Harry Kane’s injury left Tottenham often looking toothless and relying on their defence but Christian Eriksen doing anything meaningful had become a feature of their play for much of October and November.
It may be Kane’s return, but something has clearly re-awoken in the Dane and he’s been brilliant in their last two games, with three goals and an assist. Spurs need him to be.
When Liverpool lose, they do it spectacularly: whether it be battering Burnley and not scoring or shipping three against Bournemouth in the last 14 minutes. On both occasions there’s been a notable absence from the teamsheet – Joel Matip.
The Cameroon centre-back has added some much-needed physical presence and aerial domination to a defensive unit that continues to hold them back.
Liverpool's PL stats with/without Joël Matip.
— Joseph Musker (@Musker_LFC) December 4, 2016
With: P 11, W 8, D 3, L 0, F 28, A 9, PPG 2.5.
Without: P 3, W 1, D 0, L 2, F 7, A 9, PPG 1. pic.twitter.com/JBdQP7PuRr
Pep Guardiola will turn to Kelechi Iheanacho for Man City’s next four games. The Nigerian is undoubtedly one of the most talented attacking players in world football but needs to show consistency and composure in dealing with the pressure of having to fire his team to wins over Leicester (A), Watford (H), Arsenal (H) and Hull (A).
By December 31 we should have found out a little more about the 20-year-old.
Kelechi Iheanacho.
Like Leicester, the stock response when it comes to West Ham lying 17th is that they’re in a “false position”. Opposition managers are merely being polite because, after getting lucky at United last weekend, fate caught up with them with a truly horrendous display against Arsenal.
Slaven Bilic seems genuinely surprised at how bad they’ve been. That itself is a worry because it implies he may not have the remedy.
Slaven Bilic: "I must say sorry to the fans, the club and everyone associated with West Ham because it was not good enough." pic.twitter.com/ThiskI1uWb
— Uber West Ham (@UberWestHam) December 3, 2016
Only eight teams in the Premier League have a positive goal difference and while that has led to some entertaining clashes in the main, it also highlights the dreadful defending and goalkeeping on show each week.
Man City, Leicester, West Ham, Swansea, Crystal Palace, Hull… it’s difficult to choose a ‘worst defence in the league’ as each possess they own unique failings.
