10 Premier League talking points from the weekend's action

Guardiola warns Grealish over Savinho, Southampton hit new low, and is Arsenal's negativity holding them back?

1
Struggling Alexander-Arnold left exposed

Trent Alexander-Arnold's difficult play was worrying. Now, Real Madrid's public court might have had something to do with it, but at times it felt like he was being abandoned. He was deliberately left out by his team, left to his own devices to deal with any threat Manchester United might create down the left flank, while the only players who could drop in and help him, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch, rarely did. When it became clear he was having a bad day, nothing was done to cover him up and get him back into the game. When his poor clearance came back in the build-up to United's first goal, he briefly found himself with four opponents to deal with alone, showing that Liverpool's problems down the right wing were not just an individual problem, but a systemic one. He is (generally) a surprisingly good player, but miracles will sometimes happen outside of his powers. Simon Burnton

Match report: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United

2
Amorim's tactical flexibility takes

Although Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were his direct opponents for most of the game (and one of the main reasons for most of the game) it was excellent. Arnold beat Andre Onana. This season, only 26.2% of Andre Onana's passes from open play have gone wide, with a peak of 55.6% in the 2-1 win over Brentford, but on Sunday. that figure was 80%. However, in the entire game, he only passed the ball to the right twice, both times playing short towards the right-back's position. On every other occasion, he looked left, dropping the ball six times beyond the halfway line in search of runners exploiting the space behind Liverpool's defenders. Ruben Amorim has been criticized for a lack of tactical flexibility - but tactical flexibility, despite United sticking to the same formation, was one of the hallmarks of this game. SB

Reaction: Amorim hails United's different mentality at Anfield

3
Savinho's form leaves Grealish out

Jack Grealish's 84th-minute substitution against West Ham failed to start Manchester City's 33rd win -t 33rd Manchester City. Asked about the competition with Savinho, who set up both Erling Haaland goals and forced Vladimir Coufal's own goal, his manager, Pep Guardiola, said: "Savinho is in better form than Jack [who has been struggling with injuries this season] and that's why I played with Savinho. Do you want Jack who won the treble? Yes. Savinho's play in the penalty area: he's higher [better] than the other wingers in that position. They have to fight. They have to say, 'OK, I'm going to fight with Savinho to deserve to play in that position.' I fought hard for [Jack] to [get back to his best]. I know he can do it. Is there anyone in this room who thinks Savinho doesn't deserve to play right now? No, that's why I played because he's a producer." Jamie Jackson

Match report: Manchester City 4-1 West Ham

4 
Nwaneri's injury is another blow for ArtetaIs 

Is Arsenal's negative approach holding them back? The yellow card shown to Ethan Nwaneri just before half-time of Saturday's draw against Brighton was the ninth they have picked up this season for time-wasting - two more than any other side. Arsenal created little in attack after the 17-year-old goalscorer was forced off at the break and could have ended up losing after João Pedro's controversial penalty. Mikel Arteta was left dismayed by referee Anthony Taylor's decision but he will also be deeply concerned about how his side struggled to respond to the equaliser and Nwaneri's injury, given the prolonged absence of Bukayo Saka. "Really bad news because I think we've lost him," said the Arsenal manager. "We had to take him off at half-time with some muscular issues." Ed Aarons

Match report: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

5
Chelsea are wilting late in games

Chelsea have developed an issue with conceding late goals. Is it a mentality issue? Fitness? Something related to Enzo Maresca's use of his bench? Whatever the cause there was frustration when Chelsea lost a 1-0 lead against Crystal Palace, who rescued a point thanks to an equaliser from Jean-Philippe Mateta. Chelsea should have had the victory wrapped up; instead, they lost their way and their injury-hit defense was breached after the 75th minute for the sixth time in nine league games. A pattern is emerging. Palace were stronger after half-time - just as Fulham were when they came from behind to win at Stamford Bridge - and Maresca was passive. Curiously, he has been hesitant to make substitutions in recent games. He did nothing until the 81st minute against Palace. Maresca also waited until the final 20 minutes before making changes against Fulham, Everton, and Brentford, all of whom finished stronger than Chelsea in recent weeks. Jacob Steinberg

