The most recent set of top-flight fixtures provided plenty of excitement, surprise results, and compelling narratives. Ranging from battles between bosses to star performances, we examine the major discussions stemming from the games.
The Chelsea manager's unexpected confrontation with Pep Guardiola recalled thoughts of earlier David vs Goliath coaching battles. In the case of the debutant, making his senior maiden game, the mission was ending Chelsea's dreadful run of form versus the champions. A dramatic equaliser from the Chelsea star secured a crucial draw, something past incumbents had found it tough to do.
Despite Florian Wirtz finding the net, the Merseyside club were left aggrieved after letting a winning position slip away against Fulham. The concern of failing to control games when in front persists, with the side previously throwing away similar advantages in earlier matches. Until they discover the skill of defending a lead, the quest is likely to stay a challenging one.
Arsenal's striker is experiencing a lengthy dry spell from general play, but his midfield colleague Declan Rice has stressed the player is nonetheless vitally important. Rice praised Gyökeres' work off the ball and team-oriented performances as key to the league leaders success. "Success are sure to arrive," was the midfielder's confident prediction for his struggling colleague.
Given Ruben Amorim's team lining up in a notably conservative way, the onus was placed on the offensive pair to deliver. While Matheus Cunha maintained his fine run, the summer signing endured another difficult game. The Slovenian has hit the net hard to come by since his high-profile move and missed a late opportunity to win the game. The new year provides a pressing imperative for him to find his confidence.
Régis Le Bris deployed Enzo Le Fée in a more defensive position initially, before releasing him further forward as the game wore on. The switch was masterful, with he emerging as the chief creator of the visitor's fightback for an leveler. After directing the woodwork, Le Fée supplied a sumptuous assist for the levelling goal. Having fully adapted to the demands of the English game, his influence is on the rise.
During an embarrassing defeat for the London club, boss the Portuguese coach opted against use any of his named replacements. This meant January recruit the forward, who watched on even with his team's utter lack of threat. Nuno suggested it would have been "too harsh" to throw the new striker into the action. Yet, with firepower at a dearth, the need to assimilate the 22-year-old rapidly is painfully apparent.
Lewis Miley produced another outstanding display while playing at right-back. The youngster was impeccable in his defensive duties, provided the breakthrough, and lifted the team in a untidy affair. With specialist right-backs back, the question for manager Eddie Howe is how to accommodate the astonishingly mature player in his preferred engine room role. "Coming Newcastle teams will undoubtedly be designed around Miley," seems an increasingly fair statement.
Sean Dyche's early influence at Forest was positive, but doubts are now surface about the squad's versatility. Forest's breakaway ability is still there, but seems reduced in the absence of certain personnel. While structured when protecting a lead, Forest have been exposed when needing to come from behind. Giving the ball away in these situations has been costly, a problem they have to address quickly.
The West London club put in a display that masked their dismal travel sickness. Vital to their dominant victory was the in-form scoring of number nine the Brazilian. Thiago's goals are giving a base for the side to aim higher. Winger he even floated the lofty aspiration of continental football as a target, underlining the fresh optimism in the squad.
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