The Premier League is the biggest league in world football and there are always plenty of talking points - whether it's the opening weekend or in early-April with the title race heating up.
Here, Ben Dinnery will look at the best of the weekend's action while also highlighting teams and players to watch for upcoming gameweeks throughout the 2023/24 Premier League season.
As the campaign nears its climax, stories are beginning to emerge that could go on to shape the summer and the start of 2024-25. With a focus on three teams: one manager has made the jump, another is likely, and one should probably make the move…
Starting with Manchester United and their collapse. The side has been poor for the most part this season. From the opening weekend – a narrow win over Wolves, aided by a rather fortuitous refereeing decision – to now, only two league wins in ten.
Despite having the highest wage bill and one of the largest incoming transfer spends, Erik ten Hag has failed to bring the good times back, and the Dutchman looks to be the latest in a long line of managers who failed to cut the mustard at Old Trafford. However, in his defence, the club has massive issues from top to bottom.
Crystal Palace played well on Monday night, completing their first-ever Premier League double over the Red Devils, and on another day, they could have scored more than four. The result, however, is not standalone for United but more reflective of the broader issues and part of a general malaise dragging this once mighty club down.
Their tactics have been dull and poor throughout, with constant disharmony amongst the ranks. The Red Devils' data needs to be seen to be believed: 81 goals against represent their highest tally since 1976-77, with only two teams across Europe's Top 5 leagues having faced more shots per 90 (17.66).
United are also ranked 16th for xG Conceded (64.1), with last season's promoted sides - Luton, Sheffield United and Burnley – only narrowly worse off.
Yes, injuries are an influencing factor, but in a year when incidence has seen an unprecedented rise across the board, almost every side has needed to juggle their squad due to the increased injury burden.
But how many of the 41 injuries (and counting) can be attributed to Ten Hag and his mismanagement of the players. Case in point: Luke Shaw… On two separate occasions following his return from injury, the left-back was overplayed in quick succession, leading to lengthy layoffs, the second of which has cost Shaw a place at this summer's Euros.
Manchester United are once again at a crossroads. Points during the run-in look hard to come by, and with a European qualifying spot slipping from their grasp, a change at the top seems the most likely outcome.
On Sunday, West Ham announced that they would be parting ways with their manager – David Moyes – by mutual consent following a disappointing end to their season.
After a hugely successful 4.5 years at the club, which includes two top-seven Premier League finishes, semi and quarter-final places in the Europa League, plus lifting last season's UEFA Europa Conference League trophy, the Scotsman will leave with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui reportedly ready to take over and odds on in the Premier League betting markets.
In truth, the decision doesn't come as a massive surprise as murmurings of discontent had been evident since last season, with the heavy defeat at Stamford Bridge, the straw that finally broke the camel's back.
The loss extends a terrible run of just three league wins in 17, with data to match their dreadful form, particularly in defence. Only three sides have conceded more (70), a slight underperformance on their 69.3 xG Conceded (18th).
The challenge for Lopetegui will be to overhaul a squad built for another manager's footballing philosophies… although the Spaniard is hardly anti-Moyes, his style is still considered relatively pragmatic and conservative.
But we've seen a shift in recent years, a move away from the more traditional British style of play, which is almost frowned upon now. However, I'm not sure Lopetegui will bring enough continental flare to appease supporters and get the desired results.
For a short time, Tottenham were considered Kingmakers in the race for the Premier League title. But their recent run of games against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City put pay to that notion and their attempts at dining at the top table.
A heavy defeat at St James' Park in early April gave an indication of things to come, and the side has slipped to four straight defeats that has all but cost them a Champions League qualifying spot.
Following a solid start to the campaign, the Lilywhites sat top of the table after Matchday 10, unbeaten following eight wins as Ange Postecoglou blew the title race open with an exciting brand of all-out attacking football.
However, your greatest strength can become your biggest weakness, and by overplaying your hand, you diminish its capacity to hurt the opposition… And it is the managers' naivety, or stubbornness, not to change, that has brought about this sad end to his first season, and many are asking whether he should also be departing.
Despite this electric start, the problems were always there. Results papered over the cracks as Spurs continued to overperform their metrics. But we know long-term that this isn't sustainable, and we saw the side revert to the norm.
No team has conceded more in the Top 6 (58), with Tottenham having the fourth largest xPoints overperformance (8.77) in 2023-24. A more reflective return would be around 51, placing them near midtable and closer to the likes of Brighton, Everton, Brentford, and Bournemouth.
Again, injuries are a consideration. Losing James Maddison for just short of three months was a blow, and the playmaker has struggled to recapture his early-season form. Fatigue is another, and while the luck has run out, so has the effectiveness of Ange Ball.
Postecoglou is steadfast in his opinion that Spurs do not have a weak underbelly when defending the set-piece, but their 14 goals against makes them the sixth-worst side in the top-flight.
And the pressure appears to be taking its toll as the typically calm Head Coach begins to show cracks in his demeanour. Before Christmas, Postecoglou was quick to criticise the excuses of other managers:
'I would like to play this way, but I don't have the players…', I just think: 'Just do it, mate…'
But now, it seems he has thrown his team under the bus with a complete turnaround in opinion following the loss to Liverpool.
'I've got to change this squad, I have to. I've got to build a squad I think can play our football.'
Will Postecoglou receive the backing he feels Tottenham need to compete? Only time will tell, but if not, I'm betting a move will be on the cards after making a big impression!
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*