Each week we preview the Premier League action and discuss some of the division’s major talking points.
Porro thriving under Ange-Ball
Pedro Porro’s first six months at Spurs were mixed. Signed in a big-money deal from Sporting last January, he was initially viewed as the ideal option for Antonio Conte’s wing-back system. Conte was sacked less than two months later, with interim manager Cristian Stellini’s time in charge catastrophic.
Porro was woeful as Spurs were thrashed 6-1 at Newcastle in April, as the North Londoners conceded five goals inside the opening 21 minutes. ‘He can’t play in a back four’ we were told, but Porro has proven he can be a fine full-back in a four-man backline, after impressing under new manager Ange Postecoglou.
It was some performance from @Pedroporro29_ ???????? pic.twitter.com/sUzZ7aS8eq
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 11, 2023
The Australian’s adventurous football has brought the best from Porro, who is thriving amid the freedom to invert into midfield. The 24-year-old has five assists in 15 games and, although he’s yet to score, no goalless Premier League player has had more efforts on goal. Only Trent Alexander-Arnold (13) has had more goal involvements than Porro (11) since his debut in the division. That’s elite-level output.
Iraola impact evident
Things can change pretty quickly in football. After nine games Bournemouth were viewed as one of the favourites for the drop. Andoni Iraola had taken just three points from those first nine fixtures, but Bournemouth have bounced back in recent weeks.
Since registering a first win of the season over Burnley on October 28, the Cherries have won five of seven in the Premier League. Over the last five games, no team in the Premier League has won more points, with Iraola’s side ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa on goal difference during that period.
Andoni Iraola’s @afcbournemouth are flying! ???? pic.twitter.com/zPRw4davHz
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 9, 2023
Last weekend, Bournemouth battered Manchester United to win 3-0 at Old Trafford, in a performance which exemplified their growing familiarity with the manager’s methods.
The Spaniard’s Rayo Vallecano side ranked second in Europe’s top five leagues last season for high turnovers leading to a shot (68), with Iraola demanding high intensity from the front. Bournemouth’s bravery to press high has been rewarded in recent weeks, with the Cherries top of the Premier League for high turnovers leading to a goal (6) in 2023/24 to date. With Luton (H), Nottingham Forest (A) and Fulham (H) in their next three, the Cherries can kick on.
Pochettino must tighten up Blues backline
Chelsea are in turmoil right now. The west Londoners have spent record-breaking sums since Todd Boehly and company took ownership, but are languishing 12th in the table with few signs of recovery. After finishing 12th last season, it’s becoming an all-too-familiar feeling for the Blues fans.
Among a myriad of problems for Mauricio Pochettino has been a lack of defensive solidity. The Blues have kept just three clean sheets all season and none since the first weekend of October, a run of nine consecutive games without a shut-out. In their last five games, Chelsea have conceded 14 goals.
Pochettino’s struggling side welcomes Sheffield United to Stamford Bridge this weekend, a fixture which will be deemed a must-win for the under-pressure manager. Only Bournemouth (19) have lost more games in 2023 than Chelsea (18). Despite his pleas for patience, another defeat, against the relegation-battling Blades, could spell trouble for the man in charge.
Are Man City fooling the neutrals?
Manchester City have been so damn good in recent seasons that Pep Guardiola’s team can sit just four points from the top, while becoming only the second English team to win six from six in the Champions League’s group stage, and still appear as if all is not well.
City’s come-from-behind win at Luton last week was the latest unconvincing performance from a team whose standards are set at almost perfection. It was the first win in five league games for City, whose form has created excitement around an open title race. Champions in five of the last six seasons, the expectation was for the treble winners to sweep to six in seven. So far, that has looked far from certain.
City, however, have a habit of lulling us into a false sense of security, before finding their rhythm over the second half of the campaign. Last season, Guardiola’s tactical masterplan saw John Stones wander into midfield, four centre-backs offer an imposing barrier to break down, and Erling Haaland plunder a record-breaking number of goals
The Spaniard will no doubt be creating a new formula, one to spring a surprise and hopefully lead to a winning run. The fit-again Kevin De Bruyne as libero? Josko Gvardiol up top as a dual battering ram alongside Haaland? We’re kidding, of course, but you get the idea.
For now, those wishing for a multi-team title race can dare to dream.
Free-scoring Fulham look to continue purple patch
Just a few weeks ago, we were talking about Fulham’s increasingly desperate need for a centre-forward. The Aleksandar Mitrovic-shaped hole in the club’s attack was unmistakable, with neither Raul Jimenez nor Carlos Vinicius appearing capable of filling it.
