So, the place had been we then?

Soccer did not come residence from Qatar ultimately. That is alright – as a result of what we’re actually after is the nerve-jangling, topsy-turvy, nail-biting rollercoaster that’s Premier League soccer.

The joy of the World Cup means some might wrestle to recollect precisely the place we left issues within the high flight again in the course of November. Groups had been on cloud 9, managers had been beneath stress, gamers had been going by means of purple patches and followers had been as vocal as ever, each positively and negatively.

So many questions want answering over the following six months. Is that this Arsenal’s time? Can the out-of-form golf equipment on the backside flip their fortunes round? Have Manchester United really turned a nook?

Sky Sports activities’ soccer writers give us an in depth reminder concerning the speaking factors at every Premier League membership – and the place their destiny may lie…

Arsenal

Place: 1st (37 factors)

Prime goalscorer: Martin Odegaard (6 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: West Ham (H), Brighton (A), Newcastle (H)

A month on from their final Premier League recreation, Arsenal followers could possibly be forgiven for pondering it was all a dream. Nevertheless it wasn’t. You actually are 5 factors away from Manchester Metropolis on the high of the desk.

The problem now’s staying there and the duty has been made tougher by the knee harm which curtailed Gabriel Jesus’ World Cup involvement and is predicted to maintain him out for 3 months.

The Brazilian striker solely scored 5 instances within the 14 Premier League video games earlier than the break – and none within the final six – however his influence on Arsenal’s all-round recreation following his arrival from Metropolis has been transformational.

Will they be capable to maintain their sensible begin with out him?

Others have stepped up when it comes to their scoring output, together with Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka, who’ve netted 18 objectives between them, however changing every part else Jesus presents is one other matter.

Eddie Nketiah will hope to grab his probability. The January switch window might open up prospects too. However Arsenal head into the restart realizing how they cope with out Jesus is more likely to make or break their title problem.
Nick Wright

Aston Villa

Place: twelfth (18 factors)

Prime goalscorer: Danny Ings (6 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Liverpool (H), Tottenham (A), Wolves (H)

The humbling defeat at Fulham which led to Steven Gerrard’s sacking inside two hours of the full-time whistle is lengthy forgotten at Aston Villa now.

Three Premier League wins from 4 and the appointment of Unai Emery rapidly moved the membership into a brand new period – and crucially 5 factors above the drop.

Victories over Manchester United and Brighton in Emery’s first two video games raised hopes that their UAE coaching camp could possibly be used to even larger impact. In any case, it has been away from residence the place the group’s points have been laid naked, accumulating simply 5 factors from eight matches.

However high of the checklist of issues for Emery to repair is an assault that has produced solely 16 objectives in 15 video games. After scoring simply seven instances within the first 11 matches beneath Gerrard, they’ve netted 9 within the 4 since.

Emery has deployed a 4-2-2-2 formation that advantages ahead pair Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, and likewise seems to swimsuit midfielders akin to Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn. However Villa want attacking reinforcements this winter – notably in large areas – if they’re to push for a top-half end.

A transfer for proficient ahead Joao Felix appears formidable though Villa followers will welcome a extra constructive method beneath Emery.
David Richardson

Bournemouth

Place: 14th (16 factors)

Prime goalscorers: Phillip Billing and Kieffer Moore (4 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Chelsea (A), Crystal Palace (H), Man United (A)

Loads can change in 4 weeks. Because the begin of the World Cup, Bournemouth have appointed Gary O’Neil as their everlasting head coach and grow to be the most recent top-flight membership to fall beneath American possession. Though Invoice Foley’s £100m-plus takeover had been on the playing cards for months, affirmation of the deal was solely introduced final week.

The 78-year-old Las Vegas-based billionaire has already revealed his plans to develop the Vitality Stadium and coaching amenities on the south coast, and he solely informed Sky Sports activities Information he expects “4 or 5 new gamers” to reach within the January switch window.

Assisted by Hollywood award-winning actor, director and producer Michael B. Jordan, Foley has instantly put Bournemouth beneath the worldwide highlight. It is an thrilling time for everybody concerned with the membership.

