🔬The Debrief as Spurs run riot over Man City & controversy hits Chelsea

After the final international break of 2024, the Premier League returned to action on Saturday and did not disappoint.

Here’s what we made of it all.

What happened? 📝

📸 JUSTIN TALLIS – AFP or licensors

Enzo Maresca had a winning return to Leicester in the day’s early kick-off, as Chelsea delivered a 2-1 win over the Foxes at the King Power Stadium. Goals from the in-form Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernándes effectively sealed the points for the Blues with Leicester’s goal coming courtesy of a 95th minute Jordan Ayew penalty.

Arsenal impressed in a 3-0 win over previously high-flying Nottingham Forest with a goal and an assist for Bukayo Saka and a first Premier League goal for Ethan Nwanieri.

Aston Villa came back to take a point at home to Crystal Palace, as Ross Barkley headed home from a corner to earn a 2-2 draw. It’s now six games without a win in all competitions for Unai Emery’s side.

After big wins over both Arsenal and Manchester City, Bournemouth were sunk at home as ten-man Brighton battled to a 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium.

Strugglers Everton earned a valuable point at home to Brentford as Sean Dyche’s defence held firm to secure a 0-0 draw.

And things are looking up for Wolves as they recorded back-to-back wins for only their second three points of the season with a 4-1 win away at Fulham.

Player of the day 🔥

📸 Julian Finney – 2024 Getty Images

Matheus Cunha lifted Wolves to an emphatic win with an inspired performance.

The 25-year-old scored two goals and provided an assist as they demolished Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Boss Gary O’Neil couldn’t praise the star highly enough after the game.

“There’s no limit to where he can get to, ability wise. He’s going to stay at Wolves for as long as possible firstly but after that there’s no limit to where he can go.

“Everyone knows how important he is to us. This isn’t the Matheus who arrived at Wolves.

“His numbers, his hunger, his willingness to do the other side of it, he’s come on so much, he leads that and I love working with him, he can be a top player. He works every day to be as good as he can be.”

Photo of the day 📸

📸 Carl Recine – 2024 Getty Images

It was a reception fit for a Hollywood star.

The Etihad was in raptures as Rodri was presented with his Ballon d’Or on the pitch ahead of the game with Tottenham.

Man City’s first ever winner of the award will have certainly felt the love from all associated with the club, and boy, do they miss him.

Stat of the day 📊

Aside from signing a new deal with the club, this has not been a good period for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The Catalan tactician has now overseen an eye-watering five consecutive losses in charge of the Blues, a run that has set a number of negative stats.

Manchester City are now the first reigning English top-flight champions to lose five games in a row in all competitions since Chelsea in March 1956.

And with a Champions League clash at home to Feyenoord on Tuesday night, there’s very little time to make any meaningful changes to his side.

It surely won’t be six losses in a row, will it?

What this means 🤔

Manchester City now sit five points behind Liverpool, having played a game more. Tottenham now move into the top six, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest after they lost to Arsenal.

Wolves took themselves out of the bottom three with both Ipswich and Southampton playing higher level opposition on Sunday.

What they said 🗣️

📸 Michael Regan – 2024 Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca stuck up for his former player over a potential red card incident with Cole Palmer. “I don’t think the target is Cole,” he explained. “I said after the Man United game, when there is bad intention, it has to be a different punishment from the referee. I’m not saying Wilf had a bad intention because I love Wilf.”

Leicester’s Steve Cooper will have raised a few eyebrows with his comments about Andrew Madley. “We have had a tough season with the referee this year,” Cooper told reporters before hinting at recent controversy. “This is the last thing the PGMOL needed this weekend, it’s not just a performance like that, but it being the first game as well.”

After Aston Villa’s disappointing draw, Unai Emery admitted that letting in goals on the transition is a problem for his side. “We are conceding more goals than normal,” the Spanish boss confessed. “We have to try and find a solution.”

What comes next? ⏭️

There are two mouthwatering Premier League games to come on Sunday as league leaders Liverpool face struggling Southampton, and Rúben Anorim takes charge of Manchester United for the first time as they host Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.

📸 PAUL ELLIS – AFP or licensors