by
Scott McTominay needed a big performance to prove he can fill in for Casemiro, but he was hooked before the hour by Erik ten Hag, while Kalidou Koulibaly was left choking on Ellis Simms’ dust.
Here is the worst XI, according to Whoscored ratings, from the weekend’s Premier League and FA Cup action…
GK: Jose Sa – 5.10
A dicey weekend for Premier League keepers, with Gavin Bazunu, Keylor Navas, Daniel Iversen, Kepa and Joe Whitworth all earning sub-six scores. But Sa rated the lowest after conceding four to Leeds from four shots on target. The Wolves keeper was as uncertain as his defence when Luke Ayling headed in a corner before he was dissected by Rasmus Kirstensen’s low drive.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly – 5.93
Koulibaly was starting to show some form for Chelsea but the once-£100million-rated centre-half was bullied by Ellis Simms on the way to the Everton youngster bagging his first goal for the Toffees in the 89th minute. A costly error from the veteran defender.
CB: Sven Botman – 5.46
The Newcastle defender also screwed up but, fortunately for Botman, his team-mates bailed him out against Forest. The centre-back failed to look up before passing the ball towards Nick Pope but closer to Emmanuel Dennis. Still, it was some finish from the Forest forward.
CB: Moussa Niakhate – 5.65
Part of the reason Botman’s mistake didn’t matter was Niakhate’s mis-step in added time. The Forest centre-back inexplicably threw his hand up to block Alexander Isak’s header after losing track of Newcastle’s star performer when he attacked a cross the left. And with that, a point was lost.
RWB: Nelson Semedo – 5.50
Semedo was spread on toast by Willy Gnonto in the build-up to the opening goal inside six minutes and he never really recovered. He competed in six duels, losing all of them before being hooked before the hour mark.
LWB: Jonny 5.66
The Wolves left-back scored a fine goal, lobbing Ilan Meslier on the volley, to get his side back in the game at 3-0 down but their hopes of a fightback when they further reduced the arrears were gone when he went over the top in a tackle with Ayling that led to the hosts being reduced to 10 men. Not only that, he was also credited with an error that led to one of Leeds’ four goals while giving away possession 21 times.
MF: Scott McTominay – 5.99
It was a Big Weekend for the Manchester United midfielder as he sought to convince Erik ten Hag that he could stand in for Casemiro. It did not go well. For the second FA Cup tie in succession, he was hooked by Ten Hag with United floundering at home. In 58 minutes, McTominay made only 16 passes, giving it away half a dozen times.
Read more: Manchester United seize their get-out-of-jail-free card as Fulham self-destruct
MF: Shandon Baptisite – 4.78
Normally we don’t consider substitutes for a start in the worst XI but it’s impossible to ignore Baptiste after his brief cameo in Brentford’s draw with Leicester. The midfielder was sent on at the 75-minute mark and sent off 15 minutes later for two bookings inside three minutes.
RF: Willian – 5.78
The Fulham wideman might consider himself unlucky to be included – Marco Silva certainly would – after his red card in the FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford. When Willian handled Jadon Sancho’s shot on the goal-line, despite protesting that it struck his midriff, he was sent off, taking Silva, Aleksandar Mitrovic and the Cottagers’ FA Cup hopes with him down the tunnel.
3 red cards in 40 seconds btw#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/7wuLan34DK
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 19, 2023
LF: Jaidon Anthony – 5.64
The Bournemouth winger was hooked just before the hour mark after failing to win any of his seven duels or deliver a cross, a shot on target or a key pass. Not that Gary O’Neil felt his replacement, or any of his subs, fared any better: “Obviously they didn’t have the impact that we’d have hoped. It didn’t make us any better at that point.”
CF: Morgan Gibbs-White – 5.63
Doing a job through the middle is the Forest attacker, who turned in one of his least effective performances against Newcastle. He battled 10 duels and lost all of them. He attempted a single dribble – he got tackled. Four crosses attempted, all of which found a Newcastle player. Gibbs-White lost possession 14 times from 36 touches in 90 minutes.
Premier League winners and losers: Pelters for Potter but Gracia, Everton, Arteta and Ramsey shine
