It was another dramatic weekend of Premier League football with Man City leading the way on maximum points. Big wins for Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal keep their unbeaten runs going, whilst Manchester United and Chelsea are still struggling in the bottom half of the table.
Here are five things we learned from Gameweek five in the Premier League…
NEW DAWN FOR TOTTENHAM
Tottenham last-gasp winner against Sheffield United caused pandemonium in the stands, scoring two goals in injury time to steal three points away from the battling Blades.
Ange Postecoglou has picked up 13 points from a possible 15, an encouraging start. When Tottenham sold Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, there was a worry that the goals would dry up. It has opened up the opportunity for Son Heung-min to play down the middle and he has taken to the position like a duck to water. Son scored a hat-trick against Burnley in an impressive 5-2 win, demonstrating that he can still be a threat in a central position.
Spurs are blessed with an array of talent behind the striker. Dejan Kulusevski scored the winner against Sheffield United and has been a key player in their positive start to the campaign. James Maddison has been a revelation and feels like the perfect fit. He already has two goals to his name, and picked up the August player of the month award. Manor Solomon is slowly finding his feet at Tottenham, he has started the last three games in all competitions, though has yet to complete 90 minutes at his new club.
UNITED LOSS NOT A SURPRISE
Morale at Old Trafford was low coming into the game against Brighton. United’s defence was all over the place as Brighton dismantled them 3-1. The Seagulls have been incredibly impressive in the early stages of the season, barring a loss at home to West Ham. Danny Welbeck returned to his old club and broke the deadlock. Pascal Gross added a second after a wonderful dummy to fool Lisandro Martínez, and Joao Pedro curled in a third as United’s embarrassment was compounded. United looked dead and buried. Three defeats in five to start the season, a terrible start for Erik ten Hag.
It doesn’t get any easier for ten Hag, as United travel to Munich for their opening Champions League tie and Burnley at Turf Moor await United next in the Premier League. United have picked up two home wins to bring their points tally to six but the wins against Wolves and Nottingham Forest were unconvincing, and unwelcome distractions off the pitch have made ten Hag’s job even harder.
ARSENAL GETTING THE JOB DONE
It was far from a vintage Arsenal display against Everton, but Arteta’s team did just about enough to get the three points. This maintains Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season, four wins and a draw. Leandro Trossard’s fine finish was the only goal in a well battled contest at Goodison Park, with Arsenal dominating proceedings. Everton yet again struggled to create as they lost a third consecutive home game 1-0.
We will see the character of Arsenal this week as they begin their Champions League campaign against PSV, followed by a crucial North London Derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium. Will Arsenal be able to deal with the demands of Champions League football whilst maintaining a bid to rival Manchester City for the title?
ARE LIVERPOOL THE REAL DEAL?
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter a poor showing in the first half against Wolves, Liverpool fought back and grabbed three points at Molineux. Andy Robertson’s 85th minute goal looked like he had won the game for Liverpool after Cody Gakpo tapped the ball in for the equalise. Harvey Elliot’s deflected strike sealed the points and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool remain unbeaten.
At this early stage of the season, it is still unclear as to who will be involved in the title race with Manchester City. Liverpool have made the ideal start but just like Arsenal, they are now involved in European football on Thursday. Will this have a knock-on effect when they host West Ham at the weekend? Klopp has good squad depth, but his defence is still incomplete with Trent Alexander-Arnold injured, and Virgil Van Dijk still suspended.
CHELSEA BOOED OFF AT BOURNEMOUTH
Chelsea fans were not happy with Mauricio Pochettino’s team after a drab goalless draw against Bournemouth. Chelsea were wasteful in front of goal against their stubborn hosts, who defended well throughout the contest. Raheem Sterling’s free-kick was inches away from crossing the line, Chelsea’s best chance of the game. Levi Colwill stuck the ball home from the re-bound but it was offside.
One win in five for Chelsea is not the start they would have wanted, with their only win coming against bottom side Luton Town. Pochettino has a long and unfortunate injury list which forced him to name six youth players on his bench at the Vitality. Perhaps once Pochettino has a full fit squad, Chelsea may click into gear. A tough start to life at Stamford Bridge.
