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10 thoughts from the weekend's Premier League action

theScore examines the most important Premier League developments from the weekend, dissecting the biggest talking points after a busy slate of action.

Pep finally gets it right against Tuchel

This was the first time Thomas Tuchel had faced Manchester City’s strongest lineup. Pep Guardiola made eight changes to his side for April’s FA Cup semifinal defeat to Chelsea, picked out-of-form players and shaped a peculiar formation for May’s Premier League loss, and infamously overlooked defensive midfielders for the Champions League final disappointment later in the same month.

There were no such mistakes for Saturday’s match.

Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Rodri, and Aymeric Laporte all started despite their recent fitness issues, but Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva were the most crucial inclusions.

Shaun Botterill / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cancelo touched the ball more than anyone else on the pitch and expertly read the game with four interceptions. Silva, meanwhile, is arguably Guardiola’s most important player right now: His work off the ball was relentless as he won eight duels, and when he had possession, he squirmed through dark blue shirts and tended to pick the right pass. To call it a quality midfield performance would do Silva a disservice – he was omnipresent.

Some elements can inhibit Guardiola’s thinking – appeasing a large squad, navigating a congested fixture list, or perhaps just his tendency to meddle – which means he rarely selects City’s strongest XI. This time, everything was in its right place, and City strengthened their title push at Stamford Bridge with one of the most dominant 1-0 wins you’ll see this season.

Villa prove credentials at Old Trafford

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith urged his players to go “toe-to-toe” with Manchester United, and his side responded with one of the most impressive performances of his three-year tenure. Crucially, they pulled off the upset of the weekend without injured match-winner Leon Bailey, who singlehandedly turned last Sunday’s game against Everton. Villa spat in the face of history, too, beating United for just the second time in 46 Premier League contests.

Villa didn’t dominate at Old Trafford. United controlled 60% possession and lashed 27 shots, creating the lion’s share of chances. But Villa were far more targeted and precise in their approach, making clever runs down the channel to push the game back into United’s end. Smith’s outfit showed a ton of personality in the final minutes when it would’ve been easier – and far more understandable – to risk-manage and secure the point.

Gareth Copley / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer whined that Villa’s Ollie Watkins had interfered with United goalkeeper David De Gea while in an offside position that and the officials should’ve ruled out the goal resulting from Douglas Luiz’s corner kick. It was, at best, an attempt at damage control. Solskjaer’s overseen three defeats in four matches, and his team has relied on individual brilliance to get the job done more often than not. Maybe that’s why Villa didn’t fear United or history or any of that in the closing stages. They saw a vulnerable club, even with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Edinson Cavani on the pitch, and they made the Red Devils pay.

Martinez knows which buttons to push

Argentinian shot-stopper Emi Martinez appeared to rattle Fernandes in the seconds leading up to his disastrous penalty kick in the 93rd minute. Martinez shouted at United’s players, daring Ronaldo to take the penalty instead while doing just enough to sow the seeds of doubt in their minds, and danced on the goalline as Fernandes maintained ownership of spot-kick duties. The ensuing attempt was the worst of the Portuguese’s career. Fernandes had never skied a penalty kick before, and he had only missed one of his previous 14 penalties in the Premier League.

Martinez must’ve been the difference. The 29-year-old’s trash-talking came in handy during the Copa America, with Colombia falling prey to his mind games in a tense semifinal shootout. Martinez yelled at each of Colombia’s penalty takers just as he did to Fernandes and his teammates, and he celebrated one of his three saves in that shootout with in-your-face hip-thrusting. He did another jig when Fernandes sent the ball sky-high on Saturday.

Nothing in the rules prohibits what is widely known as “shithousery.” Penalties are about keeping your cool and nerve, and by running his mouth, Martinez simply aims to make a nerve-wracking situation that much more difficult.

Sean Longstaff grasping at unexpected chance

Sean Longstaff’s younger brother Matty had a more emphatic introduction to top-flight football when he marked his October 2019 league debut with the only goal in a defeat of Manchester United. But Longstaff was alongside his sibling in Newcastle United’s midfield on that day, plugging away as rumors of him completing a lucrative transfer to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side continued to swirl.

If Newcastle could keep the predatory clubs at bay, the Longstaffs could have become the fulcrum of their XI for many years. But it hasn’t worked out that way. Matty is on loan at Aberdeen after struggling for game time under Steve Bruce, while the Magpies planned to move on from Sean after his development sputtered on Tyneside.

