There's no doubt that Matchday 11 of the season was a Premier League shocker, just like Matchday 10 was! Once again many of the main title contenders struggled to pick up points and once again, Liverpool took full advantage opening up a five-point gap on Manchester City in second and nine point gap on Chelsea, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Brighton.
However, it wasn't just on the field that we saw a Premier League shocker; we saw some dramatic, shocking and worrying news about one Premier League official, the arrival of the new manager at Manchester United (and the departure of a fan and player favourite), controversy over players named in the England squad, then several players withdrawing from that squad.
Meanwhile the only two teams without a win this season in the Premier League managed to secure three points for the first time this campaign.
Click on the link here for the latest Premier League table.
So yes, this was a Premier League shocker of a weekend so let's dig into the details a little more deeply. Remember, even on the international break you can still enjoy lots of exciting Premier League betting on the next set of games and plenty of other outright markets at bet365 Sport!
Always remember to gamble responsibly.
Check out bet365’s Safer Gambling page for more details.
*Teams are now on an international break until the weekend of 23rd/24th/25th November 2024.
With many pundits predicting a down season after the departure of Jurgen Klopp, it is a Premier League shocker for some to see that Liverpool is enjoying a very strong start to the season.
Under the guidance of new manager Arne Slot, they have strengthened their position at the top of the table in the past two weeks as their main challengers have struggled to pick up points. Liverpool's recent victories over Brighton (2-1) and Aston Villa (2-0), combined with the only 100% winning record in the Champions League have dispelled doubts about their fortitude to stay the course during a very difficult run of fixtures.
That run continues after the international break as after a game away to Southampton, the Reds face Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester City in the Premier League, both at Anfield, in the space of four days.
The Reds could have Trent Alexander-Arnold back for those games. The talismanic right-back came off injured after 25 minutes of the game on Saturday night, but scans showed no major damage and despite missing the England squad, he could return to action in a fortnight.
Egyptian King Doing His Thing
The team's current form suggests that a special season might be unfolding at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah playing a crucial role in their success. The Egyptian winger has scored eight goals this season but also has six assists, and with 14 goal contributions, leads the EPL.
With his contract situation still unresolved at Liverpool, it remains to be seen whether the Egyptian king agrees to extend his stay further. But Reds fans will be hoping that a new deal is set to be signed soon.
The English Premier League is known for its unpredictability, and this season is no exception. Manchester City, a team that has dominated the league in recent years, is facing a very challenging period. The Citizens 2-1 defeat to Brighton, marking their fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions. A Premier League shocker if ever there was one!
Erling Haaland scored his twelfth of the season to put City 1-0 up and the away side were in control for most of the first half. However, Brighton stormed back in the second period and after squandering several good opportunities, the Seagulls scored twice in a five-minute spell through Joao Pedro and youngster Matt O'Riley.
This run of defeats is a rare occurrence for Manchester City and their manager, Pep Guardiola. Despite their struggles, City remains a formidable team, but their recent form has raised questions about their squad depth and reliance on key players like Ballon D'Or winner Rodri.
Injuries certainly have hampered City. Alongside Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne has been absent, Phil Foden missed several weeks and Jack Grealish is also on the treatment table. Others that have been injured this season include Jeremy Doku, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Oscar Bobb.
With speculation about the outcome of the investigation into Financial Fair Play believed to be on the horizon and City facing 115 charges, it is certainly a worrying time for the four-time consecutive Champions.
City's next game is a must-win league game with Tottenham at the Etihad on Saturday 23rd November, followed by a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool a week later.
In contrast, Manchester United is showing signs of improvement. They secured a 3-0 win over Leicester at the weekend which moved them up to 13th in the table. That low position is still a Premier League shocker for a team like the Red Devils, but it is an improvement.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes, a Victor Kristiansen own goal and Alejandro Garnacho gave United a comfortable win over the Foxes.
Under the interim management of Ruud van Nistelrooy, United have enjoyed some better form, leading to calls for the Dutchman to be kept on as part of the backroom team at United when new manager Ruben Amorim took over on 11th November.
However, on Monday 11th November, Amorim flew into Manchester and headed to Carrington, United's training base, for talks with the club hierarchy and backroom staff. Shortly after he arrived, United announced that van Nistelrooy would be leaving the club, along with a number of other members of Erik Ten Hag's backroom staff.
Amorim may be able to welcome back three players when United return to action later this month with Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo all believed to be close to being fit for their next game. Meanwhile Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw are both slated in to return to action in early December.
Arsenal is facing challenges of their own. The Gunners drew 1-1 away to Chelsea this weekend, leaving them nine points behind Liverpool and four behind Manchester City. A result which manager Mikel Arteta said had left him “not happy, but proud” of the way his team battled hard to secure a point in the London derby.
