MX23RW : Tuesday, February 5 12:15:35

5 talking points ahead of this weekend's games in the Premier League

5 talking points ahead of this weekend's games in the Premier League
© Reuters
The midweek fixtures threw up a number of unexpected results.

The Premier League continues this weekend after some unexpected results in the midweek programme.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at the talking points ahead of the action.

Will normal service be resumed?

The midweek fixtures threw up a number of surprising results, most noticeably strugglers Newcastle recovering from conceding a goal in the first minute to beat title contenders Manchester City. That gave Liverpool the chance to move seven points clear at the top of the table, only for Jurgen Klopp's side to also let an early lead slip as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield by Leicester. Liverpool must wait until Monday for their away trip to West Ham, by which time the gap could be down to two points if City can beat Arsenal at home.

What impact will deadline day signings have?

The biggest deal on transfer deadline day saw Newcastle break their record to sign Paraguay's Miguel Almiron from MLS side Atlanta United for £20m, as well as signing Monaco defender Antonio Barreca on loan. Wolves signed Atletico Madrid full-back Jonny Castro Otto for £15million after a successful loan spell, while the next highest fee was £7million as Ante Palaversa moved to Manchester City but immediately returned to Hajduk Split on loan. Almiron will be under the spotlight at St James' Park, but that midweek win over Manchester City will help ease some of the pressure.

Can Crouch cut the mustard at Burnley?

"I feel that the older I get, the more hungry I am," said former England forward Peter Crouch after moving from Championship side Stoke to Premier League Burnley. Crouch, who turned 38 on Wednesday, has made 462 Premier League appearances for six different clubs, scoring 108 goals. Burnley fans could be forgiven for feeling somewhat underwhelmed by the deal, but Crouch has no doubts that he can be a success. "I've got the will to succeed and prove people wrong," he added. "I feel like I have been proving people wrong my whole career."

Is there any life left in Huddersfield?

The Premier League's bottom side were active in the transfer window, with five players leaving on loan and three coming in. However, while Jason Puncheon brings plenty of experience, Jaden Brown and Karlan Grant are 19 and 21 respectively and have the look of signings for the future, rather than with an immediate impact in mind. The Terriers are 12 points adrift of safety and could already be preparing for next season in the Championship.

What is going on at Chelsea?

Maurizio Sarri
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri saw his inconsistent side lose heavily at Bournemouth (PA)

Maurizio Sarri's side have lost their last two Premier League games by an aggregate of 6-0, but sandwiched in between were cup wins over Tottenham and Sheffield Wednesday, the former taking the Blues into the Carabao Cup final. Chelsea were labelled "embarrassing" by TV pundit Alan Shearer and Sarri himself said the 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth was "difficult to understand", but Sarri will need to get to the bottom of the issue soon after slipping out of the top four and with a resurgent Manchester United just two points behind.

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Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny in action during his side's Premier League clash with West Ham on January 12, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool25195156154162
2Manchester CityMan City25192466204659
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs25190651242757
4Chelsea25155545232250
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd25146549351448
6Arsenal25145651361547
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2511593332138
8Watford259793334-134
9Everton2596103636033
10Bournemouth25103123744-733
11Leicester CityLeicester2595113031-132
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham2595113138-732
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2576122736-927
14Crystal Palace2575132633-726
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2566132133-1224
16Southampton2559112742-1524
17Burnley2566132646-2024
18Cardiff CityCardiff2564152246-2422
19Fulham2545162555-3017
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2525181346-3311

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