10 things we learned from Week 13 of the 2023-24 Premier League season
Premier League Week 13 sent November out with a bang, with four teams within two points of the table lead, eight clearly in the top-four mix, and the bottom three feeling unlucky and/or aggrieved.
Arsenal's back atop the table thanks to a Kai Havertz-inspired 1-0 win over Brentford and a points-split between Manchester City and Liverpool. Aston Villa's leapt back into the top four, and Spurs, Manchester United, Newcastle, and Brighton can all make envision themselves moving nearer to that hallowed ground.
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Burnley, Sheffield United, and Everton are all more than a win from reclaiming safety, the Toffees feeling extra annoyed at their 10-point penalty but having no time to lick their wounds.
How did we get here? Let’s relive Week 13 with our writers Joe Prince-Wright, Nick Mendola, and Andy Edwards supplying analysis on the 10 games played in England’s top flight.
Guardiola’s, Klopp’s plans deliver righteous scrap
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Pep Guardiola wanted to get Jeremy Doku on the ball against Trent Alexander-Arnold and tell the Belgian to go to work. In fact, you could almost see Doku light up when he realized it was him against “TAA” 1v1. And he repeatedly cooked the English right back, winning 17-of-25 duels in the match while Alexander-Arnold lost 10-of-15, but that wasn’t the end of the story. Klopp wanted Alexander-Arnold to drive his attack and would’ve known his right side would take its lumps as TAA vs Doku is a mismatch. So Klopp took his lumps knowing the strength of Alexander-Arnold with the ball at his feet. Doku might’ve been the Man of the Match but Alexander-Arnold was right there with him! Alexander-Arnold was limited to 66 touches — Klopp would prefer him a centurion — but scored Liverpool's goal and sent eight balls into the final third. Who knows how many chances were snuffed by Alexander-Arnold’s perceived need to pay attention to Doku? Yet also, the Reds had no one else who could hang with Doku and also drive the play. And so, perhaps it’s worth saying that there was an element of the “same old” here, because both Guardiola and Klopp drew up winning plans and a renewed rivalry delivered entertainment to all. - Nicholas Mendola
Ten Hag watches his Red Devils find themselves
Make no mistake, this was bad early for Manchester United. Part of that isn’t a surprise given United’s recent lack of aesthetics and the cauldron that’s been Everton the last couple of weeks, but this 3-0 score line was far from a 90-minute show. We say that because it’s important to note the growth of United over the duration of this game, and because the scoresheet will show Alejandro Garnacho’s scintillating goal came in the fourth minute. But that 1-0 halftime lead deserves some light put on it, as Sean Dyche’s aggrieved Everton had 1.01 xG and 10 shot attempts to United’s 0.09 and two. But the Red Devils got much better after the break, albeit not to their historical standards. Ten Hag’s men produced a strong 1.97 xG in the second 45 minutes, generating three or four big chances while conceding very little to Everton aside from a lively Vitaliy Mykolenko. Luke Shaw’s return to the back four was welcome, and the back four of Shaw, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Diogo Dalot was quite good. Kobbie Mainoo’s first start went very well as the midfielder was all over the pitch, and the attackers all played a part in at least one goal. Few will be saying United is back, but there are signs of life from a solid away win. Those all can dissipate if things go poorly versus Gala and Newcastle, which they sure can, but right now there are reasons for hope. - Nicholas Mendola
Injured Magpies show up, show out versus sleepy Chelsea
Raheem Sterling’s wonderful free kick goal aside, Chelsea was unfocused and unmotivated coming out of the international break. Reece James’ poor yellow cards were symbolic of greater problems within the 11 men on the field, as the Blues wasted a prime chance to feast against their weary hosts by falling apart in the second half. Yes, with Newcastle down to a bench with virtually no impact playmakers — and three goalkeepers — the Magpies thrived as the match wore on and seized all three points. Eddie Howe will be right to preen. Who could’ve thought that a match against Chelsea would give him the opportunity to hand risk-free debuts to Alex Murphy, Amadou Diallo, and Michael Ndiweni after giving another start to 17-year-old Lewis Miley? It’s a brilliant moment for Howe, and quite honestly nothing short of a setback for Mauricio Pochettino. - Nicholas Mendola
Feast of quality leaves even the losers (somewhat) content
Aston Villa went in to a tough venue against a good opponent and took all three points. Tottenham was beset with injuries and performed well enough to beat a very good Villa. It’s not crazy to think that both sides can leave the stadium heads held high and buzzing for the future, is it? Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and wily Villa mastermind Unai Emery will feel their teams are on track to righteously compete for a top-four place, and the only thing that will stop them is the treatment room. Right now, Villa’s doing just fine in that department while Spurs are one of a few Premier League teams wondering how so many players are unavailable at the same darn time. While the Premier League changes by the minute, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both of these men lifting trophies this season while competing for honors this year and next. - Nicholas Mendola
Depth gets Arsenal back atop the table (Odegaard return helps, too)
This was one of those cliche games you need to win: Ugly, scrappy, and inspired by the bench. While it’s funny for some to think of Aaron Ramsdale as a bench player, last year’s Arsenal starter is very much No. 2 to David Raya right now. With Raya unable to play against his parent club, Ramsdale fought through nerves and errors to keep a clean sheet across London. But it will feel even better for Kai Havertz, who has endured two mostly-rough spells with London clubs. His goal from in-tight, off the bench, was his second as a Gunner in Premier League play and came after an international break that saw him playing left wing back. And while the depth show was great for Arsenal, it’s hardly a coincidence that Martin Odegaard returned from injury to join Declan Rice in leading the midfield through the muck and mire. Arsenal’s atop the table, and it’s earned its place the hard way. - Nicholas Mendola
Kudus stands tall with Antonio, Bowen out
West Ham needed a hero late to turn around a disappointing display at Burnley, and Mohammed Kudus stepped forward. His two pieces of brilliant wing-play saved the day as he first surged into the box to set up Divin Mubama and the Ghana international then pinged a brilliant cross to the back post for Tomas Soucek to win it. Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen going down with injuries on international duty is a hammer blow for David Moyes and Danny Ings struggled for service on his return to the team, but Kudus put West Ham on his back and helped them get the job done. This was not a promising display from West Ham at Burnley, as the hosts had the better chances and were deservedly ahead. But West Ham ground it out and Kudus is now settled after his summer move from Ajax. He deserves to be the main main in their attack. His quality on the ball was the difference between West Ham losing and winning this game. - Joe Prince-Wright
Palace waste Olise’s moment of magic as Luton delivers home joy
The goals began when the ball fell to Teden Mengi inside the six-yard box in the 72nd minute. A corner kick from the far side was flicked on to the back post where Mengi battled for position, settled the ball down and hammered it back across goal for an unexpected opening goal. Then came a moment of magic from returning star man Michael Olise, who made his first start of the season after recovering from a long-term hamstring injury. The English-born French youth international took his first touch on the ball at the halfway line, scooted down the right wing, tightroping the touchline. Olise made his way to the 18-yard box and cut back inside onto his favored left foot to uncork a world-class finish befitting a world-class run. Alas, such quality ultimately went to waste in the 83rd minute, when Crystal Palace’s defense fell asleep and watched a stellar cross from Chiedozie Ogbene curl and bounce through the penalty area and the six-yard box. No one stuck a foot out to touch or boot it clear, until Jacob Brown arrived at the back post and slotted home the winning goal. - Andy Edwards
Seagulls hold firm despite Dunk’s sending off
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Brighton
Trailing at the City Ground, Joao Pedro headed Pascal Gross’ cross home deep into first-half stoppage time and then added a second, from the penalty spot, in the 58th minute to seize control of this one. The victory appeared to be well in hand for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, but Lewis Dunk’s two yellows off a conceded penalty converted by Gibbs-White in the 76th minute made things a little more interesting down the stretch. Forest had three decent chances, all from inside 15 yards, during the 12 minutes of stoppage time, but Brighton’s defense made a series of key blocks and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made one stellar save to preserve the 3-2 scoreline. - Andy Edwards
Cherries controlling, clinical in insuring stock
Sheffield United 1-3 Bournemouth
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola wants to run rule over a side that keeps the ball and does fine things with it, and he won’t have a lot of chances to do that early in his Premier League project. But Saturday was a day for that, and the Cherries were very good in keeping 55% possession and producing 2.71 xG while conceding less than one to the Blades. And most of the xGA came with the game well in hand. Bournemouth seized the game from the opening whistle and attempted 23 of the game’s 33 shots, putting 11 on target while feasting on poor defending if not abject gaffes. If the recipe for staying in the top flight is beating the teams around you, Bournemouth has done that here to add to a win over Burnley. The win last time out versus Newcastle was more taking advantage of a wounded visitor, but that’ll do, too. Maybe, just maybe? - Nicholas Mendola
USMNT players at heart of everything — good and bad — for Fulham
The ‘Fulhamerica’ connection continues to keep United States men’s national team players in the frame at Craven Cottage, and boy were left back Antonee Robinson and center back Tim Ream involved in this one. Robinson assisted Fulham’s first goal, was beaten by Nelson Semedo in the run-up to Wolves’ equalizer, and then brought the danger that led to the Cottagers’ second penalty. Ream gave away Wolves’ penalty and that’s no highlight, but he paired with Calvin Bassey to control the game from the back. Ream passed at 95% as he combined with Bassey to register nearly 200 touches. - Nicholas Mendola
