Forgotten man McTominay rescues Ten Hag with Man Utd spirit
During Scott McTominay's post-match interview, a particular statement caught my attention. Amidst his elation over his remarkable two-goal injury-time match-winning performance, which he deemed his most cherished moment on a football pitch, and his belief that this could potentially be a pivotal moment for the struggling team.
I have simply been glad to make a meaningful contribution, illustrating my capabilities. Does he refer to boss Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff, who chose not to give him playing time during the recent losses against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray? Or does he refer to the Man Utd supporters who had high expectations for new midfield signings during the summer transfer window?
Whatever McTominay's reasons may be, it was intriguing to hear him acknowledge the Man Utd philosophy of perseverance and the value of playing until the very end, a lesson he learned since his early years with the club at the age of five.
As Manchester United struggled to break down Brentford on Saturday, the expectation of a comeback victory in "Fergie-time" was not the prevailing sentiment. In fact, the disallowed own goal by Kristoffer Ajer appeared to seal yet another detrimental loss.
Despite the criticisms, McTominay possesses undeniable quality. When this quality is coupled with an unwavering belief, conviction, and an unyielding determination to vie for victory until the final moments, it becomes an intimidating threat for any adversary at Old Trafford. Following the international break, it is plausible that McTominay might assume a more significant position.
Sterling responds to Southgate snub
Sensational Display by Raheem SterlingDespite having 82 caps and being one of Southgate's trusted players, Sterling was once again left out of the squad, while Bowen and Nketiah seem to have moved up the hierarchy. This decision now appears to be unwise.
Chelsea, a team that has struggled with creativity in recent matches, heavily relied on Sterling during their attacks. His ability to run directly and defeat his full-back was the main driving force behind Chelsea's impressive performance. Sterling scored a goal and played a significant role in the other three goals.
Sterling may have been ignored but he will not be forgotten.Lewis Jones
Spurs should be taken seriously as title contenders
At the end of the game, the Tottenham players, wearing their all-grey alternate uniform, stood and showed their appreciation for the fans in the Oak Road Stand. Throughout the match, Spurs had moments where they were not at their best. However, they managed to find a way to win, a feat they have already accomplished multiple times this season.
They have had thrilling last-minute victories at home against Sheffield United and last weekend against Liverpool. Even when playing away, they have overcome deficits to gather points at Brentford, Burnley, and Arsenal.
Under the charismatic leadership of Postecoglou, it is evident that this is no longer a mere coincidence, but rather a consistent pattern. Despite Richarlison's missed opportunity early on, which could have made the outcome much more predictable, the Tottenham players seemed to engage in a competition of the season's most abysmal misses.
However, this sort of wastefulness would not go unnoticed against stronger opponents. It was only when Bissouma was foolishly sent off for an obvious dive in front of referee Brooks that we witnessed the savvy and cunning tactics of the Spurs team, which has placed them as frontrunners in the early stages of the season.
Before this set of matches, only 10 teams had encountered fewer shots on goal and attempts on target compared to Tottenham. Remarkably, Luton managed to produce 12 of their own in this particular match. However, with Maddison on the team, even when reduced to 10 players, there is always a possibility of turning the game around.
It was Maddison's quick thinking that secured all three points. From that moment onward, Postecoglou strategically organized his team to efficiently manage the remaining minutes of the game. Gary Neville argued that Tottenham is not a contender for the title, but the evidence contradicting this perspective is increasingly compelling.
Sheff Utd equally poor as unlucky
"The things that can go against us are going against us."
Paul Heckingbottom seems to have had an unfortunate streak this summer, encountering ladders and black cats along his way.
Sheffield United finds themselves at the very bottom of the Premier League, having only earned one point from their first eight games. Unfortunately, there is no sign of good luck coming their way.
Fulham fans will argue that the Blades' equalizer should not have happened because the visitors chose to continue playing despite Issa Diop's injury, which resulted in them giving up possession in their own half.
Prior to the hosts regaining the lead through a fortunate own-goal off Wes Foderingham's back, United had already lost their captain Chris Basham to a shocking accidental injury.
Image:
Fulham's Tom Cairney celebrates as Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham scores an own goal. However, it is evident that Sheffield United appears woefully unprepared to compete at this level. Fulham's win may have appeared lucky, but it was well-deserved. Own goal stands as the highest scorer for the Blades this season.
There is no connection between Basham's injury and Sheffield United's lack of shots in the first half or the ease with which Fulham could counter-attack and consistently exploit their right side.
"We are in the position we deserve to be in," Heckingbottom added, and it is difficult to dispute that.
Everton turn corner under Dyche
Sean Dyche was in high spirits following Everton's convincing 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, as the team secured their first home win of the season. Notably, this triumph marked the first time in 17 consecutive attempts that Everton managed to score twice in a single game at Goodison Park.
The Everton boss added that achieving three wins out of four is not easy at any level.
He's correct. Everton has not had a run like that since the beginning of the 2021/22 season with Rafael Benitez as the manager. They have faced consecutive battles to avoid relegation.
In the past two years, Everton has been a club in chaos. The fans have their hopes set on Dyche, hoping he can bring stability during this uncertain period. Despite spending only £38m in the summer transfer window, which is less than what Luton spent, Dyche is diligently working to enhance the abilities of the players he has, in order to restore competitiveness to the team.
Murillo dazzles on second Forest appearance
Despite showing signs of improvement against Bournemouth on Saturday, Everton's recent loss to Luton serves as a stark reminder of the lingering vulnerability at Goodison. The club's troubles are far from resolved, and they must continue to navigate the challenging path ahead.Nottingham Forest has discovered a promising player in Brazilian Murillo. Despite the dull football match in south London, Murillo stood out as a bright spot, particularly in the offensive positions. While he displayed excellent defensive skills, it was his performance in the forward areas that truly impressed. In the first half, he created a fantastic opportunity for Morgan Gibbs-White, who unfortunately missed the volley over the crossbar. Additionally, Murillo dazzled the crowd with a skillful run, coming close to scoring a remarkable goal.
Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this.
Open Privacy Options
Murillo possesses the exceptional class and finesse often associated with a Brazilian upbringing. He has seamlessly adapted to the fast pace of the Premier League, making him a valuable addition to Steve Cooper's plans of integrating other new players into the team during this period of change at the City Ground.