Nicolas Jackson’s goal return, Zirkzee’s new role and Tyler Dibling’s dribbling

Take penalties and the only player with a higher expected goals per 90 minutes than Nicolas Jackson since the start of last season is Erling Haaland. For a while, this impressive statistic was a stick with which to beat the Chelsea forward.

Expected goals? What about actual goals? Jackson's finishing was widely mocked and his waste in front of goal was seen as a problem that could not be solved. And it was true that he underperformed more than the other top scorers in the Premier League.

Crucially, however, he was still among the top scorers. Fourteen goals in a fraught debut season at Stamford Bridge was far from disastrous for a player who is still only 23 and perhaps deserved more leeway than he was given. Now we see why.

After all, Jackson always ended up in good positions, with his runs creating space. This season, his 571 quick runs are the most of any Premier League player. He has covered about 400 meters more than anyone else while running at pace. Unseen work.

“We are very happy with the way Nico is playing on the ball,” Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said recently. “But especially in the way he plays with the ball, the way he applies pressure.” And yet it all felt moot until the goals started flowing. Now that's happening.

His opener in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Aston Villa means Jackson has scored in four of his last six games. He ranks third in terms of expected goals, excluding penalties. The difference is that while these numbers remain good, ultimately his real goals are also total.

There's always a bit of noise in the finishing data, a fumble here or a lucky hit there. Jackson's turnaround is a win for analysts. Keep running, keep shooting from good areas, and those precious goals will come eventually.

Dibling dribbles for Saints

Southampton remain at the foot of the Premier League, four points clear of safety, despite their point against Brighton on Friday. But Tyler Dibling still managed to catch the eye. The sight of him running at the defense proves to be one of the thrills of the season.

The 18-year-old winger was involved in 27 matches in his last appearance – one of the highest 28 in the Premier League this season. In many of them he was working with his marker in one-on-one situations. He attempted nine dribbles in the match.

Only four have been successful, but Dibling's willingness to make things happen feels vital for a Saints side that has made more passes than every team bar Manchester City and Liverpool, but had fewer shots than every team bar Leicester and Ipswich.

It can all be a little too passive until the ball finally reaches Dibling's quick feet. He won a penalty against Liverpool last weekend and was fouled a further six times against Brighton, more than any other player during the Premier League weekend.

Only Bruno Guimaraes against Arsenal has committed more fouls in a single match this season and only the Newcastle midfielder has committed more fouls overall. It all stems from Dibling's direct approach, a refreshing approach that is winning over admirers, if not games.

Zirkzee's role under Amorim

Rasmus Hojlund scored twice in the Europa League against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, with Joshua Zirkzee left on the bench. But the Dutch striker was recalled against Everton by Ruben Amorim and responded with his first two goals since August.

Amad Diallo was the best player on the pitch for Manchester United in their 4-0 win on Sunday, but Zirkzee's performance was perhaps the most encouraging as this was a player who had come in for a lot of criticism – even written off by some after so a slow start.

There is already a feeling that Amorim has a better idea of ​​how to play to his strengths. Rather than being deployed high up the pitch, the new United boss appears to have immediately recognized that Zirkzee is much happier diving deep to influence the game.

“I think we need Josh's characteristics in this game,” Amorim told Sky Sports beforehand, predicting what was to come. “They have two central defenders who are strong in the air and I want someone who is more technical and can reach the ball in different areas.”

Zirkzee scored from his two shots, but it was his link-up play that really stood out. He received more passes from Lisandro Martinez than anyone else, turning balls around corners, one and two touches, and seemed to enjoy the movement around him.

He completed all seven passes in the final third, but much of his work went much deeper. It seems like a better use of his talents. Zirkzee is certainly not United's fastest striker, but technically he is perhaps the most skilled. Too late, his role seems clearer.