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Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column in which Nick Wright uses a blend of data and opinion to shed light on need-to-know stories from up and down the Premier League. This week:

🔵 Jackson showing his value and potential

💨 Werner's off-the-ball running analysed

🔍 Man City's vulnerability from fast breaks

Jackson outscoring Drogba for Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson goes into Chelsea's clash with Manchester United on Super Sunday having reached 20 Premier League goals against Newcastle. Only five players have hit the milestone in fewer than his 44 appearances for the club. Didier Drogba is not one of them.

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Drogba needed 50 games to reach the 20-goal mark and while Jackson has much to do to even come close to matching his achievements in a Chelsea shirt, his superior scoring rate, at only 23, underlines his value and potential. At the same age, Drogba was still playing for Le Mans in France's second tier.

Jackson's youthfulness leaves room for improvement but he has come a long way already. He arrived from Villarreal last year with only 16 top-flight starts behind him. For much of last season, he had to manage the pressure of being Chelsea's only available striker.

The circumstances were challenging but he produced an encouraging debut campaign, after overcoming a difficult start, and his progress has accelerated in the new one. Only Cole Palmer, Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Bukayo Saka have registered more goal involvements this term.

His rate of productivity has nearly doubled. Last season, he averaged a goal or assist every 148 minutes in the Premier League, with 14 and five respectively. This term, that figure stands at just 77, his six goals and three assists coming from only 695 minutes played.

It is little wonder that, despite being three years Jackson's senior at 26, Christopher Nkunku is finding it so difficult to unseat him. The France international has only started one Premier League game this season. Jackson's continued improvement means his wait for more playing time is likely to go on for longer.

Werner's unseen work for Spurs

After a difficult start to the season, featuring a string of high-profile misses, Timo Werner finally opened his account for the campaign with an emphatic opener in Tottenham's 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

The goal was only his third in 26 appearances since his arrival from RB Leipzig in January. His numbers were also modest during his spell at Chelsea, where he scored 23 times in 89 games. But Ange Postecoglou perseveres with him and there are reasons behind it.

His erratic finishing is of course a source frustration to Spurs supporters, as it was to those of Chelsea, but even when he is not scoring, Werner contributes a lot. His defensive industry is an asset. His off-the-ball running in the final third is even more valuable.

Tracking data from Second Spectrum shows that only former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino, a player famed for the quality of his movement, has averaged more off-the-ball runs per 90 minutes than Werner across the last five Premier League seasons.

As with Firmino, that volume highlights Werner's selflessness. He makes his runs not just to put himself in scoring positions but to stretch opposition defences and create space for others.

One such run led to a goal the last time Spurs faced Sunday's opponents Aston Villa in March. By driving towards the back post, Werner occupied Matty Cash, ensuring Heung-Min Son had room to dispatch Dejan Kulusevski's cut-back in the 4-0 win.

Werner's willingness to put in the hard yards for the team is not lost on Postecoglou. Judging by the way in which he was mobbed following his goal on Wednesday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it is appreciated by his team-mates too. He will doubtless relish the opportunity to test Villa's high line on Sunday.

Man City's Walker reliance is an issue

Tottenham became the latest side to get in behind Manchester City's defence in their Carabao Cup win on Wednesday. The first example came with Werner's opener in the fifth minute. He should have had another when put through again in the second half.

The two chances had different outcomes but came in similar style, with Spurs able to cut through City by attacking directly, and at speed, as they did throughout. Although the loss was City's first of the campaign, this vulnerability from fast breaks has been a theme.

Amazingly, Pep Guardiola's side have allowed seven more shots from fast breaks than any other Premier League side in all competitions, with 24. They are fortunate only three of them have resulted in goals but that total is still the joint-highest among Premier League sides.

It is uncharacteristic. City are facing nearly three times as many shots from fast breaks as last season, their average up from 0.6 per game to 1.6 this term. So why is it happening?

