Manchester City had a sensational 4-4 draw against Chelsea, where they blew the lead three times, leaving the defending champions just one point clear at the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool and Arsenal comfortably won their matches against Brentford and Burnley at home, respectively, to close in on the leaders. However, Newcastle had a poor weekend as the injury-ravaged Magpies were defeated 2-0 by lowly Bournemouth.
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English Premier League talking points
AFP Sports looks at three talking points from the Premier League. Chelsea was well worthy of at least a share of the spoils against Manchester City, proving they can compete with the best. On the other hand, Newcastle is facing a financial crisis.
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What has Chelsea FC proved?
Chelsea has shown that they can mix it with the best, but the task now is to find the solution to break down deep-lying defenses and move swiftly up the table.
Liverpool’s return to challenging for the title is being built around making Anfield a fortress to be feared once more. Mohamed Salah has been central to that success, breaking multiple records in English football.
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“Just an exceptional player,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. “The composure for the first goal is insane. “There is no doubt when the ball is in that area, in the end, you see it on the scoresheet.”
Newcastle financial situation
Newcastle may be backed by the seemingly endless resources of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, but Eddie Howe is fast running out of options on the field.
The Magpies were without 11 first-team players for Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth and lost Miguel Almiron to another injury during the first half.
Howe admitted a seventh game in 21 days was “one too far” for his side. The surprise decision not to bolster Howe’s squad more thoroughly in the summer transfer market is now coming back to bite.
Bottom of their Champions League group, Newcastle are also languishing in seventh in the Premier League table after failing to win half of their 12 games so far.
© Agence France-Presse
