Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
×
×Notification products, updates
January 7, 2025
What a weekend it has been in a season that continues to impress. The Premier League has seen only two things consistently predictable: Liverpool’s strong performance and Southampton’s struggles. Even their meeting was a spectacle, with Liverpool needing a late penalty to snatch victory after trailing 2-1.
In the midst of it all, the other 18 teams have delivered a series of unexpected and thrilling outcomes, reinforcing the notion that anything can happen on any given matchday. Manchester United, for instance, can now travel to Liverpool and scrappy their way to a well-earned point—a testament to the unpredictability of this season.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are making a serious charge toward the Champions League, while three Premier League ever-presents find themselves dangerously close to the relegation battle of the season. And amid all the chaos, the defending champions are trying to recover from a stunning collapse, while teams like Bournemouth, Brentford, and Fulham continue to play pivotal roles in a mid-table filled with exciting unpredictability.
A 2-1 win at Tottenham, while not quite as exhilarating as it should have been, perfectly encapsulates where Newcastle currently stand. After an early surprise setback, they responded impressively and saw the game out with ease. The final half-hour, where they comfortably shut down Spurs—despite their continued attacking potency—highlighted just how far Eddie Howe’s side has come.
This win marks six consecutive victories across all competitions, during a time when both Chelsea and Arsenal have stumbled. With fifth place now looking secure for a potential Champions League spot next season, Newcastle are well-placed as they approach the second half of the campaign.
Isak’s form is undeniable, extending his Premier League scoring streak to seven consecutive games. He’s undoubtedly the league’s in-form striker at the moment, and the question now is which came first: Newcastle’s improved form or Isak’s sensational performances?
Newcastle’s midfield trio is a formidable force when at full strength. Together, they overwhelmed Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall in this game, showing their ability to dominate even tougher opposition. This midfield is one to be feared, capable of overpowering teams with far more strength and pedigree.
While it’s too early to declare Manchester City fully back, their 2-0 win over West Ham certainly marks a positive step forward. After a concerning run of just one win in 13 games, City now have back-to-back victories under their belt.
The momentum is slowly building, and with upcoming fixtures against Salford, Brentford, and Ipswich, City have an opportunity to gain further ground. However, the real test will come later this month and into February, with a challenging stretch against PSG, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Liverpool. But after this turnaround, there’s now a glimmer of optimism that they’ll face this difficult run with renewed confidence.
It seems Pep Guardiola may have given the Goalbot 3000 a reboot—perhaps a few patches or system updates we don’t fully understand. Whatever the reason, Haaland is back to his best, scoring as many goals in his last two Premier League matches as he did in the previous 13 combined.
In the win over Leicester, Haaland showed signs of life even before his goal, despite City’s rather underwhelming overall performance. But against West Ham, he was in full beast mode, reminding everyone of the terror he can cause. This resurgence is bad news for everyone chasing Champions League spots, although it’s probably too late for those still hoping to challenge for the title.
A win that felt more like a relief in a season that’s been a bit up-and-down, but Aston Villa can still be pleased with their position. Just three points off what would likely be a Champions League spot and still in a strong position for the knockout stages of European competition, Villa have quietly managed to put themselves in contention.
Adapting to the demands of both league and European football has been challenging—something Spurs and Newcastle can relate to—but Villa now look poised to enter the second half of the season with the confidence to push for something special.
Bournemouth had to dig deep for their victory over Everton, but let’s not forget, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City have all failed to do the same in recent weeks.
The late David Brooks goal was a real game-changer. Not only does it keep Bournemouth firmly in the European race, but it also narrows the gap to the top four. That moment felt like a significant shift, providing forward momentum to their run rather than merely pushing through frustration.
A solid performance under Ruben Amorim’s reign, though a point against Liverpool doesn’t do much for United’s standing in the league. They remain perilously close to the relegation zone, where they appear ill-prepared if dragged any further into a fight for survival. That said, the performance itself offers a glimmer of hope.
