Manchester United thrashed Everton 4-0 at Outdated Trafford on Sunday to seal Ruben Amorim’s first win within the Premier League.
Regardless of the scoreline, Amorim not often regarded glad within the technical space, stomping round and waving his arms in frustration even at 4-0. In comparison with his predecessor Erik ten Hag, the Portuguese coach wears his coronary heart on his sleeve and lives each second of the sport.
His group have but to operate effectively in his 3-4-3 system, regardless of going unbeaten in his first three video games in cost. Amorim says it’s trial and error with gamers he inherited from Ten Hag. He made radical adjustments from the Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt and promised extra.
“Arriving mid-season with so many video games in such a brief area of time, there should not as many alternatives as we’d wish to work on issues collectively on the coaching pitch,” he wrote in his programme notes. “Consequently, there shall be numerous squad rotation in order that the gamers are all both taking part in or studying in coaching.”
United’s opener got here from Bruno Fernandes’s nook teeing up Marcus Rashford unmarked on the sting of the world, along with his volley flying in off Jarrod Branthwaite.
For the second, Branthwaite was pressured into shedding the ball by Amad Diallo, with United sweeping the ball in inside seconds after Bruno crossed for Zirkzee to faucet in.
Everton had kicked off the second half however conceded inside 20 seconds after Jordan Pickford’s punt ahead got here straight again to them. Amad slipped by Rashford, who netted between the England goalkeeper’s legs.
Zirkzee had not scored for the reason that opening day of the season however obtained his second of the day when he completed coolly previous Pickford when United broke, having been defending a nook a couple of seconds earlier.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur have been held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham. Brennan Johnson put the hosts forward, earlier than Tom Cairney got here off the Fulham bench within the 62nd minute, scored the equaliser within the 67ths minute and was then despatched off within the 82nd minute.
03:33 PM GMTFULL TIME: Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 0
Enzo Fernandez won’t ever escape his price ticket, and the reality is that he would possibly by no means come near residing as much as it. The £107 million switch payment is a burden that would perpetually grasp spherical his neck, prompting sneers from rival followers and groans from his personal.
However simply because Fernandez might be not the world-beater that his payment suggests, it doesn’t imply he can’t turn into a helpful and useful member of the Chelsea group over the remaining eight years of his contract. There are actually indicators that, eventually, this course of could also be beginning.
About time? Most likely. Fernandez has been in London for the reason that winter of 2023, in spite of everything. Nonetheless, this can be a case of higher late than by no means for Chelsea, for whom the midfielder impressed once more on this commanding victory over struggling Aston Villa.
Having not scored all season earlier than final weekend, the Argentina worldwide has now struck two objectives in his final two appearances. His end right here was masterfully steered into the nook of Villa’s web, from simply contained in the penalty space, as he appeared to take pleasure in a extra superior attacking function in Enzo Maresca’s group.
That strike signifies that Fernandez has now been concerned in 4 objectives (two objectives, two assists) in his final three league appearances. Having been dropped from the league aspect for 4 consecutive matches — he even fell into the Thursday evening ‘B’ group for a couple of video games — he’s all of the sudden shifting like a key participant once more. He wore the captain’s armband right here.
The racism storm of the summer time, wherein Fernandez issued a grovelling apology to his offended team-mates, should now really feel like a very long time in the past for the Chelsea gamers.
Villa, eight matches with no victory in all competitions, merely couldn’t discover a decisive second corresponding to Fernandez’s objective, Nicolas Jackson’s early opener or Cole Palmer’s beautiful third. Unai Emery’s aspect are in a footballing quagmire, squelching round in growing desperation, and so they regarded susceptible all through this journey to Stamford Bridge.
Maybe most regarding of all for Emery is that his group appeared so visibly anxious. Their build-up play was jittery, punctuated by errors, and so they fluffed the probabilities they did create. Ollie Watkins was significantly wasteful in opposition to a Chelsea defence that offered him with alternatives.
