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Premier League: biggest winners and losers from the international break Premier League: biggest winners and losers from the international break
(35 minutes later)
WinnersWinners
Christian EriksenChristian Eriksen
Denmark’s coach, Morten Olsen, was critical of Christian Eriksen after last month’s home defeat by Portugal but his harsh words appear to have done the trick. The Tottenham midfielder, who has made a patchy start to the season, was excellent as Denmark fought back from a goal down to win 3-1 in Serbia on Friday night. “He gave the right answers,” Olsen said. “Christian played a great game.” Mauricio Pochettino will hope Eriksen replicates that form this Sunday against Hull City.Denmark’s coach, Morten Olsen, was critical of Christian Eriksen after last month’s home defeat by Portugal but his harsh words appear to have done the trick. The Tottenham midfielder, who has made a patchy start to the season, was excellent as Denmark fought back from a goal down to win 3-1 in Serbia on Friday night. “He gave the right answers,” Olsen said. “Christian played a great game.” Mauricio Pochettino will hope Eriksen replicates that form this Sunday against Hull City.
Cheikhou KouyatéCheikhou Kouyaté
With Winston Reid stalling over signing a new contract, West Ham will be encouraged to hear that Kouyaté stood out as a centre-back for Senegal. He has been used in central midfield for West Ham since his move from Anderlecht but he distinguished himself in a different role for his country. His versatility could prove to be an asset for Sam Allardyce’s side.With Winston Reid stalling over signing a new contract, West Ham will be encouraged to hear that Kouyaté stood out as a centre-back for Senegal. He has been used in central midfield for West Ham since his move from Anderlecht but he distinguished himself in a different role for his country. His versatility could prove to be an asset for Sam Allardyce’s side.
Nathaniel ClyneNathaniel Clyne
The Southampton right-back is a key member of the Premier League’s best defence and he showed why in an accomplished debut for England against Slovenia – Clyne carried out his defensive duties diligently and showed good adventure going forward. He is likely to be buzzing when Southampton visit Aston Villa on Monday night.The Southampton right-back is a key member of the Premier League’s best defence and he showed why in an accomplished debut for England against Slovenia – Clyne carried out his defensive duties diligently and showed good adventure going forward. He is likely to be buzzing when Southampton visit Aston Villa on Monday night.
Mame Biram DioufMame Biram Diouf
The striker scored the only goal as Senegal beat Egypt to confirm their place at the Africa Cup of Nations. Diouf’s early free-kick was enough for Senegal to qualify and offered more evidence that the 26-year-old is starting to make the most of his potential. He has scored twice in his past three games for Stoke and he will expect that tally to increase when Burnley visit the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon.The striker scored the only goal as Senegal beat Egypt to confirm their place at the Africa Cup of Nations. Diouf’s early free-kick was enough for Senegal to qualify and offered more evidence that the 26-year-old is starting to make the most of his potential. He has scored twice in his past three games for Stoke and he will expect that tally to increase when Burnley visit the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Andrew RobertsonAndrew Robertson
The left-back’s high-quality duelling with Séamus Coleman was one of the best features of the feisty but low-quality Scotland-Ireland clash. The 20-year-old made mistakes in the buildup to two of England’s goals on Tuesday but generally produced another strong display that he capped with an excellent goal. By establishing himself as a worthy international, Robertson has strengthened the impression that Hull City pulled off one of the signings of the summer when they picked him up from Dundee United for two bob and a pat on the head. The left-back’s high-quality duelling with Séamus Coleman was one of the best features of the feisty but low-quality Scotland-Ireland encounter. The 20-year-old made mistakes in the buildup to two of England’s goals on Tuesday but generally produced another strong display that he capped with an excellent goal. By establishing himself as a worthy international, Robertson has strengthened the impression that Hull City pulled off one of the signings of the summer when they picked him up from Dundee United for two bob and a pat on the head.
To crown a promising week for Steve Bruce, Robbie Brady performed brilliantly in Ireland’s win over the USA, scoring two goals from left-back to suggest that Hull are well stocked in that department and Martin O’Neill needs to use a player of such creativity more regularly.To crown a promising week for Steve Bruce, Robbie Brady performed brilliantly in Ireland’s win over the USA, scoring two goals from left-back to suggest that Hull are well stocked in that department and Martin O’Neill needs to use a player of such creativity more regularly.