The loss of Rodri from midfield is a factor but it is worth noting that, before his knee injury, he started one of the games in which the issue was most apparent, the goalless draw with Inter in September in which City gave up four shots from fast breaks.

Kyle Walker's absence is probably more pertinent. His recovery pace has become crucial in mopping up danger behind City's high defensive line. Due to injury, however, he has only started four games this season. And even he has been unable to solve the issue.

Consider the game against Fulham in October, one City were fortunate to win. Marco Silva's side caused huge problems from counters that day, with Walker easily outpaced by Adama Traore. He is not the first defender to suffer that fate, of course, but his struggles were a reminder of his advancing years.

At 34, and increasingly troubled by fitness issues, he is not solution he once was behind City's defensive line. On Saturday against Bournemouth, a side with more shots from fast breaks than any other since the start of last term, they risk further punishment.

Live Radar: What's on Sky this weekend?

Winless Wolves go up against Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace on Saturday Night Football, with coverage starting at 5pm on Sky Sports Premier League ahead of the 5.30pm kick-off time.

The Super Sunday double-header begins with Tottenham's meeting with Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm ahead of the 2pm kick-off time, then it's to Old Trafford as Manchester United face Chelsea under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, with kick-off at 4.30pm.

It's a west London derby on Monday Night Football as Fulham face Brentford. Coverage starts on Sky Sports Premier League at the earlier time of 6pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off

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It has been a big week for Manchester United and there will be plenty of discussion to come ahead of their Super Sunday clash with Chelsea. But there are intriguing stories right across the Premier League fixture list this weekend.

Here, we delve into some of the standout talking points - and remember, as well as tuning into the games live on Sky Sports, you can follow all of these matches with our live blogs.

Find them on the Sky Sports website and app, where you can also watch FREE match highlights of every Premier League game.

Tottenham renew top-four battle with Aston Villa

Tottenham thought they had landed the big blow in last season's race for the top four when they thrashed 10-player Aston Villa 4-0 in March.

That win at Villa Park moved Spurs two points off Unai Emery's side with a game in hand - but it was Villa who ultimately prevailed in the fight for the Champions League qualifying spots last season, with Spurs slipping away badly at the end, winning just four of their final 11 league games.

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Ange Postecoglou's players have ground to make up again, sitting five points off fourth-placed Villa going into this weekend's match-up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

They go into the contest with a spring in their step after the midweek Carabao Cup win over Man City, though, and have mostly delivered at home this season, winning six of their seven fixtures there across all competitions (just don't mention the north London derby).

Their fans may also be buoyed by slight slip-ups from Villa over the past week, with a Carabao Cup exit to Crystal Palace following last weekend's draw with Wolves, when Villa blew a two-goal lead.

But Villa - winners in north London 12 months ago and so far revelling in their return to Europe's top table - have a formidable away record, threat off the bench and will be highly charged for what has become an intriguing Premier League rivalry.

A decisive weekend in the relegation battle as bottom six face off

It has been hard work for the bottom six so far this season but they have the opportunity to pick up vital points this weekend when they face one another. Of course, there is also the prospect of slipping behind relegation-battle rivals. A few days on from Halloween, it is a terrifying prospect for the more pessimistic fans at those clubs.

Ipswich, Southampton and Wolves are the only sides without a win this season and will be aiming to end that wait when they play host to Leicester, Everton and Crystal Palace, respectively. But these three contests are surely too tight to call.

Everton and Palace can point to recent upticks in results but Southampton and Wolves will feel they have deserved more from their opening nine games. Ipswich will hope their goalscoring sharpness from the painful last-gasp defeat to Brentford a week ago can do the damage against a Leicester side that shipped five at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Whatever angle you take in the build-up, the final results come Saturday evening could have a big bearing on who goes down and who stays up come May.

Man City threadbare ahead of tricky trip to Bournemouth

Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol at the back. Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva in midfield. Phil Foden and Erling Haaland in attack.

