- We look at the things that we learned from the Premier League weekend.
We look at the things that we learned from the Premier League weekend, including Nottingham Forest anger at PGMOL, Arsenal’s defensive record, and Crystal Palace‘s future.
What next for Crystal Palace?
Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. Photo/ Sky Sports
This weekend, Crystal Palace thrashed West Ham thanks to an incredible first-half display that saw the Eagles score four goals in the first thirty-one minutes. Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze shone as Oliver Glasner’s team surpassed Liverpool last weekend at Selhurst Park with a fantastic performance.
This season, the pair has battled injuries, but when healthy and available, they have frequently been the focal point of successful Palace performances. In the victory over West Ham, Eze was superb. He scored the second goal with a spectacular move and then set up Jean-Philippe Mateta with a bold nutmeg of Kurt Zouma.
In his previous 10 Premier League games, the 25-year-old has already contributed to eight goals, and when he has been available, Olise has also had a significant impact. After scoring and providing an assist against the Hammers, the Frenchman has 11 goal involvements in 10 league starts this season.
In other news, following his January transfer from Blackburn, Adam Wharton is still making an impression, while three new signings from Championship teams give Palace optimism for the future. The Eagles appear to be headed for success, whether it’s through significant sales or further South London development.
Nottingham vs PGMOL
VAR drama in the game. Photo/ The Irish Independent
The Premier League was taken aback by the comments on Sunday. Enraged after three of their penalty claims at Everton were denied, Nottingham Forest directed their ire at Stuart Attwell, the PGMOL and VAR at Goodison Park.
“Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.
We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.
NFFC will now consider its options.”
A startling admission from Forest that has drawn criticism in the days after it was made public. Although it is risky to openly challenge the officials’ honesty, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team has good reason to be dissatisfied with the choices and performance of on-field referee Anthony Taylor.
Arsenal still have a chance
In a match where the Gunners maintained their sixth straight road clean sheet, Arsenal defeated Wolves 2-0 to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League standings. Arsenal’s most recent shutout of the season was their 15th overall, five more than any other club in the league. Only two teams in Premier League history have ever enjoyed a longer run of clean sheets away from home.
Jakub Kiwior has emerged as a surprising crucial player at left-back, David Raya has gained confidence after a rocky start in north London, and William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães have been maybe the greatest center-back combination in the league.
We’re frequently told that great defenses win you trophies, and Arsenal boasts the best backline in the top flight in England this year. Mikel Arteta is optimistic that his unwavering rearguard would serve as the foundation for a championship-winning season.
Liverpool back to winning ways
Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez. Photo/ Liverpool FC.
With a 3-1 victory over Fulham, Liverpool resumed their title pursuit, and Jurgen Klopp’s bold choice of starting lineup paid off in the city. At a stadium where Liverpool has not historically performed well, six changes—including the absence of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Ibrahima Konate, and Alexis Mac Allister—were unexpected when they were made public.
The Reds’ rotational team performed well enough to secure a crucial victory, so they came away from Craven Cottage with three points and cause for optimism. The sight of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal and comeback was welcomed, as was the sight of Diogo Jota’s 100th goal in English football.
The focus now shifts to a Merseyside Derby midweek after the first of three straight away games was successfully handled. Liverpool and Arsenal are now tied atop of the standings after Sunday’s victory against Fulham. However, Liverpool is now the outsider in the three-horse race even before form is taken into consideration due to their substantially worse goal differential and the fact that Manchester City has a game in hand.
If Liverpool wants to pull off a flawless Klopp farewell, there is no margin for mistake in the remaining games. It may not even be sufficient.
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