The rapid intention stays Premier League survival, however Foley clearly believes O’Neil can obtain that feat having steadied the ship since Scott Parker’s dismissal on the finish of August. Bournemouth have gained 4, drawn 4 and misplaced 4 beneath the 39-year-old and are 14th within the desk, three factors above the relegation zone.

There may be positive to be an additional buzz across the city when the Cherries play their first residence recreation in seven weeks towards Crystal Palace on December 31. Foley will probably be watching in individual that day.

The resumption of the home season might not appear a vastly important second for many, however for Bournemouth it represents the daybreak of a brand new period.
Dan Sansom

Brentford

Place: tenth (19 factors)

Prime goalscorer: Ivan Toney (11 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Tottenham (H), West Ham (A), Liverpool (H)

Barring the 5-1 horror present at Newcastle and the 4-0 defeat away to Aston Villa, Brentford had quashed any hypothesis over whether or not they had been about to be the following victims of the fabled ‘second season syndrome’ by the point the Premier League paused for the World Cup final month. If it was not the case already, they seem to have very a lot established themselves as a part of the furnishings within the high flight.

And who may neglect the best way in they entered the break? Days after an embarrassing Carabao Cup shootout defeat to Gillingham, they went to the Etihad as outright underdogs, but did not crumble and got here away with a completely deserved 2-1 win towards reigning Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis.

The Bees’ talisman frontman Ivan Toney was very a lot within the highlight that afternoon. He responded to Gareth Southgate’s resolution to omit him from the England squad by scoring each objectives, which left many questioning why he wouldn’t be travelling to Qatar, notably given his beautiful penalty document and the actual fact he was the league’s second highest scoring Englishman with 10 objectives, behind solely Harry Kane.

Only a few days later, it was revealed that Toney had been charged over 232 alleged breaches of betting rules between February 2017 and January 2021.

He was a part of Brentford’s journey to Spain earlier this month and performed an energetic half in mid-season friendlies towards Bordeaux, Celta Vigo and Wolfsburg, however then got here the information he had been charged with a further 30 alleged breaches of FA betting rules.

If the allegations towards him are confirmed, the striker may face a prolonged ban. Given the actual fact he has scored 11 of Brentford’s 26 objectives in all competitions thus far this time period – with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa following up with three every – you do get the sensation the Bees will probably be trying over their shoulder considerably close to developments within the saga.
Dan Lengthy

Brighton

Place: seventh (21 factors)

Prime goalscorer: Leandro Trossard (7 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Southampton (A), Arsenal (H), Everton (A)

Roberto De Zerbi endured a troublesome begin to life at Brighton after his explosive debut within the dugout – the 3-3 draw with Liverpool in October – continuing to lose three of the next 4 video games.

Nevertheless, that droop was turned on its head when the Italian oversaw a shock 4-1 win over former Brighton supervisor Graham Potter and his Chelsea megastars – earlier than beating rock-bottom Wolves 2-1 the next week.

However Brighton did not maintain the successful momentum and signed off for the World Cup break with a 2-1 defeat towards Aston Villa – so De Zerbi would have welcomed the six-week interval to reset and consider.

That mentioned, Brighton’s spectacular begin to the marketing campaign means they sit seventh within the desk, forward of Chelsea and merely one level shy of Liverpool.

Eight gamers represented Brighton in Qatar, together with World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister – one other indication of the membership’s phenomenal improvement in recent times.

When it comes to spending energy within the upcoming switch window, the Seagulls have money to spend after offloading key gamers Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella for giant bucks in the summertime, receiving compensation from Chelsea for Potter and promoting Ben White to Arsenal for £50m in July 2021.

Nevertheless, Brighton have a tendency to stay frugal and recruit left-field gamers at discount costs. Mac Allister is an ideal instance: scouted and approached in Argentina after intensive knowledge analysis – signing the midfielder for less than £7m.

The numbers recommend Brighton’s taking part in fashion has been just like ‘massive six’ golf equipment for some time, however with one stark distinction: they’ve lacked a scientific goalscorer.

Certainly, regardless of restricted choices up high, the membership ranks among the many high seven groups for objectives, anticipated objectives, pictures, possibilities created, complete passes, passes within the closing third and reclaiming possession within the closing third.

