Anderson silencing the doubters at Anfield

Manchester City's 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield was built on defensive steel and midfield mastery, and nobody embodied both qualities more completely than Elliot Anderson. The former Nottingham Forest midfielder has arrived at City with a £116 million price tag — and, according to Jamie Carragher, he is already proving worth every penny.

Anderson has now won at Anfield in back-to-back seasons, doing so with two different clubs. The contexts could hardly be more different — Forest's direct, physical approach last term against City's measured, possession-driven football this season — yet Anderson was the constant, imposing his will on both occasions.

Gary Neville's assessment was blunt: "He dominates big games." It is difficult to argue. Anderson combines the physicality of a combative midfielder with the composure of a seasoned playmaker. In the mould of Rodri before him, he offers City control, tempo, and authority in the deepest midfield role.

Wirtz still searching for his Premier League moment

Florian Wirtz worked hard for Liverpool throughout the contest, pressing relentlessly and moving with purpose. But the decisive quality — the spark that supporters of a £100-million-plus signing demand — was absent once again.

The Germany international was withdrawn before the end as Liverpool chased the game, having managed one shot that flew wide when the score was level. He has yet to score in the Premier League this season and has found the net just once in his last 16 league appearances — a return wholly insufficient for a player of his cost and reputation.

Rayan Cherki, his City counterpart, underlined the contrast by setting up the decisive third goal after Wirtz had been substituted. Liverpool's supporters have embraced the bustling directness of Victor Munoz and Lewis Koumas, but Wirtz glides rather than battles, and for a player of that style, end product is everything.

Sage's Palace turn back the clock on Glasner's return

Crystal Palace's 3-1 comeback victory over Nottingham Forest carried an unmistakeable message: the attacking football that defined Oliver Glasner's first season at Selhurst Park may be returning under Pierre Sage.

Palace have now scored three or more goals in two of their last four Premier League matches — equalling a figure they managed across the previous 37 league games combined. Daichi Kamada, Jefferson Lerma, and Yeremy Pino all got on the scoresheet against Forest as the Eagles played with a freedom and confidence that had been absent for much of last season.

It is early in Sage's tenure, and two high-scoring results do not confirm a transformation. But if he can maintain this attacking momentum and address a defence that has remained vulnerable, the foundation for a genuinely dangerous Palace side is beginning to form.

Everton unbeaten but lacking the striker to dream of Europe

Everton are unbeaten through six Premier League matches for only the third time in the Premier League era, following similar starts in 2006/07 and 2013/14 that yielded sixth and fifth-place finishes respectively. The credit belongs to David Moyes, who has revitalised a club that spent the previous five seasons mired in relegation battles.

Yet the 2-2 draw at Hull City exposed the limitation that could prevent a genuine European push. Thierno Barry, Everton's only recognised striker, required five big chances to score once, according to Opta — a conversion rate that will not sustain a top-six challenge. The 23-year-old is Everton's leading Premier League scorer since the start of last season with 11 goals, and he is improving, but the burden on him is unfair.

The intended solution was Folarin Balogun, whose move from Monaco collapsed on Deadline Day. With the striker situation unresolved and questions hanging over the club's ownership, Moyes faces January with an urgent need for reinforcement. He has done a remarkable job to reach this point — but without a reliable goalscorer, Europe will remain out of reach.

Belloumi makes his mark even from the bench

Mohamed Belloumi's influence on Hull City's season was underlined again on Sunday, this time from the substitutes' bench. The Algeria winger told head coach Sergej Jakirovic on Friday that he was carrying fatigue after three matches during the international break, and was rested from the start accordingly.

He came on and scored the equaliser that earned Hull a point against Everton, taking his combined tally of goals and assists to five of Hull's eight Premier League goals this season. It was a performance that confirmed his importance to the side well beyond his modest debut-season numbers — five goals in 35 Championship appearances after joining from Farense in August 2024.

The 24-year-old will return to the starting lineup at Fulham next weekend, and on current form, opposing defences will find him no easier to handle with a full week of rest behind him.