Another dramatic weekend in the Premier League. We have new leaders at the top in Liverpool, whilst Arsenal lose to a rampant Aston Villa side. Points were picked up at the bottom of the table too with Sheffield United and Burnley closing the gap on those above.
Here are five things we learned from the weekend.
Manchester United thrashed at home
An impressive November saw Manchester United win three out of three games, without conceding a goal. United boss Erik Ten Hag and defender Harry Maguire won both manager and player of the month awards. However, Bournemouth were able to end United’s run of improvement beating ten Hag’s 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Despite having the majority of the ball, United’s lack of conviction in front of goal was capitalised by an impressive Bournemouth side who made it five games without defeat to rise to 14th in the table, ten points above the relegation zone.
Bournemouth’s win makes it United’s fourth home defeat of the season, having played just nine games at Old Trafford. United lost just once at home the whole of last season.
Tottenham back to winning ways
Following a run of five games without a win, Ange Postecoglou’s side gained three crucial points at home to Newcastle United to end their winless run.
Spurs captain Heung-Min Son created two assists and scored once to lead the way in Spurs’ creative performance. Spurs fans will be pleased to see their £60million striker Richarlison scoring his first goal with his feet for the club, later adding a second.
Both sides have been struck by an injury crisis recently, missing several key players. With both Spurs and Newcastle hoping to secure European football, these could be a crucial three points for Postecoglou’s side.
VAR the talking point as Liverpool go top
Liverpool once again show they’re able to win despite not being at their best, snatching three points from Crystal Palace to put them top of the league.
Following a lengthy VAR check, Palace went 1-0 up through a penalty having been denied one by VAR earlier in the game. Jordan Ayew was sent off for a somewhat soft second yellow card. Mohammed Salah soon equalised, scoring his 200th goal for Liverpool.
Liverpool were not at their best, only creating two shots on target but were able to find a late winner through Harvey Elliott to rise to top of the league.
Arsenal drop points to high flying Aston Villa
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal began the gameweek top of the Premier League, travelling to Aston Villa led by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery. Having beaten Manchester City and Tottenham recently, Villa proved to be a challenge for Arteta’s Arsenal.
John McGinn scored an early goal for Villa which was enough to secure their 15th straight home win and knock Arsenal off of the top of the table. The victory leaves Villa in third, just two points off of the top.
Having beaten title challengers Manchester City and Arsenal, could it be time to seriously consider Aston Villa as title contenders?
Everton beat Chelsea to collect more points
Following their ten point deduction earlier in the season, Sean Dyche’s Everton have been in fantastic form only losing once in their previous six games.
Dyche’s side faced Chelsea who have been suffering disappointing form following two impressive results against Tottenham and Manchester City.
Chelsea suffered the loss of Reece James through injury in the first half. Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring, putting Everton 1-0 up early in the second half. An impressive defensive display saw the toffee’s hold Chelsea off for the remainder of the second half before Everton youngster Lewis Dobbin came off the bench and doubled Everton’s lead in injury time.
Chelsea’s poor campaign continues, now sitting 14 points off of the top four. However, Everton stretch further from the relegation zone and would be up to the top half of the table should they have not had ten points deducted.
