Fuming manager Luke Williams questioned whether his players are too scared to play for “a big club like Notts County” following a 3-1 loss at Harrogate.
Goals from George Thomson, Abraham Odoh and Matty Daly saw Harrogate deservedly end their seven-game run without a home win, despite Jodi Jones replying with a spectacular free-kick for the visitors.
That proved the only highlight, though, for an off-form County team, who have now lost six of their last eight fixtures.
Such was Williams’ frustration that he could barely be heard during his post-match interview having shouted himself hoarse just quarter-of-an-hour into the contest.
“The performance was terrible to be quite honest,” he seethed. “If you want to play for a big club like Notts County, you can’t be scared to play football.
“Nor can you play with such a lack of energy and be so soft defensively. For their first goal, we allowed them to run into space and have a shot no problem and I lost my voice after 15 minutes because I was screaming at the players to react to the turnovers. So, it was very hard for me to communicate after that, not that anyone was listening to me.
“We didn’t make enough forward passes and ended up with our goalkeeper having the ball too many times and Harrogate were very well-organised. But, then, when he had to play it long, nobody wanted to fight for it.
“I feel really hurt and so disappointed because, even when we got back in the game, we then immediately capitulated for their third goal.”
Harrogate boss Simon Weaver hailed his side’s on-field intelligence as they outwitted the one-time Sky Bet League Two leaders.
“It was a good day,” Weaver declared. “We started fast and tried to break and close them down, because we knew we had to stop their flow, as they are a talented team who can cause all sides at this level lots of problems.
“We then produced some good finishes from flowing counter-attacks. We rode the storm after they scored a fantastic free-kick, but it was a perfect response to score shortly afterwards.
“We have got some bright and intelligent footballers who pick up on things quickly during games and you need that when you’re up against a talented coach like Luke Williams who sees things on the pitch and makes changes.”
Daly, who had a hand in all three goals, earned particular praise from Weaver.
“He is growing in stature all the time, which is very pleasing,” the Harrogate chief enthused.
Weaver also hailed the performance of returning promotion-winning hero James Belshaw, who made his second debut for the club in goal after being recruited on an emergency loan from Bristol Rovers.
“He has added to the changing room with his enthusiasm, energy and passion for the club, which has been nice to see,” Weaver said.
“He also made a fantastic stop in the first half that helped change the course of the game.”
Brentford defeat 'my worst game as a coach', says O'Neil
Gary O'Neil believes Wolves' 5-3 defeat against Brentford was his "worst game as a coach" as the visitors remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
Nathan Collins' second-minute header was cancelled out by Matheus Cunha soon after, only for in-form Bryan Mbeumo to put the Bees in front from the penalty spot.
Jorgen Strand Larsen levelled the game once again, but the hosts then raced into a 4-2 lead by the break thanks to efforts from Christian Norgaard and Ethan Pinnock.
The final two goals of an enthralling encounter came in the closing stages, with Fabio Carvalho scoring Brentford's fifth before Rayan Ait-Nouri netted a late consolation.
Wolves are now winless in their first seven games of the 2024-25 Premier League season (D1 L6), their worst run at the start of a top-flight campaign since 2003-04, when they also went without a win in their first seven (D2 L5).
They have also managed just one win in their last 17 league matches, but it was the manner in which his team collapsed that left O'Neil feeling downcast.
"It's the furthest I've seen the group from what we wanted to look like. An unbelievably disappointing afternoon for us. Crazy, crazy goals we gave away," O'Neil said.
"There's a lot to think about and a lot to put right. We’ll get straight to work. Some players will be away [on international duty] but we need to find a way for the team to be better than this afternoon.
"Today was so loose. [We made] crazy decisions with and without the ball. It was a really poor performance.
"The responsibility is on me. Of course, the players are going to make decisions, but I need to give them something that makes them make better decisions than they made today, make fewer mistakes than we made today. It’s the worst game I’ve been involved in as a coach.
“I'll do the best I can with the group I have. The club do what they can do off the pitch. My responsibility is to find results. This league can be tough. There are no hiding places. We can do better than that."