The flip side, of course, is that Amorim expressed his frustration at the players pulling out such a display when it mattered against Liverpool, wondering why they couldn’t muster the same commitment in more winnable matches. The upcoming game against Southampton could well expose the gap between their best and worst performances, as hinted by Bruno Fernandes.
However, it’s crucial that United avoid letting games like these become their “cup final.” It’s important not to treat such matches like the old United would have treated games against weaker opposition. Everyone has their ups and downs, but there’s no reason this level of effort and intensity shouldn’t be replicated consistently. The sheer dedication displayed in this performance should set a minimum standard going forward.
Fernandes delivered his best performance in recent weeks, matching his team’s improvement. However, he too was quick to highlight that the real concern is not games like this one against Liverpool, but matches against teams like Southampton at home. He’s right, of course, but it’s important to acknowledge that this applies to him as much as to anyone else—especially after his needless third red card of the season, at a time when his team needed him most.
Two entries in the winners’ section for Manchester United, despite not actually winning. That pretty much sums up where they are at the moment.
A disappointing end to a promising performance, but still a solid point away from home that confirms Ipswich will fight for every point, no matter what. They are like Luton but with added grit, making life difficult for teams across the league—including three of the Premier League’s ever-presents.
Jimenez saved the day with two composed penalties, securing a point for Fulham from a match that offered little offensive threat but plenty of defensive resilience from Ipswich.
The Bees are nothing short of unpredictable. They started the season by winning every home game and losing every away match, but now have shifted gears—losing their last two home games but picking up four points from their last two away fixtures, including a 5-0 thrashing of Southampton.
More importantly, Brentford’s recent form has kept them safely in mid-table, far from the relegation zone and on track for another solid campaign.
Mbeumo bagged two goals against Southampton, taking his tally for the season to a level only surpassed by Mo Salah and Erling Haaland. A valuable contribution to Brentford’s attack.
Palace came from behind to secure a draw against Chelsea, marking the second time they’ve done so this season. Along with Wolves, they are emerging as the most upwardly mobile teams among those battling relegation, even if they’re not yet fully clear of trouble.
A weekend off for Forest turned into a bonus, as both Liverpool and Arsenal failed to win. With their nearest rivals faltering, Forest’s position is looking even better. Now, if they can just pull off a 14-0 win against Wolves, they could be second by the end of the weekend.
There’s now a very real possibility that their infamous 2007/08 season could be erased from the record books.
Tottenham’s crisis continues to deepen with a 2-1 defeat marking their third in a four-match winless run. Despite starting with their third-choice goalkeeper and a makeshift defense, Spurs’ problems run far deeper.
This defeat is just the latest in a string of disappointing results that threaten to plunge Spurs into a relegation battle not seen since their dismal 2008/09 campaign. Although capable of blowing teams away on their day—Liverpool are the only team to have scored more goals—Spurs’ issue is that they’ve become reliant on those big wins to carry them through. Their record of four wins in 14 Premier League games, with those victories coming in 4-1, 4-1, 4-0, and 5-0 fashion, highlights the issue. They’ve led in five other matches but earned just two points from those.
Spurs desperately need to find a way to grind out points when they aren’t playing at their best. At this rate, that solution feels as far away as ever.
The ongoing injury crisis at Spurs might have garnered more sympathy if the team’s performances weren’t so predictable, even when key players like Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Guglielmo Vicario were fit. Spurs continue to be the same underwhelming side, leaving Postecoglou fortunate not to face more intense fan criticism. Daniel Levy’s decision to appoint a likable manager after the tumultuous post-Pochettino years may have worked in Postecoglou’s favor—at least for now.
However, the tide of public opinion is dangerously underestimating the real peril Spurs find themselves in. Despite calls for Postecoglou to be given the entire season, Spurs are slipping closer to the danger zone. A tough run of fixtures, including matches against Arsenal, Leicester, Brentford, Manchester United, and Ipswich, looms. This is a make-or-break period, and there’s a clear strategy for Levy now: give Postecoglou the “free-hit” matches against Liverpool and Arsenal, and if things go south, dismiss him before the critical stretch of games that follow. While Spurs remain outwardly supportive of Postecoglou—evidenced by their signing of a goalkeeper who enjoys playing out from the back—the next few games will reveal whether this support continues or whether the exit strategy becomes inevitable.
