James McAtee is Man City’s future as Liverpo...

‘Particular’ McAtee is Man Metropolis’s future

James McAtee’s 19-minute hat-trick in Manchester Metropolis’s 8-0 romp towards Salford Metropolis was considerably overshadowed by Pep Guardiola’s admission after the sport that Kyle Walker needs to depart the membership.

Guardiola revealed he solely needs to pick out gamers who’re dedicated to the trigger, explaining Walker’s omission, however in McAtee he has a participant who might effectively signify Metropolis’s future.

In changing into the primary Englishman to attain an FA Cup hat-trick for the membership since Robbie Fowler towards Scunthorpe in January 2006, the 22-year-old quadrupled his profession aim tally for Metropolis.

Admittedly, this was solely McAtee’s fourth begin, having been out on mortgage at Sheffield United final season, however after Guardiola retained his companies for this marketing campaign it was necessary he took his alternative towards lowly opponents.

“I am so completely happy for him, he is a particular participant,” stated Guardiola. “Scoring a hat-trick is just not simple.

“He is been at Metropolis for a very long time, a Metropolis supporter and he was one of many largest skills on the academy from the era of Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Liam Delap. He performed with these guys and was the captain of them. I am actually, actually happy he is right here with us.”

This was collectively a scientific exhibition from Metropolis. Jeremy Doku dazzled and Jack Grealish ended his aim drought however McAtee was the decide of the bunch.
Ben Grounds

Slot sends Trent a message via Ngumoha

Trent Alexander-Arnold stood in entrance of the Liverpool followers along with his arms aloft, taking within the acclaim. It dropped at query, why would the Liverpool defender ever wish to depart?

His strike into the highest nook within the 4-0 victory over Accrington confirmed what large a expertise he’s. He ran the sport, albeit towards weakened opposition, however him being a lower of sophistication above the remaining confirmed how uncommon a expertise he’s.

Arne Slot is aware of it, and he despatched Alexander-Arnold – into the ultimate six months of his Liverpool deal – a message earlier than kick-off.

The Dutch supervisor began Rio Ngumoha – Liverpool’s second-youngest-ever participant – who simply weeks in the past spoke about his personal private ambition to win the Ballon d’Or – an intention Alexander-Arnold revealed was on his bucket record.

“He’s at a membership the place gamers can win the Ballon d’Or. Let’s wait nevertheless it’s far too early to speak about that!” stated Slot earlier than the sport.

Ngumoha benefited from the liberty handed to him – he made extra one-on-ones than anybody else and freed up area for Kostas Tsimikas to create 4 probabilities – probably the most from the opening 45 minutes.

Inverting inside and adored by the house crowd, Alexander-Arnold should bear in mind the liberty and love he has at Liverpool, earlier than he makes a career-defining choice.
Sam Blitz

4 issues we discovered about Potter’s West Ham

Two days of coaching classes was sufficient to see hallmarks of the Graham Potter stamp on his new West Ham aspect, with loads of positives however some acquainted negatives from his opening sport.

Right here had been the important thing takeaways from Friday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa…

Tactical flexibility: What appeared a 4-2-3-1 on the staff sheet was extra of a 3-4-2-1 in-game, with Ollie Scarles and Crysencio Summerville as wing-backs and Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus taking part in as No 10s.

It demanded loads however allowed West Ham to overload Villa’s vast areas whereas maintaining compact after they misplaced the ball, although it was a lot much less efficient as soon as Summerville went off injured.

A brand new-found power: Whether or not it was a new-manager bounce or not, Potter’s gamers appeared as motivated as they’ve all season and performed the primary half at a extremely good tempo, with everybody pitching in – a stark distinction to many of the Julen Lopetegui period.

Edson Alvarez’s efficiency was probably the most notable turnaround however the sight of Paqueta chasing again to slip in and provides away a nook was one other unfamiliar sight. It wore off as West Ham drained after the break, which Potter must deal with.

Is Paqueta again? Inventive gamers have thrived underneath Potter’s fashion and the early indicators are that Paqueta might need rediscovered his mojo after a depressing half-season underneath Lopetegui.

Aston Villa had bother selecting up his late runs into the sting of the field and after scoring the opener, he almost struck once more from the identical place minutes later. He wants a supervisor who will get him, and perhaps Potter does.

West Ham want a striker: Niclas Fullkrug’s damage after quarter-hour appears a foul one and leaves Danny Ings as West Ham’s solely match striker. The Hammers wanted attacking reinforcements anyway however that’s solely accelerated now, with Michail Antonio already out for the season.
Ron Walker

James reveals glimpses of what Chelsea have been lacking

Reece James’ newest Chelsea comeback from a hamstring damage solely lasted 45 minutes however fortunately his early withdrawal from the 5-0 win over Morecambe was a pre-planned train from Enzo Maresca, who stated: “The concept is to slowly construct the correct situation – we should be a bit extra cautious. Now we have to assist him to get in the correct situation.”

In his first begin since taking part in towards Manchester United in November, James did present a reminder of the skillset he can present to Chelsea down that proper flank. Regardless of the clear mismatch when it comes to particular person high quality up towards Morecombe, James’ supply from vast areas was persistently on the cash.

In his 45 minutes of motion James created three probabilities. With Chelsea missing a bit of dynamism and creativity down the correct this season with Malo Gusto struggling for type and health, getting it proper with James when it comes to his restoration again to someplace close to his finest may very well be an enormous weapon as Chelsea look to make some noise on all fronts.
Lewis Jones

Bournemouth potent regardless of striker disaster

Shedding strikers Evanilson and Enes Unal to severe accidents this week was an actual kick within the tooth for Bournemouth, who’ve shone within the Premier League in current months.