With the world-class skills of Mac Allister, Leandro Trossard and Moises Caicedo delivering in midfield and assault, De Zerbi would possibly look to bolster his defence as a precedence in January, having conceded 14 objectives in his eight video games.

Towards Villa, Pascal Gross began at right-back for the third recreation working, whereas Lewis Dunk partnered 19-year-old Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill – with the Brighton boss pressured to accept some makeshift fixes after Adam Webster was dominated out with sickness.

Ghana worldwide Tariq Lamptey offers a top quality possibility at full-back, however the Seagulls would definitely profit from signing a centre-back and full-back, too.

Crucially, Brighton should stave off curiosity of their key World Cup stars.
Adam Smith

Chelsea

Place: eighth (21 factors)

Prime goalscorer: Raheem Sterling (5 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Bournemouth (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Manchester Metropolis (H)

Chelsea supporters could possibly be forgiven for not wanting to recollect how their facet ended the primary half of the season.

The 1-0 defeat at Newcastle of their closing match earlier than the World Cup was their third loss in a row, with the Blues failing to register a objective, not to mention some extent, in that run.

The pause within the season got here on the good time for Graham Potter who, after having fun with a nine-game unbeaten begin after arriving in September, appeared like a person in want of a break by November.

The previous Brighton boss likened the duty of guiding Chelsea by means of their busy fixture schedule to being in a washer and spoke of his have to “get better”.

After presumably taking time to analyse his first months at Stamford Bridge, Potter was again at work earlier this month, main Chelsea’s coaching camp in Abu Dhabi. With the top coach determined to show round his facet’s kind, he’ll be relieved that they resume their season with two very winnable video games – Bournemouth at residence and Nottingham Forest away.

If Potter is ready to assist Chelsea acquire six factors from these fixtures, he and his gamers will generate some much-needed momentum forward of a double-header towards Manchester Metropolis initially of January.

But when the west Londoners proceed to wrestle upon their return to the pitch, the stress on Potter will rapidly return – as will the questions over the path wherein Todd Boehly and his consortium are taking the membership.
Joe Shread

Crystal Palace

Place: eleventh (19 factors)

Prime goalscorer: Wilfried Zaha (6 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Fulham (H), Bournemouth (A), Tottenham (H)

Crystal Palace are nearly the place you’d anticipate them to be approaching the midway mark of the season.

5 wins from 14 matches has left them in eleventh forward of the league’s resumption. On Boxing Day, they host Fulham at Selhurst Park.

Regardless of failing to re-sign Conor Gallagher on mortgage, Palace have managed to keep up their consistency – in truth, they’ve improved their return from this stage of final season by three factors.

The one gloomy cloud hanging over Selhurst Park is the unsure way forward for star man Wilfried Zaha. Along with his deal at Palace expiring on the finish of the season, the 30-year-old is reportedly contemplating his choices away from his boyhood membership.

Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze have proven their high quality, however have to take a step up if they’re to fill the big void that Zaha’s departure would create.

The remainder of this season could possibly be key for the thrilling, attacking duo and their improvement to be taught extra from Zaha earlier than taking up his mantle as bona fide match-winners.
Zinny Boswell

Everton

Place: seventeenth (14 factors)

Prime goalscorer: Anthony Gordon and Demarai Grey (3 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Wolves (H), Man Metropolis (A), Brighton (H)

The final time Everton took to a pitch, they had been seen wandering across the Vitality Stadium like misplaced souls for the second time within the area of 4 days. They’ll ill-afford a tough return when Wolves go to Goodison Park on Boxing Day.

Frank Lampard may have spent latest weeks trying to recalibrate his choices after an encouraging begin to his first full season went immediately stale on the south coast. An combination 7-1 defeat to Bournemouth throughout league and cup fixtures drew unsavoury scenes from the away end however Everton have since been to Australia to heal these wounds and refocus minds.

No facet has conceded extra pictures from excessive turnovers (29) suggesting that Lampard might once more need to revert to a extra pragmatic method if higher outcomes do not quickly materialise.

