Sky Sports’ football writers reviewed Sunday’s action as Darwin Nunez’s double handed 10-man Liverpool beat Newcastle in dramatic fashion; Rhodri’s late winner at Sheffield United shows Man City’s confidence; Aston Villa are a force to be reckoned with as they beat Burnley
20:15, UK, Sunday 27 August 2023
Sky Sports’ football writers review Sunday’s action as Darwin Nunez inspires Liverpool to a dramatic win at Newcastle, while Man City and Aston Villa also win.
Has Nunez finally arrived?
„It’s a big moment in this fight but an even bigger moment for Darwin Nunes.”
Gary Neville summed up the importance of the forward’s first goal against Newcastle, not only for Liverpool but also for the Uruguayan.
Núñez, who rattled in his and the Reds’ second game to complete a sensational comeback, will need to get better – whatever happens between now and May, this match will go down as one of the games of the season.
After arriving for £85m last summer, Nunez was disappointingly inconsistent last season, with 15 strikes often overshadowed by unfortunate mistakes in front of goal.
That monstrosity played on Klopp’s mind earlier this season, with Nunez dropping to fifth-choice forward.
But Nunez’s performance at St James’ Park was merciless. Given two chances, he put both past Nick Pope.
The challenge for Nunez is to show consistency. If he does, this match will be looked back on as the moment he finally arrived in English football.
Joe Shred
Howe was again let down by Klopp
Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Newcastle was one of his best wins as a manager, even harder than their famous 4-0 win over Barcelona in 2019.
If Jurgen Klopp ever takes on Eddie Howe in a game of heads-up poker, I know where my money is going.
Klopp again showed he has a grip on Howe in Liverpool’s remarkable win over Newcastle. Klopp has won 13 of 15 meetings and was even awarded an opening goal and playing with the man advantage for 60 minutes.
Still, he couldn’t swatt Klopp’s Liverpool.
Klopp certainly won the touchline battle. When reduced to 10-men, Klopp made Liverpool more compact, with the idea of using his finishers from the bench to keep Newcastle within touching distance of a late rally.
It was actually only Miguel Almiron’s effort that came off the post that seriously troubled Alisson in the Liverpool goal in the second period.
Liverpool were not comfortable but they competed. With the score still 1-0 on 77 minutes, Klopp sent the Joker in his pack. wild card.
Nunez added an extra dimension as Liverpool’s out-ball against 10 men and unlike his previous appearances in a Liverpool shirt, he was super clinical in both of his chances.
That would have really messed with Howe’s head.
Louise Jones
Rhodri sums up the city’s self-confidence
Rhodri had already attempted an ambitious run from distance with his weaker leg. It’s an outrageous decision, and it’s true. There were options ahead. Bernardo Silva scolded him. Julian Alvarez looked confused. Not what you’d expect from a midfield metronome.
Even he did a cycle of desperation when Rhodri fired another shot wide when well placed on his right foot. It’s worth mentioning on the back of his winning goal for Manchester City against Sheffield United on Sunday. The match started in the 89th minute as the opposition equalised.
Manchester City assistant coach Juanma Lillo reflects on Manchester City’s late win against Sheffield United in Pep Guardiola’s absence.
Rodri’s strike was a triumph of technique, but like the opener after Erling Holland’s hat-trick missed clear chances, it was also a testament to his confidence. Just as everyone in the stadium realized this was turning the story into an underdog story, one of the city’s biggest beasts reasserted their dominance.
Rhodri has scored some of the most important goals for City. If you have a winner in the Champions League final, that will be true for the rest of his life. But it was another reminder of his delightful knack for making the difference when it mattered for Manchester City.
Knives has reason to believe
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom admits you need to play a 'perfect’ game against Manchester City to beat the champions.
Odd-goal defeats against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest suggested Sheffield United could compete, but there were still fears they would be overwhelmed when they were on the pitch with the Premier League’s elite.
But despite losing a third straight game, Paul Heckingbottom’s side showed they are a team on the right track.
Sheffield United’s previous run in the Premier League came to an end as they slumped to defeat after defeat in empty stadiums during the pandemic.
A packed Bramall Lane is an entirely different proposition. Whether booing their players or cursing the officials, it creates a cauldron of noise – and even Manchester City are confused by the end.
Anel Ahmadhovic couldn’t conjure up a second equalizer as their slump deserved, but there’s no denying the effort and Heckingbottom is confident of adding more new signings to help the squad.
If Cameron Archer can provide more motivation in the final third, Blades supporters have reason to believe. Next up at Bramall Lane is Everton.
Renaissance Villa is a force to be reckoned with
Many football fans were shocked when Newcastle thrashed Aston Villa 5-1 on the opening weekend. Rarely does an Unai Emery side suffer such a heavy defeat, but the Spaniard inspired his men to bounce back in emphatic fashion.
A 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Everton was followed by a 5-0 win over Hibernian in the Europa Conference League and Villa made it three wins in the space of a week against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Matty Cash’s second goal in Lancashire on Sunday afternoon – a superb strike to finish off a slick passing move – highlighted Villa’s fluidity and organization under Emery.
Moussa Diaby has impressed again and is already making a case to be one of the summer signings, while the additions of Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans and Nicolo Zaniolo have given Emery some much-needed options at a time when injuries have plagued him. Progress.
Since the 51-year-old took over in November 2022, only Manchester City (10) and Arsenal (nine) have won more Premier League games.
Apart from the disarray at St James’ Park, Villa have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in recent times. They now have the players – and certainly the manager – to spring a surprise this season.
and Sansom
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery says his side made up for the mistakes they made against Newcastle in the win at Burnley.
Burnley need more experience
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany says Aston Villa paid for their mistakes after their 3-1 defeat at Turf Moor.
Burnley’s starting XI against Manchester City on the opening day had an average age of just 23 years and 206 days, the youngest to be named by any team in the Premier League this season.
Captain Josh Cullen and right-back Connor Roberts, both 27-year-olds, are veterans in Vincent Kompany’s line-up against Aston Villa on Sunday.
The newly promoted Clarets have been busy in the summer transfer market. They have signed 11 new faces – 13 on loan deals that will be made permanent – but only three of them are aged 25 or over.
The club’s policy is to sign young, exciting talent, and while that approach is admirable, it may not be enough to survive in the Premier League.
Burnley clinched their Championship title at home on a 21-match unbeaten run, but began their return to top spot with a series of defeats at Turf Moor.
With the transfer window not closing until 11pm on Friday, Kompany still has time to bring in some experience to give his side the best possible chance.
and Sansom