Malick Fofana (Lyon): 7/10
A savior named Malick! In the last minute, he appeared at the far post to equalize against Lille with a perfectly executed volley. A real goal-scoring move.
Before this saving action, the winger was very restless against Meunier. Several times he managed to make differences. Like on a good cross for Tolisso, the shift at the start of an action wasted by Veretout or on a new cross for Maitland-Niles. The other good news is that he was even better in the second half than in the first. Proof that physically, he is growing more and more.
It is still his fifth goal in thirteen games. In addition to his two assists, he is decisive every 97 minutes. Clearly the season of flight for the former Ghent player.
Arne Engels (Celtic Glasgow) : 7/10
Well integrated into the Scottish midfield, the Belgian does not seem to be under the pressure surrounding the large amount of his transfer. This weekend, he was decisive again by giving two new assists: one from a corner, the other from a superb, well-felt tackle at the last moment. So here he is with five assists in all competitions.
Loïs Openda (RB Leipzig) : 7/10
Well on his legs, the striker proved that he was not just a scorer by making a delicious backheel for Sesko in a mouse hole and a formidable timing which allowed the opening of the score (27th). Often stalling to touch the ball, he could still have scored a goal if he had not been caught in time by Can. A great meeting for him.
Romeo Lavia (Chelsea) : 6.5/10
He is not the player we see the most in a team, despite his natural elegance. But he makes Caicedo much better. A gentle mix between aggression and class, the midfielder improves the Ecuadorian who can play much more freely.
As usual, he tried to cut off the passing lanes before simply playing forward. Preferred over Enzo Fernandez, who cost 120 million euros (!), he is increasingly establishing himself as an indisputable pawn of Maresca. Replaced in the 71st minute by the Argentinian when his team was trailing.
Other good news: this is his third Premier League meeting in a row. A first since his arrival last year. Hoping that his body holds up over time.
Wout Faes (Leicester) : 6,5/10
For this promoted match, the central defender had a good match. Liam Delap was often on his back and he is the most active element in Ipswich. But he held off the shock by winning six of his eight duels (including five out of six on the ground). Everything wasn’t perfect either since he was beaten in an aerial duel at the start of the match which could have been costly. For the rest, he held the house well.
Koen Casteels (Al-Qadisiya) : 6,5/10
If Al-Qadisiya, although promoted, is so well ranked, it is also thanks to its goalkeeper, a true pillar of the 2nd best defense in the championship. This weekend, the national team goalkeeper demonstrated that he was still playing at a high level by making a high-flying double save in the first half hour (27th) which notably allowed him to achieve a fifth clean- sheet this season.
Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest) : 6/10
Saved on his line on West Ham’s only dangerous action. For the rest, the goalkeeper had a very quiet day during the 3-0 victory against the Hammers. For example, he didn’t make any notable saves. A chance for the one who has often had to save his team this season and who generally has a lot of work.
Orel Mangala (Everton): 6/10
No longer a starter since the beginning of October, the midfielder returned to the starting eleven against Southampton. But he will still wonder for a long time how his team did not win this meeting. Given his team’s chances, the score could have been 0-2 or 0-3. He almost scored but Ramsdale released his shot at the edge of the area. Associated with Gueye in the heart of the game, he was more fiery by playing a little higher and with more risks. He also won the majority of his ground duels for an overall successful comeback.
Arthur Vermeeren (RB Leipzig): 6/10
Returned to the bench last week, the midfielder found his place in the eleven this weekend and did not even leave the field, a first for him this season, in all competitions. If he didn’t have a bad match, he didn’t really know how to shine. Guilty of one or the other loss of ball, he could undoubtedly have contributed more offensively.
Thomas Meunier (Lille): 6/10
We could see two readings on the copy returned by the Ardennes this weekend. On the tail side, he was not far from scoring a magnificent goal in the first half. Proof that he always wants (and can) provide offensively. Unfortunately for him, his shot hit the crossbar. He also tried his luck at the start of the second half.
Defensively, he did not take water against Malick Fofana. But he had all the difficulty in the world to contain the will-o’-the-wisp. Which means it struggles when the speed really picks up. Even if he still used his experience to provide some valuable feedback.
Dodi Lukebakio (Seville): 6/10
If he was not as brilliant as in recent weeks, the right winger was the only real danger for the Andalusians. Unfortunately, one ingredient was missing for it to be decisive. His first strike was blocked by a defender (42nd) while his second, after a solo in the middle of a forest of defenders, went over (57th).
