League Final and Carabao Cup: 10 talking points from the weekend

Douglas Luiz, Virgil Van Dijk and Jorginho.Composite: Custodian Pictures Desk” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bt5s.jyZkTyTkaQuRf6icg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU3Ng–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/theguardian_763/eccae017f9b0c7ff95aa72c2a3f5f2cd” data- src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bt5s.jyZkTyTkaQuRf6icg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU3Ng–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/theguardian_763/eccae017f9b0c7ff95aa72c2a3f5f2cd”/>

Colossal Van Dijk uses his head

When Liverpool needed a hero, when all their other leaders were sidelined by injury, Virgil van Dijk cast himself as the main character of the Carabao Cup final at the decisive moment. Earlier in the game, the Dutchman had cut an unsightly figure after being disallowed by a marginal VAR call. The ensuing debate over Wataru Endo’s offside may have dogged Liverpool on another day, but Jürgen Klopp’s youngsters were hoping to keep Chelsea at bay as the game went into extra-time and Van Dijk was they need promotion to rubber stamp the Reds. command. Ultimately at the time of his 118th minute winner, Van Dijk was about the only player left on the Wembley pitch who could use his head. Having been a transformative signing for Klopp more than six years ago, it feels fitting that the defender should play a vital role in this trophy-winning success. Dominic Booth

Ten Hag walking trope

Manchester United’s admission of naivety does not help Erik ten Hag as he tries to convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new regime to keep him as manager. The 52-year-old did so when he analyzed Alex Iwobi’s 97th minute winner for Fulham which came after Adama Traoré was able to run in and pass to the wide man. Ten Hag said: “They had throw-ins and we didn’t take the right positions. Actually, one player did not take the right position but then we should manage this in the team so that they cannot escape.” Here, Ten Hag probably means Victor Lindelöf, United’s assistant goalkeeper. There was more, however. The Spaniard left Harry Maguire in his wake and, like the Dutchman, adopted the callousness of choice. “I was on a reservation [to be suspended],’ said the defendant. “Maybe I should have just brought it down but then you lose next week. It’s easy to say now.” This lack of street smarts reflects a poorly managed team, which also reflects uncertainty about job security for Ten Hag. Jamie Jackson

The story continues

Guardiola loves to grind it out

Pep Guardiola called his Manchester City players “supermen” after their second 1-0 win in five days, Phil Foden’s strike at Bournemouth and the praise continued. By City’s standards, they weren’t convincing but Guardiola was high on praise. The City manager has hit out at a terrible run of games after comparing last Tuesday’s game against Brentford to a trip to the dentist – without anaesthetic. They visit Luton in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday, before March sees them resume their Champions League defense with tests against Arsenal, Brighton and Liverpool, as well as the Manchester derby. The similarity to Treble is back to back. “A big month,” said Guardiola. “I thought: ‘I don’t know what will happen to my players after winning everything. How will they respond?’ Oh my God … it’s impossible better than they are. Impossible.” Ben Fisher

Jorginho steps up to shine for Arsenal

Jorginho may not be in the headlines but he is proving his worth for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta called him into the Premier League starting XI for the sixth time this season and he was excellent during Newcastle. Going with the Brazilian instead of Leandro Trossard looked a conservative move but it was nothing but his tips and prodigious ground coverage helped Arsenal force a huge control, and his great pass to Gabriel Martinelli established the second vital goal. “He is a great player,” said Arteta. “Especially when opponents have certain behaviors and settings, the way I imagine the game, it had a big impact.” Jorginho’s concern for team-mates was also highlighted and in a game that had previously gone stale it was easy to see why Arteta would choose to deploy a sitter on the pitch. Jorginho was much more than that; Arsenal’s midfield depth has been questioned but his experience could get them over the line. Nick Ames