Ian MacNicol / Getty Images Sport / Getty

However, nothing materialized when Newcastle pursued another midfielder late in the summer window, handing Sean a lifeline at St. James’ Park.

The elder Longstaff expertly picked out the top corner from around 25 yards for Newcastle’s goal at Watford on Saturday, but he should’ve scored another shortly before the break when he lifted a clear chance over Ben Foster’s bar. Longstaff’s all-around performance should hearten Newcastle fans, though, as he completed five tackles and five clearances while firing four attempts at the Watford mesh.

Leicester needed to pick up points now

Leicester City supporters are starting to express their frustration at the Foxes’ disappointing start to the campaign. Brendan Rodgers’ side is already six points adrift of the Champions League places after seven matches, and the Northern Irish manager is guilty of being overly loyal to regular starters who aren’t performing.

Rodgers’ decision to substitute Ademola Lookman, who was a threat in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Burnley, for James Maddison in the 78th minute was met with loud jeers from the Leicester faithful.

“I’ve been here nearly two-and-three-quarter-years, that’s probably the first time the fans have booed, so I’ll take that after that period of time,” Rodgers told the Leicester Mercury’s Jordan Blackwell.

Things could get worse for Rodgers. Taking a single point from matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley is concerning ahead of a tricky run for the Foxes.

Date Match
Oct. 3 Crystal Palace (a)
Oct. 16 Manchester United (h)
Oct. 24 Brentford (a)
Oct. 30 Arsenal (h)
Nov. 7 Leeds United (a)
Nov. 20 Chelsea (h)

Bielsa facing toughest test since promotion

You could forgive Leeds United for being a bit porous at the back. Injuries and suspension robbed manager Marcelo Bielsa of three senior center-backs this weekend, and without star center-forward Patrick Bamford, Leeds couldn’t even look to its talisman to hold up play.

But they only have one speed: Relentless. Despite the obvious threat of the counterattack Saturday – a warning to take even more seriously against a side as astute on the break as West Ham United – Bielsa’s side continued to play the same high-pressing aggressive football that earned him acclaim last season. Raphinha’s pinpoint finish into the bottom corner seemed to validate Leeds’ open approach in the first half. The Brazilian proved a constant menace in the opening stanza, giving the hosts hope that they’d finally get their first win of the campaign.

Zac Goodwin – PA Images / PA Images / Getty

The second half was a different story altogether. West Ham took advantage of the space Leeds left behind, with Bielsa showing no wish to compromise. The football was scintillating and made for a great watch for the neutral, but Leeds ceded the victory specifically because they ignored circumstance. With eight players all chasing a speculative cross in West Ham’s penalty area, Leeds came undone in the 90th minute, allowing the visitors to take possession in midfield before feeding Michail Antonio for the winning goal.

Bielsa is by no means at risk of losing his job, but with a measly six goals in six Premier League games and without a win in any of them, his usual carefree football isn’t even offering upside. The Argentine coach’s philosophy is facing the ultimate stress test.

Liverpool’s defensive shortcomings exposed

Brentford unnerved Liverpool’s usually impenetrable backline Saturday with a direct approach that forced game-saving interventions from Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip.

Even with just 33% possession, Brentford could’ve – and perhaps should’ve – scored more. Matip cleared Bryan Mbeumo’s effort off the goal line, and robust center-forward Ivan Toney, who won a game-high nine aerial duels, was a constant thorn in the Reds’ side. Brentford manager Frank Thomas admitted the game was more open than he would’ve liked – the hosts required key saves from goalkeeper David Raya just to stay in the contest – but it was a risk they had to take.

The Bees enjoyed a lot of success with the long ball, and Toney proved a magnificent target man, giving his teammates not just an outlet to release pressure but a viable attacking option up front. The 25-year-old relayed the ball to nearby teammates on several occasions, and Van Dijk struggled to contain his movement.

Brentford did an even better job overloading the far post, giving them the upper hand over Trent Alexander-Arnold whenever crosses came in. All three of the Bees’ goals came off of deliveries to the far post.

Jimenez roars back with 1st goal in a year

When Wolverhampton star Raul Jimenez returned to action wearing protective headgear – the result of a nasty collision that left him with a life-threatening skull fracture – no one knew if he’d play with the same confidence up front. Doctors told him to limit the number of headers he takes in training, neutering one of his best assets.

