Struggling Alexander-Arnold left exposed

So much about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s display on Sunday was puzzling. Real Madrid’s now-public courtship may have had something to do with it, but at times it felt he was being hung out to dry. Poorly as he played, he was deliberately exposed by his own team, left to deal with whatever threats Manchester United could conjure down their left flank while the only players likely to drop back and help him out, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch, rarely did so. When it became obvious that he was having an off day, nothing was done to cover for it and nurse him back into the game. When his own poor clearance was returned in the buildup to United’s opening goal it found him briefly with four opponents to deal with by himself, demonstrating that Liverpool’s problems down the right were not just an individual but a systemic issue. He is (usually) an astonishingly good player, but miracles will sometimes be beyond him. Simon Burnton

Match report: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United

Amorim’s tactical flexibility comes to fore

For all that Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were his direct opponents for most of the game (and Fernandes in particular was excellent), one of the main reasons why Alexander-Arnold struggled was André Onana. Across this season just 26.2% of André Onana’s passes from open play have been sent long, peaking at 55.6% in the 2-1 win over Brentford, but on Sunday the figure was 80%. Meanwhile across the entire game he only twice passed the ball to his right, both times playing it short into the right-back position. On every other occasion he looked left, six times launching it beyond the halfway line looking for runners exploiting the space behind Liverpool’s full-back. Ruben Amorim has been criticised for his tactical inflexibility – but tactical flexibility, for all that United stuck with the same formation, was one of the features of this game. SB

Reaction: Amorim hails United’s different mentality at Anfield

Savinho form leaves Grealish in the cold

Jack Grealish’s 84th-minute substitute cameo against West Ham was a 33rd Manchester City appearance since the start of 2024 in which the winger failed to score. Asked about competing with Savinho, who created both of Erling Haaland’s goals and forced Vladimir Coufal’s own goal, his manager, Pep Guardiola, said: “Savinho is in better shape than Jack [who has suffered injuries this term] and that’s why I played Savinho. I want the Jack that won the treble? Yeah. Savinho’s delivery into the box: it’s higher [better] than the other wingers in that position. They have to fight. They have to say: ‘OK, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position.’ I fought a lot for [Jack], for him to [recapture top form]. I know that he can do it. Is there someone in this room who thinks Savinho doesn’t deserve to play right now? No. That’s why I play him because he produces.” Jamie Jackson

Match report: Manchester City 4-1 West Ham

Nwaneri’s injury another blow for Arteta

Is Arsenal’s negative approach holding them back? The yellow card shown to Ethan Nwaneri just before half-time of Saturday’s draw against Brighton was the ninth they have picked up this season for time-wasting – two more than any other side. Arsenal created little in attack after the 17-year-old goalscorer was forced off at the break and could have ended up losing after João Pedro’s controversial penalty. Mikel Arteta was left dismayed by referee Anthony Taylor’s decision but he will also be deeply concerned about how his side struggled to respond to the equaliser and Nwaneri’s injury, given the prolonged absence of Bukayo Saka. “Really bad news because I think we’ve lost him,” said the Arsenal manager. “We had to take him off at half-time with some muscular issues.” Ed Aarons

Match report: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

Chelsea are wilting late in games

Chelsea have developed an issue with conceding late goals. Is it a mentality issue? Fitness? Something related to Enzo Maresca’s use of his bench? Whatever the cause there was frustration when Chelsea lost a 1-0 lead against Crystal Palace, who rescued a point thanks to an equaliser from Jean-Philippe Mateta. Chelsea should have had the victory wrapped up; instead they lost their way and their injury-hit defence was breached after the 75th minute for the sixth time in nine league games. A pattern is emerging. Palace were stronger after half-time – just as Fulham were when they came from behind to win at Stamford Bridge – and Maresca was passive. It is curious that he has been hesitant to make substitutions in recent games. He did nothing until the 81st minute against Palace. Maresca also waited until the final 20 minutes before making changes against Fulham, Everton and Brentford, all of whom finished stronger than Chelsea in recent weeks. Jacob Steinberg

