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EPL title race: 10 things that might define the season at the top flight



EPL title race: 10 things that might define the season at the top flight
Mohamed Salah scores Liverpool's second goal against Man City


Liverpool are now nine points clear of champions Manchester City at the top. But Christian Pulisic could become a genuine replacement for Eden Hazard and Brandon Williams impressed on his first Premier League start for Man United.

Leicester are Champions League challengers, but Arsenal are well off the pace as Chris Wilder is overachieving with Sheffield United despite VAR controversy.

The last weekend's Premier League action may have been dominated by Liverpool taking a giant stride towards the title, but plenty more happened too.

Manchester United got back on track after last week's defeat at Bournemouth, Arsenal suffered another blow against high-flying Leicester and Chelsea continued their incredible run of form with a London derby win over Crystal Palace. 

Here are 10 things that might define the season at the top flight.


1. The title is Liverpool's to lose

Manchester City recovered from a seven-point deficit to beat Liverpool to the title last season, but this time it feels different.

Jurgen Klopp's men extended their lead over Pep Guardiola's side to nine points with a 3-1 victory at Anfield on Sunday, leaving the champions with a mountain to climb.

And while it should be made clear that Brendan Rodgers' free-flowing Leicester side and Chelsea's young guns are only eight points off the Reds, neither are likely to have the staying power required to finish top of the pile.

Liverpool haven't lost at home in over 900 days and last suffered a top-flight defeat at the Etihad Stadium in January. If they can keep their nerve - and their key players fit - it finally looks like it will be their year. 

The reds have won 11 of their first 12 Premier League games this season and lead the table by eight points - only Manchester United in 1993/94 have had a bigger lead after 12 games of a Premier League season (nine points).

Liverpool, who surrendered a 10-point lead to City last season, head into the international break sitting pretty at the top of the table, but they will know the job of bringing the Premier League title to Anfield is far from done with 26 games still left to play.

Klopp: 'You cannot play like Man City if you want to beat them'


2. Leicester and Arsenal are worlds apart

Nine points now separate Leicester in third and sixth-placed Arsenal, but the difference in their performance on Saturday evening was even more stark.

While the Foxes pushed forward in search of goals, eventually scoring two after brilliant attacking moves, Unai Emery's men looked content with a point.

This is not the Arsenal that fans fell in love with during the early days of Arsene Wenger's reign, or even the Arsenal who would entertain despite a lack of silverware in recent season.

Only one side looked capable of finishing in a Champions League spot at the King Power Stadium, and it wasn't those wearing yellow.


3. Chelsea have a gem in Christian Pulisic

It wasn't so long ago that Pulisic's quality - and suitability for the Premier League - was being questioned as he sat, unused on Chelsea's bench.

Now the £58million man is thriving out wide in Frank Lampard's exciting young team, earning rave reviews and the nickname 'Captain America' from his team-mates.

His goal against Crystal Palace was his fifth of the season, with all of them coming in the last three Premier League games as he continues to find his feet.

Pulisic's confidence on the ball is growing with every passing week and, at just 21, he is already showing signs that he could be a genuine replacement for Eden Hazard.

Frank Lampard: 'It was a nice solid win with a clean sheet'


4. Chris Wilder is working wonders

If it wasn't for another contentious VAR decision, there is every chance Sheffield United would be sitting even prettier in fifth place than they are.

David McGoldrick's goal was chalked off when John Lundstram's foot was deemed to be an inch offside in the build-up to what would have been an equaliser against Tottenham on Saturday afternoon.

Perhaps motivated by the injustice, Chris Wilder's men earned a well-deserved point through George Baldock's goal with 12 minutes remaining to maintain their fine start to the season.

The favourites for relegation at the start of the season are now unbeaten in their last five games and just three points from being halfway towards the magical 40-mark. Under Wilder's guidance, safety looks a certainty for the Blades.

Chris Wilder press conference after Sheffield draws with Tottenham


5. Brandon Williams' emergence is just what the manager wants

Brandon Williams was handed his first Premier League start by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday, and he is likely to be given plenty more on this evidence.

The 19-year-old became the third-youngest player to begin a top-flight game this term and took his chance, showing tenacity in abundance against Brighton.

Williams has a fiery side to his game, which was obvious to those at Old Trafford when he clashed with Neal Maupay and caught Steven Alzate with an accidental kick to the chest.

But he was not overawed by the occasion and looked at home in Manchester United's defence. Solskjaer will hope he has found a left back for the long term.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: It was the best performance of the season

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JAMIE REDKNAPP: Wilfred Ndidi is Leicester's very own Didier Deschamps while Chris Wilder is early favourite for Manager of the Year...plus team of the weekend.

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6. Everton duo take their chances

Tom Davies and Mason Holgate could barely get a kick for Everton until recently, but they battled it out for the man of the match award in Saturday's win at Southampton.

Injuries and a poor form resulted in the duo, who are close friends, being given a chance by Marco Silva, and they haven't looked back since.

Holgate is keeping £25million England international Michael Keane out of the side at present, while Davies has added a forward-thinking presence to midfield.

He scored the opener following an assist from Holgate at St Mary's, helping the Toffees end their awful away form with a first victory on the road this season.


7. Manuel Pellegrini's bubble in danger of bursting

West Ham's players were reportedly eyeing a run at the top four and Champions League football after beating Manchester United in September, but it's been all downhill since then.

Saturday's 3-0 humbling at Burnley was their fourth defeat in their last five league games and they are now down in 16th, just five points off the drop zone.

For a club who spent around £70m last summer, bringing in the likes of Bundesliga hotshot Sebastien Haller and Spanish playmaker Pablo Fornals, it simply isn't good enough.

Manuel Pellegrini is now the third favourite to be the next Premier League boss sacked. If their winless run continues against London rivals Spurs after the international break, the odds will drop further.


8. Ruben Neves is a long-range king

It's always satisfying when a training-ground routine comes off in a game - and that's exactly what happened in Wolves' win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Ruben Neves scored with a spectacular effort from outside the box following a cleverly-worked free-kick from Nuno's improving side.

The Portugal star has had more shots (88) from outside the area than any other Premier League player since the start of last season and has scored the joint third most goals (four).

Wolves were dominant over their Midlands rivals but had failed to score before Neves' intervention. Don't be surprised to see him let fly from range more often in the coming weeks.

Watford finally got their first Premier League win at the 12th time of asking on Friday night as they saw off struggling Norwich at Carrow Road.

Gerard Deulofeu opened the scoring following a slaloming run through the Canaries' defence, which gave us a reminder of his best qualities.

The former Barcelona and Everton star was brilliant under Javi Gracia last season, scoring 12 goals and helping them reach the FA Cup final.

If the Hornets are to fully recover from their nightmare start and avoid the drop, Deulofeu will need to stay on top of his game.


10. Steve Bruce begins to win over the Toon Army

It would be fair to say that Steve Bruce wasn't the most popular choice among Newcastle fans as Rafa Benitez's replacement last summer, but it seems the tide may finally be turning.

Saturday's win over Bournemouth at St James' Park made it back-to-back victories for the Magpies, while they have now lost just one of their last five - away at Chelsea - since being hammered by Leicester in late September.

Bruce looked delighted as he congratulated his players at the full-time whistle and it seems that the positive upturn in results has lessened the ill-feeling towards him among at least some sections of the support.

With a winnable run of games coming up - plus a tough fixture at home to City - he has a chance to further endear himself to the fans who once booed him.


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