Newcastle captain makes himself look daft, Arsenal under the cosh, West Ham face tough run-in
It’s been one of those weeks in football where it has been difficult to keep abreast with everything that has been going on.
With that in mind, read on as we look at some of the key talking points, starting with an unlikely spat in the Champions League.
Newcastle captain’s ‘Napoleon complex’ runs wild
Kieran Trippier made himself look rather silly at half-time in Newcastle United’s midweek Champions League knockout round play-off first-leg at Qarabag.
His angry reaction at designated penalty taker Anthony Gordon taking his second spot-kick of the game highlighted why the Magpies probably need to appoint a new captain.
It’s unlikely that the former Burnley defender would have pulled the same stunt when Alan Shearer was leading the line. Angry little man isn’t a good look.
Beware the new manager bounce
Table-topping Arsenal visit Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, desperate to put their midweek draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers behind them.
However, Tottenham’s decision to sack Thomas Frank and replace him with Igor Tudor could prove to be an extremely well-timed decision.
With Manchester City and Aston Villa both playing at home this weekend, the title race could look very different by Sunday night.
Top-four beckons for Chelsea
Chelsea head into the weekend one point adrift of Manchester United and with every chance of ending the latest round of matches in the top four.
Their fixture against relegation candidates Burnley has ‘banker home win’ written all over it. By contrast, the Red Devils face a tricky test at Everton.
However, Chelsea may not stay there for too long, given that they visit Arsenal and Villa in their next two league outings.
Carrick has been presented with a golden opportunity
Four wins and a draw from his first five games as Manchester United’s interim manager represent an excellent return for Michael Carrick.
However, Monday’s trip to Everton will be a useful yardstick to determine whether the former Middlesbrough boss can build on the foundations he has laid.
The Toffees are no mugs, but these are the type of games United should be winning. If Carrick guides them to victory, the case for him becoming permanent manager would be even more compelling.
West Ham’s great escape bid could stall
West Ham have given themselves hope of avoiding relegation in recent weeks, but their resurgence could stall on the run-in.
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), the Hammers have the toughest set of matches of the teams currently battling against the drop.
Manchester City and Arsenal still have to visit the London Stadium, while trips to Liverpool, Villa, Brentford and Newcastle United won’t be easy. The Championship beckons.
FIFA continue to frustrate with the Club World Cup
While Chelsea have relished being able to call themselves Club World Cup winners, the rest of football has become increasingly annoyed with FIFA’s handling of the tournament.
In a development that no one really wants, the governing body is proposing to expand the event to 48 teams for the next edition in 2029.
FIFA have also yet to pay £185 million of solidarity payments to the top-flight clubs worldwide that did not participate last year. As your grandma may once have said, it’s a shambles.
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Blackburn Rovers face Preston North End in the Championship tonight. It’s the derby that no one outside of Preston cares about.
Preston’s main rivals are Blackpool, yet many of their fans seem to get themselves into a lather whenever they face Blackburn.
By contrast, North End don’t tend to register with Rovers fans as genuine rivals. Blackburn versus Burnley is the Lancashire derby that really matters.