Sunderland’s moment to remember
The streets around the Stadium of Light are lined with banners marking defining moments for Sunderland; the latest belongs to Eliezer Mayenda’s opener against West Ham. This weekend delivered another memory as Sunderland beat rivals Newcastle 1-0 in a long-awaited derby. After spells in League One and a period of Newcastle’s ascendancy under new ownership, Sunderland have re-emerged, and in style.
In a match with few clear chances, Sunderland combined purpose and energy with moments of swagger from Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée and Chemsdine Talbi. Regis Le Bris has them organised and adaptable; he talks of pressing high while also being capable of defending deeper. They outplayed and outfought Newcastle and, having climbed to seventh in the table, look capable of delivering more landmark moments. Bottle the feeling of this derby win — momentum is with them.
— Adam Bate
Haaland and Man City look ominous
Manchester City were not at their best against Crystal Palace. They rode their luck at times — Palace hit the woodwork twice — and the scoreline arguably flattered City. Yet to win 3-0 at Selhurst Park, days after an emotionally draining night in Madrid, was impressive. Erling Haaland changed the game with a headed goal from Matheus Nunes’s cross and added a second, underlining how a single moment from him can swing the contest.
Haaland’s scoring rate has become routine; he now has 17 Premier League goals this season. Guardiola still has work to do on some defensive and structural issues, but Haaland’s form remains a clear warning to their title rivals.
— Nick Wright
Aston Villa are breaking xG models
The numbers say Villa shouldn’t be where they are; the results keep proving otherwise. Aston Villa’s 3-2 win at West Ham added another chapter to a season that is confounding expected goals models. Unai Emery’s side have won nine in a row in all competitions and have scored 25 Premier League goals from an xG of roughly 17.06. At the London Stadium the xG read 1.04–0.62 in West Ham’s favour, yet Villa won.
Morgan Rogers’s long-range winner highlights a trend: Villa have scored ten goals from outside the box this season, three more than any other side. They combine shot selection, confidence and execution in ways that repeatedly outstrip the models. Many predict regression, but Villa’s place near the top looks increasingly earned.
— Lewis Jones
Sloppy Spurs their own worst enemy
Tottenham’s defeat to Nottingham Forest felt avoidable and self-inflicted. Forest’s opener stemmed from a messy moment involving Archie Gray, and later Guglielmo Vicario’s error allowed Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross to sail in and effectively end the contest. Spurs’ season has been blighted by individual errors leading to goals; only Wolves have more such conceded goals this term.
Spurs’ passing accuracy, work-rate numbers and attacking fluency were subpar at the City Ground. With just one shot on target and an xG of 0.37, they failed to build any sustained threat. Thomas Frank labelled it a bad performance; the result was largely of Tottenham’s own making — a frustratingly familiar storyline.
— Peter Smith
Palace chance-conversion issues looming
Crystal Palace created more than enough to challenge Manchester City but lacked the finishing touch. Palace managed 16 shots to City’s seven, yet City had six on target versus Palace’s four testing Donnarumma. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goals have dried up — he’s now without an open-play goal in six games — and his drought leaves Palace light in goalscoring options.
Ismaila Sarr’s AFCON call-up will further thin their attacking roster, making January reinforcements a likely necessity if they are to convert chance volume into consistent results.
West Ham’s defensive woes persist
Managerial changes and tactical tweaks have not resolved West Ham’s core defensive problems. Under Nuno Espírito Santo they are conceding roughly 1.73 goals per game, with an xGA around 1.85 — numbers that typically spell relegation trouble unless offset by elite finishing or devastating counterattack ability. West Ham’s defenders repeatedly allow opponents dangerous chances, and the 3-2 loss to Aston Villa typified moments of control undone by lapses of concentration. A robust, ball-winning centre-back in January seems an urgent priority.
— Lewis Jones
Calvert-Lewin rediscovering form for Leeds
Dominic Calvert-Lewin faced scepticism after his free transfer to Leeds, but a four-game purple patch has silenced many critics. This is his most prolific Premier League run since 2020, when he scored in five consecutive games. His headed goal at Brentford earned Leeds a vital point and could prove crucial in the survival fight.
If he stays fit and consistent, Calvert-Lewin could be judged one of Leeds’s summer steals. Daniel Farke and fans will hope he remains available and effective for the run-in.
— Zinny Boswell
Henderson’s experience pays dividends at Brentford
Brentford’s draw with Leeds underlined some home frustrations, but Jordan Henderson stood out on his 600th senior English appearance. He popped up with a goal inside the box and frequently looked the most composed player in a side that struggled to progress play without Mikkel Damsgaard. Henderson’s passing and calmness under pressure remain valuable assets; his experience could influence both Brentford’s season and his own international prospects as major tournaments approach.
— Callum Bishop