1) Mudryk isn’t a huge loss, but the Gunners need some new blood
When Arsenal were as rhapsodic as they were in the first half against Tottenham, it was tempting to wonder where Mihajlo Mudric might fit in. In the face of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Arteta already has the most powerful wings in the Premier League. Would it be worth critiquing next year’s transfer budget and disrupting wage structures for a player who isn’t guaranteed to start? Instead, the Ukrainian is taking on his long, lucrative new contract at Chelsea. Gabriel Jesus’ injury, which will keep him out longer than expected, must also have changed strategic thinking. Finding a player who can replace the Brazilian will be demanding and while Eddie Nketiah continues to shine, working the devil up front at Tottenham, the lack of further centre-forward options suggests that Arsenal’s primacy is a result of having the best first XI in the Premier League, not the deepest squad. Quality reinforcements can still be quite useful. John Brewin
2) Garnacho cameo hints at rosy future for United
Manchester City paid £100m for their game-changer Jack Grealish, while Manchester United’s young left-winger Alejandro Garnacho was snapped up for just £420,000 by Atletico Madrid. The Argentine was fearless when he came on, even against the likes of Kyle Walker, who repeatedly returned to the England international despite losing his early bouts. Thanks to his tenacity and perfect understanding of where the ball would go, Garnacho was in the right position to set up the winner for Marcus Rashford. The winger’s attitude and professionalism are improving after concerns were aired earlier in the season. Garnacho’s next goal will be to prove himself as an effective starter in the Premier League. United’s next target will be to tie him down to a long-term deal. The club is often cautious when it comes to offering big sums to young players, but avoiding rivals is imperative if United are to continue their upward trajectory. Will Unwin
3) Everton are locked in a spiral of misery
“It’s a brutal sport,” Southampton owner Dragan Solak told a member of the club’s staff just after a dejected Frank Lampard went through the tunnel at Goodison Park. It was also a brutal day for Everton and it’s hard to see the manager, squad and board recovering. Solak had gone into the tunnel to personally congratulate every Southampton player after their first league win under Nathan Jones. He spoke at length to manager and inspirational match-winning captain James Ward-Prowse as they enjoyed a third inspirational win of the week. Everton’s hierarchy were conspicuous by their absence as they were instructed to stay away from their security advisers and therefore missed out on mass protests against their mismanagement of the club. Everton players were delayed leaving the pitch after the game, also due to a security advisory, and some were abused in their cars when they eventually left. The atmosphere is as bad as their form and Lampard, still waiting for the formidable reinforcements Everton needed after selling Richarlison in July, seems to have no answers. Relegation beckons. Andy Hunter
Everton fans display a banner at the end of the match after their defeat by Southampton to show their annoyance with the board. Photo: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
4) How much more leeway does Moyes have?
