Heung-Min Son's Sensational Solo Act Propels Tottenham as Apathy Plagues Chelsea in Premier League

Super Son starring without Kane

Heung-Min Son is relishing his new role at Tottenham since the departure of Harry Kane.

Playing in his new role as a central attacker, the captain of Spurs once again proved his mettle on the grandest platform, exhibiting his precision and skill with two impeccable finishes during the exhilarating 2-2 draw against their intense rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Son's exceptional display at the Emirates not only marked his 150th goal for Tottenham but also extended his tally to five goals in just six games in the current Premier League season. However, these statistics only scratch the surface of his remarkable contributions.

In addition to converting both of his shots on goal, the South Korea international demonstrated an impressive passing accuracy of 93 percent throughout the game. He also delivered two crucial passes and generated one significant scoring opportunity against a formidable and well-coordinated Arsenal team.

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Heung-Min Son has scored five goals in six Premier League games this season

The Son enjoys playing against the Gunners. Despite not scoring or assisting in his first nine Premier League North London derbies, the 31-year-old has improved significantly with six goals and two assists in his last eight games against them. Moreover, he holds the distinction of being the first Spurs player in over 30 years to score a league double at Arsenal.

"Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou commended Son for his exceptional performance both as a leader and a player," stated after the match. With Son's remarkable form and positive impact, it is highly likely that Spurs will have a successful season.

Liverpool's midfield creativity impressive

Jurgen Klopp made the decision to substitute Alexis Mac Allister during half-time in the match against Wolves last weekend. This left Liverpool vulnerable to the counter-attack, as the deep-lying playmaker's absence was felt. There was a concerning incident early on in the game against West Ham, when Mac Allister was dispossessed and Tomas Soucek came close to scoring.

"Macca conceded the first ball," Klopp noted. "However, he quickly found his rhythm and displayed exceptional performance."

In the end, Mac Allister's creative skills with the ball became the turning point in the game, favoring Liverpool as he skillfully lifted it over West Ham's falling defensive line. This allowed Darwin Nunez to reclaim their lead. Within these brief instances, the fluid interaction and teamwork of Liverpool's midfield became evident.

Klopp has previously fielded trios that were even tougher to face than the current lineup, as they were more adept at defensive play and putting pressure on the opponents when not in possession. However, this current version may seem exposed when opponents are able to penetrate their defense.

Nonetheless, there is now a newfound creativity that brings a crucial element to the team, especially in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Mac Allister played a significant role in creating opportunities, but alongside him, Dominik Szoboszlai showcases a mesmerizing display of skill and flair, capable of delivering the decisive pass that secures victory.

Chelsea's apathy from the stands is the worst condemnation

The midfield balance may not always be perfect, but for the fans who departed Anfield with smiles on their faces on Sunday afternoon, it also means they witnessed an entertaining team - one that has managed to score in each of their last 16 Premier League matches. The team's lack of creativity is no longer a concern.

The saying goes that it is better to be hated than be ignored.

If that is the case, things are even worse for Chelsea than they might seem.

The home team, already experiencing their worst start to a top-flight season in 45 years and struggling to score, faced the harsh reality of their fans' acceptance of their latest defeat. Despite the team's efforts to find an equalizer during 11 minutes of injury time in the second half, there was a noticeable absence of support and enthusiasm from the crowd. The fans were desperately longing for a glimmer of hope to mask the team's frustrating performance on that afternoon in West London.

Despite the scoreline tension, the atmosphere remained flat, mirroring the lack of confidence in Chelsea fans as they witnessed their team's consistent wastefulness, week after week. Consequently, many dispersed, unconvinced of the Blues' capacity to secure an equalizer.

Nicolas Jackson continued his streak of wastefulness by missing another excellent opportunity just before half-time. Raheem Sterling, on the other hand, squandered two promising positions, while both full-backs Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi failed to convert their one-on-one chances.

