As Premier League weekends go... it in all probability isn't one that can live long inside the memory. Four with the nine fixtures were goalless draws, but there remained plenty of talking points to emerge as three from the big boys dropped points. Manchester City were an Ederson penalty save faraway from losing their 100 percent record at Crystal Palace while Manchester United didn't break down Southampton at Old Trafford. Arsenal dropped points at West Brom courtesy of your late, controversial Jay Rodriguez penalty. Here are 10 talking points in the weekend's action... 1. City show frustration Fernandinho searches for FIFA Mobile Coins space inside the penalty area.
By Neil McLeman Kevin De Bruyne shouted in frustration at Leroy Sane following your German checked his run just since the Belgian passed into space. And Sane was booked for kicking the ball away in first half injury time – and may have seen a 2nd yellow inside second half for any silly foul on Zaha. Even Pep Guardiola looked far away from his calm self within the bench. 2. Hodgson gives tactical masterclass Pep Guardiola could be the lauded one but Roy Hodgson's tactics emerged trumps.
By Neil McLeman The former England manager had promised to look “toe to toe” together with the Premier League leaders – and Wilf Zaha was liberal to roam and pinned back Kyle Walker. But younger crowd deployed Dutch defender Jairo Riedewald in central midfield in addition to Luka Milivojevic to contain City and also the rampant Kevin De Bruyne. Hodgson's plan worked a lot better than attempts by Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez to stifle City. If he only he had build the Three Lions this way against a similarly superior side in Iceland at Euro 2016. And unlike Joe Hart that night, Welshman Wayne Hennessey was immense in goal. Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus injured in costly draw - 5 talking points 3. Lukaku has the rest he needs after nasty clash of heads Lukaku was forced off that has a head injury.
By David McDonnell Romelu Lukaku had played every minute of each Premier League game this holiday season, with Jose Mourinho admitting he needed an escape but was not able to afford him one. But a clash of heads with Wesleu Hoedt after seven minutes ensured Lukaku would play no further part in the sport, with all the striker now having the rest Mourinho said he required, albeit in unfortunate circumstances. No chances could be taken with head injuries and it really is unlikely Lukaku is going to be passed fit to resume face former club Everton on New Year's Day, with just 2 days between the fixtures. 4. Mkhitaryan lacking form and sharpness Mkhitaryan struggled.
By David McDonnell Henrikh Mkhitaryan was presented with his first Premier League start since November 5, previously being exiled by Mourinho for a few weeks for “disappearing” in games according towards the United boss. Rather than from the No.10 role which she has been utilized to playing, Mkhitaryan was deployed out around the left, but struggled. When Marcus Rashford broke at speed for the counter-attack after 20 mins and surged to the area in conjunction with Jesse Lingard, all Mkhitaryan had to perform was dispatch the ball into your danger area, but succeeded in over-hitting his delivery to waste the opening. He was subbed with twenty minutes left, his withdrawal and also the introduction of Anthony Martial cheered by United fans. Manchester United 0-0 Southampton: Jose Mourinho's men held to third successive draw - 5 talking points 5. Van Dijk can't answer all Liverpool's prayers Virgil van Dijk gestures.
By David Maddock The arrival of Virgil van Dijk canno doubt help, but fans should not expect him to get a heal-all cure. The not enough concentration and ruthless instinct runs throughout this Liverpool team. Take Mo Salah, he scored a 2 fine goals again, to win the match and prove he could be an outstanding finisher. Yet – and it truly is almost churlish to convey this - until then, he missed three absolute sitters. His record this coming year shows how good he could be in front of goal, but sometimes they are simply too casual, as well as his front line colleagues. The talent could there be, they may be devastating, but maybe it comes down a little too easily from time to time, and so they get, or even complacent, then no less than over-confident. 6. The sky's the limit for Klopp's men Liverpool look good to get a top-four finish.
By David Maddock Liverpool you are just five Premier League games inside whole of 2017 – that is usually any type of record to win titles. That they can be so far away from your top in the league is purely as a result of drawing far a lot of games. It is often overlooked that these are still an extremely young side, and inexperience certainly plays a part inside their failure to win matches as numerous matches when they should. It means there may be something to function on still, and 2018 must see an even more ruthless mentality emerge. If it does, then with talent with the likes of Salah, they will go to wherever they really want. Liverpool 2-1 Leicester: Mo Salah double cancels out Jamie Vardy's opener - 5 talking points 7. Chelsea go back time Kante is congratulated by Conte.
By Adrian Kajumba It was similar to the old Leicester days within the heart of Chelsea's midfield against Stoke. Danny Drinkwater and N'Golo Kante revived their Foxes title winning midfield partnership against Stoke, appearing inside a midfield two for Chelsea with the first time. And just like since they did often a number of seasons ago the duo ran the show. Kante was the harder disciplined half from the pairing, holding his position and sweeping up. And that allowed Drinkwater to accomplish a pretty good impression of Cesc Fabregas and pull the strings. He made optimum use of continuously and space Stoke gave him showing off his long-passing range. Some with the passes he sprayed to your left and right flanks were excellent. And he capped his display with Chelsea's second goal, a fantastic dipping volley. There is no shortage of competition inside the heart of Chelsea's midfield but Drinkwater is good quality option for Antonio Conte to possess. Especially against opponents as obliging as Stoke. 8. Off day for Alvaro Morata had an off day.
By Adrian Kajumba Chelsea's No.9 will surely must be far more clinical in the Emirates on Wednesday. Morata should have gotten a hat-trick but blew two one-on-ones and attempted to over-complicate another chance if it appeared much easier to just shoot. If ever there seemed to be time for your Spaniard to own an off day it absolutely was today. Chelsea had no worries getting goals from elsewhere even minus the rested Eden Hazard. And the guy can probably be allowed one following this impressive 13-goal commence to his Chelsea career. But which is unlikely to become the case for Chelsea's main striker against Arsenal. Chelsea 5-0 Stoke: Rampant Blues put understrength Potters towards the sword - 5 talking points 9. Arsenal lack a leading edge without Ozil Arsenal missed Ozil with the Hawthorns.
By Aaron Flanagan You only truly realise how important Mesut Ozil occurs when he isn't there. Arsenal struggled for possession and creativity on the first whistle for the Hawthorns - something Ozil offers you in abundance. Jack Wilshere provided a modest amount of a spark inside middle in the park but there was little other outlets for Arsenal with regard to creativity. Alex Iwobi doesn't possess the ability to become a long-term replacement, therefore if Ozil is gonna leave inside the summer - or indeed within the next month - a highly regarded quality alternative should be brought in. 10. Sanchez can still become the difference for Arsenal Sanchez scored the opener for your Gunners.
After reports immediately of a rift from the Arsenal dressing room, Alexis Sanchez had a wonderful chance to prove they are on precisely the same wavelength as his team-mates. He took the ability with both your hands. As Arsenal were awarded a free-kick within the edge with the penalty area, they needed their big game name to intensify - and that they did. He got a bit lucky with all the deflection, but he was clinical all of the same. And which has a passionate celebration, he appears to obtain no trouble along with his commitment towards the club. If you haven't bought FIFA Mobile Coins for Sale, you could access to MMOAH to get cheap Coins.
