Man City's Erling Haaland gets it wrong again as Chelsea still learn how Enzo Maresca – hit and miss Premier League | Football News

Haaland's struggles in front of goal mirror City's own form

In many ways, Erling Haaland's recent struggles in front of goal for Manchester City mirror those of the team itself, which was initially thought to be nothing more than a blip that both men would snap out of in the blink of an eye, and we're still waiting for that to happen.

Haaland, like the Premier League champions themselves, was quick out of the traps at the start of the season, scoring 10 goals in his first five league games, but as City began to falter, so did the Norway international.

So much so, in fact, that last season's Premier League top scorer has scored just three goals in his last 13 matches, coinciding with City's form slump, while underperforming his league-wide xG of 5.2 during that time (3 compared to 8.2 xG).

Nothing sums up Haaland's woes of late better than his missed penalty against Everton at 1-1 as Jordan Pickford got right to keep out his low shot, incredibly the first time the forward has seen a goalkeeper save one of his 16 Premier League spots kicks.

And Pep Guardiola's title holders need their main man back in top form as soon as possible, otherwise their long barren run could continue until 2025.
Rich Morgan

Chelsea have a lot to learn under Maresco

Enzo Maresca repeatedly cited Chelsea's failure to control the game against Fulham as the reason for their first home defeat to their west London rivals since 1979. The first 15 minutes of the second half especially, as he said, cost his team.

There was a moment just before the hour mark, when it was 1-0, that illustrated exactly what Maresca was aiming for. Cole Palmer picked up the ball and Chelsea broke and the blue shirts burst forward. Palmer let them down by deliberately slowing down the game.

Chelsea's voices in the crowd could not hide their dismay. Maresca herself welcomed the perceived negative action. These are the moments he wants to see more of from his side. Fulham came looking for crosses and he wanted to take that away.

Maresca would ideally like his team to move up the pitch as a unit to avoid leaving holes for opponents to expose themselves – “Before you attack, you have to pass, pass, pass to be together,” the Chelsea boss said – even if it is at the expense of excitement.

Leicester fans have grown weary at times of the way their former manager fared last season, despite leading them to comfortable promotion as Championship winners. Clearly, Maresca's philosophy is taking some time to adjust to. Not everyone at Chelsea gets it.

Maybe that's why he has repeatedly said that Chelsea is not yet ready to fight for the title. The results have been impressive, their first defeat in the league since losing to Liverpool in October, but he knows the team is still learning how to play his way.
Zinny Boswell

Impressive Fulham on the rise under Silva

At the start of this season, if you had told Fulham fans they would return home on Boxing Day level on points with defending Premier League champions Manchester City, they wouldn't have believed you. But while City have fallen, this is a Fulham team led by Marco Silva. The first win at Stamford Bridge since 1979 confirms that.

Perhaps more impressively, this was a historic victory achieved without Emile Smith Rowe or Sander Berge, two of their best players this term. Harrison Reed was also missing from a depleted midfield, while regulars Kenny Tete and Reiss Nelson are also in the treatment room.

But Fulham have found a way to take points away from Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham this term and, by changing their formation here, have dealt a blow to neighbors Chelsea. That's a result he'll enjoy. But with Silva at the helm and this talented group finding ways to win in different ways, their prospects for 2025 are bright.
Peter Smith

Onuachu sums up the problems with the Southampton striker

Paul Onuachu touched the ball 12 times in West Ham's penalty area. Eight shots, seven of which were headers. Despite all of these relating to 0.57 expected goals, they all failed to find the net.

In one game, the 6ft 7in forward showed new manager Ivan Juric the exact struggles he faces at Southampton – a sheer lack of goals.

The Saints have scored just 11 goals in the Premier League from 17 games. More worryingly, they have just seven goals from eight home games.

This is a side that have spent a combined £75m on Onuachu, Kamaldeen Suleman, Cameron Archer, Ben Brereton Diaz and Mateus Fernandes in the last 18 months – they have five Premier League goals between them. So much forward, so little end product.