But Jimenez showed Sunday he can outwit the opposition in more ways than one. After taking down one of many long balls against Southampton, the Mexican striker eluded three defenders before wrongfooting the ‘keeper and depositing the ball into the open side of the net. It was a remarkable display of composure from a player who’s run the gamut of emotions since that scary incident in November 2020.

Before Sunday’s contest, Wolves boss Bruno Lage encouraged Jimenez to adapt to his new normal, urging him to keep his head guard on at all times. The 30-year-old removed it after missing a header against Brentford last weekend – a hint at the frustration of wearing something so constricting.

Jimenez’s goal Sunday should provide a boost in confidence. And with just three tallies in six Premier League matches, the club needs him more than ever.

Tottenham lack vision, planning

It’s time for some soul searching at Tottenham Hotspur.

On the pitch, the harrowing 3-1 defeat to bitter rivals Arsenal in Sunday’s north London derby was the third consecutive league match in which Spurs conceded three goals. Nuno Espirito Santo said the game plan was “not good” after the loss. He’s not wrong. Worse yet, though, it was difficult to decipher what, exactly, the plan was.

Nuno prefers substance over style, which is fine. There are many different ways to win. But a less attractive, more conservative approach will be tolerated by fans – and players – only if results follow. It’s hard to justify having the Portuguese bench boss around with the team looking devoid of proper preparation and structure.

Spurs’ slide has also put this summer’s decision not to cash in on wantaway star Harry Kane under the microscope. Sure, Daniel Levy enhanced his reputation as a tough negotiator, but at what cost? Instead of collecting a boatload of money and using it to rebuild the squad with a long-term view in mind, Levy and Co. decided that keeping Kane and hiring an established manager in the form of Nuno was the path to contention this season.

With Kane struggling and his value diminishing, and the club dropping like a stone in the table, it’s becoming hard to justify the choices made by the brass.

Trust the process at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has preached patience since his arrival at Arsenal, and after plenty of setbacks (some downright humiliating), we may finally be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

With Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard pulling the strings, Bukayo Saka continuing to blossom into a star, and some new faces helping to build much-needed defensive solidity, there’s reason to be optimistic about the Gunners going forward. Yes, playing a Tottenham side that is pretty hapless right now certainly helps, but Arsenal showed a level of verve and ruthlessness that has often been missing under Arteta with three goals in just over 30 minutes on Sunday.

Julian Finney / Getty Images Sport / Getty

“It’s a special day. Today is one example of what we want to do, but we have to be consistent,” Arteta said after the feel-good triumph.

That’s the next step as Arsenal look to continue their quest to reestablish themselves as one of the elite clubs in the country.

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Premier League

Euro 2024 playoffs: Miraculous Ukraine comeback, big result for Wales

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Wales, Greece, and Poland registered statement wins Thursday, joining three other teams in next Tuesday’s playoff finals for the three remaining places at Euro 2024.

Ukraine staged an incredible late comeback against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its semifinal to keep its Euro dream alive.

The highest-placed team in FIFA’s rankings that’s no longer in contention to reach the tournament in Germany is 60th-placed Finland.

Here’s how the playoff semifinals across Path A, B, and C played out.

Path A

Mateusz Slodkowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Poland 5-1 Estonia

Estonia barely stood a chance. Down to 10 men as early as the 27th minute, the northern Europeans could only muster a consolation goal in a 5-1 loss to Poland. The Polish achieved the rout without Robert Lewandowski getting on the scoresheet and remain unbeaten in 21 Euro qualifiers at home, a magnificent run dating back to September 2006. Poland is trying to make up for a poor qualifying campaign in which it finished third in Group E, four points behind the Czech Republic and Albania. The country hasn’t missed the Euros since 2004.

Wales 4-1 Finland

The Red Wall might descend on Germany this summer. Wales’ raucous supporters have legitimate hopes of traveling to another major tournament after the Dragons scorched Finland without the retired Gareth Bale and with Aaron Ramsey, 33, on the bench after more injury problems. Teemu Pukki gave the visiting team some hope just before halftime following well-taken finishes from David Brooks and Neco Williams. But Wales needed just 73 seconds of the second period to restore its two-goal cushion via Brennan Johnson’s tap-in. Daniel James took advantage of a defensive error before rounding the goalkeeper in the 86th minute to give the host a resounding victory.

