Top 10 Highlights from the Weekend’s Premier League Matches

Arteta must address inquiries.

Fulham showed great resilience in bouncing back from three consecutive losses. However, Arsenal’s performance was lackluster, similar to their game against West Ham. Even the typically durable players Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice seemed fatigued, signaling the need for a rotation policy. The recent rumors linking Ivan Toney to Arsenal suggest that he could be the missing piece in their team, but their busy schedule has revealed other weaknesses in the squad. In an attempt to catch up in the game, Arteta loaded up on forwards and left Rice to fend for himself against the impressive João Palhinha and Tom Cairney. This proved to be a risky move, and Arteta’s frustration was visible on the sidelines as defeat approached. Unfortunately, Arsenal has a tendency to panic under pressure, and Arteta’s decision to abandon their usual tactics did not help their chances of turning the game around.

• Game summary: Fulham defeats Arsenal with a score of 2-1.

Ten Hag cannot afford to lose the next game.

Manchester United narrowly avoided a crisis on Boxing Day, but the relief was short-lived. Only three days later, they suffered a disappointing defeat against Nottingham Forest to end the year. Unfortunately for Erik ten Hag, Sir Dave Brailsford, who will have a significant role on the football board once Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover is approved by the Premier League, was present at the match. The upcoming FA Cup third-round match against Wigan, who currently rank 18th in League One, suddenly holds more importance. Although United has dominated their past four meetings with Wigan, winning by a total score of 14-0, Ten Hag would be content with any type of victory given their current form. The last time United faced Wigan in 2012, their now manager Shaun Maloney scored the winning goal and Jonny Evans, who has been thrust into the struggling and demoralized United side, was playing in defense. Ten Hag cannot afford a repeat of that outcome.

• Game Summary: Nottingham Forest defeats Manchester United 2-1.

While Jackson’s behavior may be unpredictable, he is not a failure.

A debatable opinion of the moment is that Nicolas Jackson is a skilled athlete. The Chelsea forward is inexperienced and has had some comical misses, and his efforts to stay onside have at times resembled those of Timo Werner. He only managed to score a hat-trick against a nine-man Tottenham team after a particularly frustrating performance. However, there is undoubtedly potential in the 22-year-old. He poses a challenge for defenders, his teamwork is effective, and he can play in multiple positions. During Chelsea’s victory over Luton, Jackson performed well on the left side. His speed caused problems in the first half and he assisted Cole Palmer’s second goal in the second half. It is uncertain if he has the ability to become a top-tier forward, but with seven goals and two assists in the league since joining from Villarreal, it would be unfair to label Jackson as a failure. The task ahead is to become more consistent.

• Game Summary: Chelsea defeats Luton 3-2.

Could Abu Dhabi and De Bruyne potentially lead City to victory?

Manchester City might be getting back into their top form just in time, and they may also have a chance to fine-tune during their winter break, after their next league game on January 13th. Pep Guardiola mentioned the possibility of going to Abu Dhabi together as a team after their game against Newcastle, similar to what they did during the World Cup last season, which proved to be very beneficial for the staff and resulted in five titles. The plan is to train in better weather and be together as a team to prepare for the rest of the season, but there is a possibility that things may change along the way. Before that, they will face Huddersfield in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, where they may see the return of Kevin De Bruyne, who has been out with a hamstring injury since the first game of the season against Burnley. According to Guardiola, he is very close to returning.

• Match report: Manchester City 2-0 Sheffield United

Bentancur bonus awarded to Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou was able to surprise everyone with a positive selection against Bournemouth, as Rodrigo Bentancur returned to the starting lineup after a lengthy absence due to injury. Although he had not started a game for Spurs since February, when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Bentancur was back in the lineup a month earlier than expected. Postecoglou praised his performance and was pleased that he was able to play for 60 minutes. Despite this good news, there were also some injuries that dampened the mood. Alejo Véliz left the stadium on crutches and Pape Sarr’s availability for the Africa Cup of Nations is uncertain after he left the game with a hamstring injury. As for their overall performance, Tottenham has closed the gap with their rivals Arsenal and is only one point behind them after defeating Bournemouth.

