ALEX CROOK: Tales of the Unexpected

Our football ambassador ALEX CROOK is back with his latest Tales Of The Unexpected, highlighting five takeaways from the Premier League weekend!

Anything that caught you by surprise over the weekend? Email content@starsportsbet.co.uk and we’ll include the best submissions in next week’s TOTU!

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET FOOTBALL MARKETS ⭐

---

1️⃣ ERRATIC SANCHEZ NOT A KEEPER FOR CHELSEA

Even given Robert Sanchez’s capability to throw in a clanger, his goalkeeping for Arsenal’s winner in Sunday’s London derby triumph over Chelsea was bordering on embarrassing.

Not only did Sanchez make a total mess of coming for Declan Rice’s corner, he then fell to his knees pretending he had been fouled, leading to teammate Pedro Neto talking his way to the first of two yellow cards in four minutes to get himself sent off.

It was the latest example of Chelsea needing to invest in a new number one this summer if they harbour any serious ambitions of challenging for league titles and Champions League.

Sanchez’s poor distribution and dallying on the ball had already caused travelling Chelsea fans a couple of anxious moments, not least when he came close to gifting Viktor Gyokeres an early goal.

The harsh reality is the Spaniard is not on the level of the likes of Arsenal counterpart David Raya, whose brilliant late save to deny Alejandro Garnacho an equaliser was in stark contrast to the antics in the opposite penalty box.

🔴 Arsenal to win the Premier League title – currently ? with starsports.bet

---

2️⃣ CALM CARRICK THE PERFECT ANTEDOTE FOR IN-FORM UNITED

When Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as Manchester United boss, they were nine points behind Aston Villa and seemingly drifting towards a season of mid-table mediocrity.

Six wins and a draw later, and the mild-mannered, yet determined Carrick has guided his former club above Villa and into third place for the first time since 2023. The Red Devils had to come from behind to beat a stubborn Crystal Palace side and there is no doubt that Maxence La Croix’s sending off changed the game.

But, even when United fans were getting anxious at 1-0 down or when watching their side try and see out the game, Carrick remained ice cool in his technical area, a far cry from the overly-emotional Amorim.

Whereas Amorim’s anxiety often spread into the stands and onto his players, Carrick’s measured approach looks set to lead United to a Champions League return.

🔴 Manchester United to finish in the top four – currently ? with starsports.bet

---

3️⃣ SPURS PLAYERS TOO SOFT FOR HARD-LINE TUDOR

Igor Tudor is already experiencing the pitfalls of being an interim manager walking into a dressing room where egos outweigh performances.

Tudor was recruited by a Tottenham side in crisis in part due to his reputation as a disciplinarian, and has certainly pulled no punches in his damning public assessment of the squad he has inherited.

After succumbing to yet another defeat at Fulham, and having been totally outplayed for the first hour, Tudor accused his players of ‘lacking brain.’

The issue is that Spurs’ weak-minded players know Tudor is just passing through and his harsh words already appear like they are failing on death ears, much like when Ralf Rangnick tried to play the tough guy at Manchester United.

Spurs would have been better off appointing a man manager like Harry Redknapp, as Tudor already looks like he will be relying on their relegation rivals not getting enough points to stay up as opposed to saving themselves.

⚪️ Tottenham to be relegated – currently ? with starsports.bet

---

4️⃣ TOOTHLESS FOREST CAN’T SEE THE WOOD FROM THE TRICKY TREES

Unlike Tottenham boss Tudor, Vitor Pereira is doing his utmost to publicly big up his struggling Nottingham Forest team.

Pereira was hired due to his ability to galvanise a dressing room, but having lost both his opening two league games, there has been little sign of the new manager bounce he was able to produce in similar circumstances at Wolves last season.

Having ended their own poor run by winning at Brentford the previous weekend, Sunday was probably a bad time to have to travel to Brighton.

But Forest’s limp 2-1 defeat means only bottom club Wolves have failed to score in more games this season than the not-so Tricky Trees whilst Pereira’s only personal record now stands at 16 Premier League games without a win.

It is hoped that last season’s 20-goal top-scorer Chris Wood will be fit enough to make his comeback next month. The New Zealander’s return cannot come soon enough for Pereira or Forest.

🌳 Nottingham Forest to be relegated – currently ? with starsports.bet

---

5️⃣ WEST HAM SHOW ENOUGH IN DEFEAT TO WORRY TEAMS ABOVE THEM

A simple glance at the scoreline suggests West Ham were outclassed in their 5-2 defeat at champions Liverpool.

But, the fact is the Hammers departed Anfield with a better XG and more possession than Arne Slot’s hosts, and but for some shoddy defending and poor finishing could have come away with a positive result.

While their league position remains perilous, the Hammers are in better form and showing more stomach for a fight than Nottingham Forest and Tottenham above them. If they can beat Fulham on Wednesday and Forest, as expected, lose at Manchester City the same night, they will move out of the bottom three.

That would also pile the pressure on Spurs, currently four points above their London rivals, who host Crystal Palace on Thursday.

This feels like a pivotal week in the scrap for survival.

⚒️ West Ham to be relegated – currently ? with starsports.bet

---

Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

---

STAR PROMOTIONS