And so the big one had a VAR controversy – kind of had to, didn’t it?
Didn’t really predict Pep turning into Basil Fawlty on the sideline, though.
Anfield aside, how did it turn out for your squads this weekend?
If Liverpool are streaking ahead at the top, then let’s hope you’ve also got your money where the chasers are.
Particularly Chelsea, who are on a six match run of wins – their best since the title-winning campaign of Antonio Conte, which feels a long time ago.
And if Tammy Abraham if someone you’ve staked your fortunes on, then you are likely riding high in your league. He has eight Fantasy League points already this month, to go with his overall tally of 34. This puts him second on the overall list.
He slammed in his tenth goal of the season on Saturday afternoon against Crystal Palace – and he’s scoring at a rate of once every 90 minutes, a ratio bettered only by Sergio Aguero this season.
Christian Pulisic has come in to the Blues’ attacking trident of late, and his form is just as impressive. He is hitting the target with 75% of his shots this season – the highest of anyone with four goals or more – and it’s therefore no surprise that he has five goals from only 566 minutes played.
At the bottom, the ‘out-of-form wheel’ stopped at West Ham, whose arresting 3-0 reverse at Turf Moor means they have now not won in the league since the 22nd September.
We have spoken about Lukasz Fabiasnki’s replacement Roberto before, and it seems like his acclimatisation to English football is spreading fear throughout their defence to the likes of Issa Diop and Aaron Cresswell, who have at times in previous seasons been reliable Fantasy League bets.
They have now conceded twice to Everton, and three times to Newcastle and Burnley – worrying signs that Manuel Pellegrini needs to fix fast.
The last word has to be for Watford, who picked up their first win of the season at the twelfth attempt away at Norwich.
It might not quite be the time to pile into their defenders again – but consider this; they have only conceded three times in their last five matches, with three clean sheets.
Remarkable when you consider their still lowly position – and the fact they conceded eight at the Etihad in September – but it is testament to the work Quique Sanchez Flores has done since coming back to the club.
