#set-pieces

#set-pieces

Sunderland's return to the Premier League has been nothing short of remarkable. Régis Le Bris's men have collected 17 points from their first nine matches-more than any newly-promoted side at this stage in 17 years-and currently sit in the top six. Their resilience was on full display last weekend when they stunned Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, overturning an early deficit with goals from Wilson Isidor and Chemsdine Talbi.

Michael Kayode trots over from right-back to the opposite flank to take the throw-in. He dries the ball, measures his run, steps back and then in one languid fluid movement hurls the ball in to the near post. Liverpool clear. Two minutes later, it happens again. This time, Mamardashvili tries to play the ball to Bradley, who miscontrols to concede the throw-in. And this time, Kayode's throw is flicked on by Kristoffer Ajer and volleyed home by Dango Ouattara.

Much has been made of Arsenal being overly reliant on goals from set pieces this season, but Manchester City are even more reliant on Erling Haaland. The Norway international has been in fantastic form this season, scoring 15 goals in his first 12 games in all competitions. In the Premier League, he has 11 in 9 games, and stats show that's 65% of Man City's total goals scored.

We don't celebrate defeat, but the performance was exceptional. We have to celebrate that. I think the way in which the players executed the gameplan, we haven't conceded from open play. The first one [goal] is frustrating because I think it's really preventable from our point of view, but we'll learn from that. It's 2-0, we're still in the tie. There are improvements to be made, but, overall, I'm really proud of the group.

"There were lots of fights to keep possession, and that even made it tough for the referee to notice all the little details. In the end, a set-piece play decided the game. "We practice set-pieces a lot, because of its importance. All in all, it's difficult to play a nice game when the ball is in the air a lot. You have to fight and go for the duels."

Given the Danes are among Europe's most prolific coffee drinkers, chances are nearly every staff member will visit the one breakout area at FC Midtjylland's training complex several times daily. While there, not only will they receive their caffeine hit but also a reminder of the club's most important table, which sits directly above the machine dispensing espresso after espresso. It is not, though, the Superliga standings (which they have topped four times since 2015) but a graph showing Midtjylland's dead ball goal difference.

22 mins: We go again with another scrum, but not before plenty of disagreement between both front rows and the referee over their starting marks. Share 21 mins: A brief pause as Talling has tape applied to her hand. Scotland have actually edged possession in the first quarter, but need a score to make England at all nervous. Share 20 mins: A first scrum, with Scotland putting in and winning the ball through Brebner-Holden, whose kick-through has Natasha Hunt under pressure. She can't afford a mistake behind the posts, but tidies up effectively. Share

As a game it was a fantastic spectacle and both teams had chances. I think it was fitting that they both scored unbelievable free-kicks. Manning's was outstanding but he was definitely out-done by Irankunda - it was a worldie. I like the look of both sides and there is a lot of expectation on them both, especially Southampton as they have just come down from the Premier League.

Anthony Markanich expressed a unique enthusiasm for set pieces, stating, 'I get so excited about that' when speaking about throw-ins that lead to scoring opportunities.