It was another eventful weekend of Premier League action in match week 27 as we edge closer to the final run-in with all still to play for at both ends of the table.
Here are ten key talking points from the weekend’s games.
Liverpool’s inconsistency
Having thrashed rivals Manchester United in a comprehensive 7-0 victory last weekend, Liverpool followed that up with a shock 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.
This result sums up what has become the story of their season – inconsistency. Currently sat six points off fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand, Jurgen Klopp’s side are still in the top four race.
However, they must start finding some form if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League. The return of Luis Diaz from injury could be the key.
Chelsea pick up form
Chelsea beat Leicester City 3-1 on Saturday to make it two league wins in a row for the first time since October.
This victory saw Graham Potter’s side complete a perfect week following their victory over Borussia Dortmund which saw them progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Although Chelsea only have a slim chance of making the top four, they have ended their awful run of form which stretched back to early November.
Has Harry Kane outgrown Spurs?
Harry Kane made it 20 Premier League goals for the season following his brace in Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
In doing so, he joined Alan Shearer and Sergio Aguero as the only players to hit 20+ goals in six Premier League seasons.
Despite Kane’s goals Tottenham are set for another trophyless season – they are 18 points off Arsenal and out of every cup competition.
If Kane wants to win some silverware then he is going to have to leave his boyhood club sooner rather than later to give himself the best chance of doing so.
Brentford’s 12-game unbeaten run ends
Brentford’s impressive 12-game unbeaten run in the Premier League ended on Saturday after their 1-0 defeat to relegation candidates Everton.
Despite his side’s run being halted, Brentford boss Thomas Frank was full of praise for his team in his post-match press conference.
“I don’t know how many teams in the last five years have gone 12 games unbeaten if they’re not Man City or Liverpool,” he said. Frank added that the Bees’ unbeaten run was an ‘unbelievable achievement’.
Erling Braut Haaland closes in on Premier League goal record
Erling Braut Haaland helped himself to his 28th Premier League goal of the season from the penalty spot in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.
With 11 games still to play, the Norwegian striker is now just six goals away from equalling Shearer and Andy Cole’s joint record of most goals scored (34) in a Premier League season.
Crystal Palace’s attacking woes
Following their 1-0 loss to Man City on Saturday, Palace became the first team to fail to have a shot on target in three consecutive Premier League games since Opta started recording that stat in the 2003/04 season.
Patrick Vieira’s side are 12th in the table but just three points above the relegation zone. The Eagles are going to have to start finding the target if they are to maintain their Premier League status.
Have Manchester United dropped into the top-four race?
Manchester United followed up their disastrous 7-0 loss to Liverpool last weekend with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Southampton on Sunday.
While there was talk of the Red Devils being involved in the title race not long ago, they now find themselves looking down the table with Tottenham, Newcastle United and Liverpool all breathing down their necks.
If Erik ten Hag’s side do not put an end to this blip quickly, they could be dragged into a top-four fight. Casemiro’s four-game ban will not help the situation following his red card on Sunday.
Arsenal’s title surge continues
Arsenal claimed their fifth Premier League win in a row with a convincing 3-0 victory over Fulham on Sunday to regain their five-point lead at the top of the table.
Man City had applied pressure to Mikel Arteta’s side by dispatching Palace in a tough-looking away game on Saturday, but the Gunners responded with a magnificent performance at Craven Cottage.
Arsenal’s title credentials are strengthening by the week, and Pep Guardiola’s desire to win a Champions League with Man City could end up playing into their hands.
Martin Odegaard – player of the season?
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard registered his 10th Premier League goal of the campaign on Sunday to make it 16 goal contributions (10 goals, 6 assists) for the season.
The Norwegian midfielder has already overtaken his goals and assists tally from the entirety of last season (7 goals, 4 assists) with 11 games still to play.
Odegaard leads by example and has arguably been his side’s most influential player this campaign. If the Gunners go all the way and lift the Premier League title in May, Arsenal’s number eight must be a prime candidate for the player of the season award.
Wolves robbed at St James’ Park
Perhaps the most controversial talking point from the weekend’s action came in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday when Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope escaped giving away a penalty and receiving a red card.
Pope clearly brought down Raul Jimenez and prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity. However, the VAR officials did not deem Andy Madley’s on-field decision a clear and obvious error.
Unfortunately, this could have a knock-on effect on Wolves’ season, given that they are just three points above the drop zone and very much in the relegation battle.
