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5 things we learned from this weekend's Ladbrokes Premiership games

5 things we learned from this weekend's Ladbrokes Premiership games
© Reuters
Celtic and Rangers are neck and neck in the title race.

The tightest of margins now separates Celtic and Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership, with the top two just one goal apart after both sides recorded big victories on Sunday.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what we learned for the latest weekend of top-flight action.

Scott Arfield shows signs of recovery from midfield

Scott Arfield was back to his best against Hearts
Scott Arfield was back to his best against Hearts (Ian Rutherford/PA)

The Canada international has struggled to rediscover his best form this year. His summer exertions in the Gold Cup seem to have taken time to shake off, but against Hearts he looked back to his lively best in a deeper midfield role than he has been used to this term. He played a part in Rangers' second goal, finished off by Ryan Kent, and seemed to enjoy being in among the heart of the battle as the Jambos were thrashed 5-0.

Christie the king as Celtic drive on

Ryan Christie may have had some luck with his first goal in Celtic's 4-1 win over Ross County, but he was once again key to an impressive Hoops win. Before he netted the opener from the rebound after his penalty had been parried back out to him by goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, the Scotland international had smacked a post with a free-kick. His second goal, which re-established the Hoops' lead, was a composed finish as he ran through to slot the ball past Baxter, the champions running out easy winners to keep them just ahead at the top of the Premiership.

Motherwell might have unearthed another gem

Christy Manzinga took just 14 minutes of his Motherwell career to find the net, rounding off a 4-0 win over St Johnstone with a tidy finish on the counter-attack. The French-born attacker impressed on trial in the summer after leaving a club in Belgium, netting a spectacular overhead kick in a friendly at Gretna, and Motherwell signed him despite spotting a hamstring problem in his medical. Manager Stephen Robinson believes the unpredictable 24-year-old, who played in the same Paris St Germain youth team as former Well defender Cedric Kipre, could be worth the gamble.

St Johnstone will sign an experienced defender

St Johnstone's manager Tommy Wright was left frustrated as his side conceded four against Motherwell
St Johnstone's manager Tommy Wright was left frustrated as his side conceded four against Motherwell (Jane Barlow/PA)

Manager Tommy Wright admitted he had to move in the January transfer window to add know-how to his defence, which had an average age of 22. Wright counted seven Motherwell crosses into the box, which yielded three goals and contrasted Motherwell's determination to win headers in their box with his own team's.

St Mirren are trying everything to get their first away point

Manager Jim Goodwin surprised Aberdeen by setting up in an attacking formation and his side had their fair share of possession and efforts on goal at Pittodrie. But they suffered an eighth straight defeat on the road when Tony Andreu saw his 83rd-minute penalty and rebound both saved by Joe Lewis to consign the Paisley side to a 2-1 defeat.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131


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