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The latest set of top-flight action provided no shortage of excitement, shock outcomes, and interesting subplots. From battles between coaches to individual brilliance, we examine the major points emerging from the matches.

1. McFarlane Holds His Own When Facing Guardiola

The Chelsea manager's surprise duel with the Manchester City boss evoked recollections of past David vs Goliath coaching battles. In the case of the Chelsea boss, embarking on his top-level coaching bow, the challenge was overcoming the Blues' dreadful sequence when playing Guardiola's side. A dramatic strike from the Argentine midfielder secured a hard-fought result, an achievement former coaches had struggled to achieve.

The Reds' Inability to Close Games Out

Despite their big-money signing getting the net, Liverpool ended up frustrated after letting a advantage slip away against Marco Silva's side. The concern of being unable to command games when in front remains, with the squad almost squandering similar leads in recent outings. Until they learn the skill of killing off matches, the season promises to be a difficult one.

3. Rice Backs Viktor Gyökeres to Start Scoring

Arsenal's striker is enduring a lengthy run without scoring from general play, but his fellow star Declan Rice insists the player is nevertheless immensely important. He highlighted the striker's work off the ball and unselfish contributions as key to Mikel Arteta's side success. "The goals are going to arrive," was his supportive message for his off-colour teammate.

4. Amorim Requires Sesko to Find His Edge

With Manchester United adopting in a incredibly conservative fashion, the burden fell on the attacking pair to make the difference. While Matheus Cunha maintained his fine performances, his strike partner experienced another difficult afternoon. The Slovenian has scored elusive since his big-money move and spurned a golden opportunity to snatch the game. The new year offers a obvious imperative for the striker to discover his form.

5. Le Fée Puts Tottenham in a State of Confusion

The Black Cats boss positioned the French midfielder in a unfamiliar position at first, before releasing him into advanced areas as the game progressed. The move turned out to be inspired, with the playmaker emerging as the main instigator of Sunderland's fightback for an equalizing goal. After hitting the post, Le Fée provided a exquisite through ball for the levelling goal. Having found his feet to the demands of the top flight, his impact is on the rise.

6. Nuno Wastes Chance to Introduce Pablo

Amid an dismal performance for the Hammers, boss the Portuguese coach opted not to utilize any of his permitted substitutes. This included new signing Pablo Felipe, who remained unused even with his club's chronic failure to score. He felt it would have been "unfair" to introduce the recently-arrived player into the match. Yet, with firepower at a dearth, the imperative to blood the youngster quickly is abundantly obvious.

The Teenager Delivers Yet Another Huge Claim

Lewis Miley turned in another outstanding showing whilst operating at right-back. The midfielder was impeccable in defence, provided the first goal, and raised the tone in a scrappy affair. Now that specialist defenders back, the question for coach the Newcastle boss is whether to fit the incredibly mature player in his natural central midfield position. "Coming Newcastle sides will surely be designed with the lad," seems an increasingly accurate assessment.

Could the Sean Dyche Impact Running Out at Forest?

The former Burnley boss's first impact at the club was admirable, but questions are starting to surface about the squad's versatility. Their counter-attacking threat remains, but appears reduced in the absence of previous personnel. Whilst disciplined when protecting a lead, Forest have looked vulnerable when needing to open up. Losing possession in such circumstances has been disastrous, a problem they need to solve immediately.

9. Thiago's Scoring Form Halts Thomas Frank's Side's Poor Road Form

The West London club put in a performance that contradicted their troubled away record. Central to their dominant display was the in-form streak of striker the goal-getter. Thiago's finishing are giving a base for the team to build on. Attacker the German international even suggested the lofty aspiration of continental football as a target, emphasizing the fresh confidence in the team.

Scott Parker's Side