1
Slot heavyweights step on apathetic City
The Liverpool of late 2024 is reminiscent of the late 2019 team that finally won the club's first league title in 30 years. Back then, a 3-1 home win against Manchester City put Jürgen Klopp's team eight points above second placeand nine above City. In 2024, they are nine points above second and 11 above City; We hope there is no pandemic that interrupts the season. There are eight players from that team still in Liverpool, and if football is measured more by Arne Slot, Sunday's potential knockout was achieved in the heavy metal style of a Klopp team. “I knew that Jürgen left the team in a very good position,” the Dutch diplomat later stated.
As Slot enjoys his first season in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola was the subject of “morning dismissal” chants, another rite of passage for any English footballer. Even Alex Ferguson was a victim of this in October 2005, when Middlesbrough He crushed his Manchester United team 4-1defeat that led to the departure of Roy Keane. Ferguson climbed out of the hole with a crushing 1-0 victory over Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. Guardiola expected something similar at Anfield, but his battered team seems incapable of letting the dogs of war fly. At Anfield, City had no punch, while the same defensive errors of recent weeks were still evident. “If I don't want that pressure, I resign, I go home and I don't have this weight on my shoulders,” Guardiola said before the match. Is a Keane-style sacrificial victim required? Kevin De Bruyne's marginal role continues to intrigue. John Brewin
2
Set-piece gurus clash in London derby
The cult of the set piece specialist is growing rapidly. one noticed first division The free kick and corner coach was recently seen signing an autograph outside a stadium. At West Ham, Nicolas Jover's “blitz” for Arsenal's first goal caught attention, a play they repeated during the first half. And when Gabriel Magalhães nodded, Pablo Sanz, who deals with the details of West Ham's set pieces, looked horrified. Although the NFL-style move was shown in public for the first time, Julen Lopetegui said he and Sanz had been fully prepared. In Lopetegui's opinion, the goal should not have been scored after a block by Lucas Paquetá on Jurrien Timber. And it was difficult to see how VAR had failed to make a clear infringement, even among a mass of seething bodies. We can only imagine what Mikel Arteta's reaction would have been if his team had been the recipient. Back to the drawing board for Jover? Surely the bureaucracy will be aware next time. J.B.
3
Fernández finally shows his value
Life is better when your £106.7m midfielder finally seems worth it. It's fair to say that Enzo Fernández has taken his time. The Argentina international joined Chelsea in January 2023, a month after helping his country win the World Cup, and initially struggled to live up to expectations. A series of disappointing performances raised doubts over Fernández's suitability for English football. Eyebrows were raised further when he underwent hernia surgery at the end of last season and Chelsea improved in his absence. This campaign has also featured a stint on the bench, but Fernández has responded. He has regained his starting place and scored his second goal in as many games in Chelsea's victory over Villa Aston. He listens to Enzo Maresca's demands for him to advance further and has also provided many important assists. Jacob Steinberg
4
Everton abandons Dycheian principles
Suffering a 4-0 defeat against manchester unitedEverton were a quaint, anti-Sean Dyche football proposition, and their sloppiness allowed their hosts to assault them too often. Case in point: Amad Diallo's attack on Toffees captain James Tarkowski, which led to Joshua Zirkzee's second goal. As Dyche said: “It's very difficult for me to take it today because we were attacking for their first goal and then they counterattacked us. I was very surprised to lose 1-0 like that and then it was a blatant mistake. I thought in the first 30 minutes we were good in many ways. The next challenge is that final pass or finish; That's the hardest thing to change. “The third goal is crazy from our perspective and it is a very important goal anywhere in the Premier League.” Jaime Jackson
5
Will Son shine again for the Spurs?
