Crystal Palace
Amorim criticises wingbacks after Dorgu is benched for Palace trip
Amorim criticised Patrick Dorgu’s anxiety in possession and dropped him for Palace after Everton now
Ruben Amorim gave a blunt assessment of Patrick Dorgu’s performances as the Denmark-born wingback was dropped to the bench for the trip to Crystal Palace. The United head coach singled out what he described as visible nerves in possession, tying that critique to Monday’s 1–0 defeat to Everton.
“You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touched the ball,” United’s head coach damningly outlined, specifically referencing Monday’s 1–0 defeat to Everton . “I can feel the anxiety.” Amorim contrasted that fraught display with Dorgu’s earlier composed finish for Denmark against Scotland, and he highlighted a missed volley against Everton as evidence of inconsistent decision-making.
“He needs to be calmer playing the game,” the United coach sighed. “You remember the shot against Everton. That was easier than the decision he had to make against the guys from Scotland.
“He made a great decision, and I saw it when he played in Italy. But here is different, and sometimes the pressure is hard for them in the beginning, but he has time to improve.”
After six days, Dorgu did not retain his starting berth at Selhurst Park, with Diogo Dalot named in his place. Dalot was introduced from the bench during the Everton game shortly before the hour mark after Idrissa Gueye received an early red card. Amorim was critical of both fullbacks’ attacking output in that match: Dorgu delivered no successful crosses and missed a clear sight of goal; Dalot failed to register a shot and produced only a single snatched chance while not finding a teammate with a ball into the box.
“I think they [Dorgu and Dalot] are far from the best and they know it,” Amorim sighed ahead of Sunday’s clash with Palace. “Like a lot of players in our team, like myself, so I just look at them and I think they have so much more to give.” “What I feel, when I see them training, they are doing so much better than in games,” the United boss added.
Amorim also reiterated the squad need for an attacking wingback option. “We have time to think about that,” he said when the prospect of purchases was raised, “I don’t know what is going to happen in January.”
Beyond individual criticism, Amorim warned of collective defensive weakness: “We have some results of not letting a lot of teams in the final third, but we are being really soft near the box so we need to improve that,” Amorim lamented earlier this week. “[We need to be] more strong on the duels and Crystal Palace are very strong on duels and when they have to defend, they are really strong.
“Those things can change how you see teams, but we need to improve in a lot of things. We need to close our goals because we are scoring goals.” He added that recent lapses are not down to being outnumbered but to the players present in the box not doing enough to stop the opposition.
Chelsea
Estêvão and João Pedro Shine as Chelsea Beat Crystal Palace 3-1
Estêvão and João Pedro starred as Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 3-1, moving Chelsea up to fourth place
Chelsea produced a controlled away performance to beat Crystal Palace 3-1, a win that moves them up to fourth in the Premier League and extends Liam Rosenior’s strong start with four victories from five matches in charge.
The game could have swung early after Jean-Philippe Mateta broke in, only for Robert Sánchez to make a huge save to deny him. That intervention proved decisive as Chelsea gradually took control and punished a rare defensive slip from Palace’s teenager Jaydee Canvot. Estêvão seized on the backpass, used a blistering turn to leave Tyrick Mitchell and finished beyond Dean Henderson to open the scoring.
Estêvão was influential again after the break, clipping a pass behind the Palace defence for João Pedro to cut inside Adam Wharton and drive his finish through Henderson. The third came from the spot after Reece James’ cross was only partially kept out by Henderson and VAR ruled a handball by Canvot. With Cole Palmer absent through injury, Enzo Fernández stepped up and converted the penalty.
Adam Wharton was later sent off for a second bookable offence after fouling Moisés Caicedo, leaving Palace to chase the game with ten men. Oliver Glasner’s side did pull a late consolation when Chris Richards headed home, but it was no more than a finish to a match Chelsea had settled.