At what point do past accomplishments start to count for little? Perhaps David Moyes is past that point and to be fair the West Ham manager insisted he knows the here and now is important. West Ham took one point from the last 21 available, occupy the last relegation spot and are only bottom of the table due to their superior goal difference to Everton, their next opponents, and Southampton. For West Ham, back-to-back sixth and seventh place feels like a long time ago. The same goes for Brendan Rodgers at Leicester, who have faded since the highs of winning the FA Cup and back-to-back fifth-place finishes. “A lot of people are looking for work in this league,” Moyes said. “I’m not crazy, I’ve had enough games in it to know.” Ben Fisher
5) Brighton’s plan takes them to a new high
“Club philosophy” is a phrase that often raises eyebrows, but you only have to look at Brighton to see that it means something. The loss of Graham Potter may have been devastating, but a certain set of values meant a clear and purposeful process in terms of appointing his successor. Roberto De Zerbi came in and was an unqualified success, with Saturday’s 3-0 win over Liverpool the undoubted highlight of the Italian’s tenure. According to Solly March, who scored twice, it was Brighton’s best performance since they were promoted to the Premier League almost six years ago, and he should know given he has been at the club all that time. March also revealed the unique way in which De Zerbi connects with his players. “He texts some of the guys at 1am with clips showing them what they can do better,” he said. “I haven’t had a drink yet and I don’t want to be woken up – my wife won’t be happy!” Sachin Nakrani
6) Badiashile becomes a fixture on Chelsea debut
Benoit Badiachele looked a little nervous on his Chelsea debut. The former Monaco defender, who moved to Stamford Bridge for £33.8m, had several failed clearances and one worrying moment when he lost track of Crystal Palace’s Wilfred Zaha. However, Badiashile, who came on for the disappointing Kalidou Koulibaly, grew as the game progressed. He won cheers from the crowd when he shrugged off Zaha at one point and formed a solid partnership with Thiago Silva as Palace looked to overturn Chelsea’s 1-0 lead in the closing stages. “I thought Benoit did well,” said Graham Potter. “It was a good game for him. You can see his qualities. He passes the ball well. When he had to head the ball, he did. He’s obviously adapting to the Premier League and it’s going to take some time and he’s a young player so I think he’s going to get better and better.” Jacob Steinberg
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Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertisements and content funded by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to secure our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply. Chelsea debutant Benoit Badiachile battles for possession with Crystal Palace’s Wilfred Zaha. Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
7) Time for Leeds fans to grow up
Almost all of Leeds’ good work in Friday’s defeat by Aston Villa came through Wilfred Gnonto, Italy’s lively 19-year-old winger. Jesse Marsh then said that Gnonto was playing “like he’s 7ft tall”, but unfortunately the Leeds manager also had to answer questions about supporters chanting about Gnonto, which referred to the size of his penis. Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said the chant Leeds fans sang during the defeat at Villa Park perpetuated harmful and offensive racial stereotypes. Marsh suggested the player had also had enough. “Willie is such a good young man and he’s not going to come out and say he doesn’t like it,” Marsh said. “But the reality is, I think he thinks it’s time to move on from that lyric.” BF
8) Bees outperform flashier rivals
Brentford for Europe? It’s not a particularly outlandish proposition for a side whose unbeaten run now stretches to seven games and who have put both Manchester and Liverpool under the knife already this season. Thomas Frank’s side are one of several humbler top-flight teams to put their richer counterparts to shame this season. While Liverpool and Chelsea labor under the weight of inflated expectations and underwhelming signings, and Everton and West Ham tumble from one heavy defeat to the next, Thomas Frank’s men – along with Fulham and Brighton, who sit above them in sixth and seventh – show how a lean and motivated team can punch above its weight. A bit of luck helps too, of course, which Brentford duly got with the penalty decision giving them the opener. But few would argue they didn’t deserve it – in the course of the game and throughout the season, when they faced every challenge with the kind of fiery fearlessness that’s a world away from the division’s beleaguered heavyweights. Alex Hess
9) Returning duo boost Magpies
Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Fulham will almost certainly be remembered for Aleksandar Mitrovic’s outstanding penalty disallowance, booked for the Fulham striker’s inadvertent, completely accidental double touch after he slipped during the run. Marco Silva’s strong criticism of the referee, Robert Jones, for only awarding that penalty after VAR intervention may also deserve a footnote, but the lasting legacy may be the return to form and fitness of both Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and of Alain Saint-Maximin. While the £60m former Sweden striker marked his first Premier League appearance since September by scoring the winning goal in the 89th minute from point-blank range after coming off the bench, Saint-Maximin’s own performance as a second-half substitute suggested that he can finally return to his best self. The French winger’s slow recovery from hamstring problems has seen him start recent games on the bench, with Joelinton moving forward from midfield to left wing, but on this evidence Saint-Maximin finally looks ready to return to the starting XI. Eddie Howe’s. If Newcastle are to qualify for the Champions League, they will certainly need Saint-Maximin and Isaac. Louise Taylor
Alain Saint-Maximin has returned to the Newcastle team after injury. Photo:…
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