Havertz needs to step up to the plate
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the draw between Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League
Kai Havertz has an awful lot of credit in the bank among Chelsea fans, almost all of which was accrued when he scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, but even the home supporters began to get on the forward’s back during another underwhelming display at Stamford Bridge.
It feels almost obligatory to state Havertz is not a No 9 and that asking him to perform that role is placing an unfair burden on him, but there comes a point when he has to accept some responsibility for his misses in front of goal.
- How the teams lined up | Match stats
There were several against Liverpool, the first of which saw him shoot straight at Alisson from close range, but the most glaring came just after half-time after he was played in one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Havertz had plenty of time to decide what to do but, as Gary Neville said on commentary for Sky Sports: “He didn’t do anything right – he just ran straight at Alisson.”
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As if to sum up the German’s fortunes in front of goal, the ball then rebounded onto him and into the net – only for VAR to show he had clearly diverted it there with his arm.
It’s true that Havertz is not a natural No 9, but then what is he? He has failed to perform consistently when deployed out wide or deeper for Chelsea, and the fact is that the job he currently needs to perform for the team is to be their main goalscorer – expectations he is currently failing to live up to.
Joe Shread
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Liverpool still nowhere near their best
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Jamie Carragher and Daniel Sturridge discuss the difficult position Liverpool find themselves in and how the club goes forward under Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp made six changes to the Liverpool team well beaten by Manchester City on Saturday, benching some of his favourites in doing so, and there was a response of sorts as they battled to a goalless draw at Chelsea. But this is a pastiche of his Liverpool.
“We just wanted to come here and show a reaction to the last game, which I think we did,” Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson told Sky Sports afterwards. “We made a fight of it. You could see the willingness to keep working.” That is all they can offer right now.
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The Mirror’s John Cross and Shebahn Aherne discuss how Liverpool and Chelsea’s form has dropped off this season and what they could do to recover
They tried to press, tried to get close to an opposition short on confidence themselves, but time and again players such as Joel Matip and Fabinho were just a yard off it. Had Chelsea been clinical in front of goal, this could easily have been another convincing defeat.
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Increasingly, the need for a rebuild is obvious. The two full-backs, so crucial to Liverpool’s success under Klopp, were omitted from the line-up at Stamford Bridge but will surely come again. For a tired-looking midfield, shorn of peak-age players, the future is less clear.
This is a manager so often reluctant to talk up the importance of the transfer market. Yet, most of his great Liverpool squad have been his signings. He must go again. But that is 10 games away and his team are eighth. On this evidence, there is work to do first.
Adam Bate
Crucial Caicedo sets the tone for Brighton
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Bournemouth against Brighton in the Premier League
- Bournemouth 0-2 Brighton – Match report and highlights
- How the teams lined up | Match stats
“It’s not a big problem,” said Roberto De Zerbi on the injury that forced Moises Caicedo from the pitch late in the second half.
The stretcher had been called on for the Brighton midfielder, who had landed awkwardly, seemingly twisting his lower leg. He eventually didn’t need help leaving the pitch but did head straight down the tunnel – usually a sign that an injury is potentially a bad one.
A collective sigh of relief will have been heard around Brighton then when De Zerbi revealed the news that Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, who was also replaced having had an issue with his knee throughout the game, will be available for Brighton’s clash with Tottenham on Saturday.
Caicedo was everywhere at the Vitality Stadium. If it needed tackling, Caicedo was your man. If a duel needed to be won, Caicedo was your man. Unsurprisingly, no player won more tackles (7) or duels (11) on the pitch than the Ecuador midfielder, who has reminded onlookers just why he was so in-demand during the January transfer window. His destructive attributes in midfield, almost playing like two midfielders in one, allow his team-mates to play with freedom and attacking licence. They know he will be there to sort out any danger. He will be there at Spurs on Saturday – a game Brighton know could just be season-defining.
Lewis Jones
Aston Villa show Leicester how beat the drop
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Leicester against Aston Villa in the Premier League
Cast your minds back to November 2022. Aston Villa were facing up to a relegation fight after losing six of their opening 11 Premier League games under Steven Gerrard. A new face and winning presence was needed.
Enter Unai Emery – a man with a point to prove in England’s top flight after a less-than-stellar spell with Arsenal.
In his five months at Aston Villa, he has transformed a side bereft of confidence, facing a potentially energy-sapping battle against the drop, into European contenders.
- Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa – Report and highlights
- How the teams lined up | Match stats
Lots of things about their performance at Leicester – managerless and two points adrift of safety – showed the Foxes how to beat the drop.
Aston Villa scored with their first shot on target and took advantage of a poor Wilfried Ndidi pass to score their winner. Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz looked confident again in midfield.
Not everything was perfect – Ashley Young was beaten by Wout Faes’ balls over the top for Harvey Barnes’ runs in behind one too many times and the defending for a Harry Souttar free header left a lot to be desired.
But Emery has shaped Aston Villa into a team that is a delight to watch and know how to win when they need to. That breeds confidence and, as has been proved, can catapult a team into the European picture.
Ultimately, over the last two games in particular, Leicester have lacked concentration in those vital closing moments. It has cost them two points that could make all the difference come May 28, with the relegation battle tighter than ever.
Charlotte Marsh
Leeds marching on… to safety?
Leeds United’s resurgence under Javi Gracia could not have been better timed.
Seldom before has a point, let alone three, had such transformative powers not only on a heavily-congested Premier League table but also the mood among the gaggle of sides vying for safety.
Since replacing Jesse Marsch in February, Gracia has masterminded three victories from six Premier League games, as many as had occurred in their previous 22 matches, with Tuesday’s impressive comeback win over Nottingham Forest propelling Leeds out of the relegation zone up to 13th in the table.
Gracia has managed to energise an already energised set of supporters behind his squad and is reaping the rewards with a priceless 50 per cent win ratio at a crucial stage of the season.
With the fears of relegation set to loom large as the games tick away, Leeds’ decision to turn to Gracia when they did could prove to be their saving grace.
Jack Wilkinson
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Leeds’ win against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League
- How the teams lined up | Match stats
Forest floundering under Cooper
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Steve Cooper felt his Nottingham Forest side fell short after they went 1-0 up against Leeds and didn’t show enough bravery, technique or courage, which ultimately led to their 2-1 defeat
Bravery and courage. Two fundamental traits synonymous with any successful Premier League survival bid. Two traits Steve Cooper accused his Nottingham Forest players of lacking during their defeat at fellow Premier League relegation contenders Leeds United.
Cooper’s comments came against a backdrop of increasing relegation fears at Forest. This latest setback at Elland Road extended their winless run – currently the longest in the division – to eight games, while their tally of points away from home this season remains at a paltry six.
At the business end of the season with nine games to play, it’s a recipe for disaster which not only threatens Forest’s top-flight existence but also Cooper’s position.
The credit Cooper acquired by ending Forest’s 23-year Premier League absence is running perilously low, and a worrying inability to produce on the road is only fuelling calls for change.
One thing for certain is that whatever course of action is taken by the board, bravery and courage will be needed. The ending to this season, survival or relegation with or without Cooper, will show just how much there is at the club.
Jack Wilkinson
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