Page 184 – The Pulse of Football

Sep

2024

The top performances in MLS, Matchday 30

Our Major League Soccer expert James Nalton picks the standout players from the latest round of games in MLS, including his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday.

By James Nalton

The Top Two

9.2 FotMob rating: Luis Suárez, Inter Miami

Suárez will get the credit for two goals in this 4-1 win in Chicago against the Fire, but the own goal from Tobias Salquist which opened the scoring was mostly down to him, too.

It showed the attacking awareness few players have ever matched and has made him one of the greatest No. 9s the game has seen.

He played a one-two with an initial blind pass around the corner to his current support act Diego Gómez, before receiving the return ball and causing the save that led to the own goal.

Suárez then made sure to get his name on the scoresheet, finishing well on two occasions for a brace.

Despite his age and knee issues, which might cause him to retire altogether at the end of 2024, the burst of speed remains in his head and can make his goals look easy.

Inter Miami have won eight games out of nine in Lionel Messi’s absence through international call-ups and injury, and if Miami win the Supporters’ Shield on this form, Suárez, not Messi, might be the league’s MVP.

9.1 FotMob rating: Luca Orellano, FC Cincinnati

Given their usual prowess in recent times it is difficult to believe FC Cincinnati had not won in MLS since that memorable 6-1 thrashing of Inter Miami in July.

Four defeats on the bounce followed that victory, including revenge for Miami that has seen them take the initiative at the top of the table.

It was important that Cincinnati bounced back and at least maintained pressure on a Miami team that now looks likely to win the Supporters’ Shield.

Orellano played a big part in bringing some belief back to the team in a 4-1 win against Montreal.

It was his cross that caused trouble for the Montreal defence and saw Kevin Kelsy open the scoring.

He then scored twice from free kicks, the first via a deflection from a set piece just outside the area, and then another from inside his own half having noticed Jonathan Sirois off his line. Needless to say, it was the round’s standout goal.

It was also the second time this season Orellano has scored from such a distance, and in the absence of the suspended reigning MVP Luciano Acosta, he was able to sprinkle the star quality when it was needed.

Three more standout performers

8.8 FotMob rating: Braian Ojeda, Real Salt Lake

Like Cincinnati, Real Salt Lake had gone four games without a win in MLS, but recorded a 2-0 win against New England to remain in the mix at the top of the Western Conference.

Having sold one star player, Andrés Gómez, to Rennes in the summer transfer window, and missing another, Chicho Arango, through injury, it was time for RSL to show they have strength in depth and a solid gameplan that can survive without their stars.

Ojeda’s performance was important, but his assist was fairly unusual. He got a flick on an incoming free-kick into the opposition area which, rather than being a deft touch, ricocheted all the way out to Philip Quinton on the other side of the area, who was in enough space to score.

Ojeda had more touches than any other player on the pitch, with 88, completed 86% of his passes, made three successful dribbles and won seven duels.

9.0 FotMob rating: Facundo Torres, Orlando City

Suárez wasn’t the only in-form Uruguayan this week as Facundo Torres scored twice in Orlando’s 3-0 win against Nashville.

His first goal saw him start the move and finish it, getting on the end of Dagur Dan Thórhallsson’s cross having fed him down the right wing. He then finished well at the far post to record a brace.

The goals meant Torres has now passed Nani’s record for goals and assists combined for Orlando City in MLS with 52 (per MLS whose definition of an assist is more favourable than other stats providers).

Torres was heavily involved in general play, drifting into the centre from the right wing, with 53 touches and a pass success of 36/40 (90%) to go with his two goals.

9.2 FotMob rating: Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Minnesota United

Minnesota United have struggled in the middle of this season after a promising start, but have now won two of their last three as they look to embark on a positive end to the 2024 campaign.

Hlongwane scored twice in this latest win – 2-1 against bottom-of-the-table side San Jose Earthquakes.

He finished emphatically to open the scoring before hanging around in the right place to turn in the winner amid a scramble in the six-yard box.

He now has nine goals for the season, bettering last season’s tally, and these recent victories mean Minnesota still have an outside chance of making the playoffs.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Sep

2024

Andrej Kramaric: Hoffenheim’s creative force leading the Bundesliga scoring charts

When tasked with naming the players to appear for Leicester City during the club’s miraculous Premier League title-winning season, Andrej Kramarić might not be the first name that springs to mind.

