We reflect on Saturday's Premier League action as Liverpool suffer shock loss to Bournemouth; Man City show title rivals Arsenal they can also win late on; Chelsea demonstrate green shoots of recovery under Graham Potter; Kaoru Mitoma continues to be Brighton's shining light
Sunday 12 March 2023 12:33, UK
Rarely has a Premier League team lurched between extremes quite like this Liverpool side. Six days on from their historic 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United comes a 1-0 reverse to a relegation-threatened Bournemouth outfit they beat 9-0 earlier in the season.
"What can I say?" said a baffled Jurgen Klopp afterwards. "It was never really our game."
That said, they started promisingly enough, creating a flurry of chances as they sought to pick up where they left off at Anfield, but opportunities were passed up and, at the other end, familiar issues resurfaced as Gary O'Neil's side grew in confidence.
Most of the problems stemmed from the right-hand side, where Dango Ouattara repeatedly got in behind Liverpool's ragged defensive line. It was one such instance that yielded the goal and the visitors were fortunate not to have been punished earlier.
Virgil van Dijk, once imperious at the heart of this Liverpool defence, was far too easily beaten when it came, with Philip Billing left in space to dispatch the finish from the centre of the box.
Liverpool never really got to grips with Ouattara, who continued to threaten on the break deep into the second half, and there were problems in midfield too. At times, a lack of intensity and control. At others, a complete lack of imagination on the ball.
That lack of imagination was never clearer than in the closing stages of the game. Mohamed Salah's missed penalty came on 69 minutes. In the remaining 26, including stoppage time, and despite the urgency of the situation, they mustered only two shots.
It spoke to a complete lack of confidence as well as a lack of creativity and imagination, and that despite events at Anfield only six days earlier, when they looked back to their devastating best.
It turns out it was just another mirage. This Liverpool team are fragile, in every sense, capable of brilliance in bursts, but just as quick to show their worst selves. This was a case of the latter.
Nick Wright
Bournemouth had numerous candidates for the player of the match award at the Vitality Stadium. Dango Ouattara was one. Marcos Senesi and Lloyd Kelly others. But Philip Billing had as strong a claim as anyone.
The Dane's goal, his second in a week after he struck inside 10 seconds against Arsenal, was clinically taken, albeit against an obliging Liverpool defence, and it was just one of many moments which caught the eye.
There were marauding runs, smart interceptions and well-timed tackles, the 26-year-old contributing at both ends of the pitch, and most striking of all, particularly in contrast to the sluggishness of Liverpool's midfielders, was the intensity with which he did it.
Billing only spent 69 minutes on the pitch before his second-half substitution, his early withdrawal a testament to how he had run himself into the ground in pursuit of victory, but Premier League tracking data showed he still made more high-intensity sprints (22) than anyone in Liverpool colours.
In fact, only one player on either side - Ouattara - beat his total. "We had to be diligent," said Billing in his post-match TV interview. He typified that diligence as much as anyone. How Liverpool would love to have a midfielder like him right now.
Nick Wright
You do have to question how many late goals will play a part in this title race.
Arsenal have been the recent masters of that particular art, with their last-gasp wins over Aston Villa and Bournemouth. This time, it was Manchester City hitting all the classic cliches.
Their 1-0 win at Crystal Palace saw the likes of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish having off days, Erling Haaland was missing sitters and there was a brief moment where Palace were growing in confidence and looked like they were capable of grabbing something.
However, up stepped Haaland to the penalty spot and the pressure is on Arsenal again. But it's not just the Norwegian's mentality, nor the 28 goals this season. It was the jink and swerve from Rodri in the move that won City a corner, then a penalty. The solidity of Ruben Dias at the back and the coolness of Kevin De Bruyne when he came on.
This was a reminder that City, despite Arsenal's recent heroics, are the mentality kings desperate to get back their crown.
Sam Blitz
This week might turn out to be the most important of Graham Potter's Chelsea tenure.
Just when patience was beginning to run out, Potter has earned three crucial victories to improve the mood at Stamford Bridge with confidence growing.
