Underrated Pearson has transformed Watford, Wolves’ unsung hero comes to fore and Messi and Griezmann just don’t clickThe sound of a top-flight stadium reverberating to “We’ve got super Nigel Pearson, he knows exactly what we need” (tune: Bad Moon Rising) can be filed among the things few envisaged in August. But Watford’s win against Liverpool was a measure of the uplift one of the season’s less likely appointments has contrived. “He is always about feet on the floor, he [has] never overreacted and you have to stay focused,” said Abdoulaye Doucouré. “He showed us videos and said we can do it. Nigel is a great, great manager, a great lad, and now he will keep everyone on the floor to...
A performance of ethereal grace by Manchester City’s prodigy at Wembley proved he is ready for the biggest stage of allYou can take our freedom. But you’ll never take our largely routine domestic cup victories! On a fun, occasionally full‑throated afternoon at Wembley Manchester City extended their hugely impressive winning run to six of the past seven domestic trophies.At times City seemed to doze a little at the wheel. Aston Villa played with heart and might have made it 2-2 at the death. But there was a fleeing always of the domestic trophy juggernaut, holding its opponent at arm’s length. Related: Manchester City sink Aston Villa to win third successive Carabao Cup Related: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City: Carabao Cup...
The idea of a Villa seriously challenging a City feels more remote with every passing year – perhaps avoiding a trouncing is their trophyThe pivotal scene in the wonderful Oscar‑winning film Parasite comes about halfway through, with the impoverished Kim family gathered in the living room of a luxurious mansion they do not own, glugging expensive whisky they have not bought, enjoying a life that is not theirs. Through various nefarious schemes they have all managed to worm their way into the confidences of the fabulously wealthy Park family and, with their hosts away on a camping trip, they can simply spread out on the opulent chaise longue, look out over a perfect manicured lawn and imagine this all belongs...
Arsenal look stronger at the back, Saints may regret some of match programme content and QPR bring the excitementIt says a lot about the reign of Unai Emery that, until Sunday, it had been almost 11 months since Arsenal kept successive clean sheets in the league. Burnley and Newcastle are not the sternest tests of a side’s defence – and Arsenal rode their luck in both instances – but there is no doubt David Luiz and co have begun to look notably more assured. Fourteen years after the departure of the club’s last top-class centre-back in Sol Campbell, could this be the beginnings of a new, level-headed Arsenal backline? Mikel Arteta’s first 11 games in charge have seen his side...
Farke faces defensive dilemma for Liverpool, Forest need their best XI, Chelsea’s women eye treble and a six-pointer in AustriaLeeds are falling apart. Maybe. But here’s the thing: anyone who beats them ends up falling apart too. None of the eight teams who have got the better of Marcelo Bielsa’s men in Championship this season have won their next match – seven of them have lost it. Nottingham Forest were the latest to find that beating Bielsa’s side takes a heavy toll, as on the back of last weekend’s 2-0 win at the City Ground, they flopped to a home defeat by Charlton. But they are still only two points off the automatic promotion places and could foil West Brom’s...