Bryan Mbeumo is Manchester United's only reliable goalscorer as Eberechi Eze struggles to justify Arsenal move

Bryan Mbeumo has been Manchester United's sole consistent performer this season, with three of his four Premier League goals giving his side a 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze was substituted at half-time in Arsenal's win at Nottingham Forest, raising fresh questions over his ability to influence games regularly.

  • Manchester United: Drew 1-1 with Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday.
  • Bryan Mbeumo: Has scored four Premier League goals this season; three have put United 1-0 ahead.
  • Eberechi Eze: Substituted at half-time in Arsenal's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest; replaced by Noni Madueke, who scored the winner.
  • Nottingham Forest: Now in the relegation zone with five points after failing to score in every Premier League home game this season.
  • Brighton: Beat Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Amex, a remarkable turnaround from February when Hurzeler was booed off after a 1-0 defeat to Palace.
  • Crystal Palace: Suffered a 5-0 humiliation at Brighton, their worst day under Pierre Sage.
  • Bournemouth: Secured their first Premier League win of the season under Marco Rose, beating Sunderland 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium.

What was said

"We're still waiting for him, the talent is there. We just want him to be at Arsenal and be able to take responsibility and try to be the main man at a big club."

— Roy Keane, speaking on Sky Sports about Eberechi Eze

Keane's assessment cuts to the heart of the issue. Eze arrived at Arsenal with a reputation as a player who could unlock defences, but the step up from Crystal Palace — where he was the focal point — to a club with Arsenal's ambitions has proven difficult. The midfielder must now demonstrate he can consistently influence games, not just show flashes of his undoubted ability.

Ian Wright offered further context, describing Eze as a "moments player" who benefits from having players around him and can become isolated on the left. That analysis was borne out at the City Ground, where Eze struggled to impose himself before being withdrawn at half-time. Noni Madueke's impact off the bench, scoring the 80th-minute winner, only intensified the scrutiny on Eze's position.

The numbers

  • Bryan Mbeumo: 15 goals for Manchester United since his debut — more than any other United player in that period, including Bruno Fernandes.
  • Manchester United: Just two victories from 10 games in all competitions this season.
  • Nottingham Forest: Five points, in the relegation zone; have failed to score in every Premier League home game this season.
  • Crystal Palace: Conceded five against Brighton; defensively vulnerable after replacing Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix.
  • Brighton: 5-0 win over Crystal Palace, their fiercest rivals.
  • Bournemouth: 2-0 win over Sunderland, their first Premier League victory of the season under Marco Rose.

Mbeumo's consistency masks deeper issues at Manchester United

Bryan Mbeumo has been a rare beacon of consistency in a difficult start for Manchester United. The forward, signed from Brentford, has scored four Premier League goals this term, with three of those strikes giving his side a 1-0 advantage. His goal against Leeds United on Sunday marked an important momentum shift in a game that could have slipped away from Michael Carrick's side.

Carrick described the 1-1 draw with Leeds as a "fresh start" — a reflection of the relief he felt after seeing his team battle and duel better than they had all season. The commitment that had been missing from most performances was evident at Elland Road, but Carrick will be acutely aware that his side cannot rely solely on Mbeumo for goals. Just two victories from 10 games in all competitions means the manager is not yet off the hook.

With Bruno Fernandes continuing to look off-colour, Mbeumo's reliability is both a blessing and a concern. The forward has been involved in more goals than any other United player since his debut, but the lack of a consistent supporting cast means United remain vulnerable. If Mbeumo's form dips, Carrick may struggle to find a positive to build upon. The challenge for United is to find a way to share the goalscoring burden before their season unravels further.

Eze must prove he can be Arsenal's main man

Eberechi Eze has spent a year at Arsenal since leaving Crystal Palace, but questions remain over whether he is ready to become one of the club's leading figures. His talent is undeniable, but the concern is his ability to influence games consistently. The trip to Nottingham Forest presented another opportunity to silence his doubters, but instead, Eze was substituted at half-time, watching from the sidelines as Noni Madueke replaced him and scored the 80th-minute winner.

Roy Keane's assessment on Sky Sports was telling, suggesting his concerns extend beyond a single performance. "We're still waiting for him, the talent is there," Keane said. "We just want him to be at Arsenal and be able to take responsibility and try to be the main man at a big club." That is the challenge facing Eze. At Crystal Palace, he was the focal point, the player expected to create chances and turn games. At Arsenal, talent alone will not earn him that status; he must deliver consistently, particularly in tight contests when his team need inspiration.

Ian Wright offered important context, describing Eze as a "moments player" who benefits from having players around him and can become isolated on the left. There is merit to that argument. Eze offers a different threat to Madueke, whose pace, directness and willingness to take on defenders gave Arsenal a fresh dimension in the second half. Yet that only underlines the challenge facing the former Palace man. While Madueke seized his opportunity, Eze failed to leave his mark. Competition for places is healthy at a club with Arsenal's ambitions, but for Eze, the task is no longer simply to showcase his ability in flashes. He must demonstrate that he can influence games regularly, take responsibility when his team need him, and establish himself as a first-choice player.

