1
United need injection of confidence
If Ruud van Nistelrooy was supposed to wash the nostalgia out of the Manchester United system then perhaps that was achieved, though maybe not as intended. If Rúben Amorim was distracted from preparing Sporting for Manchester City on Tuesday, he will be more aware of a United squad bereft of confidence. United’s first 60 minutes against Chelsea saw them fumble pathetically for creativity. Not even the presence of one of the club’s greatest strikers has lifted the finishing quality in a group low on goals. Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford were both bereft of touch and instinct; substitute Joshua Zirkzee’s signing remains a mystery. There was something of Van Nistelrooy in Rasmus Højlund winning Bruno Fernandes’s penalty, and the goalscorer’s knee slide towards the tunnel at the Stretford End. But there was to be no Ferguson-era ecstatic denouement. This United don’t do them. Van Nistelrooy has two games remaining until United seek the progressive future postponed by mistakenly retaining Erik ten Hag. John Brewin
2
Caicedo and Lavia boost Chelsea
At Old Trafford, Moisés Caicedo’s thrashing stood out from a performance where Chelsea allowed victory to slip from their grip. Amid the desperately dull torpor of the first half, with Caicedo and Roméo Lavia in midfield, Chelsea had control but Cole Palmer disappointed, against the club his family supports, as did Enzo Maresca’s other attackers. It was left to Caicedo to motor through midfield in the style that has lately become customary. Transfer values of a combined £220m dictate his partnership with Enzo Fernández needs to work but it is yet to. The Argentinian failed to get the better of even United’s pedestrian midfield after replacing Lavia. With Lavia went Chelsea’s thrust. Maresca has shown himself unafraid to sideline players the ownership wants to work out. He has carefully handled Mykhailo Mudryk’s situation, for example. Lavia, if he can remain clear of injury, suits Chelsea’s midfield far better in allowing Caicedo to be the player they paid top dollar for. JB
3
Gordon rolls back the years
It was the sort of cross prefacing an unstoppable header that Nolberto Solano used to aim at Alan Shearer during Sir Bobby Robson’s Newcastle tenure. Anthony Gordon prefers playing on the left so he can cut inside and shoot on his naturally stronger right side but there is a lot to be side for right-footed right wingers and Gordon excelled in that role as Arsenal’s title hopes were dented. His assist for Alexander Isak’s winner also renewed Newcastle’s relationship with hope at the end of a week when they reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and clinched a first Premier League victory in six attempts. On a day when Gordon, Isak, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Hall were strong man of the match contenders, all Eddie Howe lacked was a specialist centre-forward to understudy Isak. Significantly Newcastle’s manager has sent the Swede’s deputy, Callum Wilson, to the pioneering Doha hospital where Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi undergo physical repairs. If Wilson’s back is mended, European qualification may beckon. Louise Taylor
4
Solanke makes the difference
Dominic Solanke’s value to Tottenham Hotspur will be measured by more than goals. The striker can mix it with defenders, link the play and lead his side’s pressing. But for a side with a habit of throwing away points from winnable positions, having a ruthless striker is hardly something to be sniffy about. Spurs, who could once count on Harry Kane settling tight games, will have a better chance of finishing in the top four if Solanke is scoring. He made the difference during the 4-1 win over Aston Villa, notching his side’s second and third goals, and could take satisfaction from outperforming his England teammate Ollie Watkins, who missed a glaring chance in the first half. “The goals are great and as a striker I’m sure he loves the fact he’s got a couple but I can’t speak highly enough about him and what he brings to this team,” Ange Postecoglou said. Jacob Steinberg
5
Every title contender needs a Gomez
Arne Slot attributed Liverpool’s transformation into a team worthy of leading the Premier League to a change in attitude against Brighton, more than his own tactical switches, and it was Joe Gomez who embodied the fight, quality and character that had been sorely missing from their first-half display. The defender was introduced at the break after Ibrahima Konaté sustained an arm injury when Virgil van Dijk landed on him and was a major factor in extinguishing Brighton’s threat. For a player who was left out of Slot’s first Premier League squad at Ipswich, and whose Liverpool future was in serious doubt in the summer, Gomez’s attitude and professionalism is exemplary. He is what a title contender needs. “I know he came from an interesting summer,” said Van Dijk. “But the way he has been on and off the pitch is remarkable. He’s so respected within the club and the team. He’s a fantastic player and he showed it again. He was outstanding.” Andy Hunter
