. The manager also expressed his belief that the goal scored by the midfielder will have a transformative impact. It's difficult to dispute Arteta's sentiment regarding this matter. Dan Sansom

Tottenham's recent victory in stoppage time was their most thrilling since the previous home game. With just seven league games played this season under Ange Postecoglou's leadership, ranking the iconic moments has become a challenge for Spurs fans.

Every week brings excitement and optimism, leaving lasting memories. For example, the eruption of joy when Joel Matip accidentally scored an own goal for Liverpool in the dying seconds of Saturday's match. Another cherished moment was when the entire stadium applauded Postecoglou as he stood alone on the pitch, acknowledging the players' display of appreciation. This is the essence of football.

Postecoglou is giving Spurs fans exactly what they desired, moving away from the practical style of play seen in recent years. With ambition and a sense of adventure, Tottenham has capitalized on fortunate moments and been duly rewarded with thrilling victories, propelling them to second place in the Premier League standings. Both in terms of style and effectiveness, everything seems to be aligning perfectly for Spurs. Postecoglou appears to be infallible at the moment. Only time will tell where this journey will lead, but one thing is certain - the excitement of discovering the answer will be immense.

Liverpool channel the mentality monsters

Liverpool's previous incarnation under Jurgen Klopp famously earned the moniker of "mentality monsters." This current iteration of the team showcased that same indomitable spirit in a hard-fought match against Tottenham on Saturday.

Had it not been for an egregious error made by the officials, for which their superiors have acknowledged as a "significant human error," the final outcome could have appeared vastly different. The feeling of injustice was palpable, but Liverpool refused to allow it to divert their focus from the task at hand.

Tottenham's numerical disadvantage became evident when Diogo Jota was sent off, reaffirming the tireless efforts of the red team. Despite this setback, Klopp effectively adapted by deploying an unconventional 5-3-0 formation that successfully stymied Spurs and limited their impact on the game.

Klopp's expertise in handling his players has swiftly manifested in the development of Liverpool 2.0. With remarkable efficiency, he has imbued the new signings with his own strategic approach. This collective unit appears to be surpassing expectations in their quest to narrow the gap with, and eventually overtake, Man City.

Brilliant Bowen is too good to ignore

Gary Neville claims that their current readiness falls short of competing for the championship this season. Nonetheless, Saturday's display serves as a testament to their unwavering determination, highlighting that they should never be underestimated in the battle for glory, regardless of the circumstances. Zinny Boswell

Jarrod Bowen has showcased his clinical finishing in West Ham's 2-0 victory against Sheffield United, tallying five goals from seven Premier League matches this season. If we consider his remarkable winning goal in the Europa Conference League final back in June, his overall count stands at six goals from eight games.

During the game at the London Stadium, Bowen had multiple opportunities to increase his goal tally. In the first half, his header was on target, only to be denied by a remarkable save from Wes Foderingham. Nonetheless, Bowen's performance was exceptional, receiving a well-deserved standing ovation when he was later substituted.

David Moyes expressed that the 26-year-old is now in a prime position to be considered for an England call-up, and it is hard to dispute that. Bowen has truly stood out as one of the Premier League's finest performers this season. In fact, only Erling Haaland and Heung-Min Son have managed to score more goals than him.

Gareth Southgate has a plethora of choices for his forward line, but there are only a few who are consistently performing at such a high level. While his goal-scoring abilities have garnered attention, Bowen's dynamic performance against the Blades served as a reminder that he brings so much more to the table.

Set-piece threat offers Luton survival hope

: Unstoppable on the left flank, he seamlessly partnered with Vladimir Coufal, showcasing exceptional dribbling skills and an aggressive attacking style that put immense pressure on the opposing defenders. Southgate can no longer overlook his impressive form. Nick Wright

Everton's victories against Brentford and Aston Villa had raised optimism for better times ahead. However, it turned out to be a significant day for Luton, as they rejoiced in their first-ever triumph in the top-flight since their 2-0 win against Aston Villa in April 1992.

Amidst pouring rain, a drenched Rob Edwards led his supporters in the Bullens Road End, enthusiastically pumping his fist three times. Despite the unpleasant weather, it was a truly special and memorable day for those who had traveled from Bedfordshire.

"The Town is securing their place in the division," was the resounding chant heard from the visiting supporters, and based on the compelling evidence witnessed, very few could confidently assert that the Hatters will make an instant comeback to the Championship.

Luton displayed brilliance and fully deserved this victory, as evidenced by Alfie Doughty's consistently threatening deliveries. Each player faithfully adhered to the game plan and demonstrated exceptional organization without possession. They showcased remarkable strength in set-piece situations and capitalized on their opportunities.