Playoff final: Wales vs. Poland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET

Path B

David Balogh – UEFA / UEFA / Getty

Israel 1-4 Iceland

Iceland’s Albert Gudmundsson stole the show with an emphatic hat-trick against Israel on Thursday. His stunning free-kick into the top right corner canceled out Eran Zahavi’s opening goal for Israel, and he created a nice cushion for his country with a pair of markers in the final 10 minutes. Just before that, Zahavi blew an incredible opportunity to equalize the match at 2-2, missing a penalty awarded for handball against Iceland’s Gudmundur Thorarinsson. A red card to Israel’s Haim Revivo didn’t help the trailing side. Iceland is now a game away from making only its second-ever appearance at the Euros following its quarterfinal run in 2016.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Ukraine

Ukraine scored twice with just minutes remaining in regulation to snatch what seemed to be a sure victory from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Bosnia controlled play for most of the match and took the lead in the 56th minute when Mykola Matviyenko turned in Amar Dedic’s shot into his own net. But a colossal defensive lapse cost the Bosnians a chance to make it a record four countries from the former Yugoslavia at Euro 2024. Roman Yaremchuk came off the bench to equalize in the 85th minute and teed up Artem Dovbyk’s sensational winning header three minutes later to turn the playoff semifinal on its head. Ukraine now faces Iceland with a third consecutive Euro appearance at stake.

Playoff final: Ukraine vs. Iceland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET

Path C

GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE / AFP / Getty

Georgia 2-0 Luxembourg

Two clever finishes from Budu Zivzivadze in Tbilisi assured Georgia of a place in Path C’s final – and all without the help of suspended talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. But it wasn’t that simple for the host. Luxembourg thought it equalized during the second half, only for the goal to be eventually snatched away due to Maxime Chanot’s apparent foul 45 seconds earlier. Luxembourg’s Chanot was controversially sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and Zivzivadze effectively ended the match six minutes later with his second strike. Kvaratskhelia is available for the final.

Greece 5-0 Kazakhstan

Anastasios Bakasetas lashed home a penalty, Dimitrios Pelkas headed into the net’s roof, Fotis Ioannidis tapped in from close range, and Dimitrios Kourbelis added another header. And that was all before halftime. Kazakhstan’s impressive 2022-23 Nations League campaign and notable Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Denmark, Northern Ireland (twice), and Finland suddenly seemed ages ago, as Greece recorded its biggest halftime lead since October 1978 (5-0 against Finland). Aleksandr Marochkin’s embarrassing own goal in the 85th minute made Kazakhstan’s day even worse.

Playoff final: Georgia vs. Greece, Tuesday 1:00 p.m. ET

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Look: Nike unveils beautiful kit selection for Euro 2024, Copa America

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Nike released a stunning batch of threads ahead of Euro 2024 and Copa America on Monday.

Days after Adidas launched its lineup for the summer’s top two tournaments, Nike followed suit with an array of colorful designs.

The U.S. manufacturer also announced redesigns for Canada and Poland, even though they’ve yet to qualify for their respective tournaments. The Canucks face Trinidad and Tobago in a one-off Copa America qualifier on Saturday, while Poland must navigate a four-team playoff to reach Euro 2024.

(All images courtesy of Nike)

Euro 2024

Croatia

Home

The square-shaped design that gives Croatia its unique look gets a slight upgrade. The home shirt features larger squares than ever before.

Away

Croatia’s away shirt plays on the national flag, with the traditional checkered pattern now on a slant.

England

Home

Influenced by England’s 1966 training gear, the home shirt has a classic feel with a rich blue collar and gorgeous trim along the cuffs.

Away

England embraces a deep purple hue for its away selection. The crest stands out with a contrasting off-white tint that makes the three lions pop.

France

Home

France’s home shirt may have the biggest crest of all of Nike’s offerings. The oversized rooster defines this shirt as much as the royal blue that’s made France’s kits a crowd-pleaser.

Away

The pinstripes mirror the colors of France’s national flag and span the width of the shirt in a simple, yet elegant design.

Netherlands

Home

Nike could’ve offered anything orange here, and it would’ve been perfect. But the Netherlands has something bolder and better to wear. The zig-zag pattern adds edge.

Away

The orange collar and cuffs pop alongside the three shades of blue Nike has chosen to create the abstract design on this work of art.

Poland

Home

Poland dedicates premium real estate on the country’s home shirt to its imposing crest.

Away

Poland’s away shirt is a daring choice. The graphic treatment adds texture, giving it a rugged feel while separating from the red tones of years past.

Portugal

Home

With possibly the best home shirt in Nike’s collection, Portugal leans heavily into its traditional red-and-green motif with a polo collar and thick cuffs. The logo sits prominently as well. A smash hit.