Nottingham Forest's lack of goals catches up with them

There was only so long Nottingham Forest could rely on defensive resilience before their lack of goals caught up with them. Now they are in the relegation zone. Oliver Glasner's side have failed to score in every Premier League home game this season, and their defeat to Arsenal highlighted why they are in trouble.

Forest competed and created opportunities but lacked the quality in the final third to make their efforts count. Liam Delap struggled to make an impact against Arsenal's defence, summing up a frustrating afternoon. Forest needed someone to take responsibility, but their attacking play lacked conviction. That is the worry for Glasner. Defensive organisation can only take a team so far; they still need goals to win matches. Forest are now in the relegation zone with just five points. Their performances offer some encouragement, but until they find a reliable source of goals at the City Ground, it is difficult to see their situation improving.

Brighton's faith in Hurzeler has been rewarded

There was a time when Fabian Hurzeler could barely win over his own supporters. Now he has Brighton dreaming again. Back in February, Hurzeler was booed off at the Amex after a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. The frustration was palpable. Questions were being asked, patience was wearing thin. Fast forward to this 5-0 demolition of their fiercest rivals and the transformation is remarkable. This is what happens when a club refuses to panic. Brighton could have pulled the trigger when the noise around Hurzeler was at its loudest. Instead, they trusted their process and backed their man.

That faith is now paying dividends. Brighton have always prided themselves on smart decision-making, from recruitment to managerial appointments. Hurzeler is the latest example of that philosophy working. And what better way to underline that progress than by dismantling Palace? The boos of February feel a long way away. Brighton are going places.

Crystal Palace have taken a giant step backwards

Crystal Palace won three trophies in the previous two seasons. On this evidence, they look a million miles away from those glories. This was Pierre Sage's worst day as Palace boss by some distance. There have been defeats this season where you could at least point to some decent football, a positive spell or an individual performance worth celebrating. At the Amex, there was nothing. No resistance, no response.

Brighton ripped them apart in a 5-0 humiliation that exposed just how far Palace have fallen. The defensive holes were glaring. Replacing Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix was never going to be straightforward, but the scale of the problem is becoming impossible to ignore. Palace look vulnerable every time opponents turn up the pressure. Last weekend, Nottingham Forest missed seven big chances in their defeat to Palace. That was a warning sign, perhaps one that was easy to dismiss with three points in the bag. Brighton offered no such charity. They punished Palace's mistakes ruthlessly. Sage must find answers quickly. If Palace continue to concede chances at this rate, the pressure on their manager will grow with every passing week. Their recent trophy haul feels a long way away.

Rose deserves celebratory beer as Cherries get off the mark in style

Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose must have grown tired of constantly explaining how well his side had played in defeat this season, a recurring theme for the Cherries as they looked for a first Premier League win of the season under their new head coach. But no more after Sunday's much-needed, but hugely deserved victory over fellow strugglers Sunderland.

Sure, the hosts were helped on their way to the three points by some calamitous defending from the Black Cats, but it was more that they forced their opponents into those mistakes, including for both their goals, as well as Kevin Danso's 17th-minute red card. In fact, Bournemouth's pressing and intensity set the tone, and Rose will be delighted with the character shown by his players. The win lifts them off the bottom and provides a platform to build on.

Talking points

  • Is Bryan Mbeumo now Manchester United's most important player? His goals have directly earned points, but reliance on one scorer is a dangerous strategy.
  • Should Arsenal persist with Eberechi Eze or give Noni Madueke a run in the starting XI after his match-winning cameo?
  • Can Nottingham Forest survive without a reliable goalscorer? Their defensive resilience is being wasted by profligacy at the other end.
  • Was Crystal Palace's 5-0 defeat at Brighton a one-off or a sign of deeper problems under Pierre Sage?

What happens next

Manchester United will look to build on their draw at Leeds when they return to Premier League action, with Carrick hoping Mbeumo maintains his scoring form. Arsenal face a quick turnaround as they aim to keep pace at the top, and Eze will be desperate to prove his worth. Nottingham Forest's next home game is a chance to address their scoring woes, while Crystal Palace must regroup before their next fixture. Bournemouth will aim to build on their first win when they travel to their next opponent.

Frequently asked questions

Did Bryan Mbeumo score against Leeds?

Yes, Mbeumo scored Manchester United's goal in their 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday.

Why was Eberechi Eze substituted at half-time against Nottingham Forest?

Eze was withdrawn at half-time as Arsenal struggled to break down Forest; he was replaced by Noni Madueke, who went on to score the winner.

How many points do Nottingham Forest have?

Nottingham Forest have five points and are in the relegation zone after failing to score in every Premier League home game this season.

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