A lively reception awaits the former Liverpool midfielders Jordan Henderson and Xabi Alonso at Everton and, in the case of the former, any jeers can be considered an unintentional tribute. They will speak of what the 36-year-old is able to produce now as much as what, and where, he delivered in the past. With two goals and an assist against Bournemouth last Saturday, Henderson became the oldest player to contribute directly to three goals in a Premier League game, and demonstrated his role at Chelsea is not simply to elevate standards off the pitch.
His midfield partnership with Moisés Caicedo gave Alonso’s team balance and enabled the front three of Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Cole Palmer to flourish. Their confrontation against an Everton defence that had impressed this season, only to litter the draw at Hull with costly mistakes, will provide a stern test of the hosts’ unbeaten start and may well be dictated by the veteran behind them. Andy Hunter Still unbeaten in the top flight, Brentford’s commitment to pragmatism is serving them well.
Keith Andrews’ side like to sit deep, close off the middle of the pitch and force opponents to play around them, while flooding the opposition box at set pieces and throw-ins allows them to create the chances from which most of their goals arrive. In spanking six past Lask, the Austrian champions, Liverpool showed how good they can be on the front foot, but they will face far less obliging hosts at the Gtech Community Stadium. If Andoni Iraola’s side can dominate the ball and move it quickly enough to penetrate Brentford’s rearguard, they could win comfortably.
However, the Bees’ efforts to turn the afternoon into a saloon brawl and capitalise on dead-ball situations may help to maintain their unbeaten run. Barry Glendenning Gonzalo García has one league goal from 18 shots this season. The striker joined Fulham from Real Madrid in the summer and has looked promising in patches.
García is 22 and capable of getting on the end of chances. He has an expected goals tally of 3.60 but is underperforming with his finishing. The challenge is to become more clinical.
Fulham, bottom of the league, have six goals in six games and García is without a goal since scoring on his debut, against Chelsea. Álvaro Arbeloa has put a lot of faith in his fellow Spaniard. The head coach is under increasing pressure and winless Fulham need García to fire when they host Hull City.
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