Every Premier League team's half-term report as Liverpool top class and Man Utd graded E
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We're just about halfway through the Premier League season, so for my last column of 2024 I have summoned each manager to Headmaster Sav’s study to collect their half-term reports. There have been some exceptional pupils who have surpassed expectations, but others - notably in Manchester - have fallen short of the required standards.
Happy New Year to you, whoever you support, and wishing you all the best for 2025. Arne Slot - an apology. In one of the worst pre-season predictions of all time, I thought Liverpool might finish outside the top four because of the post-Klopp effect, in the same way that Arsenal struggled after Wenger and Man United struggled after Fergie. But they have been superb - and now I believe they will win the title.
They are exceeding expectations and, whatever manager Enzo Maresca says in public, they ARE in the title race. He has handled a young, dynamic squad well, he’s got Cole Palmer playing out of his skin - the best player in the Premier League - and they should win the Europa Conference League.
Nuno Espirito Santo may not have been the sexiest choice when Forest picked him as Steve Cooper’s successor, but what an incredible job he’s doing. To be third in the table on Boxing Day is no fluke, and the City Ground is absolutely rocking. Tottenham fans must be wondering why they got rid of him.
Don’t fall for the sneers about their high percentage of goals from set pieces - it’s an important part of football and it’s another string to their bow. The Gunners stumbled when skipper Martin Odegaard was injured and although Gabriel Jesus is back among the goals, they should go for a top-class No.9 in January.
