The games just keep on coming and the relentless Premier League schedule is now seeing teams drop points in what is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing campaigns ever. A detailed look at the standout talking points from the action this weekend.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
The Gunners capitalise
After Manchester City dropped points to Everton at the Etihad, all eyes were on Arsenal in the late kick-off against Brighton on Saturday.
A win would see them extend their lead at the summit to seven points. They duly delivered, claiming a 4-2 win over the Seagulls.
What was impressive, however, was just how dominant they were. The away side created chances worth 2.93 xG and all 14 of their shots arrived from within the penalty area. Brighton were powerless to stop the table toppers.
Newcastle continue to justify their league position
The Magpies may have been only able to draw against Leeds United but on another day they claim a comfortable win with an identical performance.
Eddie Howe was without Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin, yet his side finished the match with an xG haul of 2.18. They created seven big chances and had it not been for the exploits of Illan Meslier between the sticks – with him making five saves on the day, it is an easy win for Newcastle.
Leeds, on the other hand, could muster efforts worth just 0.38 xG as the hosts limited them to feeding off scraps. It is something they’ve done all season and explains why they have the best defensive record in the league.
Everton land a blow in the title race
Manchester City came unstuck against the Toffees at the Etihad. What should’ve been a routine win against a team who went into the game on a three match losing streak, turned into a game of frustration for the reigning champions.
Despite taking the lead, with Erling Haaland scoring his 21st of the season, and having eight times as many shots as the visitors, City didn’t carve out many high value opportunities.
They allowed Everton to remain in the game. Then, with their only shot on target, Frank Lampard’s men stunned the Etihad. Demarai Gray curled his effort into the far corner. It was a shot with an xG value of just 0.07 but an xG on target value of 0.62.
It was the definition of a smash and grab.
Lucky Liverpool
If you win a match 2-1 with the opposition scoring two own goals, people are going to claim it was lucky. It was, but Liverpool deserved all three points against Leicester City.
Despite falling behind inside of four minutes, the Reds created chance after chance, finishing the match having taken 21 shots to the away side’s seven.
Jurgen Klopp’s men created three big chances and missed them all. They also created chances worth 2.25 xG and this total doesn’t include the two own goals.
They needed that bit of luck to claim all three points but you do create your own luck, and the Reds did just that. By comparison, Wout Faes, scorer of both own goals, had no luck whatsoever.
Spurs lose ground in the top four race
Tottenham are in trouble.
Antonio Conte’s men have conceded two goals in each of their last seven Premier League matches. They may have claimed seven points from these matches but it isn’t a sustainable pattern.
They have now lost four of their last seven in the English top-flight. When Spurs faced off against Liverpool in early November, they had a 10 point advantage over the Reds. Now, however, if Klopp’s side win their game in hand, they leapfrog Tottenham.
Against Villa yesterday, Spurs were out-shot 13-6 and comfortably lost the xG battle (1.04-0.66).
So, the defence is struggling and the attack isn’t clicking. The worst combination possible.
(Images from IMAGO)
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