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

There is a blueprint for how to beat Pep Guardiola’s ball-hoggers and it is publicly available: Crystal Palace employed it in October’s 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium and Tottenham did the same on Saturday: adopt a low block, stay patient while possession is maintained by the blue shirts and when the moment arrives, pounce by racing in behind the sluggish centre-backs. For Palace, Wilfried Zaha’s pace terrorised City; for Spurs it was Harry Kane and Son Heung-min . Why don’t more teams try this? Perhaps because executing lightning counter-attacks in the one or two opportunities allowed by City’s supreme passing machine is tough. But in an era of attack coaches, forensic video analysis, speedy forwards and training-ground drills there should be no excuse for more teams not attempting to exploit the glaring vulnerability. It may not always work, but this is currently the only realistic way to dismantle the league’s dominant side. Jamie Jackson

Match report: Manchester City 2-3 Tottenham

It is often Sadio Mané’s fate to take second billing to Mohamed Salah and, even on a day when he scored one of his greatest goals and drew level with one of Liverpool’s favourite players, he was eclipsed again. Salah’s 150th goal overshadowed Mane’s 108th, but the latter meant the Senegal international had matched John Barnes’ total and in 160 fewer games. If comparisons between wingers feel inexact as the game has evolved – Barnes spent more time on the touchline, Mané loiters in the penalty area – it is worth noting that none of the younger man’s 108 are penalties. “Sadio’s goal record is definitely insane as well,” said Jürgen Klopp and while Salah should soon overhaul Michael Owen and then set off in pursuit of Kenny Dalglish, Mané could