Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta talk SPORTS LOSERS this weekend, while one coach leans towards a sacking before Christmas.
What a weekend for Liverpool.
The Reds were the big winners at the top of the Premier League with their victory, plus the surprise defeats of their title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, which put them at the top of the Premier League at the end of the tenth day
Their victory at Anfield was not pretty, as quick goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah saw them claim a 2-1 victory over a spirited Brighton team, but they were much better than Arsenal and City.
The lunchtime starting signal saw Arsenal stumble to a second defeat in three league games as Alexander Isak's well-placed header secured Newcastle the three points at St James' Park.
But an even bigger surprise was City losing their first league game of the season, losing to a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouthwith the Cherries valuing their victory more than highly; We'll talk more about its brilliance later.
It has been a regressing season so far for Nottingham Forest, who, as during the glory days under Brian Clough, are mixing it up with the big dogs as their 3-0 win over West Ham has taken them to the dizzying heights of third position.
Southampton claimed their first victory on the scoreboard of the league season with a 1-0 victory over Everton; Saints were helped by VAR after Toffees striker Beto thought he had scored a late equaliser.
But Wolves and Ipswich are still searching for their first win of the league campaign, as Gary O'Neil's men could only muster a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace, while Ipswich were denied a goal. of Jordan Ayew's added time equalizer. The promoted teams drew 1-1 at Portman Road.
It would be too easy to fall in love with Liverpool, plus if they continue as they are there will be plenty of opportunities to do so for the rest of the season.
And with that, talkSPORT presenters Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy picked the winners and losers of this weekend's action.
Winners
Andoni Iraola
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The most impressive win of the weekend goes to Bournemouth, who overcame champions City to claim a deserved 2-1 victory.
Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson put the Cherries 2-0 up with Josko Gvardiol coming back from behind in the 82nd minute, prompting a late reaction from Pep Guardiola, however this time it came too late.
Bournemouth should have been out of sight before Gvardiol's goal having squandered several opportunities to inflict humiliation on an admittedly injury-hit City side.
And who takes the most responsibility in the Man City masterclass? The manager. Andoni Iraola, take a bow.
Antonio Semenyo
But perhaps Bournemouth could become a victim of their own brilliance, with one of their goalscorers, Semenyo, putting in a performance that will prick up the ears of the division's biggest clubs.
Semenyo hit the ground running in the ninth minute when his brilliant touch of a low cross on the left gave him half a yard before he passed the ball to Ederson from close range.
O'Hara said: “Semenyo looks like the right player this season… he's handling the ball. You know, strength, pace.”
Cundy: “It's going to attract attention.”
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Isak, the winner of the Magpies match, was mentioned in dispatches, but the eventual winner's place was reserved for a magical story.
Tamworth
Not strictly the Premier League, and in Tamworth's case it will probably be a long time before they can think about playing at that level.
But nothing should be taken away from the National League side's incredible FA Cup triumph over Huddersfield Town, who, let's not forget, were playing in the Premier League just five years ago.
The decisive moment in the 1-0 win was a firm nod to one of the Premier League's unsung heroes, Rory Delap, when a towering throw-in from Tom Tonks deceived Terriers goalkeeper Chris Maxwell, who couldn't get a firm enough shot. He hit the shot as the ball fell into the net.
Cundy said: “The goalkeeper has to do better. But still, those long throw-ins were absolutely… So congratulations to Tamworth. Well done, them.”
O'Hara joked: “Lettuce dolls in the goal.”
Losers
pep guardiola
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This is a true collector's item. Legendary coach Guardiola will earn a place among the Premier League losers this weekend.
It should be noted that several City stars are absent and that Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish did not feature in the defeat at the Vitality Stadium.
However, many would have felt they had enough quality to overcome the south coast.
On City, Cundy concluded: “It's not often you get the chance to see that, but they're in, mate. They weren't good at all today. They were terrible. They were terrible today.
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“Miles off today. And like I said, they deserve a huge amount of credit. Credit Bournemouth.”
Mikel Arteta
Guardiola will have familiar company in the losers' camp, albeit in his former assistant Arteta, who oversaw a weak defeat to the Toon.
But with a header from Declan Rice in added time, Arsenal created little and can have no complaints as they leave empty-handed once again.
O'Hara said: “He's got to get in there, Arteta. He hasn't been good enough. “I can't keep making excuses for Martin Odegaard's injury.
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“It needs to be better.”
This weekend's results mean Arsenal are losing a lot of ground in the title race, with the Gunners now seven points behind leaders Liverpool.
Cundy added: “The depth of the team is showing how fragile it is, man.”
Julen Lopetegui
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A bad day at the office for Guardiola and Arteta, but they will soon win again.
The same cannot necessarily be said for West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui, who will be under increasing pressure after another dismal outing.
They caught Forest in imperious form and Ola Aina's goal was something to behold, but the manner of the defeat will be a major concern for West Ham, who have lost five of their ten league games this season.
Cundy said: “Lopetegui, terrible of them. We have to give Forest credit, because Forest dispatched them convincingly. They are a good team and they are showing it. Third in the league.
“But West Ham, mate. We've just had the conversation. I have a feeling this conversation is going to happen more and more over the weeks… that can't continue.”
And O'Hara believes Lopetegui, who arrived in east London in the summer, is quickly running out of time.
O'Hara said: “I'd be surprised if it happens after Christmas… the fans will turn. They're already turning, but I think they'll turn vocally soon.”
