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The latest set of top-flight fixtures delivered no shortage of excitement, surprise results, and compelling narratives. From battles between bosses to individual brilliance, here are the major conversations coming out of the games.

Calum McFarlane Makes a Statement When Facing Pep Guardiola

Calum McFarlane's unexpected duel with Pep Guardiola brought back memories of past managerial mismatches. In the case of the debutant, making his senior coaching bow, the task was ending his side's dreadful sequence when playing the champions. A last-gasp goal from the Chelsea star secured a crucial point, an achievement former managers had failed to accomplish.

The Reds' Inability to Shut Up Shop

Despite the German playmaker scoring the net, the Merseyside club finished frustrated after letting a advantage evaporate at Fulham. The problem of failing to control matches when in front remains, with the squad nearly squandering similar margins in previous weeks. Until they master the art of killing off matches, the quest will remain a difficult one.

3. Rice Shows Faith In Gyökeres to Start Scoring

Viktor Gyökeres is enduring a notable run without scoring from live action, but his midfield colleague Declan Rice is adamant the number nine is still hugely important. The midfielder pointed to Gyökeres' pressing and unselfish performances as crucial to Mikel Arteta's side form. "Success are going to follow," was Rice's confident prediction for his misfiring colleague.

4. Amorim Needs Sesko to Improve

Given Manchester United adopting in a particularly cautious fashion, the responsibility was placed on the attacking pair to deliver. Whereas the Brazilian continued his impressive run, Benjamin Sesko endured another frustrating game. The young striker has scored hard to come by since his big-money switch and spurned a golden chance to snatch the game. January provides a clear imperative for the striker to discover his confidence.

The Sunderland Star Leaves Spurs in a Muddle

The Black Cats boss used his creative talent in a more defensive position to start, before pushing him into advanced areas as the match developed. The move turned out to be a masterstroke, with the playmaker becoming the main instigator of the visitor's comeback for an equaliser. Following directing the woodwork, the midfielder supplied a sumptuous pass for the all-important finish. Having found his feet to the intensity of the English game, his campaign keeps improving.

6. Nuno Fails to Take Opportunity to Use New Signing

In a embarrassing performance for the Hammers, head coach the Portuguese coach decided not to use any of his named replacements. This meant January recruit Pablo Felipe, who remained unused even with his team's utter failure to score. Nuno reasoned it would have been "unfair" to send the new recruit into the fray. But, with scoring at a shortage, the imperative to integrate the 22-year-old rapidly is glaringly apparent.

The Teenager Makes Yet Another Huge Statement

Lewis Miley turned in another exceptional showing while filling in at right-back. The youngster was excellent in defence, provided the opening goal, and lifted the team in a untidy encounter. With first-choice right-backs back, the conundrum for boss him is if to fit the astonishingly mature teenager in his best engine room position. "Future Newcastle sides will surely be constructed with him," seems an a fair statement.

8. Is the Sean Dyche Impact Wearing Thin at Forest?

The former Burnley boss's early impact at the club was positive, but concerns are beginning to arise about the side's versatility. Their transition threat is still there, but looks reduced in the absence of key personnel. Although well-organised when defending deep, they can struggle when needing to come from behind. Losing possession in such situations has shown costly, a lesson they have to rectify immediately.

9. Thiago's Goal Rush Stops The Bees' Poor Road Form

Thomas Frank's team produced a performance that masked their poor form on the road. Central to their dominant display was the in-form form of striker the Brazilian. Thiago's finishing are giving a base for the squad to progress. Attacker he even mentioned the optimistic dream of European qualification as a potential outcome, highlighting the renewed confidence coursing through the camp.

The Clarets