Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Fulham’s driving force and James Maddison silencing the critics.
Out-of-sorts Chelsea see top-four pursuit stumble
Enzo Maresca has repeatedly tried to alleviate the pressure on his inexperienced Chelsea side this season. The Italian insists Champions League football is not a requirement but having played so well in spells this season, it would represent disappointment should the Blues miss out.
However, an emphatic defeat at Brighton saw flaws resurface in a Chelsea side out of sorts at present. The West Londoners dominated the ball but were exposed by Brighton’s electric wing pair of Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh.
0 – Despite averaging just under 70% possession, Chelsea failed to register a shot on target in a Premier League game for the first time since September 2021 (v Manchester City). Unusual. pic.twitter.com/UVULs2r04a
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 14, 2025
Maresca’s experiment to use Cole Palmer as a false nine failed to work and Palmer’s dip in form has unsurprisingly impacted the rest of the team given his talismanic status. A trip to Aston Villa next up represents another tough test for this team.
Lukic leading Fulham fight for Europe
Given the performances of Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth this season, little has been made of Fulham’s own push for Europe. Marco Silva’s side are flying under the radar, but a 2-1 win over Forest this weekend moved them closer to the European places. Above Aston Villa and Brighton, Fulham are just four points from the top five and what will likely be a place in next season’s Champions League.
⚠️ | QUICK STAT
List of players with 5+ key passes and a 100% passing accuracy in a single Premier League match over the last eight seasons:
• Saša Lukić v Nottingham Forest today
That’s it. That’s the list. 🤯#FULNFO pic.twitter.com/XNXIbfFa5F
— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) February 15, 2025
At the heart of their success has been Sasa Lukic, whose performances this season have helped ease concerns over Joao Palhinha’s exit last summer. The Serbian was immense in the win over Forest, creating seven chances and completing 100% of his passes (43/43). He has been the hub of a Fulham side with their eyes on Europe.
Ederson distribution delivers again
Ederson has set the bar when it comes to distribution from goalkeepers. Since arriving at Manchester City from Benfica, the goalkeeper’s range of passing has changed the perception of what is expected from those in the gloves.
The Brazilian set a new record this weekend when he assisted Omar Marmoush’s opener in City’s 4-0 win over Newcastle at the Etihad. His sixth assist in the Premier League set a new record among goalkeepers, while his third this season is the most ever recorded by a shot-stopper in a single campaign. Incredibly, Ederson has as many assists this season as players including Cody Gakpo, Martin Odegaard, and Bryan Mbeumo.
After criticism for his role in City’s midweek defeat to Real Madrid, this was a reminder of the quality he possesses.
A performance of champions from Liverpool?
Having seen Arsenal win the previous day, Liverpool held their nerve to beat Wolves 2-1 and reestablish their seven-point lead in the title race. It was far from perfect from the Reds, who failed to register a shot on goal in the second half and were forced to withstand strong pressure from the visitors at Anfield. Liverpool have been brilliant on occasion this season, but this was the gritty type of win that all potential champions need. Arne Slot certainly felt that grinding out another three points was ‘a bigger accomplishment’ than some of the club’s better performances.
“When the boys came in, I felt like they were a bit down maybe, a bit like it wasn’t our best performance. That probably tells you also how well we’ve played during the season – that we weren’t even that happy with this win,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“I said to them, this win is maybe even a bigger accomplishment than outplaying Tottenham here [and winning] 4-0 because in a season where you want to achieve something – no matter what you want to achieve – you need to play good football, that’s the basis of success, but if you don’t have the mentality to win difficult games then you will never achieve something.”
With 13 games to go, the Reds are on the home straight. Trips to Aston Villa and Manchester City are next up in a pivotal week.
Maddison makes his point
James Maddison admitted there was plenty of ‘outside noise’ around him ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Manchester United this weekend.
Some critical comments from Roy Keane went viral in the week, as the former Manchester United captain – in typically blunt and outspoken style – questioned whether Maddison’s impending return from injury would significantly boost Spurs.
“People say Maddison’s the man. When is he going to step up to the plate?” Keane said on Sky Sports’ Stick to Football podcast.
“He got relegated with Leicester and he’ll get relegated with Spurs. Maddison isn’t bad when he’s not at the darts, but let me tell you, if you think he’s going to come back and get Spurs into the top six, you’re in cuckoo land.”
Maddison delivered the perfect response. On his return from a calf strain, the midfielder for the decisive goal in a 1-0 win for Spurs. His goal was the difference in a game lacking quality, as Spurs edged the crisis club Clásico in North London. Keane was wrong, his return is a lift for Spurs.
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Marmoush, Nwaneri, Mitoma
See more – Premier League Awards – Marmoush arrives, Mitoma magic
