Three Premier League talking points

Liverpool show teeth as title looms

Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson believes a return to the team's old "gung ho" style was key to the 3-1 win against Southampton that moved them with touching distance of the title.

Arne Slot's side looked lethargic in the first half at Anfield on Saturday after their gruelling midweek Champions League last 16 first leg win at Paris Saint-Germain.

Will Smallbone capitalised on a misunderstanding between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker to put the visitors ahead.

But Slot's half-time blast and a triple substitution revitalised Liverpool as Darwin Nunez equalised and Mohamed Salah converted two penalties.

Slot's game-plan since replacing Jurgen Klopp has been much more controlled than the German's tactics, but Robertson was pleased to see the old style return, for 45 minutes at least.

"The first 10 to 15 minutes of the second half I thought we blew them away and that was maybe similar to what we have kind of done in previous seasons," he said.

"It is different now but I do still think we have elements and you saw that in the second half where we were very gung-ho and just put Southampton under pressure and kept them penned in."

Liverpool are 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal and need 16 points from their last nine games to seal a record-equalling 20th English title.

Arsenal set for second best again

Mikel Arteta's 200th Premier League game was not one to savour for the Spaniard as any lingering hope of a title challenge was extinguished at Old Trafford.

Arsenal barely cut into Liverpool's huge lead after a 1-1 draw with Manchester United that again exposed the Gunners' lack of firepower.

Declan Rice's strike 16 minutes from time at least prevented Arsenal from failing to score for the third consecutive league game.

But they have not won any of those last three, amid a run of just four wins in their last nine league games since New Year's Day.

The loss of Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli to injury has played a massive part in Arsenal's demise.

Finishing second to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City juggernaut in the last two seasons was supposed to be the building block towards title glory. Yet, even in an off year for the defending champions, Arsenal have proven unable to capitalise.

'Cold' Palmer feeling the heat

Cole Palmer began his afternoon watching a parade of Chelsea legends celebrating the club's 120th anniversary, but the England forward has a long way to go before he is ready to join that illustrious group.

After a dream first season at Stamford Bridge following his move from Manchester City last term, Palmer is enduring a sophomore slump. Palmer's problems mounted as he had a first half penalty saved by Mads Hermansen in the 1-0 win against Leicester.

It means Palmer, who was taken off in the second half having not trained for two days due to illness, has now gone eight matches without scoring.

Marc Cucurella's second half blast lifted Chelsea into fourth place, but Palmer must end his barren run to help the Blues qualify for the Champions League.

"During the night he didn't feel well, but this morning he woke up and said to me 'I want be on the pitch because I want to help this club to play Champions League'," Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said.

"In the last 48 hours he was very bad with fever and with this bad feeling. But this morning he asked to play and this shows that the players want to bring this club to where it belongs."