6) May could prove Mazzarri’s downfall at Watford
The month of May has become particularly precarious for Watford managers in recent years and Walter Mazzarri must know his moment of truth is just around the corner. Their fifth successive defeat on the road without finding the net will not have helped the Italian’s cause with the club’s owner, Gino Pozzo, although the former Napoli and Internazionale manager has actually fared better in the second half of the season than his predecessor at Vicarage Road, Quique Sánchez Flores. With trips to Everton and Chelsea to come before they face Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League season, Mazzarri will do well to exceed Watford’s points total of 45 from last season, when they also reached the FA Cup semi-final. Ed Aarons
7) Southampton’s good point at Anfield cannot hide weak points
Southampton’s point at Liverpool was hard-fought and deserved but it was a performance that hardly answered Claude Puel’s critics. His players dug deep to earn a draw at Anfield, especially Fraser Forster, who saved James Milner’s second‑half penalty, but the Liverpool goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, left the field without breaking sweat. Saints may have defended stoutly but they did not have a shot on target and when they did threaten to attack they were subdued; Manolo Gabbiadini was again painfully isolated up front. Defensively the centre-back partnership of Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida seems to be growing stronger with each 90 minutes but when Southampton host Arsenal on Wednesday it would be dangerous for Saints to take too much inspiration from this dull stalemate. Ben Fisher
8) Kompany believes City side could be best of Sheikh Mansour era
As the man who captained Manchester City to two league titles, Vincent Kompany should be listened to when he states Pep Guardiola’s team may prove to be the best of the Sheikh Mansour era. After City thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 the Belgian said: “My opinion is simple. I’ve been part of teams here who have been able to win trophies but never a team that has been able to control a game and dominate a game like we do now. Unfortunately we lost a little bit of the edge we had [earlier in the season]. But that’s something we can recover, especially when I see the talent on the pitch. Gabriel Jesus, you can see he’s hungry to get goals. Leroy [Sané] and Raheem [Sterling] were trying to shoot and get goals. We don’t mind as long as people keep trying. I see us having advantages over any squad we’ve had before at this club. So I’m objectively positive about the future.” Jamie Jackson
9) Mawson underlines how little Williams is missed at Swansea
One of the many criticisms levelled at Swansea City at the start of this chaotic season was that they sold Ashley Williams, their captain, without signing a replacement. That argument no longer rings true. Alfie Mawson, who joined from Barnsley in late August, upstaged Everton’s Williams on his return to the Liberty Stadium with yet another hugely impressive performance at the heart of the Swansea defence. Mawson had to wait until 22 October to make his Premier League debut and was not helped in the early stages by Bob Bradley’s chopping and changing at the back, but he has emerged as a key player. Composed on the ball, defensively solid and a real threat in the opposition penalty area, Mawson has a big future ahead of him, so much so that few home fans would have left the Liberty Stadium on Saturday wishing that Williams was still Swansea’s No6. Stuart James
10) Lanzini’s big-game qualities offer hope for West Ham revival
Manuel Lanzini’s winning goal on Friday gave West Ham United, with apologies to Andy Carroll, the first landmark moment at their new home. Lanzini’s opportunistic finish also bolstered a curious statistic: the Argentinian has now scored nine of his 14 league goals in London derbies. If nothing else, this perhaps reveals something of the big‑game player in Lanzini. It is a quality that has been lacking as West Ham have struggled to adjust to their new status and surroundings, with Slaven Bilic trying out a host of unconvincing options to fill the creative void left behind by Dimitri Payet. On Friday the front three of André Ayew, Jonathan Calleri and Lanzini appeared to provide as much optimism as any, and the system allowed Lanzini to shine. He drifted instinctively into key areas and scoring a poacher’s goal for the biggest win of West Ham’s season. Niall McVeigh
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