Watkins shows Arsenal what they are missing, Loftus-Cheek shows promise at Fulham and Dummett the man for all jobsOllie Watkins is in a rich vein of form and improving by the game. His winner against Arsenal was his fourth goal in five, bringing his Premier League tally to 10 in 21 games since arriving at Aston Villa from Brentford. He could have had a couple more on Saturday but perhaps the 25-year-old’s most impressive feature is the way he leads the line. Watkins is a hive of movement, rarely giving defenders a moment’s peace, and looks as comfortable coming deep or working the channels as he does operating off the shoulder. He is exactly the kind of striker Arsenal might...
Ancelotti has Everton aiming high, Manchester United need more than Cavani and flying full-backs impressedHéctor Bellerín has had his doubters over the past year. There have been suggestions a touch of his old pace has gone after long-term injury, and when PSG bid for him last month there was an argument it could be a good time for Arsenal to cash in. But Bellerín set up both goals against Sheffield United, the first after a typically barnstorming burst to the line, and is looking a touch nearer to his old self. “After such a long time at the club he doubted what ambitions he had here, how he could evolve here,” Mikel Arteta said after Arsenal’s narrow win. “But he...
Another handball horror show, Calvert-Lewin is benefiting from Ancelotti effect and sentiment alone will not save LampardOle Gunnar Solskjær said Manchester United had “three or four weeks to catch up to a few teams”, and how it showed. United could not get out to prevent crosses or track Brighton’s runners. Their lack of match sharpness is a consequence of their lack of a pre-season. It was interesting to hear Gareth Southgate say the players in his England squad in early September who had played in European competition until mid‑August were the fittest because they had, effectively, played all the way through. Solskjær has a different view and feels comfortable in advancing it as mitigation, essentially because it is not his...
Mike Ashley’s unloved tenure continues after the failed Saudi-led takeover but he has allowed a mini recruitment driveGuardian writers’ predicted position: 17th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 13th Related: Premier League 2020-21 preview No 13: Manchester United Related: Another failed Newcastle takeover ends with a familiar feeling of farce | Louise Taylor In a nutshell, rich but increasingly sepia tinged. Since their establishment in 1892 – following a merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End – Newcastle United have won four top-tier titles, six FA Cups – three during the 1950s - and, most recently, the European Fairs Cup in 1969. The club has long delighted...
The Saudi-led takeover’s collapse means years of limbo and misery continue and a sign of hope has disappeared After 16 long weeks, the proposed takeover of Newcastle United – which officially began in January but has been at the forefront of fans’ minds for far longer – has reached a conclusion. The consortium has pulled the plug.So acute has been the tension over the past few months that at times it’s been easy to forget what exactly we were getting excited about. Most of the headlines that have forensically dissected this seemingly never-ending saga have focused on the buying side, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which in attempting to purchase a controlling stake in the club alongside Amanda Staveley and...