Premier League Talking Points: Chelsea Feeling Blue As Man City Rediscover Their Spark

Liverpool maintained a commanding seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League following a tense 2-1 victory over Wolves on Sunday, which came in response to Arsenal’s impressive 2-0 win against Leicester just a day before.

Manchester City secured a significant victory in the competition for a spot in next season’s Champions League by overpowering Newcastle with a score of 4-0, while both Nottingham Forest and Chelsea faced defeats.

Sportxparte highlights three key discussion points from the Premier League weekend.

Tension increases in the battle for the title

Liverpool looked out of sight in the title race until Everton brought the house down in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park with a 98th-minute equalizer in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw.

Arsenal capitalized on the opportunity to narrow the gap at the top to four points when substitute striker Mikel Merino scored twice in the last 10 minutes against Leicester.

Under pressure for practically the first time in Arne Slot’s reign, Liverpool nearly crumbled, despite racing into a 2-0 lead over Wolves.

Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah converted penalties to give the Reds an early lead; however, Anfield was filled with tension as the visitors pushed for an equalizer after Matheus Cunha narrowed the scoreline.

Liverpool has a huge 10 days ahead in their bid to win a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

After visits to Aston Villa and City, they host Newcastle at Anfield, and there are finally chinks in the armor to give Arsenal encouragement.

“In a season where you want to achieve something, you need to have wins like this as well,” said Slot.

“We had to show a different mentality and got it over the line.”

Chelsea Feeling Blue

Enzo Maresca encouraged his Chelsea players to adopt a more positive attitude in light of concerns over Cole Palmer’s body language during the disappointing 3-0 loss at Brighton on Friday.

Palmer cut a frustrated figure at the Amex Stadium as Chelsea followed their FA Cup exit against Brighton with another limp display in the rematch six days later.

The 22-year-old went straight down the tunnel at full-time before being asked to return to the pitch to acknowledge the disgruntled Chelsea fans.

“Football is a team game, it’s not tennis; it’s not only Cole Palmer who is frustrated,” Chelsea boss Maresca said.

“In one way it can show the desire of Cole to improve things. But it’s not just about Cole, it’s about all the players.”

Chelsea have managed to secure only two victories in their last nine Premier League matches, causing them to drop from potential title contenders to sixth place in the standings.

Maresca labeled his side’s meek surrender as the worst display of his reign, but he is seeking more positivity to turn their fortunes around.

“We need all of them at this moment to be more positive because this is a moment where we need to stick together and try to finish in the best way.”

New faces refresh Manchester City

City’s Champions League setback, surrendering a 2-1 lead with just five minutes remaining to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid in the first leg of their playoff tie, serves as another indication this season of an aging squad struggling to maintain its stamina.

In between two draining clashes against the European champions, the visit of Newcastle to the Etihad spelled danger for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Instead, they put in arguably their best performance of the season, thanks in large part to a trio of new signings.

Although Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Abdukodir Khusanov did not start in the first leg against Madrid, all three are expected to be strong contenders for a starting position at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Marmoush scored a first-half hat-trick with his first goal for the club, Gonzalez earned comparisons to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri from Guardiola for his control of the midfield, and Khusanov brings some much-needed speed to City’s defense.

Although it may be too late to salvage City’s pursuit of a second Champions League title, the trio could play a crucial role in helping the English champions secure qualification for the tournament next season.

City climb back into fourth and have third-placed Forest in their sights, just three points ahead.