In an intense weekend of Premier League action, Everton demonstrated a marked improvement under manager David Moyes, while Wolverhampton Wanderers found themselves in dire straits. Tottenham Hotspur took another home loss, their winless run continuing at home, and Chelsea finally flexed their muscles, putting the hammer down on Wolves. With the season progressing, several clubs are starting to feel the pressure as they navigate potential relegation battles.
Everton’s domineering display over their outclassed opponents was the kind of performance that reasserts a galaxy-level player’s ability to boss a game. Under Moyes’ stewardship, the squad has shown resolve that people thought died with Fergie. Tottenham’s recent match ended in disappointment as Matthijs de Ligt’s 96th-minute equaliser extended Spurs’ winless home run in the competition to five games, raising concerns about their aspirations for a Champions League spot.
Everton’s Statement of Intent
Everton’s win at Chelsea highlighted a team that is increasingly finding its belief again. Michael Keane’s last-gasp header gave the team three vital points. More importantly, it highlighted the growing assurance in the side under the stewardship of Moyes. This time around, the players displayed the level of control that was sorely missing from their previous games. This newly found tranquility may prove to be key, as they look to escape the bottom three.
What has impressed most is how Moyes has given a real sense of discipline and tactical awareness into the players. This comeback comes at an important time of the season, where every point starts to matter tremendously. Everton did have their problems in the early going this season. With a string of lost bids behind them, this win may very well be the turning point the club needs.
The battle to stay alive is just as combative in the Premier League. The statistics are unforgiving: every single top-flight side with two or fewer points at this stage has faced relegation. The specters of former campaigns linger. Clubs such as Man City and Sunderland serve as a stark reminder of what happens when you get bad form early on.
Tottenham’s Home Struggles
In contrast to that impressive away record, Spurs’ form at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should worry supporters and owners both. The team’s failure to win games on their own pitch has become an alarming trend. With the Dutch national team, Matthijs de Ligt scored a late equalizer against them. This is even more alarming, as they have now gone five games without a victory at home. For a club with ambitions of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, this tepid effort just won’t cut it.
The team’s defensive weaknesses have been hard to miss as well. United has only given up 20 goals this year. Remarkably, five of those happened with their undisputed key midfielder Casemiro on the field, a clear signal that more changes are required. Those back-to-back calamities have already heaped pressure on the coaching staff to figure things out in a hurry to save the season.
Tottenham now faces a situation like that of Sunderland in 2016-17 and Sheffield United both in 2020-21 and now again in 2023-24. These teams stumbled out of the gate and crashed out in 20th. The road ahead is going to be a tough one. The clock is ticking though and the club need to turn their luck around quickly before they sink further into danger.
Wolves at Risk of Relegation
Wolverhampton Wanderers are in even more vulnerable straits. Following a summer transfer window that saw their best players sold, the team has struggled to maintain competitiveness in the league. Meanwhile, striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has struggled to get the right kind of service and is fighting to reclaim his best self.
It was no coincidence that Chelsea controlled Wolves in their recent fixture, illustrating the difference in the two clubs’ fortunes. Chelsea absolutely overwhelmed Wolves, ripping them to shreds in a must-win game. This defeat means Wolves have failed to win in their last 11 matches, replicating the dire situation of their 1983 season when they were relegated from the top flight.
Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard each put the ball in their opponent’s net, flashing their talent. They wasted a number of opportunities that would have added further to their score. Given the inconsistency displayed by Wolves, it should not come as a surprise if they find relegation hard to overcome this campaign. Historical precedents are difficult to overlook, primarily Sunderland’s awful opening to 2016-17 and Norwich’s failures in 2021-22. Wolves need to make some moves in a hurry if they’re going to get back on course.
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