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This past round of Premier League action provided plenty of drama, shock outcomes, and compelling narratives. From battles between coaches to star performances, we examine the major conversations coming out of the matches.

Calum McFarlane Stands Firm Versus Pep Guardiola

Calum McFarlane's surprise duel with the Manchester City boss brought back recollections of previous managerial mismatches. In the case of McFarlane, making his first-team management debut, the challenge was halting Chelsea's astonishingly bad run of form when playing Manchester City. A last-gasp strike from the Chelsea star snatched a valuable point, something past incumbents had struggled to accomplish.

2. Liverpool's Struggle to Shut Up Shop

Even with the German playmaker scoring the net, Arne Slot's team were left aggrieved after surrendering a advantage slip away at the Cottagers. The issue of not managing to control games when in the lead persists, with the squad nearly letting slip comparable leads in recent weeks. Before they discover the skill of seeing out a game, the quest is likely to stay a challenging one.

Declan Rice Backs The Swedish Striker to Find Form

Viktor Gyökeres is experiencing a significant run without scoring from open play, but his midfield colleague the England international has stressed the number nine is still immensely important. He praised Gyökeres' pressing and team-oriented efforts as key to Mikel Arteta's side success. "Good things are bound to come," was Rice's confident assessment for his struggling colleague.

The United Boss Requires Benjamin Sesko to Find His Edge

With Ruben Amorim's team adopting in a incredibly conservative manner, the responsibility fell on the forward pair to make the difference. Whereas the Brazilian maintained his fine run, the summer signing endured another difficult outing. He has hit the net hard to come by since his big-money switch and wasted a excellent opportunity to snatch the contest. The new year presents a pressing need for him to find his form.

The Sunderland Star Leaves Tottenham in a State of Confusion

Régis Le Bris deployed the French midfielder in a deeper role initially, before unleashing him into advanced areas as the game progressed. The move was masterful, with the playmaker turning into the architect of his team's comeback for an equalizing goal. Following hitting the woodwork, Le Fée supplied a sumptuous through ball for the all-important strike. Now found his feet to the pace of the English game, his impact keeps improving.

The West Ham Manager Misses Chance to Bed In Pablo Felipe

Amid an embarrassing loss for the London club, head coach the Portuguese coach chose against use any of his named substitutes. Among them was new signing the Brazilian striker, who stayed on the bench even with his team's chronic failure to score. The manager suggested it would have been "unfair" to throw the new player into the fray. But, with scoring at a dearth, the need to blood the youngster as soon as possible is painfully clear.

7. Miley Makes Another Big Statement

The 19-year-old delivered yet another outstanding display whilst filling in out of position. The youngster was flawless in defence, set up the first goal, and lifted the team in a stop-start affair. Now that first-choice right-backs available, the dilemma for manager him is how to include the incredibly composed teenager in his natural central midfield position. "Next Newcastle line-ups will certainly be built on him," seems an ever more accurate statement.

Could the Dyche Effect Fading at Forest?

The manager's first influence at the club was notable, but concerns are beginning to arise about the side's plan B. Forest's breakaway ability is still there, but looks diminished in the absence of key personnel. While well-organised when protecting a lead, they have looked vulnerable when needing to open up. Giving the ball away in these moments has been punishing, a problem they must solve quickly.

The Striker's Hot Streak Stops Thomas Frank's Side's Travel Woes

Thomas Frank's team put in a performance that contradicted their poor form on the road. Central to their impressive display was the in-form scoring of striker Igor Thiago. The striker's presence are providing a platform for the team to aim higher. Teammate the German international even mentioned the ambitious aspiration of European qualification as a potential outcome, underlining the fresh optimism within the camp.

The Clarets