There isn’t a doubt that Chelsea have been deserving winners right here. With Moises Caicedo taking part in as a full-back/midfielder hybrid, and Fernandez and Palmer pushing ahead from midfield, there was a beautiful steadiness to their play. There’s a rising sense that Maresca’s system is bedding into the minds of his gamers, with every man understanding the place to be and when.
03:29 PM GMTFULL TIME: Tottenham 1 Fulham 1
In the long run, the factors have been shared. However Ange Postecoglou, for all his refusal to embrace pragmatism, should marvel how he would possibly impose just a bit consistency on his Spurs aspect. There they have been humiliating Manchester Metropolis final weekend, right here taking part in with little zest, spirit or togetherness. If it have been a Europa League hangover, then the additional exertions of the season should not going to deliver a lot reward.
The very fact is Fulham deserved to win right here. After being mangled at residence by Wolves every week in the past, right here they have been the extra coherent aspect, taking part in with actual conviction. Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi have been a selected menace, whereas a headlong cost of a run by the substitute Harry Wilson in added time was an instance of their counter attacking ambition. A few prolonged strikes, involving a lot of first time touches and flicks, actually ought to have sealed the factors. Had been it not for the 36-year-old Fraser Forster, producing 4 excellent saves on what was his first league sport in 18 months, they could have gained by a distance.
True, after a mistake strewn first half, Spurs took the lead halfway by the second, when Tomi Werner’s scooped cross discovered Brennan Johnson alone and unmarked to fireside residence. However Fulham responded with an excellent equaliser. For the umpteenth time, Robinson and Iwobi mixed earlier than the previous Arsenal man, who, like the opposite three ex-Gunners within the Fulham line-up was booed all through by the house assist, discovered the substitute Tom Cairney. His shot was magnificent. Because it needed to be to beat Forster.
It was not clear why Postecoglou had not began with Dejan Kulusevski, the principal agent of Metropolis’s demolition. However when he got here on, Spurs all of the sudden regarded extra threatening. Certainly, Cairney was despatched off after a prolonged VAR intervention after bringing the Swede down as he swept ahead. Finally it made no distinction, the ten guests held on.
03:27 PM GMTFULL TIME: Man Utd 4 Everton 0
The Amorim period has come alive after their first league win underneath the brand new head coach.
Targets from Rashford and Zirkzee, Amad spectacular, Onana sharp in objective and confidence is constructing at Outdated Trafford.
03:19 PM GMT83mins: Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 0 GOAL
That’s a traditional Cole Palmer objective, bent from the sting of the field into the highest nook. Stunning. Recreation over.
03:14 PM GMTRED CARD: Recreation altering second at Tottenham
After a prolonged VAR intervention, Fulham’s goalscorer Tom Cairney has simply been despatched off for a nasty deal with on Kulusevski.
03:13 PM GMTUnited’s England contingent
Keep in mind there have been no England gamers within the final squad. Now we now have Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire on the pitch, with Kobbie Mainoo subbed off.
The Euros in the summertime was the primary time in 28 years that an England group performed a match match with no United gamers that includes.
03:11 PM GMT‘Villa are pushing’
Villa are pushing right here, as they have to, however the hazard is that it’s leaving loads of area in behind. Cole Palmer has simply run from his personal half into the Villa space, the place his shot was blocked.
Jhon Duran is on for Villa however it’s nonetheless not flowing for them in assault.
03:08 PM GMTEverton followers have seen sufficient
02:59 PM GMT67mins: Tottenham 1 Fulham 1 GOAL
An excellent equaliser for Fulham. Antonee Robinson finds Iwobi, whose crafty move again is smacked into the objective by the substitute Tom Cairney. Not even Forster may do something about that. Deserved for Marco Silva’s aspect. And the supervisor celebrates with gusto.
