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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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Dani Ceballos celebrates scoring for Arsenal on October 3, 2019
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


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