Football Dec 09, 2025

Tyrick Mitchell touted for England World Cup spot as Matheus Fernandes provides hope for West Ham - Premier League hits and misses

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Tyrick Mitchell touted for England World Cup spot as Matheus Fernandes provides hope for West Ham - Premier League hits and misses

Tyrick Mitchell is the latest Crystal Palace player being pushed forward to play an important role for England at the World Cup next summer.

"I'm pretty sure if he continues playing like this, he will be in consideration for the World Cup for England, because he's doing so well," said Glasner after the left wing-back impressed in Palace's 2-1 win at Fulham on Super Sunday.

With match-winner Marc Guehi one of the first names on the team sheet for England boss Thomas Tuchel, Dean Henderson a certainty to make the squad and Adam Wharton - who delivered a "masterclass" performance in midfield at Craven Cottage, according to Your Site' Jamie Redknapp - starting England's last game, Palace players are filling up some key roles for the national team.

Left-back has long been a problem position and it's fair to say no player has staked their claim convincingly enough for it yet. Mitchell - who won two England caps in 2022 - is now 26 and is developing into the player who, in and out of possession, could provide the solution.
Peter Smith

Fulham feel like a team who are doing the right things. They certainly did the right things last weekend at Tottenham, when they raced into a 2-0 lead. They did plenty of good things when they gave Man City a big fright in Tuesday's 5-4 thriller. And they were, as boss Marco Silva said, 'dominant' for significant passages of play against Crystal Palace.

The 2-1 derby defeat may well have turned on the narrow offside call against Samuel Chukwueze which saw Emile Smith Rowe's goal ruled out at 1-1. Silva reckoned Chukwueze's toenail was too big. But the margins are going against his team right now.

For all of the positive signs, they are also missing decisive aspects in their game. Harry Wilson - who scored a wondergoal earlier on Sunday - explained how if they couldn't win the game, they shouldn't lose it. But they did. And they've now lost seven of their last 10 Premier League games.

Fulham are down in 15th. No one is expecting them to be in a relegation battle but with results passing them by, their objectives in the league could slip away, despite some encouraging performances.
Peter Smith

Matheus Fernandes cost West Ham £40m - that's the third-highest amount they have ever paid for a player.

At 21, he's still raw, but the signs are that the Hammers may just have unearthed the kind of midfield dynamo and playmaker that their recent seasons have desperately lacked.

Fernandes showed what he is all about at Brighton, offering a rare modern midfield blend: he can dribble and carry forward, has a sweet passing range but he can also press, chase, tackle and defend when required.

His link between defence and attack, someone willing to push through the lines rather than linger in midfield, gave West Ham a big platform in this match where they were minutes away from a brilliant away win.

He had the most touches of any West Ham player, made more tackles than anyone on the pitch (8) and won five fouls as Brighton couldn't get near him. When he departed with seven minutes to go, the Hammers took a step back.
Lewis Jones

Brighton remain a team with issues playing against a low block. Fabian Hurzeler has a team that sparkles when opponents engage them yet so often look strangely short of ideas when faced with a team who refuse to dance.

In their last 22 games where they've enjoyed more possession than their opponents, they have won just five of those games and they were fortunate to nab a draw with West Ham based on their lack of attacking imagination.

West Ham's attacking play that opened the Brighton backline up on multiple occasions reinforced the issue of their style of play tactically leaving a strain on their back line. One mistake, one transition - and the game swings.

Brighton still feel one unpredictable attacker short when the puzzle becomes static. Too many touches, not enough penetration. Too much structure, not enough spontaneity.
Lewis Jones

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