Pep Guardiola might not get much sympathy from anyone with a Bournemouth allegiance when he talks about Manchester City being in "trouble" with their injury crisis, given the quality of players he could still field at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

But the strain on the defending champions is real, with Manuel Akanji and Savinho added to their lengthy injury list on Wednesday night. Dias was also said to be "struggling" after going off at half-time against Spurs in the Carabao Cup loss. Guardiola says he has not experienced anything like it during his nine years at City.

The international break cannot come soon enough for them but first three tricky away days await, with Bournemouth being followed by Sporting in the Champions League and Brighton at the Amex. Whether their rivals buy their excuses or not, City know there is little room for slip-ups in the Premier League title race. They must dig deep into their reserves against a Bournemouth side who have beaten Arsenal and drawn with Aston Villa in their past two outings.

Arsenal's most important week of the season?

Newcastle away, Inter Milan away, Chelsea away. Arsenal know this could be a week that defines their season.

The depleted Gunners were much-improved in their valiant 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend but the harsh reality is Mikel Arteta's side have not picked up a win in their last two Premier League games. With the margins so fine, slip-ups are costly and winless runs are unacceptable.

The two tricky trips to Newcastle and Chelsea are games Arsenal dropped points in last season. It barely gets any easier after the break with Nottingham Forest, a frustrating opponent for many - including Liverpool, next on the list.

This is a time where Arsenal, who have added Ben White to their defensive injury list this week, need to stand up and show their credentials.

Fulham need to start turning dominance into points

Winless in three games and set to face their 'bogey rivals' in Brentford, Marco Silva's Fulham arguably face a crossroads in their season on Monday night.

The Cottagers looked well-built at the start of this season and their five-match unbeaten run, before this current slump, had many of their fans dreaming of a return to Europe again.

But recent poor finishing has let them down. In their defeat at Man City, Adama Traore should have scored a hat-trick but was wasteful at the Etihad Stadium. Andreas Pereira's missed penalty against Aston Villa was the crucial moment in a topsy-turvy game, while missed chances away at Everton last time out came back to bite them with Beto's late equaliser.

In fact, Fulham would sit third in the Premier League table if games were decided by Expected Goals (xG). Only Liverpool and Man City have a better record of dominance this term.

There is a lot to like about Silva's team this season. Emile Smith Rowe's arrival has breathed fresh life into an attack which has seen resurgences from Alex Iwobi, Raul Jimenez and Traore, while Sander Berge's discipline allows attacking full-backs Antonee Robinson and Kenny Tete to add to that frontline.

But another slip-up to Brentford, who they have only beaten once since the Bees' promotion to the top flight, would see them slide further away from their continental dreams.

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Pep Guardiola claimed Manchester City were in trouble after they suffered further injuries in a 2-1 loss at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup to leave them with only 13 first-team players available.

Already without Kyle Walker, Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish for the fourth-round tie, Manuel Akanji was withdrawn ahead of kick-off before Savinho left on a stretcher in the second half.

Guardiola was measured after first-half goals by Timo Werner - his first in 18 matches - and Pape Sarr inflicted a first defeat of the campaign on City, but he acknowledged problems are mounting before Saturday's trip to Bournemouth, which is followed by a Champions League fixture at Sporting Lisbon.

Tottenham 2-1 Man City: Match report & highlights

As it happened: How Spurs ended Man City's unbeaten run

Spurs to face Man Utd, Liverpool at Southampton in Carabao Cup quarters

"We have 13 players (available) so we are in real difficulty," Guardiola said.

"The guys that play, they finish most of them with problems and we'll see how they recover.

"Tomorrow we have two keepers and Erling Haaland for the training session, the rest, so we don't have anything else.

"I think when we are in trouble, like we are because in nine years it has never happened this situation with many, many injuries for many, many reasons, in these situations, the players they make a step forward and they are more together than ever and they will try to do this week in this short time to recover.

