1
Oliver takes center stage in the biggest showdown
The Etihad showed the best and worst of English football. Arsenal almost brought back the years when their five-man defence frustrated those who came on. Riccardo Calafiori’s spectacular goal recalled Ronaldinho at his improvisational best. Manchester City’s opening goal, by Erling Haaland, was also a thing of beauty. As for the bad, a referee who became the centre of attention and often lost control. Michael Oliver should not be the headline-maker after this meeting between the Premier League’s top teams, but he probably will be. Leandro Trossard’s sending off was correct, the Belgian a fool, but his red card sparked the usual conspiracies that now plague elite football. Arsenal then upped the cunning while both sidelines behaved like spoiled children. That City, until John Stones’ goal, were poor (Rúben Dias is not an attacking force) will worry Pep Guardiola. So will Rodri’s injury. Without him, City are a lesser force. Mikel Arteta may wonder at Arsenal's own lack of composure: 10 men would not necessarily have meant total submission. Juan Brewin
Nuno Espírito Santo did not see out the end of Nottingham Forest's draw from the bench after his late red card, but his proactive substitutions again made the difference, extending their unbeaten start to the season. Forest were in trouble, trailing 2-1 at half-time against an in-form Brighton side, but Nuno's four changes in the first 15 minutes of the second half propelled them to a hard-earned point. Jota Silva and Ramón Sosa combined from the bench for the equaliser. It was a similar story in the shock win at Liverpool, when Anthony Elanga brought on substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi. Nuno deserves credit for his use of Forest's squad, showing a willingness to make positive changes rather than waiting too long. It is also further evidence of the greater depth at Forest's disposal, suggesting there will be no danger of being dragged into trouble after finishing one place above the relegation zone last season. Simon's Mail
3
Maresca's eye for detail helps Chelsea
Enzo Maresca's lack of experience was seen as problematic at the time of his appointment. So far he has shown little trouble making the step up to winning the Championship with Leicester. If Stamford Bridge is a hotbed of uncertainty, of rebellion against the owners, Chelsea away from home has become a fearsome proposition. Like Wolves, defeated 6-2 in AugustWest Ham were torn apart by a risky but rewarding approach. Maresca's speedy attacking approach at Chelsea, the wisdom of stockpiling wingers to play Nicolas Jackson, vindicated by match-winning contributions from Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Jadon Sancho. “He gives us all the details we need to be able to go into the game and put in a performance to pick up the points,” said Tosin Adarabioyo at the London Stadium. Maresca knows English football well, having been a teenage midfielder for West Brom and a former hand-picked assistant to Pep Guardiola. His appointment is beginning to look smart. JB
4
Sarr is not far from a beginning
Ismaila Sarr has only played the full 90 minutes once since joining Crystal Palace from Marseille in the summer, and that was for Senegal against Burundi in a Cup of Nations qualifier. In every game for Palace, he has come on as a substitute. But in the second half against Manchester United, the former Watford winger was arguably Palace’s best player – quick, direct and aggressive. Curiously, he played as a centre-forward, replacing Jean-Philippe Mateta, who may have paid the price for his performances for France at the Olympics so far this season. Eddie Nketiah remained in one of the inside-forward positions in Oliver Glasner’s familiar 3-4-3. Nketiah was supposed to become the centre-forward, as he did at Arsenal, and Sarr would occupy the wide-forward position. It is unclear whether this is a long-term plan or was a specific strategy to try and exploit something in United's form, but on this form Sarr can surely be close to being a starter, whatever position he occupies. Jonathan Wilson
5
Villa advances in depth with strong substitutes
When do finishers become starters? Aston Villa were lethargic during the first half of this comeback win over Wolves, prompting Unai Emery to change things up at half-time. Ian Maatsen replaced Lucas Digne in a similar change at left-back and Leon Bailey came on for captain John McGinn, who was forced off the field with a hamstring problem. Ross Barkley and Jhon Duran followed shortly after the hour mark and from there Villa turned the tide. Duran has scored four goals in five substitute appearances and Barkley, an inspired half-time substitute against Everton the week before, impressed again. Villa's depth ultimately proved the difference against Wolves, who faded after a strong start. “There's a lot of fresh energy coming off the bench,” said Maatsen, who could be promoted to the starting XI at Wycombe in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. “We need to be ready and give our best. We remain calm, we know that our players will make the difference. We always believe that we can come back.” Ben Fisher
