Arsenal shows need for a killer No. 9
For the second Premier League game in a row, after the 1-1 draw against Fulham, Arsenal were left to rue their failure to convert their dominance into goals. The 0-0 draw against Everton was another match that underlined their need for attacking reinforcements. They're missing a No. 9 killer.
For the most part, Kai Havertz has impressed in the role. His late goal in Wednesday's win over Monaco took him to double figures this season. But that total includes just five players in the Premier League and he didn't look likely to score on Saturday as he registered a solitary shot throughout the 90 minutes.
Arsenal need more from their centre-forward and it seems unlikely they will get it through their alternative option in Gabriel Jesus, who has not scored in the league since January. Like Havertz, he offered little threat after his introduction in the second half.
Arsenal's progress over the past two years has been fueled by their ability to distribute goals. It should be noted that they broke a club record with their total of 91 last season.
But to take the next step, it seems increasingly clear that they need a striker capable of making a difference in games like this. Their attempts to sign Benjamin Sesko in the summer suggest they are aware of this. But as January approaches, they can't afford to let another window pass without fixing the problem. Nick Wright
Brave Liverpool are showing more than fighting in the title chase
The real measure of teams eyeing the Premier League title is not how they perform when things are going well, but how well they respond to adversity. And Liverpool enjoyed their fair share of upsets against Fulham.
As Arne Slot acknowledged after the match, “So much was going against us, but I couldn't ask for more,” even though much of the Reds' misery was of their own making. Andreas Pereira scored a delightful opener relatively unopposed, before Andy Robertson was sent off for running the ball too far and Harry Wilson had to bring it down, before Rodrigo Muniz netted Fulham's second by beating Alisson with a low cross.
Most of those incidents were avoidable, and on the face of it, with the title chase racing towards the halfway mark, it could well be construed as a two-point loss. But in reality, the character Liverpool showed in roaring back after losing position twice with a man down will only encourage their pursuit.
Anfield moved and Liverpool's players responded. Ryan Gravenberch was tasked to play as a centre-back, Joe Gomez moved to left-back, while attacking players were asked to get in and out of possession. Slot is right when he picks out the positive points. This was a show of defiance and courage, and every hopeful title needs a big dose of that. Laura Hunter
Pickford shines during 300th PL appearance
Everton have now had 44 shots since the last time they scored away from home, but they would never be judged on their attacking performances ahead of the visit of title chasers Arsenal. They have failed to score in eight of their matches, more than any other team in the Premier League.
Besides, who needs goals when you've got England's best to keep them out?
Jordan Pickford, making his 300th Premier League appearance, frustrated Arsenal all afternoon and ensured the Toffees returned to Merseyside with an unlikely point.
Everton have now kept a clean sheet in six of their 15 games this season – only Liverpool (seven) have done so more often.
From the moment Pickford confidently punched away Declan Rice's first of eight corners, there was a decisive defensive structure and organization for Everton – sorely lacking in their last away match at Manchester United – that Arsenal struggled to break.
Fittingly, the match was with the ball in the hands of Everton's number 1. His instinctive save to deny Bukayo Saka at low pressure was the choice of five to thwart Mikel Arteta's side.
“The one on the left looks like a big save at the start of the second half,” said Sean Dyche. “It's a great stop and, together with the others, they are saves that I expect from him.”
Provided Everton keep Pickford fit, their last line of defense is a match for anyone in the top division. Ben Grounds
O'Neil, a desperate man on the edge
Gary O'Neil spoke like a man who knew there was likely no return from this. He challenged his players directly: “Come on guys, this is the Premier League. [Dara] O'Shea starts up the field [Liam] Delap and we have nothing to do with it, I'm not. I can't solve that. Those are the boys. I feel really comfortable as a coach and my standards as a coach.”
He used the example of the opening goal in Ipswich, where Nelson Semedo was completely outscored by Delap. To be honest, not many defenders in this competition could have done much to stop the rampaging Ipswich forward. But there was frustration in the voice of O'Neil, who has seen this story before, where his team's lack of physicality has been the catalyst for their many downfalls.
Wolves have now conceded 74 goals in 34 games in 2024, which equates to an average of 2.18 per game. And they have conceded two or more goals in eleven of their last thirteen Premier League games.Lewis Jones
Gordon the heartbeat of Newcastle's victory
When Anthony Gordon drove down the left after seven minutes, intervened and finished an effort on goal, St James' Park knew they were witnessing a player intent on making a mark on the game.
A powerful save from Mads Hermansen denied him a goal on that occasion, but his efforts to dig Newcastle out of a scoreless quagmire could not be stopped. All the good that Newcastle produced was fueled by the industry of Gordon, who returned on a number of occasions to help his left-back Lewis Hall.
In turn, Hall would support Gordon high up the pitch, with the duo combining for Newcastle's second and third goals as they tormented Leicester's right.
Gordon grabbed his assist when he set up Jacob Murphy's opener, but outside of that his relentless pushing and carrying captured the spirit of St James' Park to steer his side to victory. William Bitibiri
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