Richarlison price skyrockets
OK, perhaps £85m was a little wild, if the rumoured Barcelona bid really was that high.
But Richarlison showed exactly why the Nou Camp club would be interested in him here, scoring a well-taken goal at the end of a winding run which ultimately settled the match.
This has been a productive year for the Brazilian who now has 11 goals to go with his four assists, and playing off Dominic Calvert-Lewin he looks to be really enjoying some freedom to go and play.
At 22, he is only going to get better, and it is on days like this when that price tag doesn’t seem quite so ludicrous.
Hodgson’s reign at threat
Is time nearly up for Roy Hodgson? Crystal Palace are on a dreadful run without a win in their past seven, and after such a strong start to the campaign, relegation has gradually become a real fear.
Hodgson has certainly got some credit in the bank for what he has achieved at Selhurst Park with limited resources, and Palace fans only need to look at the appointment of a manager like Frank de Boer to see how pear-shaped things can turn under a new direction.
Yet right now it is hard to see how and when they get out of this rut.
Brighton respond at the right time
It’s five games without a win for Brighton in the Premier League, yet that only tells half the story for Graham Potter’s men.
They have snatched two points in as many games from losing positions, responding at just the right time to salvage something against West Ham and Watford.
The Seagulls have a unique slate of fixtures coming up, meaning their next two, against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, could be pivotal to their bid to beat the drop – with three points separating themselves from West Ham and Saturday’s opponents Watford, both of whom are inside the drop zone on 24 points.
Look beyond Palace though and there is a daunting seven-game run including Wolves and Leicester away and Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool and Man City at home. Saints away, Newcastle at home and Burnley away round off their season. So Brighton must seize the chances now, just as they did at West Ham and just as they did after trailing to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s opener for the Hornets on Saturday, with an Adrian Mariappa own-goal 12 minutes from time earning them a precious point.
Doucoure thriving under Pearson and vital to survival bid
Nigel Pearson has inspired Watford since taking over and Abdoulaye Doucoure has benefited as much as anybody.
The box-to-box midfielder is inserting his influence on the game more than ever, with his opening goal at Brighton taking him to three goals and an assist in his last six games.
Just two points from their last four games has seen the Hornets cool off after a hot start to life under Pearson, but Doucoure could drag this team towards a second bounce and eventual Premier League safety, with Aston Villa just a point away and safe, for now, in 17th.
Blades believe in top four push
All of a sudden the gap is now two points to a top four finish and Sheffield United, while earning deserved plaudits throughout the campaign for their seamless adaption to the top flight, could find themselves in next season’s Champions League.
The rewards for pushing beyond what they even dreamed as possible are almost unthinkable for a club like Sheffield United, but Chris Wilder’s side can now dare to dream as Chelsea falter and prepare to face Manchester United and Spurs next.
The Blues must also travel to Bramall Lane at the end of April, but before that, the Blades have home games against Brighton and Norwich, which give Wilder’s side a wonderful opportunity to further boost their hopes of pulling off what was previously deemed impossible.
Wilson must emerge to lead Cherries to safety
While Bournemouth lost the game and have only two points between themselves and the drop zone, Wilson hitting his third goal in seven games was at least encouraging.
The sweeping move was a bright spot for Eddie Howe’s side and proves just what this side can do at their best. Wilson, who may be determined to make a late charge to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad, is threatening to rediscover his best form in time for the crucial run-in after a 13-game drought heading into the new year.
If Wilson can fire then Howe’s side have a chance, then the key will be to ensure they maintain control in midfield while on top.