• Match report: Tottenham 3-1 Bournemouth

Foster’s revival was brought about by Kompany’s personal connection.

Mental health is now openly discussed in football and Vincent Kompany is pleased to see Lyle Foster thriving after taking some time off earlier in the season. Foster, a South African player who joined Burnley for £11m in January, has been performing well since receiving specialized care during a two-month break. Kompany expressed his happiness at seeing Foster back on the field with his teammates and enjoying the game after going through a difficult time. He also acknowledged the support and care provided by the club and manager in helping Foster overcome his challenges. Overall, Kompany is grateful to be a part of this positive moment for Foster.

• Game Summary: Aston Villa defeats Burnley 3-2.

Olise, who is unable to play, is crucial for Palace.

Michael Olise was unstoppable for Crystal Palace in their long-awaited triumph on Saturday and his performance could boost his team’s standing in the league. Olise gave a stellar performance against Brentford, scoring two goals and making numerous impressive runs that left their struggling opponents baffled. His impact at Selhurst Park was evident with six shots and seven dribbles, leading the team to their first win in nine matches. After returning from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the start of the season, Olise has already made a significant impact. With four goals in his last four games, the 22-year-old forward, who rejected an offer from Chelsea last summer, is sure to garner more attention if he can maintain this level of play. Manager Roy Hodgson praised Olise, stating, “He’s been outstanding since returning from injury. It was a lengthy one, almost six months out of the game, but even in his first game back he was excellent. He’s been a driving force for us.” Simon Mail.

• Game summary: Crystal Palace beats Brentford 3-1.

Cunha is new leader of O’Neil’s pack

Last year, Matheus Cunha joined Wolves for a fee of £44m after initially being on loan. He had a slow start, only scoring two goals in 20 matches. Atlético Madrid’s Julen Lopetegui was eager to have Cunha on his team, but he did not meet expectations. When Lopetegui left before the season began, there were concerns about Cunha’s role under new manager Gary O’Neil. However, he has been a standout player and played a crucial role in Wolves’ victories, including their recent win against Everton where he scored one goal and assisted in two others. His partnership with Hwang Hee-chan has been effective and caused problems for opposing teams. As long as Cunha maintains his current level of performance, Wolves should have no worries, aside from potentially losing him in the summer transfer window.

• The game summary: Wolves 3-0 Everton

There is mounting pressure on Liverpool as their rivals continue to struggle.

It appears as though we are back in the 2018-2022 period. Arsenal’s sudden decline during the Christmas season and Aston Villa’s uncertain recent performances, along with Manchester City’s strong form after the Club World Cup, have likely increased the chances of another two-horse race between Pep Guardiola’s team and Liverpool for the title. However, there is no pressure for Jürgen Klopp’s league-leading side as they prepare to face Newcastle at home, which was expected to be a challenging match but may not be as difficult due to Newcastle’s recent struggles. There has been much talk about Mo Salah’s final game before he leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations, which could add an extra level of intensity to the team’s desire for a win on Monday night. Fortunately for Liverpool, Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez are both playing well. However, their defense may be tested by a Newcastle team that is starting to recover from injuries with the return of Joelinton and Callum Wilson. This match has historically had an impact on title races, and this one could be no different.

• The match between Liverpool and Newcastle will take place on Monday at 8pm GMT.

European adventurers collide

The matchup between two of the Premier League’s top overperforming European teams is difficult to predict. West Ham’s recent victory against Arsenal highlighted the strengths of David Moyes’ leadership – tenacity, efficiency, and organization. Similarly, Brighton’s impressive win against Tottenham showcased Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls. Brighton has a strong record in east London, with their only loss at West Ham dating back to 1983. However, they may face a tougher challenge this time around as there are concerns about the availability of two of West Ham’s key creative players – Lucas Paquetá, who is dealing with a knee issue, and Mohammed Kudus, who may not be able to play on Tuesday due to his upcoming participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. This match will be a telling indicator of which team is better equipped to secure a spot in European competitions next season.

• The match between West Ham and Brighton will take place on Tuesday at 7:30pm GMT.

Source: theguardian.com