Following the closure of the January transfer window, teams in the Premier League headed into their first match since deadline day with the squads they hope can bring them success in the second half of the campaign.
In terms of the Premier League table, with the exception of the title race, we were left with more questions than answers as the race for Champions League places and the battle against relegation took many twists and turns throughout the weekend.
That doesn’t mean we had nothing to take away from a weekend of drama though as we look at the 10 things we learned from the latest round of fixtures.
Steven Bergwijn scored on his Tottenham debut as they defeated Manchester City 2-0
Blades have cutting edge for top four
The primary target for the season for Sheffield United was to stay up and even after a fantastic first half of the campaign that saw Chris Wilder’s side in and around the European positions, survival would have still been priority.
But as talk now starts to look towards ‘remaining fixtures’ opportunity knocks for Blades supporters to dream big. A gritty win at Crystal Palace leaves them just five points behind Chelsea in the race to reach the top four.
With supposed bigger rivals stumbling over each other this term, Sheffield United may perhaps never have a better chance to capitalise on the current feel-good factor around Bramall Lane and push for a Champions League place. They are by no means favourites but a perhaps once in a generation opportunity must be targeted now.
Sheffield United in their first season back in the Premier League continue to impress
Bowen must instantly hammer in goals
The table makes grim reading for West Ham United supporters. A failure to hold onto a 3-1 win over relegation rivals Brighton means they now flounder in the relegation zone.
On show was the total loss of confidence after the Seagulls, from looking well beaten with 15 minutes to play, suddenly swarmed all over the Hammers to secure a 3-3 draw.
But more of a concern is the striker crisis at the club. No forwards on their books have scored since New Year’s Day. David Moyes moved on deadline day to sign Hull’s in-form Jarrod Bowen, but he must make an instant impact upon stepping up from the Championship to get West Ham out the relegation mess they find themselves.
It is really a case of being thrown in the deep end for the £22m striker, with three of West Ham’s next four games coming away from home at Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Jarrod Bowen will be vital to West Ham’s attack in their battle against relegation
The 40 points mark may not be enough
Traditionally, 40 points is the pre-season target for any team whose aspirations are just staying in the Premier League.
Over many years it has been more than enough, with West Ham the last team to go down with a points total greater when they were relegated with 42 way back in 2003.
But right now 40 points does not look a safe bet. Watford, despite their loss against Everton, have looked competitive under Nigel Pearson down in 19th and are still in with a realistic chance of hitting the 40-point mark. Even Norwich below them are still showing fight in what is looking like the most competitive battle against relegation in years.
Despite defeat Nigel Pearson’s Watford look capable of beating the drop despite residing 19th
Liverpool already over Cup blip
While the destination of the Premier League title has looked pretty much certain since Christmas, the swashbuckling way in which Liverpool have been picking off opponents had shown signs of decreasing after they were held at Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.
Was it tiredness that saw them chuck away a 2-0 lead, maybe complacency? Or maybe it was simply a one-off result with a weak team?
Despite a battling display from Southampton, Liverpool still managed to rip them apart to record a 20th straight Premier League victory at home. In the history of the English top flight only Bill Shankly’s own Liverpool side have bettered that back in 1972. There is no stopping the Reds who are now 22 points clear at the top.
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring during Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Southampton at Anfield
Bruno has promise but Man Utd need more
All eyes were on Bruno Fernandes following his high profile £68million move from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United as he made his debut in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
While the Portuguese failed to improve United’s fortunes in front of goal in the 0-0 draw, there was enough in his performance to suggest he will be a good fit long term for the Red Devils.
The real issue for United is their problems are not just creative. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team lack cohesion all over the pitch, not helped by a lack of consistency from his stars. It’s going to take more than one January window to fix Manchester United’s issues.
Bruno Fernandes had a solid Man Utd debut but can not fix the club’s problems on his own
Cherries are up for the fight
Just over two weeks ago the Premier League table made for grim reading for Bournemouth fans, with their’s team’s terrible form having seen them go from seventh in November to second from bottom following a run of one win in 12.
Eddie Howe’s side had run into an injury crisis during that period but there appeared to be little sign of a fightback as they risked fading away with a whimper.
But consecutive wins at the Vitality Stadium first over Brighton and then over Aston Villa suggest Eddie Howe’s side are not ready to let their five-year Premier League stay come to an end just yet. Of course they are anything but safe but they look like they may have finally turned a corner.
Bournemouth have emerged from a recent slump to put together back-to-back wins
Everton more than just a soft touch
The setbacks have been ludicrous even by Everton’s standards this term. Recently they have thrown away 2-0 leads in stoppage time against Newcastle, while also losing to bitter rivals Liverpool despite the Reds putting out a reserve side in an FA Cup clash.
Carlo Ancelotti’s methods may be starting to bleed into the Toffees though, who were up against it twice at Watford.
After a Yerry Mina double in first half stoppage time saw them come from 2-0 down, the Toffees rallied again following Fabian Delph’s red card to grab a winner at Vicarage Road through Theo Walcott’s first goal of the season. They do have the ability to rough it out after all.
Theo Walcott’s first goal of the season helped 10-man Everton secure a late win at Watford
Arsenal are top ‘draw’
Only unbeaten Liverpool have lost fewer than Arsenal’s six games this term but a division high of 13 draws means they are 10 points off Chelsea heading into the winter break.
Mikel Arteta has improved Arsenal’s performances in general but the latest stalemate – a fourth in a row – at Burnley once again saw them waste good chances to convert decent displays into maximum points
Their inability to grab a winning goal of late is costing them vital points and they are now without a top flight victory since New Year’s Day – even if they remain undefeated during that period.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reflects as Arsenal once again blew chances to win at Burnley
VAR does work when used correctly
The debate over VAR has fast become a cliche following a season of controversial decisions regarding millimeters for offside calls and inconsistency in its use.
Most of its controversy involves how it is being implemented, but we are seeing improvements in this area. Andy Madley’s use of the pitch-side monitor helped him make the correct call to rescind his red card for Joel Ward in Crystal Palace’s clash with Sheffield United.
But at Tottenham it took a puzzling two minutes to award a certain looking penalty in Manchester City’s favour after Serge Aurier brought down Sergio Aguero. Both decisions were correct though. This is a positive case for VAR’s use and indicates that the format just needs better implementation from those using it.
Referee Andy Madley used the pitchside monitor to overturn an incorrect call he had made
Mourinho’s Tottenham starting to tick
Tottenham have been treading water since Jose Mourinho took over, but there are encouraging signs that the north London side are heading in the right direction under the ‘special one’.
Spurs’s season looked in severe doubt after Harry Kane’s New Year’s Day hamstring injury was followed by Mourinho being left frustrated at going the whole January transfer window without being able to find a replacement.
But one of his new signings in Steven Bergwijn scored on his debut as Spurs saw off champions Manchester City and it leaves them just four points off the top four.
Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham may finally be turning a corner after their win over City