Erling Haaland’s missed penalty and Bruno Fernandes’ recent dismissal greatly added to the difficulties faced by both Manchester City and Manchester United on an arduous day for the iconic Premier League teams.
Meanwhile, Liverpool enjoyed a different narrative, as they overcame Leicester 3-1 amidst foggy conditions at Anfield, pulling seven points ahead at the top of the league as they near the halfway mark of the season.
Manchester City struggled again, managing only a 1-1 draw against Everton at home. Haaland had his penalty attempt saved by English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 53rd minute, marking a continuation of City’s dismal performance that has seen them win just once in their last 13 matches across all competitions. Pep Guardiola, the City manager, acknowledged the pressing need for new signings in the January transfer window to remedy the team’s current slump.
“The winter transfer window can be a challenge, but everyone, including the players, understands that we need to bring in fresh talent,” Guardiola stated, as he has faced significant injury setbacks this season, including the absence of key players like Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
In contrast, Manchester United has found itself even deeper in trouble, sitting in 14th place after suffering a 2-0 defeat against struggling Wolverhampton. The United squad played nearly the entire second half a man down after Fernandes received a second yellow card shortly after halftime. The dismissal was Fernandes’ third red card this season, although one was subsequently overturned.
Liverpool took advantage of Chelsea’s dropped points in a late loss to Fulham, as they rallied from an early concession against Leicester. Goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Mohamed Salah secured the victory for Liverpool.
Nottingham Forest surprised many with a 1-0 win over Tottenham, placing them solidly in third place.
City’s recent performance is troubling, having garnered only five league points since late October. Despite taking the lead through Bernardo Silva’s deflected shot in the 14th minute, they allowed Everton to equalize with Iliman Ndiaye scoring in the 36th minute. Meanwhile, Haaland’s struggles continued as he has only netted once in his last seven outings. He did manage to convert a rebound after his penalty failure, but that goal was disallowed for offside.
Even with 18 goals across 25 matches this season, the Norwegian forward has not scored during a win since late October. Guardiola commented on the team’s inability to convert their numerous chances into victories, stating, “We create plenty of opportunities in the box, but sadly, we haven’t achieved the results we set out for.” This challenging stretch has seen City’s league position sink, and they are now on the verge of being eliminated from the English League Cup and face a critical battle for Champions League qualification, hovering just one point above the cutoff line with two matches remaining.
Wolverhampton capitalized on a direct corner for their opening goal against United, as Brazil’s Matheus Cunha scored in the 58th minute, with the striker asserting the importance of shooting practice. Wolves secured a second goal in stoppage time, extending their winning streak since Vitor Pereira took over as manager, with Cunha now tallying 10 goals this season.
Salah found the back of the net again, solidifying his lead in the Golden Boot race with 16 goals this season, while also marking his remarkable scoring streak in nine of the last ten league matches. Liverpool remains unbeaten in their last 20 matches across all competitions, with their only defeat this season during a home match against Nottingham Forest in September under new coach Arne Slot.
“This year feels different,” Salah reflected on Liverpool’s title chances. “However, it is crucial for us to maintain our humility.” Meanwhile, Chelsea continues to falter, dropping points in consecutive matches after a goalless draw with Everton last week. Following a promising start with a goal from Cole Palmer, Chelsea conceded twice late against Fulham, marking Fulham’s first win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years.
Arsenal now has the opportunity to leapfrog to second place if they manage to secure a win against Ipswich on Friday.
Nottingham Forest’s impressive form carried on as Anthony Elanga secured a late winner against Tottenham, placing them just a point behind Chelsea. Aston Villa faced difficulties early on against Newcastle, suffering a red card and conceding three goals in a heavy defeat. West Ham, despite injury troubles in the first half, managed to edge past Southampton with a narrow 1-0 victory, showcasing their resilience in challenging circumstances.
