🔗 Share this article Top-Flight Football: 10 Crucial Takeaways from the Weekend's Action The latest round of Premier League fixtures provided plenty of excitement, shock outcomes, and interesting subplots. Ranging from clashes between coaches to star performances, here are the key discussions emerging from the matches. The Chelsea Boss Stands Firm Versus A Master Tactician Calum McFarlane's unforeseen battle with the Manchester City boss recalled thoughts of earlier David vs Goliath coaching battles. In the case of the debutant, taking charge for his senior maiden game, the mission was overcoming the Blues' dreadful run of form when playing the champions. A dramatic equaliser from the Argentine midfielder secured a hard-fought point, an achievement former coaches had failed to accomplish. 2. Liverpool's Struggle to See Out Matches Despite the German playmaker finding the net, Arne Slot's team finished frustrated after letting a advantage slip versus Fulham. The issue of not managing to control matches when in the lead remains, with the team previously letting slip identical leads in earlier outings. Until Slot's men master the art of killing off matches, the quest promises to be a difficult process. Declan Rice Shows Faith In The Swedish Striker to Fire The Swedish forward is enduring a significant dry spell from open play, but his fellow star the England international is adamant the player is nonetheless hugely influential. Rice highlighted the striker's pressing and team-oriented efforts as integral to the league leaders form. "Good things are going to arrive," was the midfielder's confident message for his struggling teammate. Ruben Amorim Requires The Slovenian to Sharpen Up With the Red Devils adopting in a notably cautious fashion, the responsibility was placed on the forward pair to produce. While Matheus Cunha continued his impressive form, the summer signing endured another frustrating game. The Slovenian has hit the net hard to come by since his big-money switch and missed a late opportunity to snatch the game. The new year presents a pressing need for the striker to discover his form. 5. Le Fée Puts Spurs in a State of Confusion The Sunderland manager used Enzo Le Fée in a more defensive position at first, before releasing him further forward as the match wore on. The move turned out to be masterful, with Le Fée becoming the main instigator of his team's comeback for an leveler. Following glancing the woodwork, Le Fée delivered a exquisite pass for the crucial goal. Having settled in to the pace of the top flight, his campaign is on the rise. Nuno Espírito Santo Misses Chance to Use Pablo Felipe Amid an woeful defeat for the London club, manager Nuno opted against utilize any of his permitted bench players. Among them was recent acquisition Pablo Felipe, who watched on even with his club's complete failure to score. He reasoned it would have been "unfair" to introduce the fresh player into the action. But, with goals at a shortage, the need to blood the 22-year-old as soon as possible is painfully apparent. Lewis Miley Makes Yet Another Huge Statement The 19-year-old turned in another outstanding performance whilst filling in at right-back. He was impeccable in his defensive duties, set up the opening goal, and raised the tone in a scrappy affair. Now that established defenders returning, the dilemma for boss Eddie Howe is whether to fit the incredibly composed teenager in his preferred central midfield berth. "Next Newcastle teams will surely be designed around the lad," seems an a safe assessment. Could the Dyche Effect Fading at Forest? Sean Dyche's early impact at the club was admirable, but concerns are now arise about the side's versatility. Their transition threat exists, but appears less potent in the absence of key attackers. Whilst structured when sitting back, Dyche's men have looked vulnerable when needing to open up. Giving the ball away in those moments has proven costly, a lesson they need to address immediately. 9. Thiago's Goal Rush Stops The Bees' Poor Road Form The West London club produced a performance that contradicted their poor away record. Central to their impressive display was the prolific scoring of number nine the Brazilian. The striker's goals are offering a base for the team to progress. Winger the German international even suggested the lofty dream of a top-seven finish as a target, emphasizing the fresh confidence within the team. 10. Burnley