02:56 PM GMTInjury issues mount for Chelsea
A priority for Chelsea right here: Wesley Fofana has limped off the pitch. He seems very uncomfortable certainly. Benoit Badiashile is on, which implies Chelsea have two left-footers at centre-back.
02:52 PM GMTMaguire returns from damage
02:46 PM GMT54mins: Tottenham 1 Fulham 0 GOAL
Lastly reduction for Spurs. With Fulham wanting ever extra prone to rating, the ball broke upfield. Werner scooped a scrumptious cross into the Fulham space which discovered the lurking Brennan Johnson. His end was as exact and managed as Spurs’ play as much as that time had been sloppy and lacklustre.
02:45 PM GMT‘With out Forster, Fulham could be out of attain’
When Guglielmo Vicario broke his ankle, many a Spurs fan feared what would possibly occur with out his presence between the posts. They needn’t have apprehensive. Already on this second half Fraser Forster has made one other couple of tremendous saves, to go along with the 2 he pulled off within the first half. With out him, Fulham could be out of attain.
02:43 PM GMTMartinez pressured off at half time for Villa as a result of wrist damage
02:40 PM GMT‘Cease exploiting loyalty’
02:36 PM GMTMan Utd 3 Everton 0 GOAL
20 seconds into the second half and United have all however sealed the three factors and it’s Rashford once more.
That’s his third objective underneath Amorim and his sixth objective in eight video games in opposition to Everton.
A phrase too on Amad, who is flourishing underneath the brand new Portuguese head coach.
02:31 PM GMTChaotic at Spurs
“At instances it has been chaotic on the Tottenham Stadium, a mistake strewn comedy of errors. However boy have there been probabilities. Not least James Maddison’s intelligent free kick simply because the half was coming to an finish. Recognizing that the Fulham wall didn’t have a draft excluder participant mendacity behind it, he shot onerous and agency alongside the turf, his shot hitting the submit. Thoughts, if he had scored it will have been harsh on Fulham, who’ve twice obliged Tottenham’s stand in keeper Fraser Forster to make tremendous saves.
“Certainly, the guests have performed the higher attacking soccer of the 2 sides, at instances fast, concise, good. Regardless of his each contact being soundtracked by boos due to his Arsenal historical past, Alex Iwobi has been on the coronary heart of most of their higher moments. However they nonetheless hold making the type of errors on the again which Son, Werner or Johnson will certainly ultimately pounce on. Although earlier than that occurs, it will be no shock to see Dejan Kulusevski introduced on by Ange Postecoglou to deliver a little bit of coherence to the Spurs assault.”
02:22 PM GMTChelsea spectacular
“Spectacular first half from Chelsea, though it has not precisely been managed. Villa nonetheless look harmful on the counter by Ollie Watkins. An end-to-end sport, wherein Villa have been too sloppy, too typically. 2-0 on the break.”
02:22 PM GMTHalf-time scores02:20 PM GMTEverton’s Branthwaite involves United’s assist…
“Jarrad Branthwaite was the topic of bids from Manchester United in the summertime however stayed at Everton. He has given United an enormous serving to hand on this sport with an personal objective, deflecting in Marcus Rashford’s shot, and an error to present Joshua Zirkzee the second objective. It was a good sport till these moments.”
02:15 PM GMTRepeat: Forster denies Fulham
“One other luxurious transfer by Fulham, filled with deft touches and intelligent layoffs, ends with Iwobi smacking a shot from the sting of the world. For the second time in 10 minutes, Forster once more saves brilliantly, pushing the ball on to the bar.”
02:12 PM GMTGOAL! Zirkzee scores for United
Fernandes units it throughout for a straightforward end for Joshua Zirkzee and the primary objective has modified the sport. His first objective since his debut on August 16.
Man Utd 2 Everton 0
02:10 PM GMTGOAL! Chelsea go 2-0 up
“Chelsea have doubled their lead and it has in all probability been coming. Villa have been struggling all sport to comprise them. Palmer’s move finds Fernandez, who takes one contact after which steers a beautiful end into the nook.
