Slot’s Liverpool underline title credentials
Arne Slot has made the all time begin by a Liverpool supervisor by successful 9 of his first 10 video games – however did the 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace strengthen their title credentials or maybe present why they continue to be a piece in progress behind favourites Man Metropolis and Arsenal?
Their finest traits have been all on present through the first hour, with Ryan Gravenberch setting the tempo, the large gamers a menace and creating possibilities for Diogo Jota within the center. On the uncommon events Palace obtained the ball Liverpool’s rock-solid defence shut them out.
However the mixture of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s introduction and a hamstring damage to Alisson created chaos within the closing phases, with Palace spurning a number of good openings and Virgil van Dijk maybe lucky to flee punishment for a pull on Marc Guehi within the field.
But, the surprising cameo of Vitezslav Jaros underlined the purpose that this squad is filled with gamers who could make an affect at this stage. See additionally Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas – or Wataru Endo, who acquired reward from Slot afterwards for the applying he introduced within the closing minutes.
Towards Wolves and within the closing half hour at Palace, Liverpool have been under their finest and but nonetheless gained. The blip was the defeat at residence to Nottingham Forest. The one dropped factors of the season. However the general image going into the worldwide break is of a gifted, well-coached group who ought to be thought-about very a lot within the combine with Metropolis and Arsenal for this title chase.
Peter Smith
Havertz on monitor for 20-goal mark
Kai Havertz turned the primary Arsenal participant since Robin van Persie to attain in seven consecutive residence video games along with his purpose within the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Southampton on the Emirates Stadium.
With 4 targets within the Premier League and 6 in all competitions this season, he seems to be effectively on monitor to fulfil Mikel Arteta’s prediction that he’ll hit the hallowed 20 mark this time period.
His newest effort was brilliantly taken, his end crashing into the web off the publish from Bukayo Saka’s cross, offering additional proof of what Arteta describes as a change of mindset.
“His focus now could be, ‘I will win the sport, I will do it’, and that is a unique factor,” stated the Arsenal boss. “He isn’t glad with what he’s doing, as a result of there’s nonetheless one other stage for him.
“Clearly, he’s surrounded by unimaginable gamers, however one thing has modified in him, and that confidence, you may actually sense it. Now he is placing it into video games and successful matches.”
With common targets added to every thing else he was already giving the group, the 25-year-old has taken on even better significance, quietening discuss of Arsenal needing a striker within the course of.
Nick Wright
If solely ‘unstoppable’ Traore may end…
Hardly ever do Manchester Metropolis concede a better anticipated targets complete than they generate, particularly at residence. However Fulham didn’t come to the Etihad to sit down again and defend in a low block. They got here to play.
Marco Silva’s facet created 5 massive possibilities all through a topsy-turvy 90 minutes, and handed up three of them as they misplaced 3-2. A hat-trick of alternatives fell the way in which of Adama Traore, answerable for almost half (1.04) of Fulham’s 2.40 xG, with quick breaks a trademark of every thing good about Silva’s daring strategy.
Pep Guardiola was deep in dialog with Traore, who he known as “unstoppable”, on the finish of the sport. It regarded just like the Metropolis boss, realizing his facet have been considerably fortunate, was providing counsel after the ahead value Fulham what would have inevitably been a share of the spoils – possibly extra.
And it was not that Ederson was essentially on fireplace. The goalkeeper obtained the higher of Traore in two one-vs-ones however by no means gave the impression to be at full stretch.
The ploy to harm on the counter-attack was so almost good. It carved Manchester Metropolis open way more occasions than Guardiola would have been snug with. If solely Traore may end…
Laura Hunter
Man Metropolis aren’t infallible
Is Mateo Kovacic the brand new Rodri? He definitely performed the half in opposition to Fulham.
Ninety-eight touches of the ball, 100 per cent of tackles gained, 4 ball recoveries and two targets – the primary time he has scored greater than as soon as in a Premier League recreation.
In Man Metropolis’s Rodri-less world, Guardiola is discovering options, having now prevented defeat in every of their final 11 league video games through which they’ve trailed (W9 D2).
However let’s be clear, the champions are way more open than earlier than. Metropolis conceded 5 massive possibilities and a season-high 2.40 anticipated targets in opposition to. Have been it not for Traore’s profligacy, they’d have virtually definitely misplaced this recreation.
