Soccer-Premier League talking points

Talking points from the 21st round of the Premier League season: BOBB SHINES LIGHT ON MAN CITY YOUTH

Kevin De Bruyne showed why he is invaluable to Manchester City as he came off the bench to inspire a crucial 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday but it was the winning goal scored by Oscar Bobb that perhaps pleased Pep Guardiola even more. The 20-year-old Bobb joined City's youth ranks from Norway's Valerenga in 2019 and has earned his chance this season.

Even his fellow Norwegian Erling Haaland, still injured, would have been proud of scoring a goal of the quality of Bobb's stoppage-time effort, the youngster showing sublime footwork to control De Bruyne's pass and net. His impact off the bench showed that for all City's lavish spending, their youth production line is in fine fettle.

FANS CHANT IN UNISON AGAINST VAR There was a moment in the heated Premier League clash between Everton and Aston Villa at Goodison Park that summed up the mood among many fans about the Video Assistant Referee.

Alex Moreno thought he had put Villa ahead in the first half, but his goal was, eventually, correctly ruled out for offside in the build-up after over three minutes of checks. In that time both sets of fans sung in unison about their displeasure over the VAR system after a series of controversies this season that have resulted in rescinded red cards and apologies from officials.

It is not often rival fans find common ground in the cut-and-thrust of a Premier League clash, and it says much about the perception from fans of a system that was brought in to remove controversy from the game, but appears to be adding to it. Friday's game between Burnley and Luton Town also ended with VAR controversy with Burnley manager Vincent Kompany left angry at a late equaliser that denied his team a vital win.

RASHFORD SILENCES THE CRITICS -- FINALLY Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford finally netted his first goal at home this season across all competitions in his team's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Looking as active as he has all season, the 26-year-old netted his fourth goal of the campaign after a combination with Rasmus Hojlund on Sunday, celebrating with a knee slide while mimicking chirping with one hand. "We've seen it before, he's got the quality," former United captain Roy Keane told Sky Sports. "Why he seems to be upset with everybody, he's got to go out and enjoy himself."

"He's got no right to be upset (at critics), he's not done the business," former England midfielder-turned-pundit Jamie Redknapp added. Rashford, who scored 17 league goals last season, had not netted for United at Old Trafford since their 4-1 win over Chelsea in May.

RICHARLISON BECOMING A KEY MAN FOR TOTTENHAM With Harry Kane long since departed to Bayern Munich and his former strike partner Son Heung-min away on international duty, Tottenham Hotspur fans might have feared the worst for their attack at Manchester United.

They need not have worried because Richarlison produced an outstanding display for the visitors, scoring one goal and working like a Trojan to lead the Tottenham line and use his aerial ability. The Brazilian has not exactly pulled up trees since joining from Everton before the start of last season, but has looked like a player re-born under Ange Postecoglou and now has six goals in his last six league appearances.

CHELSEA THANKFUL FOR PALMER Some might argue that Chelsea should not be quite so reliant on a 21-year-old but there is no getting away from the fact that Cole Palmer has become their key player this season.

Palmer, signed from Manchester City, tucked away the penalty that ensured a 1-0 win against Fulham on Saturday and was at the heart of Chelsea's best moments, completing 24 attacking passes in the opposition half of the pitch. While Mauricio Pochettino's expensively-assembled team are still flattering to deceive, Palmer looks the real deal.

No other Chelsea player aged 21 or under has scored more than Palmer's nine goals in a single Premier League campaign while he also has four assists to his name.