By Luke Bissett

The Foxes’ then-record signing made just two appearances from the bench in 2015-16 before departing for Hoffenheim in the January transfer window, though it is a move that he will have few regrets about. Kramarić struck five goals and four assists in the second half of the 2015-16 Bundesliga season, helping Hoffenheim avoid relegation against all odds under the now-Germany national team manager Julian Nagelsmann.

The Croatian international’s impressive form quickly prompted the German side to make his move permanent in the summer of 2016 – a decision that has proven to be mightily shrewd. With 136 goals for Hoffenheim in all competitions, Kramarić has gone on to become TSG’s all time top goalscorer. In fact, he has outscored second-placed Sejad Salihović (65) by more than double.

Kramarić has established himself as one of the finest attackers in the Bundesliga, notching double figures for league strikes in all but one of his eight full seasons in Sinsheim. The 33-year old has netted 119 times in the Bundesliga – almost a quarter of all goals scored by Hoffenheim since his debut in January 2016 (23.7% – 119/503).

He is much more than just a penalty box poacher however, with his role completely evolving within the Hoffenheim side over the last two seasons. Kramarić has adopted the mantle of provider and goalscorer, operating in a more withdrawn role under manager Pellegrino Matarazzo. The Croatian is typically deployed as an attacking midfielder behind two strikers, giving him considerably more responsibility in possession.

Kramarić proactively looks to get involved in build-up play, dropping between the lines to provide a forward option. In this deeper role, TSG are then able to utilise his neat link-up play to progress the ball into the final third. In fact, since the start of last season, the 33-year-old has been involved in 146 open-play shot-ending sequences – the most of any Hoffenheim player.

One of Kramarić’s greatest assets is his ability to receive well under pressure before navigating out of tight spaces via quick bounce passes and combining with teammates. The 33-year-old’s new-found position also offers him far greater freedom to drift into wider areas and deceive defenders by dropping into tricky pockets of space.

Upon picking up these positions, the attacker then has an innate ability to deliver final balls into the box. Kramarić played more passes into the area than any other Hoffenheim player in the Bundesliga last season (145), while he created twice as many chances as any other teammate (78). He is undoubtedly the beating heart of Matarazzo’s attacking trident, with only Bayer Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka (12) providing more secondary assists than him since the start of the 2023-24 Bundesliga campaign (seven).

The Croatia international’s deeper role has also not seen his goal output wane, with the forward still possessing the final third capabilities of an elite striker. He often varies his runs and does not hesitate to dart in behind – picking his moments to go beyond the opposition’s defence. Kramarić has garnered a reputation as one of the most clinical forwards in the Bundesliga, with only Robert Lewandowski (204) managing more goals than him since his debut in the German top-flight (119).

His capacity to create space for himself in the 18-yard-box is what makes him such an awkward customer for defenders. The 33-year-old has a real knack for arriving into the box late and perfectly timing his runs to target cut-backs. It’s this intelligent movement that enables him to evade tracking and fashion numerous opportunities on goal. Kramarić has accumulated the highest xG (Expected Goals) of any Hoffenheim player in the Bundesliga since the start of last season (13.7).

*Kramarić shooting stats, Bundesliga 2023/24*

The attacker enjoyed a prolific end to last season, which has quickly followed him into the current campaign. Indeed, since the start of April, no player has been directly involved in more Bundesliga goals than Kramarić (16). This remarkable spell has also seen him become the first ever Hoffenheim player to have a hand in at least one goal in nine consecutive Bundesliga games (11 goals, five assists).

The marksman is now the highest scoring Croatian in Bundesliga history, while he has impressively netted against 26 different opponents in the German top-flight, with Greuther Fürth the only side to keep him out.

*Kramarić shooting stats, Bundesliga 2024/25*

Kramarić captured the headlines after a three-goal haul against Bayern Munich on the final day of last season, thus taking TSG into this season’s Europa League. And he appears to be showing no sign of slowing down. The 33-year-old netted a treble during Hoffenheim’s 3-2 opening day victory over Holsten Kiel. It marked Kramarić as just the third player in Bundesliga history, after Gerd Müller and Klaus Fischer, to score 3+ goals on the first matchday in two separate seasons.

Kramarić struck against Eintracht Frankfurt last time out to top the Bundesliga scoring charts heading into the international break, while his triumph on MD1 was the Croatian’s 100^thvictory in Germany’s top-tier.

