1
Salah fires at full speed again
From handbags in London with his manager a week ago to this: an individual performance of verve and efficiency accompanied by collective success, Mohamed Salah smiling once again. Much has been written and said about the Egyptian striker, about his recent struggles, his future and his behavior. But a career as historic as his requires him to put aside the noise and start over, an internal wiring that is only present among the best. Salah was electric against Tottenham, hitting the crossbar with a cross shot and forcing a strong save from Guglielmo Vicario in the first 10 minutes. The post was hit soon after, although the offside flag was also raised, and then the goal came just in the 16th minute, a masterful move at the far post that preceded a clinical header. He was present in the build-up to Liverpool's other three goals, allowing Jürgen Klopp a beautiful afternoon in the Anfield sunshine, pumping his fists as the final goodbye loomed ever closer. Taha Hashim
2
City penalty increases O'Neil's anger
If there is a purpose to Gary O'Neil's rants against referees beyond releasing his own anger, it is surely, according to Sir Alex Ferguson's old principle, to plant a doubt in the referee's subconscious, to make him think: “Am I really safe?” about this? I don't want him to be angry with me.” It hasn't worked. Perhaps arguing that a player standing half a meter in front of an opposing goalkeeper is not interfering (as he did after the West Ham game, which cost him a touchline penalty and an £8,000 fine) is not is the best way to defend your case. but Saturday brought the total of extremely minor penalties imposed against the Wolves this season to three. Rayan Aït-Nouri's attempt to reach Bernardo Silva's cross was a little later than Josko Gvardiol's, so the Croatian followed him. There was nothing malicious about it, no attempt to cheat and no advantage was gained. Is it really a foul and not just a collision? jonathan wilson
3
Villa fights with heavy legs
If Tottenham's collapse has helped Aston Villa's fight for the Champions League, Unai Emery's team is showing the fatigue that each first division about which the manager who competes in Europe has complained. Jürgen Klopp took up that workhorse last Friday, with television programmers in his sights. Roberto De Zerbi expressed his solidarity for the fatigue that plagues Villa at an inopportune moment. “I can understand that better than a lot of other people,” he said, recalling Brighton's Europa League adventures and the aftermath in his own team. “From Roma until now, we don't win that many games, we lose too many and they are suffering.” Villa have hit a similar wall and must somehow find a way back into Thursday's Europa Conference League semi-final second leg at Olympiakos. “I want to get our freshness and energy back,” Emery said. “Thursday will be more difficult, but we will be there, trying to do something different.” John Brewin
4
Arteta keeps Gunners fresh in title race
For years, Mikel Arteta has looked like a cat on a hot tin roof in and around his technical area. However, in recent weeks his performance has become a little more zen, a reflection, perhaps, of how his players are approaching the title race this time around. Arteta said this after the 3-0 win over Bournemouth, praising his team for “finding joy in this journey, being in the title race at this stage of the season”. It is a stark contrast to last season's Arsenal and they have shown it in their results, with the home defeat to Aston Villa being the only blemish on their record in seven games since the beginning of April. In April last year, Arsenal dropped points in four consecutive games to surrender the title to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's team may emerge victorious again this season, but Arteta's team have at least done themselves justice in the heat of battle and shown they can withstand the pressure. sunday stand
5
Madueke shows that the blues is maturing
Chelsea are learning. There was a self-inflicted ruckus last month when Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke attempted to snatch a penalty from Cole Palmer during the 6-0 win over Everton. Mauricio Pochettino was furious and criticized his young players for his immaturity. But the atmosphere was different after Chelsea's 5-0 victory over West Ham. Pochettino was delighted with Madueke as the winger entered the goal and passed to Jackson, who scored Chelsea's fourth. It would have been easy for Madueke to shoot. Instead, he gave a teammate an open goal. “Noni's assist to Jackson showed that we learn, that we are intelligent,” said the Chelsea coach. “We received a lot of criticism for the penalty situation against Everton, but a young team always needs to make mistakes. You always need to feel this situation to improve. Today was a great action by Noni to see how the group began to believe.” Jacob Steinberg
6
Mission accomplished for Forest?