Son Heung-min has scored three league goals so far this season and provided four assists. There's no reason to panic, but two of those goals came against everton and one against West Ham in comfortable victories. It has not been as incisive as in previous seasons. At 32 years old, there is perhaps a sense that, while he still has much to contribute, the slow deceleration has begun. “I don't get the feeling that he's worried about that,” Ange Postecoglou said. “We have had different players who have gone through those moments. The key is to maintain our focus and not worry too much about what happened before. I am sure that the goals will flow again.” What is clearly true is that Son is much more comfortable playing on the left than in the middle, and that the absence of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison makes it more difficult for Tottenham to retain and recycle possession, making them much more more dependent on transitions. jonathan wilson
6
Evanilson's repeated fouls fell on the Wolves
If Justin Kluivert's penalty hat trick for Bournemouth made history, then Evanilson's role in being fouled in all three did as well, as he became the first individual to win three penalties in a single Premier League match. “Crazy…crazy…crazy,” said Gary O'Neil, when asked about his team's defense. After a four-match unbeaten run and the 4-1 demolition of Fulham the week before, came a return to the chaotic defending and poor decision-making of earlier in the season. The manager had opted for the same training and approach that was so successful at Fulham. “If we had the game again, we'd try something different,” he admitted, having his own and possibly fateful contribution to the madness that engulfed his team. Perhaps Mario Lemina, deployed here as a centre-back, is not a defender after all. J.B.
after newsletter promotion
7
Brentford build a fortress without Toney
Brentford have turned their stadium into a fortress this season, dispatching their opponents with impressive ease under Thomas Frank. The manager's ability to integrate a talent like Kevin Schade and rotate attacking players responds to those critics who attributed his previous success to Ivan Toney's goals. Without the English striker, Brentford have scored three or more goals in four consecutive home league games for the first time since 1984, and are in first place in the local league standings. “I think I have some good challenges because I have a lot of good offensive players that want to play,” Frank said. “We were very offensive. We played with four wingers and forwards plus the number 10, Mikkel Damsgaard, but since they all play up front, they worked very hard.” Defeats against Liverpool, city of manchester and Tottenham highlight the gap with the top teams, but Brentford, now in eighth place, may even begin to close it in the second half of the season. Yara El-Shaboury
8
Magpies lose their shooting boots
Eddie Howe is right to be worried. Although the Newcastle coach seemed hopeful, the hip injury suffered by Alexander Isak against Crystal Palace It may not be serious, but his team's lack of goals has become a major problem. While they were almost able to secure a victory at Selhurst Park after taking advantage of Marc Guéhi's own goal, they offered little else in attack and have managed just 14 goals in 13 Premier League games. The return of Callum Wilson should help but Howe said he may have to work on his team's confidence in front of goal before facing leaders Liverpool on Wednesday. “In football, trust is very fragile and it is something that we have to protect at all costs,” he said. “I support the players because we know they have the ability and we have to try to get them in their best shape. “That's always a delicate thing too, you want them in shape at the same time, and we haven't had that this season.” Ed Aaron
9
Silva stars in Forest's winger cohort
After a scattershot approach to recruiting, Jota Silva is evidence that there is some serious methodology on the way. Nottingham Forest make business transfer now. The Portuguese winger arrived from Vitória de Guimarães this summer for £6.5m and has shown signs of having a talent worthy of a higher price. Nuno Espírito Santo gave him his first Premier League start, after 11 substitute appearances, on Saturday against Ipswich. From the first minute he showed speed and energy to cause problems for the visitors. He also earned the winning penalty, certainly in theatrical style, but it was an indication of the threat he posed. Considering Forest's winger cohort includes Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga and Ramon Sosa, there is plenty of depth in a key area for Nuno as they hope to keep the momentum going. won't win
10
Stuttering Gulls Spot the Beginning of Flight
Brighton may have spent Friday afternoon in second place, but Fabian Hürzeler was in no mood to reflect on their excellent start on the south coast after being stuck in last place. Southampton. If there is one complaint about the German so far it is that his team has struggled to fend off bottom half teams at home. The draw against Southampton followed equally frustrating results against Ipswich and Wolves which could have made their lofty position look even more impressive had they turned into wins. “Disappointment is part of football,” said Hürzeler. “Negative experiences are part of the process and we didn't deserve more today, so we have to keep improving, keep pushing and try to be better in the next game. “It’s early in the season and we shouldn’t focus on results, we should focus on performances.” EA
