Page 37 - Soccer360 Issue 104

ON THE RISE
TOTTENHAM ARE NOT THE ONLY TEAM CATCHING THE EYE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE THIS SEASON. STEPHEN DONOVAN LOOKS AT THE SIDES WHO ARE LOOKING TO FORCE THEIR WAY INTO REGULAR CONTENTION.
Newcastle United is making waves
The depth of quality in the Premier League is stronger than ever, with so many clubs not only attracting world class managers, but confident of battling it out towards the very top. Gone are the days where the traditional top four or latterly the top six are a long way ahead of the rest, and that ensures less margin for error as the stakes are raised even higher every season, with the whole landscape of the English top- flight dazzling with intrigue. In 2022-23 it was Newcastle United who made the most waves as in their first full season since the takeover
by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, they exceeded all expectations to finish fourth to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2004. Their ascent to the upper reaches of the Premier League may have been rapid, but now they are here to stay. Brighton & Hove Albion weren’t far behind, setting the standard for aggressive passing football on their way to sixth, and now everyone expects them to be there or thereabouts. Their prolific start to the new season, scoring 17 goals in their first six games, was just a sign of how
far they’ve come and how they play with absolutely no fear. The phrase ‘risk and reward’ has become overused in football lately, but the Seagulls are a reflection of how successful this approach can be. Both of those sides continue to make progress, but another startling transformation has taken place at Aston Villa. When he took charge of the club in November 2022, Unai Emery was facing the prospect of
a battle to avoid relegation, but now his Villa charges are a formidable force and fancied increasingly by many to gatecrash the top four. Villa’s results under the Spaniard have been
so good that they compare well with the
likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, while they have scored goals in abundance with a heavy metal attack, and broken records with their phenomenal home form. They are doing things that only the best teams tend to do,
and it makes one wonder how high they can go. In 2023-24 at least, they appear to have every chance of claiming a Champions League spot. It all makes the months ahead even more tantalising.
Mohamed Salah (L) of Liverpool and Antonee Robinson (R) of Fulham in action
LONGEST RUN
As of match week 13, Aston Villa have won their last 13 home league games, their longest such run in the top-flight since October 1983 (also 13). Indeed, they’ve now won 14 home games in the Premier League in 2023 – as many as in the previous two calendar years combined.
MULTIPLE OWN-GOALS
Antonee Robinson is the only player to have scored multiple own goals in the Premier League this season (2), and the first Fulham player to do so in a single campaign in the top-flight since Chris Baird in 2011-12 (2).
MULTIPLE OWN-GOALS
As of match week 13, Brentford is the only side Erling Haaland faced in the Premier League, but failed to score against.
He has played against 21 different opponents and scored against 20 of them.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City in action gainst Brentford FC
highly intriguing appointment that was seen by many as something of a risk, but it’s paying off spectacularly. He made an immediate impact, not only by restoring Tottenham to their attacking traditions, but also instilling confidence and optimism throughout the club with his calm public demeanour. And the results could hardly have been better. It’s substance as well as style.
All of that when the feeling around Spurs’ prospects heading into the new season was one
of trepidation. After all, on top of everything else there was the departure of Kane, their iconic record goalscorer, to Bayern Munich at the beginning of August. It was the day that nobody at the club
Son Heung- min has struck up an exciting
partnership in Postecoglou’s side
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