Meals for thought for Guardiola, who promised to spend the worldwide break “reflecting”. And encouragement for the remainder: Man Metropolis are not flawless.
Laura Hunter
O’Neil vows to vary winless Wolves
It’s in style for managers to declare they may persist with their rules and philosophy throughout a foul run of kind – however Gary O’Neil has vowed to vary winless Wolves.
A chastening 5-3 defeat at Brentford has proved to be the tipping level regardless of the success and reward his group acquired final season for his or her courageous, free-flowing model.
“The proof there at present is that they weren’t in a position to perform what we wanted to. So there must be a rethink round how we go about issues,” stated O’Neil.
“The truth that the gamers are making errors means there is a disconnect someplace in understanding of what is being requested or the place they must be.”
Wolves may argue their performances to this point, a drubbing from Chelsea apart, had been respectable in opposition to robust opposition. Their opponents had collectively recorded an unusually excessive shot conversion of 20 per cent too. “We have now been aggressive primarily,” stated O’Neil.
Nevertheless, all of it unravelled on the again in opposition to Brentford, who may have scored 10. Wolves’ expansive construction left them large open. Their assault benefitted from it, taking 17 pictures albeit with solely six on the right track, they usually had extra closing third entries (57) than Brentford (51).
Will O’Neil get the time to vary Wolves? “Being a soccer supervisor means that you’ve at present, undoubtedly,” he added. “After which after that, so many issues can occur.”
David Richardson
Newcastle’s wastefulness clear to see
If a group wins 10 corners, has 42 touches within the opposition field and 12 pictures from contained in the field in a recreation, that group ought to win the sport comfortably.
Newcastle didn’t win at Goodison Park although – they usually had solely themselves responsible because it ended goalless. Everton, with out Jarrad Branthwaite, have been there for the taking however Eddie Howe’s group lacked ruthlessness and effectivity with their closing ball. Anthony Gordon was the chief perpetrator.
Regardless of a efficiency filled with verve and vitality, he wasted the 2 massive moments that ought to have led to the Toon taking most factors. Jordan Pickford guessed proper from the spot earlier than Gordon then blazed astray when in on Pickford within the second half.
Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak returning after the worldwide break might be an enormous assist to Howe.
Lewis Jones
Benching Mateta comes again to chew Glasner
If you find yourself arising in opposition to the most effective defensive group statistically within the Premier League, one would suppose the right foil to that may be to play your finest attackers. That layered with the truth that Crystal Palace are with out a win of their first seven and are within the backside three, not beginning Jean Phillipe Mateta looks as if an oversight.
Oliver Glasner began with £30m summer time signing Eddie Nketiah main the road. Given the truth that Liverpool dominated possession, the previous Arsenal striker had little or no of the ball however when he did obtain it, Nketiah did little or no to problem Liverpool’s colossal again 4.
Within the second half, Glasner known as upon the person who has scored 17 targets in 22 video games since his arrival and Palace had an outlet. Mateta created three possibilities in 38 minutes with Nketiah enjoying alongside him which provides to the confusion surrounding his exclusion.
Competitors for locations could have effectively been the reasoning behind not beginning Mateta however given the truth that Palace are persevering with to battle, Glasner can not afford to not have Mateta on the pitch.
William Bitibiri
Promise for Southampton regardless of one other defeat
Southampton want wins, and quick, however there’s not less than hope they’re getting nearer within the method of their defeat at Arsenal.
Going 3-0 down in 39 minutes at Bournemouth on Monday actually crystallised the concern that both Saints could also be heading straight again to the Championship, or Russell Martin would quickly be below strain with a questionable line-up.
He confirmed extra flexibility on the Emirates in shifting to a again 5 after a blistering opening 10 minutes from the hosts, who then took till first-half added time to drive Aaron Ramsdale right into a save. Arsenal created an xG of simply over 1.2 by the break, however virtually half of that had come within the opening seven minutes.
Martin requested much more of his gamers on the interval they usually responded by taking the lead, and even maintaining Arsenal on tenterhooks till Bukayo Saka put the sport past doubt within the 88th minute.
This was not a facet not enjoying for his or her supervisor, it was not a facet missing high quality. It was a glimpse of what Southampton might be.
However getting as much as play Arsenal is straightforward, it’s video games like their subsequent one in opposition to Leicester which can resolve their destiny this season. And now there might be no excuse for not matching this efficiency in a fortnight.
