by United fight for Amorim
Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 tactic has little place in English football, it has been said. The recent performances at Manchester United of the resurrected Harry Maguire in tandem with Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt suggest it can work if he has enough energy in midfield to protect the trio. Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo provide that, and Alejandro Garnacho’s wing play in the build-up to Bruno Fernandes’ goal, as well as Amad Diallo’s raids at the Emirates Stadium, suggest the framework of a team. Penalty hero Altay Bayindir revealed he was a capable goalkeeper, a possible cult hero. There are complications. The club’s finances, with Glazer owners’ chickens now heading home, could trigger the sale of “pure profit” youth products like Garnacho and Mainoo to fund recruitment. There are plenty of miles to go, but the previous weekend’s draw at Anfield and that 10-man heist at Arsenal are signs of a motivated team playing for their manager, scrupulously following instructions. It was about time too. John Brewin
Why aren’t Brentford up for the Cup?
Plymouth don’t care, nor should they, but there is something depressing about the refusal of teams like Brentford to play their strongest team in the FA Cup. “It’s a huge missed opportunity. We are disappointed,” said Thomas Frank. But at the same time he acknowledged that Brentford had collectively “dropped 10%”. It’s true that they have Manchester City and Liverpool as their next two Premier League matches, but Brentford also haven’t beaten a top team in this competition since 2005-06, and even that was just one Sunderland team on their way to a record low 15 points in the Premier League. Even when they reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this season, it was a much changed side that lost at Newcastle. That may make financial sense, but it inevitably raises questions about the point of football when putting the league first means compromising the chances of winning something. Jonathan Wilson
The string bends it like Beckham
Despite Bristol City losing 2-1 to Wolves on Saturday, the team and their supporters had something to take away from the match: a sensational free-kick goal from Scott Twine. The 25-year-old midfielder, who had already saved a free kick, stepped up just before half-time to take the free kick. Twine, who signed permanently for Bristol City last summer, bent the ball around the wall and slotted it into the top right corner, giving Sam Johnstone no chance. “It’s no coincidence, he practices it,” Bristol City manager Liam Manning said. “I’ve seen him do this many times. A moment of real quality. I thought Twiney spoke very well about belief earlier in the locker room. I think we showed [that in the] In the second half we took care of the ball and showed a bit of belief and determination. We brought the game to them a little bit instead of being behind, so a lot of positives to take from it and a lot of lessons. Sarah Rendell
Tamworth heroes deserved better
Extra time and Tottenham scoring three goals against Tamworth was the perfect encapsulation of selling the family FA Cup money. Now that replays are considered beyond the reach of the elite, the Lambs – the heroes of this season’s opening rounds – have been denied the right to travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and taste the life of luxury. The Spurs no longer have to pay for failing to beat a team made up of part-timers, accountants, a zip salesman, masons, teachers, retail salespeople, a personal trainer and university support workers. As UEFA competitions increase, teams with more than 25 players are now deemed incapable of playing additional matches. The world’s oldest competition is instead tailor-made for the needs of wealthy clubs. All this while the Premier League is yet to agree a fallout settlement for the EFL and further down the pyramid. A match that epitomized the romance of the FA Cup for 90 minutes ended up showing the game’s unabashed self-interest. John Brewin
Harrogate’s Weaver appeals to fans
For smaller clubs, FA Cup third round matches against teams higher up the pyramid last much longer than 90 minutes on the pitch. They bring publicity, finance and, in Harrogate’s case, an increased fan base. The funds gained from their defeat to Leeds will help balance the bank, but the most important thing was that they had 4,000 away supporters, around 1,200 more than at League Two home matches, where they sit in 21st place, five points above the relegation places. . “I think the challenge for all of us, even the fans, is to come out and watch us against Cheltenham to keep our lives in the Football League,” Harrogate manager Simon Weaver said. “We need that vocal support and we need numbers. We had 4,000 for a trip tonight. We would love to have 4,000 of them at home regularly and be proud of their team. Will lose
