Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Liverpool make a statement, Pep Guardiola tries to see the funny side and Sandro Tonali fires on all cylinders

Midway through Ruben Amorim’s post-defeat media conference the roof in the press room, located in the bowels of Old Trafford, did what some of the outside sections of the stadium do: leak. Spots of water hit a scribe perched in the front row, merriment ensued, and Manchester United’s head coach offered a wry smile, a fitting end to an afternoon on which Bournemouth had rained on his side’s pre-Christmas Day parade. Nine games into his tenure, the Portuguese’s coach record is poor – four wins, four losses and a draw – and the next four matches look tough: Wolves (away), Newcastle (home), Liverpool (away) and a trip to Arsenal in the FA Cup. Amorim, who continually repeats the need for victory, knows things have to improve. Jamie Jackson

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Max Purcell to miss Australian Open after accepting ban for anti-doping breach

  • Australian doubles star accepts provisional suspension
  • ITIA yet to specify length of ban or any details of breach

Australian tennis player Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended over an alleged violation of the sport’s anti-doping program.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday that the two-time doubles grand slam winner had voluntarily accepted the suspension, after admitting to a breach relating to a prohibited method.

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