Key Points of the Weekend

Are Chelsea title contenders?

Chelsea have had a somewhat inconsistent season and it's probably been down to their participation during the latter stages of the Club World Cup in the summer as they've picked up a number of injuries as a result of that.

But they are currently 3rd in the Premier League and only six points behind leaders Arsenal and because of this, could they be title contenders?

We were asking that question this time last season when they were on such a good run of form only to fall of out contention after Christmas due to a dip in form.

A lack of experience was one of the likely reasons for this as they were a young team who had very little experience in being involved in a title race.

They're still a young team this season as the average age of their squad is just over 23 with very few experienced players.

The young players in their squad are talented and among some of the best young talents in Europe, but they need some experienced players around them to guide them and help them develop.

The majority of teams who have challenged for the title in the past have had a lot of experienced players in their squad and it's why they've been able to challenge for the title.

Chelsea fell out of contention because of a lack of experienced players and leaders in their team and it could well be the same again this season because of their team still being very young.

Things might get themselves into contention around Christmas, but their chances of being contenders will depend on their form after Christmas as that is when a team's title chances are tested.

Has Eddie Howe taken Newcastle as far as he can?

Eddie Howe has worked absolute wonders since he's been at Newcastle as he's taken them from relegation favourites to a team capable of challenging for Champions League football.

But this season is proving to be his most challenging since he took over with Newcastle currently 14th in the Premier League and without a win away from home so far this season.

Jamie Carragher said of Sky Sports that Howe has taken Newcastle as far as he can following their 3-1 defeat at Brentford and after hearing him say that, I've decided to ask if Eddie Howe really has taken Newcastle as far as he can.

When Eddie Howe first arrived at Newcastle, his first task was to keep them in the Premier League before going on to consolidate them as a Premier League and later get them pushing for Europe.

He ended up skipping the second step as his first full season in charge saw them finish in the top four and they've kicked on ever since as he guided them to another season of Champions League football last season alongside ending the club's 70 year wait for a major trophy by winning the Carabao Cup.

After reaching the heights he hit last season, you do wonder what more Howe can do with his Newcastle team because they're not going to win or challenge for the Premier League within the next few seasons as they're a long way off the level that Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City are on.

The Magpies are one of the wealthiest clubs in the Premier League and have ambitious owners, but they haven't spent a lot of money over the last two seasons mostly due to PSR restrictions and the owners not really backing Eddie Howe.

If this continues in January and maybe next summer, Howe may wonder to himself if there is any more he can do with his Newcastle team.

Liverpool's disallowed goal should've stood

Liverpool's performance against Man City on Sunday was poor as they looked leggy and were outplayed all over the park by a very good City side.

But the game could've been different had Virgil Van Dijk's first half header been given because it was 1-0 to City at the time and Liverpool might've upped their game and built on the equaliser had it been given.

The goal was disallowed because Andrew Robertson was apparently interfering with play and in Gianluigi Donnarumma's line of vision when the goal was scored.

But in my opinion, the goal should've stood because Robertson wasn't interfering with or in Donnarumma's line of vision as he was to the side of Donnarumma and did not have an impact on Donnarumma trying to save the ball.

Robertson was in an offside position when the goal was scored, but the goal still should;ve stood because of the reasons I just mentioned.

The law states that a player can be offside when interfering with an opponent if:

They're preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision.

Challenging an opponent for the ball.

Clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action has an impact on an opponent.

Making an obvious action which clearly has an impact on the ability of an opponent to play the ball.

Robertson was none of these at the time the goal was scored because he wasn't obstructing Donnarumma's line of vision, didn't challenge for or attempt to play the ball as he ducked out the way when it came towards him knowing that he was in an offside position, and his action of getting out of the way didn't have an impact on Donnarumma trying to save the ball because he was to the side of Donnarumma and not in front of him.

Liverpool were poor on the day, but they can still feel hard done by because their disallowed goal proved to be a turning point in the game as City's confidence levels increased whereas Liverpool's decreased after seeing the goal being ruled out.