Note that Sambi Lokonga started, as did the young Stanis Idumbo who was injured in the 25th minute.
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Amadou Onana (Aston Villa) : 6/10
In the first half, he ruled the midfield against Tottenham. As usual, he was a little lower than Tielemans and cast his net wide to recover as many balls as possible before, possibly, projecting himself. He could also have scored a goal with a header if Vicario had not made a reflex save.
In the second half, it was more complicated for him, like all of his teammates. He had more difficulty containing the fury of Spurs and finally left London with a good cap (4-1). Personally, this is the third time he has played an entire match in the Premier League. Good news for those who have experienced small physical glitches this year.
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Thomas Kaminski (Luton Town) : 6/10
He could do absolutely nothing about the goal conceded and didn’t have much work afterwards.
Zeno Debast (Sporting Portugal) : 5,5/10
Now indisputable as a right central defender, the Red Devil delivered a half-baked encounter. Although he only lost the ball three times, less than usual, he only won 29% of his duels and was a little wait-and-see on the opponent’s goal, although he was not guilty of that. . Offensively, he attempted a volley from a corner which ended in the arms of the opposing goalkeeper.
Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) : 5,5/10
His first period was very good. With a lot of availability and not a lot of panic despite the good pressing from Tottenham Spurs. He notably gave three key passes during the first act and none after the break. In the second half, he was much less visible and took the waves from Tottenham like his entire team. Replaced in the 81st minute by Kamara.
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Romelu Lukaku (Naples) : 4/10
It’s all or nothing with Romelu Lukaku this season. Unfortunately for the striker, this was the second scenario against Atalanta. Invisible, he spent more time “arguing” with Kvaratskhelia than finding passing lines with his Georgian teammate. Just involved in a shot from McTominay after a good delivery which ended on the post. For the rest? Move along, there’s nothing to see. He only tried his luck once and it was blocked. A match to forget after a substitution in the 75th minute of play.
Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) : 4/10
It’s not easy to forget Odegaard. Often put to all the sauces by Arteta, it seems that replacing the Gunners’ playing master is too high a step for the Red Devil. Because the Arsenal player remains above all an attacker, not a game organizer.
Of course, his technical abilities allow him to achieve brilliant feats. But its heatmap allows us to understand to what extent the player is everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
The defeat at Newcastle relegates the Gunners to seven points behind Liverpool. While the player came out for the last quarter of an hour with a small attempted strike.
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They didn’t play much:
Jérémy Doku (Manchester City) only came into play for the last five minutes of the defeat against Bournemouth. He managed to do what he does best: set his left side on fire. In particular, he could have scored on an action born on his side. Obviously, he didn’t succeed in everything, but he managed to sow discord in a defense which had managed to contain the leaders of the Premier League until then. Other good news: the return of Kevin De Bruyne…on the bench. He did not take part in the game but his return to the field is becoming clearer.
Back on the bench at kick-off, Johan Bakayoko (PSV) did not know how to show himself when he came on for the last twenty minutes.
Ascended for the last 30 minutes against Atalanta, Cyril Nyonge (Naples) at least had the merit of trying his luck. If he was messy at times, he also brought danger. And that’s what we ask of an attacker who comes into the game.
They didn’t play:
Up at halftime at the game last week, Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig) had his first tenure in the middle of last week. Unfortunately, the former Genk goalkeeper returned to the bench, with Péter Gulácsi returning to the starting eleven.
Excluded last weekend, Arthur Theate (Frankfurt) was suspended this weekend. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) was also able to rest since the trip to Valencia was postponed due to the significant flooding affecting the region.
Timothy Castagne must face Brentford this Monday evening. It remains to be seen whether he will start with Fulham, which is far from a certainty.
They are injured:
Like the previous week, Sebastiaan Bornauw (Woflsburg) was absent this weekend, ill, even though he had played everything before. His teammate Aster Vranckx was not in the group either for muscular problems which are not serious according to his trainer.
Affected in the ischio, Julien Duranville (Dortmund) has not yet returned to training.
Koni De Winter (Genoa) is injured for at least two more weeks. As a reminder, the player was injured during Belgium’s last training session before the match against France.
Alexis Saelemaekers (AS Roma) is still recovering and is expected to return in 2025.
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