Premier League Talking Points: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Marcelo Bielsa and Sheffield United
It's been another action-packed weekend in the Premier League. Tom Carnduff looks at the main talking points.
Højbjerg shines once again
Tottenham returned to winning ways as they beat Leeds 3-0 in the early kick-off. Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Toby Alderweireld were all on the scoresheet for the hosts.
It brought an end to a four-game winless run in the Premier League for Jose Mourinho's men, who moved back into the top-four and sit four points off Liverpool at the top.
Kane and Son both put in solid performances and connected again for the second, a theme that was missing in recent weeks, but it was yet another good display for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in midfield that really caught the eye; his presence was evident as Leeds continued to play with an attacking style with the aim of finding the net.
It was a man of the match performance from the midfielder. His five successful tackles were the joint-most in the Tottenham side while his 44 accurate passes were also the highest for the home side. Højbjerg even possessed a rare direct attacking threat with two shots, one of which was saved by Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.
It's the fifth time this season that Højbjerg has managed four or more tackles in a Premier League contest. He's firmly established himself as a key part of this Tottenham side and that's why he has played every minute of their league campaign so far.
While not glamorous in the same way as Kane and Son this season, Højbjerg is the most important player for Spurs. His all-round ability combined with a battling style makes it easy to see why Mourinho signed him in the most recent transfer window.
When the market becomes available, it's worth looking at Højbjerg in the tackles markets, with 3+ and 4+ looking good plays for their next Premier League encounter against Aston Villa after the FA Cup break.
Give Leeds a break
It's becoming a constant theme throughout this Premier League season. As soon as Leeds lose a game, the questions directed towards Marcelo Bielsa are everywhere - usually accompanied by remarks about why there is so much love for him from commentators and pundits.
Such comments were nowhere to be seen when Leeds hit five past Newcastle and West Brom in December. They went into the Tottenham game on the back of consecutive clean sheets but that didn't stop remarks of 'why do their fans enjoy watching them concede five every week?'
Meslier, a 20-year-old goalkeeper who is very much learning on the job, has kept the joint-fourth most clean sheets in the Premier League. Leeds have been heavily beaten more than once but they've also dished it out as well. To expect a newly-promoted team to arrive at a top-six club and turn them over is too much.
The defensive problems can be put down to the fact that they are missing Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, three international centre-backs and undoubtedly the first three choices in the middle of the back line. They aren't sacrificing their style despite a defence made up of wingers at full-back, and a young player and a right-back making up their central duo.
Why anyone is opposed to a team providing entertainment at both ends is puzzling. Leeds are entertainers; whether it be goals scored or goals conceded, they will always be good value to watch. They are a newly-promoted team and are picking up points where they should be picking up points. Losing 3-0 today isn't a problem if you're hitting five past other bottom-half sides a few days earlier.
Essentially, we can't criticise Leeds' style of play and then complain when a dull 0-0 comes around. They're a team who are new to the division, playing a unique style that can work where they need it to. They're good fun to watch, winning games where they need to win games, and are an attractive 21/20 to beat Brighton next time.
What now for Sheffield United?
Seventeen games, 15 defeats, two points. Sheffield United's miserable season continued at Selhurst Park with Jeffrey Schlupp and Eberechi Eze on target in a 2-0 victory for Crystal Palace.
They already sit 11 points off safety as we approach the halfway point. This isn't poor early-season form, this is becoming a disastrous campaign which isn't showing any signs of improving; this is a squad that is struggling through with limited numbers.
All eyes will be on their transfer activity and where they go. You never want to use the term 'accept your fate' because there is still plenty of football to be played, but will expensive loan deals be the right approach during this window? Will it actually provide an effective short-term solution or will they still go down and have paid out more in doing so?
The Blades are sliding back into the Sky Bet Championship. They may have the Premier League tag currently but they are a second-tier side in all but name, 1/20 in the odds to go down, and that should be the thinking when they approach a market already encased in uncertainty given the current financial situation.
Gambling on big wages for an out-of-favour player from elsewhere offers nothing further down the line. Despite their current position, the signings during the last transfer window will have a bigger impact in the future. Jayden Bogle (20), Rhian Brewster (20), Aaron Ramsdale (22), Max Lowe (23) and Oli Burke (23) are all youthful recruits who should ensure the Blades don't slide further down the English football pyramid and are in fact well placed to make a quick return to the top of it.
To simply rip up that approach for a throw of the dice on survival will do more harm than good. It's not usually a window for planning for the future; it's usually one that brings panic signings. The Blades need to ensure they don't get drawn into that.
Unexpected thriller at the Amex
Not many would have backed goals at the Amex, but the evening kick off provided just that with Brighton and Wolves playing out a 3-3 thriller. The hosts came from 3-1 down at the break to secure a point, Lewis Dunk's header enough to level things up.
A frustrating one from a tipping point of view with Adam Webster, a 16/1 shout in Saturday's preview, striking the bar just minutes before Dunk found the back of the net. But what we saw was this Brighton side finally unlocking the potential they possess.
We've said throughout the campaign, and indeed throughout their time under Graham Potter, that the Seagulls haven't looked a bad team but lacked a real edge to them. It seems odd to say that about a team with 21 goals on their tally but it perhaps should have been more at this stage given their dominance in possession and with the way they want to control games.
It should still be acknowledged that they did go into the break 3-1 down and Wolves shouldn't have sat back as much as they did. The comeback is a big positive but it's still not the win they were looking for. This is a team who won just once at home in 2020. Still, it showed that Brighton can turn promise into productivity.
For Wolves, their choice to switch to a back-four brought three goals, the most they have scored in a single game this season, and hopefully the final result won't scare them into reverting to three centre-backs. The system on Saturday allowed them to flow more in attack which carries added importance given Raul Jimenez's absence.
If they stick with it and keep most of the same line-up for the FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace on Friday then the 10/11 on a Wolves victory will look like great value.
Odds correct at 1920 GMT (02/01/21)
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