Ange’s ‘strange’ gamble pays off in comeback win; Saliba sees red as Arsenal’s title tilt falts: PL Wrap

Throughout this Tottenham career, Ange Postecoglou has come under fire often. At times the Australian has been perceived as lacking pragmatism, and the ‘Plan B’ so loved by English football.

Translation: Instead of taking the safe option, Ange goes for the jugular. He’d rather win 5-4 than 1-0.

And yet with his side level with West Ham at half-time Ange did something many thought unthinkable. He made a pragmatic substitution.

Off went attacking midfielder James Maddison, at times the creative jewel in Postecoglou’s Spurs crown. On came Pape Matar Sarr, a more conservative and traditional central midfielder.

Speaking on Optus Sports’ Matchday Live, Premier League legend Emannuel Petit described the move as “strange because he’s (Maddison) a really good player.”

“So I was quite surprised. It’s quite strange from the manager.”

Maddison hadn’t been poor by any stretch of the imagination. He’d created Dejan Kulusevski’s equaliser and had five key passes in the opening 45 minutes, but as Ange noted post-game he needed different profiles in midfield.

“I just felt West Ham ask you certain questions in midfield areas and I just felt Pape’s running power would help us in the second half,” he explained.

“They obviously worked hard in the first half and I thought he could give us some real energy.

“I thought he did really well and he gave us a platform to be really threatening every time we went forward and clinical in our football.”

Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray described it as an “eye-raiser” but conceded the decision ultimately worked.

“Hindsight proves it was the right decision,” Murray said.

As Murray noted, Ange’s gamble paid off. Spurs scored three times in eight minutes to win and climb to seventh on the ladder. Sarr too was strong, dispossessing Jarrod Bowen as he moved towards Tottenham’s goal and finding Heung-Min Son with a beautiful assist for his 60th minute goal.

Spurs could’ve scored more too. Son hit the post in the 61st minute while the free-flowing attack continued throughout the second half, forcing West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola into three saves.

“When they are good they are nearly irresistible, Tottenham,” Connor McNamara said on commentary.

Writing in The Guardian, Jacob Steinberg described Tottenham as ‘exhilarating,’ while noting ‘Ange Postecoglou was there to see another defensive implosion, but this time he would not be the coach who will have to deal with the fallout.’

Indeed the post-mortem will centralise on West Ham and new manager Julen Lopetegui, who has failed to inspire the tactical shifts expected of him in pre-season. Their second half capitulation means they sit 15th.

For Postecoglou though the win alleviates some of the pressure on his shoulders following Spurs’ bitter loss to Brighton in their last Premier League outing.

That game that overshadowed a five game winning streak and inspired further doubts about Postecoglou’s Premier League suitability.

For now at least those pressures are alleviated.

ARSENAL’S CHARGE TAKES SIGNIFICANT HIT

At the end of the season if Arsenal fail to break their Premier League title drought, Mikel Arteta will reflect on this loss as the moment the title slipped through his side’s fingers.

Arsenal were unbeaten heading into the weekend, with their defence the envy of the Premier League and their attacking improving weekly.

Bournemouth are a good side, coached well by Andoni Iraola, but their start to the season had been indifferent.

Few would have predicted the game to unfold as it did.

Arteta, and Arsenal fans, will argue William Saliba’s controversial 30th minute red card, awarded after the Frenchman brought down Bournemouth striker Evanilson just beyond the halfway line.

There was no Arsenal defender between the Brazilian and goal, a factor that ultimately led VAR Jarred Gillett to instruct referee Rob Jones, who initially awarded a yellow card, to send the Arsenal defender off.

For the third time this season Arsenal would need to see out a game with a man down.

Raheem Sterling initially shifted to right back, with Ben White moving into the heart of defence in Saliba’s place. However, Antoine Semenyo breezed by the pair twice, prompting Arteta to introduce Jakub Kiwior and return White to right back.

Arsenal, who were without Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, their two most important creators, held Bournemouth scoreless until the 70th minute, when a lovely corner move resulted in Ryan Christie’s strike breaking the deadlock.

The Premier League’s set-piece masters were breached by a set-piece.

Seven minutes later Evanilson was again involved. Fouled by David Raya in the box the Brazilian won a penalty, converted by Justin Kluivert to secure a big win for Bournemouth, a monumental loss for Arsenal.

The Gunners were not without their chances. Gabriel Martinelli had a great chance to score moments before Bournemouth’s opener, but missed the target, while Mikel Merino pushed a shot wide earlier in the game.

