The Good 😀 The Bad 😕 The Ugly 👹: Praise the tech, United's concern | OneFootball

Liverpool swatted Manchester United aside, Manchester City and Arsenal slipped up late at home and Norwich won a massive battle at the bottom.

We attempt to pick the bones out of it.

The Good

Technology getting it right

We’ve done enough complaining about technology over the past few months.

With good reason too, as the implementation of VAR in the Premier League has been, quite frankly, a disaster.

So it is also worth praising the additional help when it gets it right – which has been the case with goal-line technology.

There was no greater example of it than Watford’s Ignacio Pussetto clearing Erik Lamela’s shot with just 10.04mm of the ball not over the line, securing a precious point.

A fine example of how it can work so well – and making John Stones’ stunning title race-altering clearance last season of 11.7mm looking like a Grand Canyon-esque gap by comparison.

Norwich win massive basement battle

Relegation six-pointers have broken Norwich hearts before. There’s been the devastating 4-3 loss at St Mary’s in 2005 to the disappointing 1-0 loss at home to West Brom nine years ago.

More than one voice in the Canaries camp acknowledged that anything less than a win against fellow strugglers Bournemouth would likely spell relegation.

That is still the likely outcome of this season but at least now they’ve given themselves a big chance.

The demons of Henri Camara and Morgan Amalfitano were put to bed somewhat as Norwich finally dug out three points from a must-win game.

Far too often this season, Daniel Farke has watched his side play well and not get their rewards for it.

Thanks to Steve Cook’s moment of madness, this time they did get what they deserved but the hard work can’t stop here.

The Bad

Manchester United’s attack

Some bad news filtered out as United were toiling to a 1-0 loss at Anfield that could and should have been a lot heavier.

They are now set to be without the services of top scorer Marcus Rashford for up to three months and that spells disaster for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Their showing against Liverpool without him was meek and there was no cutting edge without the local hero in attack.

Anthony Martial missed a glorious chance, one you feel Rashford would have feasted on, and Mason Greenwood wasn’t brought on until there were 15 minutes remaining.

Why wait that long? He’s clearly a huge talent and there was nothing to gain by benching him.

It likely means United will be forced into the transfer market to add attacking cover – but it is another example of Ed Woodward’s awful planning.

Why were Alexis Sánchez and Romelu Lukaku both allowed to join Inter if it left the squad this thin in the event of a long-term Rashford injury?

Officiating at the Emirates

Can someone please explain to us how Arsenal weren’t awarded a penalty in the second half of their 1-1 draw with Sheffield United?

Because we are baffled by the decision.

If the referee misses it, that can happen but for it still to be upheld after consulting VAR, we can’t get our heads around it.

Nicolas Pépé was clearly fouled in the area as he aimed to cut inside and yet appeals were waved away, perhaps costing Mikel Arteta what may have been two important points.

On his 500th appearance, you can’t help but feel referee Mike Dean had to make it about himself again.

The Ugly

What happened at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon summed up the kind of season it has been for City.

It was frustrating for large spells as they went behind before some fleeting moments of magic turned things around and had everyone happy again.

But much like this season, City’s joy was short-lived and there was another jolt to their system coming.

Conceding a late equaliser at home to Crystal Palace (who are a very good side) after doing so well to claw themselves back into the lead just shouldn’t be happening.

The Londoners did win at that venue last season and have shown the threat they pose but this title defence has been so poor from such a talented group.

You can’t help but feel that their stars are already looking forward to trying to put things right next year.