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The latest batch of English fixtures delivered plenty of intrigue, unexpected scores, and fascinating storylines. From clashes between managers to personal masterclasses, we examine the primary points emerging from the matches.

Calum McFarlane Makes a Statement Against Pep Guardiola

Calum McFarlane's unexpected battle with Pep Guardiola brought back memories of past David vs Goliath coaching battles. For the Chelsea boss, making his first-team coaching bow, the challenge was ending the Blues' astonishingly bad sequence against the champions. An injury-time equaliser from the Chelsea star snatched a valuable point, an achievement previous incumbents had found it tough to do.

Arne Slot's Failure to Shut Up Shop

Even with their big-money signing getting the net, Arne Slot's team were left aggrieved after letting a lead evaporate at the Cottagers. The issue of failing to control games when in the lead continues, with the squad previously squandering identical advantages in recent matches. Before the team learn the art of seeing out a game, the season is likely to stay a frustrating one.

Declan Rice Supports Viktor Gyökeres to Fire

Arsenal's striker is enduring a lengthy goal drought from open play, but his teammate Declan Rice has stressed the forward is nevertheless hugely important. Rice pointed to Gyökeres' hold-up play and unselfish performances as crucial to the league leaders title charge. "Success are sure to arrive," was Rice's optimistic prediction for his off-colour strike partner.

4. Amorim Needs Sesko to Sharpen Up

With Manchester United adopting in a incredibly conservative manner, the responsibility rested with the attacking pair to deliver. While one forward continued his impressive performances, Benjamin Sesko experienced another difficult outing. He has scored hard to come by since his major move and wasted a golden opening to snatch the match. The new year offers a pressing need for him to discover his confidence.

5. Le Fée Leaves Ange Postecoglou's Side in a Spin

Régis Le Bris deployed Enzo Le Fée in a more defensive position at first, before pushing him further forward as the match developed. The decision was masterful, with the playmaker emerging as the chief creator of the visitor's fightback for an equaliser. Following directing the post, Le Fée provided a sumptuous through ball for the all-important strike. Having fully adapted to the demands of the top flight, his impact is on the rise.

Nuno Espírito Santo Misses Chance to Use Pablo

Amid an woeful defeat for the London club, manager the Portuguese coach opted against introduce any of his named replacements. This included recent acquisition the forward, who remained unused despite his side's complete failure to score. He reasoned it would have been "unjust" to throw the fresh player into the action. However, with firepower at a dearth, the need to integrate the 22-year-old quickly is abundantly apparent.

Lewis Miley Makes Another Big Claim

The 19-year-old produced a further superb performance while playing at right-back. The midfielder was flawless in his defensive duties, provided the first goal, and lifted the team in a scrappy match. Now that specialist defenders available, the question for manager the Newcastle boss is whether to include the remarkably mature teenager in his preferred engine room role. "Coming Toon teams will surely be built with him," seems an a accurate assessment.

Could the New Manager Bounce Running Out at Nottingham Forest?

The manager's first effect at the club was positive, but concerns are beginning to emerge about the squad's versatility. Forest's breakaway threat exists, but looks reduced in the absence of previous players. Whilst structured when sitting back, Forest can struggle when needing to chase a game. Cheap turnovers in such moments has proven disastrous, a issue they need to solve quickly.

9. Thiago's Hot Streak Halts Brentford's Away-Day Blues

Brentford put in a display that masked their poor form on the road. Vital to their dominant win was the prolific scoring of striker the Brazilian. Thiago's goals are providing a foundation for the side to aim higher. Teammate the German international even floated the optimistic target of a top-seven finish as a potential outcome, underlining the renewed confidence in the camp.

10. Burnley