Talking factors from the Premier League video games this weekend: PRESSURE INTENSIFIES ON TEN HAG

For round 45 minutes on Sunday it appeared attainable {that a} Marcus Rashford wonder-goal would possibly earn Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag one among his greatest outcomes since taking cost. It proved an phantasm although as Manchester City turned their superior class right into a 3-1 victory that illustrated the gulf in high quality between the 2 groups.

In actuality United had been comprehensively outplayed as they suffered an eleventh defeat of the league season — two greater than they suffered in the entire of final season. While dropping to City away isn’t any shame, that and the earlier week’s loss in opposition to Fulham, have punctured the optimism of Jim Ratcliffe changing into a co-owner of the membership.

United sit sixth within the desk, 11 factors behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, and there’s a feeling that the following three months might be pivotal in Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford. CAN WERNER PROVE INSPIRED SIGNING FOR SPURS?

Timo Werner has hardly set the world on hearth since becoming a member of Tottenham Hotspur on mortgage from RB Leipzig in January and it seemed like being one other day of frustration for the German ahead in opposition to Crystal Palace on Saturday. His insecurity was summed up when he went by means of with solely Palace’s keeper to beat within the first half however he lacked conviction and the prospect went begging.

To his credit score, the previous Chelsea participant stored plugging away and his onerous work was rewarded when he equalised from Brennan Johnson’s move — his first aim for the membership. Tottenham ended up successful 3-1 and with ahead Richarlison sidelined, Werner now has the proper alternative to indicate why not that way back he was one among Europe’s most prolific marksmen.

A return to one thing like his greatest might be pivotal in Tottenham’s quest for a top-four end. CHELSEA’S POCHETTINO FEELS THE HEAT

Mauricio Pochettino did not have the perfect 52nd birthday when he noticed his Chelsea aspect wrestle to a 2-2 draw in opposition to injury-hit, relegation-threatened Brentford on Saturday, and he needed to endure crude chanting from some Blues followers too. Asked concerning the abuse, Pochettino mentioned it was pure for followers to show frustration into criticism however he vowed to stay to the job of constructing a coherent aspect from the expensively overhauled squad of younger gamers who nonetheless sit in mid-table.

At least Chelsea can have a little bit of a relaxation after a busy six days that included 120 minutes in a 1-0 League Cup ultimate defeat in opposition to Liverpool, a last-gasp 3-2 FA Cup win over Leeds United and the draw at Brentford. Their subsequent sport is on March 11 at dwelling to Newcastle United within the Premier League. “We have now one week to prepare (for) Newcastle. I’m trying to win and yes I keep moving and pushing,” Pochettino mentioned.

EVERTON HAVE TO FIND EDGE IN FINAL THIRD Everton followers got some reduction this week once they regained 4 factors on enchantment from their first Profit and Sustainability cost this season, however had been left annoyed and livid on the ultimate whistle after Saturday’s capitulation at dwelling to West Ham United.

A refrain of boos rang out round Goodison Park on the ultimate whistle after Everton wasted quite a few alternatives, together with a penalty, and conceded twice in injury-time to lose 3-1. That is now 10 Premier League matches with no win, 5 of these defeats, they usually look a staff quick on confidence and high quality within the ultimate third, and except they’ll discover a approach to rating objectives, it might be third time unfortunate for the aspect after profitable relegation battles.

With a second PSR cost nonetheless looming, they don’t know what number of factors they have to be away from the underside three come the ultimate reckoning. This stays a membership in disaster. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ON THE HORIZON AS VILLA FIND A WAY AGAIN

Pinned in their very own half after having their two-goal benefit pegged again by Luton Town, there was little to recommend that Aston Villa would emerge with a degree, by no means thoughts three, however but once more they discovered a approach to win. Unai Emery’s aspect have been excellent all season with out ever trying unbeatable, however their capability to take a punch and get better has proved invaluable because the 1982 European Cup winners set their sights on subsequent season’s Champions League.

Luton should bear among the blame after an anaemic first-half show that completed with Villa two objectives to the great due to Ollie Watkins, however the Hatters’ second-half comeback was thwarted as Villa refused to capitulate. Five factors forward of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur is a good cushion, however Emery will take extra consolation from his aspect’s never-say-die perspective. If that persists they could be headed for subsequent season’s premier European competitors.

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