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The key talking points after the first weekend of Premier League resumption

The key talking points after the first weekend of Premier League resumption
© Reuters
Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Everton.

The resumption of the Premier League continued this weekend and here the PA News Agency picks out five talking points.

Title wait

The title may be all but in the bag but Everton managed to frustrate champions-elect Liverpool in a goalless derby at Goodison Park. Liverpool were not quite in the groove so it remains to be seen when, rather than if, the title is won. Manchester City's result against Burnley on Monday night will give us a clearer picture. If City drop points Liverpool could clinch it at Anfield against Palace on Wednesday night. If not, it's the small matter of City v Liverpool a week on Thursday.

Art failure

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal – Premier League – Amex Stadium
Mikel Arteta has overseen successive defeats for Arsenal (Mike Hewitt/NMC Pool/PA)

Those Arsenal fans who thought all their problems would disappear when they finally got rid of Arsene Wenger must now be pining for those heady days of fourth-placed finishes and stubborn philosophies. Unai Emery has been and gone and now Mikel Arteta is struggling to get the Gunners firing. It is back-back-defeats since the restart after Neal Maupay's last-gasp winner for Brighton.

Pog days are not over

Paul Pogba reminded us all that he still plays for Manchester United when he made his first appearance since Boxing Day. Not only that, he was really rather good in a 27-minute cameo during which he won the penalty which secured a 1-1 draw against Tottenham and his former United boss Jose Mourinho. Pogba continues to divide opinion, and it could be another false dawn, but clearly the talent is still there.

Tight at the bottom

West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League – London Stadium
West Ham have that sinking feeling after losing to Wolves (Ben Stansall/NMC Pool/PA)

The relegation field is narrowing following big wins for Newcastle and Southampton which should keep them out of harm's way. Of those still in trouble Brighton did themselves a power of good by beating Arsenal and Watford nicked a point off Leicester. The big losers were West Ham, Aston Villa and Bournemouth, who are level on 27 points with the Hammers just staying afloat above the drop zone.

It's Goal-inton

Just when we thought 2020 could not get any weirder, Joelinton scored a goal. Yes it was a tap-in. Yes it was the third goal in a 3-0 win against 10 men.  But to Newcastle's misfiring Brazilian striker it meant the world. Not for the first time Joelinton had missed a simple chance earlier on, but he recovered to grab only his second goal in 30 Premier League appearances, 301 days after his first, as the Magpies made short work of Sheffield United.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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