Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s football | Premier League
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Etihad draw leaves title in balance
In their last two league games Manchester City have played their two title rivals and achieved the same result in wildly different styles. Unless Arsenal and City meet in the semi-finals of the Champions League – a rather less enticing prospect now – the next time any two of the current top three will face each other will be in Philadelphia on 31 July, when Liverpool and Arsenal are due to play a friendly. So the title will now be decided by results against the rest of the division and the good news for fans of fair fights is that the fixtures are remarkably balanced – taking the results of their opponents and adding any points deducted back on. The average current position of teams still to be faced by City is precisely 10, by Arsenal also 10, and by Liverpool 10.33. All have reasons to feel this is their year: Arsenal have the benefit of playing one more game at home and one fewer away; City the advantage of playing their harder fixtures at home, precisely where they would want them; and Liverpool get a two-point head start. Simon Burnton
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Welbeck should head elsewhere
Danny Welbeck’s Brighton contract runs out in the summer and the striker might be considering where he will start next season. The 33-year-old scored a fine opener against Liverpool on Sunday and spent 90 minutes hassling defenders as Brighton played on the break. His workrate was impressive, often joining 10 teammates in the defensive third to slow Liverpool down as much as possible. Welbeck was arguably only starting because João Pedro was injured, while Evan Ferguson, who had not scored in his previous 22 matches, was on the bench. Considering the more youthful nature of competition for places to lead the line, if Welbeck is to get more regular minutes he might need to exit the Amex. If a new contract is not forthcoming or Welbeck thinks the time is right to leave, there will be plenty of offers for a wily striker who keeps proving he has plenty of football and goals in him. Will Unwin
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Onana stands out amid United torpor
There wasn’t a huge amount for Manchester United to celebrate at Brentford on Saturday but, amid the general chaos, one major Erik ten Hag change is beginning to have a positive impact. When United lost 4-0 at Brentford last season one of the causes was David de Gea’s struggle to play out from the back. André Onana was brought in to resolve that and endured a nightmarish start at Old Trafford, regularly seeming to dematerialise in one-on-ones. He still may not be the beacon of calm authority many would like goalkeepers to be and it may be he is not United’s goalkeeper in the long term, but he is no longer an obvious problem that demands immediate resolution. His double save from Yehor Yarmolyuk and Keane Lewis-Potter was extraordinary, his judgment of crosses was much improved on his early weeks in the Premier…
Read More: Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s football | Premier League 2024-04-01 09:17:00