Saturday's victory against Sheffield United puts Nottingham Forest in a strong position to ensure Premier League survival but, perhaps fittingly for a club who have provided as much drama off the pitch as on it this season, the next days could be just as important. With Forest now three points ahead of Luton and five ahead of Burnley, and with a superior goal difference, one more win would virtually guarantee safety. If their appeal against this season's four-point deduction is resolved in their favor before Saturday's game against Chelsea, things would look even better. For Forest to win back a point on appeal would essentially relegate Burnley; If they somehow recovered the four points lost, the relegation race would end without anyone kicking a ball. Nuno admitted after Saturday's game that that wouldn't be fair to anyone, but whatever happens next, he and his players have, for once, at least allowed his football to do the talking. Aaron Bower
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7
Murphy shines again for the Magpies
Jacob Murphy was involved in three Newcastle goals in Saturday's win over Burnley. He has never been the most acclaimed winger and has spent most of his Newcastle career as a squad player, making more substitute appearances than starts in the league, but he has rarely disappointed Eddie Howe, who calls Murphy “the best professional.” This season, he has had more time on the field thanks to injuries and his impressive form when given the opportunity to start. At Turf Moor, Murphy played a pivotal role on the right in a modified formation and under a very specific set of instructions, with the winger taking on many offensive and defensive responsibilities. He kept his nerve in dangerous positions and Newcastle reaped the rewards. Every team needs a Murphy, it's the law. won't win
8
Postecoglou and the Spurs in the routine
For the second weekend in a row, Tottenham's resistance came after the result was decided. Against Arsenal, a 3-0 half-time score turned into a narrow 3-2 defeat; A potential defeat was halted at Anfield, with goals from Richarlison and Son Heung-min making life a little less comfortable for Liverpool in the final quarter. Ange Postecoglou doesn't seem like one to keep quiet and save face, and he brought in Richarlison and James Maddison after his team conceded the fourth, still believing in the improbable. But a promising initial Postecoglou campaign has been marred by two difficult passages in the league: the only point from five games in November and December, and now four consecutive defeats for the first time in almost 20 years. With Manchester City still to come and Newcastle's resurgence, not even fifth place is completely safe. T.H.
9
Adebayo can stay standing if the Hatters fall
Losing Elijah Adebayo to injury for two months gave Luton Town a huge headache. Defenders don't like to mark the 26-year-old. This is Adebayo's first taste of the Premier League and it has gone well for him. However, when he was injured in February, Luton struggled without him leading the line. The treatment room was packed, but Adebayo's absence was felt most keenly by Rob Edwards' side. His threat diminished and the chances of getting out of the bottom three vanished. The draw with Everton on Friday night appears to have sealed Luton's fate. Edwards knew a win was necessary, although he could be pleased with Adebayo's impact in returning him to the starting lineup. He scored a powerful tying goal (his 10th goal of the season) and was tough throughout. There may be teams looking at Adebayo if Luton go down. He could be a smart signing for anyone looking for a striker this summer. Jacob Steinberg
10
Frank backs Toney for the Euros
Popular opinion suggests there will only be room for one of them, Ivan Toney or Ollie Watkins, in England's squad for the next European Championship. He Brentford The striker hit the ground running with four goals in five games following his eight-month betting ban and scored in his first start for England against Belgium in March. But he has already gone 10 league games without scoring. With his club's future uncertain, amid the expectation that he will leave Brentford this summer, this goal drought comes at the worst possible time as he looks to impress Gareth Southgate. But his club director Thomas Frank believes this will have no impact. “I'm pretty sure Gareth knows who he wants to pick and if there's a bit of a dip in form from him, I don't think that will mean anything,” Frank said. “It's something different when you enter the Euro Cup. If you are in shape, that is the most important thing. “It’s a different tournament, a different atmosphere, a different energy.” ben flower
