2 SEASON AND 30 YEARS
Since the start of the 2022-2023 season, that is, only 2 seasons and 2 matches this season, MU has lost 6 matches because of conceding goals after the 90th minute, more than any other team in the Premier League, and 3 times more than the number of such losses they had in the previous 30 years. In the last 14 away matches in the Premier League, MU not only did not know the taste of victory but also lost almost completely (2 draws, 12 losses). Since Brighton first appeared in the Premier League (2017-2018 season), only Man.City has won more matches against MU than Brighton in this arena.
Casemiro was heavily criticized after MU lost to Brighton
That means: MU probably couldn’t overcome the fear that they might lose again. They had to play away, and the opponent last Saturday night was Brighton – a team that, although not very famous, “specializes in beating MU”. And MU had to lose, even when the match had entered the 5th minute of injury time! Completely opposite to MU’s own strength in the past, that sooner or later MU would win. There was the image of Sir Alex looking at his watch. There was the historic comeback in the 1999 Champions League final…
In the 1-2 loss to Brighton, MU pulled the entire squad back to the penalty area to defend. However, Joao Pedro still had a lot of space. Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez in the MU defense could only stand and watch. In fact, in most of Brighton’s attacks, they had players who comfortably received the ball because they were not marked. Without needing coach Ten Hag to analyze, the audience could see how “amateurish” MU players were in defense. The problem here is: is it the players’ fault or the coach’s? Coach Ten Hag’s substitutions are also a topic worth discussing. He brought in Scott McTominay to replace Bruno Fernandes while Casemiro was the one who “ran out of breath”. And it was not necessary to bring in De Ligt to replace Harry Maguire. In the last 15 minutes, Brighton attacked as if they knew they were about to win.
BRED JERSEY FOR EVERTON
Another traditionally respected name, Everton, is also in a bad situation. This is the first time in history that Everton have lost their first two games by three or more goals (0-3 against Brighton and 0-4 against Tottenham). Everton have only had one accurate shot in each game. This is Everton’s last season at Goodison Park. Next season, they will have a new stadium, Bramley-Moore Dock, and it would be a shame if Everton (currently bottom of the table) had to open the new stadium while being relegated.
Arsenal still won to keep up with Man.City in the race between the championship candidates. Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick to help Man.City beat Ipswich 4-1 very easily. On average, Haaland needs less than 10 matches for each hat-trick in the Premier League. In total, this was the 24-year-old striker’s 23rd hat-trick. In the 2-0 victory at formidable opponent Aston Villa, Leandro Trossard once again showed that he is a goal-scoring specialist for Arsenal in big matches. Last season, Trossard scored against Man.City, Chelsea, Liverpool, MU, Porto, Bayern Munich. Now, although it was not the deciding goal, Trossard’s opening goal completely changed the situation of the match.
Despite not scoring, Max Kilman still shone as Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham won 2-0 at Crystal Palace. Kilman’s excellent passing will be a formidable weapon for West Ham this season.