Liverpool’s incredible defensive rebuild, Lewis Dunk a doughnut and a total eclipse of Joe Hart… the biggest talking points from the Premier League weekend
IT was a weekend where some familiar faces returned to the Premier League and where the two Manchester clubs continued to pull away from the chasing pack.
I say “chasing pack” but let’s face it, there’s about as much chance of Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool winning the league as there is of me being the Christmas No1.
Man City left it late to clinch all three points once again against West HamPA:Press Association
…or England winning the Ashes.
And don’t even get me started on Tottenham.
Defending Liverpool’s defence
Liverpool have been in rampant form recently, beating Brighton 5-1PA:Press Association
You have to hand it to Liverpool.
Since they lost 4-1 to Spurs in October, they’ve played six, won five, drawn one and scored 19 goals.
More than that, the defence – yes, that defence – has only conceded three goals.
And are they back in the title race? No, of course not.
They’re still 14 points behind Manchester City and the wait for the Reds’ first Premier League crown continues.
Slam Dunk?
Lewis Dunk is closing in on a Premier League own goals record alreadyPA:Press Association
When the transfer window closed in the summer there was a mixture of frustration, anger and regret that Brighton hadn’t managed to sign a new striker.
It’s all too clear now that they still need some fresh impetus upfront.
They could do worse than give Lewis Dunk a game up there.
AU’S THAT? Inside the extravagant world of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang… set to bring his talent, and ‘Batmobile’, to ChelseaHe’s already bagged three goals this season from centre-half.
Just a shame they’ve all come in his own net.
One more and he’ll equal the all-time Premier League record held by Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel.
Joe Hart may slip out of England contention with his West Ham spot in doubtPA:Press Association
In a weekend where David De Gea equalled the Premier League record for the most saves made in a game (and the worst haircut), there was another Spanish keeper making waves for West Ham too.
With Joe Hart unable to play against his parent club, Adrian came back into the Hammers’ side and excelled against leaders Manchester City.
While that, in itself, gives David Moyes a selection dilemma ahead of their game against Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime, it’s also given England boss Gareth Southgate a headache he didn’t need.
Southgate, of course, has always backed Hart as his first choice keeper ever since he took the manager’s job.
But he’s also said he can’t pick those players who aren’t getting regular first team football.
So where might that leave Joe Hart for next summer’s World Cup? Hopefully sat on a beach in Dubai.
Play it again Sam
Sam Allardyce got off to a flying start with a 2-0 win over HuddersfieldAFP
So we’re just one game into Sam Allardyce’s reign as Everton boss and they’re now in the top half of the table.
Remind me, what was all the panic over again?
The Toffees were typically Allardycean (is that a word?) on Saturday in their no-nonsense win over Huddersfield.
Big Sam also revealed he’s now going to appoint the club’s first psychologist too…
Presumably to try and help him get his head around just how easy that huge survival bonus has been to land.
Swansea are enduring an horrific season so far under Paul ClementPA:Press Association
It’s all going pear-shaped for Paul Clement and Swansea.
Now bottom of the table after a 2-1 defeat to Stoke, matters descended into chaos at the weekend when the players reportedly turned on each other in the dressing room.
That’s not a bad thing.
Clearing the air is often the best way of determining who’s really up for the fight but after nine defeats in their last 12 games (and no win since mid-October), I’m not sure there’s any fight left.
Besides, it really takes something to be worse than Crystal Palace.
Ban the barnet
Paul Pogba deserved his red card, for his haircut alone if nothing elsePA:Press Association
Good to see Paul Pogba rightly getting his marching orders against Arsenal for that shocking tackle on Hector Bellerin.
Personally, I would have sent him off way before that, simply for having a haircut that looked like a lobster tail.
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