“Villa are nonetheless threatening on the different finish however they appear susceptible, once more.”
02:07 PM GMTA tremendous save from Forster and it’s nonetheless 0-0
“A stunning transfer by Fulham sees Jiminez launched as soon as once more behind the Tottenham defence. His shot is exact and heading to the nook of the online. However Forster stretches to make a tremendous save. Nonetheless one way or the other this sport stays goalless.”
02:05 PM GMTGOAL! United are forward
Fernandes takes a nook to Rashford on the sting of the field, he half-volleys in the direction of objective however the ball goes into the again of the online off Jarrad Branthwaite. Personal objective or not? Perhaps, however Amorim’s males are forward.
Man Utd 1 Everton 0
02:02 PM GMTA uncommon sight certainly at Stamford Bridge
“We’ve had one of many nice thrills of soccer: the oblique free-kick contained in the penalty space. It got here after Pau Torres nudged the ball again to Emiliano Martinez, who inexplicably picked it up.
“After about two minutes of plotting, it was Cole Palmer who lastly took the shot for Chelsea from about seven yards. Martinez made an excellent cease.
“… and now Martinez passes straight to Jackson, after which makes one other unimaginable cease to disclaim him. Actually enjoyable sport right here.”
01:59 PM GMTDyche means enterprise
“Sean Dyche has eliminated the jacket – he means enterprise. The Everton supervisor has gone for the tracksuit right this moment, relatively than the white shirt and jacket he’s typically seen in. His bench have been livid at a fast free-kick being blocked and benefit being performed as an alternative of a yellow card. He shall be pleased with the attacking positions his gamers have gotten into however their remaining ball has not been ok to create a transparent opening. “
01:54 PM GMTChances at each ends at Spurs
“How this sport stays goalless is the query of the day. One other woeful Fulham backpass let in Son once more. However once more his shot was saved by Leno. Fulham then go up entrance and, from a nook, have three efforts charged down from a nook. It’s a ping pong of probabilities.”
01:53 PM GMTA lack of ending for each groups thus far
“It might be a hat-trick of 0-0s for Everton right this moment however the opening exchanges suggests there shall be probabilities. Some very promising positions for each groups – Dwight McNeil and Beto responsible of being wasteful for guests, likewise Amad Diallo for United. The ending factors to why these groups are within the backside half of the desk.”
01:49 PM GMTJiminez misses an opportunity for Fulham as Forster saves
“An excellent ball by Iwobi set Jiminez free in behind the Spurs defence. The Mexican took the ball on his chest, however couldn’t deliver it underneath management and Forster was capable of smother the chance. An actual probability for Fulham.”
01:48 PM GMTVilla inflicting Chelsea issues
“It has been an exhilarating begin to this sport and Villa are inflicting issues. Watkins retains operating in behind Chelsea’s excessive line and the house aspect are struggling to handle him. They wanted a tremendous save from Sanchez to disclaim the England striker.”
01:39 PM GMTGOAL! Chelsea are forward
“One other objective for Nicolas Jackson, his fourth in six video games, however a lot of the credit score ought to go to Marc Cucurella right here. It was the Chelsea left-back who snatched the ball on the sting of the field after which performed an correct cross that allowed Jackson to attain.”
Chelsea 1 Aston Villa 0
01:38 PM GMTFour former Arsenal gamers on present
“The house supporters are having fun with themselves loudly booing anybody within the Fulham aspect with an Arsenal connection. Given there are 4 former Gunners on the pitch – Leno, Smith-Rowe, Iwobi and Nelson – there may be loads of booing to be accomplished.”
01:35 PM GMTAmorim’s 3-4-4 system up in opposition to 4-4-2
“Amorim’s 3-4-3 system has gained him trophies at Sporting Lisbon and right here the formation is up in opposition to a straight four-four-f—— two with Sean Dyche establishing Everton with Dwight McNeil as superior as Beto when the guests are with out the ball.”
