Steve Nicol breaks down all of Saturday’s Premier League action, including Man United’s win at Bournemouth, and Liverpool and Arsenal’s draw.
Despite Man United’s late win at Bournemouth Steve Nicol thinks their continued bad start to games are down to one man.
Steve Nicol believes Arsenal were just the better side in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Liverpool at The Emirates.
With Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the Premier League still intact, Craig Burley examines what it will take for them to continue firing on all cylinders.
With Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the Premier League still intact, Craig Burley examines what it will take for them to continue firing on all cylinders.
Stewart Robson explains why despite impressive performances in recent weeks, Arsenal will need to improve defensively if they’re to challenge this season.
Goal of the weekend
Alex Iwobi had been on the pitch for nine minutes and had already played in three different positions by the time he played a perfect pass to set Alexandre Lacazette up for Arsenal’s equaliser against Liverpool. The Frenchman still had plenty to do, but at no point did he panic before creating space for himself, and simply hammering the ball into the far corner. It was a glorious piece of skill and thinking from both players.
Perfectionist of the weekend
“The team shows me today that in some actions we are still not stable enough,” said Pep Guardiola, shortly after his team had pummelled Southampton into dust, the 6-1 scoreline maybe even flattering the Saints.
There really is no pleasing some people.
Question of the weekend – part one
We’re 11 games into the season, and now have a decent idea of what will stick for the next seven months. So do we have a title race? Instinct tells you that Manchester City will run away with things, but it should be encouraging that, even though they have ploughed through most of the division, two teams are still keeping touch with them.
Chelsea and Liverpool are two points back from City, both on 27, a total that — according to Opta — would have been enough for first place at this stage of 98 previous top-division seasons.
Most probably expected Liverpool to be in the conversation, but the speed at which Maurizio Sarri has got Chelsea purring gives another level of encouragement. Will they be able to keep up? Who knows, but both teams are doing their best to keep the season interesting.
The most points anyone has ever gained in the Premier League to finish runners-up is 89, achieved by Manchester United in 2011-12. The way things are looking, at least one side will smash that record.
Question of the weekend – part two
At what stage should we start giving Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United credit for their mental fortitude and ability to turn games around? Their last-gasp win at Bournemouth was the second time in a few weeks that they’ve gone behind and come back to win, following that extraordinary game against Newcastle.
The obvious counterpoint is they shouldn’t be in those situations in the first place, but at the very least it displays a team playing for a common purpose. Whether that’s their manager or just each other doesn’t matter hugely.
Golden oldie of the weekend
Liverpool spending £100 million on two midfielders in the summer was theoretically bad news for James Milner. But so far this season Milner — 32 years old, but in football terms an “old” 32 given how early he started — has arguably been Liverpool’s best player, and the record of them never losing a game he has scored in continued against Arsenal.
“Milly is like wine,” said Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. “A really good red one.”
Stat of the weekend
Harry Kane’s goal against Wolves means that he still hasn’t gone more than three league games without scoring a goal since September 2015. In fact, he’s only gone four games without getting on the scoresheet twice since he became a Spurs regular in 2014. Kane still looks slightly sluggish, a little tired, something not quite right, which makes the fact he’s still scoring goals even more remarkable.
Needless fuss of the weekend
It’s understandable that many objected to referee Lee Probert booking Demarai Gray for removing his shirt, in celebration of his goal against Cardiff, revealing a message of tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. But you wonder what else Probert was supposed to do: no matter how stupid you think the rule — and make no mistake, it is a stupid rule — the referee essentially has to be an emotionless arbiter meant to enforce the regulations.
Which other rules should be ignored because of emotional situations? Let a player off a handball? Allow a shirt pull? Overlook a mouthful of abuse?
“We had to be professional and so the ref also had to be professional,” said Claude Puel after the game. Which should be the end of that.
Reversal of the weekend
Burnley’s success last season was based on their solidity. They kept 12 clean sheets and conceded fewer goals than anyone outside the top five, but this term they have managed two clean sheets and only Fulham have let in more.
“We know we’ve got to improve in the defensive shape,” said Sean Dyche after their 4-2 defeat to West Ham. It is at least something that he realises there’s a problem, but it’s one he has to fix quickly before Burnley find themselves in serious trouble.
Relief of the weekend
They’ve done it. Finally. Huddersfield are now the last remaining side in England’s top four divisions without a league victory this season, after Newcastle snuck past Watford. Like the proverbial goal going in off a striker’s behind to end a goal drought, Newcastle needed the win by any means necessary, but their fans should perhaps not get too excited about this marking the start of a heroic revival.
It’s always a little harsh to suggest any Premier League win is lucky, but Newcastle only had two shots on target, and Watford hit the woodwork at least twice and threw away an array of other chances.
“It’s one step in the right direction,” said Rafa Benitez. Alas, only the most optimistic would be confident of them taking many more steps.
Luckiest moment of the weekend
There were quite a few contentious decisions this weekend, not least at the Emirates where the officials missed two penalties and disallowed a perfectly good Liverpool goal. However, the biggest impact might have been made by the ruling out of Raul Jimenez’s strike for Wolves against Spurs, with Helder Costa being flagged for offside when he was nothing of the sort. Wolves roared back to nearly claim a draw, which they would have gained were it not for the incorrect officiating.
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