After missing out on one fairytale, Andrej Kramarić has written himself a remarkable story indeed.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Bundesliga on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Sep

2024

Premier League Team of the Week: Matchday Three

As we head into the first international break of the 2024/25 campaign, just two Premier League sides have a 100% record with Liverpool and Manchester City making it three wins from three this weekend.

By Sam McGuire

Following their 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Arne Slot’s side are the only team yet to concede this term and it’ll come as no surprise to see three of their players in the Matchday Three FotMob Team of the Week.

Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

Alisson made three saves in the win over Manchester United on his way to a third successive clean sheet. He wasn’t the busiest but his saves were crucial. He thwarted Joshua Zirkzee on two occasions, one from point blank range, and got down low to stop a Noussair Mazraoui effort. He did what he had to do and he did it well. The 31-year-old also completed 85% of his passes, proving himself to be a key part of the way Liverpool looked to play out from the back.

Centre-Back: Lewis Dunk

Few people would’ve imagined Dunk to be the most creative player on the pitch in a game between Arsenal and Brighton, but that is exactly what happened. The centre-back for the Seagulls created three chances at the Emirates. He also completed the most passes (99) and found a teammate with 96% of his attempted passes. Dunk made seven ball recoveries, won 100% of his duels and 50% of his aerial duels.

Centre-Back: Virgil Van Dijk

The Liverpool skipper put in a monstrous performance against the Red Devils. The 33-year-old completed the most passes (69), found a teammate with 95% of his attempted passes and created a chance. Van Dijk made 11 clearances, made three interceptions and recovered the ball on three occasions. He won all five of his aerial duels and came out on top in two of his three ground duels.

Centre-back: Joško Gvardiol

Gvardiol was solid enough again for Manchester City. The centre-back-cum-full-back completed 95% of his passes against the Hammers and finished with an Expected Assists total of 0.45. He completed 100% of his dribbles, won two of his three tackles, six of his eight duels and was dribbled past on just one occasion. The 22-year-old played his part in limiting West Ham to an xG of just 0.73.

Right-Midfield: Yukinari Sugawara

Southampton may have suffered a 3-1 loss to Brentford this weekend but Sugawara still managed to impress. The versatile right-sided full-back was deployed on the right of midfield and scored his first Premier League goal. The 24-year-old also created two chances and won four of his five duels at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon. There was also a last-man tackle in there as well as five recoveries and two interceptions.

Midfield: Mario Lemina

The Wolves captain put in a solid performance in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. The 31-year-old claimed an assist but it was defensive work that really caught the eye. Lemina won five of his eight tackles and went 11/11 in ground duels. He made nine ball recoveries and was fouled on two occasions to round off a fairly dominant showing.

Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne

Somehow, De Bruyne failed to register an assist or a goal in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over West Ham. The midfield playmaker ran the game though, taking six shots and carving out six chances for the champions. No player managed more shots, not even Erling Haaland (five) while no other player managed to create over four chances.

Left Midfield: Leif Davis

Ipswich’s highly-rated left-sided player is included in our TOTW for the first time as a Premier League player. The 24-year-old finished with an assist having created three chances for the Tractor Boys. The left-back completed 90% of his passes and attempted four dribbles. He also won 100% of his tackles and came out on top in six of the 11 duels he was involved in.

Attack: Bryan Mbeumo

No Ivan Toney for Brentford? No problem. The Bees have a sting in their attack with Mbeumo stealing the show against Southampton. The 25-year-old earned himself a FotMob rating of 9.4 following his exploits on Saturday. He scored twice, created three chances and carved out two big chances. He completed 100% of his dribbles and won four of six duels.

Attack: Erling Haaland

Another week, another Erling Haaland hat-trick. The two-time Golden Boot winner made it seven goals in three games following a treble against West Ham. It was another Haaland masterclass. He attempted just 12 passes but had five shots for the reigning champions. He had the fewest number of touches (21) of any outfield player to feature in 90 minutes, but he once again showcased exactly why less is more.

Midfield: Mohamed Salah

Once again, it was the Salah show at Old Trafford. The Liverpool No. 11, who earned a FotMob rating of 9.2, carved out three big chances and finished the game with two assists. He scored a goal and, in truth, probably could’ve had another. He’s started the season in fine form and already has six goal involvements this term in just three outings.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2024

Preview: Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace

Perhaps somebody at Premier League HQ does have a sense of humour.

