With the November worldwide break within the rear-view mirror, the Premier League returned with a bang.
It looks as if the race for the highest 4 takes a contemporary twist with each passing week and Saturday’s motion was no completely different.
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The results of the day simply belonged to Ange Postecoglou and his Tottenham aspect as they thrashed Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad.
It was the primary time in Pep Guardiola’s managerial profession he has misplaced 5 consecutive video games as James Maddison, Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson all received on the scoresheet within the 4-0 thumping.
Chelsea eased previous Leicester Metropolis 2-1, though former Watford striker Troy Deeney believed the Blues have a evident error stopping them from being a reputable title contender.
Ethan Nwaneri turned Arsenal’s second-youngest Premier League goalscorer within the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Brentford’s defensive unit might be a contented camp as they celebrated a gritty 0-0 draw in opposition to Everton regardless of happening to 10 males within the forty first minute.
The scoreless consequence marked the Bees’ first clear sheet of the season and Brentford boss Thomas Frank will hope it’s a pattern they will proceed going ahead.
Aston Villa needed to come from behind twice to rescue a 2-2 draw in opposition to lowly Crystal Palace, with Eagles goalkeeper Dean Henderson saving a Youri Tielemans penalty within the first half.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil earned some respite as his aspect thrashed Fulham 4-1 at Craven Cottage, whereas Brighton continued their gorgeous type this season with a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on the Vitality Stadium.
Right here, talkSPORT duo Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy reveal their winners and losers from Saturday’s motion on the Recreation-Day Telephone-In!
Winners
Matheus Cunha
The Brazilian ahead has made the record as soon as once more after his gorgeous show in opposition to Fulham.
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The 25-year-old scored twice for Wolves, serving to Gary O’Neil’s aspect to a much-needed 4-1 win at Craven Cottage.
“High, high participant. He is in once more,” stated O’Hara.
Cundy continued: “This can be a participant that among the huge canine might be severely .
“He is fast, he is direct, scores objectives. He was glorious immediately.
Fabian Hurzeler
Brighton secured an enormous three factors after beating Bournemouth 2-1 on the Vitality Stadium.
Whereas ending the match with 10-men, the Seagulls are going sturdy within the Premier League.
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“Fifth within the desk, one other huge consequence,” stated O’Hara. “They have 22 factors, they’re flying.
Cundy added: “They are not going anyplace, mate. They’re right here to remain. They will be a nuisance.
“Whether or not they have sufficient to final between now and the top of the season, solely time will inform. However I’ve received to provide them credit score. To be there, proper now, in and amongst the Champions League locations, they seem to be a aspect and a soccer membership which have persistently moved in the precise route for the final 5 years.
“Potter began it, De Zerbi took over and moved them ahead. And now Hurzeler has performed precisely the identical job. Each supervisor appears to maneuver them ahead once more.
“The recruitment from Bloom and everybody down at Brighton, each on the pitch and within the dugout, is nothing in need of exceptional.”
James Maddison
The Tottenham midfielder was the star of the present in a shock 4-0 victory over Man Metropolis on the Etihad Stadium.
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“He is scored two immediately, he is answered his critics,” stated O’Hara.
“He is come underneath a little bit of stress, he misplaced his place within the England squad, hasn’t been enjoying, been getting dragged week-in, week-out.
“However he is put in a high, high efficiency up to now. No matter how this sport finally ends up, he deserves to be in there.”
“It has been a tough final 12 months,” adde Cundy. “Picked up the damage in opposition to Chelsea a 12 months in the past, actually struggled to get again into type.
“Two objectives will not do him any hurt, so congratulations to him.”
Losers
Pep Guardiola
Whereas Maddison was the star, Guardiola might be left licking his wounds after one other Premier League defeat.
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Defeat for Man Metropolis means they’re 5 factors off high, having performed a sport greater than Liverpool who face Southampton on Sunday.
O’Hara stated: “5 on the bounce. He has received to go within the losers record. They’re having a nightmare!”
“They’re having a horrible, horrible time,” Cundy went on.
“I do know they have accidents. However no-one goes to really feel sorry for Metropolis. No-one.
“Kovacic is out, I get that. After they get everybody again, we all know Metropolis are a power to be reckoned with.”
Everton
Whereas Sean Dyche’s aspect had been dominant in opposition to Brentford, they weren’t in a position to get themselves over the road.
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Everton had 27 pictures and 60 per cent possession, however managed simply 5 heading in the right direction – main them to attract 0-0 with the 10-man Bees on a Irritating afternoon.
O’Hara stated: “27 pictures, all the way down to 10 males in opposition to Brentford they usually nonetheless cannot rating.
“They can not hit a barn door. Significantly, I may put a goat up entrance and he’d rating. Significantly, it is embarrassing.”
“They’re simply present. They are not dwelling, they’re simply present. They have to go in there,” Cundy added.
Tom Brady
Maybe slightly bit harshly, O’Hara named the NFL legend as one among his losers following a nasty consequence for Birmingham Metropolis.
Whereas sitting fourth in League One with a number of video games in hand, the Blues shareholder was referred to as out by the previous Tottenham star.
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O’Hara stated: “Birmingham, flying excessive, doing effectively. Solely misplaced one sport going into this.
They performed Shrewsbury – Twenty third-placed Shrewsbury. What may go flawed?
“I let you know what can go flawed. Shrewsbury can beat them. It is a unhealthy day within the workplace. But when you have to take the plaudits Tom Brady, you have to take the criticism. You are a loser!”
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