"It's only that how many players we have able. But we have the Academy and if the seniors cannot be there, we'll do it. And we're going to Bournemouth to compete.

He added: "It's tough. Akanji yesterday, I didn't know it, in the last action felt something in the muscular part of his body and today in the warm-up he didn't feel good. He said he could take a risk and I said no, no risk.

"Ruben (Dias) is struggling sometimes as well in some moments. It's been getting more difficult game by game, but maybe one day we will arrive altogether.

"That's why the guys who are here and making an effort to be with us, fighting to be with us and playing with pain and focus for us, these guys I will not forget it."

Carabao Cup results | Fixtures | Teams | Stats

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Savinho went down just before the hour mark and after treatment a stretcher was required to take him off.

Guardiola hoped it was only a "knock" and revealed Erling Haaland was always set to stay on the bench despite Matheus Nunes' effort in first-half stoppage time giving City the opportunity to come back from two goals down.

The visitors did create late chances and Tottenham substitute Yves Bissouma cleared an effort by Nico O'Reilly off the line in the 89th minute.

"He (Savinho) has a knock in 18-yard box, a potential penalty and we will see tomorrow what happen," Guardiola added.

"Hopefully he is not in danger but we will see. The plan was before, (Haaland) didn't play and the game against Southampton was so demanding.

"I didn't want to take risk with him today in this competition. I don't like to lose, but this competition is a bit different. I like to see the team how we behave, the courage and solidarity of how we play."

Haaland a risk not worth taking for threadbare City

Sky Sports' Oliver Yew at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

"Tomorrow we have two keepers and Erling Haaland for the training session."

Pep Guardiola was clear in his post-match press conference about the scale of Man City's injury crisis with just 13 players available, and it showed in their Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday.

With just under 20 minutes remaining and searching for an equaliser, all eyes were on the Man City bench. There was only one man you'd turn to for a goal but was Guardiola going to turn to goal machine Haaland?

The answer was no and as Jahmai Simpson-Pusey came on as City's final substitute, you knew Haaland was a risk Guardiola was not willing to take.

Three away games on the trot against Bournemouth, Sporting and Brighton wouldn't normally be of too much concern for City, but how Guardiola navigates his threadbare squad through this period will be a huge test for the manager regarded as the best in the world.

Analysis: Carabao Cup hits and misses

WATCH: All the goals as Spurs send City crashing out...

What's coming up for Spurs and Man City?

Manchester City's unbeaten start to the season came to an end as Tottenham secured a 2-1 victory to set up a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester United.

Spurs flew out of the traps, and they were ahead as early as the fifth minute when Timo Werner latched onto Dejan Kulusevski's pass before emphatically finishing past Stefan Ortega for his first goal since March 10.

There was a blow for the hosts as a distraught Micky van de Ven left the pitch with a suspected hamstring injury, but it never halted Spurs' momentum.

Pep Guardiola said after the last round that he did not want to "waste energy" on the Carabao Cup and his player were playing like they believed their manager's words. A lacklustre Man City had no answer and Pape Sarr's long-range strike beat Ortega to double the lead in the 25th minute.

City eventually started to grow into the contest and began dominating the ball as Spurs looked to get in at the break with their two-goal advantage. However, Savinho - often the bright spark for City in the opening 45 minutes - delivered a cross to the far post where Matheus Nunes converted to give the visitors a huge lifeline just before the break.

Carabao Cup results | Fixtures | Teams | Stats

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How to watch any Carabao Cup game live on Sky Sports+

Injuries plagued the second half with Savinho stretchered off - he was replaced by Jacob Wright with Erling Haaland remaining on the bench - while Spurs had to replace Cristian Romero and Werner as the rhythm of the game was disrupted.

Spurs were a threat on the counter as City pushed for an equaliser, and the visitors had goalkeeper Ortega to thank for two excellent stops to deny Brennan Johnson and Kulusevski.