Taking advantage of Villa's high line and the numerous opportunities that came their way, a superior team would have capitalised. Mauricio Pochettino expressed his frustration after the match, hinting at the limitations of his current squad. "We are stuck with the squad we have, unable to make any changes," he informed the reporters.

Limited options and the unavailability of his preferred No 9 due to a surprising fifth yellow card in only his sixth game leaves the new Blues boss with few straightforward solutions until January. There is no assurance that the situation will improve by then, but Chelsea fans would be wise to not overlook their club.

Heckingbottom to be afforded chance for redemption

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Sheffield United suffered their biggest-ever home defeat as they went down 8-0 to Newcastle

Sheffield United currently has no intentions of firing their manager. However, Paul Heckingbottom's shocked expression was evident as his team suffered a devastating 8-0 loss to Newcastle at home. Towards the end of the match, it was noticeable that it was his assistant, Stuart McCall, who took charge and directed his dejected players.

In the stands at Bramall Lane, a woman wearing a red and white scarf was seen engrossed in a book she had brought along. Luckily, she had remembered to bring it. With only 15 minutes of regular play left on the clock, it was understandable that few could fault her decision.

Sheffield United had never conceded eight goals on their home turf in the club's history. The last time such a disastrous performance occurred was in 1956 when Rotherham scored seven goals. However, Alexander Isak further exacerbated the situation. Jamie Redknapp expressed his deep empathy for the manager, acknowledging the immense pressure of standing on the sideline and giving his utmost effort. It is undoubtedly a challenging and disheartening moment for any manager, leaving him feeling incredibly low.

The club must never suffer an 8-0 defeat in a game. Throughout this Premier League season, they have been competitive in every match. However, there were instances of both poor performance and, quite significantly, a lack of effort, which is unacceptable. Defensive flaws were described as "horrific" by Jamie Carragher, who deemed it a devastating night for the club. In order to recover, they need to harness the resilience and determination that this city is known for.

Aston Villa show no signs on European hangover

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Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates after scoring against Chelsea

This is Aston Villa's new routine: competing in midweek Europa Conference League matches followed by a fast turnaround for Sunday's Premier League games.

With their last European appearance dating back to the 2008/09 season, it is natural to question the impact of their continental endeavors on their domestic aspirations. However, judging by Sunday's performance, it seems they have managed to strike a balance between the two.

After a challenging match against Legia Warsaw last Thursday, compounded by a tiring journey back from Poland and another away trip to London, Unai Emery decided to reintroduce his five rotated players into the starting lineup. This strategic move aimed at capitalizing on a squad that is steadily displaying both strength and depth.

Remarkably, Aston Villa managed to equal Chelsea's performance, exhibiting superior shot numbers and dominating the play during the second half. Notably, Ollie Watkins sealed the team's success with a crucial goal. Moreover, the team is fortunate to have a manager who possesses ample experience in navigating through European competitions. Unai Emery's impressive track record, boasting four Europa League winners medals, stands as a testament to his expertise in this realm.

After the game, Emery emphasised the significance of securing three points in order to maintain stability in the Premier League and following their performance in the Europa Conference League. He acknowledged that while progress is being made in team development, there is still work to be done. Emery expressed satisfaction in being able to utilize various players during the game and highlighted the importance of reinforcing the squad to enhance its strength. Ultimately, he emphasized the need to continue progressing and dedicating efforts towards improving identified areas.

A year of De Zerbi, Brighton are rocking

Aston Villa's mettle will be tested in the upcoming weeks with the return of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. However, the team has shown a positive response thus far as they juggle multiple competitions.

Roberto De Zerbi has brought his courageous and lively style of football to the English Premier League, and we are truly fortunate to have him. On Monday, De Zerbi celebrated his first year at Brighton, a memorable milestone for the home fans. During this time, Brighton has scored an impressive 79 goals and conceded only 56 in 38 Premier League matches under his leadership, resulting in an average of 3.54 goals per game.