For Thomas Frank and Brentford, they continued their impressive home form in the Premier League this term.
The Bees are now unbeaten in their first four home games of the 2024-25 Premier League season (W3 D1), their longest such run at the start of a top-flight campaign since 1936-37.
Saturday's triumph was also their first home league win against Wolves since a 3-0 win in the Championship back in February 2016.
They also netted four first-half goals for the second time in the Premier League following their 4-0 win over Manchester United back in August 2022.
Brentford continued their lightning starts to matches this campaign, with Collins' opener coming after a minute and 15 seconds, with the Bees falling agonisingly short of scoring inside the first minute for the fourth game running.
"We've been practising winning the coin toss all week, and we lost it. That’s why it took us so long [to score]," Frank joked.
"AIl jokes aside, we want to get forward as quickly as possible and put crosses into the box. After they made it 2-2, we scored 32 seconds after the kick-off.
"Offensively - wow! Unbelievable. We seemed to create a chance every time we went forward, and we were such a threat from set pieces.
"Defensively, I’m mostly angry about the first goal. The second one, we lost the ball - it was quite good play from them. For their third goal we could have done better.
"We gave less away compared to the West Ham game, but we still need to improve."
Everton 0-0 Newcastle United: Pickford penalty heroics deny Goodison old boy Gordon
Everton old boy Anthony Gordon saw a penalty saved on his return to Goodison Park as Newcastle United were held to a 0-0 draw on Saturday.
Gordon had been Newcastle's spot-kick hero a week earlier, winning and converting a penalty to earn a point against Manchester City, but his failure this time cost the Magpies.
After James Tarkowski's foolish foul on Sandro Tonali gave Gordon, who left Everton for Newcastle in January 2023, his opportunity from 12 yards, he could not find a way past England team-mate Jordan Pickford.
The save from Pickford was heartily celebrated by the Everton fans, though their fury was directed at referee Craig Pawson midway through the second half, when Dominic Calvert-Lewin felt he too should have had a penalty.
Idrissa Gueye missed a huge chance as part of that incident, before Gordon was wasteful again late on as both sides were forced to settle for a point.
It nudges Sean Dyche's side further clear of the relegation zone, while Newcastle can at least take solace in a place in the top six.
Data Debrief: Gordon's Goodison nightmare
Gordon was at the centre of attention right from the outset, jeered by the Everton fans and on the end of a number of heavy challenges from his former team-mates. He won four fouls, more than any other player on the pitch.
So the Newcastle winger was clearly determined to provide a response when the visitors were awarded a penalty, stepping up as he had against City but this time denied by Pickford. This was Pickford's first Premier League penalty save since May 2023, ending a run of eight consecutive concessions against a man he knows so well from both club and international duty.
Gordon should have done better late on, too. He had only two shots, but they were worth a combined 0.87 xG – more than Everton's total of 0.73.
Al-Nassr 3-0 Al-Orubah: Mane double helps hosts close in on leaders
Sadio Mane scored a goal in either half, helping Al-Nassr cruise to a 3-0 win over Al-Orubah and close in on the top two in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo had given the hosts the lead from the spot, setting them on their way to a dominant victory.
After a slow start, Jean Seri was penalised for a handball, and Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot. After a stuttering run-up, he coolly slotted his strike into the bottom-left corner.
Mane got his first on the stroke of half-time, latching onto Ronaldo's pull-back before firing his low shot into the far side of the net.
He could have had a hat-trick, having also hit the woodwork and squandered a first-time shot by slicing it wide, but he did get his second in the 71st minute, guiding Nawaf Bu Washi's cross past Gaetan Coucke.
Cristian Tello came closest to a consolation for the visitors, smashing a long-range effort off the crossbar.
Data Debrief: Mane's time to shine
Mane, so far this season, has been providing the spark as a playmaker after registering five assists in Al-Nassr's first five games in the Saudi Pro League.
Today, however, he regained his scoring touch, getting his first two goals of the campaign.
He had the most shots (five), and shots on target (three), as he accumulated 0.97 expected goals (xG), while his seven touches in the box was the most of any player on the field.
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