Hits & Misses: Anderson and Wirtz offering opposite value for money

Anderson showing why he is worth every penny

Manchester City's siege mentality won out at Liverpool. Their quality with a man over telling, if not quite so obvious when both sides had a full complement of players for an hour of the game.

Absolutely everything good about City in their 3-0 win was summed up by the classy performance of Elliot Anderson.

Not for the first time since his mega-money move from Nottingham Forest, the midfielder's mastery on the ball was matched by his maturity off it. A "bargain" at £116m, according to Jamie Carragher, every bit capable, in his own way, of exerting as much control and influence on games as Rodri did in this role.

While the spotlight shines ever brighter on City as a club, and forensics pour over their spending, Anderson remains the picture of calm. Everything a manager would want in a modern-day holding midfielder: a robust runner, aggressive tackler and clever distributor. "He dominates big games," says Gary Neville.

Rarely fazed by the occasion, Anderson has won at Anfield two years running - with two different sides. Of course the way Forest went about success last term shared few similarities with City's more technical display. The only common denominator? Elliot Anderson.
Laura Hunter

Wirtz struggling in big games for Liverpool

Florian Wirtz played his part with the pressing and the constant movement that was a hallmark of Liverpool's up-tempo approach that made life so difficult for Manchester City for an hour at Anfield. But that bit of magic that the supporters wanted was missing.

Rayan Cherki provided that for City's third and final goal, by which point Wirtz was sat on the Liverpool bench having been substituted. Another big game in which the Germany international was unable to provide the spark for his side.

Too many loose touches and loose passes, one or two tackles shirked. Victor Munoz and Lewis Koumas are easy for supporters to embrace with their bustling styles but Wirtz is a player who glides across the turf and he needs end product to justify his role.

There was one shot lashed wide with the game goalless and better options to his left. It is no goals for Wirtz this season and just one in his last 16 Premier League appearances. Another opportunity missed for a classy player still seemingly unable to impose himself.
Adam Bate

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Sage produces throwback Palace display at Glasner's expense

Crystal Palace have shown signs of rediscovering their attacking spark under Pierre Sage, with their 3-1 comeback win over Nottingham Forest the latest example.

• Palace 3-1 Nott'm Forest - Match report & highlights
• As it happened | Teams | Stats

The Eagles have now scored three or more goals in two of their last four league games - as often as they managed across their previous 37 Premier League matches combined.

Goals and entertaining football were a problem during Oliver Glasner's latter days in charge, as Palace struggled to balance their domestic and European commitments.

There is an early sense of a throwback to the more free-scoring side that flourished under the Austrian in his first season, when their pace, movement and attacking combinations made them a threat to anyone.

It is still early in Sage's tenure, and two high-scoring performances do not guarantee a lasting change. But Palace look to be playing with greater freedom and confidence, with Daichi Kamada, Jefferson Lerma and Yeremy Pino all finding the net against Forest.

If Sage can sustain that attacking momentum while tightening up a defence that has been vulnerable this season, there are encouraging signs of a more dangerous Palace taking shape.
William Bitibiri

Unbeaten Everton need one thing to be European contenders

Everton are unbeaten after six matches for just the third time in the Premier League era. In 2006/07 and 2013/14 they finished sixth and then fifth from this position.

It is a testament to the hard work of David Moyes, who has returned to challenging circumstances in his second Everton spell, that he has got the club back to looking upwards.

For the last five seasons, Everton have been in the bottom half, often battling relegation. Now, it seems, they have a genuine chance to push up the table and dare to dream bigger.

• Hull 2-2 Everton - Match report & highlights
• As it happened | Teams | Stats

However, it is hard to see how Moyes can drag them into Europe with Thierno Barry as his only striker. The 23-year-old scored in the end in the 2-2 draw at Hull, but, according to Opta, he needed five big chances to find the back of the net. At least two of those had to go in.

If Everton are to qualify for Europe, they will need a striker who wins them points. At Hull, you could argue they had a striker who cost them points.

Barry, who is Everton's top scorer since the start of last season in the Premier League (11 goals), is improving all the time, but the current situation is unfair on him and his manager. Right now he cannot be depended on consistently.

The Frenchman, who has started all eight of Everton's matches this season, appeared to pull up with cramp towards the end at Hull and Moyes had no choice but to replace him with Charly Alcaraz, who is a midfielder by trade.

There was only four minutes plus stoppage time to go, but it almost felt as if Everton were forced to give up on chasing a late winner. This was a match that was there for the taking.

The plan, of course, was to have Folarin Balogun in the squad. However, his move from Monaco collapsed at the last minute on Deadline Day.

The obvious solution would be to go back in for a striker in January. It remains to be seen how the uncertainty at ownership level will impact their plans. Moyes needs - and deserves - another striker to have a proper chance at a push for Europe.
Zinny Boswell

Tiredness cannot stop Belloumi - or defences

Mohamed Belloumi is making the difference for Hull City - even when he is tired.

The Algeria winger was benched for the first time this season against Everton after telling head coach Sergej Jakirovic on Friday that he was fatigued after playing three times for his country during the international break.

Belloumi still made a crucial impact on Sunday, netting Hull's equaliser to earn them a point. He has been pivotal in the club's good start, scoring or assisting five of their eight Premier League goals this season.

The 24-year-old was signed from Portuguese side Farense in August 2024 and scored only five goals in 35 Championship appearances over two seasons, but, at a higher level, his pace and fearless dribbling has made a significant contribution already.

Belloumi will return to being the first name on their teamsheet at Fulham next weekend and, if his early-season form is anything to go by, defences will have plenty more to worry about.
David Richardson