This is the highest goals-per-game ratio ever achieved by a manager who has overseen 30 or more Premier League games. However, De Zerbi would not have been pleased with his team's performance in the first half against Bournemouth. Until the 44th minute, they failed to make any impact in the Cherries' box and were outplayed.

Evans produces throwback performance on Man Utd return

: Impactful Managerial Decision Leads Brighton to Impressive Streak

Jonny Evans proved to be a crucial asset for Erik ten Hag during the game against Burnley. In addition to his excellent assist and goal (which was later disallowed), Ten Hag praised Evans for his role as a leader on the field, especially in defense.

It came as a surprise to many that the 35-year-old was selected to start for Man Utd at Turf Moor. After all, the last time he was in the starting line-up for the team was on March 4, 2015, against Newcastle, where he played alongside Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, and Marcos Rojo in a back four.

Just like it happened at Turf Moor, Man Utd emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline, but the situation was vastly contrasting for Evans. This particular match became notorious due to his alleged act of spitting at Papiss Cisse of Newcastle. Consequently, Louis van Gaal decided to release the United academy product from the team.

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Jonny Evans was player of the match at Turf Moor on his 200th Man Utd appearance

After being dismissed prematurely years ago, Ten Hag extended an opportunity to Evans to return to Old Trafford. Despite facing criticism, Evans' presence on the field brought a sense of stability to Man Utd during a chaotic season. He showcased his prowess by having the highest number of clearances and excelling in touches, passes, and fouls won. This performance served as a reminiscent display of why he was once Sir Alex Ferguson's trusted defender during his last season at United.

Ten Hag had to protect Evans with two holding midfielders as he brought in Scott McTominay to play alongside Casemiro to set up in a 4-2-3-1, but the defender offers his manager an alternative while the team is struggling for confidence. He is repaying the faith Ten Hag showed in him by bringing him back. Zinny Boswell

Everton show they have firepower to survive

Ten Hag's decision to include Scott McTominay alongside Casemiro in a 4-2-3-1 formation was meant to provide defensive cover for Evans. However, Evans himself has emerged as a viable option for Ten Hag, proving his worth and justifying the manager's faith in him. Zinny Boswell

The Everton supporters erupted with a thunderous cheer when Jordan Pickford lofted the ball into the autumn sky one last time, followed by the piercing sound of Michael Oliver's whistle. Relief and jubilation filled the air. Tonight, they finally reaped what they sowed. Among the chants of the fervent Evertonians, a line resounds - "we are unfamiliar with the concept of defeat".

Against Arsenal, after suffering defeats at home against Fulham and Wolves, it seemed as if victory had eluded them completely. However, their triumphant performance on Saturday, resulting in a crucial three points earned away in west London, rekindles hope that they can find their winning form once again this season. The sheer dominance exhibited by Everton in this match must now serve as a catapult for their campaign.

Brentford suffered a loss in their last Premier League match, despite heading into half-time on equal footing with Newcastle. It had been almost a year since the Bees experienced back-to-back losses in such games, which occurred against Manchester United and Wolves in January 2022. However, they were unable to take advantage of Jensen's contribution to gain an advantage.

As 777 Partners, an American investment firm, looks to take over the Merseyside club, Dyche remains under scrutiny regarding his leadership and squad direction. Nevertheless, this outcome undoubtedly alters the perspective on what lies ahead for Brentford.

With Calvert-Lewin back fit and back among the goals as an alternative to Beto, Everton demonstrated they have the firepower to survive.Ben Grounds

Johnstone justifying Hodgson's faith

The £20m signing of Dean Henderson from Manchester United in the transfer window was expected to replace Sam Johnstone as Crystal Palace's No 1, but Johnstone has proven his worth and secured his position with his impressive form. He took over the starting role from Vicente Guaita last season when Roy Hodgson returned, and his performance against Fulham only emphasized why he continues to have the manager's trust.