Key ratings (out of 10):
GK: Robert Sánchez 8.3 — his early save set the tone. RB: Reece James 7.1 — returned to right back and provided quality delivery while looking unscathed ahead of Wednesday’s pivotal trip to Naples. RM: Estêvão 8.3 — a game-changing display, creating and finishing chances. ST: João Pedro 8.3 — caused constant problems for Palace. CB: Benoît Badiashile 7.8 and Trevoh Chalobah 7.2 performed solidly at the back. CM: Andrey Santos 7.5 offered tidy protection in midfield.
Substitutes included Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap. Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Josh Acheampong, Alejandro Garnacho and Marc Guiu were unused.
Chelsea
Cole Palmer Omitted from Chelsea Squad to Crystal Palace with Persistent Thigh Tightness
Cole Palmer missed Chelsea’s trip to Crystal Palace with thigh tightness, Rosenior called it ‘minor’
Cole Palmer was left out of Chelsea’s squad for the trip to Crystal Palace after a thigh problem that has continued to trouble him this month.
The forward did not make the side that secured a scratchy Champions League win over Pafos in midweek. Liam Rosenior downplayed that omission as nothing more than precautionary to combat a “minor” issue, and earlier suggested Palmer had “a really good chance” of playing at Selhurst Park. That did not materialise.
Starting XI: Robert Sánchez; Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoît Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Moisés Caicedo; Estêvão, Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto; João Pedro.
Substitutes: Teddy Sharman-Lowe (GK), Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Marc Guiu.
Rosenior explained that Palmer has been carrying the same problem since last weekend, saying the player suffered from “a little bit of tightness in his thigh” during the win over Brentford. Palmer played the full 90 minutes against the Bees and converted a late penalty, celebrating with a modest gesture.
Speculation about Palmer’s mood was addressed by Rosenior, who described him as “very, very happy to be here” and sought to dismiss rumours of homesickness. The coach added context on the player’s recent performances: “There was frustration in the Brentford game—not because he isn’t happy here, but because he couldn’t perform at the level he wants to for the club,” and confirmed that Palmer has been “in pain” while playing.
Palmer was visible in training during the build-up to the Palace match, which suggests the problem is not serious enough to rule him out long term. With a Champions League tie against Napoli scheduled for next Wednesday, there is an expectation within the club that he will be available for that crucial fixture, per BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella.
Arsenal
Sunday Premier League Preview: Stakes High for Arsenal as London and Midlands Tests Await
Arsenal must beat Manchester United to restore a seven-point lead; Sunday also features key clashes.
Manchester City’s Saturday victory set up a pivotal Sunday in the Premier League. Arsenal know they must beat Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium to re-establish a seven-point advantage at the top. That match carries weight after Manchester United’s collective performance in last week’s derby and Bruno Fernandes’s praised role in a 2-0 win.
There is also a London derby when Crystal Palace host Chelsea, and Brentford welcome Nottingham Forest. Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea ended a run without a league win with a 2–0 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge, bringing his tally to three wins from four in charge. That run would be impressive for any Chelsea manager, but recent form in midweek suggests the Blues could struggle at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace remain in a tailspin. Steve Parish did not give into Oliver Glasner’s apparent wish to get the boot last weekend, so Glasner will occupy the home dugout as Palace seek their first league win since Dec. 7.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1–1 Chelsea
Brentford’s season under Keith Andrews has exceeded early expectations. After a defeat at the City Ground in Gameweek 1, Andrews has guided the Bees to a campaign that looks set to better their best under Thomas Frank, when they finished ninth in 2022–23. Brentford sit seventh and have accumulated 24 points from 11 games at the Gtech, the fourth-best home record in the division. Nottingham Forest suffered an away Europa League defeat in Braga on Thursday, and that European slog may influence Sunday’s clash.
Prediction: Brentford 3–1 Nottingham Forest
The reverse fixture between Newcastle United and Aston Villa earlier in the season was uneventful, but Sunday’s meeting on Tyneside has potential. Aston Villa’s home loss to Everton increased pressure within the camp; Unai Emery’s post-match interview depicted a manager “on the brink and not one who’s distinctly overachieved.” Villa did win at Fenerbahçe on Thursday, while Newcastle cruised past PSV Eindhoven. The Magpies are inconsistent away but difficult to break down at home.
Prediction: Newcastle 3–2 Aston Villa
