Winners.
The West Ham.
After a challenging summer transfer window and an opening month that included matches against an exciting team with a new manager, a team that has spent almost £1bn in a year, and a team that is the current gold standard of how to operate below the gilded elite, there they are, exactly where everyone expected them to be.
One of the front-runners to lose his job was David Moyes. Up until they made their first signing two days before the start of the season, West Ham had undoubtedly weakened a team that had difficulty in the domestic competition the previous season. Any effort to reinvest the Declan Rice money was being undermined by a rumored internal conflict. They were a complete mess.
However, peak Moyesball destroyed Brighton. Konstantinos Mavropanos and Mohammed Kudus have strengthened their position elsewhere, and Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse have been outstanding additions. Outstanding was Alphonse Areola. However, it is a sign that everyone is finally moving in the right direction once more when players who struggled last season step up to help create a goal as exquisite as the second, which was set up by Said Benrahma and scored by Jarrod Bowen.
Of course, nothing is perfect. Moyes may never realize his lifelong ambition to find the key to eternal youth so that he can give it to Michail Antonio. But this beginning is a welcome consolation.
Mr. Darwin Nunez.
The flop that never was has suddenly contributed 21 goals or assists in 45 games for a team in transition.
During an encounter between Liverpool and Uruguay in the 2022 Champions League, Jurgen Klopp “fell in love” with Nunez. Newcastle had received a lot of interest in him. The Magpies were defeated by the Reds, who were drawn in by “the power and the mix-up with technique, the desire, smart moves, and the problems he caused us.”.
Although this feels like a turning point, Nunez hasn’t always exhibited these qualities. In fact, his previous season featured some thrilling, game-changing moments similar to this one. In terms of playing opportunities and individual output, this must be the beginning of a sustained run.
But holy bloody hell. Quite the match.
Mauricio Pochettino
It felt like it would never come but finally Mauricio Pochettino has drawn level with Steve Bruce on 133 Premier League wins as a manager. There can be no greater honour.
Chelsea’s second victory in 15 Premier League games has perhaps masked the fact it was only Pochettino’s third in 14. The indifferent end to his Tottenham reign feels like a lifetime ago but the Argentinean will be relieved to blow the cobwebs off regardless.
The opposition provides a caveat of sorts but Chelsea nevertheless grasped the opportunity to rediscover themselves and find a ruthlessness which has been lacking for months. Raheem Sterling has been rejuvenated as one of the elder statesmen in an exciting, young and vibrant side; Thiago Silva was the only other player older than 26 to feature for the Blues against Luton. Pochettino is back.
Dejan Kulusevski
Richarlison has kindly sacrificed himself to shield Kulusevski from criticism, selfless teammate that he is. The Swedish forward’s first goal in 23 games, a run dating back to January, has been timed impeccably considering Tottenham’s intensified interest in Brennan Johnson.
It was more about the movement and the anticipation than the simple finish, but Kulusevski needed the confidence boost more than anything. The front three positions are under the most scrutiny at Spurs currently as Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie are proving their compatibility as attacking full-backs, Micky van de Ven has settled well, the Bissouma-Sarr midfield is flourishing and James Maddison looks phenomenal. Being the first forward to score a goal at the club since Harry Kane left is no bad thing, with Kulusevski’s defensive contribution certain to impress the manager otherwise.
Sasa Kalajdzic
It took almost a year for his first Wolves goal to arrive, but then a second serious knee injury of his career is quite the mitigation.
Kalajdzic has had some rotten luck. A cruciate tear suffered during one of his first training sessions after signing with Stuttgart in July 2019 delayed his debut with the club until the following May. The striker did at least manage make his Wolves bow when he arrived as a deadline day addition in 2022, but he was taken off at half-time with the injury that would rule him out for the next 12 months.
On that level alone, it was a wonderful moment to see him celebrate scoring a goal of such importance against Everton. Of all the Like A New Signings across the Premier League so far this season, he could well be the most vital to the fortunes of his club.
Aston Villa’s full-backs
Six shots and two goals from one side, two key passes and an assist from the other. That opening-day thrashing was never more than a freak result but Aston Villa’s response to both that and injuries to Emi Buendia and Tryone Mings has been commendable: three wins, 12 goals, one conceded and a new formation which maximises everyone’s abilities.
Rodri.
As suggested in a recent publication of this column:.
Rodri would be the most expensive player in the history of the game if every player in world football were accurately valued according to what their club would sell them for and what purchasing clubs would pay in the current transfer market. Rodri is the most valuable player in the world. Nobody, not even Erling Haaland.
That feeling was only strengthened by the victory over Sheffield United.
Marc Rashford.