The Everton supervisor will not wish to absolutely undo what he’ll see as a piece in progress; James Tarkowski and Conor Coady have shaped a stable partnership in entrance of Jordan Pickford whereas there’s guile, craft and poise within the rising expertise of Amadou Onana alongside the skilled Idrissa Gueye and Alex Iwobi revelling in his new function.

However to ensure that these doubters to grow to be believers as soon as extra within the Lampard mission, a big factors return from a busy run of video games and switch window should lie forward.

Offensively, Everton want a participant who can wreak havoc between the traces. They want a completely match Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they usually additionally want to handle the void left by Richarlison, as they dangle simply above the relegation zone. Solely then can the membership develop massive in stature once more.
Ben Grounds

Fulham

Place: ninth (19 factors)

Prime goalscorer: Aleksandar Mitrovic (9 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Crystal Palace (A), Southampton (H), Leicester Metropolis (A)

Fulham had been sitting fairly in ninth when the season broke up for the World Cup, a greater than respectable displaying for a group that solely gained promotion again to the Premier League final summer season – however their followers had been left questioning whether or not the break got here at or unhealthy time.

Marco Silva’s facet had simply suffered back-to-back defeats within the league – solely their fifth and sixth of the marketing campaign – albeit at champions Manchester Metropolis and at residence to Manchester United.

Each these 2-1 reverses happened courtesy of deflating stoppage-time strikes, so perhaps the interruption for the World Cup got here on the proper time for the Cottagers, particularly as on the time high scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic was absent with a foot harm.

The Serbia worldwide goes to be key to Fulham’s hopes of getting a equally profitable second half of the marketing campaign and securing a attainable top-half end of their first season again within the Premier League.

Mitrovic scored a powerful 9 instances in simply 12 league video games earlier than the World Cup and Silva will little question have been relieved when Serbia suffered an early exit on the group stage in Qatar, affording his fundamental man – who began each recreation for his nation within the event – some much-needed relaxation earlier than the motion will get beneath manner once more at Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.

If Fulham can hold Mitrovic match between now and Might, they are going to certainly be eyeing a top-10 end.
Richard Morgan

Leeds

Place: fifteenth (15 factors)

Prime goalscorer: Rodrigo (9 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Manchester Metropolis (H), Newcastle (A), West Ham (H)

The restart appears daunting for Jesse Marsch’s Leeds, who welcome Manchester Metropolis earlier than travelling to third-placed Newcastle.

However keep in mind: Leeds went into the World Cup break because the division’s nice entertainers. Simply the 22 objectives had been scored in Leeds’ 4 most up-to-date league matches. That run included a victory at Anfield, and the comeback win from 3-1 right down to 4-3 up towards Bournemouth.

They had been then 10 minutes away from beating Tottenham earlier than they themselves suffered a 4-3 turnover. These outcomes have nearly stored Marsch in a job at Elland Street – with the German-American showing on the brink after a 3-2 residence loss to Fulham in late October.

The World Cup break might properly have suited Patrick Bamford, who had the remaining wanted to not solely keep away from harm but in addition put in some work on the coaching floor as he eyes a return from an unlucky run of accidents.

But when Bamford continues to be lower than scratch, Leeds must look elsewhere. There’s loads of youthful promise in Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson behind Rodrigo – whose objective document by some means defies the remainder of his play.

However can a leaky defence stand sturdy within the opening weeks? They can not simply depend on Tyler Adams, who put in some glorious World Cup shows whereas captaining america in Qatar.
Sam Blitz

Leicester

Place: thirteenth (17 factors)

Prime goalscorer: James Maddison (7 objectives)

Subsequent three PL video games: Newcastle (H), Liverpool (A), Fulham (H)

Whether or not or not the timing of the World Cup was constructive for Leicester Metropolis stays to be seen.

In September, on the foot of the desk, Brendan Rodgers and his squad most likely would have snapped your hand off for a break from the negativity swirling across the membership.

Nevertheless, an upturn in kind for James Maddison helped the East Midlands membership leap as much as thirteenth within the desk, simply 4 factors from seventh.

With sixth to seventeenth separated by solely eight factors, European soccer stays an formidable but achievable goal. The Foxes might want to overcome sides that had been in kind earlier than the World Cup akin to Fulham, Brighton and Brentford.

The World Cup will really feel l