From Brentford pulling off an upset against Liverpool at home to Manchester City edging past Chelsea on their travels, matchweek 19 of the Premier League was not short of entertainment, drama and goals.
A total of 25 goals were scored across 10 games over the week, with three games ending in a draw—Arsenal vs Newcastle United, Leeds United vs West Ham and Aston Villa vs Wolves. As games are set to come thick and fast, and with fortunes in the race for the top four and battle against relegation expected to change, let us take a look at the talking points from the Premier League matchweek 19.
#Man City pile more misery on Graham Potter
Chelsea’s season continues to go from bad to worse with manager Graham Potter condemned to another defeat in the Premier League—albeit a 1-0 loss to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening.
After starting with three successive wins, Potter has only won one of his next eight Premier League games which some may argue is worthy of getting a sack at such a big club like Chelsea. A defeat to Man City leaves them 10th in the table, ten points off the Champions League places and trailing west London rivals Fulham and Brentford.
Co-owner Todd Boehly sacked Thomas Tuchel when results weren’t great, and while he has shown patience with Potter and is ready to back him in the January transfer window—as evidenced by the Blues’ latest capture of highly-rated Benoit Badiashile—the question is for how long?
#Frank Lampard on borrowed time
Everton have dropped to the relegation zone after the harrowing 4-1 home defeat to Brighton, leaving manager Frank Lampard in a precarious position.
One win in 10 matches, coupled with the manner in which Lampard’s side capitulated against Brighton, have seen the Everton fans turn against the manager, players and owners. Everton players certainly lacked fight, desire and determination in the recent league defeat to Roberto de Zerbi’s Seagulls, and the buck stops with the manager.
#Spurs respond emphatically to Aston Villa defeat
Tottenham’s best start to a top-flight season since the 60s—when they bagged 23 points from the opening 10 games—seems to have become a distant memory.
The 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day was another insipid display put in by Antonio Conte’s Spurs, met by a loud chorus of boos at the final whistle. With Spurs slipping away from top spots, Conte wanted a response from his boys against Crystal Palace and he got it.
A second-half brace from Harry Kane, and goals from Matt Doherty and Son Heung-min saw Spurs smash Palace at Selhurst Park. After the meek 2-0 defeat to Villa, it was the best reaction Conte could have got from his boys.
#West Ham sleepwalking towards relegation
West Ham boss David Moyes has been under growing pressure on either side of the World Cup and his team have picked up just one point from nine since their Premier League campaign resumed.
After a couple of really strong seasons where West Ham managed to play in Europe, Moyes’ credit in the bank is slowly evaporating and it has come to a point where he’s now battling to avoid the sack.
While the Hammers ended their two-game losing run with a 2-2 draw at Leeds United, one win in the last eight league games and the club now embroiled in a relegation battle should ring the alarm bells for the Scotsman.
#Bournemouth’s defence needs some additions
Gary O’Neil has managed to bring some stability at Bournemouth after taking over the reins from Scott Parker, who was sacked after the disastrous 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.
O’Neil, 39, was appointed the permanent manager of Bournemouth back in November but he hasn’t really managed to repay the club’s faith in him. Just one win in the last five games mean he is under pressure, especially after the Cherries have dropped down to 16th in the table.
Bournemouth have conceded 39 goals—the worst defensive record in the division. They are lacking leaders and inspiration at the back, and it is high time the club invests in a couple of quality defenders in this transfer window to help O’Neil’s side stop leaking goals at an alarming rate.
#A good week for Manchester United
Manchester United have steadily progressed under Erik ten Hag and are now very much in the race for the Champions League spots. In fact, they could even challenge for the Premier League title, as Ten Hag and co. find themselves just four points behind cross-town rivals Man City.
The Red Devils continued their fine run of form with a 3-0 success over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, firming their hold on the fourth spot. And it turned out to be a pretty good week for them in the race for the top four as Liverpool lost to Brentford, while Arsenal and Newcastle shared the spoils at the Emirates Stadium.
#Pressure mounting on Nathan Jones
Could Nathan Jones be out of the job before he has even really got to grips with the Southampton squad?
Nathan Jones was appointed as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s successor in November to steady the Southampton ship after a dismal start to the campaign. Since his arrival, the Saints have lost all four Premier League games which leaves the club now on a run of six straight defeats in the top flight, stretching back to late October.
The Saints find themselves bottom of the Premier League with 12 points from 18 games, and the recent 1-0 home loss to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest was met with forceful chorus boos at the final whistle, which never bodes well for a manager’s job prospects.
#Liverpool hapless in defeat to Brentford
Liverpool’s recent four-game winning streak in the Premier League came to a halt at Brentford, where they were smashed 3-1.
It felt like a corner was turned but the recent defeat to Brentford largely wiped away all the positive feeling among the Liverpool fans. From the onset, Brentford meant business and wanted the three points more than their counterparts. They pressed, harried and hassled Liverpool to disrupt their rhythm and scored twice in the first half, and could have scored more on another day.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reduced the deficit early in the second half but another error late on, this time from Ibrahima Konate, let Bryan Mbeumo seal the deal for the buzzing Bees.
#Credible point for Newcastle in the draw at Arsenal
Newcastle United look primed for a Champions League return for the first time in two decades. Less than a year since Newcastle were embroiled in a relegation scrap, Eddie Howe has done wonders at the club.
The Magpies are third in the table, playing with a lot of confidence and swagger and became the first team to pinch a point against league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this season, a game that was packed with controversy and drama.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal would have felt they were hard done by after referee Andy Madley waved away two penalty claims. On the contrary, Eddie Howe would have been proud of his Newcastle side’s resilience and fight for earning a credible point away at Arsenal.
#Steve Cooper getting the mix right
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has spent a lot of time trying to find his best XI, and he might finally have found it.
In the excellent 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Forest Ground, the team had a proper shape and the defensive organisation was spot on. The central midfield trio have brought balance and a semblance of control to the team.
Cooper chose the same XI against Southampton and the move paid rich dividends, with Forest winning 1-0 at St Mary’s Stadium. It feels like Cooper has finally found his best XI and would be sensible to stick with this team even when some of his players return from injury.