Following the latest round of Premier League action we look at five things we learned from the weekend fixtures.
Do we have a multi-team title race?
It’s far too early to make bold predictions, but could we be about to see a multi-team Premier League title race? Almost every Premier League title race has revolved around two teams, but the table is perfectly poised at the moment with just two points separating the top four right now.
Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester City and Liverpool to the top of the table after the latter two drew at the Etihad this weekend, while Aston Villa closed the gap on the sides above after beating Spurs. Manchester United, meanwhile, won for the fifth time in six games and are now sixth, just six from the summit.
The 1998/99, 2007/08 and 2013/14 seasons all saw four-point gaps between the top three teams at the end of the campaign, but on each of those occasions the third-placed team never truly threatened to claim the title. Could that happen this season?
Manchester City remain favourites despite failing to reach top gear this season, while the Citizens will not be impacted by an AFCON tournament that will see Mohamed Salah and Thomas Partey depart title rivals in the new year. Pep Guardiola’s side have dominated domestically in recent campaigns despite some close-run title battles. Never before however, have the champions had more than one realistic challenger.
Grealish vs Doku – Control vs Chaos?
Jack Grealish was integral to Manchester City’s treble success, particularly in Europe where his ability to retain the ball, drive his team upfield, and create chances was crucial. This season, however, the England winger has a real fight on his hands for a regular role.
Jeremy Doku was given the nod for City’s crunch clash with Liverpool and was the most watchable player on the pitch as he tormented Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first half. The Belgian injected zip and life into a game that, despite its stature, often had the feel of an early kick-off after the international break.
Doku has tormented full-backs since his arrival at the Etihad last summer and Alexander-Arnold – whose one-vs-one defending has often been a criticism – struggled to cope. Doku led the contest for progressive carries (18), attempted dribbles (16), completed dribbles (12) and chances created (4), with a sense of anticipation – or angst depending on your allegiance – sweeping around the ground whenever he picked up possession.
1 – Jérémy Doku stats and match ranking in Manchester City vs Liverpool:
432m – Ball Carry Distance ????
233m – Ball Carry Progress ????
34 – Ball Carries ????
29 – Final Third Passes ????
19 – Touches in Opp Box ????
18 – Progressive Carries ????
16 – Dribbles Attempted ????
12 – Dribbles… pic.twitter.com/oxCsG7cpDl— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 26, 2023
Grealish is a fantastic footballer, no doubt, and his time will come again in this side, perhaps when Guardiola demands greater control. But, is there a player opposition full-backs are more fearful of right now than Doku? He’s a delight to watch and, should his decision-making and end product go up another level, he will be a truly frightening force.
The Kids are all right
It was a positive weekend for the Premier League’s next generation, with a number of the division’s starlets impressing. Evan Ferguson – a relative veteran of 32 Premier League appearances – continued to enhance his growing reputation with an 11th league goal of the calendar year for Brighton.
There was more than a hint of Harry Kane to the 19-year-old’s finish against Nottingham Forest, one which saw him equal Wayne Rooney’s record for Premier League goals in a calendar year by a teenager. He’ll have plenty of opportunity to set a new benchmark in the coming weeks.
Perfect placed by Evan! ???????? pic.twitter.com/xaYog0kmB2
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 25, 2023
Elsewhere, Lewis Miley recorded an assist as Newcastle thrashed Chelsea. Was this really just his second Premier League start? The 17-year-old performed like a player well established at this level with cool and composure in midfield, never more apparent than his slide-pass into the path of Alexander Isak to open the scoring.
Eddie Howe insisted Miley would be kept at St James’ Park during the summer because he was already good enough to compete for a first-team place. On this evidence, the manager’s judgement was spot on.
There was also a fantastic first Premier League start from Kobbie Mainoo. The 18-year-old was everywhere during Manchester United’s win at Everton, showing confidence with his ability to carry and advance the ball from deep and working relentlessly in midfield. Mainoo made a vital goal-line clearance with the game in the balance and can look forward to more minutes after an assured full debut.
Kobbie Mainoo with a VITAL goalline clearance! ❌ pic.twitter.com/0SMZ4PihFm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 26, 2023
Luton’s consistent crossing bears fruit
Luton are celebrating a first Premier League win at Kenilworth Road after beating Crystal Palace to pull clear of the relegation places. Everton’s 10-point deduction and a long-awaited first home win of the season have increased optimism over survival.
Rob Edwards’ side have found their feet in the top division after a difficult start and have lost by a margin of more than one goal in just one of their last 11 league games. Battling draws with Nottingham Forest and Liverpool were followed by the weekend win over Palace, a fixture that saw Luton continue their plan of loading the box with crosses.
???? The cross from @EdozieOgbene
???? The finish from @js_brownyPerfection! ???????? pic.twitter.com/xtQpw7xZsI
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) November 26, 2023
Luton lead the Premier League for successful open-play crosses (40) this season and reaped the rewards of that volume this weekend. Chiedozie Ogbene’s cross for Jacob Brown’s winner was perfect, as the corridor of uncertainty lived up to its name for Joachim Andersen and Sam Johnstone, allowing Brown to turn home. There’s hope for The Hatters.
Brighton = Entertainment
Roberto De Zerbi’s celebrations at full-time showed just how much Brighton’s win at Nottingham Forest meant, as the Seagulls ended a run of six Premier League games without a win. In a compelling clash at the City Ground, Brighton came from behind to record a 3-2 win, holding on in the closing stages despite Lewis Dunk’s red card.
The five-goal thriller means that there have now been 51 goals scored in games featuring Brighton so far this season, the highest number of any club in the division. Brighton are also the first team in Premier League history to have both scored and conceded in 17 consecutive games, with fans having certainly got their money’s worth when watching De Zerbi’s side this season.
The Italian will hope his side can strengthen up in defence however, as the club look to secure European qualification again this season. That Brighton are eighth, despite failing to keep a single clean sheet in the Premier League this season, is a testament to their firepower.
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