
Did Arteta get it proper at Everton?
Mikel Arteta’s priorities may very well be seen in his group choice in opposition to Everton. With Liverpool successfully out of sight on the high of the Premier League, the journey to Goodison Park was used as preparation for Tuesday’s all-important Champions League quarter-final first leg in opposition to Actual Madrid, who misplaced 2-1 at residence to Valencia on Saturday.
There have been 5 modifications from the 2-1 win over Fulham. Thomas Partey was given a breather as an unused substitute, whereas Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard have been solely used off the bench to preserve their power. Bukayo Saka, in the meantime, continued to construct in direction of a begin, approaching at half-time after a 30-minute cameo on his comeback in midweek.
Arsenal, rocked by information of Gabriel Magalhaes’ season-ending hamstring harm in that recreation, may a minimum of name on Ben White, who bought by 60 minutes on solely his second begin since November having recovered from a niggle, and Jurrien Timber, who changed him having shaken off a knock to his knee.
There was a begin for Jakub Kiwior alongside William Saliba. The Poland worldwide got here on for Gabriel in opposition to Fulham and appears most definitely to begin as Arsenal’s left-sided centre-back in opposition to Actual Madrid following an assured show at Goodison Park which featured some eye-catching passes.
However White and Timber’s availability means Kiwior isn’t Arteta’s solely choice. “We’ve options there,” he mentioned, including that he’ll “assess the most suitable choice for the again line” within the coming days. Saturday’s draw, nevertheless irritating, will assist inform his alternative.
Nick Wright
Ndiaye’s return boosts Everton
Everton’s penalty in opposition to Arsenal was contentious, with Mikel Arteta insisting it was the inaccurate choice to penalise Myles Lewis-Skelly, however Iliman Ndiaye definitely took it nicely.
The 25-year-old was making his first begin for Everton since February following a knee harm and his coolly-converted spot-kick ensured it was a decisive return to motion.
Ndiaye brings aptitude to a practical ahead line and David Moyes was delighted to see him again. “We missed him,” he mentioned afterwards. His purpose took him to seven within the Premier League this season, making him their outright high scorer and underlining his significance.
Nick Wright
Plucky Palace ok for Europe?
Crystal Palace finishing a league double over Brighton for the primary time since 1932-33 – and for the primary time ever within the high flight – will please Oliver Glasner no finish. However what’s going to thrill the supervisor most is how strongly his facet are ending a marketing campaign that began so bitterly.
Palace have now gained three residence video games on the bounce for the primary time since Might 2024, regardless of happening to 9 gamers in a carnival environment at Selhurst Park. They confirmed grit and stubbornness to guard their lead, whereas Dean Henderson pulled off two excellent saves – one in every half.
That is the bones of an excellent group. One which has a very stable backbone with the required sprinkling of stardust. Adam Wharton pulls the strings in midfield, Eberechi Eze torments defenders with each dribble and Jean-Philippe Mateta scores for enjoyable. Mateta and Eze have assisted one another to attain 12 targets within the Premier League.
And with an FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Aston Villa to come back later this month, this might but be a really particular, very memorable season certainly for the resurgent Londoners. Who is aware of, possibly a run at Europe is on the playing cards in spite of everything?
Laura Hunter
Worldwide break stalls Brighton momentum
The worldwide break got here on the fallacious time for Brighton. Forward of it, Fabian Hurzeler’s facet have been on a run of seven with out defeat and had lifted themselves again into the dialog for the European spots after navigating by a tough winter.
Since, Brighton have crashed out of the FA Cup and suffered back-to-back league defeats to stall their European ambitions.
That is been the season-long story for Fabian Hurzeler, a primary season tinged by inconsistency, glimpses of promise adopted by underwhelming runs. Accidents to key personnel have not helped his trigger however Hurzeler has endured a baptism of fireplace within the 32-year-old’s first season within the top-flight.
William Bitibiri
Dwelling discomforts for Ipswich
Newly promoted golf equipment have to make their residence floor a fortress to outlive. That has been one of many massive failings of Ipswich’s return to the Premier League. They’ve made Portman Street a welcoming place for visiting groups. Taking simply seven factors from their 16 video games in entrance of their very own followers has been the bedrock of their abysmal season.
Only one win – in opposition to Chelsea – has left the Portman Street trustworthy in need of cheer. It has been a tricky slog watching Kieran McKenna’s group this season. They do a number of issues proper however recreation administration and with the ability to grind out outcomes has proved an enormous downside. Ipswich have managed to take the lead in 15 matches, together with in opposition to Wolves, this season however have gained simply 4 of these video games. The Championship beckons.
Lewis Jones
Pereira has been excellent for Wolves
The Wolves hierarchy have taken an enormous quantity of stick this season – and rightly so for a few of their choice making. Nonetheless, when the chips have been down they usually wanted to make a season-defining name they bought the Vitor Pereira appointment spot on.
Throughout the final 15 video games within the Premier League, if simply analysing factors gained, Wolves can be ninth within the desk having taken 23 factors in that interval. The ten factors taken throughout their final 4 video games have been achieved with out Mathues Cunha, too. That is an indication of a really achieved supervisor to search out options to issues. Wolves are in good fingers.
Lewis Jones
In-form Evanilson key to Cherries ending season on a excessive
If Bournemouth are to have any probability of creating a late cost for Europe, then the fit-again Evanilson’s targets shall be key to these hopes, because the Brazilian confirmed on the London Stadium.
With out injured strike companion Justin Kluivert within the capital, the onus was very a lot on Evanilson to be the guests’ attacking spearhead and the striker responded with a well-taken double to earn Andoni Iraola’s facet a degree that retains them in with a slim probability of European soccer subsequent season.
These two targets imply Evanilson has now scored 4 occasions in his final 4 Premier League appearances, having netted only one in his earlier 10, together with his supervisor hoping the ahead can keep sharp in entrance of purpose within the closing weeks to get the Cherries again to successful methods and transferring up the desk.
“Evanilson is in nice type, the time he was out with a foot harm means he can end the season sturdy, good for us to have him in a superb second,” mentioned Iraola after the match.
Wealthy Morgan