Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

4) Dyche and Burnley are still battling against the odds

Finally, Sean Dyche made a substitution, bringing on Joel Mumbongo, a forward without a senior goal in England – more than half an hour after Steve Bruce made his first changes, and more than 25 minutes since Allan Saint-Maximin had put Newcastle ahead. “We are putting on young players and they are putting on very good players,” reflected Dyche. “You look at some of the other teams and their benches. It is not a new thing. Today was quite obvious.” The difference in resources was symbolised by the sight of Bruce sending on the cavalry, in Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson. Dyche had no such luxury, his replacements consisting of youngsters, defenders and defensive midfielders. It did include his biggest summer signing, but Dale Stephens cost only £750,000. It will underline the achievement if Dyche steers Burnley to safety. Normally when it is said a manager needs new signings, it is an exaggeration. In Burnley’s case, it is true.

5) Trust Tuchel to decide Chelsea’s forward line

Thomas Tuchel cuffed away the invitation to give an easy headline: would he say this was his team’s best attacking performance yet? Actually no, he wouldn’t. A stroll past Crystal Palace is not the same as winning at Liverpool or Porto. In any case there was already an eloquent answer at Selhurst Park to calls for “a proper striker”, or the vague attempts to turn Tammy Abraham’s exclusion into some kind of cause. Tuchel knows what he wants, and believes, with time, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and a blend of his more technical, possession-friendly attackers might just make that system work. It deserves to be tested. And maybe it’s time to show a little more trust after seven weeks during which Tuchel has only ever been a bad half-hour from having his entire (German, technocrat) methodology questioned. This was the only real lesson of a brilliant opening half-hour here against semi-somnolent opponents: trust in Thomas.

6) Could Robinson earn himself a move from Fulham?

Adama Traoré’s last-gasp winner at Craven Cottage deflected attention from the nonsensical application of VAR that had denied Willian José his first Wolves goal. It also took the shine off an outstanding performance from the Fulham left wing-back Antonee Robinson, who was the game’s best player and – not for the first time – posed a constant menace from the flank. Robinson was at the heart of Fulham’s most promising moments while operating tenaciously in his own half too. Fulham are likely to go down if they cannot get something from the imminent visits to Arsenal and Chelsea, so their standout performers from this campaign may prove tempting fodder in the pre-season transfer market. Robinson, a tenacious and tricky runner with an excellent delivery, arrived for only £2m from Wigan in August but Fulham would make a handsome profit out of him now. 

7) Alexander-Arnold restores confidence before Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold turned the contest and the debate over England selection back in his favour with a 91st-minute winner against Aston Villa, although, in truth, Gareth Southgate’s dilemma was never about the right-back’s abilities in the opposition half of the pitch. More importantly for Jürgen Klopp, the defender’s goal also turned belief at Anfield for Liverpool before Real Madrid’s visit in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday. The Premier League champions had 23 shots on Saturday, 10 on target, which was a marked improvement on previous home games and reflection of an aggressive, sharp display. To have still been without a win at Anfield in 2021 would have intensified Liverpool’s problems before Madrid’s visit. Alexander-Arnold delivered a vital release. As Klopp said: “For us in the moment it is not that easy and we have to work really hard, we need to have five chances to score a goal or 10 to score a goal. This helps, of course.”

8) Martinelli brings cheer before Slavia tie

Sheffield United were ideal opposition for an Arsenal team trying to shake out their malaise before Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Slavia Prague. But Sunday night football came at the cost of Bukayo Saka limping off with a thigh injury that required ice. The sight of Gabriel Martinelli scoring was heartening. His last start came back on 30 January, his last goal in January 2020, when the world was a very different place. He and the busy Dani Ceballos indulged in the twinkling interplay that led to Alexandre Lacazette’s fine opening goal. While Martinelli and Saka’s futures seem secure, a few at Arsenal are playing for their futures. Granit Xhaka at left-back showed a willingness to put himself about, while Lacazette’s cool finish almost made up for a howling miss against Slavia. Nicolas Pépé, though, who did manage to score against Slavia, put in another performance to question just why Arsenal ended up paying £72m for him.

9) Noble proves admirable stand-in for Rice

It goes without saying that West Ham would like Declan Rice back as quickly as possible from his knee injury. The midfielder is their best player and they lack depth in his position. So far, though, West Ham have maintained their push for Champions League qualification without him. Mark Noble has not let anyone down after joining Tomas Soucek in the middle. Although the club captain’s legs are slowing down, he still offers plenty of knowhow and he had a good game in his side’s 3-2 win over Leicester at the London Stadium. Impressive on his 400th appearance for West Ham, Noble was solid positionally, strong in the tackle and decent on the ball. That said, West Ham should not be relying on the 33-year-old in the long run. They need to sign at least one midfielder this summer. If they qualify for Europe they probably need to buy two.

10) Rodgers’ point of principle comes with risk attached

There is never a good time to lose key players unnecessarily, and Brendan Rodgers’ intense frustration at the absence of James Maddison, Ayoze Pérez and Hamza Choudhury in the defeat by West Ham was entirely understandable. But their absence was not enforced: it was Rodgers’ decision to leave the trio out after they breached Covid-19 protocols the previous weekend. In the context of the battle for the Champions League places, it was a brave decision. The manager clearly felt that the principle was paramount, that he should make a point to his whole squad, regardless of how crucial the match at West Ham was. If the worst should happen and Leicester are eventually knocked out of the top four by West Ham and Chelsea come the end of the season, Rodgers will inevitably wonder if it was a point worth making. The fans and the powers-that-be at the club may wonder, too.