Away

Here’s another winner. Portugal’s away strip has a stunning textile imprint that gives off a cool summer vibe.

Turkey

Home

This is a menacing look. Turkey will look like a whirring red army with these imposing shirts.

Away

The classic red band returns to Turkey’s away uniform. Like the others, it features an oversized crest in the middle of the shirt.

Copa America

Brazil

Home

Nike goes big with Brazil’s crest and adds an intricate design to the same yellow hue the Selecao have used for decades.

Away

Brazil’s secondary strip feels like the beach. A horizontal wavy pattern covering the entire shirt mimics the country’s picturesque coastline.

Canada

Home

The only blemish in Nike’s lineup. Why is there a circle around the swoosh? And why are the shoulders so much darker than the body? None of it makes sense.

Away

The 13 pinstripes are supposed to represent the 10 provinces and three territories that make up Canada. Unfortunately, the rest of the shirt looks incomplete.

United States

Home

The United States men’s national team gets a classic home shirt with patriotic detailing along the color and sleeves.

Away

The gradient works perfectly with the red shorts the U.S. will wear at the Copa America.

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Premier League

Thoughts and analysis from rip-roaring weekend of Premier League action

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theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points from another entertaining weekend of Premier League football.

Man City flustered at Anfield

Just when it seemed Manchester City would end their barren run at Anfield, Liverpool reminded them why they haven’t won a Premier League game there since 2003.

Liverpool swarmed City within seconds of the restart, injecting urgency into a game they were trailing 1-0 at halftime. The ensuing action was breathtaking to watch. Anfield’s raucous crowd supercharged the atmosphere and helped Liverpool sucker City into the kind of box-to-box showdown few teams can force Pep Guardiola’s usually suave side into playing.

The hosts outshot the defending champions 12-3 during that manic second stanza, pressed their opponents into turnovers, and flustered the majority of City’s starters. That included the impervious Rodri, who had to hack down one player just to stem the tide.

It’s not often City entertain track meets like this one. They crave control, and after setting the tone early on with a clever set-piece routine that caught Liverpool’s defenders napping, the visitors struggled to keep the ball for more than a few seconds at a time.

There was a clear method to the chaos Liverpool rained down on City: run down the field, stretch them, and force them to play with their head on a swivel. City had approached previous matches at Anfield with an abundance of caution just to avoid descending into this kind of trench warfare, using possession as a form of defense. However, Liverpool, by sheer force of will, made it impossible for them to play conservatively.

Alex Livesey – Danehouse / Getty Images Sport / Getty

“If you can play football like this against City, that’s a statement,” Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports afterward. “And I love that.”

Guardiola had to withdraw Kevin De Bruyne – one of the most dangerous players on the pitch – just to find a way to keep the ball. De Bruyne can swing matches in an instant, and Guardiola is always willing to play him, whether the game calls for the Belgian’s open, creative passing or a more pragmatic approach. This time, Guardiola must’ve known a point was all City could get.

Mateo Kovacic offered more security, if not as much inspiration, and so he came on. Liverpool forced that change. They got City out of their comfort zone, which is only fitting because Klopp’s Liverpool have been the only team in England capable of breaking City’s dynasty under Guardiola.

Backup ‘keepers come to the rescue

Caoimhin Kelleher and Stefan Ortega would usually be spectators on a day like Sunday. But circumstance and injury pushed them into the fray. Not that they didn’t look the part. Each of them made exceptional saves with the game tied at 1-1 and ensured it ended that way.

At least Kelleher had the week to prepare. The 25-year-old has also had plenty of playing time in the absence of Alisson, who’s out long term with a thigh injury, and he seemed to gain confidence during Liverpool’s triumphant League Cup run. Ortega has played a similar role at City, appearing mostly in cup competitions, but he had mere minutes to warm up as Ederson’s mid-game replacement.

Imagine stepping into the cauldron that is Anfield with the title race on the line and a mistake the only likely difference between a positive and negative result. A few early errant passes confirmed Ortega was feeling the nerves and pace of the game. But he didn’t let it define his performance. He was proactive, coming off his line to block shots, and he kept it relatively simple with no-nonsense clearances. He looked more sure of himself than Ederson did, up to and including the moment the Brazilian conceded Liverpool’s game-tying penalty with a reckless swing at Darwin Nunez.

And therein lies the secret to sustaining success in the modern game. Both Liverpool and City have exceptional starting lineups, but their depth is second to none. They source talent from either their academy or teams a few rungs below them to ensure they can compete with or without their best players.

