Premier League Round 23: Can Werner Hold the Fort Until Son's Return? Sheffield United Find Hope in New Signing

The Premier League's 23rd round of matches continued on the evening of February 3rd, with Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United both in action. Spurs' new signing, Timo Werner, has already contributed two assists, helping to fill the void left by the injured Son Heung-min. The big question is whether he can maintain this form until the Asian Cup concludes. Meanwhile, Sheffield United's new winter signing, Ben Brereton, has scored in his first two Premier League appearances, giving fans hope in their fight against relegation, despite the team trailing the safety zone by nine points.

Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur - Waiting for Son's Return

Everton's season so far has been commendable. If it weren't for the 10-point deduction, they would have been relatively safe from relegation worries. Unfortunately, that's not the case, and Everton must continue to battle for survival in the remaining months of the season. They performed admirably in the first half of the campaign, staying clear of the relegation zone even with the points deduction. However, the grueling Christmas and New Year fixtures took their toll, and their form has plummeted since then. Everton ended 2023 with three consecutive Premier League defeats and have yet to score in the league in 2024, having also been knocked out of the FA Cup by fellow relegation strugglers Luton Town.

Tottenham Hotspur, on the other hand, are also out of the FA Cup but their exit came at the hands of Manchester City, a defeat they can take without too much dismay. In the Premier League, Spurs have managed to scrape together seven points from their last three matches, putting them back into the Champions League spots thanks to a superior goal difference over Aston Villa. In their last league match against Brentford, winter signing Werner provided another assist, helping Spurs to a comeback victory. Known for his tendency to assist rather than score, which earned him a reputation at Chelsea, Werner seems to have accepted his role at Spurs. If he continues to assist effectively, and with Son's return on the horizon, Tottenham's hopes for a top-four finish remain alive. Defensive issues persist, but with goalkeeper Vicario in good form, Spurs' defense can be dependable enough to support their top-four ambitions.

Tottenham have not lost to Everton in three and a half years, and they started the hectic Christmas and New Year schedule this season with a win over the Toffees. Everton's recent home form against Spurs has seen them draw five consecutive matches, but with their current fragility, Tottenham might edge this encounter 2-1.

Sheffield United vs. Aston Villa - Brereton Brings New Hope

Currently at the bottom of the table, Sheffield United were also relegated from the Premier League as the bottom team in the 2020-2021 season. Although their first win of that campaign came later than this season, they had amassed 11 points after 22 rounds, whereas this season they have only managed 10 points. These statistics highlight the slim chances of Sheffield United avoiding relegation. However, in their recent away match against Crystal Palace, newly-signed attacking midfielder Ben Brereton scored within the first minute, marking his second consecutive Premier League goal. During his time at Blackburn, Brereton showcased exceptional attacking and finishing abilities. Although he struggled in La Liga with Villarreal, failing to register any goals or assists in 14 matches, he has quickly found his form at Sheffield United, netting twice in two games. If he continues to harness his potential, Sheffield United’s relegation battle might not be as hopeless as it seems.

Aston Villa, in their first home game of 2024, faced Newcastle United, hoping to avenge their 5-1 defeat in the first half of the season. However, Villa found themselves 2-0 down within 40 minutes, and despite scoring a consolation goal, Newcastle added a third to seal the victory. Villa’s dense fixture list ended after Christmas, and they have had fewer matches in 2024, possibly leading to complacency among the players, reflected in their poor recent results.

Sheffield United managed to defeat Villa at home during their relegation season in 2020-2021, and the first meeting between the two sides this season ended in a 1-1 draw. Villa seems to struggle against Sheffield United’s robust style, and another 1-1 draw seems a likely outcome for this match.

The State of the Teams

Everton's season has been marred by inconsistency and off-field issues. Their recent form has been a stark contrast to their early-season promise. With the points deduction hanging over their heads, they need to find a way to reverse their downward spiral quickly. The lack of goals in 2024 is a significant concern, and their once-solid defense has shown signs of vulnerability.

Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, have had their fair share of struggles, but they have managed to stay competitive in the race for a top-four finish. The addition of Timo Werner has added a new dimension to their attack, even if his primary contributions have been assists rather than goals. The return of Son Heung-min will be a significant boost, but Spurs need to ensure they remain in contention until then. Their defense, while not impenetrable, has shown enough resilience to support their ambitions, especially when goalkeeper Vicario is in top form.

Sheffield United's plight seems more desperate. Their return to the Premier League has been challenging, and their points tally after 22 games paints a grim picture. However, the arrival of Ben Brereton has injected some much-needed optimism. His immediate impact in terms of goals has given the fans hope that survival is still possible. For Sheffield United, every game is now a battle for survival, and they need to capitalize on any opportunity to gather points.

Aston Villa’s inconsistency has been their downfall. Despite having a relatively easier schedule post-Christmas, they have failed to maintain the momentum needed to stay in the top half of the table. Their recent performances have been lackluster, and they need to find a way to regain their form if they want to avoid slipping further down the standings.

Key Players and Predictions

For Everton, the key to turning their season around lies in rediscovering their early-season form. Players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison need to step up and start finding the back of the net again. Their defense, which has been leaky in recent matches, needs to tighten up to give them a chance of surviving the relegation battle.

Tottenham will be looking to Timo Werner to continue his good form and provide the assists and goals they need to stay in the top-four race. The return of Son Heung-min will be crucial, but until then, players like Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski will need to shoulder the attacking responsibilities. Defensively, Vicario’s performances will be vital in ensuring they don’t concede cheap goals.

Sheffield United’s hopes rest heavily on Ben Brereton. If he can maintain his goal-scoring form, it will give the team a fighting chance. The rest of the squad needs to rally around him and put in solid performances to support their survival bid.

For Aston Villa, regaining focus and form is essential. Players like Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendía need to lead by example and inspire the team to better performances. Defensively, they need to be more solid and avoid the lapses that have cost them points in recent matches.

As the Premier League enters its 23rd round, the stakes are high for all teams involved. For Everton and Sheffield United, every game is a fight for survival, while Tottenham and Aston Villa are battling for European spots and consistency. The performances of new signings like Werner and Brereton will be crucial in shaping the outcomes of their respective teams’ seasons. The drama, intensity, and unpredictability of the Premier League promise to deliver another exciting round of matches.