Johnstone's five saves may not have been breathtaking, but they were flawlessly executed, showcasing the confidence the 30-year-old currently possesses. His recent inclusion in the England squad indicates that both Hodgson and Gareth Southgate recognize and value Johnstone's exceptional performance. As a result, Henderson will have to continue to wait for his turn.

Do 'crazy' Wolves have a discipline problem?

Frustrated by VAR's reluctance to intervene on another questionable handball decision, Gary O'Neil may have been further aggravated as his team, inferior in both determination and skill, found themselves outplayed by the last-placed team for a significant portion of the match.

However, the ex-midfielder seemed to criticize the Wolves' players for their lack of self-control after the game. "We must address the chaotic behavior within the team," he stated, implying that the problem runs much deeper than just Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's abrupt and ill-advised kick towards Tom Lockyer.

On its own, that incident could be dismissed as a momentary loss of composure. In the intensity of competitive matches, emotions run wild, especially in hostile environments such as the one at Kenilworth Road, leading to moments of poor judgment.

However, this becomes problematic for O'Neil when considering that Bellegarde's red card marks the eighth one received by Wolves in the Premier League since the beginning of the previous season. This number is more than double that of any other team, posing a considerable challenge for the 40-year-old manager. O'Neil acknowledges that he is striving to transform Wolves' playing style and foster improved behavior and culture, which marks a complete departure from the management approach of previous managers at the club.

"The players exhibit a notable lack of rigidity in their approach, which is inherent to their style of play. I am not offering criticism, but rather acknowledging that it is a distinct departure from conventional methods. This represents a significant transition," explains O'Neil.

However, to what extent does the manager need to initiate this shift? And how expeditiously can Wolves adapt without getting entangled in a challenging situation in the interim? These answers will only be unveiled as time unfolds. Laura Hunter.

Will Luton ever have better chance to claim first win?

Post-Match Positivity Despite Disappointing Outcome: Luton's Dedication Earns Only a Singular Point

Edwards is fully aware that they missed a valuable opportunity against Wolves, despite their numerical advantage. The team's improvement was evident to everyone, as indicated by positive statistics, and they appeared more refined and advanced compared to their counterparts from the Midlands. However, these improvements and polish do not equate to earning points.

Luton is searching for something concrete to grasp onto. While obtaining one point is undoubtedly better than none, it falls significantly short of the three points that Luton required and deserved.

Man City show steel as well as skill

The Hatters may only be here temporarily, looking to make the most of their time. Alternatively, there might be a newfound synergy that will lead to success, but with upcoming matches against Everton and Burnley, securing a victory is imperative. Laura Hunter

In a game that unfolded in two distinct parts, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City emerged as winners in both. The initial half showcased City's total superiority over Nottingham Forest, where they commanded the game with unwavering control. Despite the game taking an unforeseen turn after Rodri's unfortunate red card, Guardiola would have found satisfaction in his team's noteworthy performance during the latter stages.

During the early stages, City effortlessly dominated their opponents, displaying an almost effortless ease in continuous passing and well-timed breaches of the opposing defensive line. Credit must be given to Rodri's exceptional vision, Julian Alvarez's precise positioning, and Jeremy Doku's exceptional dribbling skills. However, the sending off introduced a new challenge for the reigning champions.

The crowd's involvement intensified, surpassing their previous level when City seemed to be on a comfortable path to victory. Guardiola repeatedly gestured towards them, receiving a spirited response each time. With the addition of Nathan Ake, the defense, consisting of five players, thoroughly enjoyed their responsibility of preserving the clean sheet.

"After the match, Guardiola explained, 'You can deceive one person, but you can't deceive almost 60,000.' The spectators clearly witness the team's dedication and relentless efforts to protect the outcome. Their engagement plays a vital role in providing us with extra energy when we are not directly involved."

The response following the end of the game was a mixture of pride and satisfaction, which wouldn't have been the case if Rodri hadn't made his impulsive mistake. Guardiola must have been disappointed with his midfielder's error. However, everything else, from their early excellence to their demonstrated resilience towards the end, served as a reminder of why they are incredibly talented.