Fast forward, and Fulham are on fire. The Cottagers have scored 16 goals in four Premier League games, a run which has included consecutive 5-0 wins over Nottingham Forest and West Ham. Marco Silva’s side can’t stop scoring right now, with the 32-year-old Jimenez turning back the clock to produce performances not seen since his peak in the old gold of Wolves.
Simply sensational from @harrywilson_! ???? pic.twitter.com/9DkNHdDfWI
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 10, 2023
The West Londoners travel to face Newcastle this weekend, one of the toughest trips in the Premier League at present. The Magpies have won seven of eight games at home this season, but a fearless Fulham will be confident of an upset against Eddie Howe’s injury-hit squad.
Newcastle have lost three consecutive games in all competitions and have been beaten by Everton and Tottenham by an aggregate score of 7-1 in their last two league outings.
Dyche returns to Burnley with stock higher than ever
Sean Dyche’s work at Burnley was well appreciated. Two promotions and a period of top-flight consolidation for the Clarets, on a comparatively modest budget, earned Dyche his flowers, though a stigma surrounded his management style.
A largely British-based recruitment focus and being wed to 4-4-2 were all sticks with which to beat Dyche, regardless of results. Vincent Kompany’s arrival saw a swashbuckling waltz to the Championship title and appeared to reinforce the narrative surrounding his predecessor, but as Kompany’s side has struggled badly with the step up, Dyche has gone from strength to strength at Everton.
“When the whistle blows I want to win.”
Sean Dyche on coming up against his former side on the weekend ???? pic.twitter.com/Ugi7HNaLmD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2023
Everton began the season with a five-game winless run and another season of struggle was predicted, but the Toffees have bounced back in some style. Dyche’s side have won seven of their last 11 games, including the last three in succession, all of which came alongside clean sheets. Without their 10-point penalty, Everton would be 10th in the table.
Everton have fast become a team in the manager’s image and increasingly unpleasant to play against. Jarrad Branthwaite has been excellent at centre-back alongside Dyche favourite James Tarkowski, while the midfield trio of Idrissa Gueye, Amadou Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure offers strength and tenacity. With hard-working wide players and a fit-again Dominic Calvert-Lewin, there’s real reason for optimism at Goodison Park.
Bukayo Saka is already world-class
Forget his age, there are few wide players in world football better than Bukayo Saka.
The Arsenal winger has had a superb start to the season for the Gunners, building on the performances that saw him named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2022/23. In the Premier League, Saka has 11 goal involvements in 15 appearances this season, while in Europe he has been even better.
⚽️ Most goals and assists per 90 in the #UCL group stage (200+ mins):
???? Bukayo Saka – 1.88
???? Samuel Lino – 1.76
???? Gabriel Jesus – 1.67
???? Galeno – 1.43
???? Evanilson – 1.42 pic.twitter.com/cri6JR2Ci7— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 14, 2023
The 22-year-old is competing in the Champions League for the first time, but has made light work of his first campaign at that level. Saka produced seven goal involvements as Arsenal progressed from the group stages, each coming from open play.
No player in the UCL managed more during the group stage, with Saka at home among Europe’s elite. Where his ceiling might be should excite Arsenal, with the Hale End product already among the top bracket.
Ten Hag’s time of reckoning at Anfield
Erik ten Hag is a man under pressure, with Manchester United’s meek exit from the Champions League increasing the questions around his position. Bottom of a modest group, the Red Devils have been eliminated from Europe entirely, while a 3-0 reversal at home to Bournemouth last weekend leaves Ten Hag’s team adrift of the top four.
The fixture list has not been kind to the under-fire Dutchman, as United travel to face Liverpool this weekend. Last season, the club mixed positive performances with some bad defeats, but none worse than a 7-0 loss at Anfield. A freak scoreline perhaps, but suffering Manchester United’s joint-heaviest competitive defeat at the home of the club’s arch-rivals is a low unlikely to be forgotten.
The pressure is beginning to build on a number of Premier League managers… pic.twitter.com/RsFFKzymfT
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) December 14, 2023
Ten Hag can ill-afford another poor showing, at a ground his side has struggled at in recent seasons. Manchester United have not won at Anfield in seven attempts, their last success coming in 2016.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have won all seven home games this season and have scored 21 goals in their last five league meetings with the Red Devils.
Read – Fantasy Premier League: Three essential FPL tips for GW17
See more – Six Premier League players who need a January move
