Premier League talking points: Top two make no mistake and Eriksen inspires

Brentford stung Chelsea as the Bees ended an 83-year wait for victory over their west London neighbours.

Liverpool and Manchester City won to remain on course for a huge title collision next weekend and Tottenham thrashed Newcastle to move into the top four.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the main talking points from the latest round of Premier League fixtures.

Bees buzzing

Not in their wildest dreams would Brentford fans have believed Thomas Frank’s side would take a huge step towards safety by beating Chelsea 4-1. The Stamford Bridge romp was Brentford’s first win over their neighbours since 1939 and was masterminded by Christian Eriksen. The signing of the former Tottenham playmaker, who collapsed while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020, is fast turning into a masterstroke and he capped another influential performance with his first Premier League goal since April 2019.

Title thrills

Liverpool and Manchester City set up next Sunday’s title showdown perfectly with respective wins over struggling pair Watford and Burnley. Jurgen Klopp’s made it 10 consecutive Premier League wins against Roy Hodgson’s Hornets as Diogo Jota showed his heading ability once again and Fabinho converted a late penalty. City completed a routine 2-0 win at Turf Moor and will head into the Etihad Stadium clash one point ahead of Liverpool with eight games left.

Four-midable Spurs

Super Saint

Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse made it lucky 13 with another set-piece strike against Leeds. Ward-Prowse’s equaliser was his 13th Premier League goal scored from a direct free-kick, taking him above Gianfranco Zola and Thierry Henry in the top-flight pecking order. Only David Beckham, with 18, has more free-kick goals and TV pundit Alan Shearer expects Ward Prowse to eclipse the former England captain, saying: “He scored four last season, three this season. At 27, it’s only a matter of time.”

Toffees crunch