Hits & Misses: Who impressed Tuchel on his whistle-stop Premier League tour?


England players star in front of Tuchel

England manager Thomas Tuchel (left) and his assistant Anthony Barry in the stands during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday January 4, 2025.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel (left) and his assistant Anthony Barry watched Tottenham’s home loss to Newcastle

Watching on from the stands at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was England boss Thomas Tuchel.

On his fourth day in the job, the German chose to attend Tottenham vs Newcastle as his first game in charge – before travelling to watch Brighton host Arsenal – and he was not disappointed.

All of Newcastle’s English contingent shone, particularly Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento. The former finished superbly for the visitors’ equaliser and was a constant threat, while the latter put in a fine performance at right-back.

Spurs’ England international Dominic Solanke impressed too with an extremely well-taken goal, while his exceptional work rate and pressing were on display.

Tuchel’s presence had a positive effect in north London and other clubs up and down the country will be hoping his appearances can inspire such positive performances.
Declan Olley

Savinho stars for Man City

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Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United

Manchester City have had to be patient with Savinho since his arrival in the summer, waiting until the final game of 2024 for him to score his first goal for the club, but supporters – and opponents – are now seeing what makes the young Brazilian winger so special.

Pep Guardiola had suggested that Savinho favours the right wing and deployed him there regularly early in the season but it was on the left that he did his best work for Girona. Occupying that space against West Ham, he was the best player on the pitch.

It was Savinho who provided the spark that was needed during an awkward opening for his confidence-hit team in what turned out to be a comfortable enough 4-1 win at the Etihad Stadium. Mohammed Kudus wasted his chances and Savinho punished them.

He caused Vladimir Coufal all manner of problems for the opening two goals, turning him inside-out for the second before crossing for Erling Haaland to score. His assist for the third, setting up the same player, showed that he can pick a pass as well as cross.

There are still issues for Guardiola to address at this club, the need to construct a new team now obvious. But Savinho, 20, has certainly not been responsible for the dramatic dip this season. He looks a clear candidate to be part of City’s next great side.
Adam Bate

Lack of belief costing Chelsea

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Highlights from the Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and Chelsea

When Enzo Maresca says nobody expected Chelsea to be in a race for the title, he’s right. Levi Colwill echoed his manager’s feelings, downplaying their title acumen. Against Crystal Palace, we saw a Chelsea side cede control when they were in charge just like they’ve relented their short-lived title ambitions.

The festive period can prove challenging for most sides but it ended a run of 12 unbeaten as things were beginning to click under Maresca. However, despite being as high as second before their drop-off, both players and manager refused to be drawn about a fight for the title.

Maybe they are not in a hunt for the title but for sure, now Chelsea believe they’re not. The freedom and expression Chelsea were playing with has gone out of the window after seemingly taking their foot off the gas. It seems now they are withering from a lack of belief in themselves, reflected in an abject festive run.
William Bitibiri

Munoz deserves his flowers

It looked as though it was going to be a long afternoon for Daniel Munoz when he and Chris Richards were beaten by Jadon Sancho for Chelsea’s opener. But for the troubles he had defensively he more than made up for going forward.

He dragged Palace up the pitch at times, enjoying some space on the right wing where he could constantly pick out his team-mates with balls into the box.

A lot is made of the threat Crystal Palace pose going forward and plaudits are also given to other members of his defensive line but Munoz is quietly going about his business as one of Palace’s chief performers this term.
William Bitibiri

Depleted Spurs’ season is now trophy or bust

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Highlights from the Premier League clash between Tottenham and Newcastle

Considering Tottenham played the second half with a defence of a third-choice goalkeeper (Brandon Austin), a full-back at centre-half (Djed Spence), a teenager at centre-back (Archie Gray) and a left-back who appeared to have no future at the club last summer (Sergio Reguilon), Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was right to be “proud” of their performance in the 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle.

Injuries and suspensions have heavily disrupted Spurs this season – although there is criticism that Postecoglou’s style of play has contributed to a lengthy injury list.

It meant the Australian, amid a backdrop of sickness among the squad, fielded Tottenham’s youngest starting Premier League line-up (23 years and 336 days) in nearly a decade against Newcastle.

But despite their inexperience, Tottenham gave it a go against the in-form visitors and will feel unlucky not to have taken something out of the game, especially after Newcastle’s controversial opener.

Ultimately, though, it is a 10th league loss of the season that leaves Spurs 12th and 12 points off the top four.

