???? The Debrief as Man Utd fall, Man City smash Ipswich, and Forest roll on

Premier League action returned on Sunday after a key day of games on Saturday, continuing to build the picture across the 2024-25 season.

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Here’s how all the action went down across the top flight of English football.

David Moyes’ return to Goodison Park finally got off the mark as Everton held on for a 3-2 win against Tottenham.

Three goals in the opening 45 minutes of action were enough to book all three points despite a late surge from Spurs when Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison both scored in the final 15 minutes of action.

Those goals, however, were unable to cancel out goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iliman Ndiaye, and an Archie Gray own-goal.

A painful 2024-25 season at Old Trafford continues for Manchester United and new boss Rúben Amorim after the Red Devils were ousted on their home patch to the tune of a 3-1 loss against visiting Brighton.

Yankuba Minteh’s goal in the 5th minute was cancelled out by Bruno Fernandes with a penalty, but a pair of goals in the second half from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter sealed a much-needed away win for the Seagulls. Meanwhile, it consigned Manchester United to yet another frustrating home loss.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s Nottingham Forest continue their storied run among the big boys this season after a narrow 3-2 win at The City Ground against visiting bottom-dwellers Southampton.

Forest enjoyed a three-goal lead by the halftime interval thanks to goals from Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and yet another from in-form man Chris Wood before a late surge from Saints saw Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu narrow the deficit to just a single goal before the full-time whistle.

To close out the day, Manchester City produced a statement result away from home in a 6-0 demolition job against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The goals rang in on either side of the halftime interval thanks to a brace from Phil Foden which flanked Mateo Kovačić’s effort in the first half before City added three more before the full-time whistle from Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland, and James McAtee. This was just what City needed.

While Manchester City have hardly been themselves this season, a spark from club star and academy graduate Phil Foden is just what the doctor ordered after the England midfielder led Guardiola’s men to a resounding win at the Etihad.

A first-half brace from Foden and an assist on Mateo Kovačić’s goal stamped City’s authority on proceedings before the break in what was an inspired and much-needed performance from a player who, like City, has been off the boil in 2024-25 but has begun to heat up.

The dismal nature of the 2024-25 season for Manchester United was on full display after Amorim’s men suffered yet another defeat at the Theatre of Dreams; their sixth of the league campaign across 12 matches at their patch.

Given the club has not faired this poorly at their historic fortress since before the turn of the 20th century, it is fair to say that alarm bells are blaring across the northwest of England.

Everton put a bit of distance between themselves and the bottom three after their much-needed win and now sit four points clear of the drop zone while boasting a match in hand on clubs around them. Spurs, in contrast, have banked just one point in their last five fixtures and are currently rooted in the bottom half in 15th.

Brighton’s away win moves them to just three points outside of a top-six place in the league table and just two points adrift of Aston Villa who sit in 8th. Manchester United remain in 13th and are in immediate danger of falling further down the table in the coming weeks.

Southampton, unfortunately, remain on course for what is shaping up to be one of their worst seasons of the Premier League era by cementing themselves in the basement after another loss. Forest kept their dreams of a return to Europe alive as Nuno Espírito Santos’ men restored parity with second-place Arsenal and once again sit level on points with the Gunners.

Manchester City’s resounding result now has them up to fourth in the table due to a greater goal difference over Newcastle United.

With a renewed sense of purpose despite earlier difficulties, the champions now have an outside shot at pushing both Arsenal and Nottingham Forest for more valuable real estate in the table before season’s end.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou planted his flag in the sand surrounding a turbulent campaign, insisting that the storm will eventually pass. “If you look at the situation we’re in, it will eventually dissipate,” Postecoglou said.

“I certainly hope and believe it will. We’ll give ourselves the opportunity to get consistency in performance and results. I certainly haven’t lost belief or determination to turn it around and the players showed in the second half that they haven’t either.”

Rúben Amorim did not hold back in his post-match presser after United fell to another defeat. “It is hard to explain, we have to acknowledge the moment and not go around the problem,” he said.

“Everybody here is underperforming, no matter what the circumstances. It is unacceptable to lose so many games for any club in the Premier League, never mind Manchester United. It is a really hard moment but we have to continue.”

Man City’s Phil Foden was full-throated in his praise of their huge win over Ipswich when speaking with Sky Sports, labeling it as “probably the best this season in terms of all-round play.”

The England international continued. “Keeping possession at important times and we defended well. One of our best performances this year. We are building momentum, keeping players fit is important. I put it down to people being in better shape and the team bonding better. When we score we are not rushing it. We are keeping possession and build-up play was important today.”

The final fixture of Matchday 22 sees Champions League hopefuls Chelsea play host to relegation-threatened Wolves at Stamford Bridge with Enzo Maresca’s side looking to climb back into the top four with a win in the capital.

???? Gareth Copley – 2025 Getty Images