6
Clock ticks rapidly for O’Neil
Statistics that straddle seasons can often feel pointless – or at least unfair – but it is growing hard to ignore the numbers surrounding Wolves. Gary O’Neil’s side have won one of their past 20 league matches, taking eight points from a possible 60 in that period. Matheus Cunha and João Gomes exhibited moments of brilliance in Saturday’s draw with Crystal Palace to prove it is not all bad but O’Neil, who signed a four-year contract extension in the summer, is running out of time to turn things around. Sections of supporters aired their grievances during the game and failure to beat Southampton on Saturday will almost certainly spell the end. Regardless, Wolves are in a relegation fight for the long haul. “We’re going to have to scrap all season, we’re going to have to fight, that’s the situation we’re in,” O’Neil said. “We’ve accepted that in the dressing room.” Ben Fisher
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7
Iraola’s hard workers stun champions
No need for panic after Manchester City’s first Premier League defeat of the season, though several concerns. If Bournemouth deserved huge credit, with Antoine Semenyo, Lewis Cook and Milos Kerkez the outstanding players, it was a combination of energy and desire that took apart the champions. Too often, in the press, in the duels and even in the latter stages when City at last exerted some control, it was a Bournemouth player first to the ball. Few would accuse a serial champion squad of lacking desire but in the performances of Ilkay Gündogan, Mateo Kovacic and Kyle Walker, age reared its head. Andoni Iraola fielded Semenyo so Walker would be the winger’s immediate adversary. The Ghanaian so roasted Walker that Pep Guardiola had to shift his raddled captain to centre-back. Kevin De Bruyne on the bench had been a surprise but he did not play. JB
8
Fabulous Forest into the top three
Ten games in and Nottingham Forest have conceded only seven goals in the league. It is an incredible feat for a team who survived in the Premier League on the final day last season. The two additions to have changed the back four are Nikola Milenkovic and Àlex Moreno. Matz Sels, Ola Aina and Murillo were already impressing under Nuno Espírito Santo but they were given the perfect additions to make Forest robust and balanced at the back. It is an indication that if things are not going well, tweaking is often better than overhauling and Forest are being proven right for their more sensible approach in the market rather than hiring a completely new defence. West Ham had a meagre three shots on Saturday and only one of those was on target as Forest moved into the top three. Will Unwin
9
Southampton finally shore up defence
Aaron Ramsdale believes Southampton’s performance against Everton showed their togetherness as they picked up a long-awaited first Premier League victory of the season. Ramsdale pulled off several impressive saves before Adam Armstrong’s late winner to outshine England rival Jordan Pickford at the other end but paid tribute to the rest of his defence for their contribution to a first clean sheet of the campaign. “It was a real team effort,” said Ramsdale. “It feels great to get that off our chests, especially the first win. That was more important than the clean sheet but to get both together shows that we are really working for the team. The defenders dealing with Everton’s threat which they’re so good at. If they got through I was thankful I was there and they are the standards I hold myself by. That was the real Aaron Ramsdale the Saints fans saw.” Ed Aarons
10
Tractor Boys plough on but need win
Ipswich arrived in the brave new world of the Premier League without great expectation, so to have suggested to supporters that their team would avoid defeat in half their opening 10 games would have been an appealing prophecy. Yet five draws and five defeats means the Tractor Boys are one of two teams still without a win and they are letting points slip through their fingers. “It’s 10 games we haven’t won, but five from which we got a result, and probably eight that we competed in,” Kieran McKenna wisely surmised after Leicester snatched a late 1-1 draw at Portman Road, while also voicing some legitimate complaints in the direction of VAR and the referee Tim Robinson. Yet the contrast with fellow new boys Leicester – who are finding ways to grind out important points – is stark. Whereas Steve Cooper’s side have retrieved six points from losing positions already, Ipswich keep throwing them away. Dominic Booth
Source From: Premier League | The Guardian
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