1<\/p>\n
Reputations hit as Macc down Eagles<\/p>\n
Playing against lower-league opposition as a top-flight side in the FA Cup is like batting on the first morning of a Test match \u2013 you cannot really win and failure can prompt humiliation and reputational damage. To that end, some members of the Crystal Palace side deservedly beaten by Macclesfield perhaps learned a valuable lesson at Moss Rose. Marc Gu\u00e9hi and Adam Wharton are linked regularly with big moves away from Palace, but part of succeeding at elite clubs \u2013 the pair are admired by Manchester City and Manchester United respectively \u2013 is coping with being overwhelming favourites. Oliver Glasner, too, may have designs on bigger things, with United again a possible destination, but to see his side schooled by part-timers was a blow to his burgeoning reputation. Glasner slammed his players<\/a> after the defeat but the Austrian must take a portion of the blame. They must all do better. Dominic Booth<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n City\u2019s Alleyne is maxing his potential<\/p>\n In only his second senior game for Manchester City since being recalled on Monday from his loan at Watford, Max Alleyne scored the opener and cruised through the trouncing of Exeter<\/a> until being replaced on 64 minutes. \u201cThe last week\u2019s been kind of crazy,\u201d the 20-year-old said. \u201cBut I really enjoyed every second I\u2019ve been back. I was at Watford and was recalled, so I was straight in on Wednesday [for the 1-1 draw with Brighton] and then again on Saturday. My family are down south so I haven\u2019t seen them much [since].\u201d His 17 games in the first half of the season for the Hornets have aided Alleyne\u2019s development. \u201cThere\u2019s such a different style of football that I was asked to play there. It really helped me in duels and just learning little tricks in the game. You don\u2019t get many options to do that in the academy,\u201d he said. Jamie Jackson<\/p>\n Max Alleyne wheels away after opening the scoring against Exeter at the Etihad Stadiium. Photograph: Phil Duncan\/Every Second Media\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Fletcher fluffs his lines on big stage<\/p>\n If Sir Jim Ratcliffe was thinking of sticking with Darren Fletcher as a cut-price interim manager until the end of the season \u2013 and it would hardly be the first time such an option has been on the table \u2013 then the Manchester United<\/a> co-owner will surely reconsider. United have been listless in defence in Fletcher\u2019s two games in charge, clearly lacking structure. Going forward, they have mustered some bright moments without being ruthless in front of goal. That was evidenced in the first couple of minutes against Brighton when Diogo Dalot fluffed his lines when bearing down on Jason Steele\u2019s net. Fletcher has done something similar in the manager\u2019s hot seat. After holding talks with Ole Gunnar Solskj\u00e6r and Michael Carrick, United must appoint an interim manager with more tactical experience. Ruben Amorim\u2019s 3-4-3 was much maligned but at least it gave United some cohesion out of possession. DB<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Gnonto strike a timely reminder for Leeds<\/p>\n Before victory against Derby, Wilfried Gnonto had started just once for Leeds since August and in that game, at Manchester City<\/a>, he was removed at half-time with his side trailing 2-0. The Italian has now made almost as many substitute appearances for the club as he has started games, his progress stalling after an exciting breakthrough campaign as a teenager in 2022-23. Gnonto\u2019s emphatic strike to finish a slick Leeds move to equalise at Pride Park was a timely reminder of his abilities, capping an impressive performance from the 22-year-old. If he can continue his return to form, it will only bolster Daniel Farke\u2019s attacking options for the rest of the season. Many Leeds fans would like to see Gnonto receive more opportunities. DB<\/p>\n Wilfried Gnonto (right) and Brenden Aaronson savour Leeds\u2019s victory. Photograph: MI News\/NurPhoto\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Havertz and Nwaneri give Arteta boost<\/p>\n At the start of a run of four away fixtures in different competitions that continues with the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta could not have asked for more from his much-changed side at Portsmouth. It says a lot for Arsenal\u2019s strength in depth that they were able to start with almost an entirely different team to the 0-0 draw against Liverpool and still come away from Fratton Park with a comfortable victory, courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli\u2019s hat-trick. The return of Kai Havertz after 150 days on the sidelines is another boost, while Ethan Nwaneri put in an excellent performance after spending most of the season on the bench. \u201cHe deserved that, basically,\u201d Arteta said. With a trip to Nottingham Forest<\/a> up next in the Premier League before Inter away in the Champions League, Arsenal\u2019s only weakness could be a shortage of defensive cover as they await positive news on Piero Hincapi\u00e9\u2019s and Riccardo Calafiori\u2019s injuries. Ed Aarons<\/p>\n 6<\/p>\n January reinforcements bolster Nuno<\/p>\n West Ham fans, many times bitten, did not greet the January additions of Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos with rapture. The club\u2019s transfer business has been spotty, to put it politely, in recent years. With the caveat that they were facing Championship opposition in QPR<\/a>, both made worthy contributions, Pablo playing his part in Crysencio Summerville\u2019s opener while Castellanos nodded in a striker\u2019s header for the extra-time winner. The curious case of Callum Wilson, underused by both Graham Potter and now Nuno Espirito Santo, appears likely to conclude with a move elsewhere. The burden on Jarrod Bowen, who found himself on the margins against QPR, has been too heavy for too long. It has also taken Summerville too long to show off his capabilities. Nuno talked of other signings coming in, suggesting the club\u2019s owners are prepared to spend at least some money in attempts to avoid the relegation trap door. \u201dThe sooner the better,\u201d he said. John Brewin<\/p>\n Taty Castellanos punches the air after scoring West Ham\u2019s winner in extra time. Photograph: Ian Stephen\/Every Second Media\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n 7<\/p>\n Buend\u00eda calls tune in Emery\u2019s orchestra<\/p>\n Two diminutive No 10s caught the eye at Tottenham on Saturday evening, their performances encapsulating the situations their sides are now in. As Spurs looked to claw back a two-goal deficit in the second half, Xavi Simons was to the fore. His driving runs were the standout, earning the home side territory they were unable to achieve otherwise, but he also created three chances and had two shots on target. If the Dutchman was playing in a team with more cohesion, he could have determined the outcome. For Villa, Emi Buend\u00eda was many people\u2019s man of the match, scoring a beautiful goal and missing another great chance, but he played less like a soloist and more another member of Unai Emery\u2019s high-functioning orchestra. His most impressive statistic was the seven ball recoveries he made out of possession, a consistent feature of his game this season. Spurs have talent but are not functioning as a team. With Villa, there is ability across the pitch, but it\u2019s the collective that comes first. Paul MacInnes<\/p>\n 8<\/p>\n Adventurous Rosenior sets Chelsea free<\/p>\n