LosersLosers
Manchester UnitedManchester United
Louis van Gaal just cannot catch a break and the last thing United’s manager needed was for David De Gea, Daley Blind and potentially Ángel Di María and Luke Shaw to return from international duties with injuries. While De Gea, United’s most impressive player this season, has an outside chance of playing against Arsenal after dislocating a finger with Spain, the knee injury that Blind suffered in Holland’s victory over Latvia is thought to be more serious. Di María will have a scan on an injured leg while Shaw was taken off against Scotland with a tight groin. Louis van Gaal just cannot catch a break and the last thing United’s manager needed was for David de Gea, Daley Blind and potentially Ángel di María and Luke Shaw to return from international duties with injuries. While De Gea, United’s most impressive player this season, has an outside chance of playing against Arsenal after dislocating a finger with Spain, the knee injury that Blind suffered in Holland’s victory over Latvia is thought to be more serious. Di María will have a scan on an injured leg while Shaw was taken off against Scotland with a tight groin.
Aaron RamseyAaron Ramsey
The midfielder was Arsenal’s best player last season but he has been disrupted by injuries in the early part of this campaign and his middling form has led to questions being asked about his importance to Arsène Wenger’s side. Indeed Ramsey was forced to defend his performance after Wales drew 0-0 with Belgium on Sunday and he could do with an improved showing against United. Yet it is worth remembering that he has a history of proving his critics wrong.The midfielder was Arsenal’s best player last season but he has been disrupted by injuries in the early part of this campaign and his middling form has led to questions being asked about his importance to Arsène Wenger’s side. Indeed Ramsey was forced to defend his performance after Wales drew 0-0 with Belgium on Sunday and he could do with an improved showing against United. Yet it is worth remembering that he has a history of proving his critics wrong.
Jordan HendersonJordan Henderson
The Liverpool midfielder struggled for England against Slovenia in the first half. He was unable to assert his authority in midfield and was careless in possession – at one point the television cameras caught Henderson screaming in frustration after he knocked a simple pass out of play, before he scored an own-goal in the second half. Liverpool will need him to play with a calmer head in their testing encounter with Crystal Palace. The Liverpool midfielder struggled for England against Slovenia in the first half. He was unable to assert his authority in midfield and was careless in possession – at one point the television cameras caught Henderson screaming in frustration after he knocked a simple pass out of play, before he scored an own goal in the second half. Liverpool will need him to play with a calmer head in their testing encounter with Crystal Palace.
Daniel SturridgeDaniel Sturridge
It says much for the way Brendan Rodgers’ fortunes have plummeted that one of his few surefire successes in the transfer market was stricken yet again even though he was nowhere near the England camp. Sturridge has not played since suffering a thigh injury while training in a way that displeased Rodgers with England in September, and his recovery has been sabotaged by two other injures, the latest occurring while training with Liverpool on Tuesday. It says much for the way Brendan Rodgers’ fortunes have plummeted that one of his few surefire successes in the transfer market was stricken yet again even though he was nowhere near the England camp. Sturridge has not played since suffering a thigh injury while training in a way that displeased Rodgers with England in September, and his recovery has been sabotaged by two other injuries, the latest occurring while training with Liverpool on Tuesday.
Liverpool have missed him badly and their wait for him to return continues. With Mario Balotelli slightly damaging his hamstring and groin while training before Italy’s match with Croatia, Rickie Lambert may finally be about to get a run in the Liverpool side.Liverpool have missed him badly and their wait for him to return continues. With Mario Balotelli slightly damaging his hamstring and groin while training before Italy’s match with Croatia, Rickie Lambert may finally be about to get a run in the Liverpool side.
Bayern MunichBayern Munich
With David Alaba, Javi Martínez and Thiago Alcantara already on the treatment table, Bayern could have done without more injuries but instead the international break left them with concerns over three key players. Philipp Lahm broke an ankle and has been ruled out for around three months while Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer suffered less serious injuries but may miss next week’s Champions League action – meaning Manchester City might, just might, have a chance of prolonging their stay in that tournament. With David Alaba, Javi Martínez and Thiago Alcântara already on the treatment table, Bayern could have done without more injuries but instead the international break left them with concerns over three key players. Philipp Lahm broke an ankle and has been ruled out for around three months while Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer suffered fewer serious injuries but may miss next week’s Champions League action – meaning Manchester City might, just might, have a chance of prolonging their stay in that tournament.