It’s a good thing I didn’t dive. Did successfully defend a penalty, helped to set up a goal, and made an important contribution to another, so that’s excellent. Rashford is likely to contribute in those crucial situations as long as he is on the field in some capacity, so Did did it all primarily from out wide to spark more discussion about where he should be deployed.
Although Rashford is not far behind Bruno Fernandes in importance, he still serves as the team’s beating heart. A first goal or assist since signing that new contract would be extremely beneficial for both him and the team.
Roy Hodson.
Only Manchester City and Liverpool have lost fewer Premier League games than Crystal Palace since Hodgson took over, and during that time, the Eagles have accumulated as many points as Arsenal.
Never alter.
The lowest expected goal total of any team (penalties included) has been faced by Crystal Palace since Roy Hodgson took over in April: 0.75.
Crystal Palace, 0 points out of 75.
Man City is at 0/90.
Newcastle receives 1 point (09).
Aston Villa has received 15 points.
Liverpool receives 1 point 29.
Scholar.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe), August 25, 2023.
Silva, Marco.
It’s impressive to receive three cautions in three Premier League games. Additionally, Fulham is impressive with a win, a draw, and a loss in three games.
Ederson.
They must eventually permit him to take one.
Losers.
Newcastle.
The breaks, they are.
When Alisson shoots it with a tad bit more accuracy or less, Miguel Almiron hits the crossbar and post. Callum Wilson loses a clear opportunity because Harvey Barnes bizarrely chooses not to play the center position on which he has staked his Premier League career. This level’s margins are as follows.
Bruno Guimaraes makes an effort to pass the ball to Barnes so that he can run onto it behind the defense, even for the game-winning goal. A chance to win the game serves as the reward. The danger is that Nunez could celebrate scoring again after an Alexis MacAllister interception and fantastic Mo Salah through ball within seven seconds of it leaving the Brazilian’s foot.
Newcastle did not commit a significant amount of errors, which may help to explain the desperate attempt to blame the referees. However, losing at home after taking the lead with a man advantage raises a particular type of doubt. Since Eddie Howe took over, the Magpies have only lost back-to-back Premier League games five times; the fact that four of those occurrences—in December 2021, April/May 2022, February/March 2023, and August 2023—included losses to Manchester City and Liverpool—shows an evolving team exactly where they need to improve.
Everton.
With each subsequent game, the decision to score five goals at Brighton on the road in May rather than distributing them more evenly seems more and more foolish. In the subsequent six Premier League games, Everton have had 82 shots and given up 61; the combined results are 2-10.
There’s not enough of that to hold Sean Dyche accountable for. His starting strikers this season alone have been Lewis Dobbin, who scored three goals in 43 games for Derby last season, the injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and the non-scorer Neal Maupay. Everton has been the less expensive version of that yearly social media post asking if you’d take £10,000 for nothing right now or risk it all for £1 million if you scored one goal as a Premier League striker.
Beto might have the answer. Maybe Youssef Chermiti if not. While Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison have not yet been properly taken into account, some creative budgeting will at the very least strengthen Everton’s options.
Everton are currently struggling against the current, so Dyche must hope that one of them has an idea. The manager’s usual defensive tenacity was also lacking, as was his team’s scoring prowess, which does not make for a very productive combination.
Arsenal.
Arsenal is gradually delaying what seems to be coming, for those with half-full drink containers. Although the Gunners are the first team in Premier League history to give up a goal in the first minute three times in the same year, they have gone from being breached by Philip Billing in nine seconds in March to holding out against Carlos Alcaraz for 28 seconds in April, then keeping it tight for 57 seconds before Andreas Pereira scored in August. Aaron Ramsdale has a chance to record a 60-second perfect game.
Whatever the problem is that causes Arsenal to start off at the Emirates by shooting themselves in the foot, it needs to be resolved right away. In the open, Mikel Arteta expressed his belief that his team should be considering it even though he did not believe it to be so. Once is by accident. Two times is a coincidence. Three times is almost beyond comprehension.
Even so, Arsenal fought valiantly to recover and come back into the game, winning with a victory akin to the three points Manchester City fought for at Bramall Lane the following day. They successfully completed the challenging portion. They bounced back. They overcame early difficulty admirably, made a breakthrough with their replacements, and took the lead. Then, because they were lax at a corner, they wasted it at home to ten men.
Arsenal must return to their defensive fundamentals as well as team selection. Three shutouts in 14 Premier League contests is not a foundation for a championship.
Nottingham Forest
A truly pitiful response to their own creation’s implosion. It might be simpler to put all the blame on the officials after becoming the first team in Premier League history to lose a game despite having a two-goal lead as early as the second minute, but it is equally absurd to do so.
