Just two wins and four defeats meant only six points shared among them. With the Premier League’s intensity and this congested stretch of the season something had to give.
6. Liverpool lose 4-1 at home to PSV
Houston we have a problem. Liverpool’s fall has become almost shocking. The Premier League champions suffered another painful night at Anfield as they followed their 3-0 league loss to Forest with a 4-1 defeat to a vibrant PSV Eindhoven. The Reds have now lost nine of their last twelve matches in all competitions their worst run in seventy one years. PSV struck early with a penalty in the sixth minute. Liverpool fought hard and equalised through Szoboszlai but the second half collapsed into chaos. Mauro Junior glided past Salah and found Guus Til who hammered the ball home. From there PSV took control and embarrassed the hosts. Questions will only grow louder around Slot and his ability to carry the team beyond the Klopp era.
5. Manchester City lose 2-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen
City’s defeat felt like a lesson in overconfidence. Guardiola rotated heavily making ten changes following the thriller at St James Park. Leaving Haaland Doku and Foden on the bench proved costly as City lacked any real threat. Leverkusen took the lead through Grimaldo who finished off a sharp counter. City improved after the break once the big names came on but Leverkusen punished them again when Schick scored in the fifty fourth minute. It was a frustrating night that showed how quickly City can be caught out without their usual firepower.
4. Newcastle lose 2-1 at Marseille
Eddie Howe’s men could not extend their winning run in Europe as they fell to Marseille who were inspired by Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. Newcastle started well with Harvey Barnes scoring his fourth Champions League goal of the season. But Aubameyang punished them with a second half brace. Nick Pope’s error on the equaliser will haunt him. He drifted far from his line and Aubameyang coolly took advantage. Marseille completed the comeback soon after and Newcastle only had themselves to blame for going into their shell too early.
3. Tottenham lose 5-3 at PSG
This one falls into the brave defeat category. Spurs went to the home of the European champions days after their North London derby heartbreak. Despite the odds Thomas Frank’s team twice took the lead through Richarlison and Kolo Muani. But PSG’s quality eventually overwhelmed them with Vitinha scoring a spectacular hat trick. The match swung wildly with eight goals packed into a wild forty minute spell. Spurs fought hard but PSG were simply too strong on the night.
2. Chelsea win 3-0 at home to Barcelona
Chelsea delivered a huge statement at Stamford Bridge by sweeping aside Barcelona 3-0. They controlled the midfield and deserved their opener which came through a chaotic moment that ended in a Kounde own goal. Barca’s problems only grew when Araujo lunged recklessly at Cucurella and was sent off. Estavio and Yamal entered with big reputations but the young Brazilian stole the show scoring a brilliant second. Rory Delap sealed the victory as Chelsea looked dominant from start to finish.
1. Arsenal win 3-1 at home to Bayern Munich
Arsenal produced the performance of the week by beating unbeaten Bayern Munich. The Emirates crowd is living a dream at the moment. Timber opened the scoring with a powerful header from a perfect Saka delivery. Bayern equalised before the break but Arsenal shifted into a higher gear in the second half. A series of intense set pieces wore Bayern down before Noni Madueke restored the lead with a sharp finish. The final blow came on a sweeping counter led by Eze and finished by Martinelli who glided past Neuer with confidence. It was a display of power flair and maturity from a side that looks ready for anything Europe throws at them.