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This past round of Premier League action provided plenty of excitement, surprise results, and interesting subplots. From battles between bosses to personal masterclasses, here are the major points stemming from the encounters.

Calum McFarlane Holds His Own Versus A Master Tactician

The Chelsea manager's unexpected confrontation with Pep Guardiola brought back recollections of past managerial mismatches. For the debutant, taking charge for his first-team maiden game, the task was overcoming the Blues' dreadful recent record when playing Manchester City. A dramatic goal from the Chelsea star snatched a valuable result, a feat former managers had failed to accomplish.

2. Liverpool's Inability to Close Games Out

Despite Florian Wirtz getting the net, Liverpool were left aggrieved after letting a lead slip against the Cottagers. The concern of failing to control matches when ahead remains, with the squad previously letting slip identical margins in earlier weeks. Until they learn the knack of defending a lead, the quest will remain a challenging affair.

The Arsenal Midfielder Supports The Swedish Striker to Find Form

Viktor Gyökeres is enduring a lengthy run without scoring from live action, but his fellow star the England international insists the forward is still immensely valuable. He highlighted Gyökeres' hold-up play and unselfish performances as crucial to Arsenal's form. "Good things are bound to come," was his confident prediction for his misfiring strike partner.

4. Amorim Must Get Benjamin Sesko to Improve

Given the Red Devils adopting in a incredibly cautious fashion, the burden was placed on the offensive duo to deliver. While Matheus Cunha continued his fine performances, his strike partner suffered another forgettable outing. He has found goals hard to come by since his major switch and missed a excellent chance to snatch the match. The new year offers a pressing imperative for the striker to discover his scoring touch.

The Sunderland Star Leaves Ange Postecoglou's Side in a State of Confusion

The Black Cats boss positioned Enzo Le Fée in a more defensive position to start, before releasing him into advanced areas as the game developed. The decision was masterful, with Le Fée turning into the architect of his team's push for an equalizing goal. Following glancing the post, the midfielder provided a perfect pass for the crucial goal. Now settled in to the pace of the top flight, his influence is on the rise.

Nuno Espírito Santo Wastes Chance to Introduce New Signing

In a woeful performance for West Ham, manager the Portuguese coach opted not to use any of his available replacements. This meant new signing the forward, who remained unused despite his team's chronic failure to score. Nuno felt it would have been "unfair" to send the recently-arrived striker into the fray. But, with goals at a premium, the need to blood the 22-year-old quickly is painfully clear.

Lewis Miley Delivers Another Major Claim

The teenage sensation turned in another outstanding performance whilst playing out of position. The midfielder was impeccable in defence, provided the first goal, and lifted the team in a stop-start match. Now that established defenders back, the question for manager him is how to accommodate the remarkably mature teenager in his preferred engine room role. "Next Magpies sides will surely be designed on the lad," seems an ever more safe assessment.

Could the New Manager Bounce Fading at Nottingham Forest?

The manager's first impact at the club was positive, but doubts are starting to surface about the team's adaptability. The team's breakaway ability exists, but appears less potent in the absence of key personnel. While well-organised when defending deep, Forest have been exposed when forced to come from behind. Giving the ball away in these circumstances has been costly, a issue they need to rectify rapidly.

9. Thiago's Scoring Form Halts Thomas Frank's Side's Travel Woes

Thomas Frank's team delivered a performance that belied their poor travel sickness. Central to their dominant win was the red-hot scoring of number nine the goal-getter. His presence are providing a platform for the squad to build on. Teammate Kevin Schade even mentioned the lofty target of European qualification as a target, highlighting the fresh belief in the camp.

The Clarets