By Ian King

Chelsea, the Pac Men of the current transfer market, against Crystal Palace, who’ve spent the summer trying to resist the sale of the players who got them through an excellent end to last season, on the very weekend after the window closes is almost too delicious an irony otherwise.

There’s a possibility that a summer of unsettlement has got to Palace. They’ve already lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich and, at the time of writing, there remains a possibility that others could join him, with admiring noises continuing to be made in the direction of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guéhi, both of whom featured with distinction for England at the European Championships during the summer.

Their opening two league matches have brought two defeats from matches against Brentford and West Ham United. Neither of these losses were particularly horrific, but these matches are the sort of matches that head coach Oliver Glasner will have identified as winnable if the club is to pitch toward some of the loftier predictions that were made for them pre-season. It might even be argued that this slightly underwhelming start is a necessary counterpoint to all that optimism.

Chelsea, meanwhile, remain a curate’s egg of a team. There is no question that their 6-2 win at Wolves last weekend was a huge surprise. There had been few signs in pre-season or in their opening Premier League match against Manchester City a week earlier that they’d be capable of doing anything like this. And that win at Molineux should also be slightly tempered by reminding ourselves of just how dismal the Wolves defending was for three or four of their goals.

Of course, with Premier League hubris being Premier League hubris, the Wolves win seems to have sparked some belief that Chelsea will challenge for the Premier League title. Well, we shall see. Results so far have been mixed, though rattling in six goals in the Black Country was a big step in the right direction. In the meantime, Enzo Maresca would do remember that there remains a lot of work to do at Stamford Bridge and a home game against a mid-table team is exactly the sort of match that last season’s Chelsea would have stumbled over. At this stage, every game is still a litmus test of the new manager’s progress.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Premier League game with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2024

Preview: Manchester United vs. Liverpool

Over recent years, Liverpool have racked up some big wins over Manchester United.

By Sam McGuire

The Reds romped to 4-2 and 5-0 wins over the Red Devils in back-to-back seasons at Old Trafford and recorded a historic 7-0 victory over their old rivals at Anfield. And yet this fixture hasn’t been anywhere near as one-sided as people would have you believe.

In fact, United have the upper hand over the past five meetings and Erik ten Hag is unbeaten at Old Trafford against Liverpool. It may be hard to believe but the Reds haven’t recorded a win on away soil since October 2021.

The Red Devils, under Ten Hag, have a 2-1 win, a 4-3 win and a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford against the Merseyside club. He also masterminded a 0-0 at Anfield last summer. His record in this fixture is played five, won two, drawn two and lost one. It just so happens that it was a 7-0 loss that everybody talks about whenever these two sides meet.

There’s a bit of deja vu about this upcoming clash.

Liverpool are in good form and head into this game as favourites. The Reds, under new boss Arne Slot, have a 100% record in the English top-flight. They have beaten Ipswich Town and Brentford, scoring four goals in the process while keeping two clean sheets. They have the best underlying numbers in the Premier League. Their Expected Goals Conceded total is just 0.8 across these two games while they have carved out chances worth 5.3 Expected Goals.

Granted, the opposition haven’t been the most dangerous but let’s not forget that the Reds allowed Brentford to create opportunities with an xG of 1.7 in the Anfield clash last season.

There is less chaos under Slot and a lot more control. The Reds control possession, space and the game state. Last season, Liverpool controlled the ball but not the space and certainly not the game state.

So while there are similarities heading into this game, there are also key differences.

The task for Ten Hag remains the same though.

United are the home team but they are going to want to frustrate the Reds. They are going to want to play almost as an away side, looking for moments to take advantage of. That is their style of play, despite investing heavily in players the Dutchman wants.

They lost to a late goal against Brighton and needed an 87th-minute winner against Fulham on the opening day to pick up all three points. United, once again, need to up their game if they’re going to extend this good run of form against Liverpool.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Premier League game with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2024

Preview: Celtic vs. Rangers

Old Firm derbies always matter, but Sunday’s clash will have more riding on it than most.

By Graham Ruthven

Even at this early stage of the season, there is a sense that Rangers must take something from the match to prevent Celtic from running away at the top of the Scottish Premiership. A home win could set the tone for another season of green and white dominance.

Rangers have endured a challenging start to the 2024/25 campaign. Philippe Clement has struggled to hide his unhappiness at a lack of activity in the summer transfer window with the Ibrox club currently not playing at Ibrox due to delayed construction work. The failure to qualify for the Champions League only deepened the malaise.

