Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, including Arsenal's bright teenagers and Manchester United's disastrous signings.
Arsenal teenagers will be on Thomas Tuchel's radar.
In the midst of Arsenal's stunning win this weekend, two Hale End alumni took their chance. With a 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City at the Emirates, Arsenal demonstrated to Liverpool that they are not giving up on the title pursuit.During the rout, Myle Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri both scored, confirming their status as rising stars. For the first time in 18 years, two Premier League players aged 18 or younger scored in the same game.
Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri look to be a new breed of young talent, undeterred and unconcerned by the biggest moments. Thomas Tuchel, who takes over as England manager next month, will have taken note of their performances this season.
Manchester City must begin a midfield makeover immediately.
Manchester City has been one of the busier clubs during the January transfer window, yet nearly £120 million has been spent without addressing a pressing need.Pep Guardiola's team has been exposed numerous times this season in transition, with an old engine room struggling to keep up with more energetic sides. City suffered yet another defeat at Arsenal. Arsenal's fourth goal of a five-star effort was swiftly countered by the Citizens, who had weak pressing and an inability to recover quickly.
January is a difficult month to conduct business, but failing to address a lack of legs might be costly in terms of Champions League qualification. Porto's Nico Gonzalez is a player of interest, but time is running out to complete a transfer.
Elanga advances another critique of Manchester United recruitment.
Success is typically determined by recruitment, and Manchester United's has been among the worst in the Premier League in recent seasons. A slew of high-profile signings have flopped, while some who were let go have outperformed expectations since leaving Old Trafford.
Scott McTominay is now excelling in a Napoli squad chasing the Scudetto, but what about Anthony Elanga? The winger was traded to Nottingham Forest for around £15 million but has seen his worth skyrocket at the City Ground. He is one of the Premier League's quickest players, and he has found the end product that he was frequently criticized for missing in a United shirt. Elanga recorded a hat-trick of assists in Forest's 7-0 victory over Brighton, giving him 25 Premier League goals and assists in 60 appearances for the club.
Replacements Jadon Sancho and Antony were signed for a total fee of almost £178 million and have combined for just 23 goals and assists in 121 league outings. Both are now out on loan, as the stock has slumped dramatically.
Beto took advantage of his opportunity at the weekend, earning well-deserved acclaim against Leicester as Everton won their third game in a row under David Moyes. The returning manager was pleased with the 27-year-old's performance following a difficult period at Goodison Park.
He told BBC Sport: "I'm very happy for Beto since I'm only just getting to know him. He presumably felt it had been difficult for him.
"We need someone to score goals - we're short on centre forwards and losing Dom was a big blow - he came in and took his goals very well."
Despite his limited activity, Beto has scored five goals in all competitions this season, averaging one goal every 122 minutes. It's time he got a run of games.
In the Premier League, the difference between survival and relegation is frequently determined by tiny margins. Ipswich's hopes of escaping relegation were dashed at the weekend with a defeat to Southampton at Portman Road.
Scott McTominay is now excelling in a Napoli squad chasing the Scudetto, but what about Anthony Elanga? The winger was traded to Nottingham Forest for around £15 million but has seen his worth skyrocket at the City Ground. He is one of the Premier League's quickest players, and he has found the end product that he was frequently criticized for missing in a United shirt. Elanga recorded a hat-trick of assists in Forest's 7-0 victory over Brighton, giving him 25 Premier League goals and assists in 60 appearances for the club.
Replacements Jadon Sancho and Antony were signed for a total fee of almost £178 million and have combined for just 23 goals and assists in 121 league outings. Both are now out on loan, as the stock has slumped dramatically.
Moyes should gamble on Beto.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's injury could mark the end of Beto's Everton career. The forward expressed interest in departing earlier this month following an approach from Torino, but he is now the only forward in the squad.Beto took advantage of his opportunity at the weekend, earning well-deserved acclaim against Leicester as Everton won their third game in a row under David Moyes. The returning manager was pleased with the 27-year-old's performance following a difficult period at Goodison Park.
He told BBC Sport: "I'm very happy for Beto since I'm only just getting to know him. He presumably felt it had been difficult for him.
"We need someone to score goals - we're short on centre forwards and losing Dom was a big blow - he came in and took his goals very well."
Despite his limited activity, Beto has scored five goals in all competitions this season, averaging one goal every 122 minutes. It's time he got a run of games.
Muric blunders cost Ipswich yet again.
Despite Ipswich's dominance, the Saints won 2-1, having only taken six points all season prior to the match. Ipswich dominated possession, shots, huge opportunities, and xG, but were undone by individual errors.
Arijanet Muric has had a difficult season, with no player committing more errors leading to goals (5). His bad form continued over the weekend, with the Kosovan arguably responsible for both Southampton goals. After failing to stop Joe Aribo's opening, he palmed a shot back into the danger zone for Southampton's winning goal.
Arijanet Muric has had a difficult season, with no player committing more errors leading to goals (5). His bad form continued over the weekend, with the Kosovan arguably responsible for both Southampton goals. After failing to stop Joe Aribo's opening, he palmed a shot back into the danger zone for Southampton's winning goal.
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