Premier League Talking Points: Lethal Lukaku, poor Palace & more

The scoreline was impressive, but the hosts’ all-round play was even more so. Jose Izquierdo, Locadia and Knockaert tore the Swans’ defence apart with their intricate passing and smart deliveries, while the lively Murray was unlucky not to score more.

Baggies revival needs to start now

Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Huddersfield Town saw West Bromwich Albion fall seven points away from safety. With 10 games left it isn’t an insurmountable gap, but they need to fix the faults which were visible on Saturday…and fast.

The hosts had 10 shots over the course of their game against the Terriers, and dominated possession. But the likes of James McClean and Chris Brunt couldn’t make good opportunities count at key moments.

For Huddersfield’s part, they played well. But David Wagner’s men found it too easy to get through the hosts’ backline. The fact West Brom rallied from 2-0 down to grab a goal back will give fans a little hope. But time is fast running out for a 2005-esque ‘Great Escape’.

Hodgson’s Eagles must rediscover their creative spark

Rewind six weeks, and Crystal Palace appeared to have extricated themselves from the Premier League relegation battle altogether. The Eagles had lost one and won four of their previous 12 Prem games, including a 3-0 victory over Leicester City.

But since then, everything has begun to fall apart. Sunday’s home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur meant Roy Hodgson’s men have taken just two points from five games.

While Spurs left it late, Palace didn’t deserve more than they got. The hosts mustered just 24% of possession and five shots to the visitors 14. A large injury list has admittedly taken its toll at Selhurst Park, but there’s also little doubt that those who are fit and available have been seriously underperforming.

Klopp’s men aren’t struggling without Coutinho

It’s almost two months since the Anfield faithful saw the last of Philippe Coutinho in a Liverpool shirt. But the collapse many expected on Merseyside hasn’t happened. If anything, Jurgen Klopp’s men look better than ever right now.

They dominated Sunday’s meeting with West Ham United from the off. Mohamed Salah hit the post inside three minutes, after a neat move. In the end, it didn’t matter. The Reds registered a 4-1 win, and the range of goals they bagged speaks to their quality.

Emre Can nodded home neatly from a corner, before Salah finished off after a mazy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain run to make it 2-0. Roberto Firmino added an impudent third, before a Sadio Mane tap-in for the fourth. A truly virtuoso team performance.

Big match previews, betting tips and transfer news – Coral have it all.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing