David Moyes will surely have taken note of Liverpool’s struggle to defend set pieces against Everton. Jürgen Klopp, who must be delighted with a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday, should prepare his team for another bruising test when they visit West Ham. For Moyes, this is a chance to repair the sizeable damage to his reputation caused by last weekend’s collapse at Selhurst Park. West Ham were 4-0 down to Palace after 31 minutes and are preparing to part company with Moyes at the end of the season, but they should take heart from how Everton unsettled Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. Everton scored twice from set pieces and West Ham pose a similar threat from dead balls. James Ward-Prowse’s deliveries towards Tomas Soucek, Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio will have Klopp’s defenders sweating. Jacob Steinberg
Jean-Philippe Mateta has looked like a different player since Oliver Glasner’s arrival at Crystal Palace. Mateta had struggled to nail down a starting spot since moving to south London three years ago. He was a bit-part presence, a useful squad player, but nobody seemed convinced he was capable of leading the line on a regular basis. Yet the situation has changed under Glasner. In nine appearances for the Austrian, Mateta has eight goals. A clinical finisher has emerged. Palace are creating chances and Mateta has been taking them. He scored both of their goals in the 2-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday. Fulham will need to watch out when Glasner’s side visit Craven Cottage. JS
Given Eddie Howe’s close bonds with Liverpool’s new football chief executive, Michael Edwards, and their incoming sporting director, Richard Hughes, it is arguably surprising that the Anfield club have opted to target Feyenoord’s Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp’s potential successor rather than attempt to recruit Newcastle’s manager. Howe is not perfect but there is a real sense that he remains underrated. Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Wednesday was disappointing but it is worth noting that it involved six players – five starters and one substitute – who were on the St James’ Park books when Rafael Benítez walked out, citing lack of ambition, five years ago. The reality that Fabian Schär, Sean Longstaff, Jacob Murphy and co are challenging for Europe rather than trying to avoid relegation speaks volumes for Howe’s coaching ability. Chris Wilder is certainly unlikely to underestimate it as he aims to avoid a repeat of the 8-0 defeat Sheffield United (then managed by Paul Heckingbottom) sustained at Bramall Lane in September. Louise Taylor
Erik ten Hag gave Antony a second start since February against Sheffield United, but the manager might feel in retrospect like he shouldn’t have bothered. At home to comfortably the worst side in the division, this seemed like an opportunity for the beleaguered Brazilian to contribute and build some confidence. Instead, Antony was substituted with Manchester United trailing 2-1: no goal, no assist, no shot on target, six duels lost. In his 55 minutes, the 24-year-old lost possession 13 times, or roughly every four minutes. United were greatly improved once Antony was replaced, so will Ten Hag risk starting him again against Burnley? From the worrying off-field allegations to the on-pitch inadequacies, this looks like maybe a last chance for Antony to create a positive headline before a more testing run-in and what will surely be an uncertain summer. Michael Butler
Everton will still be on a high after their first home win over Liverpool in 14 years and the instruction from Sean…
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