Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend

Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Bournemouth’s top-four statement, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Arsenal’s recruitment regret.

Cherries are in Champions League chase

Bournemouth sent the biggest statement of the weekend with a big win at Newcastle United. The home side were targeting a record-breaking 10th straight win in all competitions but were blown apart by Andoni Iraola’s men at St James’ Park. It’s now 10 unbeaten for the Cherries, who have been fearless in taking points from Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle in recent weeks.

Iraola’s side ran riot at St James’ Park despite the absence of a recognised forward, as Justin Kluivert helped himself to a hat-trick. Just five points separate the teams from fourth to 10th in the Premier League table with Bournemouth nestled right in the mix for Champions League qualification. Home clashes with Nottingham Forest and Liverpool are next up and an opportunity to make up ground on sides above them.

Can Calvert-Lewin kick on from here?

Footballers have a funny way of mocking writers. Ahead of the weekend, we had suggested Everton invite offers for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Out of contract in the summer and 16 games without a goal, his sale could provide much-needed funds for new manager David Moyes to invest. Moyes, however, retained faith in Calvert-Lewin this weekend and was rewarded.

The 27-year-old broke his goal drought with a wonderful opener against Spurs, as Everton claimed a crucial win at Goodison Park. It was the highlight of an exceptional all-round performance from the forward, who bullied the visitors throughout. On this form, he can have a huge role in Everton’s season. The challenge for Moyes is to coax the best from Calvert-Lewin more often.

Slot changes work a charm for Liverpool

Arne Slot’s double substitution at Nottingham Forest in midweek could not have been more perfect. Kostas Tsimikas’s first touch was the delivery for fellow substitute Diogo Jota to score with his first touch, just 21 seconds after their introduction.

This weekend, Slot’s changes again turned the result. Darwin Nunez came off the bench to score twice in stoppage time as Liverpool left it late to beat Brentford.

Nunez has struggled for favour this season but his chaotic style injected life into a Liverpool frontline that had laboured. With Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa also making encouraging cameos, Liverpool’s depth – and Slot’s clever choice of changes – ensured the table-topping Reds march on.

Are Arsenal set to rue recruitment?

From the outside, the lack of an out-and-out goalscorer was the obvious weakness in Mikel Arteta’s squad last summer. Formidable defensively and a threat from set-pieces, Arsenal appeared a reliable number nine away from taking that next step.

However, the summer passed without the signing of a striker, despite links to Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen. Since then, Arsenal rank only seventh in the Premier League for open-play goals and eighth for total shots, with a misfiring forward line leaving the North Londoners adrift in the title race. Despite 18 efforts on goal in the draw against Aston Villa, Emi Martinez was forced into just three saves of note.

January offers a chance to correct their error with plenty still on the line. But there has been little movement of note. With Manchester City set to snap up the free-scoring Omar Marmoush, could Arsenal have done more to bring in further firepower? The coming days could define their season.

Amorim in unenviable position

Ruben Amorim was blunt in his assessment of Manchester United – and himself – after defeat to Brighton this weekend.

Amorim has lost six league games since his arrival in November and has been placed in an unenviable position. Appointed based on his approach at Sporting, he has been tasked with implementing an entirely alien style, with players who do not suit his system, in the middle of a gruelling Premier League campaign.

Manchester United’s wing-backs were run ragged by Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma, with neither Diogo Dalot nor Noussair Mazraoui possessing the athleticism or defensive strength to thrive in Amorim’s 3-4-3. The best-suited wing-back in the squad, Amad Diallo, is better utilised further forward. Until additions can be made, and that’s likely to wait until the summer window, there looks set to be more suffering at Old Trafford.

Read – Premier League Awards: Nunez nicks it, Man United misery

See more – Premier League Team of the Week – Kluivert, Nunez, Foden

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