Ruud Van Nistelrooy sees scale of Leicester task as Newcastle miss spark to launch top-four challenge – Premier League hits and misses | Football News

Schade’s treble shows Van Nistelro what he’s taking on

The victory for Thomas Frank’s side helped Brentford return to winning ways after last week’s goalless draw at Everton, with four goals on Saturday taking their tally for the season to 26 after 13 games.

Leicester, on the other hand, need a big lift. Some supporters turned on their club until the end, chanting “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” at the director of football. Many of those stooped faces kept their distance from the away section :

What would Ruud van Nistelrooy do for a player of Kevin Schade’s ability in front of goal? The former Manchester United striker was present in west London, but the Dutchman will now be under no illusions about the enormity of his task of keeping the Foxes at bay when he makes his first appearance at home to West Ham on Tuesday.

Brentford have had a relatively good run at home, but the way most teams have simply been dispatched here is a testament to the work Thomas Frank continues to do.

There is unity and strength as the Bees boss led a lap of appreciation at full-time, sorely lacking in the fractured Leicester ranks as they scattered down the tunnel and into the night.

Van Nistelrooy did not enter the dressing room afterwards, but he will have few words for his new group of players when they meet on the pitch on Sunday morning as they face the challenge of somehow retaining their Premier League status.
Ben Grounds

Does Damsgaard dancing deserve more accolades?

Schade may grab the headlines, but Mikel Damsgaard was instrumental in Brentford’s sixth home win of the season.

“I thought he was unbelievable today,” Thomas Frank said afterwards.

“He’s in a really good spot and a big reason why we’re creating so many chances. He’s just got to keep pushing, keep adding layers.”

Asked if he thought his compatriot was among the best players in the Premier League this season, Frank paused before adding: “It’s a big call. I want to see more.

“He danced very nicely one summer and now he’s showing that he can actually do it for more than one summer. But I’d love to see it through the season.”

You’d expect nothing less from the Brentford manager to raise standards further.Injuries and setbacks have made Damsgaard a dangerous competitor with his tough mentality, not just his balletic feet.

Frank “hit his Danish heart” when told that Damsgaard would receive more plaudits if he were Spanish, but he won’t go under the radar for long if he continues to pull the strings at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Ben Grounds

Munoz goes from zero to hero

How did Munoz fail to convert from close range at the end of his goal-scoring, devastating counter-attack against Crystal Palace in the first half? He looked up in agony after Dan Byrne somehow blocked his shot for an unguarded goal in the second half, but what a way to finally get your first Palace goal.

The header was the most difficult chance of the lot, but it was handled superbly by the defender, rising to tap the ball past Nick Pope at the near post.

Munoz has rightly been praised for his performances in a Palace shirt since joining the club in January, but this was his most outstanding and important moment so far. that they are trying to get themselves out of this situation.
Pete Smith

Newcastle lack the spark to launch a top-four challenge

Newcastle’s run of three wins before the international break suggested they were back on track for a good season, but as the Premier League suffered a shock defeat at home to struggling West Ham and this latest draw at Palace dampened their optimism.

A win at Selhurst would have put them in the top four but instead they are back in mid-table.The table is tight but Liverpool are next and Newcastle do not look like a team ready to charge for the Champions League places.

They managed just one shot against relegation-threatened Palace and were lucky not to concede more than that late goal. Isak’s injury adds to the problems of Howe, whose team is now lacking spark.
Pete Smith

Is there no Solanke? No problem.

“He doesn’t speak the language but he understands football,” Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said of Evanilsson after the 4-2 win against Wolves.

Evanilsson didn’t register against Wolves, but his fingerprints were all over the win.

The Brazilian forward raced between the lines to win the first penalty and used the same acceleration to set up Jose Sai on two separate occasions to win two more.

Three penalties. Three goals for Justin Kluivert. Three points.

Iraola continued. “I would like to give credit to Evanilson, he made the difference today. He created chances and made it difficult for them. His work without the ball gives us a lot.”

It wasn’t just his work rate that impressed on the afternoon.His footwork looked solid, his runs were smart and he was a threat in front of goal too.

Any questions about whether he can replace Dominic Solanke are now being answered.Bournemouth have their future striker and the exciting talent around him to go with it.
Patrick Rowe

The wolves’ woes continue

It was a disastrous afternoon for Wolves and Gary O’Neill against his former team.

A four-game unbeaten run and consecutive wins provided a promising foundation for the hosts to build on in this match, but their defensive problems reared their ugly head again.

Wolves have now been involved in 54 goals including both for and against, the most of any side in the Premier League.

The attack is not the problem. They have scored more goals than Arsenal, Aston Villa and as many as Manchester City, but the defense is crippling this side.

32 goals conceded and counted, seven more than bottom-of-the-table Southampton, and their weaknesses were exploited again today.

Evanilsson wreaked havoc between Totti and makeshift centre-back Mario Lemina and the horses had already turned when Craig Dawson came off the bench.

That made it three penalties in the game, but even if it hadn’t, it looked as if Bournemouth could cut their opponents open at will today.

The Wolves need to fix their defensive issues quickly or they will be in deep, deep trouble come the end of the season.
Patrick Rowe

Aina impresses as Forrest reverts to their steely selves

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo urged his side to “go back to basics” ahead of the game against Ipswich, and they certainly did in their 1-0 home win over Tractor Boys.

Forest returned to their steely self as they bounced back from their previous two disappointing defeats in which they conceded six goals.

Key to the victory over Ipswich was right-back Ola Aina, who made a crucial goal-line clearance in the first half, while no Forest player took more shots, won more tackles or made more interceptions than the Nigerian international in the win.

The 28-year-old is under contract until the end of the season and Forest will be even more desperate to extend his stay at the City Ground.

Aina’s strong display was matched by his fellow defenders as Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo were central defenders, while left-back Neko Williams did well alongside the dangerous Omari Hutchinson.

Behind them, goalkeeper Mats Sels made a fine save to deny Hutchinson.

The goal scored against Ipswich this season is the fifth in the Premier League. only leaders Liverpool have more (6).

Forest have regained their composure at the perfect time too, with a tough run of games ahead as they travel to Manchester City and Manchester United before hosting Aston Villa.

The basics are back to Nuno’s delight.
Declan Ollie