Premier League and FA Cup: 10 talking points from weekend action

Luke Shaw’s first goal in over three years for Manchester United underscored his resurgence at left-back. Having played in all 37 league games this season, he has left his injury-prone past behind and should be considered for England’s World Cup squad. Manager Michael Carrick said: “He deserves to go. His consistency, his performances, his experience, his qualities. He’s an excellent full-back.” With limited options at the position, Shaw’s reliability offers variety alongside current first-choice Nico O’Reilly, who converted from central midfield under Pep Guardiola.

VAR controversy marred the match between Brentford and Wolves, with a handball incident dominating post-match analysis. Brentford manager Vitor Pereira, measured in his criticism, said: “I think we need to have a meeting together to understand when it is a handball.” The referee initially awarded a goal despite the ball clearly striking Bryan Mbeumo’s hand. After a three-minute VAR review and a further 60 seconds for the on-field referee to look at the monitor, he upheld his original decision. Pereira added: “A lot of the time we don’t understand the decisions.”

West Ham’s heavy defeat to Newcastle left them on the brink of relegation, but mathematical survival remains possible. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo called it “a bad performance and a bad day.” Tottenham, who hold a far superior goal difference, need only a point against Chelsea on Tuesday to secure safety. However, Spurs have lost their last five meetings with Chelsea by an aggregate of 12-4, and have not taken a point at Stamford Bridge in four years. Chelsea’s players also have motivation to impress incoming manager Xabi Alonso. The final day may see Spurs face a difficult trip to Everton, while Nuno must rely on Chelsea doing his side a favour.

Aston Villa’s victory over Liverpool deepened Liverpool’s struggles with injuries and defensive frailties. Arne Slot’s side conceded two more set-piece goals and were without nine first-team players, including marquee signing Alexander Isak, who missed out with a minor issue but could return against Brentford. Slot said: “I don’t think it could come to anyone as a surprise that if you miss your pre-season and then break your leg that minor injuries can occur if you then start into Premier League games in that intensity.”

After Manchester City’s FA Cup triumph over Chelsea, manager Pep Guardiola warned against complacency. “The most important thing is that winning trophies is good. Know what it takes to compete and win but don’t take it for granted,” he said. “You start to believe that you are special, you will not win the FA Cup. Special we are not.” City secured their 17th major trophy under Guardiola.

Chelsea’s recent record in cup finals at Wembley remains dire, with Saturday’s defeat their eighth loss in nine finals since 2017. They have not scored in a domestic cup final since Christian Pulisic’s goal in 2020. Billy Munday noted that despite scoring seven goals in last year’s Club World Cup and Conference League finals, the young squad’s inexperience cannot fully explain the drought. New manager Xabi Alonso is unlikely to have European football next season, putting additional pressure on Chelsea to end their Wembley struggles.

Leeds United’s win over Brighton hinted at a bright future. Since reverting to a back three in November, Leeds have sat sixth in the Premier League table, ahead of many teams competing for European places. Manager Daniel Farke has full backing from the fanbase and the club, which has expressed a desire to push on. With survival secured, Leeds appear poised to challenge for continental football next season.

Sunderland’s remarkable resilience was on display as they came from behind to beat Everton, extending their Premier League record for points recovered from losing positions this season to 22. Manager Regis Le Bris said: “The team never loses its head. The team always stays connected. The character of the players is key.” Unlike David Moyes’s teams that have wilted under European pressure, Sunderland have pressed on despite exceeding pre-season expectations.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton delivered a man-of-the-match performance in a 2-2 draw with Brentford, scoring his long-awaited first goal for the club. Manager Oliver Glasner praised Wharton’s durability and game intelligence, noting: “His head, his understanding of the game, his reading of the game, he is always two steps ahead. This helps him compensate for his physical disadvantage.” Brentford manager Keith Andrews added: “He’s a quality player, no doubt about that.” Wharton has played 54 games this season and has a European final ahead.

Wolves’ relegation may be confirmed, but 18-year-old Mateus Mané stands out as a player who should not be in the Championship. His high-quality finish for the opener and overall performances this season suggest he is ready for a Premier League move. The author, TB, notes that while Wolves fans may not like it, Mané’s first move should be a departure from Molineux, where he could develop into a matchwinner in the right environment.