Premier League Weekend Roundup: Key Results and Managerial Insights
Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Wolves, but manager Mikel Arteta criticised the team's slow start and called for higher standards. Arsenal will benefit from a rare blank midweek before their 8pm kick-off at Everton next Saturday.
In Crystal Palace's 0-3 defeat to Manchester City, manager Oliver Glasner acknowledged Palace produced their best performance under him despite the loss, whereas City remained clinical throughout.
The Wear–Tyne derby saw Sunderland edge Newcastle 1-0 thanks to Nick Woltemade's second-half own goal. Newcastle's Eddie Howe noted the goal came at a really bad time. Interestingly, Woltemade has scored seven goals since joining Newcastle.
Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0, showcasing the versatility of Hugo Ekitiké who moved across the frontline delivering crucial finishes before being substituted due to cramp. Linked with a partnership potential with Isak, Ekitiké's reported fee is £79 million.
West Ham suffered a 2-3 defeat to Aston Villa. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo cited defensive mistakes as costly, while West Ham remain in the bottom three and have yet to keep a clean sheet since his appointment.
Chelsea defeated Everton 2-0 with Cole Palmer scoring as part of a strong midfield trio. Palmer played around 58 minutes, providing a creative option for manager Tuchel and potentially putting himself in contention for England selection.
Fulham edged Burnley 3-2, powered by Harry Wilson who has amassed three goals and three assists in four games. Wilson's form has made him a standout player, with potential to reach double-digit goals this season.
Nottingham Forest extended their impressive five-week run with a 3-0 win over Tottenham. Manager Sean Dyche attributed success to his 'framework and freedom' strategy, with Sangaré's scoring exemplifying the team's style. The run includes wins against Liverpool, Leeds, Malmö, and Spurs.
Brentford and Leeds played out a 1-1 draw. Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored five goals in 13 Premier League appearances. Manager Daniel Farke praised Calvert-Lewin’s impact as the club’s key No.9 player.
Brighton lost 0-2 to Liverpool, emphasizing a challenging December record with no wins from nine matches (P9 L4 D5 W0). The return of Kaoru Mitoma is expected to boost Brighton ahead of their next match against Sunderland.
