Liverpool suffered simply their second Premier League defeat of the season at Fulham (HENRY NICHOLLS)
Liverpool’s march in direction of the Premier League title was slowed by a 3-2 defeat at Fulham on a weekend when not one of the prime 5 received.
Arsenal failed to use any stress on the leaders in a 1-1 draw at Everton, whereas Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis did their Champions League hopes little good with 0-0 attracts at Brentford and Manchester United respectively.
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Aston Villa had been the large winners within the battle for Champions League locations as they beat third-placed Nottingham Forest 2-1 to shut on the highest 5.
AFP Sports activities appears at three speaking factors from the Premier League weekend.
Liverpool stumbling over the road
Liverpool had gone 26 league video games unbeaten previous to their journey to Craven Cottage, however have now misplaced 3 times of their final 4 matches in all competitions.
Arne Slot’s squad are exhibiting clear indicators of fatigue after competing on 4 fronts for a lot of the season.
Fundamental defensive errors left the Dutchman indignant on the concession of three targets in 14 first-half minutes after Alexis Mac Allister had blasted the Reds into an early lead.
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Liverpool had been a lot improved within the second half however gave themselves an excessive amount of to do, regardless of pulling one again by way of Luis Diaz.
An 11-point lead with seven video games to play ought to nonetheless be unassailable, particularly with Arsenal additionally not in prime type.
Nonetheless, Slot insisted his facet nonetheless have work to do.
“We aren’t primary in the meanwhile as a result of we win each recreation with a margin of three or 4 targets,” he mentioned.
“I feel everybody that has seen our video games is aware of it takes us a lot effort, a lot arduous work to win video games of soccer, mixed with high quality in fact.”
Uninteresting derby reveals Manchester malaise
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By no means within the Premier League period have neither Metropolis or United completed within the prime 4, however that file is being put to the take a look at in a depressing season for each side of Manchester.
United had the higher of a boring derby at Outdated Trafford that left each units of supporters dissatisfied.
Not for the primary time this season, they lacked a innovative up entrance.
United have scored simply 21 targets in 25 Premier League video games towards sides exterior the underside three.
“There is a duty, once you’re enjoying for Manchester United, to win soccer matches,” mentioned former United captain Roy Keane.
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“To try this, these gamers want to attain extra targets and take extra gambles. It’s important to have braveness.”
United sit thirteenth and set for his or her worst ever Premier League season.
Metropolis are on the right track for Pep Guardiola’s worst marketing campaign since arriving in 2016 and vulnerable to lacking out on the Champions League for the primary time in 15 years.
January signings fireplace Villa surge
Villa have received seven matches in a row in all competitions to fireside them into the Champions League quarter-finals, final 4 of the FA Cup and as much as sixth within the Premier League.
Unai Emery’s males are thriving regardless of the calls for of three competitions largely because of the squad depth on supply to the Spaniard.
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Emery made eight modifications from Wednesday’s spectacular 3-0 win at Brighton for the victory over Forest.
Donyell Malen made probably the most of a uncommon begin together with his second purpose in as many video games to affix Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio as three January signings which have given Villa an enormous enhance in attacking areas.
The trio have mixed for 13 targets and 5 assists since arriving in Birmingham.
An enormous problem awaits Villa in a visit to Emery’s outdated membership Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Even when the freshly topped French champions show too good, Villa are closing in on a return to the Champions League subsequent season.
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