Soccer-Premier League talking points

However, if they are to finish in the top four they need much more creativity and the demanding coach is already looking towards the January transfer window to improve his options. Central defender Davinson Sanchez proved an unlikely match-winner deep in stoppage time to hand misfiring Spurs victory at struggling Watford and Conte said they must improve.

Talking points from the Premier League weekend: MAN CITY MARCH ON AMID VAR CONTROVERSY

The New Year started much as the old one ended -- with Manchester City winning and fans up in arms over VAR. Arsenal supporters felt their side were robbed of an early penalty at home to City and insult was added to injury when the visitors equalised from the spot in the second half following a VAR review for a foul on Bernardo Silva.

City midfielder Rodri then scored with only their second effort on target in second-half stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win and snatch all three points, disguising the fact Pep Guardiola's team were shackled by Arsenal for much of the game. Now 10 points clear at the top after Chelsea drew with Liverpool on Sunday, City's momentum suggests the title is theirs to lose as the controversy over VAR rumbles on.

CHELSEA AND LIVERPOOL FALL FURTHER BEHIND Chelsea and Liverpool will be ruing their 2-2 draw on Sunday which left them 10 and 11 points behind leaders Manchester City respectively, albeit with the Reds having played one game less.

Liverpool failed to hang onto an early 2-0 lead while the Londoners had enough chances to claim a comeback win. Both sides can draw lessons from the pulsating encounter.

Liverpool must find a way to compensate for the loss of their scorers on Sunday, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who are now due to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations. Chelsea will be keen to defuse the situation with Romelu Lukaku who was dropped after criticising coach Thomas Tuchel's tactics. His replacement Kai Havertz failed again to make much of an impact and the Blues will need more bite when they face Manchester City in their next league fixture on Jan. 15.

BREAK DOES LEEDS WORLD OF GOOD Injuries have plagued Leeds United's season so far, with the number of key players missing for long periods meaning they have struggled to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Before the visit of Burnley on Sunday, Leeds had not played since Dec. 18 due to coronavirus-related postponements and that additional break allowed them the time to get some personnel fit, giving them a different look at Elland Road. Leeds should have had more than a one goal lead by the break before Maxwel Cornet's equaliser threatened to deny them a first league win in five matches. But their extra energy won the day as goals by Stuart Dallas and Daniel James saw them home 3-1.

"It is massive for us," said Dallas. "We knew coming in to this game it was huge – people talk about six-pointers. We're coming off the back of a few heavy defeats, so we're delighted." SPURS NEEDS CREATIVITY FOR TOP-FOUR PUSH

Tottenham Hotspur remain unbeaten in the Premier League under new manager Antonio Conte after his eighth game in charge following a last-gasp 1-0 win at Watford on Saturday. However, if they are to finish in the top four they need much more creativity and the demanding coach is already looking towards the January transfer window to improve his options.

Central defender Davinson Sanchez proved an unlikely match-winner deep in stoppage time to hand misfiring Spurs victory at struggling Watford and Conte said they must improve. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy should prepare to get his chequebook out with Conte saying on Thursday he had evaluated his squad in the past two months and they need new signings.

That will be music to the ears of Spurs fans who have demanded a creative player to replace Christian Eriksen after the Dane moved to Inter Milan under Conte in 2020. BENITEZ SEEKS RESPONSE AFTER BRIGHTON LOSS

Pressure is mounting on Everton manager Rafa Benitez after his team suffered an eighth league defeat in their last 12 matches in Sunday's 3-2 loss at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. Everton looked rusty on their return after a 17-day absence as they conceded twice in the first half before putting on an improved display in the second half.

The stuttering Merseyside club are 15th in the table on 19 points after 18 matches -- the fewest they have had at this stage since the 2005-06 season. "We were practising specifically these corners and how to defend and we made too many mistakes," Benitez said.

"We made a mistake and we know how, and we know what we have to do, but it is just not the time to point fingers. We have to accept responsibility as a group." (Compiled by Philip O'Connor, William Schomberg, Manasi Pathak and Peter Hall; Editing by Ken Ferris)