Jesus Navas link-up play key to giving Raheem Sterling licence to thrill against Hull
And Heung-Min Son has stepped up with four goals in three games to prove Spurs are not totally dependent on Harry Kane
RAHEEM STERLING was very good in Manchester City’s win over Hull - but he was helped by Jesus Navas behind him.
Pep Guardiola has been questioned over playing the Spanish winger at right-back.
But his link-up play helped to drag Hull’s full-back out, creating space for Sterling to exploit space between the left-back and the centre-half.
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WALKING WITHOUT A KANE
TOTTENHAM have proved they can be a free-scoring side even without Harry Kane.
It was a massive boost for Spurs to have him back in the second half against Watford but they still scored 11 goals in four games without him - with four different goalscorers.
Heung-Min Son has stepped up with four in three and demonstrated Mauricio Pochettino’s side are not a one-man team.
OVER THE WALL
MARCOS ALONSO struck the free-kick for Chelsea’s third goal at Bournemouth really well.
But one thing that frustrates me is when some of the players in a wall do not jump. If the home side’s wall had jumped it might have hit one of them and stayed it out.
If it’s a free-kick from 18 or 20 yards it makes sense not to jump. But any further out and the wall must really leap up.
COMEBACK KINGS
LIVERPOOL have come from behind three times in their last five games, picking up seven points in the process.
They have also scored seven of their last ten goals in the second half of games.
Those numbers dismiss claims that Jurgen Klopp’s side are running out of legs because of his pressing game.
BLANKS IN THE MIDDLE
MANCHESTER UNITED won easily enough at Sunderland but it again underlined their lack of goals from midfield.
Most Premier League champions get goals from there - look at the contributions by Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and David Beckham for Sir Alex Ferguson’s title-winning teams.
It is something Jose Mourinho will know he needs to address over the summer if United are to be genuine challengers for the crown next year.