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Johnson looks to kickstart season
There is often fear when a former favourite returns but Brennan Johnson will be welcomed back with open arms at Nottingham Forest even though he may hope to leave as a pantomime villain. The Wales international progressed through the ranks at the City Ground, becoming integral to Forest’s promotion, and was a key reason they stayed up last season. Such form meant his departure over the summer became an inevitability, especially because the money on offer was much needed. No offence to Forest but Tottenham is a big step up for Johnson and he has taken time to adapt to his new surroundings and the management of Ange Postecoglou. Pressure has grown on Tottenham’s forwards in recent weeks following James Maddison’s injury but, after four defeats in five, they found their feet against Newcastle. Johnson has one goal and two assists in his short Tottenham career but returning to familiar surroundings could kickstart his season. Will Unwin
“Confidence is a very fragile thing,” said a reflective Eddie Howe after Newcastle’s European exit at the hands of Milan on Wednesday night. Tellingly the Champions League anthem had barely faded and died before he turned his attention to free-scoring Fulham’s visit to Tyneside on Saturday. “We have to make sure our Premier League form is as strong as it can be,” he continued. “I don’t want a hangover against Fulham. The pain we feel now has to be motivation for tomorrow.” After their two straight Premier League defeats, conceding seven goals at Everton and Tottenham, it is imperative Howe’s injury-ravaged players renew their fading challenge for another top-four finish. Yet whether the home manager’s preferred high-intensity, high-tempo, high-pressing game is the best way to achieve three points remains moot. And particularly after coming undone in transition against a clever, counterattacking Milan. Time for plan B? Louise Taylor
3
Arsenal hope for swift revenge
Last season’s 3-0 home defeat by Brighton ended Arsenal’s title challenge and cemented Roberto De Zerbi’s reputation as the master of the counter-press. By that point in May, Arsenal were cooked by their season’s exertions, while Brighton looked box fresh. Come this Sunday, both clubs will wear a careworn look. Brighton’s energy levels are reduced by their Europa League midweek schedule, injuries and the sale of players such as Levi Colwill, Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo. De Zerbi’s tactics, once so revolutionary, have also been picked apart by the analysts. How Arsenal respond to Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa makes this a crucial match for Mikel Arteta, who found himself beaten by his predecessor, Unai Emery, with caveats that his team were denied by a couple of refereeing decisions and finished poorly. In what has so far been an open title race, Arsenal’s response to slip-ups will be key to being in the hunt again come May. John Brewin
4
Fetch the tiny violins for Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino’s plea for more signings after Chelsea’s defeat at Everton inevitably drew derision. The Argentinian’s first job is to improve the expensively assembled squad already at his disposal. Chelsea host Sheffield United on Saturday and simply have to win. To do so Pochettino needs his defenders to be tough and cut out the mistakes and Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo to play like £100m midfielders. He needs his wingers to track back and produce an end product. Of course, Chelsea lack a potent striker. Nicolas Jackson is raw and Armando Broja struggled against Everton but they should both be good enough to penetrate Sheffield United’s defence. The time for excuses is over. Jacob Steinberg
5
City hope for easy Saudi send-off
This final domestic appointment before the champions of Europe jet to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup will offer the latest clue as to whether Manchester City are definitely over their recent blip, a run of four Premier League games with no win. The sequence ended with Sunday’s victory at Luton but more evidence is needed to have a clearer picture of where Guardiola’s side are at this juncture. Crystal Palace arrive with only one win in nine so City not winning would be a shock. Jamie Jackson
6
Everton stand-ins must seize moment
Sean Dyche can return to Turf Moor with confidence when he makes a first visit since being sacked by Burnley in April 2022. His Everton team have clawed their way out of the relegation zone courtesy of three impressive wins in succession, each achieved with a clean sheet and ferocious work rate. This game against Dyche’s old club, relegation rivals who under Vincent Kompany are also improving, bring fresh complications, however. Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye have been instrumental in Everton’s recovery, with the young defender surely catching the eye of Gareth Southgate when the England manager attended Sunday’s defeat of Chelsea. Both are suspended against Burnley, having collected their fifth booking of the season in the 2-0 win. While Amadou Onana is a straight swap for Gueye in midfield, Dyche’s alternatives to Branthwaite are the former Burnley defender Michael Keane, who has been carrying an ankle injury, or the out-of-favour Ben Godfrey. Whoever he chooses must seize their moment in a game of huge significance at the bottom of the table. Andy Hunter
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Versatile Ghoddos a valuable asset
It has been a funny few months for Saman Ghoddos. The Iranian international thought his three-year spell at Brentford was over after it was announced in May that he would be leaving the club on a free transfer. By the end of August, however, the winger was back in west London having signed a one-year contract at the Gtech Community Stadium. He even won the October goal of the month competition for his strike against Burnley. What Ghoddos may not have expected is becoming a starting full-back. An attack-minded player, he has slotted in on either side of the defence in the past four Premier League matches and will be hoping for a fifth straight start against Villa. Versatility is important in the modern game and Ghoddos has proven himself a useful asset to Thomas Frank. That could earn him another season at Brentford. WU
8
Visitors at risk of more Anfield pain
Manchester United’s downfall is obviously of their own making but Liverpool have gleaned added satisfaction in recent years from giving their great rivals a push along the way. From signalling the end of José Mourinho’s reign to exposing Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s limitations at Old Trafford, Jürgen Klopp’s team have often rewound the dial at United and are presented with another opportunity at Anfield. Erik ten Hag’s visitors will be hurting from both a dismal early exit from European competition on Tuesday – some feat in the current format – and last season’s historic 7-0 defeat at Liverpool, and whether they possess the quality, mentality or organisation to react as necessary on Sunday is doubtful. It seems ludicrous in hindsight, but United headed to Anfield last season in the ascendancy having won the Carabao Cup the weekend before while Liverpool were faltering. Klopp has since revived his club’s title credentials in one summer. United continue to drift away. AH
9
Foley shoots for the moon
This week Bill Foley celebrated his 79th birthday and his first year in charge of Bournemouth. The American quickly set about shaping the Cherries’ future upon arrival but, far beyond giving the stadium a facelift, hiring Andoni Iraola, investing in the squad and plans for a new, 18,500-capacity, ground, there is a bigger picture at play. Hibernian are set to become the latest addition to his stable of clubs, after he was given approval to build an A-League club in Auckland. Foley, who also owns the Ligue 1 side Lorient, insists the multi-club model – mastered most obviously by the City Football Group – is something that can breed success on the south coast. “If we can put a group of teams together, we can really develop a system of moving players up and down and we would then be punching way above our weight,” Foley said. Ben Fisher
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Do West Ham have a plan B?
Can David Moyes trust his bench? West Ham have a settled starting XI and are comfortable in ninth place despite last weekend’s hammering at Fulham. But their approach can be predictable and Moyes has problems if he wants to shake things up. His reserves have not been good enough. Pablo Fornals, the Spanish midfielder, has dipped since the start of last season. West Ham want to sell the winger Saïd Benrahma in January. Danny Ings, a poor signing from Aston Villa, contributes little in attack as a starter or an impact substitute. The young striker Divin Mubama has not had many chances. But if West Ham are struggling to pick up a win against Wolves on Sunday, what will Moyes do? He did not make a substitution until the 89th minute during his side’s recent 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. JS