The campaign is now trophy-or-bust with all eyes on Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at home to Liverpool, live on Sky Sports.
Declan Olley

Is Bailey back for Villa?

Leon Bailey ending his run of 19 Premier League games without a goal could arrive at the perfect time.

As highlighted by Villa’s interest in versatile Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen in the January transfer window, production off the right wing has been a problem this season.

Leon Bailey's statistics during the win against Leicester City.
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Leon Bailey’s statistics during the win against Leicester City.

After scoring 10 goals and adding nine assists in the top flight last season, expectations were high for Bailey heading into the current campaign.

It is safe to say he has not lived up to those lofty standards as of yet – but there have been positive signs across the last two outings.

His goal against Leicester can act as a well-needed confidence boost for the Jamaica winger, who could be crucial in firing his team up the table once again.

If Villa can get him back to even half the levels he displayed last season, contributions like today could be crucial come the end of the season.
Patrick Rowe

Form of Brentford’s front three pivotal to any European push

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Highlights of the Premier League clash between Southampton and Brentford

There hadn’t been too much to shout about for Brentford in December. The injuries were starting to pile up and one win from five had slowed the climb towards a comfortable top-10 spot. Their shocking run of form on the road – zero wins from nine – made the trip to Southampton a tougher prospect than it should ordinarily have been.

On paper, at least.

In reality, Thomas Frank’s side used the trip to the south coast to pick up a first away win since May 11 in properly ruthless fashion, with their front three showing just how deadly they can be when they are on song.

Kevin Schade hit a classy opener for his fifth goal of the season and first since December 7, while Yoane Wissa scored his 10th of the season with his eighth shot of the game and the irrepressible Bryan Mbeumo scored two of his own. The latter pair provided an assist each, too.

Between them, the trio have scored over 100 goals for Brentford: Mbeumo (63), Wissa (40), Schade (8). This season, they have contributed 28 of the Bees’ 38 Premier League goals – only Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have scored more.

With an attack as potent as that, should Brentford start to lock things up at the back, a genuine push for Europe might be on.
Dan Long

Symptoms of survival for Leicester

There were symptoms of fight in their battle for survival yet again from Leicester – but it is not enough.

Taking the lead against Liverpool, fighting until the bitter end against Manchester City and now conceding late to Villa.

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Highlights from the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester

It was a resilient performance from the Foxes but it is another game where they walk away empty handed.

Two early results against West Ham and Brighton kick-started the Ruud van Nistelrooy era in impressive fashion but after seeing points dry up, despite their performances arguably improving, it is clear to see that reinforcements will be needed if they want to stand any chance of surviving.
Patrick Rowe

Kerkez cuts through Everton to deliver Dyche blow

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Highlights from the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Everton

When they’re not keeping clean sheets, Everton aren’t winning football matches. That has been the way under Sean Dyche throughout almost the entirety of his reign. A 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, their first of the campaign, was a rare example of his side being able to do things the hard way.

From the moment David Brooks cushioned his volley into the far corner of Jordan Pickford’s net, the writing was on the wall. Another trip to the Vitality Stadium, another pointless excursion. Everton’s inability to win here in the league predates Dyche, but their failings on show were in keeping with the current incumbent’s faltering reign.

Dyche could make a case for a job well done in his first full season in charge given the off-field distractions. The noise. But now with a better squad, and with new owners above him, he is feeling the January chill.

Dyche’s side look increasingly like being drawn into a relegation fight as they failed to produce a shot on target in 90 minutes. It is now one goal scored in their last five matches.

Kerkez was the standout performer for Bournemouth
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Kerkez was the standout performer for Bournemouth

Their inability to trouble their hosts was made to look almost comical by the ease with which Bournemouth cut through them again and again, and another assured display made it five wins in eight for Andoni Iraola’s side.

The winning goal encapsulated everything Everton were not. Milos Kerkez sent a finely-calibrated cross into the box where it arrived at the perfect height for David Brooks to skip into the air and, with the kind of confidence that his team’s brilliant season so far imbues, volleyed beyond Pickford into the far corner.

It is easy to see why Jamie Carragher is so keen for the Hungarian to join Liverpool. The 21-year-old excelled once again at left-back and should he continue to trust in his ability, he will have the pick of Europe’s elite clubs. Something which cannot be said for the eight members of Everton’s squad who are currently out of contract in the summer.
Ben Grounds



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