Darke, who called games for the network during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, is ESPN lead soccer voice in the United States. He has covered the Barclays Premier League and the Champions League since 1982, and has one of the world’s most recognizable soccer voices.
At around the midway point in the campaign, Ian Darke provides half-term report cards complete with grades for all 20 clubs.
Arsenal | 1st in Premier League | A+
Gunners fans must feel they are about to wake up at any moment from a wonderful dream. Playing bright football and with the right mix of silk and steel, Arsenal have lost only once all season in the league. They show no signs of stopping, even with key striker Gabriel Jesus out until March. Martin Odegaard has to be on the shortlist for player of the season. Can they now pass the test of nerves that lies ahead, starting with the Manchester United clash on Sunday?
Four wins out of six since Unai Emery took over from Steven Gerrard. The Spanish manager’s career record suggests he was not given a fair crack at Arsenal, and it might be that he has the key to get a better tune from a gifted group at Villa Park, especially if he can tighten up a defence that does not keep too many clean sheets. A charge into European contention has to be the aim.
Brentford | 8th in Premier League | A-
Seven games unbeaten, winning four of their past five, the remarkable Brentford story gathers pace. Liverpool and Manchester United have felt their force. With the Bees’ excellent manager Thomas Frank signing a new deal, could “the bus stop in Hounslow” become a European venue? One worry is a potential long-term ban for star man Ivan Toney, who is facing allegations of placing more than 200 bets on football.
Brighton & Hove Albion | 7th in Premier League | A-
Under Roberto De Zerbi, the Seagulls are now adding goals to their attractive football. They have scored 12 times in their past four games. European football is a realistic possibility for the first time in the club’s history. No wonder World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is in no hurry to leave.
Gary O’Neil did a superb job when first stepping in as caretaker manager, so much so that he was given the job permanently. The wheels have come off, though, with nine defeats in ten games, and the Cherries have failed to score in their past five matches while their defence is making way too many errors. They need to pull out of the nosedive, and fast.
Chelsea | 10th in Premier League | D+
Out of both domestic cups and way off the pace in the Premier League, this is a big test of the patience of Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly, who has spent £415 million on players in a matter of months. They have taken nine of the past 30 points available as new manager Graham Potter adapts to operating at a big club with bigger expectations amid a mounting injury list. The squad is in transition, and this might be a rare fallow year at Stamford Bridge, but Potter deserves time.
Losing their way a little with four defeats in six games, midtable seems to be the best Palace can achieve this season. There is undoubtedly more flair in the team these days with Ebere Eze and Michael Olise supporting Wilfried Zaha, but the blend does not look right and scoring goals is a problem, especially away from home. They lack a little of the backbone of Roy Hodgson’s teams.
In serious danger of losing the top-flight status they have held since 1954, the Toffees have taken just one point from their past six games, remarkably in a fighting 1-1 draw at Manchester City. A toxic atmosphere pervades Goodison Park, although the discontent is aimed mostly at owner Farhad Moshiri rather than manager Frank Lampard. Everton moved on from their best forward in Richarlison this past summer, replacing him with Neal Maupay, who has scored just once since his arrival.
