Arsenal should stay positive, Potter shows Benítez a trick and VAR makes refereeing harder
On the first Sunday of 2021, a first-half Chelsea capitulation against Manchester City hastened Frank Lampard’s exit and deepened a despondent mood. Twelve months on, Liverpool’s two early goals at Stamford Bridge could have induced Groundhog Day feelings. Instead, Thomas Tuchel’s side roared back and showed that, whatever other problems have recently beset the Chelsea manager on and off the field, this is a team that plays for him. Though they did so in a rather un-Tuchel-like manner. The intense atmosphere generated by the Premier League debut of safe standing was met with the kind of front-foot, high-tempo performance more associated with a Jürgen Klopp side. Chelsea were the better team against Liverpool but they will rue the openness at the back that meant they had to settle for another draw which probably ends their title hopes, and more than the much-discussed Romelu Lukaku it is their first-choice full-backs, Ben Chilwell and Reece James, that they are missing most. Tom Davies
Tuchel refuses to guarantee Lukaku return to Chelsea team
Match report: Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool
Match report: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City
Match report: Watford 0-1 Tottenham
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