01:34 PM GMTSpurs are virtually forward early on
“Spurs simply had a gilt-edged invitation to attain inside a minute. Bassey’s horrible misplaced move was picked up by Werner, who fed Son who actually ought to have scored. However Leno made a tremendous save along with his legs.”
01:31 PM GMTKICK OFF!
We’re underneath approach at Outdated Trafford, Stamford Bridge and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
01:28 PM GMTThe up-and-down derby
“The 2 least predictable sides within the Premier League collide right here, each able to glorious, dominant soccer, each able to sinking in disappointment. Oddly, given his match-winning contribution when Spurs hammered Manchester Metropolis final weekend, Dejan Kulusevski is on the Spurs bench.”
01:20 PM GMTDuran, from tremendous sub to plain previous sub
“One of many causes for Villa’s struggles in latest weeks is the drop-off within the type of Jhon Duran, the super-sub at first of the season. Lately, Duran is only a sub.
“He has not scored in his final eight appearances off the bench, having struck 5 in his first eight substitute appearances of the season.”
01:15 PM GMTVilla in ‘a troublesome second’, as they are saying
“Good afternoon from a wet and dank Stamford Bridge, the place Chelsea are searching for one other assertion efficiency. Villa are with no win in seven video games in all competitions and, after a troublesome sport in opposition to Juventus in midweek, they is likely to be there for the taking right this moment.
“Chelsea have truly not gained any of their final 11 league matches in opposition to final season’s prime 4. In different phrases, it’s been a very long time since they beat one of many large boys. Do Villa nonetheless rely as large boys, given their kind? You determine.”
01:14 PM GMTJames unlikely to play earlier than finish of yr
“Reece James will not be anticipated to return from his newest damage setback earlier than the top of December following a as Chelsea put together to assist him by one other bodily and psychological battle.
“Chelsea haven’t put an actual time-frame on James’s return and haven’t confirmed the result of this week’s scan. However it’s understood that James might not return till the brand new yr, relying on how his restoration goes.
“It’s believed that whereas James is once more out with a hamstring damage, his newest downside will not be considered as a recurrence of a earlier damage.”
01:12 PM GMTMike McGrath on the group choices at Outdated Trafford
“Ruben Amorim has put Rasmus Hojlund on the bench regardless of his two objectives in opposition to Bodo Glimt in midweek, with Joshua Zirkzee given his probability. Tyrell Malacia makes approach for Diogo Dalot, Ugarte and Antony are dropped for Casemiro and Amad Diallo. Marcus Rashford replaces Mason Mount, whereas Kobbie Mainoo is again rather than Alejandro Garnacho.
“Six adjustments within the United group and Amorim, writing in his programme notes, has warned to anticipate extra adjustments at first of his tenure.
‘Arriving mid-season with so many video games in such a brief area of time, there should not as many alternatives as we’d wish to work on issues collectively on the coaching pitch,” he wrote. ‘Consequently, there shall be numerous squad rotation in order that the gamers are all both taking part in or studying in coaching.’
“Everton boss Sean Dyche has gone with virtually the identical group as final week’s goalless draw in opposition to Brentford, along with his solely change being Beto coming in for Dominic Calvert-Lewin up entrance.”
01:06 PM GMTSome footage from the protest at Outdated Trafford
12:56 PM GMTNews: Amorim appoints separate coaches to work with defenders, midfielders and strikers
Ruben Amorim has appointed specialised coaches for every key division of his group in a bid to .
The Portuguese coach, 39, has assigned members of his workers to work with defenders, midfielders and forwards in one of many main adjustments on the coaching pitches on the membership’s Carrington HQ.
