1 Same old defensive woes for United

Manchester United have improved a great deal at the back this season under Erik ten Hag, travelling to face Aston Villa having not conceded from open play for almost 12 hours in all competitions before Sunday’s clash.

Yet, without the injured Raphael Varane, United were carved apart by Villa far too easily – common frailties that have plagued their progress in the post-Alex Ferguson era as the hosts stormed to a 3-1 win in Unai Emery’s first match in charge.

“Today we weren’t on it from the start, especially at the start of the game and we lost our balance,” ten Hag said.

“We didn’t follow the rules defending, and we lost our battles.”

2 City’s gritty side get job done

When Manchester City took an early lead against newly promoted Fulham on Saturday, the visitors would have been fearing the worst.

Out of nowhere, however, Pep Guardiola’s side found themselves reduced to 10 men and pegged back by Fulham after Joao Cancelo was sent off and Andreas Pereira converted the resulting penalty.

What transpired, after that, was a City performance of real grit and determination, as they abandoned their slick passing principles and went more direct.

Their unrelenting display was rewarded as they earned a late penalty, converted by Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland to snatch all three points. Sometimes the very best have to dig deep to get over the line when it really matters.

3 Potter must find magic touch again

Graham Potter went nine games unbeaten after replacing Thomas Tuchel in September but he now finds himself in the grip of a crisis at Stamford Bridge after four league games without a win left his side down in seventh.

Sunday’s 1-0 loss by leaders Arsenal highlighted a chronic lack of spark in his team and the fans were vocalising their disapproval at the final whistle.

Potter will be given time, but he needs a quick turnaround in form and a trip to third-placed Newcastle United in their last game before the World Cup looks fraught with danger.

He needs to conjure some goals from somewhere but, after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s wretched display on Sunday, the Gabon striker hardly looks like providing any comfort any time soon.

Maddison makes England bid

Playmaker James Maddison did everything but score as Leicester City beat Everton 2-0 on Saturday in a bid to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Qatar World Cup.

The 25-year-old had a number of first-half shots and teed up Youri Tielemans for the opener before hitting a post and providing an assist for Harvey Barnes’ late goal as he staked a claim to be the joker in Southgate’s squad.

With former Leicester and England striker Gary Lineker leading the chorus on Twitter calling for his inclusion, Southgate will now have something of a selection headache now that Maddison has shown what he could bring to the party.

REUTERS