Nasty reality check for Everton

: The Hatters demonstrated their unity, even in difficult times, when they suffered injuries to Reece Burke and captain Tom Lockyer during the second half. Despite this setback, they continued to perform as a cohesive team. Additionally, Carlton Morris' second goal was disallowed due to an offside call, which could have made their victory even more convincing.

Image:

Everton's home Premier League record has been tarnished with four losses. In the stands of Goodison Park, the co-founders of 777 Partners, Josh Wander and Steve Pasko, were joined by Don Dransfield, the CEO of the 777 Football Group. However, despite their presence and Everton's 23 attempts on goal, it became evident that reviving Everton's dominance in English football would be a formidable challenge.

Fourteen of them missed the mark. The performance lacked sophistication and was excessively frantic.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin condemned the defending for Luton's decisive second goal by Carlton Morris as "criminal". Sue Smith described the players as appearing "scared" after falling behind. The team's confidence, gained from two victories on the road in just five days, evaporated when they conceded two goals at home to a newly promoted team within 32 minutes.

Everton's unexpected victory against Brentford had provided them with an opportunity to distance themselves comfortably from the relegation zone before the October international break. This upcoming home game against Bournemouth is followed by another match at Goodison Park next weekend. The arrival of the Cherries may evoke pleasant memories of the last-day triumph that ensured their survival. However, the fact that this loss marks Everton's 14th defeat in 23 home games since the beginning of last season highlights their struggle to perform in front of their own fans.

Watkins provides another timely England reminder

Everton Receives Reality Check with Calvert-Lewin and Beto Struggling to Connect

Calvert-Lewin, who has managed to score in three consecutive games, finally delivered the first home goal of the campaign. However, there were clear indications of a lack of understanding between him and Beto, the Portuguese player who came on in the second half. Unfortunately, once Beto had the chance to level the score, the £27m Udinese signing missed embarrassingly. This unfortunate turn of events served as a harsh reality check for Everton. Ben Grounds

Brighton must be tired of seeing Ollie Watkins.

Watkins' three goals motivated Aston Villa to a resounding 6-1 win against the Seagulls. The English striker has now scored a total of six Premier League goals against Brighton, finding the net in each of his past four encounters with them.

In his English league career, it's now the outright most goals he's scored against a single opponent, overtaking the five he has vs Liverpool.

He works really hard for the team which sometimes goes unnoticed. Today was the complete performance."

John McGinn on Ollie Watkins' performance vs Brighton

The 27-year-old currently has a total of seven goals in various competitions this season. This includes two hat-tricks, making him the first player since Andy Gray in 1976/77 to achieve this feat for Aston Villa in a single season. Additionally, he is now the second player in the club's history to score multiple Premier League hat-tricks, following in the footsteps of Christian Benteke.

Watkins' impressive performance against Brighton serves as a timely reminder to England manager Gareth Southgate, who witnessed the game firsthand from the stands at Villa Park on Saturday.

Man City just aren't the same without Rodri

He did not feature in the Three Lions squad for the matches against Ukraine and Scotland in September. However, based on his performance, it is highly likely that he will be strongly considered by Southgate when he announces the squad for the upcoming games against Australia and Italy in October.

Since Rodri's debut in the Premier League in August 2019, Manchester City has experienced a 33% loss in top-flight matches played without him, in contrast to a mere 7.5% when he is part of the team. The recent defeats at Wolves and in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle further confirm the belief that City lacks the influential presence of Rodri.

City's possession lacked urgency and imagination, prompting Pep Guardiola to substitute Matheus Nunes at half-time despite his partnership with Mateo Kovacic. Furthermore, City displayed vulnerability when it came to losing the ball, especially with Pedro Neto posing a significant threat down their left flank.

Rodri's absence may not have allowed him to significantly alter the outcome of events at Molineux; however, the statistics indicate that City are noticeably weaker without him. Despite appearing invincible in the initial weeks of the season, City find themselves in a vulnerable position now. Mikel Arteta is undoubtedly eager to capitalize on Rodri's absence and exploit the gap in City's lineup at the Emirates on Sunday.

Burnley's season starts now

"As a newly promoted team, I'm not that naive to not guess that it could be this type of start."

Vincent Kompany anticipated it. With only one point from their initial six games in the Premier League, Burnley currently sits in second-to-last place. Their matches against Manchester City, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, and Newcastle posed one of the toughest starts they could have encountered.

The team has shown glimpses of their championship-winning form, with outstanding performances from Zeki Amdouni and Luca Koleosho despite challenging conditions. Their true test will come in the critical month of October.

First up is a visit to Luton on Tuesday, followed by matches against struggling Chelsea, Brentford, and Bournemouth. Burnley's season will truly kick off from now on.