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The English Premier League was at its very best this weekend, providing a myriad of talking points. However, it was a weekend made memorable for the wrong reasons following the death of Leicester City’s beloved owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others in a helicopter crash. This happened after a 1-1 draw between the Foxes and West Ham.
In England, Liverpool consolidated its fight for the Premier League title with a routine 4-1 win over a struggling Cardiff City. Chelsea continued its unbeaten start with an immaculate display in the 4-0 thrashing of Burnley at Turf Moor. Arsenal’s 7-game winning streak was halted by two Luka Milvojevic penalties as Unai Emery’s men were held by Crystal Palace to a 2-2 draw.
After a great start, Wolverhampton Wanderers lost its second game in a row as Brighton and Hove Albion secured a 1-0 victory (3rd in a row), Bournemouth and Watford continued their great start to the season with 3-0 victories over Fulham and Huddersfield Town.
Here is a look at 5 talking points from the weekend’s action:
#5 Slavisa Jokanovic is a dead man walking
At the moment, it seems a question of when and not if Fulham will part ways with its manager. Jokanovic was hailed for his accomplishments with the Cottagers last season in the Championship.
The adept use of young talents mixed with the style of play and results won the Serbian much acclaim. However, he and his team have found adaptation to the Premier League very hard.
Despite the £100m outlay in players, the team has looked bereft of quality especially in defence. Jokanovic has chopped and changed many parts of the team including the goalkeepers in a bid to get the team functioning properly.
Against the in-form Bournemouth, he switched to the 4-4-1-1 formation that he used in the Championship last year. In an open game, Fulham started well but after the clumsy concession of a penalty by Timothy Fosu-Mensah in the 14th minute, it all went downhill.
The team has conceded 28 goals (the highest in the league). Time is running out for Jokanovic to fix things and owner Shahid Khan may have to do away with his services soon.
#4 Newcastle looks destined for the drop
The wind of public opinion seems to be shifting on Tyneside. While the Toon Army still blame owner Mike Ashley for the club’s malaise, manager Rafa Benitez’s halo is now slipping with each passing game.
The team’s dire displays in a snooze-fest of a match against an equally poor Southampton side is the latest in a season that has seen the Magpies struggle for form, coherence, goals and clean sheets.
After two months out with an injury, Paraguayan striker Salomon Rondon was fit enough to be named on the subs bench. Benitez started with what could probably be described as the best team Newcastle can muster at the moment.
Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame started in midfield with Japanese international Yoshinori Muto as the main striker with Ayoze Perez playing just behind. Despite this, the team was as terrible as ever with no shots on target in the entire match.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was the team’s best player, making some good saves to deny a Saints side that was more inventive and dangerous in front of goal. Newcastle has scored only 6 goals this and on the strength of this performance, they are looking set for a season-long relegation battle.
#3 Work ahead for Nuno Espirito Santo and Wolves
After what can only be described as a barnstorming start to the season, Wolves have been brought back firmly to earth with two losses in their last two games.
In its first 8 games, the team from the Black Country had looked the real deal with its pressing, high-octane football winning it lots of admirers. In these first 8 games, manager Nuno had named unchanged starting XI which delivered two creditable draws against the Manchester giants: City and United.
Against Chris Houghton’s Brighton and Hove, record signing Adama Traore was given the start ahead of Diogo Jota. This was in a bid to help the team’s rather poor goal record of 9 goals despite creating lots of chances.
To be fair, Nuno’s men were the better team throughout with Matt Doherty a constant menace down the right. However, poor finishing again let them down and Glenn Murray’s 100th goal for Brighton was enough to get the win.
A change of style or personnel may be needed especially upfront as despite his many qualities; Raul Jimenez’s finishing has been very poor. The wingers: Helder Costa, Jota, Traore, Ivan Cavaliero are going to have to pitch in with goals. Substitute striker Leo Bonatini has not impressed in his cameo appearances so far.
The club may need to get active in the January transfer window for a reliable goalscorer. Until then, Nuno will have to work with what he is got.
#2 Chelsea faultless despite the absence of star man Hazard
Pep Guardiola had referred to Tottenham Hotspurs as the Harry Kane's team last season. While this did not sit well with the Spurs manager; Mauricio Pochettino, there was an element of truth to it.
The same could have been said about Eden Hazard and Chelsea this season. There has been a feel-good element in the team’s play brought about by new coach Maurizio Sarri’s tactics. However, these tactics have worked majorly because of the mercurial Belgian.
Hazard’s goals, assists, dribbling, and efforts have covered up the fact that the rest of the attack has not been effective.
However, they really came to the party against Burnley. With the Belgian sitting out the game due to a back injury, Ross Barkley took up the role of chief protagonist. Playing as the most advanced midfielder behind the front three of Alvaro Morata, Pedro and Willian, the England international was amazing with his movement, passing and positioning.
He gave the Burnley midfield pair of Sebastian Defour and Jack Cork a torrid time as he set up Morata and Willian for the first and third goals. In between, he got the second himself.
Burley had started on the front foot and caused Chelsea some discomfort with their high press and intensity. However, once Jorginho and N’Golo Kante got a foothold in the game, the tide changed.
The display by the team despite the absence of its biggest star will have given Sarri huge encouragement and belief that his Blues’ team can continue their run.
#1 Goalfest expected at Wembley tonight
2-0, 2-2, 4-1 and 1-3. This is the sequence of games between Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester City since Guardiola arrived in the Premier League.
This tells us that tonight’s battle at Wembley is one that will deliver lots of goals. It has been an “interesting” start to the season for Pochettino and his Spurs team.
The team has made its best start to a Premier League season with 7 wins in its first 9 matches. However, the team has been playing poorly and has had to grind out wins rather than blowing teams away in its usual style.
Guardiola’s Cityzens have been as imperious as they were last season with bad luck against Wolves and Liverpool the only reason why they do not have a 100% record. With the likes of Dele Alli and Kevin De Bruyne back in action, it is expected that another goalfest will be delivered.
Manchester City has tightened up at the back with just 3 goals conceded so far this season. Spurs have not been scoring as well as they have in recent years. This set-up means a very intriguing tie is expected and could go either way.