A 4-1 loss to Manchester City could be seen as just another part of the usual experience for any Premier League team facing Pep Guardiola’s side, but it comes amid a broader worrying trend for West Ham. This defeat, following a humiliating 5-0 loss to Liverpool, highlights the struggles the Hammers face in fully extricating themselves from the relegation battle. The absence of their key playmaker, Jarrod Bowen, further complicates matters.
Manager Julen Lopetegui finds himself on a list of coaches—alongside Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, and Ivan Juric—who may not survive the season, let alone the month.
Despite having a six-point lead and a game in hand, Liverpool cannot afford to casually drop points at home to teams fighting relegation. The 1-1 draw against a struggling team highlights the complacency creeping into their play. If they want to stay atop the table, they must maintain concentration and avoid these slip-ups.
Alexander-Arnold’s performance against relegation-battling opposition was a disaster, and his lack of focus appears to stem from a wider mental shift. Even at his best, Alexander-Arnold’s defensive game has never been elite, but his ability to create and distribute the ball—especially for Mo Salah’s runs—has always compensated for occasional defensive lapses. In this match, however, his creativity was notably absent, and his erratic passing saw Liverpool’s attacking threat significantly reduced.
With his head seemingly elsewhere—perhaps already focused on Madrid—this is a concerning moment for Liverpool. While the hope remains that this was just a one-off, it’s a performance that raises doubts about Alexander-Arnold’s future at the club.
Slot’s usually composed and pragmatic management style took a surprising turn against Liverpool, where he abandoned his typical calm approach for a more chaotic, high-pressing strategy. The midfield, calling out for a steadying presence like Wataru Endo, was left unaddressed, and Alexander-Arnold’s continued presence on the field for the full 86 minutes was an unpardonable oversight. This misstep raises questions about Slot’s decision-making and whether he is capable of managing the team’s chaotic tendencies effectively.
A point at Brighton is not catastrophic, but it does reflect deeper issues within Arsenal’s season. The Gunners have spent the past two years convincing themselves that Manchester City’s dominance is unmatchable, and now, as City falters, Arsenal find themselves struggling to maintain their place in the title race. The dropped points at Brighton only add to the sense that, despite City’s struggles, Arsenal’s chances of pushing for the title are slipping away.
Perhaps it was never fair to expect a rookie manager to keep Chelsea in the title race amid the club’s inherent chaos, but surely it was reasonable to expect that Chelsea’s position wouldn’t so quickly deteriorate. After four winless matches against Everton, Fulham, Ipswich, and Crystal Palace, Chelsea now find themselves not in the title race, but fighting to remain in the European places.
Everton’s hard-earned draws against Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City were commendable, but they have failed to build on those results. Consecutive defeats to the surprise packages of Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have dragged them back into the relegation zone. With Villa and Tottenham next in the league, more stoic efforts are expected, but the upcoming matches against Brighton and Leicester could prove frustrating and costly.
Leicester’s narrow defeat at Villa Park further cements their struggles. Despite admirable moments, they are in a worse position than before the weekend. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s brief managerial bounce has already fizzled out, and with Ipswich, Wolves, and Palace gaining momentum, Leicester find themselves in serious danger. After using the new-manager card, it’s hard to see what comes next for the Foxes.
Another humiliating home defeat, this time conceding five goals, marks the third such occurrence in just a month for Southampton. The club, now hurtling toward a potential third managerial change this season, seems to have shifted its focus. What was once the goal of avoiding relegation has now been replaced with the dubious ambition of surpassing Derby County’s infamous 11-point record from the 2007/08 season.
At this rate, they are on track to do so by a mere 0.4 points—a number that, of course, doesn’t exist in football. It’s a grim reality that highlights the scale of Southampton’s struggle as they sink deeper into despair.
Recommended articles: Nottingham Forest trio step up for Tuchel as Wolves star offers Amorim unlikely Man Utd solution
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for 24kbet, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
Stay Tuned With Updates
