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This past set of top-flight games served up no shortage of intrigue, unexpected scores, and interesting subplots. Ranging from clashes between coaches to individual brilliance, we examine the major discussions stemming from the matches.

1. McFarlane Holds His Own When Facing A Master Tactician

Calum McFarlane's surprise confrontation with Pep Guardiola evoked recollections of previous unequal sideline contests. For McFarlane, making his top-level management debut, the task was ending Chelsea's dreadful sequence when playing the champions. A dramatic equaliser from the Chelsea star snatched a hard-fought result, something former coaches had struggled to achieve.

2. Liverpool's Struggle to Close Games Out

Despite their big-money signing finding the net, Liverpool ended up aggrieved after letting a winning position evaporate against Marco Silva's side. The problem of being unable to manage matches when in the lead remains, with the team nearly squandering similar advantages in previous matches. Until Slot's men learn the skill of seeing out a game, the season promises to be a difficult process.

The Arsenal Midfielder Backs The Swedish Striker to Start Scoring

Viktor Gyökeres is enduring a lengthy dry spell from general play, but his midfield colleague the Gunners lynchpin has stressed the forward is still hugely important. The midfielder highlighted Gyökeres' hold-up play and unselfish contributions as key to Mikel Arteta's side form. "The goals are going to come," was his confident message for his off-colour colleague.

4. Amorim Must Get The Slovenian to Improve

With Ruben Amorim's team setting up in a notably cautious manner, the responsibility was placed on the attacking pair to produce. Whereas one forward persisted with his fine performances, Benjamin Sesko suffered another frustrating outing. He has hit the net elusive since his big-money transfer and spurned a late opportunity to claim the contest. January presents a clear imperative for the striker to discover his form.

Enzo Le Fée Puts Ange Postecoglou's Side in a Spin

Régis Le Bris deployed his creative talent in a more defensive position to start, before releasing him further forward as the game developed. The switch proved masterful, with he emerging as the chief creator of his team's push for an equaliser. After glancing the upright, Le Fée delivered a sumptuous through ball for the crucial strike. Now found his feet to the demands of the Premier League, his impact is on the rise.

The West Ham Manager Wastes Chance to Bed In Pablo

During an woeful defeat for West Ham, boss the Portuguese coach decided against use any of his named bench players. Among them was recent acquisition the forward, who remained unused despite his team's complete ineffectiveness. He reasoned it would have been "unfair" to throw the new striker into the fray. However, with goals at a dearth, the imperative to assimilate the youngster as soon as possible is abundantly apparent.

The Teenager States A Further Major Case

Lewis Miley turned in another exceptional display whilst operating in an unfamiliar role. The youngster was impeccable in his defensive duties, provided the first goal, and raised the tone in a untidy affair. With established right-backs back, the question for coach Eddie Howe is how to include the remarkably composed youngster in his natural central midfield berth. "Next Newcastle teams will certainly be designed on him," seems an increasingly safe prediction.

Could the Dyche Effect Fading at Nottingham Forest?

Sean Dyche's early effect at Forest was positive, but concerns are starting to arise about the squad's plan B. The team's breakaway ability remains, but looks diminished without previous attackers. While structured when sitting back, Forest can struggle when forced to chase a game. Giving the ball away in those circumstances has been disastrous, a issue they must solve quickly.

Igor Thiago's Goal Rush Ends The Bees' Poor Road Form

The West London club delivered a performance that belied their troubled away record. Key to their commanding display was the red-hot scoring of number nine the goal-getter. Thiago's goals are giving a base for the team to build on. Attacker the German international even floated the ambitious aspiration of continental football as a target, emphasizing the fresh optimism coursing through the squad.

The Clarets