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 [April 24, 2023]
(Reuters) - Talking points from the Premier League weekend:
PANICKY ARSENAL NEED COOL HEADS
Everything looked so serene for Arsenal a couple of weeks ago but a
sense of panic has broken out in north London with the long-time
league leaders leaking goals at an alarming rate.
Consecutive 2-2 draws after having led 2-0 was bad enough but
Friday's 3-3 draw with bottom club Southampton, a game in which they
trailed 3-1 in the 88th minute, gave the appearance of a side losing
their heads in the heat of a title run-in.
That Arsenal salvaged a point spoke volumes for their spirit but
just when a business-like win was required to settle the nerves
ahead of Wednesday's trip to second-placed Manchester City, they
self-destructed against a side battling to stay up.
Manager Mikel Arteta will hope experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka
will have recovered from illness to face City as they are in need of
some defensive steel to keep their title bid alive.
NEWCASTLE PROVE VILLA LOSS WAS A BLIP
When Newcastle lost 3-0 at Aston Villa last week their fans could be
forgiven for being a little twitchy ahead of Sunday's crucial home
clash against fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
They need not have fretted though as Eddie Howe's side responded in
the most emphatic fashion possible, scoring five goals in the
opening 21 minutes in a 6-1 thrashing of the side supposed to be
rivals for Champions League qualification.
Tottenham were abysmal, but Newcastle's display suggests they are
now within touching distance of a top-four finish and a return to
the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
Their attacking play was electric and in Alexander Isak, who scored
twice, they have a striker who appears to be getting better and
better since his arrival from Real Sociedad.
WEST HAM'S LOYALTY TO MOYES BEING REWARDED
The managerial revolving door has been spinning relentlessly in the
Premier League this season with only two clubs in the bottom 10
having not changed their coach.
The pressure for West Ham's owner to send David Moyes packing has
been immense at times with the Hammers mired in a relegation battle.
But they resisted and are being rewarded.
West Ham have enjoyed a superb week, drawing with Arsenal, beating
Gent to reach the Europa Conference semi-finals and on Sunday
thrashing Bournemouth 4-0 away to move another step towards safety.
Moyes has his detractors but the canny Scot is once again proving
his critics wrong.
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Soccer Football - Premier League - West
Ham United v Arsenal - London Stadium, London, Britain - April 16,
2023 Arsenal's Gabriel and Granit Xhaka look dejected after the
match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
TOOTHLESS EVERTON DEEP IN THE MIRE
The return of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a clear boost for
Everton in their 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace as he gives them the
attacking outlet they have so badly missed with his extended time on
the sidelines in the last two seasons.
He nearly scored, was a constant nuisance for the Palace backline
and a key part of Everton's defending from set-pieces.
But they are a side woefully short on goals and that could
ultimately see them relegated for the first time in almost 70 years.
They have managed only 24 in 32 league games this season.
Their failure to bring in a proven forward in the January transfer
window, or an attacking player of any sort, was a massive blow to
Sean Dyche's chances of keeping them in the top division and is
starting to take its toll.
SMITH'S ATTACKING GAMBLE PAYS OFF
With Leicester City's top two scorers -- Harvey Barnes and James
Maddison -- sidelined, fans may have feared the worst against fellow
strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, new manager Dean Smith went for broke with three strikers
and the gamble paid off handsomely.
He started Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka up front
and the trio were a constant threat in the final third.
Leicester went behind early on but Vardy eventually won the penalty
which Iheanacho put away while Daka tested Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa
twice as the home fans found their voice to roar on a team that had
not won in 10 games in all competitions.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who replaced Vardy at halftime, also came
close to giving Leicester the lead before Timothy Castagne scored an
unlikely winner that pulled them out of the relegation zone with six
games to play.
Leicester now face a huge week with back-to-back matches against
fellow strugglers Leeds United and Everton.
(Reporting by Nick Said, Rohith Nair, Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken
Ferris)
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