From his touchline handbag with his manager in London a week ago to his individual performance of enthusiasm and efficiency that accompanied collective success, Mohamed Salah was smiling again. Much has been written and said about the Egyptian forward, his recent struggles, future and actions. But with a storied career like his, you have to put aside the noise and recommit to the inner wiring where only the best people exist. Salah was strong against Tottenham, hitting a shot from a cross onto the bar and forcing a strong save from Guglielmo Vicario within the first 10 minutes. He was hit by the post moments later, but the offside flag was also raised. The goal came just 16 minutes later. He made a great move at the far post and hit a clinical header. He took part in Liverpool's build-up to the final three goals, giving Jurgen Klopp a glorious afternoon of sunshine at Anfield and giving him a fist pump as the final walk-off inched closer. Taha Hashim
If Gary O'Neill's rant against referees had any purpose beyond venting his own anger, it could be based on Sir Alex Ferguson's old principle of questioning the subconscious of referees and making them say: It must make you think. about this? I don't want him to get angry at me. ” It didn't work. Perhaps his argument is that a player standing two feet in front of an opposing goalkeeper is not a nuisance, like the player who was given a touchline ban and £8,000 fine after the West Ham game. Probably not the best way to tell. But Saturday brings the total number of extremely soft penalties awarded against Wolves this season to three. Rayan Ait Nouri's attempt to meet Bernardo Silva's cross was slightly delayed by Josko Gvardiol's, resulting in the Croatian running into him. It had no malicious intent and was not attempting to cheat or profit from it. Is it really a foul and not just a collision? Jonathan Wilson
If Tottenham's collapse helped Aston Villa win the Champions League, Unai Emery's side are showing the fatigue that every Premier League manager in Europe has complained about. It turns out. Manager Jurgen Klopp picked up the hobby horse last Friday with a view to TV schedulers. Roberto de Zerbi expressed sympathy for Villa, who was struck by fatigue at an inopportune time. “I understand that better than a lot of other people,” he said, recalling Brighton's Europa League adventures and the fallout for his own team. “From Roma until now, we haven't won that many games, we've lost too many games and they're struggling.'' Villa have hit a similar wall, with a trip to Olympiakos on Thursday. They must somehow find a way to get back into the Europa Conference League semi-final second leg. “I want to get the freshness and energy back,” Emery said. “Thursday will be more difficult, but we'll come out there and try to do something different.” John Brewin
For years, Mikel Arteta has been like a cat on a hot tin roof in and around the technical area. But in recent weeks his behavior has become a little more Zen-like. This probably reflects how the players are approaching this title fight. Arteta said as much after the 3-0 win over Bournemouth, praising his team: “We're happy with this journey to be in the title race at this stage of the season.” It's a stark contrast to Arsenal last season, and it shows in their results, with the only blemish in their seven games since the start of April being a home loss to Aston Villa. Last April, Arsenal dropped points in four consecutive games and conceded the title to Manchester City. Josep Guardiola's side may still win this season, but Arteta's side at least did the right thing in the heat of battle and showed they can withstand pressure. Dominic Booth
Chelsea is learning. There was a self-inflicted fracas during last month's 6-0 win over Everton when Nicholas Jackson and Noni Madueke tried to snatch a penalty from Cole Palmer. Mauricio Pochettino was furious and criticized the young players' immaturity. However, the atmosphere changed after Chelsea's 5-0 win over West Ham. Pochettino was delighted with Maduke when the winger broke over the top of the goal and passed the ball to Jackson, who scored Chelsea's fourth goal. It would have been easy for Maduke to shoot. Instead, he gave his teammates the lead. “The assist from Noni to Jackson showed that we are learning and that we are smart,” Chelsea's head coach said. “In the penalty situation against Everton, we received so much criticism, but a young team always needs to make mistakes. We always need to feel the situation in order to improve. It was a wonderful action by Noni that showed that she had begun to have faith. jacob steinberg
Saturday's victory over Sheffield United put Nottingham Forest in a strong position to secure their Premier League retention, perhaps befitting a club that has brought as much drama off the field as on it this season. , a similar outcome is likely in the coming days. important. Forest are currently three points clear of Luton and five points clear of Burnley, and have the advantage on goal difference, meaning they only need one more win to secure safety. Things will get even better if their appeal against a four-point penalty this season is resolved in their favor by Saturday's game against Chelsea. If Forest are given one point back on appeal, Burnley will essentially be relegated. If we can somehow regain all four points, the relegation battle will be over without anyone kicking a ball. Nuno admitted after Saturday's game that it wasn't fair to anyone, but whatever happens next, he and his players want their football to be part of the conversation at least once. It means you have given permission. aaron bower
Jacob Murphy contributed to Newcastle's three goals against Burnley on Saturday. Although he was never the most high-profile winger and spent most of his Newcastle career as a team player, making more substitute appearances than starts in the league, Eddie calls Murphy the “ultimate professional”.・There was little to disappoint Howe. This season he has been able to spend more time on the pitch thanks to injuries and his own excellent form when given the opportunity to start. At Turf Moor, Murphy played a central role on the right flank under adjusted formations and very specific instructions, with the winger given much of the attacking and defensive responsibility. He remained calm in dangerous positions and Newcastle benefited from that. Every squad needs a Murphy, that's the law. I can't win
For the second week in a row, Tottenham's resistance came after the result had been decided. In the match against Arsenal, the scoreline of 3-0 in the first half turned into a 3-2 defeat. At Anfield, goals from Richarlison and Son Heung-min thwarted a potential rout and made life a little easier for Liverpool in the final quarter. Manager Ange Postecoglou doesn't seem to be one to shut up shop and save face, and after his side conceded a fourth goal, he brought on Richarlison and James Maddison in what he believed was still an unlikely possibility. However, a promising opening game for Postecoglou was marred by two difficult developments in the league. They have one point from five games in November and December, and are currently on a four-game losing streak for the first time in almost 20 years. A fifth place finish isn't entirely certain either, with Manchester City still a ways off and Newcastle also making a comeback. T.H.
Luton Town have been left with a major headache after losing Elijah Adebayo to injury for two months. Defenders don't like to mark the 26-year-old. It's Adebayo's first time in the Premier League, but he's progressing well. However, when he was injured in February, Luton struggled to lead from the front. The treatment room was full, but Rob Edwards' side felt the absence of Adebayo the most. Their threat has diminished and their chances of breaking out of the bottom three are gone. Friday night's draw with Everton seemed to all but seal Luton's fate. Although Edwards knew he needed a win, he may be satisfied with the impact Adebayo has had on returning to the starting lineup. He scored a strong game-tying goal (his 10th goal of the season) and was on target from start to finish. Perhaps if Luton go down, some teams will take notice of Adebayo. He could be a smart signing for those looking for a striker this summer. jacob steinberg
It is widely accepted that there is only room for either Ivan Toney or Ollie Watkins in England's squad for the current European Championship. The Brentford forward has been in excellent form since serving an eight-month gambling ban with four goals in five games, scoring in his first start for England against Belgium in March. However, he currently has no goals in 10 league games. The goal could not have come at a worse time for the forward, who was looking to impress Gareth Southgate with his future at the club uncertain as he is expected to leave Brentford this summer. However, club manager Thomas Frank believes there will be no impact. He said: “I'm sure Gareth knows who he wants to appoint. I don't think it means anything if there's a bit of a dip in form.” “Something is different when you play in the Euros. If you are fit, that is the most important thing. Different tournament, different environment, different energy.” ben bloom