12:49 PM GMTProtest at Outdated Trafford
“Lots of of Manchester United followers gathered on the “Holy Trinity” statue outdoors the membership megastore to protest at rising ticket costs, with a putting antipathy in the direction of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The protest was with assist of the Soccer Supporters’ Affiliation’s (FSA) marketing campaign, with followers holding a ‘Cease Exploiting Loyalty’ banner forward of the Premier League fixture in opposition to Everton.
Followers sang about constructing a bonfire with Ratcliffe within the center, whereas additionally chanting “Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s a —-”, with Ratcliffe’s 27.7 per cent of United and management of soccer operations clearly seen as an extension of the Glazer’s possession of the membership.
‘The rivalry between these 4 golf equipment has been, and is, fierce. However all of us go to video games, love our membership and wish to hold soccer inexpensive for future generations whereas defending heritage and communities,’ stated a spokesperson for Manchester United fan group FC58.”
12:38 PM GMTChelsea vs Villa groups: Sancho startsChelsea
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.Substitutes: Jorgensen, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga, Gusto, Madueke, Mudryk, Felix, Nkunku
Aston Villa
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Money, Torres, Konsa, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn; Philogene, Watkins, RogersSubstitutes: Diego Carlos, Mings, Barkley, Duran, Buendía, Maatsen, Olsen, Bogarde, Bailey.
12:35 PM GMTSpurs vs Fulham groups: Kulusevski on the benchTottenham Hotspur
Beginning XI: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Werner, Son, JohnsonSubtitutes: Austin, Reguilon, Grey, Bergvall, Kulusevski, Spence, Lankshear, Olusesi, Williams
Fulham
Staring XI: Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Nelson; JimenezSubtitutes: Benda, Wilson, Muniz, Cairney, Traore, Castagne, King, Sessegnon, Amissah
12:33 PM GMTMan Utd vs Everton groups: Zirkzee startsManchester United
Beginning XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Diallo, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Rashford, Zirkzee.Substitutes: Bayindir, Garnacho, Maguire, Malacia, Mount, Shaw, Ugarte, Hojlund, Antony
Everton
Beginning XI: Pickford, Younger, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Gueye, Lindstrom, Ndiaye, McNeil, Beto.Subtitutes: Armstrong, Begovic, Calvert-Lewis, Coleman, Harrison, Mangala, Joao Virginia, O’Brien, Patterson
12:30 PM GMTGood afternoon
Welcome to our protection for the three 1.30pm Premier League kick-offs this Sunday afternoon. They’re: Chelsea vs Aston Villa, Manchester United vs Everton and Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham. Chelsea can transfer again into the highest 4 with victory, although Villa would draw stage with them on factors in the event that they have been to win.
Enzo Maresca’s males are unbeaten in all competitions since a 2-0 loss to Newcastle within the League Cup on the finish of October. In that point they recorded a staggering 8-0 win over Noah within the Europa Convention League.
Spurs are having a so-so season that has been very cold and warm in latest weeks. Their most up-to-date League kind reads: loss, win, loss, win, loss, win. Can they put two wins collectively for the primary time since late September? Their 4-0 win at Man Metropolis was their victory of the season so Ange Postecoglou shall be hoping that can have the ability to supercharge their top-four try. No matter occurs, you can’t say it will likely be a lot of a shock.
The most important sport of the day for curiosity, although, might be Ruben Amorim’s third sport in cost at Manchester United. Since taking up the membership drew away at Ipswich after which needed to come again from 2-1 all the way down to Bodo/Glimt within the Europa League within the week. They did, although, and gained 3-2 for the Portguese head coach’s first win as United supervisor and first win at Outdated Trafford.
Their opponents right this moment, Everton, are hardly in the most effective of kind however that has been the case on the membership for fairly some time now. Just one defeat of their final six league video games, sure, but additionally one victory in that point. In equity, that accounts for seven of their 11 factors in complete this season after 12 video games, so perhaps it’s good kind?
Anyway, the groups are out so we could have these for you in only a second.