Ron Walker
Leicester show they will win ugly
It was not at all a classic efficiency from Steve Cooper’s facet however come the tip of the season, they could look again on the 1-0 win over Bournemouth as probably the most vital outcomes of the marketing campaign in the event that they keep up.
The performances in opposition to heavy-hitters Tottenham, Aston Villa and Arsenal confirmed the Foxes may compete at this stage – however it in the end translated into only one level from the three video games.
With this win, Leicester demonstrated they’re able to weathering a storm, shutting out their opponents and may in the end stroll away with three factors.
Six factors from seven video games is a stable return, given the run of fixtures they’ve had, they usually can now take this added confidence into the large recreation in opposition to Southampton after the worldwide break.
Patrick Rowe
Bournemouth flatter to deceive
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was left scratching his head after the loss to Leicester Metropolis, as his facet flattered to deceive in entrance of purpose.
Lower than every week in the past on the Vitality Stadium, his gamers placed on a masterclass of ending in opposition to Southampton with Evanilson getting off the mark and Antoine Semenyo netting from distance.
Nevertheless, their efforts this time spherical have been a stark distinction to that show, because the Cherries wasted likelihood after likelihood within the Leicester penalty space.
Marcus Tavernier, Marcos Senesi and Dango Ouattara all got here shut, with two of their efforts placing the body of the purpose, however in the end they weren’t environment friendly sufficient to take something from this recreation.
“We’re actually disillusioned,” stated midfielder Lewis Cook dinner, who thought he had netted an equaliser solely to see it dominated out for offside. “We dominated for big spells. That’s soccer.
“Some days it simply does not go in. We have to take them. We want some factors within the subsequent couple of video games as a result of it will likely be robust.”
Their alternative to interrupt into the highest half has now been squandered and after a promising begin to the week, this fixture leaves a foul style within the mouth of the gamers and employees heading into the worldwide break.
Patrick Rowe
Bowen offers good response to England snub
When Jarrod Bowen was unnoticed of Lee Carsley’s England squad for the forthcoming Nations League encounters with Greece and Finland, the information was not surprising. West Ham had carried out below-par of their opening six video games, and Bowen’s personal requirements had dropped.
Within the 4-1 win over Ipswich, he was head and shoulders above everybody else on the pitch as Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham reign obtained a much-needed shot within the arm.
“It is the easiest way [to respond],” the Spaniard stated. He is aware of that and he’s at all times prepared to assist the group and work exhausting and play effectively. That is why he is an excellent participant.”
Bowen each scored and assisted in a Premier League recreation for the eighth time. Certainly, since his debut for the Hammers in February 2020 solely 5 gamers have scored and assisted in additional matches within the competitors (Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, Bruno Fernandes and Heung-Min Son).
West Ham spent round £132m in summer time switch window – recouping round £32.5m – however began the weekend simply two factors away from the relegation zone.
This win helps ease the lingering issues round Lopetegui’s appointment. It has been an uneasy begin to life as West Ham boss, however this good-looking win offers a well timed reminder of the goalscorers in his ranks, spearheaded by the irreplaceable Bowen.
Ben Grounds
Ipswich taught ruthless lesson
Ipswich stay one among 5 Premier League groups nonetheless with out a win together with present backside three – Crystal Palace, Southampton and Wolves. Their second-half show at West Ham was as unhealthy a forty five minutes as Kieran McKenna’s facet have produced to this point this season.
“It ended up a disappointing day for us,” the Ipswich boss stated. “There was a big majority of the primary half through which it was a aggressive recreation that was evenly fought. We performed some good soccer however we conceded poor targets which modified the momentum of the sport.
“We did not deal effectively sufficient with the direct play. The targets got here from these moments so there’s so much for us to be taught.”
McKenna highlighted how particular person errors contributed to a lopsided scoreline. It was a depressing return to the London Stadium too for Kalvin Phillips, whose error contained in the opening minute set the tone for an uncomfortable afternoon that was lower brief by his second-half substitution.
This was a actuality verify for Ipswich, who got a chastening afternoon by Bowen. McKenna has impressed in the way in which he has carried the combat to opponents up till now, however this was a reminder that in case you are not at full tilt at this stage, you’ll get severely punished.
Ben Grounds