Hot Topics: Chelsea activates beast mode, is Fernandes now a liability?

Bruno Fernandes walks off after his sending off at home against Tottenham, he got sent off again on Thursday at Porto. (Photo credit: BBC) A...

Bruno Fernandes walks off after his sending off at home against Tottenham, he got sent off again on Thursday at Porto. (Photo credit: BBC)

After Thursday night games, continental fixtures take a break till the end of the upcoming international engagements; however, ahead of a Feisty weekend of league action, we look at some talking points from midweek games and upcoming ones.

Is Fernandes now a liability for United?

Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, was sent off for the second consecutive game after two bookable offenses, which means he will now miss the next Europa League match against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.

The Portuguese had his red card against Tottenham at the weekend rescinded after the club appealed, but there’s nothing they can do about the one against Porto as it was a second yellow and an obvious offence, so, you may want to ask, is the club captain now a liability?

Has Maguire salvaged Ten Hag’s job?

After the weekend humiliation in the hands of Spurs, it looked like Erik Ten Hag’s hope of keeping his Old Trafford job is dependent on the following two games. His brilliant start at Porto quickly turned to despair as their two-goal lead evaporated in the first half.

Samu Omorodion scored early in the second half to turn things completely around, but Harry Maguire came off the bench to earn United a point, their second of the Europa League group phase, on to Aston Villa, where Ten Hag could live to fight again.

Chelsea’s form draws promising attention.

Contrary to expectations in the summer, Chelsea has improved and is now in the title race thanks to impressive results.

The Blues put four past Gent at Stamford Bridge Stadium on Thursday night, their second in the Conference League group phase. While they need to work on their defense, which continues to leak goals, the Blues now score freely, and that should worry their opponents.

Ed Sheeran’s boys need one more gear.

How weird is it to learn that Ipswich Town has drawn their last four games? The Tractor Boys have impressed greatly, but they must go one further by finally winning their first game since their return to the top flight.

Their last game against Aston Villa was huge; earning a point from the jaws of defeat against a top side shows their grit, but they need a win to steer clear of the relegation zone, and an away game to West Ham could offer them that, considering the inconsistency of the Hammers.

What's happening at the palace?

Crystal Palace had a sensational end to the last league season, but their form this term has been horrendous; they only have three points from a possible eighteen; that is relegation standard.

Olivier Glasner must get a grip and get his boys to stop the rot, but their next game is a home affair against high-flying Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Palace must not lose this game, as the outcome will hover around for two weeks with an international break coming up. Palace must get a grip.