Strength in depth is key to Liverpool's title challenge
For a long time it looked like it wouldn't be Liverpool's day.
Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold were without their shooting boots as the ball continued to flash wide of the goal. Darwin Nunez – the hero of the hour for Liverpool – planted a free header wide of Andy Robertson's cross before firing a dreadful effort over the bar from 30 yards as it looked like the Reds were heading for a third straight league match to start 2025 and more dropped points in the race for the Premier League title race.
But Nunez and Liverpool worked out in the end, and it is Arne Slot's ability to empty Liverpool's bench with new attacking options that could be crucial in their bid to win a first title in five years.
Liverpool, even without the injured Diogo Jota, scored a whopping 37 shots at Brentford – a record for an away side in the Premier League – but it was their ability to keep up that pressure with fresh legs that ultimately got them over the line . .
It was Nunez who came to the rescue this time, but Harvey Elliott, who has not had as many minutes as he would have liked this season, also played a key role from the bench with an assist for the second.
If Mo Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo don't get you, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott will! And with other sides in the league struggling with injuries and depleted squads, that depth could be the crucial factor in Liverpool's bid to bring the title back to Anfield.Oliver Yew
Blunt West Ham produce an alarming attacking performance
West Ham fans could laugh at the statistic they scored with all three of their shots on target against Fulham on Tuesday. But few saw the funny side of their team's attacking play against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
No shots on target and virtually no threat in the final third. Mohammed Kudus led the line this time instead of Lucas Paqueta, but whatever Graham Potter had planned, this was an alarming display.
There were groans on the ground as Lukasz Fabianski and his centre-backs repeatedly exchanged passes in the first half, with no apparent intention of going forward. Palace can be difficult to break down, but West Ham at times looked unwilling to even try. Better to keep possession of the ball than attack and risk losing it?
Of course, the absence of Jarrod Bowen, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio has reduced their attacking options. But West Ham fans expect a lot more momentum from their teams, regardless of who is available.
It's still early in Potter's reign and he hopes more training ground time will lead to more cohesive performances. But based on this evidence, the group's mentality needs to change to a more attacking mentality. Peter Smith
Mateta continues red-hot form in front of goal
Corner flags take note, Jean-Phillipe Mateta is in red-hot form.
His brace against dismal West Ham means the Crystal Palace marksman has now scored four goals in his last three games. It's a run that has started since the turn of the year, with the four equaling his return for the season before 2025. After a slow start to the season, he looks back on his dominant best days, working with Eberechi Eze and the new club of West Ham burst. manager bubble as they teamed up for another goal.
In re-establishing Mateta, Eze Mateta has now made eight Premier League assists, with no Palace player in the competition's history assisting a teammate more often. The tally matches the previous record, with Michael Olise Eze also assisting eight times.
Mateta's form may have dipped at the start of the season, but his overall consistency is what pleases Palace boss Oliver Glasner. After the match he told the press: “If he gets the ball somewhere around the penalty area and he gets a free finish, very often it's a goal. He was the same, but he also works very hard, just like all our strikers .” .
“He always needs players around him who can give him the ball, but if he gets the ball in the right places, and this is what we work on day in and day out with the whole team, then we know he will be a great finish.” William Bitibiri
When Bournemouth click, it's magical
Justin Kluivert will rightly steal the headlines, his match-winning contribution made all the more impressive by his action-packed performance. The Dutchman was happy to run the hard yards out of possession, rushing into his defensive half before bursting into life as Bournemouth launched their trademark counter-offensive.
But such a crushing defeat – Newcastle has not lost by three goals at home since December 2021 – was only possible with synchronicity across the pitch. As Andoni Iraola acknowledged after the match, Bournemouth produced a beautifully 'complete' performance. They made Newcastle look average in every department. Alexander Isak was anonymous.
Bournemouth did what very few teams have done, or will do, with Eddie Howe's side at St James' Park. It's daring to have the courage to go head to head, consistently chasing high turnovers, with a team that has won nine times in a row in all competitions. We are talking about the most in-form club in the Premier League.
But Iraola only knows one way. His transition style is fascinating to watch when things click and Saturday's display was a great example of how everything clicked perfectly. Laura Hunter
Newcastle's pursuit of a club record appears to be a step too far
All good things must come to an end – but for Eddie Howe it just had to be his old side Bournemouth ending their nine-match winning run in stunning fashion.
The Cherries' victory means Howe is yet to beat his former club. He has now lost twice and drawn four of the six league games against them since his departure.
Howe blamed the heavy defeat on 'fatigue' and it seemed a step too far for his side as they aimed for a club record 10th straight win in all competitions.
Their hugely disappointing performance saw in-form striker Alexander Isak, who had scored in his previous eight Premier League appearances, fail to register a shot from open play.
Fortunately for Howe and his team, they now have a full week to recover for a much-needed break and recovery after a hectic run of matches.
Howe will also be pleased that Southampton are at a low point, giving the Magpies the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways quickly and put this huge loss behind them. Declan Olley
The pressure is increasing on Ruud
These are tough times for Ruud van Nistelrooy, the worst run of results Leicester City has endured in more than two decades – and at the very start of his reign. The Foxes weren't even in the relegation zone when he arrived. In this form they seem doomed.
His predecessor Steve Cooper was not as popular with the supporters at the King Power Stadium, but this was a lower point than anything he had to endure. There were several chants for the board to be fired and others also aimed at sporting director Jon Rudkin.
But Van Nistelrooy did not escape. The lingering frustration over James Justin's inclusion is likely to end quickly following the signing of Woyo Coulibaly, but Jordan Ayew is also a target for supporters, while fan favorites are not getting minutes.
Ayew was jeered when Facundo Buonanotte finally replaced him, while there was anger over the removal of Bilal El Khannouss. Choosing what fans perceive about the “wrong” team may not always make headlines, but the toxic scenes that follow certainly do.
Van Nistelrooy says his players have to deal with it, but the problem is that when things go wrong, there is a lack of resilience and things fall apart. They played against Fulham, but this team is vulnerable. Foxes never give up. But they do lose seven in a row.Adam Bate
Europe on the horizon for Fulham?
After battling their way into the match at the King Power, Fulham cruised to victory without getting out of second gear.
Emile Smith Rowe marked his 100th Premier League appearance in style after nodding home the opener, which was quickly followed by Adama Traore climbing off the bench and expertly firing – which isn't often said about his playing style – into the bottom corner ended up. .
Marco Silva's side always looked in control of the game and have now cemented their place in the race for European football after climbing to ninth place – just two points behind Aston Villa and Man City ahead of them.
It's been thirteen years since the Cottagers last dusted off their passports for a tour of Europe, but with Raul Jimenez regaining his best form, Harry Wilson shining on the right and the duo of Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi flying on the other flank, those dreams could become a reality by the end of the season.Patrick Rowe
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