Gianluigi Donnarumma faced scrutiny for a mistake during Manchester City's match, but it did not impact the title race. His performance remains crucial for City's revival despite past errors.
Key points
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a crucial mistake during the match.
His performance has been vital for Manchester City's revival.
Paris Saint-Germain did not meet his wage demands.
Lucas Chevalier replaced Donnarumma at PSG.
Donnarumma's goalkeeping style contrasts with Pep Guardiola's preferences.
For Manchester City, Gianluigi Donnarumma has always been a case of risk and reward. Perhaps only Thibaut Courtois is as fine a shot-stopper as Italyâs Euro 2020 hero, though many goalkeepers are better with the ball at their feet. Claudio Bravo, let alone Ederson, would be unlikely to dither in the fashion that alerted Kai Havertz to the possibility of pressing Cityâs keeper as close as possible for Arsenalâs goal. Donnarumma was the signing who bucked the Pep Guardiola doctrines, and his goalkeeping has been crucial to Cityâs revival but such mistakes have always been part of the giant Italianâs makeup. Paris Saint-Germain would not meet his wage demands, and opted for Lilleâs Lucas Chevalier, a better ball-player as an ill-starred replacement. Donnarumma smothered a good chance for Havertz in the second half. His big mistake, seconds after Rayan Cherkiâs opener, did not, after all, become the key twist in the title race. John Brewin
It was an indication of Liverpoolâs evolution over the course of this season that the central midfielder Curtis Jones started the Merseyside derby at right-back, while summer recruit Jeremie Frimpong was left on the bench. Jones has played in the position before and produced an accomplished display. His calm nature makes him suited to the role; he read the danger instinctively and faced up against Evertonâs trickiest attacking player, Iliman Ndiaye, without being intimidated. When Liverpool were in possession, Arne Slot gave permission for Jones to move into more familiar territory, shifting into the centre of the park where he could receive the ball and try to create overloads. There was never a chance he would look to overlap Mohamed Salah, something Frimpong takes great pride in. Jones is the more conservative option at full-back, a trait Liverpool require as they look to grind their way to Champions League qualification. Will Unwin
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3
De Zerbi puts faith in Simons to save Spurs
To stand any chance of avoiding relegation, Tottenham will need Xavi Simons to put in the kind of performance he managed against Brighton on Saturday. The Netherlands attacker has struggled for consistency since joining last summer â hardly a surprise given that he has played under three different managers in his first Premier League season. Simons set up Pedro Porroâs opener before scoring a brilliant goal that looked like being the winner until Georginio Rutterâs late strike. Roberto De Zerbi praised Simonsâ efforts and thinks he can unlock more from the 22-year-old, as Spurs prepare for five games that will determine their destiny. âHe needs to feel confidence from the manager. And I stay here to transfer all the confidence he needs,â said the Italian. âBecause [when] I was a player, I was No 10, and I think I know what he thinks. I think Iâm lucky to have this player on my team, but also heâs lucky because with No 10, I can understand better than other coaches.â Ed Aarons
Bart Verbruggen can only watch Xavi Simonâs shot flies past him for Tottenhamâs second goal.
Bart Verbruggen can only watch Xavi Simonâs shot flies past him for Tottenhamâs second goal. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters
4
Heaven shines brighter than Garnacho
At a reported compensation cost of ÂŁ1m-ÂŁ1.5m, the signing of Ayden Heaven is the type of deal Chelseaâs brains trust would love to pull off. Think of the resale value. Those not yet in the grip of placing dollar signs against everything could celebrate Heavenâs performance in leading Manchester Unitedâs rearguard effort at Stamford Bridge, and the promise of more to come in a red shirt. Similar expectations were once held in Alejandro Garnacho who, after arriving as a first-half sub for EstevĂŁo, showed United what they have not missed. Successive United managers were exasperated that the Argentinianâs attacking talents were not balanced by dedicated work off the ball. Liam Rosenior will have similar thoughts on Garnachoâs role in allowing Bruno Fernandes to breeze past and supply Matheus Cunha for Unitedâs goal. Rosenior may not be suitable for his position but like his predecessors under the BlueCo regime, he must work with players bought as assets rather than footballers. Garnacho cost ÂŁ40m. Think of the resale value. J****B
Eddie Howeâs biggest problem is not Newcastleâs dismal results â although eight defeats in 11 Premier League games remains damning â but last summerâs ÂŁ220m transfer market spend. Given Newcastleâs manager has a much bigger say on signings than most of his Premier League peers, he is largely culpable for blowing the ÂŁ125m gained from Alexander Isakâs sale on Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey. As Bournemouth won 2-1 on Tyneside, with the outstanding Alex Scott running midfield, Elanga and Ramsey were alarmingly poor before being withdrawn. Woltemade stepped off the substitutesâ bench for the last few minutes and Wissa stayed on it. Afterwards Howe admitted he struggles to accommodate the ÂŁ69m Woltemadeâs unique skills in his 4-3-3 system. It all contrasted unfavourably with Bournemouth where, despite losing a raft of leading players last summer, shrewd recruitment has left Andoni Iraolaâs side challenging for Europe. Tellingly the scorer of the winning goal, the left-back Adrien Truffert, arrived from Rennes for a bargain initial ÂŁ11.4m last summer. Louise Taylor
Nick Woltemade in action after being introduced as a substitute against Bournemouth.