6
Storms in Leicester raise questions about the climate
How bad does the weather have to be for a Premier League match to be called off? Neither Steve Cooper nor Sean Dyche could remember a game being played in such a storm. Dyche was applying his Factor 50 before the game, so sunny was the weather, but after about 20 minutes the heavens opened up and the rest of the first half was played out in thunder, lightning and torrential rain. Cooper pointed out that he could not see the assistant referee at the other end of the pitch and that he was conscious of the safety of players and spectators. The Euro 2024 tie between Germany and Denmark in the summer was called off by Michael Oliver for 25 minutes. The start of the second half at Leicester was delayed by six minutes by Darren England after consultation in the players’ tunnel with both managers. But play resumed with the conditions appearing to ease briefly. Should they have? Peter Lansley
7
Gordon under pressure from Barnes
Although Fulham’s 3-1 win over Newcastle ended up being a matter for Arsenal’s veterans – Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe scored, Alex Iwobi shone – there was much to enjoy about their man on the right, Adama Traoré. He was the team’s best player, running hard to get the final result, his cross for Raul Jimenez’s opener followed by his involvement in the second. Lloyd Kelly, Newcastle’s left-back, was substituted at half-time: the winger had won. Anthony Gordon, Traoré’s opposite number, offered a contrast, starting on the right before moving into the middle after the restart in search of impact. Gordon was denied a goal by Bernd Leno after a striding run but put in a largely forceful performance, his positional conundrum further complicated by the continued success of Harvey Barnes. Barnes, on the left, where Gordon shone last season, scored for the third game in a row, giving him strength for a run of starts. Gordon may have an adjustment period. Taha Hashim
8
Martin deserves the opportunity to move forward
In football, perception is all-important. Both Southampton and Ipswich are still winless, but while Kieran McKenna's trajectory continues to point towards the elite, wild rumours have begun to circulate about Russell Martin being replaced at Southampton. Five games into the season seems premature for the manager who led the club back to the Premier League. Would Blackburn and West Brom bosses John Eustace or Carlos Corberán do better? Martin would surely have been relieved to have beaten Ipswich, but there was plenty to celebrate, including Tyler Dibling's first goal as a professional. The teenager almost set up Cameron Archer, but the otherwise lively striker hit the bar. “It's about game management, there's too much anxiety in the team,” Martin admitted. It would be cruel if the Southampton manager was denied the chance to keep fighting. JB
9
Iraola and Arrizabalaga have work to do
Andoni Iraola made a bold decision in deciding he wanted to change his first-choice goalkeeper at the end of the transfer window. Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived on loan from Chelsea and Neto left for Arsenal to play understudy to David Raya. Few could complain about the efforts of the Brazilian, who was named club captain by former manager Gary O'Neil, but Iraola felt there was an improvement to be made. Arrizabalaga has been the most expensive goalkeeper in world football since Chelsea paid £71m to sign him from Athletic Bilbao six years ago, but very little has gone right for the Basque since then. At Athletic Bilbao, Arrizabalaga played with Iraola, who must think he can get the most out of his new signing. The goalkeeper made several good saves to keep the score at Anfield level but made a terrible mistake on the opening goal which undermined his confidence. He and Iraola know there is work to be done if they are to prove the manager's decision was correct during the season. He will not win
10
Frank's defiant reaction gives hope to bees
The opening Premier League schedule has been particularly tough for Brentford. Defeats at Anfield and the Etihad were followed by this 3-1 defeat at Tottenham. Although distraught Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou eventually tasted the fruits of his side’s drive and potency, even after Bryan Mbeumo had put the Bees ahead in the first minute, Thomas Frank’s challenge is certainly justified. Injury-hit Brentford may have gifted their hosts a couple of goals through individual errors, but were subsequently thwarted several times by Guglielmo Vicario. The 12th-placed west Londoners have been resolute for much of the three away fixtures. “There is no away ground we are afraid of,” said Frank. “I like the bravery of my players.” There is a potential respite ahead for the Bees, with winnable home games against West Ham and Wolves. Julian Taylor
