The most recent round of Premier League action provided a wealth of excitement, shock outcomes, and interesting subplots. From duels between bosses to star performances, we examine the major points coming out of the matches.
Calum McFarlane's surprise duel with Pep Guardiola recalled thoughts of previous David vs Goliath coaching battles. In the case of McFarlane, making his first-team coaching bow, the task was overcoming his side's dreadful sequence when playing the champions. A dramatic goal from the Chelsea star snatched a crucial result, an achievement former incumbents had failed to achieve.
Despite Florian Wirtz getting the net, Liverpool finished frustrated after surrendering a lead slip away against Fulham. The issue of being unable to control games when in the lead continues, with the squad almost throwing away identical advantages in previous matches. Until the team learn the skill of seeing out a game, the campaign is likely to stay a difficult one.
Arsenal's striker is going through a significant dry spell from open play, but his teammate the Gunners lynchpin has stressed the forward is still vitally valuable. He highlighted the striker's pressing and team-oriented performances as crucial to Arsenal's form. "Good things are bound to follow," was his confident assessment for his struggling teammate.
With the Red Devils adopting in a incredibly defensive fashion, the responsibility fell on the offensive pair to deliver. Whereas Matheus Cunha maintained his fine run, the summer signing endured another difficult outing. The Slovenian has scored elusive since his big-money transfer and spurned a golden opportunity to claim the contest. January presents a obvious imperative for the striker to find his scoring touch.
The Sunderland manager deployed Enzo Le Fée in a more defensive position at first, before unleashing him further forward as the contest progressed. The decision turned out to be inspired, with he emerging as the architect of Sunderland's fightback for an equalizing goal. Following hitting the post, the midfielder provided a sumptuous through ball for the all-important strike. Now settled in to the pace of the English game, his campaign is on the rise.
Amid an dismal loss for the London club, head coach the Portuguese coach chose not to utilize any of his permitted substitutes. Among them was recent acquisition Pablo Felipe, who watched on even with his team's chronic ineffectiveness. Nuno reasoned it would have been "too harsh" to throw the new recruit into the fray. However, with firepower at a shortage, the imperative to integrate the 22-year-old as soon as possible is glaringly clear.
Lewis Miley turned in a further exceptional performance while operating out of position. The youngster was flawless in defence, created the first goal, and raised the tone in a scrappy encounter. Now that first-choice right-backs returning, the dilemma for coach him is whether to accommodate the remarkably mature youngster in his natural engine room position. "Future Magpies line-ups will certainly be built on Miley," seems an ever more accurate statement.
Sean Dyche's initial effect at Forest was notable, but concerns are starting to arise about the squad's versatility. The team's breakaway ability remains, but looks less potent without key personnel. Although well-organised when defending deep, Forest have looked vulnerable when needing to chase a game. Losing possession in such moments has shown costly, a issue they need to solve quickly.
Thomas Frank's team put in a display that contradicted their troubled away record. Key to their commanding display was the prolific streak of number nine Igor Thiago. His presence are providing a platform for the squad to aim higher. Teammate the German international even suggested the lofty dream of a top-seven finish as a potential outcome, emphasizing the growing optimism within the camp.
