🔬 The debriefing on Saturday’s stunning Premier League action

Five matches took place on Saturday on a shortened day of Premier League football.

This is what we made of the action.

What happened? 📝

Manchester City dropped further points as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

📸 Ryan Pierse – 2024 Getty Images

There were no such problems for Aston Villa, who edged past Southampton 1-0 thanks to a Jhon Duran goal, while Brentford defeated Newcastle in a six-goal thriller at the G-Tech Arena.

Then, Nottingham Forest caused a shock as they defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in 30 years, holding on for a 3-2 win against Amorim’s side.

Meanwhile, the Merseyside derby was postponed due to Storm Darragh.

Player of the Day 🔥

Will Hughes may not have been on many people’s playing lists this weekend, but the Crystal Palace midfielder had a fantastic afternoon against Manchester City.

Facing Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, it was the Palace veteran who came out on top, providing assists for both of his side’s goals.

He hadn’t even scored one this season before facing Guardiola!

Statistic of the day 📊

Now look away, Manchester City fans….

What this means 🤔

📸Mike Hewitt – 2024 Getty Images

Manchester City has reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table by a point, but The Reds can now boast a match lead.

Brentford have put several sides ahead with their victory over Newcastle, just behind sixth-placed Aston Villa in seventh. Meanwhile, it is Nottingham Forest who are fifth after their victory over Manchester United, who themselves dropped to thirteenth place.

Further on, Crystal Palace moved one point above the relegation zone, but Southampton remain rooted to the bottom, eight points from safety and in danger of being left adrift.

What they said 🗣

📸 Ryan Pierse – 2024 Getty Images

Pep Guardiola wanted to take the positives from his team’s draw against Crystal Palace: “We have a lot of problems within the team. We fought incredibly, we gave everything, we got the point. Long balls, second balls, they are stronger than us “We started the second half a bit sloppy and after the 2-1 we responded well, we scored in the second half, but in the end we couldn’t win by 10. We didn’t attack the ball well, but sometimes this happens.”

Unai Emery, Meanwhile, he wanted his side to be more clinical against Southampton, saying: “During the 90 minutes we had chances to score more goals but at times they dominated possession. Today we kind of managed the game plan to try and get the way find to win.”

And Eddie Howe had plenty to say after Newcastle conceded four:

“Really frustrating, we’re really disappointed with the way we conceded the goals. It’s not even individual mistakes, there are two or three actions I’m not happy with for every goal. We have to do better in those situations. “

“We controlled the game in the first half, but after the third goal it disappeared from us. We looked like a good attacking unit, but we have to coordinate everything and that has led to inconsistent results.”

📸 OLI SCARFF – AFP or licensors

Under pressure Russel Martin continued to support his playing style despite another defeat, saying: “[We] Played good football, twice on goal and it all came to nothing. The boys try and give it their all. That’s all we can ask for. There’s not really a lack of conviction and quality of decision-making in the final third.”

And the boss of Manchester United Reuben Amorim lamented the lack of creativity on his part. “At half-time we were ready to go for the win, but started very badly with two goals. We didn’t have many situations to score, but we have to keep going. They managed to score again, and it’s difficult.” because of the job you have.”

But Chris Wood after becoming Nottingham Forest’s record goalscorer in the Premier League. “It’s just finding an area that creates confusion with my drop-in. It’s fantastic, it’s nice that I can continue to do well for the team and score as many goals as possible,” he said.

What’s next? 👀

Weather permitting, the Premier League continues on Sunday with Arsenal in action against Fulham, before Chelsea take on Tottenham in the later match.

Then, on Monday, Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil clash as both under-pressure managers desperate for three points.

📸 OLI SCARFF – AFP or licensors