Celtic, on the other hand, have opened their Scottish Premiership title defence with three straight wins. The Hoops lost Matt O’Riley to Brighton this week, but will still have enough midfield quality in the form of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo to control Sunday’s Old Firm derby.

McGregor has been in goal-scoring form for Celtic of late, finding the back of the net in each of his last two league appearances. Kyogo Furuhashi is also a good bet to notch having scored eight times in the 14 matches he has played against Rangers. Brendan Rodgers faces a choice between the Japanese and Adam Idah to lead the line.

Nicolas Kühn has been a standout performer for Celtic so far this term with the German expected to start on the right side of the front three against Rangers. On the other wing, Daizen Maeda’s pace could give James Tavernier a problem just as it did in more than one Old Firm derby last season.

Cyriel Dessers sharper finishing has been a positive for Rangers early on this season. The Nigerian international has scored three goals in his last three games and is starting to silence his doubters with Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence also providing more in the attacking third of late.

Kasper Schmeichel has barely been tested since joining Celtic having conceded just one goal in four games in all competitions for his new team. Rangers will pose a threat if they can replicate the sort of form that saw them put six goals past Ross County at their temporary home of Hampden last weekend, but all signs point towards this being a derby dictated on Celtic’s terms.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the SPFL with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2024

Preview: Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Even though Newcastle and Tottenham both find themselves on four points from the first six on offer in this new Premier League season, there is a slightly different narrative between the Tyneside and North London outfits.

By Dan Tracey

For the Magpies, there is a sense that is all not well at St James’ Park and with manager Eddie Howe largely being frustrated at not landing the capture of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, that frustration has filtered through to the club’s passionate set of supporters.

Considering this club is perceived to have all the riches in the world, it is not spending them like a global superpower and with the shackles of PSR holding them back off the field, a draw against Bournemouth last Sunday showed signs of shackles on the field.

A point on Howe’s most recent return to the Vitality Stadium is all that Newcastle earned for their troubles and they looked like being in serious trouble when Dango Outtara thought he scored a late winner for the Cherries.

Unfortunately for the Bournemouth player, VAR had other ideas in mind. His goal wiped out for handball – a decision that drew the ire of the usually placid Andoni Iraola, the Spaniard feeling he had been robbed, his opposite number knowing that his team probably got away with one.

However, there was no getting away from how bad Everton’s showing at Tottenham was last Saturday. The Toffees finding them in a rather sticky situation as Ange Postecoglou’s side hit four unanswered goals in front of their own support.

A performance that certainly lifts in the mood in N17 and one that was the perfect tonic after throwing away their lead at Leicester at the start of last week. Everton put to the sword, but maybe that was an indication of how bad Sean Dyche’s side have started this season.

Which means Sunday should be a fairer reflection of where both these teams are at and more importantly, where they aim to be at the end of the season. The hosts and the visitors have top four aspirations, you get the feeling that at least one of these outfits will end up disappointed.

However, the opportunity to earn a statement victory so early in the campaign is not one that either will want to overlook and whoever can make it seven points from nine, will go in to the international break with plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2024

Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid

After their opening three matches of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign, Barcelona remain the only side still perfect in the Spanish top-flight, winning each of their three outings so far via the same 2-1 scoreline.

By Nathan Evans

Last time out it was Rayo Vallecano who fell victim to Hansi Flick’s side, as new signing Dani Olmo sealed all three points on his return to the club with a lovely finish in the 82^nd minute. In fairness, it was exactly what Barcelona deserved come the final whistle, as they dominated large spells of the match and finished the game with 22 shots to their name.

Now attentions will quickly turn back to Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys where Valladolid arrive as the next visitors after being promoted from Spain’s second flight last season. Their arrival is unlikely to set Barcelona’s fans on edge given that unlike their hosts, they haven’t fared as well so far this campaign.

A 0-0 draw at home to Leganes last time out proved to be a disappointment during a match in which they would have been targeting a victory. It also meant that to date this campaign, it’s one win, one draw and one loss for Valladolid and improving upon that record in this latest outing will prove a very tall order.

Their only defeat came in the form of a 3-0 loss on their travels to face reigning champions Real Madrid and if that result and performance is anything to go by, a long afternoon could be in store in Catalonia this weekend. The same could also be said when taking a look at how Valladolid have fared on their recent away days to face Barçq because as may be expected, their form in this fixture is weak to say the least.

