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This past set of top-flight fixtures served up a wealth of drama, surprise results, and fascinating storylines. From battles between managers to star performances, let's delve into the major points emerging from the matches.

The Chelsea Boss Holds His Own Against Guardiola

The Chelsea manager's unforeseen duel with the celebrated tactician brought back thoughts of earlier David vs Goliath coaching battles. In the case of the debutant, taking charge for his top-level management debut, the challenge was overcoming the Blues' dreadful recent record versus Guardiola's side. An injury-time equaliser from the Chelsea star earned a crucial result, a feat past coaches had struggled to achieve.

The Reds' Struggle to Close Games Out

Even with the German playmaker scoring the net, Arne Slot's team were left aggrieved after surrendering a winning position slip away versus Fulham. The issue of failing to command encounters when in front persists, with the squad previously letting slip identical margins in previous outings. Before they learn the skill of seeing out a game, the quest promises to be a frustrating process.

3. Rice Shows Faith In The Swedish Striker to Find Form

The Swedish forward is experiencing a significant goal drought from open play, but his midfield colleague the England international is adamant the number nine is nonetheless immensely influential. He highlighted the striker's work off the ball and selfless performances as key to Mikel Arteta's side form. "The goals are going to come," was the midfielder's confident assessment for his misfiring teammate.

The United Boss Needs Sesko to Improve

Given Ruben Amorim's team setting up in a particularly conservative fashion, the onus fell on the attacking pair to produce. Whereas the Brazilian continued his impressive form, his strike partner suffered another difficult outing. The young striker has hit the net scarce since his big-money transfer and spurned a excellent chance to snatch the game. The new year offers a clear imperative for Sesko to discover his scoring touch.

The Sunderland Star Puts Ange Postecoglou's Side in a Spin

The Black Cats boss used Enzo Le Fée in a more defensive role to start, before unleashing him further forward as the match wore on. The move was inspired, with Le Fée turning into the chief creator of his team's push for an equaliser. After directing the woodwork, he provided a exquisite assist for the levelling strike. Having fully adapted to the demands of the Premier League, his influence is on the rise.

The West Ham Manager Fails to Take Opportunity to Bed In Pablo

Amid an woeful defeat for the Hammers, manager the Portuguese coach decided not to introduce any of his named replacements. This meant recent acquisition Pablo Felipe, who watched on even with his side's complete failure to score. He suggested it would have been "unjust" to send the recently-arrived player into the action. However, with firepower at a shortage, the need to integrate the 22-year-old quickly is abundantly clear.

7. Miley States Yet Another Huge Statement

Lewis Miley turned in a further outstanding display while filling in out of position. The youngster was impeccable in defence, set up the breakthrough, and set the standard in a scrappy encounter. Now that first-choice full-backs returning, the dilemma for manager the Newcastle boss is how to fit the remarkably composed youngster in his natural central midfield berth. "Coming Toon line-ups will surely be designed on him," seems an a fair statement.

8. Is the New Manager Bounce Fading at The City Ground?

The former Burnley boss's first impact at the club was positive, but questions are beginning to emerge about the side's versatility. Their counter-attacking prowess exists, but seems diminished without key attackers. While well-organised when sitting back, they can struggle when forced to chase a game. Cheap turnovers in these situations has been costly, a lesson they need to rectify immediately.

Igor Thiago's Scoring Form Stops The Bees' Poor Road Form

Thomas Frank's team delivered a display that belied their troubled form on the road. Key to their impressive victory was the red-hot scoring of number nine the goal-getter. Thiago's goals are providing a base for the team to build on. Winger Kevin Schade even floated the ambitious aspiration of European qualification as a possibility, highlighting the fresh belief within the squad.

The Clarets