Premier League hits and misses: Wilfried Zaha reminds admirers of his quality; Thomas Tuchel under pressure as Chelsea stutter | Football News

Sensational Zaha reminds admirers of his quality ahead of Deadline Day

Thomas Frank described it as “unbelievable magic” and it certainly felt like Wilfried Zaha was the only player on the pitch at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night capable of scoring his opening goal.

Aaron Hickey had been excellent in the first half, restricting Palace’s fit-again talisman and twice blocking his shots at goal. But the right-back only had to give Zaha an inch of space on the edge of the box to be punished on the hour mark.

It was Zaha’s 13th Premier League goal of 2022 and fourth goal in four appearances this season. It’s no wonder Chelsea and Arsenal have been linked with a late move for him, especially as his Palace contract expires at the end of the season.

Afterwards, Zaha couldn’t hide his frustration at Brentford’s late equaliser but insisted he was fully focused on Palace, describing the club as a family.

Those bonds could be tested in the coming days if a sizeable offer comes in – and on current form, Palace’s London rivals may struggle to recruit a more dangerous forward.
Peter Smith

Fulham have stomach for survival fight

The noise inside Craven Cottage told you all you needed to know. Fulham deserved this victory, but in the Premier League you’ve got to earn them – and that’s exactly what Marco Silva’s side did.

The relief at full-time was proof that after their recent struggles in the top flight, this fanbase, this group of players will never take a Premier League victory for granted, even when they are worthy winners like this occasion.

Fulham managed the game superbly. Their energetic, fluid attacking start stifled Brighton, while their combative approach to the frantic final few minutes got them over the line to this crucial second victory of the campaign.

Silva has got this part of west London dreaming big, and those aspirations are epitomised by striker Aleksandar Mitrovic firing on all cylinders wherever he’s needed on the pitch, be that in the opposition box or defending his own.

Mitrovic’s performance received glowing praise from his manager, but Silva deserves credit too. He’s got Fulham fighting and, make no mistake about it, they are going to make a right fist of staying in the Premier League time around.
Jack Wilkinson

Brighton must address lack of firepower

When Brighton released their starting line-up to face Fulham at Craven Cottage, it was tricky to figure out who would be leading the line in place of the rested Danny Welbeck. Leandro Trossard as a false nine? Pascal Gross as a midfielder-cum-striker?

In fact, the answer was nobody. Trossard spent most of the game on the left flank, while Gross was needed in central midfield. Remarkably, Opta’s average positions showed Solly March as Brighton’s most advanced player.

Little wonder they offered so little threat in Fulham’s box.

Welbeck was able to provide more of a focal point after coming on in the second half. He has impressed so far this season. But Brighton cannot rely on someone with his injury history. They needed more firepower even before Neal Maupay was sold to Everton.

This game only served to highlight that need. Beyond Welbeck, Brighton’s only striking options are Deniz Undav, a 26-year-old with only one season of top-flight football behind him, for Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, and untested teenagers Julio Enciso and Evan Ferguson.

Brighton’s outstanding start to the season has taken the focus away from that lack of depth but the trip to Craven Cottage exposed it. The club must act to change it before Thursday’s deadline.
Nick Wright

Southampton signings justifying strategy

Twenty minutes to go in Southampton’s first home game of the season and they were two goals down to Leeds United having also lost 4-1 at Tottenham on the opening weekend. Many felt that Ralph Hasenhuttl was a man on the brink at that point.

But not only did Saints salvage a point that day but they have gone on to take six points from nine in three games against last season’s top eight. Their come-from-behind 2-1 win against Chelsea at St Mary’s was the most impressive performance yet.

What will satisfy supporters most is that some of the new signings have settled so quickly and look like fantastic acquisitions already. Romeo Lavia went off injured on Tuesday but only after scoring a stunning equaliser to underline his fine start at the club.

If there is anyone who has outshone the 18-year-old Lavia, it is Armel Bella-Kotchap. He is a 20-year-old centre-back signed from Bochum and looks to have serious potential. The pair cost less than £20m in the summer and it is easy to see that value rising and rising.

Southampton’s strategy is focused on developing younger talent but the fear was that they might be courting relegation in doing so. After that alarming start, any concerns are receding. Hasenhuttl has a team packed with talent. It is fun again at St Mary’s.
Adam Bate

Tuchel under pressure as Chelsea stutter

Chelsea’s season is going in the other direction right now. They were seconds away from following up an opening weekend win over Everton with a deserved victory against Tottenham but Harry Kane’s late goal has proved the prelude to a dramatic shift in mood.

After being well beaten at Leeds, Thomas Tuchel’s side have now lost their next away game too with the players facing accusations of being weak by their own manager. “Just toughen up as a team and show a different mentality,” he said of the defeat at St Mary’s.

Easier said than done, it seems. For much of Tuchel’s time at Chelsea, his team looked solid but no more. No clean sheets in four tells only part of the tale. They look so open right now. The switch to a back four does not seem to suit them and the injuries are mounting.

That is a short-term issue and the impending arrival of Wesley Fofana should help too. But with the attack little better – only Raheem Sterling has found the net in the last three games – and a gap to their rivals already opening up, Tuchel is under some pressure now.
Adam Bate