Guardiola encourages Grealish to keep his promises
Jack Grealish’s 49th-minute penalty ended a 392-day goal drought after his previous Manchester City goal, the opener drawing 2-2 against Crystal Palace in a Premier League match on December 16, 2023. Pep Guardiola said: “Of course I’m really happy, I want the best for my players, all of them; I want them to perform well. But ultimately, they have to keep their promises. I see it [Grealish] the year of the hat-trick – he was a major player for us, but then there are two options: think it’s me [Guardiola’s responsibility] or think about what you can do better. Not [only] Jack, everyone. And he also made the first assist for the first goal. [Jérémy Doku’s]and assistance for the last for [James] McAtee. Jamie Jackson
Liverpool’s teenage talents shine
Rio Ngumoha impressed in his record-breaking debut for Liverpool, becoming the club’s youngest starter at 16 years and 135 days, but was not the only teenage prospect to succeed against Accrington Stanley. The welcome return of Jayden Danns improved Liverpool’s performance as the League Two side were tired and provided another glimpse of a talent that truly excites the club’s academy staff. The 18-year-old’s brief appearance was his first appearance of the season after suffering a stress fracture in his back last summer. He made an instant impact, taking his overall FA Cup record to three goals in 45 minutes of action. “What I like most about him, and most of the academy players, is the mentality,” Arne Slot said. “He’s an attacker but if [Diogo] Jota and Darwin [Núñez] plays 9, he has to play 11 or 6 or whatever position we need. He will always give everything he has. If this is your mentality, you can make the most of your potential. He will have a very good career thanks to his mentality, I am very sure of it. Andy Hunter
Maresca plays a long game with James
It was a gentle workout for Reece James. The Chelsea captain was back to face Morecambe after recovering from his latest injury and the plan was always to bring him off at half-time. “The idea is to slowly, slowly build the right conditions,” said Enzo Maresca, who is seeking to ensure James does not collapse again. Maresca knows how important the right-back could be if he stays healthy. James is one of the best in the world when fit, but that’s a rare phenomenon these days. It was only his fourth start of the season. Chelsea couldn’t count on him and James will surely be back on the bench when Bournemouth visit on Tuesday evening. Yet with Malo Gusto struggling for form, it is important that Maresca has options. Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League will rise if James is available. Jacob Steinberg
The palace makes fun of those who are absent
As uncertainty over the futures of Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Guehi continues after the former missed Sunday’s narrow win over Stockport due to a ‘contractual issue’, Chadi Riad’s return couldn’t have happened at a better time for Oliver Glasner. The Moroccan defender suffered a knee injury in just his second appearance after joining Crystal Palace in the summer, but benefited from Chalobah’s absence as he returned to help Palace keep a clean sheet against Stockport and to book a fourth round at Doncaster. Chalobah is due to return against Leicester in midweek, but Riad will likely have plenty of opportunities if Chelsea follow through on his desire to end his loan spell. “First of all, we needed some players, because we had a lot of players out sick during the week, so it was good for Chadi to get a lot of minutes,” Glasner said. “He was injured in the first Carabao Cup game against Norwich, and now in the first FA Cup game he’s back, so really delighted for him personally, and of course it gives us more options .” Ed Aarons
The trip to Birmingham, an enigma for Howe
By the time Newcastle travel to Birmingham for an FA Cup fourth round tie in early February, they will know whether they have reached the Carabao Cup final and whether qualification for the Champions League remains on the cards. league day. Assuming Eddie Howe’s side don’t give up the 2-0 first-leg semi-final lead they recorded at Arsenal, a place in a final at Wembley will be assured. But can they afford to aim for glory in a second cup competition, especially when their Saudi owners aspire to a top-four finish that would guarantee a return to the Champions League? It will be intriguing to see Howe’s teamsheet looks at Birmingham – particularly if, as expected, profitability and sustainability rules prevent him from strengthening a squad lacking depth in January. At least the Newcastle manager looks like he can still count on Martin Dubravka after the club’s hierarchy agreed to veto the Slovak goalkeeper’s proposed move to Saudi side Al-Shabab. “Touch wood, Martin will stay,” Howe said Sunday. “We hope he really becomes part of our future.” Louise Taylor