Match report: Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea

January is critical for Everton

Leaving the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, it was easy to detect resignation from Everton fans over the state of their team. Sean Dyche’s side do at least defend well, and did so against Bournemouth, even if a pearler from David Brooks did for Jordan Pickford. Translating such effectiveness and efficiency further up the pitch is the main problem for Everton, but there are tantalising exceptions. Iliman Ndiaye is someone thriving under Dyche’s tutelage, perhaps unexpectedly, and watching him shield the ball 25 yards from his own goal, hold off a defender, then spin past two more to create a smart breakaway was a joy. In such a moment you can see how Dyche wants his team to play with the ball and how it can incorporate technical players. Dyche says the final pass is the issue and has asked for time. But with Everton once again looking over their shoulders at the relegation places, time is in even shorter supply than usual. The January transfer window feels critical. Paul MacInnes

Match report: Bournemouth 1-0 Everton

Murphy a vital cog for Newcastle

When Newcastle scraped a 2-1 win at Wolves in September, the last game of a strange start to the season in which they picked up 13 points from five games without ever playing well, Jacob Murphy was highlighted as an example of how the club had failed to kick on. Was he really what they had been dreaming of in Riyadh when the Saudi Public Investment Fund had taken over the club. But he has remained a regular and has played a key role in the run of five straight league wins that have lifted Newcastle to fifth. “He’s been very, very important, probably more than people realise,” said Eddie Howe. “We’ve asked him to do a lot of things. He plays a vital role in our pressing, and on the ball, with his assists and crosses he’s been great. He’s very versatile, very focused on the team. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves.” Jonathan Wilson

Match report: Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle

Forgotten men show their worth for Villa

With a long list of casualties and absences, Aston Villa are grimly hanging on in the chase for the top five. Beating Leicester was a distinct grind, played in biting cold. Without the suspended Morgan Rogers and Jhon Durán, and with John McGinn pulling up with a hamstring problem, Villa had to dig deep to beat a hard-working Leicester. Emi Buendía, a forgotten man after a year out with injury, and Ian Maatsen, an expensive signing with just two league starts, played their part in the winning goal, gratefully converted by Leon Bailey, another who has dropped from prominence. Ross Barkley, also previously finding starting places hard to come by, scored the blistering opener. “I’m happy with him and he’s always positive,” said Unai Emery of a player who has matured into a dedicated professional. If Villa’s football does not flow like last season, the coherence of their recruitment could serve them well if others should falter. John Brewin

Match report: Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester

Saints on course for worst ever season

Southampton’s plight threatens to be record-breaking. Their 5-0 defeat by Brentford, a visiting team previously without an away win, meant Saints have completed 20 matches with the lowest-ever points total: six. Derby’s notorious 2007-08 campaign had collected seven by that juncture. Southampton have found Premier League life even tougher than their previous relegation season. The new manager, Ivan Juric, repeated the ill-fated Nathan Jones’s record of losing his first three matches in charge. More direct tactics than Russell Martin’s flawed ideology are also yet to deliver. Paul Onuachu, two years a Saint and still without a Premier League goal, does not convince as a target man. “I expected more, that I could do more with the team,” said Juric. The real winner turned out to be a Southampton fan’s mother, who won the pre-match score prize in a St Mary’s hospitality lounge. The substitute striker Adam Armstrong, who replaced Onuachu, handed over her winnings – to boos after her 0-5 prediction came in. JB

Match report: Southampton 0-5 Brentford

Ipswich impress despite late Fulham goal

Ipswich continue to top the Premier League’s injury table and it gets no easier now Omari Hutchinson, their dazzlingly talented forward, is out for a few weeks with a groin injury. They have struggled all season to keep players available and it threatens to derail a team that has rarely looked out of its depth. Kieran McKenna’s achievement in giving them a serious shout of escaping trouble, currently only shy of safety on goal difference, should be lauded. The manager never complains despite competing this season with a squad containing many of the stalwarts who took them all the way from League One. They deserved their latest building block, a draw at Fulham, and look well placed to improve between now and May. Their progress is a triumph of coaching: McKenna has worked wonders and Ipswich can reach fresh heights if their treatment room starts to empty soon. Nick Ames

Match report: Fulham 2-2 Ipswich