Michael Regan / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The role of the backup ‘keeper is perhaps the most underrated. It’s difficult to find shot-stoppers who are happy to play second fiddle and still be capable of tending goal themselves once every few months, sometimes fewer. Many clubs don’t want to spend big on second-choice ‘keepers, either. But where would Liverpool be without Kelleher? Two League Cups may not have been theirs. It’s even harder to retain such talent, but Kelleher’s ties to Liverpool, having been brought up as a diehard supporter, help.

Likewise, City would’ve lost Sunday’s game with a 40-year-old retiree shoring up Guardiola’s bench. But they did well to pluck Ortega from Arminia Bielefeld in July 2022, giving a solid ‘keeper a chance he otherwise wouldn’t have on one of the greatest teams of the Premier League era.

Mature Arsenal changing narrative

A mistake like the one Aaron Ramsdale committed against Brentford would’ve been disastrous for Arsenal last season. Heads would’ve been down and shoulders would’ve been slumped, with players unable or unwilling to move on from such a calamitous moment. But it’s a different story this season for Arsenal and a squad featuring several players who know a thing or two about overcoming adversity.

With the game tied 1-1 and its chances of winning fading fast, the north London club persevered late with the help of two other players who’ve dealt with their own difficult periods at Arsenal: Kai Havertz and Ben White. They further endeared themselves to fans Saturday, combining to score the winning goal in the 86th minute to spare Ramsdale’s blushes.

Before Havertz’s header, Ramsdale was feeling the heat at the Emirates Stadium after gifting Brentford an equalizer right before halftime. As Arsenal tried to close out a dominant first half, Ramsdale’s struggles with the ball at his feet proved costly again after his sloppy clearance attempt ricocheted off Yoane Wissa and into his net. It was the type of lapse in judgment that cost Ramsdale his job after David Raya was signed to be Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Conceding right before halftime was obviously crushing, but it offered Ramsdale a chance to escape to the locker room and compose himself away from jeering fans. He returned after the break with two huge saves to prevent Brentford from inflicting more damage before Havertz’s winning goal.

Resilience has been a hallmark of Arsenal’s impressive season, which has helped them remain in the title race with 10 games to go. It’s a quality that’ll be important in next week’s Champions League clash with FC Porto – when they’ll try to overturn a 1-0 deficit – and when Mikel Arteta’s men face their biggest challenge of the season against Manchester City after the international break.

Quick free-kicks

Klopp-Guardiola era ends with a bang

Few thought the rivalry between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger would ever be topped, let alone matched in terms of intensity and quality. But then Klopp and Guardiola came along. Liverpool and Manchester City games have been appointment viewing since the two exuberant tacticians brought their coaching talents to England almost a decade ago. Sunday’s encounter was no different, as the two – at the center of another title race – duked it out at Anfield in the last league meeting before Klopp leaves Liverpool this summer. Like so many games in the years since Klopp’s Liverpool and Guardiola’s City first met on New Year’s Eve in 2016, it was a contest of the highest quality that featured plenty of scoring chances and drama. That Sunday’s bout finished in a draw is perhaps a fitting way to close the chapter on a rivalry that’ll be remembered by Premier League fans for generations to come. Hopefully, these two brilliant footballing minds lock horns again somewhere down the line.

Spurs rise to the challenge

Tottenham’s failure to deliver in key moments is one of the Premier League’s longstanding memes. Sunday’s 4-0 hammering of fellow top-four contenders Aston Villa didn’t have quite the same stakes as some of their matches from recent seasons, but, keeping in line with the club’s upward trajectory under Ange Postecoglou, it was refreshing to see Spurs deliver in a big spot. A loss Sunday wouldn’t have been fatal in their chase to secure Champions League football, but it would’ve given Villa a healthy eight-point advantage going into the stretch run. With a game in hand on Villa, fifth-placed Tottenham, now only two points adrift of fourth, appear to be in the more favorable position after winning a game with “plenty of significance.” Both clubs still have to play all three of Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City between now and the end of the season, so there will be (at least) three more high-leverage games for Villa and Spurs in what’s an intriguing battle for fourth. Can Tottenham rise to the challenge a few more times to secure a coveted top-four spot, or will their “Spursy” tendencies of past seasons make an appearance?

Stat of the weekend

Liverpool accomplished an exceedingly rare feat this weekend.

Tweet of the weekend

Yes, this is technically cheating, but we’re dipping into the Championship for this one …

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