Whether or not or not it is sufficient to derail their bid for a primary top-half end within the Premier League since 2016/17 stays to be seen. However, for now, the makeshift strike-force deployed by Andoni Iraola is doing its job – after which some.

Dango Ouattara began via the center and scored two targets, with Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo and Daniel Jebbison – who was recalled from a mortgage spell at Watford this week – additionally on course within the 5-1 rout of West Brom.

“The forwards performed very effectively, most of them scored targets so it is actually pleasing,” stated Iraola after the sport.

“Dango has performed No 9 for his nationwide staff [Burkina Faso]. Now we have gamers who can assist us there even when it’s not their finest place. Numerous gamers have performed in positions they aren’t used to and everybody has helped us.”

It might be a case of becoming sq. pegs into spherical holes in the meanwhile, however Iraola has gamers at his disposal who’re greater than able to deputising and doing what’s required to face up and be counted.
Dan Lengthy

Carvalho wants endurance after sluggish and laboured Brentford begin

It has been a sluggish begin to life at Brentford for Fabio Carvalho.

So much was anticipated from the £27.5m signing from Liverpool who was starved of minutes underneath Jurgen Klopp, however confirmed loads of promise at Hull Metropolis throughout a mortgage spell within the Championship. However the transfer has resulted in simply three Premier League begins – and his newest check from the off within the 1-0 defeat to Plymouth has drawn criticism.

“Carvalho is not ok for me on this Brentford staff,” stated Sky Sports activities’ Clinton Morrison, who used to play for the west London membership. “I do know he is not been taking part in soccer however he is sluggish, he takes too many touches. Brentford like to maneuver it faster.”

It isn’t the primary time the 22-year-old has left Brentford followers unimpressed. The identical sluggish play noticed Carvalho at fault for Brentford’s second aim within the 2-1 loss at Chelsea. Extra factors had been misplaced when the midfielder missed a gilt-edged likelihood within the defeat at Fulham, with the summer season signing costing his staff three factors on that day.

However what Carvalho wants to recollect is that it takes time to stand up to hurry in a Thomas Frank staff. It didn’t click on instantly for the likes of Yoane Wissa, Mikkel Damsgaard and Keane Lewis-Potter, now all three are among the many first names on the teamsheet. Kevin Schade, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Nathan Collins are among the many different Brentford gamers to dip earlier than an increase.

Carvalho is aware of the trail is there for him to make a reputation for himself, he simply wants endurance.
Sam Blitz

Rutter ends three-month aim drought in Brighton rout

By nature, Georginio Rutter is just not a prolific ahead. He had solely scored 27 profession targets in additional than 150 appearances in all competitions when he joined Brighton from Leeds in the summertime.

That stated, the Frenchman actually would have obtained a confidence increase after his double within the 4-0 win at Norwich.

For the primary, he used the entire power in his neck to crane and powerfully head Joel Veltman’s cross previous George Lengthy. For the second, his shot from a good angle took a deflection off Callum Doyle and whistled into the alternative nook.

The double marked his first aim involvement since offering an help within the 2-2 draw with Wolves on October 26 and his first aim because the 3-2 win over Tottenham 20 days earlier.

“Scoring these targets shall be good for his confidence, I am positive of that,” Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler stated afterwards.

“He labored very exhausting, stepping into quite a lot of good positions, and he had already gone shut on a few events earlier than he scored his targets.”

With Danny Welbeck additionally making his return from damage after a month out, and Joao Pedro confirming on his social media that he had undergone a scan and it was ‘OK’, it was a constructive day all spherical for Brighton’s forwards.
Dan Lengthy

Forest lookup for the cup

The successful feeling actually is infectious.

Nuno made 11 adjustments to his Nottingham Forest beginning XI for the 2-0 victory over managerless Luton, however the power of their squad was highlighted. Gamers got here in realizing the requirements are sky excessive and had been eager to make a giant impression. The victory means it’s seven wins on the bounce because the constructive feeling continues on the Metropolis Floor.

And a cup run to go alongside their tilt at European qualification within the Premier League appears very manageable. Below Nuno, Forest are a match for anybody.
Lewis Jones

Leicester shine within the fog forward of key Premier League contest

After 5 defeats on the spin, Leicester’s 6-2 thrashing of QPR may have been candy reduction for Ruud van Nistelrooy – and a well timed morale increase for his gamers, forward of an enormous midweek match-up with Crystal Palace.

That house sport on Wednesday is trying like a relegation-battle six-pointer and Leicester will really feel their prospects of turning over an bettering Palace aspect have had a lift after a wretched run of outcomes.

There was thick fog on the King Energy however targets for key attackers Jamie Vardy, Facundo Buonanotte and Stephy Mavididi – together with James Justin’s second double of the season and a Wout Faes stunner – will give the Foxes’ followers a brighter outlook forward of their return to Premier League motion.
Peter Smith

Exeter make historical past with minor ‘cupset’

Exeter’s current FA Cup historical past doesn’t make for notably attention-grabbing studying, no disrespect meant.

Within the earlier three seasons, they’d not made it previous the second spherical – and solely 4 instances because the begin of the 2004/05 season had they reached the third spherical.

When Matt Phillips struck to place Oxford in entrance at St James Park on Saturday, given the way in which the U’s had began underneath Gary Rowett – three wins and a draw within the Championship – it appeared just like the possibilities of progressing any additional would escape them as soon as once more.

However Demetri Mitchell’s double turned the sport within the Grecians’ favour and Vincent Harper added the gloss to safe a 3-1 victory that sends the Devon membership into the fourth spherical for the primary time because the 1980/81 marketing campaign, after they reached the quarter-finals underneath Brian Godfrey.

From right here, something extra is a bonus. A close to half-century lengthy exodus from the fourth spherical is over.
Dan Lengthy