That made for a wild weekend of action in the Premier League. It was a cocktail of great performances that shined bright, and some counterproductive performances that disappointed. Notably, Moises Caicedo earned acclaim for his exceptional skills, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggled to make an impact for Leeds United. This weekend served as an unfortunate reminder of Nottingham Forest’s issues with defensive set-piece situations. More importantly, it raised the alarm on frustrations faced by many other teams.
And the man supposed to be Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s heir in the Leeds attack looked as out to sea again as he has most of the fall. His one clear chance came from a deflected long range shot that went wide, leaving fans and analysts wondering what had happened to his form. This performance encapsulated Leeds’ struggles, as they managed to convert only six percent of their shots in October, a stark contrast to their opponents’ 23 percent conversion rate.
Nottingham Forest’s defense came under fire for their poor ID on set pieces. The team allowed 16 goals from set-piece situations in 2025, highlighting one of the most important aspects they must focus on heading into next year. The match provided some of the most thrilling highlights of the tournament. Maybe set-pieces are the key to beating a side like Tottenham, who have been weak from that situation recently.
Caicedo’s Standout Performance
Amid the chaos of the weekend’s matches, Moises Caicedo emerged as a beacon of talent, with pundit Jamie Redknapp labeling him “world class, perhaps the best of his type in world football.” His stunning play cemented his legacy. He not only won the fullback duel, but was the key to his team’s success in that tight match.
Arteta beamed about Caicedo’s remarkable impact. He underscored his high press, positioning and touch along with his ability to create threats and connect play that helped the union transition efficiently in dangerous moments.
The loss of Caicedo’s impact was evident for the rest underlined by the subsequent inevitable slide for the rest. His range of passing and interception ability coming from outside the midfield was crucial. Teams are confronting the cruel reality of a grueling Premier League season. Artists like Caicedo are putting on display just what the combination of craft and engine can do.
Leeds’ Offensive Dilemmas
Offensively, Leeds United were just as terrible Calvert-Lewin as usual, showing he might be the worst striker in England. His performance sent up red flags for fans and analysts across the board. The forward made a spectacular effort from 25 yards, giving Leeds a slight flicker of hope. Sadly, the shot sailed past the goal mouth.
Both Brendon Aaronson and Noah Okafor couldn’t replicate the menacing shape that they showed just a few weeks ago over West Ham. Their reluctance or lack of ability to break down defenses helped lead to Leeds’ poor offensive output during October.
Leeds seem hell bent on resolving their striking issues. As the opportunities increase, so does the pressure on Calvert-Lewin and his fellow attackers to start converting those opportunities into goals. Unless they find a better way to answer these questions, dangerous waters lie ahead for their campaign. After all, they’re doing this in Britain’s most competitive football league.
Nottingham Forest’s Set-Piece Struggles
Nottingham Forest’s defensive frailties reared their ugly head once again as they conceded three set-piece goals. In their most recent trip, Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona led a complete takeover of the game immediately after halftime. They took advantage of the immobile nature of Forest’s defense. The Brazilian was allowed too much time and distance to jump and head in an important first goal.
The problems defending set pieces have been a running theme for Nottingham Forest this year. Their shocking number of 16 goals allowed from set-piece situations should all but ensure instant remedial coaching coming in hot. Coach Amorim lamented his team’s lack of energy away from home, stating they “need to work on bringing the same away from home.”
As they look ahead to future matches, addressing these weaknesses will be pivotal for Nottingham Forest if they hope to climb the league table. Their priority as a squad clearly needs to be working on their set-piece defence and majorly improving the team’s overall cohesion.
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