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It’s nothing new to say that goals win games. This season’s title race, however, perhaps more than ever, underlines the idea that clinical finishing and the lack of it can prove the crucial factor in defining a season’s campaign.
Going into last weekend’s fixtures, leaders Arsenal and Liverpool boasted the best goals scored record in the league. Fast forward a couple of days and not only had their slender points advantage been wiped out. Manchester City had overtaken that goals record and their profligacy in front of goal had been cruelly exposed. And while the nature – and timing – of their respective home defeats against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will draw most of the focus, their wastefulness in front of goal has been a problem for both teams for large parts of the season.
It feels harsh to point the finger at individuals, but it is pertinent that, while holders City benefit from the all-conquering, record-breaking robot-striker that is Erling Haaland, Liverpool is still yet to see a dependable goalscoring return for the significant investment in their big money No. 9, Darwin Núñez.
Núñez’s misses have cost Liverpool dearly in Premier League title race
The Uruguayan brings a lot to the game; excitement, a free spirit and the ability to inject a sense of chaos into the Reds’ frontline. A calm head in front of goal is not one of them. The data isn’t kind either, ranking him 559th out of 562 players for striking efficiency.
To his credit, he’s not a player likely to be put off by such statistics but for all the goals he has scored this season, it will be the glaring misses he’ll be remembered for most. It’s not helped that they often come in crucial games too, such as the snapped volley in the defeat to Palace or the miscued cutback against Man United a week before. These are the chances that swing games and win titles. And he’s not the only one missing them.
In three games against Manchester United alone…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-title-race-comes-down-to-one-deciding-factor/
Author : Matthew Walsh
Publish date : 2024-04-18 17:18:04
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