Branthwaite looks the real deal

The European generations had to get used to spending the family money. Francis Jeffers, Wayne Rooney, Joleon Lescott, Ross Barkley and John Stones all left Goodison for richer clubs. Jarrad Branthwaite is certainly on that list, and his goal and overall performance at Brighton was high-quality marketing. It wasn’t his control and finishing that made his reputation but it showed the 21-year-old’s natural talent. A few blocks late on as Brighton finally pushed for their equalizer were testament to their control; Brighton’s forward struggled for time and space until Pascal Gross found Lewis Dunk for a late leveller. “I feel good and confident going into games,” Branthwaite said, “I know I’m good enough to play at this level.” And make so many fans among the game’s elite, Manchester United and Real Madrid, to name just two. John Brewin

Luiz taking on a leadership role for Emery

Another Aston Villa home game, another Douglas Luiz goal. The first half double, actually. Luiz, a nominal midfielder, has nine Premier League strikes this season, all of which have come at Villa Park. Recently, after Boubacar Kamara’s ACL injury, Luiz’s importance has increased, and Unai Emery is adhering to the highest standards: “He missed the first two balls in the second half, and I said to him: ‘Please Douglas, yes you key. a player to keep trusting playing in our style’,” said Emery. “He took control of the game with his skills and gave us confidence.” Luiz enthusiastically praised his manager: “He raised me; it is the truth. He tells me every day, you have to defend, and if you go you have to score.” Luiz is following those instructions to the letter. Sam Dalling

Callow Chelsea shows a lack of nous

Eventually, they were the children of Jürgen Klopp compared to the purchase of Todd Boehly. Finally, for Chelsea, this was an opportunity to justify – to some extent – ​​£1bn transfer spending under Todd Boehly, to put a piece of silverware in the cabinet for the first time after Abramovich and to progress express. As Klopp was forced to discard novices Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Jayden Danns, Pochettino was able to call upon Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku, who cost a combined £140m. But as the going got tougher against their green opponents, the Blues’ own shortcomings – their lack of trophy-winning nous, their poor mentality – were exposed. There is a lack of experience in terms of age and then there is football immaturity; Chelsea showed the second at Wembley. “A billion pound post bottle,” was the phrase used by Gary Neville on commentary. It was hard to argue otherwise. DB

Ayew adds polish to Glasner’s debut

For years, Jordan Ayew was one of the most frustrating players in the world, blessed with immense talent but always seemingly doomed to be caught off guard or make the wrong choice – what could have been would have happened, for example, if he had squared off for Asamoah Gyan. tap in when Ghana were leading 2-1 against Germany at the 2014 World Cup? He is now 32, however, and over the last few seasons, he has been one of Crystal Palace’s most reliable performers, working hard and, in a more attractive role, becoming more effective. He seemed to revel in the freedom given to him by Oliver Glasner’s 3-4-2-1, laying open Chris Richards with a clever cross to the back post, then tapping in the second himself, arriving without mark to complete a counter. That’s four goals and six assists this season – the most goals he’s already laid out in a season. Jonathan Wilson

Neto clears but could be next for the event

In the summer, Wolves sold Portuguese players Rúben Neves and Matheus Nunes to help balance the books, collecting more than £100m in fees. It is still remarkable how well the club has managed to rely on cheaper substitutes and those already in the building to step up. Pedro Neto is undoubtedly the next Portugal international to make a healthy profit for Wolves. The winger was the most dynamic player on the pitch against Sheffield United, flowing through the red and white shirts to create chances. He will be disappointed not to add to his nine assists and two goals against the league’s most prolific side. Neto has been linked with a number of clubs higher up the league and will undoubtedly command a high fee, something Gary O’Neil will be hoping to reinvest. Will Unwin

The series is relentlessly growing

As well as goals, goals, goals, one of the themes of this Premier League season has been injuries, injuries and, well, more injuries. They can be used as an excuse for poor results – see Manchester United and Chelsea) – or a team can spin and unite in difficult circumstances, as the best teams tend to do. Liverpool have certainly had success in the Carabao Cup final after Ryan Gravenberch went off on a stretch. The reason for the high number of top flight injuries this season was explained by Erik ten Hag when he explained Rasmus Højlund’s recent muscle twinge. “It’s a risk in high-intensity training,” said the United manager. Jürgen Klopp previously said in December that management is no longer about training, it’s just about recovery and meetings there”. Clubs are experiencing the Premier League’s greatest virtues – its speed and enthusiasm. DB