Sport360 picks out five of the weekend’s most interesting talking points.
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Dele Alli’s not been the greatest
Tottenham playmaker Dele Alli is suffering a sophomore slump following his brilliant breakout campaign last term. He had his injury issues but has still started 12 Premier League games and has been largely anonymous in at least half of them. Alli is emblematic of Spurs’ problems at the moment as they struggle for any coherent attacking creativity.
Dele Alli.
Everton catch the EPL disease
It’s become one of this season’s trends in the English top-flight and against Watford on Saturday, Everton joined the party making a mess of defending any set pieces which came their way. Sebastian Prodl and Stefano Okaka both scored from crossed balls from a free-kick and a corner with the Toffees lacking the necessary organisation and communication to intervene.
Everton players after their defeat to Watford.
Wilfried Zaha just needed some TLC
We’re all now seeing just how good Wilfried Zaha can be. No-one has attempted more dribbles and only Kevin De Bruyne has more assists. Something has clicked in the Crystal Palace winger who scored an absolute scorcher at Hull on Saturday. Alan Pardew is known for getting the best out of mercurial talents with an arm around the shoulder, and he’s worked his magic again.
Wilfried Zaha.
Gylfi Sigurdsson better stay fit
Outside of Jermain Defoe, no individual is more influential and therefore important to a team than Gylfi Sigurdsson is for Swansea. The Icelandic midfielder has scored or assisted 10 of their 19 league goals this term and is comfortably the best player in a limited squad. Bob Bradley must shudder to think of the scenario should he suffer any kind of long-term injury.
Gylfi Sigurdsson.
What is Sunderland’s Plan B?
The same applies to Defoe for Sunderland, but at least Swansea have alternative goalscorers in Leroy Fer and Fernando Llorente. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that if Defoe is shackled, as he was against Swansea, the Blacks Cats have few attacking options. With Duncan Watmore out for the season, it’s basically Defoe or nothing.
Jermain Defoe.