Not since November 1997 have Valladolid won an away league outing against the Catalan giants, whilst overall in history, they’ve won just two of their 46 meetings on Barcelona’s home turf. Each of their prior such nine matches have all ended in defeat too, with a combined losing scoreline of 31- 4 in that time hardly acting as much of a confidence boost ahead of this latest visit.

That’ll come as music to the ears of the home faithful and their attacking stars in particular, especially Lamine Yamal, who has already delivered a goal and two assists across his three league appearances in August 2024 and will be looking to add further to that tally on this occasion.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2024

Preview: West Ham United vs. Manchester City

After their impressive showing at Crystal Palace last weekend, West Ham are not only off the mark for the season but they have also earned their first win under new manager Julen Lopetegui. Goals from Tomáš Souček and Jarrod Bowen proving to be the difference in their 2-0 away win.

By Dan Tracey

The Hammers are making the journey back across the capital buoyed by their showing on the road and on the evidence of their first 180 minutes of this new Premier League campaign, there is no doubt that the transformation in playing style has been a rather quick one.

Just edged out by Aston Villa at the London Stadium on the opening weekend, there were still plenty of positives to take from the Hammers’ performance that evening and even more to take from their win at Selhurst Park.

One main take away is that instead of revolution under Lopetegui, it is more a sense of evolution instead. In time, the likes of Niclas Füllkrug and Crysencio Summerville will be given more opportunities but for now, they are very handy options to have off the bench.

Of course, this evolution of the West Ham side is still largely a work in progress and there is no doubt that the East London outfit will be put to work when they welcome Manchester City through their doors on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s men make the journey south having made it two wins from two at the start of the season and after cruising past Chelsea in their opener, they subsequently crushed Ipswich last weekend.

However, that crushing did not come about before taking a dent themselves and with Sammie Szmodics scoring early on for the Tractor Boys, there was delirium for those in attendance in the away end.

That delirium would eventually turn to disaster for Kieran McKenna’s men and with the Manchester City bear well and truly poked after conceding in the seventh minute of the game, that bear then swiped its paws at last season’s Championship runners-up.

Just nine minutes later, City had turned the game on its head and turned a one-goal deficit into a two-goal lead. Such is the power of their attack; Ipswich could not catch their breath and they were all but done when Erling Haaland completed his hat-trick after the break.

With the nature of this season’s title race already being shaped into a scenario where every encounter is a must win. Pep Guardiola knows this is another hurdle that must be cleared. At the same time, Julen Lopetegui would love to claim a major scalp so early in his West Ham tenure.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2024

Preview: Arsenal vs. Brighton

In the third set of Premier League fixtures, Arsenal are preparing to host Brighton at the Emirates Stadium, with both teams looking to continue their perfect start to the 2024/2025 season.

By Matt Smith

The Gunners kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Wolves as Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka both found the back of the net without reply. Havertz and Saka produced trademark finishes to secure the victory, with the former heading in from a cross and the latter cutting inside from the right to fire home.

Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey struck in Arsenal’s next fixture as they beat Aston Villa 2-0, and they will now face Brighton who have enjoyed an impressive start to the season under their new manager.

Saka has been a standout star for the north London outfit since the season got under way as the England international continues to shine in the Premier League. Producing a goal and two assists, the young winger will be looking to add to his goalscoring and creative tally this weekend.

Arteta’s side were well-known for their defensive prowess last term, conceding fewer goals than any other team in the Premier League, and it’s been a similar story this season with two clean sheets on the bounce.

Brighton took a huge risk in the summer, appointing 31-year-old manager Fabian Hürzeler, who is comfortably the youngest head coach in England’s top flight. It’s been a dream start for the Seagulls this campaign under his tutelage, beating Everton and Manchester United so far, scoring five goals in the process.

Despite Brighton enjoying an exciting summer transfer window, it’s been experienced striker Danny Welbeck who has stolen the show in front of goal, scoring twice and providing a singular assist.

Yankuba Minteh has flourished since being plunged into the Premier League after his move from Newcastle. The pace of Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma caused plenty of problems for both Manchester United and Everton and Hürzeler will be hoping they can do some damage once again when they face Arsenal.

Last term, Arsenal were victorious on both occasions when the two sides met, scoring five goals without reply. The Seagulls will be a different task for the Gunners under the guidance of Hürzeler, so it’s set to be an interesting match-up between two teams hoping to end the weekend at the top of the Premier League table.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.