How will Man City react to Euro disaster?
One Sunday evening, after Manchester City had smashed six goals past hapless Ipswich Town, all was well in the world for Pep Guardiola. Their biggest win of the season saw City once again resembling the team that had won the previous four Premier League titles.
Phil Foden showed the form that earned him last season's PFA Player of the year award by scoring two and setting-up another, Erling Haaland celebrated his new 10-year contract extension with a goal while the defence enjoyed an all-too rare clean sheet.
“We are really pleased, we are back to doing things that define this team for the last 10 years,” said manager Pep Guardiola after the match.
Fast-forward three days, and a very different picture had emerged as the team's recent flaws returned in spectacular fashion. A two-goal lead was thrown away as City collapsed to a 4-2 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, leaving their Champions League hopes very much in the balance.
“We scored the first goal, we could not control it,” admitted a stunned Guardiola. “They were quicker, faster, stronger … to defend the result you have to keep the ball and we did not do that.”
The Spaniard will be hoping for an instant reaction from his shell-shocked players when City entertain Chelsea on Saturday. The match could see defender Abdukodir Khusanov and attacker Omar Marmoush make their Sky Blue debuts at the Etihad Stadium.
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Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola looks dejected during his side's 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. EPA -
Erling Haaland of Manchester City after their defeat. EPA -
Paris Saint-Germain's players celebrate their victory. AFP -
Paris Saint-Germain's players celebrate. AFP -
Paris Saint-Germain's Portuguese forward Goncalo Ramos celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal. AFP -
Paris Saint-Germain's Goncalo Ramos after his goal. AFP -
Paris Saint-Germain's players celebrate. AFP -
PSG's head coach Luis Enrique. AP -
Erling Haaland of Manchester City scores to make it 2-0. EPA -
Manchester City's English midfielder Jack Grealish is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal. AFP
Can Salah continue red-hot form?
Having just fallen to a humiliating home defeat last weekend, Ipswich now face the unenviable task of taking on runaway leaders Liverpool at Anfield.
The rampant Reds are six points clear at the top, with a game in hand, having scored the most top-flight goals (50) and conceded the least (20), losing just once in 21 matches.
They enjoy an even better record in Europe with their midweek win over Lille making it seven Champions League win out of seven in the revamped competition, their last-16 spot safely secured.
Egyptian hotshot Mohamed Salah made it 50 goals in Europe for Liverpool by notching against the Ligue 1 outfit and his total of 39 goal involvements across all competitions is the highest of any player in Europe's big five leagues.
“Something I'm very happy and proud of, especially as we won the game because that's the important thing,” Salah said of reaching the half-century mark.
And, tantalisingly for Liverpool fans, the 32-year-old also suggested that all hope is not lost that he might yet sign a new deal with the club. “I'm not sure about that but I'll give it my best,” he added in a week when he has yet again been linked with a summer move to the Saudi Pro League.
Salah tops the Premier League scoring and assists charts – with 18 and 13, respectively – and will fancy his chances of adding to those hauls against third-bottom Ipswich on Saturday.
Who comes out on top in battle of surprise packages?
Saturday also sees the season's two big surprise packages go head-to-head on the south coast when seventh-placed Bournemouth take on third-top Nottingham Forest.
The Cherries go into the game on the back of ending Newcastle United's nine-game win streak with a sensational 4-1 victory at St James' Park, which saw Justin Kluivert score his second hat-trick of the season.
“It was very, very good. I am very proud of the players,” said manager Andoni Iraola. “It is difficult to find a better win, it is very difficult.”
It was by no means the first time this season that Iraola's side have upset the top-flight's supposed bigger hitters, with Bournemouth having already beaten the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
Forest, meanwhile, are enjoying an even better campaign sitting level on points with second-place Arsenal – all the more surprising when you consider they finished last season one spot outside the relegation zone.
But Forest were given a scare by rock-bottom Southampton last week when they almost squandered a three-goal lead on their way to a 3-2 win – their seventh in eight games
“It was a warning,” said manager Nuno Espirito Santo. “It was a warning for everybody to realise that this league is very tough. You have to give your all and cannot ever underestimate or think the game is over.”
Postecoglou v Van Nistelrooy – who will win sack race?
While Bournemouth and Forest are enjoying seasons to remember, the same can certainly not be said of Tottenham and Leicester.
Last week, Tottenham were beaten 3-2 at Everton – a result that flattered the North London club rather than the struggling Merseysiders who were leading 3-0 at the break.
Manager Ange Postecoglou is attempting to navigate his way through an injury crisis that has contributed to his team losing seven times in their past 10 league games.
But fan patience is wearing thin with Spurs languishing down in 15th place, eight points above the drop zone.
“We're in a tough moment with a very depleted squad,” admitted midfielder James Maddison, while Postecoglou pointed to the fact he “literally had 11 players fit enough to start the game” at Goodison Park.
Second-bottom Leicester, meanwhile, have now lost seven of the nine league games Ruud van Nistelrooy has been in charge of.
Foxes fans targeted the beleaguered Dutchman with chants of “you don't know what you're doing” in the second half of their 2-0 home loss to Fulham.
“Today was extremely disappointing because it wasn't good enough in all aspects of the game,” van Nistelrooy said afterwards. “We have to deal with it. We cannot change it. We have to face it.”
Former manager Steve Cooper was sacked after just 12 matches in charge, Van Nistelrooy is in danger of going even quicker.