A switch to three at the back has made them more potent in front of goal, but the return of Ben Chilwell and Mateo Kovacic coupled with the performances of Wesley Fofana in defence have been pivotal.
Kai Havertz looks to have rediscovered his confidence, Enzo Fernandez is blossoming and even Mykhailo Mudryk enjoyed his best performance to date.
But they've not completely turned the corner yet. Conor Gallagher still had to clear off the Chelsea line and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missed a sitter in the second half - the fine margins went their way.
Potter would have taken these three wins in any way they came, knowing victories are the only genuine way to build togetherness within a bloated squad.
There is a long, long way to go in the Potter project, but finally, they're showing signs of being on the right track.
David Richardson
Kaoru Mitoma's potential has been unleashed. What a breath of fresh air the Japan international is. Wonderful to watch - inventive and stylish but also dogged and determined. He is Brighton's creative catalyst. It's hard to believe that the flourishing forward only managed one start this season under former boss Graham Potter. What an oversight.
Mitoma underpins Brighton's footballing philosophy, which is being cared for and nourished by Roberto De Zerbi. Green shoots of possibility are fast turning into lofty ambitions of a first European night at the Amex - still a pipe dream but the Seagulls are certainly in the hunt. As such, they will rightly feel aggrieved with the way they were pegged back twice against Leeds. Both goals were individual moments of brilliance - difficult to guard against - but the margin for error has narrowed because competition is so fierce.
Liverpool have been resurgent (until Saturday), Newcastle remain in the race and even Chelsea are beginning to click. A hard task made harder. Back to Mitoma. The forward will become the highest-scoring Japanese player in a single Premier League season if he finds the net again this term. "I know about the record. I would just like to go as far as I can," the winger told Brighton's official website this week. He's riding the crest of a wave and carrying his team-mates with him. Six goals and two assists since the World Cup restart.
The clamour was all about Leandro Trossard's influence on Brighton before the Belgian's big move to Arsenal in January. But it's Mitoma earning acclaim now. Out of the shadows, into the spotlight - finally, his time to shine.
Laura Hunter
After giving an explosive interview in midweek, Richarlison was given the chance to do his talking on the pitch against Nottingham Forest - and he took it.
The Brazilian started ahead of Dejan Kulusevski and nearly made an instant impact in the third minute, only for his goal to be disallowed for offside by VAR.
It was a fantastic finish from Richarlison, but despite being denied a first Premier League goal for Spurs, the forward channelled his frustration well and played a huge role in Tottenham's second.
The forward drew a reckless challenge from Forest captain Joe Worrall to win a penalty for Harry Kane to score and double the lead.
In fact, Worrall's tackle was one of three fouls won by Richarlison in the game - no Spurs player won more, while Richarlison had seven touches in the opposition box - only Kane had more for the home side.
The 25-year-old then set up Heung-Min Son with a cross to make it 3-0.
Richarlison's eye-catching display was recognised by the Spurs fans as he received a standing ovation when substituted in the 84th minute.
His comments are now firmly behind him and Spurs will need more of this from him if they are to finish in the top four.
Declan Olley
The Sean Dyche blueprint is really starting to take shape at Goodison Park, with the former Burnley manager having already moved his new side out of the Premier relegation zone after their 1-0 home win over high-flying Brentford on Saturday.
Dyche only took over from Frank Lampard at the end of January, but Saturday was the third 1-0 win of his tenure, all secured at Goodison, which is fast becoming a fortress, more than any other team have managed in that period.
That also means the new manager is making Everton hard to score against, as three clean sheets in just his seven matches in charge demonstrate, with the Toffees having only managed four league shutouts this season prior to Dyche's arrival.
Meanwhile, despite taking charge of just seven games so far, Dyche has already won as many top-flight games with Everton this season (3) as Frank Lampard did (3/20).
All of which bodes well for Everton's survival hopes, with Dyche having seemingly managed to mould a team that is not only hard to beat at home, but also one that is hard to score against.
