Hits and misses: Maresca’s Man City serve up pure chaos as Gakpo shines

Have Man City evolved into chaos over control?

Man City’s captivating but chaotic 5-3 win over Sunderland could not have been further removed from the picture of control so often associated with City under Pep Guardiola. “We want to control but the other team don’t want to allow us,” Enzo Maresca reflected.

Sunderland made command of the game very difficult, but City equally did themselves no favours.

Maresca had warned of the size of the task pre-match – and so it proved. “I knew how good they are, off the ball very aggressive,” he added, after the Black Cats terrorised the Etihad. Rarely have City conceded so much territory or given up so many chances at home, nor do they often ship three goals.

Why were they so open?

Brian Brobbey served up another masterclass in hold-up play, just as he did against Arsenal last week. Except on this occasion he matched his physical presence with three excellent goals. Every time Brobbey won his duel against Ruben Dias – which was often – there was space to play off.

He was joined in waves of attack by Enzo Le Fee, before Nilson Angulo and Thomas Meunier swiftly arrived from wide. Suddenly City were overloaded. And it happened time after time. Neither Elliot Anderson nor Enzo Fernandez could get to grips with the physical battle, unable to cope when Sunderland pressed man to man or played longer.

City were out-duelled by a substantial amount, outrun too. Brobbey won 10 of the 12 duels he contested and drew a game-high five fouls. He could not be shackled, a clear winner of the tug-of-war.

But fortunately for Maresca, City were able to play Sunderland at their own game for enough of the match to score five times themselves. They picked on mistakes, digging deep to get the job done the anti-Pep way.

Perhaps that should count for something, too.
Laura Hunter

Where would Liverpool be without Gakpo?

In every single Liverpool game he has started this season, Cody Gakpo has produced a golden moment in front of goal.

A goal at Newcastle on the opening weekend, a silky assist against Nottingham Forest, assists for both goals in the win over Ipswich, another one and a goal against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup – but this intervention in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth was the best of the lot.

With Liverpool struggling for attacking influence, Gakpo’s hard-fought run and cross down the right wing was vital in the build-up to Alexader Isak’s winner. “The difficult part of the goal is from him,” said Iraola about Gakpo, who is unfortunate not to be accredited with the assist.

But Gakpo also starred defensively at Bournemouth, winning more duels than any other player on the pitch. He shut down one of the Cherries’ biggest threats. “I know Adrien Truffert very well and he demands a lot from you defensively. Cody has been very important in both ways,” added Iraola.

When Gakpo is absent, Liverpool are not the same team – as seen in the goalless draw with Fulham where the Dutchman was only fit enough for the bench.

Looking at this form, it is absolutely staggering that Liverpool considered sanctioning the sale of Gakpo this summer. Where would they be without him?
Sam Blitz

Are Bournemouth risking a relegation battle?

From the highs of their first win in Europe against Real Sociedad on Thursday to the lows of yet another defeat in the Premier League.

Bournemouth now go into the three-week international break without a win. A sour note to leave on given the joy that followed from their victory in San Sebastian.

Neither side impressed at the Vitality Stadium and for the most part, the Cherries looked the more likely team to go on and snatch three points.

But with Justin Kluivert sidelined through injury and no other changes made from the team in midweek, they just did not have the legs to go one step further in front of goal.

Marco Rose has made just two changes to their Premier League starting XIs this season, the fewest of any side.

That is not sustainable while balancing European football. Rotation is needed to keep this squad fit; otherwise they risk slipping into an unwanted relegation battle this season.
Patrick Rowe

Fulham slowly improving under Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa says Fulham are improving and it is a fair assessment after draws against Liverpool and Man Utd at the end of a testing start in the Premier League.

A third consecutive defeat in early September at home to Crystal Palace heightened concerns Fulham may be in a relegation fight after four trouble-free seasons under Marco Silva, but they have something to build on heading into the international break.

Josh King has been their brightest player across the first five games with two goals and is showing why he is so highly regarded by the club having come through the academy. David Affengruber, an £8.5m summer signing from Elche, shone on debut at centre-back against Liverpool and appears to have dislodged Joachim Andersen for now.

Gonzalo Garcia scored on the opening day of the season following his move from Real Madrid but has managed just two shots on target from 15 so far.

The next six weeks will be pivotal for Arbeloa. He has more time to work with his squad now ahead of fixtures against the three newly-promoted clubs when the season resumes.
David Richardson

Palace showed exactly what they had been missing

Crystal Palace arrived at Elland Road with 11 goals conceded from their opening four Premier League games. They left with a clean sheet and, on balance in the second half, will probably feel they could have taken all three points.

This was a spirited, disciplined performance from Palace. They came out after the break with a completely different mindset and put Leeds under pressure.

Leeds were strangely flat. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was starved of service for long periods and even when the chances did arrive, Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez was there to deny him.

In the end, 0-0 felt like a reflection of two sides who cancelled each other out, but Palace can take far more encouragement from this performance than Leeds can.

For Pierre Sage, though, this is the sort of defensive display he will hope can become the foundation of a turnaround.
William Bitibiri

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