Liverpool rediscover old strength as Marcus Rashford inspires Man United – 10 Premier League talking points
Jorginho’s stabilising presence missed in midfield
Frank Lampard again opted to leave Jorginho on the bench at Goodison Park after similarly excluding the midfielder in the win over Aston Villa, but this looked an unwise choice in the first half.
The Italian international is far form the perfect midfielder, but he is a vital cog in Lampard’s side, a metronomic passer and intelligent occupier of space defensively, and Chelsea struggled to dictate the tempo in the first half despite having three-quarters of the possession. It was defensively, however, that Jorginho was missed the most. With N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic as a deeper double pivot and Mason Mount slightly ahead, Chelsea’s midfield looked slightly unsure of their positioning throughout, with Kante and Kovacic at times dragged wide and Mount keen to move forward.
After seeming to settle on a first-choice side during the winning run, Lampard seems to have let the defeat to West Ham cloud his thinking, rather than dismiss it as an aberration and keep faith with the side that had propelled Chelsea towards the top. Why Fikayo Tomori now finds himself behind both fit-again Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma is unclear – the pair did not cover themselves in glory for Richarlison’s opener with a great gaping hole left for the Brazilian to push into.
The pair hardly covered themselves in glory for Calvert-Lewin’ second, either. It is possible that neither retains their place in the long-term, with Antonio Rudiger nearing a return and Tomori surely deserving of a place in the centre-back partnership.
Ferguson does his chances no harm with excellent first game in charge
It remains unlikely that Duncan Ferguson will be thrust into the post of Everton manager on a more permanent basis, but he did his chances no harm in his first game in interim charge. With a bold but strong initial selection, Ferguson managed to motivate a set of players perhaps enjoying a fresh voice, and he adapted well as the game changed in the second half. His gleeful, celebratory cavorting down the touchline was a highlight, too.
While it seems Everton may look for a more experienced manager to fully steady things, Ferguson should at least be regarded as a credible contender. He has, of course, a real connection with the fans at Goodison Park, and that could well be useful. He should certainly be considered.
Guardiola experiencing deja-vu in fatal fourth season?
It is remarkable that this City, and this manager, have now lost 25% of their league games – four out of 16.
The bare number alone used to be the supposed bare minimum of defeats any champion could have, and that was in the 1990s, before clubs like City – and Liverpool – changed the parameters of what was possible and the very standards. So far, in stark contrast to many of the pre-season predictions, only Liverpool have maintained those standards.
And it’s difficult not to wonder whether that is down to something else that has been rare in Guardiola’s career – that he’s lasted this long in a job. If the third season is fatal for Jose Mourinho, is the fourth season similar for Guardiola. There were certainly similar trends in his fourth season with Barcelona – the only other time he’s got past three campaigns, and the only time he didn’t win the title at Camp Nou.
Rashford in the form of his life - and should stay out wide
Marcus Rashford has finally found his position: wide left with freedom to come inside is where he ought to now stay, a valuable gift from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to Manchester United no matter how his tenure ends.
With 10 league goals in December, Rashford has already matched his previous best career total, demonstrating his exciting potential. With two impressive victories in a matter of days against Spurs and Man City, Rashford has grasped extra responsibility and looks to be one of Europe's most dangerous wide men.
Son scores goal of the season contender
Son Heung-min’s goal, Tottenham’s third in a 5-0 thrashing of Burnley, summed up the very best of the South Korean: his first touch to turn on the edge of his own box was immaculate and positive, much like the others that took him the 90 yards towards the Burnley goal. For about half of it he was assessing options, eyes flashing from left to right, checking and re-checking, in case someone in white was better-placed. With one final assessment as he approached the halfway line, he realised it was all on him.
At no point did his pace waiver and thus each of the six players he beat stayed beaten. Nick Pope became the seventh when Son steadied himself and lifted his shot over the diving keeper to make it three nil. A shiny memento to go with his Asian player of the year trophy which was handed to him before the match by fellow South Korean Park Ji-Sung.
Liverpool earn rare clean sheet to capitalise on sloppy City
Jurgen Klopp was thrilled to win first clean sheet in 14 games in all competitions as Liverpool swept Bournemouth aside to extend their unbeaten Premier League streak to 33 games.
The bigger picture, of course, is Liverpool edging closer to a first league title in 30 years, with an 11-point gap over Leicester, but now 14 points separating themselves from champions Manchester City.
But with Alisson back between the sticks, perhaps the Reds will rediscover their passion for defending, which will prove handy in the closing stretch of games as they hunt down that elusive league title.
Zaha’s patience tested by Watford’s rough treatment
Etienne Capoue led the strategy to hand out rough treatment on Wilfried Zaha, who maintained great composure throughout the goalless draw at Vicarage Road. Scott Dann and Roy Hodgson had words with the Ivorian, who has been the subject of transfer speculation.
Chelsea, after their ban was halved, have been linked, following last summer’s interest from Arsenal and Everton. Fouled six times, the Eagles know a large part of their success will depend on referees preventing their talisman from being targeted so obviously. A respectable point sees Palace in eighth, two behind fifth-placed Manchester United.
Vardy extends another incredible scoring streak as Foxes dare to dream
Jamie Vardy already has the record: scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League games.
The 32-year-old is now inspiring Leicester to an unlikely title challenge once more off the back of scoring in an eighth game in a row - with 10 goals in that spell.
Brendan Rodgers's side are now six points clear of third - do they dare to realign their goal of a top four finish? They are still a whopping eight points off runaway leaders Liverpool, but remember the Reds must travel to the King Power on Boxing Day. For now though, it gives Rodgers a cushion with a trip to Manchester City four days before Christmas and then Liverpool's visit.
Bruce inspiring Newcastle push towards safety
Steve Bruce is quickly acquiring credit in the bank after a second successive win off the back of holding Manchester City at home.
An impressive away win at Sheffield United was followed up by a home win against fellow strugglers Southampton, which crucially came after falling behind, shining a light on the side's character.
The Magpies have shot up to 10th in the table, seven points above Saints to give themselves breathing rooom in the battle to beat the drop. Impressively, Bruce is now building an identity to this side, with five at the back and an energetic quartet in midfield supporting the presence of Joelinton up top. Burnley away and Crystal Palace at home are to come, games that, following this recent run, fans might expect them to win; placing a different sort of challenge on Bruce's side.
Blades rewarded for commitment to sending men into box
Sheffield United's setback at home to Newcastle provided many with reason to doubt the longevity of Chris Wilder's side to remain inside the top half of the table after a remarkable start to the season. And after Alexander Tettey's opener, it looked like their sticky patch might continue.
But the Blades's commitment to sending support into the opposition's penalty area has been impressive all season and they showed courage once more at Carrow Road. First when Enda Stevens headed home and then when George Baldock showed lightning fast reactions, a clever turn and a slashing finish to earn all three points and ease any pressure heading into the festive period.