NOVEMBER 13, 2022•THEATHLETIC.COM
The inside story of how Brentford pulled off the 'best result in the club's history'To many it was one of the shock results of the season but Brentford manager Thomas Frank had a plan to win and stuck with it to the end
Kalvin Phillips - Left on bench in lossPhillips was left on the bench in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Brentford.
ImpactPhillips came off the bench in a midweek cup win over Chelsea but didn't get asked to play over the weekend. With a place in England's World Cup squad also secured, Phillips has done well in his recovery despite missing nearly two months with a dislocated shoulder and the ensuing operation. He started in all seven of England's matches en route to the Euro final in 2021and could reprise that role in Qatar if he proves his fitness in the coming week.
NOVEMBER 13, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Ruben Dias - Sits out Brentford lossDias was left on the bench during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Brentford.
ImpactDias only started once in the final four league matches of the season and got a chance to rest ahead of the World Cup. With seven clean sheets in 17 appearances (13 starts) between the league and UCL, Dias remains one of the more solid defenders around. Heading into the tournament in Qatar, Dias and three other of his center-back teammates will be joining their respective national teams with John Stones in England, Manuel Akanji in Switzerland and Aymeric Laporte with the Spanish team.
NOVEMBER 13, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Jack Grealish - Left on bench in lossGrealish was left on the bench for Saturday's 2-1 loss to Brentford.
ImpactGrealish hasn't played in two of the last five league matches and his team have suffered defeat on each occasion. This hasn't stopped him from putting together a solid season, creating 28 chances in 14 games (11 starts) and earning a place with England for the World Cup. As Jadon Sancho didn't make the team, Grealish could play an impact role for a squad capable of making a deep run in the tournament.
NOVEMBER 13, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Yes, City had a shocker - but this brilliant team were never infalliblePep Guardiola's team were never going to enjoy a perfect season and there is no need to panic over one performance - however abject
NOVEMBER 13, 2022•THEATHLETIC.COM
John Stones - Goes distance in lossStones created two chances and put three shots off target during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Brentford.
ImpactStones and defensive partner Manuel Akanji practically did more work in the attack than in their assigned position, giving up two goals to a dominant Ivan Toney during a loss just before the World Cup. That's not enough to take Stones out of the English national team as he's earned a call-up for the winter tournament and figures to be a first-choice center-back, just as he was alongside Harry Maguire en route to the Euro finals in 2021.
NOVEMBER 13, 2022•ROTOWIRE
MATCHDAY: Final games in European leagues before World Cup
The Premier League will pause for the World Cup after Brighton's home match against Aston Villa followed by Manchester United's trip to FulhamNOVEMBER 13, 2022•ASSOCIATED PRESS