The decisions themselves were dubious, and they were certainly not cause for PGMOL complaints or for stoking allegations of improper behavior because of a match that occurred more than a year ago. According to rumors, Nottingham Forest may bring up their “concerns” with the appropriate authorities regarding Stuart Attwell, which allegedly date back to his performance when he officiated the team’s Championship loss to Bournemouth in May 2022. Furthermore, fair play should be given credit for the time and effort put forth to maintain the chip on shoulders that seem unwilling to accept responsibility while also developing into a very strong Premier League team.
When Willy Boly fouled Bruno Fernandes, he may have been protecting Joe Worrall. Danilo attempted to withdraw from a challenge on Marcus Rashford, but made very little contact with him. However, a red card was probably issued. There was definitely a penalty. By those points, Forest had already blown their lead, and momentum was only going in one direction.
It is cowardly for managers to automatically blame referees for mistakes. To say that referees are “in the pocket” of Manchester United is nonsense at best and dangerous at worst, but that is what media outlets like the Daily Mail are doing by stoking those fires.
Nottingham Forest could have emphasized Boly’s outstanding performance, Taiwo Awoniyi’s genius, the obvious strides they have made away from home. How regrettable that they have chosen to focus on questioning someone’s professionalism after experiencing the most common of all Premier League losses: to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Rashford made an egregious dive.
MUFC pic .
twitter.com/lsj3v7X3mH Martin Keown really wanted to make a point about Manchester United’s penalty. — Match of the Day, August 26, 2023, @BBCMOTD.
Andoni Iraola.
After the loss to the Spurs, Iraola said, “After the game you think and probably I shouldn’t have taken Ryan out of the game.”. “He was pressing really well, especially without the ball. He was working fairly hard.
We were probably worse from that point, he continued, “but I probably wanted to go a little bit more offensive.”. “I’m not sure if it happened after the substitutions or after the 2-0, as it happened only a minute later. However, we were playing well against a very good team up until probably the 62nd minute. “.
Following Christie’s substitution of Hamed Traore, the Spaniard admitted Bournemouth lacked intensity and lost control. Joe Rothwell, who had been substituted at halftime with perfect passing accuracy, had been brought on to replace Christie.
And to be honest, that is utterly amateurish behavior from a manager who, hopefully, will learn soon enough that sincere reflection and self-reproach are futile in the Premier League. If not to assign blame, what purpose does Iraola believe the referees serve?
The Cherries should refrain from acquiring injured midfielders, but there is still one more thing that needs to be said.
Brighton.
Here’s an odd statistic: since April 8, only Bournemouth and Leeds have lost more Premier League games than Brighton (six), with both teams having lost seven.
Despite all the talk of title defenses and Champions League runs, low-block counterattacking teams with strong forwards continue to be Brighton’s Kryptonite. Roberto De Zerbi’s adherence to his particular brand of play is admirable, but there must also be a recognition that not everyone will be able to benefit from it, as well as the flexibility to change.
Brighton can fall apart defensively despite their potential brilliance and unmatched setup. With one notable exception, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Everton, Newcastle, or West Ham have all scored at least three goals against the Seagulls since April. Those are not the teams Brighton should be having trouble with.
The physical weakness of that midfield suddenly appears, and a slow central defense is always prone to being exposed from there. De Zerbi must take action because there is a blueprint for defeating Brighton, even though not every team will use it with Antonio’s tip-top directness.
Burnley.
The Clarets won’t be assessed based on these contests.
That needs to be stated right away. In addition, despite Burnley having played fewer games than every club except Luton, Vincent Kompany needs to find a way to get things to click pretty soon. The fact that only Aston Villa have used more players (21) than Burnley (20) does not seem entirely coincidental when analyzing their largely erratic performances.
Ryan Giles
Giles has played more minutes than any other player in the top five leagues in Europe this year, and four other players have attempted more crosses. Jesus Navas is undoubtedly one of them, too. However, Luton should probably be a little more precise when they come across some space and time.
It’s very very funny to purchase Ryan Giles for a Premier League season if your team doesn’t focus on possession.
on August 25, 2023, Luke (@louorns) wrote.
both Crystal Palace and Brentford.
5 Premier League contests.
5 draws in the Premier League.
six Premier League scores. Roy Hodgson was 16 years old the last time a league game between Brentford and Crystal Palace actually ended in a victory for either team.
Why not save time and simply add one point from each game at Selhurst Park in December now?
Yaser Larouci.
That was whatever the opposite of shepherding a ball out is. And it wasn’t the best move when Kyle Walker himself was pursuing you.
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