Spurs' big chance to win the game fell to substitute Richarlison, who was sent through on goal by a wayward Josko Gvardiol throw, but the striker wasted the golden chance by sending a weak effort straight at Ortega.

It was a chance he was almost left to rue but for team-mate Yves Bissouma. The midfielder came up up with a superb block right on the goal line to keep out Nico O'Reilly's last-gasp effort as Spurs kept alive their hopes of a first trophy since 2008.

'A big result for Spurs'

Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:

"The game could have gone either way when you think of Bissouma's clearance of the line which was a big moment.

"Man City do punish you because they keep the ball and sometimes you press and it's not on, and they can pop the ball around you and then they are in on your back four.

"Then you lose Van de Ven and then Romero, so Spurs had to suffer, but it was a big result for them.

"No disrespect to Spurs winning, but you could see who wanted it more. When Guardiola isn't brining on Haaland with 15 minutes to go, that tells you were Man City were.

"They already had a couple of injuries and didn't want anymore. With the players City had on the pitch you still felt they could do a job and they did have their chances.

"But for Tottenham, it's a big result. They are in the draw, and they want that trophy."

WATCH: All the goals as Spurs send City crashing out...

'Wins like this can accelerate growth of team'

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou:

"My last win is always my best win. I continue to see growth in this group of players and this team.

"I want them to have these moments because I know how important it is to accelerate the growth of what we're doing.

"But for me, personally, nothing really changes. It's about trying to continually push this group to become the team we want to be.

"We're not there yet, fair to say. I'm really optimistic and bullish about this group of players. I just think they've got a really high ceiling and we've just got to keep focusing on that."

'We have to keep going and win every game'

Tottenham's Dejan Kulusevski to Sky Sports:

"It is important to win and go through in the cup. When you play a great team like City you always want to win - I am proud of the boys.

"I always love this game, playing the best teams in the world, I want to be one of the best players in the world.

"We have to keep going and win every game. We have to keep focused."

Guardiola: We are in a difficult position

Man City boss Pep Guardiola to Sky Sports:

"Exceptional. The young players did well.

"An incredible top side they are so fast and I am really pleased. We play so good. If you play a game that quick they attack quicker, we played really good. Of course, in the second half there was transitions they could have finished the game - I know perfectly how good we played.

"Football sometimes, we are in a difficult position with the amount of players."

On injuries, Guardiola added: "It is what it is. It is normal. The limit of the players is there.

"We will see tomorrow [on Savinho's injury].

"Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker, no chance to play the next games."

What's coming up for Spurs and Man City?

Manchester City's unbeaten start to the season came to an end as Tottenham secured a 2-1 victory to set up a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester United.

Spurs flew out of the traps, and they were ahead as early as the fifth minute when Timo Werner latched onto Dejan Kulusevski's pass before emphatically finishing past Stefan Ortega for his first goal since March 10.

There was a blow for the hosts as a distraught Micky van de Ven left the pitch with a suspected hamstring injury, but it never halted Spurs' momentum.

Pep Guardiola said after the last round that he did not want to "waste energy" on the Carabao Cup and his player were playing like they believed their manager's words. A lacklustre Man City had no answer and Pape Sarr's long-range strike beat Ortega to double the lead in the 25th minute.

City eventually started to grow into the contest and began dominating the ball as Spurs looked to get in at the break with their two-goal advantage. However, Savinho - often the bright spark for City in the opening 45 minutes - delivered a cross to the far post where Matheus Nunes converted to give the visitors a huge lifeline just before the break.

Carabao Cup results | Fixtures | Teams | Stats

All you need to know - Streaming Sky Sports with NOW

Download the Sky Sports App to watch every Sky Sports + game

How to watch any Carabao Cup game live on Sky Sports+

Injuries plagued the second half with Savinho stretchered off - he was replaced by Jacob Wright with Erling Haaland remaining on the bench - while Spurs had to replace Cristian Romero and Werner as the rhythm of the game was disrupted.

