Will Alexander Isak fire Newcastle into the Champions League? – Premier League hits and misses | Football News

Will returning Isak fire Newcastle to the Champions League?

One wonders how a lot increased up the desk Newcastle United could be proper now had Alexander Isak been match for the entire season?

The Sweden striker, purchased for £63m from Real Sociedad final summer season, scored on his debut at Liverpool in August, solely to then endure a severe hamstring tear simply as he was settling in at St James’ Park.

That harm sidelined Isak for the remainder of 2022, with the ahead lacking 16 video games in complete, earlier than he lastly returned in January.

However, since regaining full health, the 23-yr-previous has begun to indicate the kind of type we had been seeing from him earlier than his layoff, and after Friday’s night time double at the City Ground, he has 4 targets in his final two matches for the membership.

His supervisor Eddie Howe now appears to have determined to go along with Isak forward of trusted frontman Callum Wilson for the run-in, and you’ll be able to see why given his spectacular scoring charge for the Magpies.

Isak has now scored six Premier League targets in simply 10 appearances for the membership this season at a formidable charge of a purpose each 115 minutes.
Richard Morgan

Leicester present their high quality in second-half turnaround

The writing appeared to be on the wall for the guests in west London. Leicester’s first-half efficiency had exhibited their latest points: an absence of innovative in assault and uncertainty at the again.

But an exquisite group purpose for the equaliser early in the second half was a reminder of the high quality on this squad. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was good in midfield, holding off challenges, James Maddison did what he does greatest in the pocket, feeding a by means of move into the field, and Harvey Barnes was dynamic and then lethal together with his end.

Brendan Rodgers threw each arms up into the sky in delight and in aid. It was the form of transfer he relishes.

The purpose breathed confidence again into his group and, whereas there was no winner, which might have considerably boosted their standing in the relegation struggle, they denied Brentford a shot heading in the right direction in the second half to safe the outcome. This will go down as a optimistic step for a facet absolutely too good to go down.
Peter Smith

Brentford have raised expectations

Brentford have gone unbeaten in 10 Premier League house video games in a row. They are degree on factors with seventh-positioned Brighton in the race for Europe. Yet the feeling at full-time of their draw with Leicester was considered one of frustration. That’s a mark of how Thomas Frank has raised the requirements for this facet.

Brentford haven’t gained a sport they’ve had extra possession on this season and once more on Saturday they had been unable to show their additional time on the ball into victory. Frank admitted afterwards his ahead gamers had didn’t fire and maybe that leads onto questions on the creativity behind them.

But in the first half they induced chaos in the Leicester field with their direct play and maybe the second-half drop-off could be attributed partially to the exertions in midweek.

Frank appeared drained in his publish-match press convention and possibly the worldwide break has come at a superb time for Brentford, offering the probability to refresh their minds and our bodies for the ultimate 11-sport push, the place they are going to hope to a minimum of consolidate their excessive league place.

“Yes and no, because I know what this group of players are capable of,” stated Frank when requested if his group had been exceeding expectations. He and his group are ambitions however in the larger perspective, Brentford’s great season must be appreciated.
Peter Smith

Bournemouth’s delicate underbelly uncovered

Confidence would have been excessive amongst the Bournemouth squad after spectacular performances in opposition to Arsenal and Liverpool. They are nonetheless very a lot in with an opportunity of surviving relegation – however defeat at Aston Villa will likely be bruising.

They had been undone by a sluggish begin to the sport – Douglas Luiz scoring inside seven minutes – and an absence of focus in the ultimate quarter of an hour as Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendia wrapped issues up for Villa.

But for the bits in between, Bournemouth typically matched an Aston Villa facet wanting up somewhat than down. The house defence wanted to be sharp and made some essential interceptions, whereas Emi Martinez’s very good save from Philip Billing’s free-kick served a well timed reminder of his World Cup-winning pedigree.

Aston Villa merely appeared like a top quality, slicker group and they punished Bournemouth for his or her errors. The Cherries’ defending from set-items in significantly definitely left so much to be desired at occasions.

While the large outcomes and wins are essential – in addition to core recollections for followers – it’s the weekly grind of journeys to groups like Aston Villa or Brentford, for instance, that may make or break a season. You need to carry out in every of them to have any probability of survival.

While Bournemouth’s delicate underbelly was definitely uncovered at Villa Park, they confirmed they do have the high quality to remain up. They should now put these positives to good use.
Charlotte Marsh

Gnonto again in the group and having an affect

Wilfried Gnonto was dropped to the bench for the video games in opposition to Chelsea and Brighton however having been restored to the beginning line-up he was a distinction maker for Leeds of their 4-2 win in opposition to Wolves. It was Gnonto who arrange the opening purpose for Jack Harrison.

His cross made Harrison’s activity pretty simple and it was the third time that the winger had troubled Wolves regardless of the purpose coming in solely the sixth minute of the match. Allowed to isolate his marker, the Italy worldwide is an actual weapon for Leeds.

That freedom has not at all times been there for Gnonto. It had change into so apparent that the group had been reliant on him to create that he was receiving loads of consideration. Perhaps these two video games out of the group helped as a result of Wolves weren’t able to cope with him.
Adam Bate

Wolves should deal with their very own errors

Julen Lopetegui pointed to the choice to not award Wolves a penalty for a foul by Junio Firpo on Nelson Semedo that even injured the proper-again and was left simply as baffled that the referee didn’t overturn Leeds’ fourth purpose regardless of being requested to go to the monitor.

The shirt tug on Adama Traore was clear and with this frustration coming so quickly after the non-award of a penalty for Nick Pope’s foul on Raul Jimenez at Newcastle, Lopetegui most likely has a good declare when he says that the margins are going in opposition to his facet.

However, it’s their very own failings somewhat than these of the officers that must be an even bigger concern for the Spaniard. Wolves had sufficient openings in opposition to Leeds to get one thing from this sport regardless of conceding 4 at the different finish however nonetheless lack a innovative.

They scored two, a 41-yard lob and a deflected shot, however it was the misses that may linger – Raul Jimenez failing to seek out the internet from inside the six-yard field, Pablo Sarabia passing extensive with the purpose gaping. It has been happening too lengthy now to count on it to show.

Such wastefulness means Wolves have to be strong defensively to win matches – the majority of their wins this season have been 1-0. But as soon as Craig Dawson was substituted, organisation at the again was missing. Bad in each containers. It is a mixture that dangers relegation.
Adam Bate