Top Performers and Strugglers in the Premier League: Everton's Resilience Shines While Manchester City Dominate

Everton show they have firepower to survive

The Everton supporters exploded with cheers as Jordan Pickford launched the ball into the crisp autumn sky, marking the end of the match as Michael Oliver signaled with his whistle. A profound sense of relief and pure joy enveloped the stadium. This was their well-deserved triumph. There is a verse in the revered Evertonians chant, The Spirit of the Blues, that proudly proclaims "we are unfamiliar with the concept of defeat."

Against Arsenal, after suffering defeats at home to Fulham and Wolves, Everton appeared to have lost their ability to win. However, if they had not secured three points based on their performance on Saturday, one might have questioned if they would ever succeed this season. Everton's control and superiority during the match should now serve as a catalyst for their remaining games.

Brentford's most recent Premier League match resulted in a loss, despite entering halftime with a tied score against Newcastle. The last time the Bees faced consecutive defeats in such circumstances was in January 2022, against Manchester United and Wolves. Unfortunately, they were unable to take advantage of Jensen providing them with an opportunity.

Amidst the ongoing takeover by American investment firm 777 Partners, questions surrounding Dyche's leadership and the squad's direction persist. However, this outcome significantly changes the perspective moving forward. With Calvert-Lewin's return and his impressive goal-scoring form, Everton showcased their capacity to endure. (Ben Grounds)

Johnstone justifying Hodgson's faith

Johnstone asserted his position as the starting goalkeeper over Vicente Guaita upon Roy Hodgson's return in the latter part of the previous season. His performance against Fulham served as additional proof substantiating the manager's trust in him.

Although none of Johnstone's five saves were particularly awe-inspiring, they were all flawlessly executed, showcasing the 30-year-old's current state of confidence on the field.

Do 'crazy' Wolves have a discipline problem?

Gary O'Neil seemed to express frustration over the recurring handball decisions that VAR chose not to intervene on. Additionally, his team struggled against the league's weakest side for a significant portion of the game. However, the former midfielder appeared to criticize Wolves' players for a lack of discipline after the match, highlighting the need to address the group's erratic behavior. This implied that the problem extended beyond Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's impulsive and ill-advised decision to kick out at Tom Lockyer.

Disregarding it as a loss of temper can be justified when experienced in isolation. Emotions tend to soar during intense competition, especially in adversarial environments like the hostile atmosphere at Kenilworth Road. In such circumstances, lapses in judgement can occur.

However, when we consider that Bellegarde's red card is the eighth one received by Wolves in the Premier League since the beginning of last season, surpassing the number of any other team by more than double, this presents a concern for O'Neil.

O'Neil acknowledges that the 40-year-old is endeavoring to completely transform Wolves' playing style, as well as fostering improved behaviors and a new culture. He admits that this approach is a clear departure from how the club was previously managed. "The players have traditionally played in a very free-flowing manner, and I don't mean to criticize that. It's just a different approach. It's a significant change," O'Neil states.

Man City show steel as well as skill

Pep Guardiola may feel that his Manchester City team won both halves of the game, despite the shift in momentum after Rodri's red card. In the first half, City were completely dominant, effortlessly passing and finding opportunities to break through Nottingham Forest's defense. Rodri's vision, Julian Alvarez's positioning, and Jeremy Doku's dribbling were key to their success. However, the red card forced the champions to face a new challenge.

The crowd became actively engaged, far more than when City seemed to be easily winning. Guardiola gestured towards them multiple times, receiving a spirited response each time. The defense, now consisting of five players after Nathan Ake joined, embraced their responsibility of preserving a clean sheet.

"You can deceive one person, but not nearly 60,000," Guardiola stated afterwards. "They can see that our players are not idle, they are giving their all to protect the outcome. The spectators are actively participating in this, which is why they can provide us with additional energy when we are not directly involved."

The final whistle resulted in a combination of pride and satisfaction, which wouldn't have been the case if Rodri hadn't made his reckless mistake. Guardiola must have been disappointed by his midfielder's error. However, everything else, from their impressive performance at the beginning to their strong determination at the end, served as a reminder of why they are truly exceptional.