Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column in which Nick Wright uses a blend of data and opinion to shed light on need-to-know Premier League stories. This week: 🔺Estevao ready for more minutes?🔺Gross sums up Brighton's intensity🔺A player to watch this weekend In the period between firing past Senne Lammens and having his goal ruled out by VAR, Estevao went over to the touchline to embrace Xabi Alonso. He had been made to wait for a first Premier League start of the season.
But clearly there are no hard feelings. Estevao's peripheral role in the opening months of the campaign frustrated Chelsea supporters, who felt his return to the side against Manchester United was overdue. On the evidence of his performance, he is determined to make up for lost time.
The 19-year-old did not get his goal in the end. But it was not for a lack of trying. He had the ball in the net twice, including the emphatic, near-post finish that preceded his hug with Alonso.
Nobody had more shots or touches in the opposition box in the game. Nobody caused United more problems or earned a louder reception from the home fans at Stamford Bridge. Estevao was a constant threat and offered impressive set-piece delivery too.
"He has had the best response, to show he deserves more, that he was prepared," said Alonso in his press conference. He deserves to enjoy this game." Alonso felt Estevao needed time to get up to speed physically following an injury-hit first season at the club. But it was notable that the manager praised his off-the-ball work against United.
"He fought really hard and at the end he was tired," he added. It was only the second time that Estevao has played more than 75 minutes in a Premier League game. Tracking data showed he hit his highest totals for high-speed runs and running distance, offering encouragement that he is getting fitter and stronger.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