The intent was much better than Jurić's Southampton on Boxing Day. A more direct style brought the attacking verve that rocked West Ham in the first half, while wing-backs Yukinari Sugawara and Kyle Walker-Peters provided so much for Onuachu and Co.

But if Southampton don't find their result, they won't be off the bottom of the table any time soon.
Blitz himself

Centurion Bowen again the difference for the Hammers

Jarrod Bowen is often the man to make the difference for West Ham.

His last three goals for the club were game-winners. After his penalty effectively ended Erik ten Hag's spell as Manchester United boss, it was his trademark in the recent win over Wolves that pushed Gary O'Neill closer to the Wolves door.

On Boxing Day, Ivan Juric's first game in charge of Southampton resulted in a defeat thanks to Bowen's predatory instincts.

The 28-year-old was in the right place to set up Niclas Fullkrug's strike for his 48th Premier League goal, making him joint second among West Ham's Premier League top scorers, with only Michail Antonio now scoring more (68). It was also his 100th league goal in the top four tiers of English football.

“It was extremely important to win,” Bowen said afterwards. “This is our fourth game unbeaten, but it was vital to win again. The ambition of this club is to qualify for Europe every year, so that was out of the question today, but we have something to make up for.”

It was a hard-fought victory that made it impressive how Julen Lopetegui had to absorb first-half injuries to Lukasz Fabianski and Max Kilman against a Southampton side desperate to impress their new manager. And whenever you have Bowen on your side, there's always stardust that turns one point into three.
Ben Grounds

The midfield leads Newcastle in the standings

There is no more ruthless, energetic and classy midfield trio in the Premier League than Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali when they play with the roar of the St James' Park faithful behind them.

Yes, I would include the Liverpool trio in that debate.

This Toon trio is dynamite and showed it for the Reds a few weeks ago in that hurricanrana 3-3 draw with Arne Slott's side. They are the foundation of everything good Newcastle does. When they work, the team works. That explains why recent form under Eddie Howe has picked up as these three are back to their pulsating best. Villa were completely outmatched and outclassed in that part of the pitch, even before the red card.

Newcastle are up to fifth. And they move nicely.
Lewis Jones

Bad to worse for Tottenham

“It was his ankle and he said he couldn't go on. We'll have to see,” Postecoglou said after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the defeat to Forest.

After a brief injury update and describing how “disappointing” it was to leave the City Ground empty-handed, Postecoglou was nowhere to be seen in the press room.

The Tottenham boss took just 150 seconds to leave the building and it was clear he didn't want to answer many questions.

An injury to the only recognized centre-back left in the matchday squad, a red card for Spence who has shown promise in his last three outings and his side still living in the bottom half.

The situation for Tottenham is getting bleaker by the day, and the upcoming match against Wolves, which is only three days away, looks like a must-win game.
Patrick Rowe

Man of the Mountains Murillo helps Forest win

Forest secured all three points and a clean sheet to go with it against Tottenham – but they couldn't have done it without Murillo.

As Postecoglou rightly pointed out, his side possessed the threat in the final third but were unable to capitalize on it in the end. And that's because of Forest's man mountain at the back.

His final numbers came after nine clearances, three blocked shots, three tackles and five tackles won.

If there was room, he would close it. When it came to winning the ball, there was no contest.

The home crowd serenaded him throughout the game. He is a fan favorite and it is clear why, the partnership with Nikola Milenkovic is the foundation on which this historic season for the club is built.
Patrick Rowe

Huijsen shines again in Bournemouth's defence

Dean Huijsen is seizing his chance at the heart of Bournemouth's defense and is fast becoming one of the Premier League's best young defenders.

The 19-year-old centre-back, who signed for Bournemouth on a six-year deal from Juventus in the summer, has shone after starting the last five league games, scoring twice and helping to keep three clean sheets.

Huijsen withstood the test of Crystal Palace's versatile front line – the strength of Jean-Philippe Mateta combined with the pace and guile of Ismaila Sarr and Eberechi Eze.

He won the most tackles of any player, the most tackles and had the highest pass completion rate. Huijsen's only mistake was a cynical foul on Sara that earned him a yellow card. Bournemouth has a gem.
David Richardson