The Premier League did not fail to deliver again this weekend with some high quality games, plenty of goals and a sprinkling of drama. The two north London clubs remain the only teams still unbeaten in the league, and two sides in Bournemouth and Sheffield United are still without a win after eight league games.
Here are five things we learned from the weekend’s action…
THE STUDENT CONQUERS THE PROFESSOR
The weekend’s meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City was the 12th time Mikel Arteta has been up against Pep Guardiola in the opposite dugout. Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant coach at Manchester City where the Spanish duo won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two EFL Cups together. Now their friendship has transitioned into somewhat of a rivalry as Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit in challenging City since Arteta’s appointment.
Sunday’s game was far from a thriller, but even at this early stage of the season a lot was on the line. David Raya had a couple of hairy moments in the Arsenal net as Manchester City tried to seize the advantage on Arsenal soil, a ground where they have been so successful on in recent meetings.
The match winner was substitute Gabriel Martinelli, an effort that took a big deflection off Nathan Ake and wrong-footed Ederson in goal. The goal came as late as the 86th minute, in what was was a huge moment for the Arsenal team and Mikel Arteta, who had finally earned a league win over Manchester City. It could be a huge shift in the title race, but there are still plenty of games to go.
SPURS WIN WITH TEN THANKS TO VAN DE VEN
Luton v Tottenham had all the makings of a ‘Spursy’ banana skin, but there is a different feeling in the air under Ange Postecoglou this season. Tottenham were in the mood from the off, with Richarlison missing a couple of big chances, however the game took a turn just before half-time when Yves Bissouma picked up a silly second booking for simulation and Spurs were down to ten men.
Luton could not take advantage despite a huge chance for Elijah Adebayo right after the restart, and James Maddison set up Micky van de Ven who stabbed home to put the ten men of Tottenham in front. On the balance of play, Spurs deserved their lead, and Luton’s lack of quality prevented them from equalising. Spurs remain eight games unbeaten and sit top of the league. The feel-good factor rumbles on, and despite a setback in Bissouma’s sending off, they were still able to secure three points away from home.
ERRORS HURTING LIVERPOOL’S TITLE CHANCES
Embed from Getty ImagesLiverpool dropped two points at the AMEX this weekend against a Brighton side who were eager to respond after their 6-1 hammering at Villa Park last time out. Mohammed Salah’s brace put Liverpool in a commanding position after going a goal down when former Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister’s lapse in concentration gifted a chance to Simon Adingra, who duly obliged to beat a scrambling Alisson.
Liverpool were on the end of a terrible VAR decision against Tottenham to cost them last week. This weekend, the cause for their dropped points was from all their doing. Andy Robertson failed to clear an incoming free-kick and Lewis Dunk was on hand to poke in the equaliser.
Liverpool are showing signs that they are capable of mounting a title challenge, but the errors of judgement are costing them points and undermining their excellent attacking play. Jurgen Klopp worked hard in the summer to re-invent Liverpool’s midfield after a few departures but at the back, Liverpool are becoming sloppy. This could ultimately hinder their chances of winning a first Premier League title since 2020.
STERLING WORK FROM POCH’S BLUES
Chelsea are beginning to hit form. A bruising 4-1 win over Burnley illustrated the attacking talents that Chelsea have at their disposal, even though they may have been fortunate to equalise through an own goal after a slow start. But the pace, power and skill of Raheem Sterling took the game away from Vincent Kompany’s side.
Sterling’s powerful run earned him a penalty and Cole Palmer calmly slotted it in for his first Chelsea league goal, before Stetrling was played through and finished brilliantly himself to take the game away from Burnley’s reach. Nicolas Jackson then returned from suspension and with some smart footwork and a cool finish, he ended the game as a contest.
Mauricio Pochettino will be thrilled with his side’s recent displays with Chelsea finally showing the sort of characteristics expected from the fans after another summer of heavy spending. Their run of fixtures up towards mid December is frightening but they will not be fearing anyone at the moment.
UNITED WIN BUT TEN HAG STILL UNDER SCRUTINY
Scott McTominay’s late brace may have triggered jubilant scenes at Old Trafford but all the win did was paper over some very big cracks that are still evident at Manchester United. Brentford turned up to Old Trafford on a run of five Premier League games without a win. The confidence may have been low for Thomas Frank’s side but they found themselves in front after 26 minutes through Mathias Jensen, another goal that had fans questioning Andre Onana.
Manchester United huffed and puffed and got their reward in added time, and still managed to kick on and find a second to clinch a big three points. Ultimately Scott McTominay handed Erik ten Hag a ‘get out of jail free’ card and questions would have been pressed further on the Dutchman if United had lost at home for a third time in a week. It was unconvincing, but it is a win and sometimes that is all you need.