Spurs were a threat on the counter as City pushed for an equaliser, and the visitors had goalkeeper Ortega to thank for two excellent stops to deny Brennan Johnson and Kulusevski.

Spurs' big chance to win the game fell to substitute Richarlison, who was sent through on goal by a wayward Josko Gvardiol throw, but the striker wasted the golden chance by sending a weak effort straight at Ortega.

It was a chance he was almost left to rue but for team-mate Yves Bissouma. The midfielder came up up with a superb block right on the goal line to keep out Nico O'Reilly's last-gasp effort as Spurs kept alive their hopes of a first trophy since 2008.

'A big result for Spurs'

Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:

"The game could have gone either way when you think of Bissouma's clearance of the line which was a big moment.

"Man City do punish you because they keep the ball and sometimes you press and it's not on, and they can pop the ball around you and then they are in on your back four.

"Then you lose Van de Ven and then Romero, so Spurs had to suffer, but it was a big result for them.

"No disrespect to Spurs winning, but you could see who wanted it more. When Guardiola isn't brining on Haaland with 15 minutes to go, that tells you were Man City were.

"They already had a couple of injuries and didn't want anymore. With the players City had on the pitch you still felt they could do a job and they did have their chances.

"But for Tottenham, it's a big result. They are in the draw, and they want that trophy."

WATCH: All the goals as Spurs send City crashing out...

'Wins like this can accelerate growth of team'

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou:

"My last win is always my best win. I continue to see growth in this group of players and this team.

"I want them to have these moments because I know how important it is to accelerate the growth of what we're doing.

"But for me, personally, nothing really changes. It's about trying to continually push this group to become the team we want to be.

"We're not there yet, fair to say. I'm really optimistic and bullish about this group of players. I just think they've got a really high ceiling and we've just got to keep focusing on that."

'We have to keep going and win every game'

Tottenham's Dejan Kulusevski to Sky Sports:

"It is important to win and go through in the cup. When you play a great team like City you always want to win - I am proud of the boys.

"I always love this game, playing the best teams in the world, I want to be one of the best players in the world.

"We have to keep going and win every game. We have to keep focused."

Guardiola: We are in a difficult position

Man City boss Pep Guardiola to Sky Sports:

"Exceptional. The young players did well.

"An incredible top side they are so fast and I am really pleased. We play so good. If you play a game that quick they attack quicker, we played really good. Of course, in the second half there was transitions they could have finished the game - I know perfectly how good we played.

"Football sometimes, we are in a difficult position with the amount of players."

On injuries, Guardiola added: "It is what it is. It is normal. The limit of the players is there.

"We will see tomorrow [on Savinho's injury].

"Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker, no chance to play the next games."

What's coming up for Spurs and Man City?

Tottenham's reward for beating Manchester City is a quarter-final tie with Manchester United, while holders Liverpool go to Southampton.

Spurs upset Pep Guardiola's Premier League champions 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday night and will now take on Manchester United, who thrashed Leicester City 5-2.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was in the dugout at Old Trafford for that win but Ruben Amorim could well be in charge by the time the quarter-final ties are played in the week commencing December 16.

Arsenal beat Preston 3-0 in their fourth-round tie to set up a last-eight date with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium, while Newcastle knocked out last season's runners-up Chelsea at St James' Park and will be at home again when they play Brentford for a spot in the semis.

Carabao Cup results | Fixtures | Teams | Stats

All you need to know - Streaming Sky Sports with NOW

The fixtures will be played in the week commencing December 16 and you can watch every single game live on Sky Sports.

Quarter-final draw in full

Tottenham vs Man Utd

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Newcastle vs Brentford

Southampton vs Liverpool

Free match highlights from 'Wicked Wednesday'

Key dates for rest of the competition

Semi-final: w/c January 6 2025 (first leg) and w/c February 3 2025 (second leg)

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