Match report: Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea

6
January is critical for Everton

Leaving the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, it was easy to detect resignation from Everton fans over the state of their team. Sean Dyche's side do at least defend well, and did so against Bournemouth, even if a pearler from David Brooks did for Jordan Pickford. Translating such effectiveness and efficiency further up the pitch is the main problem for Everton, but there are tantalizing exceptions. Iliman Ndiaye is someone thriving under Dyche's tutelage, perhaps unexpectedly, and watching him shield the ball 25 yards from his own goal, hold off a defender, then spin past two more to create a smart breakaway was a joy. In such a moment you can see how Dyche wants his team to play with the ball and how it can incorporate technical players. Dyche says the final pass is the issue and has asked for time. But with Everton once again looking over their shoulders at the relegation places, time is in even shorter supply than usual. The January transfer window feels critical. Paul MacInnes

Match report: Bournemouth 1-0 Everton

7
Murphy a vital cog for Newcastle

When Newcastle scraped a 2-1 win at Wolves in September, the last game of a strange start to the season in which they picked up 13 points from five games without ever playing well, Jacob Murphy was highlighted as an example of how the club had failed to kick on. Was he really what they had been dreaming of in Riyadh when the Saudi PIF had taken over the club? But he has remained a regular and has played a key role in the run of five straight league wins that have lifted Newcastle to fifth. "He's been very, very important, probably more than people realize," said Eddie Howe. "We've asked him to do a lot of things. He plays a vital role in our press, and on the ball, with his assists and crosses he's been great. He's very versatile and very focused on the team. He doesn't get the credit he deserves." Jonathan Wilson

Match report: Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle

8
Forgotten men show their worth for Villa

With a long list of casualties and absences, Aston Villa is grimly hanging on in the chase for the top five. Beating Leicester was a distinct grind, played in biting cold. Without the suspended Morgan Rogers and Jhon Durán, and with John McGinn pulling up with a hamstring problem, Villa had to dig deep to beat a hard-working Leicester. Emi Buendía, a forgotten man after a year out with injury, and Ian Maatsen, an expensive signing with just two league starts, played their part in the winning goal, gratefully converted by Leon Bailey, another who has dropped from prominence. Ross Barkley, also previously finding starting places hard to come by, scored the blistering opener. "I'm happy with him and he's always positive," said Unai Emery of a player who has matured into a dedicated professional. If Villa's football does not flow like last season, the coherence of their recruitment could serve them well if others should falter. John Brewin

Match report: Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester
 

9
Saints on course for worst-ever season

Southampton's plight threatens to be record-breaking. Their 5-0 defeat by Brentford, a visiting team previously without an away win, meant Saints have completed 20 matches with the lowest-ever points total: six. Derby's notorious 2007-08 campaign had collected seven by that juncture. Southampton have found Premier League life even tougher than their previous relegation season. The new manager, Ivan Juric, repeated the ill-fated Nathan Jones's record of losing his first three matches in charge. More direct tactics than Russell Martin's flawed ideology are also yet to deliver. Paul Onuachu, two years a Saint and still without a Premier League goal, does not convince as a target man. "I expected more, that I could do more with the team," said Juric. The real winner turned out to be a Southampton fan's mother, who won the pre-match score prize in a St Mary's hospitality lounge. The substitute striker Adam Armstrong, who replaced Onuachu, handed over her winnings - to boos after her 0-5 prediction came in. JB

Match report: Southampton 0-5 Brentford

10
Ipswich impress despite late Fulhamn goal

Ipswich continues to top the Premier League's injury table and it gets no easier now Omari Hutchinson, their dazzlingly talented forward, is out for a few weeks with a groin injury. They have struggled all season to keep players available and it threatens to derail a team that has rarely looked out of its depth. Kieran McKenna's achievement in giving them a serious shout of escaping trouble, currently only shy of safety on goal difference, should be lauded. The manager never complains despite competing this season with a squad containing many of the stalwarts who took them from League One. They deserved their latest building block, a draw at Fulham, and look well-placed to improve between now and May. Their progress is a triumph of coaching: McKenna has worked wonders and Ipswich can reach fresh heights if their treatment room starts to empty soon. Nick Ames 

Match Report: Fulham 2-2 Ipswich

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