The Arne Slot machine is whirring heading into the final international break of 2024, as Liverpool hold a five-point lead atop the Premier League table , thanks to their own excellence and frequent failures from their rivals. The Reds established their unassailable lead over Manchester City thanks to a 2-0 beating of Aston Villa , a couple of hours after the champions suffered their fourth loss on the spin in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion . Chelsea and Arsenal complete the top four following their 1-1 London derby draw on Sunday evening, although both sides are now nine points below the Reds, while Nottingham Forest 's sensational start took a hit in a 3-1 loss to Newcastle United .
Ruud van Nistelrooy 's interim reign as Manchester United head coach ended in style, though, as the Red Devils eased to a 3-0 win over Leicester City , but Tottenham Hotspur were shocked 2-1 by a hitherto winless Ipswich Town . Wolverhampton Wanderers also got off the mark for the season at the 11th attempt, defeating Southampton 2-0 in their basement battle , while Crystal Palace have been plunged further into danger thanks to a 2-0 home loss to Fulham . Finally, Brentford served up another enthralling home contest , beating Bournemouth 3-2 at the Gtech Community Stadium, but West Ham United and Everton 's affair ended in a forgettable goalless draw .
Here, Sports Mole selects its Team of the Week for the latest round of matches. © Imago As dire as the action was at the London Stadium b.