Speaking post-game, Arteta described the task set for Arsenal following Saliba’s send off as “impossible.”

“We are very disappointed with the result and gutted because we had to play in that context again,” he said.

Discussing Saliba’s red card, the Spaniard conceded he’s not expecting it to be overturned during the week.

“It was a decision made on the pitch. The decision was changed. I don’t think it will change twice. The decision has been made,” he said.

ETH SAFE FOR ANOTHER DAY

Boos rang around Old Trafford at halftime, though perhaps not the kind of boos some may have expected after the last fortnight at Manchester United.

Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock had just scored an injury time header from a corner to lift his side into the lead at the interval.

The strike didn’t come without controversy after United’s Dutch central defender Matthijs De Ligt was forced to leave the pitch and have some blood cleaned from his face.

Instead of waiting for De Ligt to return, referee Sam Barrott allowed play to continue, ultimately resulting in Brentford’s opener.

United’s bench erupted after the ball rifled into the back of the net. Erik Ten Hag, arguably the manager under the most pressure in world football, was booked for his protests of the decision to allow play to continue while De Ligt was sidelined.

Given the storm surrounding the future of the Dutchman’s managerial tenure, Ten Hag’s frustration was justified. In a must-win game his side entered the interval behind against a difficult to break down Brentford side.

Writing in The Athletic, Mark Critchley said Pinnock’s goal ‘felt like the end. The chances of a second half fightback appeared remote.’

At the break United, who were without six first team players, were yet to create a big chance. By full-time they’d created three, scoring two, to record a big win both in the context of their season and their manager’s future.

Alejandro Garnacho got the ball rolling in the 47th minute, meeting a sublime Marcus Rashford cross to score his first goal of the season, before a delightful Bruno Fernandes flick set Rasmus Hojlund up in the 62nd minute.

Even more impressive was the way United managed their lead in the dying stages of the contest, something Critchley noted.

‘Not only did (United) turn this game on its head, but once in front, they managed the final stages relatively well – something which has not often been said of this side in the past,’ he wrote.

Post-game Ten Hag insisted the victory “showed we are together.”

“We showed determination and scored two beautiful goals.”

Goals have been a major problem to United in what has been their worst-ever start to a Premier League season. Prior to their Brentford win they’d scored just five. That figure is now seven, two less than 19th placed Wolves.

Ten Hag will be hoping goals to Garnacho and Hojlund, as well as Rashford’s creative output, will kick his side into attacking gear as they look to kick their season into life.

“This team has the capacity to score very good goals,” he stated post-game.

“Today the two goals we scored were high quality and when you score and win you add confidence.

“At the start of the season we had some good performances but didn’t score enough, then everyone is negative.

“This result can help us, but it is only one win and we must build on it.”

LATE DRAMA SEALS FOXES COMEBACK

After half an hour Southampton were 2-0 up against Leicester, courtesy of goals to Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo, and seemingly on their way to a first win of the season.

Their lead remained after an hour, before Facundo Buoanotte’s fortunate strike found the back of the net, giving Leicester a way back into the game.

10 minutes later they were level, courtesy of a Jamie Vardy penalty that came after the striker’s shirt was pulled by Saints winger Ryan Fraser as he attempted to sweep the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Fraser was sent off, the fifth player to see the red in the Premier League overnight, and Vardy converted the penalty, drawing the Foxes level with plenty of time to play.

Despite their man advantage, Leicester’s winner came with essentially the final kick of the game after Jordan Ayew swept the ball home from a corner in the 98th minute.

The win lifts Leicester to 14th, six points clear of the relegation zone – although both Palace and Wolves have a game in hand.

For Southampton, losing from such a winnable position has turned the pressure up on manager Russell Martin, who has constantly been accused of playing beautiful, possession-based football without getting results.

VILLA’S MARCH CONTINUES AS NEWCASTLE FALTER

Aston Villa’s towards the top of the Premier League table continued against Fulham overnight.

Unai Emery’s side fell behind to an early Raul Jimenez strike but scored three times before full-time to seal a crucial three points.

Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins both scored, continuing their fine seasons, before an Issa Diop own goal sealed the win after 70 minutes. Emi Martinez saved an Andreas Pereira penalty with the scores locked at 1-1.

Fulham lost central defender Joachim Andersen to a red card six minutes before Diop found the back of his own net.

The win leaves Villa fourth on 17 points, two clear of fifth-placed Brighton, who narrowly beat Newcastle overnight.

Danny Welbeck’s fifth goal of the season proved the difference between the two sides