Pepe remains a work in progress

Costing Arsenal a total of £72m, we’ve yet to see any signs of Nicolas Pepe living up to his eye-watering transfer fee. Much was made of the Ivorian upon his arrival at the Emirates. He’d scored 24 goals in one season for Lille, they said. He’s quick. He’s a superb dribbler of the ball, capable of ghosting past defenders with ease.

In reality, though, Pepe remains a work in progress. Acclimatising to English football has proven tricky – and today was another reminder of the forward’s teething problems. Although he showed his ability in reading the game and finding the space, the final product was missing.

He is a man who constantly seems to be on the verge of losing control, fumbling his way forward as he goes, throwing out erratic, unwieldy legs in the hope of bamboozling his opponents, only to trip over himself or concede possession. The potential is there but Mikel Arteta will know he has other options at his disposal.

Tanganga gamble pays off

Jose Mourinho's tactics against Liverpool on Saturday night may come up short, but the gamble to start defensive wildcard Japhet Tanganga at the back certainly paid off.

There were other moments of rawness – an ill-timed second-half slip almost led to a second goal for Liverpool – but those pale in comparison to all the things he got right. No Tottenham player made more tackles (2). No Tottenham player made more interceptions (2). And only Alderweireld (TEN!) made more than his eight clearances. He even filled in at left back when Mourinho finally ripped down the fortifications and signalled for Érik Lamela and Giovani Lo Celso.

Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Show all 22 1 /22 Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Paulo Gazzaniga - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Paulo Gazzaniga goalkeeper of Spurs gives instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Japhet Tanganga - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Sadio Mane of Liverpool with Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Toby Alderweireld - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)Sadio Mane of Liverpool of Liverpool with Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Davinson Sanchez - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur walks out to warm up ahead of the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Danny Rose - 5 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur embraces Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Serge Aurier - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)Sadio Mane of Liverpool of Liverpool with Serge Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Christian Eriksen - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpoolwith Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Harry Winks - 6 Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Harry Winks (C) holds off Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (L) and Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (R) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 11, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Heung-Min Son - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Lucas Moura - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Lucas Moura of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Jordan Henderson of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Dele Alli - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Alisson Becker - 7 Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker reacts during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 11, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool with Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Joe Gomez - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)Joe Gomez of Liverpool with Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Virgil van Dijk - 8 Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk (L) comes across to defend against Tottenham Hotspur's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura (R) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 11, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Andrew Robertson - 6 Tottenham Hotspur's Ivorian defender Serge Aurier (R) vies with Liverpool's Scottish defender Andrew Robertson (L) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 11, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Jordan Henderson - 6 Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson warms up for the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 11, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Georginio Wijnaldum - 5 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool with Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Mohamed Salah - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool runs with the ball from Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Roberto Firmino - 8 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)Roberto Firmino of Liverpool scores the opener and celebrates during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Ratings: Tottenham vs Liverpool Sadio Mane - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Sadio Mane of Liverpool runs with the ball past Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur and Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Getty Images

His performance was all the more impressive considering the size of the task Mourinho entrusted to him. Perhaps it would have been easier for him to be stationed in between Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sánchez. Instead, he was deployed on the right of the trio, meaning he had to be perpetually aware of Serge Aurier’s sorties forward. In despite of the mistakes, it was a performance to be proud of from the young defender.

Victory over Brighton helps heal Everton wounds

A Richarlison goal late in the first half was enough for a 1-0 win over Brighton, securing the Carlo Ancelotti's third win in four Premier League matches since taking over last month.

The result helped, in part, to erase some of the memories of the previous week's humiliation by Liverpool's second string in the FA Cup at Anfield. That led to fans turning up at the training ground wanting to speak to the players, and midfielder Fabian Delph getting dragged into an online argument which, ultimately, led to him being booed when he came on as a second-half substitute.

But a rise to 11th in the table, level on points with Arsenal, has lifted spirits again and Ancelotti will start to work on making his side more consistent.

"This is part of my job to give continuity to the team because I think this team can be competitive with more continuity and more intensity in the game and playing better," he said. "But we have time to work. The fact that we don't have a game in this period during the week can help us to improve quickly."

Rashford renaissance continuing to blossom

He was one of the few players to emerge from the Manchester derby defeat with any credit. In fact, he is one of the few to have enhanced his reputation at all during Manchester United‘s difficult season to date. But this is becoming the finest campaign of Marcus Rashford’s career.

His two goals – the first a smart far-post finish, the second a penalty – not only took this game away from Norwich City, but took him to 14 league goals for the season – his best ever top-flight return. 19 in 30 appearances across all competitions is pretty good going too.

Rashford’s tally has been helped by becoming United’s undisputed penalty-taker, but it is easy to forget just how sporadic his playing time was until Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival. He is not just a regular now, but United’s most important player and he is beginning to look like one of the most effective counter-attackers in Europe.

Ndidi absence hits Leicester hard

What a difference one player can make. With Wilfred Ndidi sidelined through injury, Leicester looked lost in their 2-1 defeat by Southampton at the King Power. Without Ndidi acting as a defensive buttress to the hosts' midfield, making those crucial challenges and interceptions in front of the backline, Southampton were given free license to cut through their opponents at will.

“We didn’t press the game strong enough, or well enough, and then when we had the ball, we made too many mistakes when we had the ball,” Rodgers said after the loss."They played through our midfield too easily and then they get in and get the goal, so a disappointing result for us.”

Having struggled for form and results in their last two games, the Foxes will be desperate to sign the Nigerian return to the starting side as soon as possible.

Leicester struggled for structure and shape against Southampton (Getty Images)

Ayew steps up as Zaha fails to hit top form

Far too much reliance is placed on Wilfried Zaha by Crystal Palace, meaning that when he’s not at his best, the side often come up short in finding the back of the net. Indeed, there’s a reason that only Watford have scored fewer goals in the Premier League this season.

Today it was a case of mixed fortunes for the winger. Although his presence grew as the match approached its conclusion – he almost bagged an assist with a floated ball to the back post on 80 minutes – there were lengthy spells at Selhurst Park where Zaha simply failed to assert himself.

Luckily for him and his teammates, Ayew was on hand to do the dirty work. It was an industrial performance from the forward, whose hard running and reading of the game reaped the rich reward of a second-half equaliser. Palace still need to do more to take the game to their opponents and bring some bite to their attacking play, but on this occasion the home fans will be grateful for Ayew’s no-nonsense, hard-working approach.

Norwich sinking without a trace

To succeed as a promoted side, you cannot concede several goals a game. Sheffield United play football which is easy on the eye but are also brilliantly organised and compact when they need to be.

Norwich can thread together fluid, attractive attacking moves too but cannot expect to survive on this defence. United are not a particularly free-scoring side, but Mason Greenwood’s goal was the seventh they have put past the Canaries this season.