European Football Wrap : Man City, Arsenal and Villa setting up classic title race , Scudetto race heats up , Player of the Week

Man City, Arsenal and Villa setting up classic title race

This feels like a throwback to the late 2010’s, when United, Chelsea and Arsenal were often embroiled in title hunts (Liverpool too). Pep Guardiola’s City were the first title protagonists in action this weekend, facing the unenviable task of taking down Sean Dyche’s Forest on their own patch. City couldn’t get anything going in a truly dreary first 45 minutes. The game thankfully resembled a basketball match in the 2nd stanza, with the talismanic Cherki taking centre-stagein the festivities. The Frenchman played a lovely through-ball into Tijani Reijnders to open the scoring in the 48th minute. In pressing for the all-important 2nd, City left themselves open for a brisk counterattack. And Forest obliged, with Hutchinson applying the finishing touches to a sweeping counter.

But that magician Cherki would not be denied, smashing home the winner in the 83rd minute. A clear contender for PFA Player of the Year, Cherki now has nine Premier League goal involvements this season (his seven assists see him tied with Bruno atop the assists charts). Forget about 115, City should be investigated for pulling off this signing for only £34. Guardiola was clearly elated after the game, aware that this is one of the low-key trickiest away fixtures of the season.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side had to respond at home to Brighton. The Gunners knew that any slip-up would not only see them lose their Premier League lead, but it would also galvanize the anti-Arsenal media choir. Arsenal started very much on top and took a deserved lead in the 14th minute, with Martin Odegaard ending his Premier League goal-drought with a fearsome left-footed drive. It was really the exclamation mark in what was a throwback display from the Norwegian No.10. Declan Rice caused more set-piece chaos in the 52nd minute, whipping in a lovely corner that Rutter could only bundle into his own net. Rice slotted in effortlessly at right-back, deputizing for the absent Timber with ease. He essentially played as an inverted fullback, coming into midfield areas to create numerical supremacy for the Gunners. Diego Gomez brought the Seagulls back into the match after picking up a rebound for the post. David Raya then produced a true moment of magic, tipping over Yankuba Minteh’s shot over the bar in full Superman mode.

Aston Villa had by far the toughest assignment on paper this weekend, visiting Enzo Marseca’s mercurial Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge. And the Blues dominated the first period, with Joao Pedro bundling one in in the 37th minute. The Blues, however, were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal, with Villa producing yet another roaring comeback to make it 11 wins in a row! Unai Emery produced a tactical masterclass, bringing on the trio of Sancho, Onana and Watkins in the 59th minute. He completely changed the shape of the side, moving Sancho and Rodgers out wide while Tielemens played in the 10. By contrast, Maresca hurdled from one calamitous decision to another, taking off both Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro to little effect. It was Watkins who really stole the show, netting an excellent brace as he appears to be rounding into form at a critical juncture. Villa aren’t fading gently into the night as many suspected. Even the most cynical doubters will start to believe if they can get a result at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

Scudetto race heats up

Speaking of exciting title races, Serie A is proving to be ultra-competitive this year. Former Chelsea washout Christopher Nkunku temporarily fired AC Milan to the top of the Serie A standings, netting an opportunistic brace in Milan’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Verona. It was an accomplished all-round performance by Allegri’s side (far removed from typical Allegri-ball). Luka Modric has proven to be a revelatory acquisition for the Milanese giants, using his beautiful range of passing to dictate proceedings. Pulisic gave the Rossoneri the lead on the stroke of halftime, prodding home a flick-on from Rabiot to score his 8th Serie A goal in 11 matches. Nkunku got the first of his brace in the 48th minute, earning a slightly dodgy penalty (which he converted himself). The Frenchman wrapped up the scoring in the 53rd minute, tapping in after a goal-mouth scramble to settle matters. While I’m no big fan of Allegri’s ultra-pragmatic style, you can’t argue with the structure he has brought to the San Siro.

Rasmus Hojlund has enjoyed a bit of a dream week. The Dane won his first trophy in Napoli colours just a week ago, helping Conte’s side lift the Suppercoppa trophy (a result which was followed by a cheeky social media post aimed at former employers Man United). It is crazy just how many United players seem to get a new lease on life after leaving Old Trafford. He proved instrumental for Napoli this weekend, netting a first-half brace at Cremonese to help keep Napoli within spitting distance of the Milan giants. It was pure fox-in-the-box stuff from Hojlund, who picked up the scraps in two pinball scenarios.

But it was Inter who ended the weekend top of the Serie A standings, with Lautaro Martinez scoring in his 4th successive Serie A game to give Inter a slender 1-0 win at Atalanta. With Juventus also picking up a victory, there are currently just four points separating the top four teams in the Serie A standings.

Player of the Week- Ollie Watkins

England striker Watkins has largely struggled in front of goal during Villa’s sensational campaign, battling with knee issues while Morgan Rogers has risen to prominence. But he proved the difference-maker this weekend, inspiring Villa in their 2-1 comeback win over Chelsea. He showed great tenacity when netting the first, going one-on-one with Sanchez only to deflect his own rebounded shot into the net. He then produced a delightful header to give Villa the lead, glancing in Tielemans’ corner to secure a vital three points ahead of their trip to Arsenal.