The first heavyweight tussle of the new year in the Premier League did not disappoint as Chelsea and Liverpool played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were held at home for the fifth time in six league games, a run that includes three straight draws in the top flight for the first time since February 2016.
But Thomas Tuchel s side can be happy with a point after recovering from two goals down as they extended their unbeaten run against the Reds in the league to four matches.
While there was nothing to separate the sides sitting second and third, Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United were all victorious on Sunday.
Here, Stats Perform unpacks the pick of the Opta data from another eventful day in the Premier League.<…
On-loan star Philippe Coutinho said he would love to stay at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Coutinho is on a season-long loan deal from LaLiga holders Barcelona, however, the Brazilian is yet to convince in Bavaria.
Since swapping Camp Nou for Allianz Arena, Coutinho has scored three goals in 18 appearances for Bayern.
I feel really good, said Coutinho. I m planning to stay here for a year and focus on the here and now.
But if everything fits, then I d love to stay.
: There was definitely more in it for us. Unfortunately, luck just wasn t on our side.
See more pics on
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN)
Coutinho came off the bench in Bayern s shock Bundesliga loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
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The Premier League s top four are all in FA Cup action this weekend, but that does not mean we re in for a lack of top-flight intrigue.
Arsenal, winners in the north London derby last time out, visit fifth-placed West Ham knowing a win might just keep their hopes alive of catching Chelsea in fourth.
Tottenham will hope to respond to last week s setback against an Aston Villa side who have only won four games in 2021 and are at risk of dropping out of European contention.
At the other end of the table, Fulham will be looking to take another step towards an unlikely escape from relegation against Leeds United, with a potentially crucial clash between Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle United to follow.
And if you needed any extra excitement, why not kic…
Manchester City retained the Premier League crown on Sunday thanks to a 4-1 win at Brighton and Hove Albion, becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles in England s top flight for a decade.
Alex Ferguson s Manchester United made it three in a row in the 2008-
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09 season, after which point the Premier League has changed hands year on year.
City now have their fourth title in the past eight seasons and can contemplate the prospect of a similar era of dominance under Pep Guardiola, having followed up last season s 100-point haul with 98 to edge a relentless tussle with Liverpool.
The EFL Cup winners will now turn their attentions towards next weekend s FA Cup final against Watford at Wembley and the prospect of an unprecedented domestic treble.…
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford to face former club Manchester United with Juventus on Tuesday and he will he hoping to improve on a poor record against Jose Mourinho.
At one stage, Ronaldo looked to be in danger of missing the game entirely after he was shown a red card in Juve s Champions League opener against Valencia for pulling Jeison Murillo s hair, but in the end he was only given a one-match ban.
Not only will he be reunited with his former club, but he was also coached by Mourinho at Real Madrid, enjoying one of his best seasons under him when he scored 60 times in 55 matches during the 2011-12 campaign.
However, while they have not been on opposite sides particularly often over the past decade, an in-form Ronaldo will surely be confident of im…
Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time, which will give Argentina the advantage over France in the World Cup final, according to Emiliano Martinez.
Messi s appearance in Sunday s clash at Lusail Stadium will make him the all-time record appearance maker in World Cup history (26), while he could also become the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final in a single edition of the tournament.
Having also played a key role in Argentina winning the Copa America last year, Martinez thinks Messi will again be the difference maker.
I see him very happy as does every Argentinian, he feels very well on the pitch, the Albiceleste goalkeeper said.
I saw a great Messi in the Copa America, he was exceptional…
The Premier League fixtures announcement has thrown up some intriguing encounters in the opening round.
Vincent Kompany’s promoted Burnley will host his former club and treble winners Manchester City, while fellow new boys Luton visit Brighton and Chelsea welcome Liverpool.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the most memorable opening-round Premier League fixtures from previous years.
1992: Sheffield United 2 Manchester United 1
It s Saturday 15th August 1992 – the day Brian Deane scored the first goal…
— Premier League (@premierleague)
This game was not a classic like those below but it did feature the first Premier League goal. Brian Deane scored it, then won it for the hosts from the spot after Mark Hughes had levelled…
PSV head coach Mark van Bommel has made contact with Arjen Robben over bringing the Bayern Munich winger back to the Philips Stadion next season.
Robben, 34, has confirmed this campaign will be the last of his highly successful spell at Bayern, whom he joined from Real Madrid in 2009.
The ex-Netherlands international is yet to announce his next destination, but hometown team Groningen are believed to be interested in engineering a move.
PSV, where Robben spent two seasons over a decade ago, are set to enter the race after the club s general manager Toon Gerbrands revealed Van Bommel has been in touch with his former team-mate.
There has been contact. Mark, who played with Arjen, sent him a message, Gerbrands told Omroep Brabant.
It is, of …
Pep Guardiola had no interest in signing Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich because he believes Manchester City are well enough stocked in central midfield.
Thiago broke into Barcelona s first team during Guardiola s time in charge at Camp Nou and the Catalan tactician made him the flagship signing for his first season at Bayern in 2013-14.
Nevertheless, the Spain playmaker is now on the brink of joining Liverpool and bolstering Jurgen Klopp s bid for back-to-back league titles at Anfield.
Speaking ahead of City s season opener at Wolves on Monday, Guardiola told reporters that even the departure of club great David Silva at the end of last season a man with similar qualities to Thiago when it comes to dictating the tempo of the play and operating shrewdly in ti…
Relieved Newcastle boss Eddie Howe hailed “inspirational” Matt Ritchie after seeing him come off the bench to snatch a Premier League draw with former club Bournemouth.
The 34-year-old midfielder struck seconds after his stoppage-time introduction – his first goal since July 2022 – to hand the Magpies a 2-2 draw as they twice came from behind to deny the Cherries.
Head coach Howe said: “He’s an inspirational character behind the scenes. He’s someone who in training every day, he drives standards.
“He’s very vocal, very enthusiastic. Even in the changing room before the game, he’s the one driving the group – and that’s someone who hasn’t played as much as he’d like, but he’s put the team ahead of his own needs.
“When you see…