EPL Gameweek 21 Review: Liverpool Passes a Big Test

We review the key action from the midweek fixtures in the English Premier League, which was headlined by a top-of-the-table clash between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool: Arne Slot’s men negotiate tricky encounter 

You’d be forgiven for thinking we’ve been transported back to the 1970s. Still, high-flying Nottingham Forest have turned back the clock by proving themselves as creditable challengers to runaway league leaders Liverpool in recent weeks. 

Nuno Espírito Santo’s men were chasing a club record seventh straight Premier League win and were good value for it against the Reds at half-time, when they led through Chris Wood’s 13^th goal of the season. 

The hallmark of Premier League champions is having the ability to win when not playing well. Liverpool pulled it out of the fire in the second half when the introduction of Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas on 66 minutes paid immediate dividends. From there, it was one-way traffic, and Forest had goalkeeper Matz Sels to thank for keeping the scores level. 

That point means that Liverpool are four points clear of second-placed Arsenal and six clear of Forest in third, respectively, with a game in hand on both. They are an overwhelming 1.36 favourite with Betway to lift the title in May, though there’s still a long way to go, particularly as they face a trip to a Brentford side on Saturday with the joint second-best home record in the division. 

Meanwhile, there was a feeling that Forest’s shock win at Anfield in September was a fluke, but they are proving with each passing week that they are here to stay. 

It may be that a top-five finish proves to be enough for Champions League football next season, but even so, Forest suddenly looks extremely good value at 3.26 with YesPlay to pull off a top-four finish that seemed unthinkable back in the summer.   

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham: The Gunners bounce back from cup disappointment 

It’s been a fairly testing week in the domestic cups for Arsenal, as they backed up a demoralizing 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup by exiting the FA Cup at the hands of old rivals Manchester United at the weekend. 

The Gunners could still find glory on two fronts – sitting comfortably in the top eight of the Champions League at the time of writing – and they did their EPL title aspirations no harm by overcoming arch-enemies Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates on Wednesday. 

Arsenal had to do it the hard way, fighting back after going a goal down against the run of play, but they look positioned to play the role as the closest challengers for the third year running. It remains to be seen whether they will be able to get over the line this time, though the call for a recognized striker to join the ranks continues to persist. 

Up next is fellow UCL side Aston Villa, who put a firm nail in Arsenal’s title aspirations in the corresponding fixture last season. This will be a big test of their character, though Betway offers 6.60 about lightning striking twice and Villa winning once again.

Meanwhile, Tottenham took around 100 minutes to break down National League side Tamworth in the FA Cup at the weekend, and this result left them in 14^th place - closer to the relegation zone than the European places. 

Ange Postecoglou made the bold promise that he always wins a trophy in his second season, but fans continue to be frustrated by his side’s inconsistency. Barring a real upturn in fortunes, the EFL Cup looks to be their best shot at silverware - and they are 6.02 with YesPlay to get the job done on that front.

Spurs were excellent when defeating Liverpool in the semi-final last week, but that tie is only at the halfway point, and there is plenty of work to be done if he is to keep his word.

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa: Moyes has his work cut out at Goodison Park

When David Moyes was appointed as Everton manager for the first time in 2002, he was the youngest manager in the Premier League at the time. History repeated itself with his midweek reappointment, but he arrived as the oldest this time.

This appointment is based on stability, which Everton desperately needs as they attempt to preserve their Premier League status ahead of a potentially game-changing move to their new ground next season. 

However, Moyes will be under no illusions that his side will find themselves in a relegation dogfight after his opening game, falling to a far more clinical Aston Villa side. The Toffees boast one of the better defensive records in the league, but it is in front of goal where they continue to struggle, hitting the net just 15 times in 20 games so far. 

Sitting just one point clear of the bottom three with a game in hand, Everton are 3.75 with YesPlay to lose their status as EPL ever-presents and suffer relegation, with their home game against fellow strugglers Leicester on February 1 suddenly looking crucial. 

Aston Villa have struggled at times to juggle Champions League football with another strong league campaign, but they are just three points behind fourth-placed Newcastle in seventh, with just under half of the season to go. 

The Villains are 11.03 to finish in the top four with YesPlay, though if you believe in fairytales, the 41.80 with the same operator to go all the way in the Champions League might be worth a look.