Newcastle's Season in Shambles, Tottenham's Relegation Fears Rise

Newcastle's inability to hold onto leads has cost them dearly this season. If they had managed to retain even half of the points they lost from winning positions, they would be sitting in fifth place. Instead, they are struggling to stay afloat, having lost seven of their last 10 matches. The pressure is mounting on Eddie Howe, and the team's European aspirations are slipping away. Meanwhile, Tottenham's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland has raised concerns about their ability to stay in the Premier League. With only Derby, Sunderland, and Swindon Town having endured longer winless runs to start a calendar year in the top-flight, Roberto De Zerbi's side is in dire need of a miracle to avoid relegation. Elsewhere, Cole Palmer's recent performances have been underwhelming, with only one goal in his last 11 appearances for club and country. Chelsea's attacking woes continue, having failed to score in their three Premier League defeats in a row. Rayan Cherki, on the other hand, has been a revelation for Manchester City, registering over 10 assists in his debut Premier League season. Sunderland's impressive home record, averaging 1.81 points per game, has been a key factor in their survival bid. Nottingham Forest's inability to score at home, with only 14 of their 32 Premier League goals coming on home soil, has been a major concern. Ollie Watkins' profligacy in front of goal has become a recurring issue for Aston Villa, with the striker missing 43 big chances since the start of last season. Jean-Philippe Mateta's return to form for Crystal Palace has been a welcome boost, with the striker scoring three goals in two games, including a double against Newcastle.