Nick Woltemade in action after being introduced as a substitute against Bournemouth. Photograph: WM Sports Media/Action Plus/Shutterstock
6
Should Burnley stick with Parker?
The end is nigh for Burnley as they prepare to return to theChampionship, and the managerâs position is bound to come under scrutiny again as Scott Parker approaches the final year of his contract. Despite spending last season in the second tier, only five teams have endured more than Burnleyâs 45 defeats from 71 Premier League games over the past three years. The last time they went down, Vincent Kompany departed for Bayern Munich, and theyâre not doing too badly. Is it the managerâs responsibility for a mid-sized club like Burnley yo-yoing between the two divisions? Parker led them to promotion before; perhaps he should be offered another chance. Peter Lansley
Now for the run-in, where Arsenal somehow have to recover ebbing confidence. Mikel Artetaâs formula for success was going so well. And now it no longer is. Those scenes of Kai Havertzâs missed header being followed by Arsenalâs manager hitting the deck in agony may come to define another near-miss of a season. Not enough chances of that quality were created by Artetaâs team, severely lacking in creativity in the absence of Bukayo Saka and with Martin Ădegaard a reduced force. What appeared a bold, attacking selection did not match the verve of City players such as Rayan Cherki and Nico OâReilly or the doggedness of Bernardo Silva. When it came time for expression, assuming responsibility, grasping the nettle, a team drilled by a prescriptive coach could not find the necessary inspiration and killer instinct. With a Champions League semi-final to come and five more Premier League matches, the âfireâ Arteta declares is within him and his team must be relocated. JB
8
Farke deserving of more love
Leeds are not mathematically safe yet but, after Tottenhamâs draw with Brighton on Saturday evening, there is now an eight-point buffer between Daniel Farkeâs men and the relegation zone. Which raises the question: does Farke deserve a little bit more credit than he gets? He has not only guided Leeds back to the Premier League but barring an extraordinary sequence of results â 39 points has been enough to survive in each of the past eight seasons â he has kept them there too, as well as taking them to a first FA Cup semi-final since 1987. Thereâs often murmurings of discontent on the Elland Road terraces about whether Farke is the right man for the club. If, as now expected, he takes them into a second successive Premier League campaign, there is perhaps a conversation to talk about him in a more positive light. Aaron Bower
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is congratulated by his teammates after scoring Leedsâ third goal against Wolves.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (right) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring Leedsâ third goal against Wolves. Photograph: Malcolm Bryce/Leeds United/Getty Images
9
Abraham proves his worth with key goals
Tammy Abraham is still only 28 but he returned to England in January as a largely forgotten figure; certainly nobody is tipping him to be in Thomas Tuchelâs England squad. His previous loan spell at Villa was in 2018-19, when he scored 25 league goals to inspire promotion via the playoffs. He has been nowhere near as prolific this time round, but he has played his role perfectly, coming off the bench and scoring two vital late goals: an equaliser at home to Leeds and Sundayâs winner against Sunderland. Without those four points, Villa might not look quite so secure in the Champions League qualifying slots. The question, then, is whether Villa sign the striker from Besiktas on a permanent basis. That may depend on whether they can afford him, which in turn may be dependent on Champions League qualification. Abraham is doing his bit to ensure that happens. Jonathan Wilson