Arsenal went in front on the hour mark thanks to Gabriel Martinelli's near post finish. However ten minutes later Pedro Neto swept home a 20-yard shot to bring Chelsea level and the teams shared the points as a result.
Midfielder Martin Odegaard returned from injury for that game, but the Gunners saw England duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both forced off with injury during the match. Both players subsequently withdrew from the England Squad for the Three Lions final two Nations League clashes.
The Gunners face a must-win game on their return to action on Saturday 23rd November when they face Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, with Forest as yet unbeaten on the road this season.
Coming into this weekend, two teams in the Premier League had yet to win a game this season. However in another Premier League shocker, both secured their first wins of the season on Matchday 11.
Wolves faced fellow relegation strugglers Southampton at Molineux on Saturday afternoon and Gary O'Neill's team emerged with a deserved 2-0 victory. An early strike from Pablo Sarabia put the home side in front before Matheus Cunha's fantastic second assured Wolves of all three points.
The win moved Wolves off the bottom of the table and up to 18th, but they then dropped back down to 19th on Sunday after Ipswich shocked many with an outstanding 2-1 win away from home against Tottenham.
Striking duo Sammie Szmodics put the Tractor Boys in front before the exciting young striker Liam Delap made it 2-0 just before half time. Rodrigo Betancur pulled one goal back for Spurs on 69 minutes but the visitors hung on to record a hugely impressive win.
Those three points moved Ipswich out of the relegation zone and up to 17th, two points behind Everton and Leicester and one ahead of Crystal Palace in 18th.
Newcastle United produced another excellent performance following on from their 1-0 win over Arsenal last week, earning a 3-1 win away to third-placed Nottingham Forest.
The home side went in front at the City Ground when defender Murillo headed home Anthony Elanga's free kick to put Forest 1-0 up after 22 minutes. That remained the score until half-time and Forest looked in control.
But after the break, Newcastle played much more aggressively and were rewarded when Alexander Isak scored for the second consecutive game to make it 1-1 after 54 minutes. On 72 minutes Joelinton curled home a fantastic shot to put Newcastle 2-1 up and then eleven minutes later, super-sub Harvey Barnes came on and had an immediate impact, scoring a third to make it 3-1.
Fulham's good start to the season continued with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, thanks to goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Harry Wilson. The Cottagers now lie seventh in the table. Not quite a Premier League shocker, but still surprising to say the least.
Brentford and Bournemouth fought out a hugely entertaining 3-2 win for the home side Bees, who have the best home record in the Premier League. All five goals came in the opening hour of the game with Evanilson putting Bournemouth in front, only for Yoane Wissa to level. Justin Kluivert put the Cherries back on top before Mikkel Damsgaard levelled and then eight minutes later Wissa added his second to give Brentford the win.
West Ham and Everton played out a dour 0-0 draw which doesn't really help either team's position near the foot of the table. The pressure is now on Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui, with an number of names being linked as his possible replacement.
It would not be a Premier League shocker if the Hammers boss was the next manager out of a job this season.
Just when you thought this Premier League shocker of a weekend could not surprise you more, there was huge news on Sunday. David Coote, a Premier League referee, has been suspended due to alleged derogatory remarks about Liverpool and former Reds manager Jürgen Klopp.
In a video widely circulating on social media, Coote used foul and derogatory language about Klopp and Liverpool in a clip that he initially denied was real, but has since admitted that it had indeed been him caught on camera and not AI-generated.
Unsurprisingly, the PGMOL, the refereeing body, moved to suspend Coote from all duties while they investigated the video further.
The video is particularly damning for the referee, who has long been suspected of holding a grudge against Liverpool. Ostensibly due to numerous curious and contentious calls when he has been either the referee or VAR official in Liverpool games, or games involving Liverpool's rivals for the title in recent years.
On social media, angry Liverpool fans have listed incidents which they feel Coote has unfairly treated the team by not making the right decision. They include:
Coote will likely be on gardening leave until the PGMOL have conducted their investigation and reached their own conclusions to this Premier League shocker to conclude the weekend!
The English Premier League remains one of the most exciting and unpredictable football leagues in the world. With teams facing challenges, players delivering standout performances, and controversies adding to the drama, the league never fails to entertain.
As the season unfolds, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this captivating football saga. Will the next weekend be another Premier League shocker, or will normality return?
All contents are ©
Bet365 Bonus Code, Sports, Casino and Poker Sign up offers and News
18+ Worried about your gambling?
Gamcare - When the fun stops – STOP!
