Five talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring Mohamed Salah, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s return to Chelsea and the Tyne-Wear Derby.
Dewsbury-Hall eager to prove point on Chelsea return
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has admitted he has a point to prove at Chelsea this weekend. The midfielder’s move to Chelsea did not pan out as hoped, with even a reunion with former Leicester boss Enzo Maresca not enough to win favour.
He started just twice for the club in the Premier League before joining Everton in the summer, where his fortunes have drastically improved.
He’s already played almost five times as many Premier League minutes, while his recent form has propelled Everton into the European places. With four goals and two assists to his name, there has even been tentative talk of an England call-up.
Mood. pic.twitter.com/9B1Ufx7ofX
— Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (@KDH__8) December 6, 2025
“It’s definitely a huge game for me and I’ve got a point to prove. I’m so excited by it,” said the 27-year-old ahead of his return to West London.
“It would be nice to go there and win. I have to say that the Chelsea people have been lovely to me ever since I left. I’ve got a lot of respect for them, but obviously now I’m playing for Everton so my main focus is going there, playing as well as I can and getting three points.
“I’m probably feeling the best I’ve ever felt and the way I’m playing is up there with the best I’ve played.
“I’ll be honest, I’m confident going against anyone in the Premier League at the moment and it’s a nice place to be.”
Is this really sayonara Salah?
It wasn’t supposed to end like this, was it? Though Mohamed Salah’s departure from Liverpool is not yet a formality, there’s plenty of reconciling to be done if we’re to see the Egyptian in a red shirt again.
Salah’s comments in the aftermath of last week’s draw at Leeds, in which he remained an unused substitute, have driven a wedge between himself, the club, and his manager.
In an apparent suggestion he was set to leave, Salah said he’d told his parents to attend Anfield this weekend in what could be his farewell. Unless there’s been progressive talks behind closed doors, he looks unlikely to feature.
You can take away the player, but you can’t take away their legacy 🫡✨
The way Mo Salah’s time at Liverpool FC seems to be ending on a sour note has a few similarities to the way Cristiano Ronaldo’s second spell at Man United came to a close 😔
Regardless of what has… pic.twitter.com/6C9lb6NOs3
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) December 11, 2025
Salah’s fallout with Arne Slot comes just months after an unforgettable season concluded, in which the 33-year-old led Liverpool to title success. A record-breaking campaign earned a bumper new contract, but five months on, could Salah be set for the exit door?
Saudi Pro League sides are reportedly queuing up for the reigning PFA Player of the Year, if Slot and Salah can not find a way to repair their relationship.
Arteta options improving
Though Arsenal have been hit by injuries to their league-leading backline, the defensive depth that Mikel Arteta has built has ensured there’s been options to cover. It’s a contrast to the final third, where simultaneous injuries to Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres left the Gunners without a recognised forward.
Mikel Merino has again deputised impressively in his auxiliary attacking role, but recent returns are welcome. Gyokeres returned to the starting side at Club Brugge in midweek, while Gabriel Jesus came off the bench for his first appearance in almost a year. With Havertz also almost back, Arteta now has the armoury to compete on all fronts.
How to Crystal Palace replace Munoz?
Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Daniel Munoz will be out for around a month after undergoing surgery. The Colombian’s absence is a big blow to Crystal Palace, with few full-backs in the division as impactful.
Munoz is all-action for the Eagles, a blend of athletic capacity and end product. He’s scored three Premier League goals this season and added two assists, highlighting his forward contribution in a wing-back role he has made his own. Glasner faces a headache in attempting to replace that output, ahead of Manchester City’s arrival this weekend.
A derby day nine years in the making
For the first time in almost a decade, Sunderland and Newcastle will go head-to-head in a Premier League game.
Their last meeting in any competition saw Newcastle ease to a 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light, in an FA Cup tie between the teams in January 2024.
Much has changed since then, with Sunderland back in the big time and flying high in the table. The Black Cats invested heavily in the summer and sit ninth in the table, three places and a point above their North-East rivals.
Sunderland have lost just 𝗢𝗡𝗘 of the last 10 derbies vs Newcastle in the Premier League 😯⚔️ pic.twitter.com/lWowCiL82p
— LiveScore (@livescore) December 11, 2025
Sunderland also have the recent history in this fixture. They’re unbeaten in the last nine top-flight meetings, winning six. Newcastle’s last Tyne-Wear win in the Premier League came back in August 2011.
Read – Slot set for showdown talks with Salah on Liverpool future
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