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Palmer is not West Ham's only concern
Cole Palmer was calm during Chelsea win against Bournemouth Last weekend Bournemouth kept a close eye on the playmaker’s movements and when they couldn’t stop him by legal means they weren’t afraid to foul him. But the fact that Chelsea found a way to win suggests they could no longer be Cole Palmer FC. Enzo Maresca has a variety of options in attack and it was encouraging that two of his substitutes combined for the only goal on the south coast; Christopher Nkunku turned and finished well after receiving Jadon Sancho’s pass. “If we want to help Cole, we don’t need to think that all the pressure has to be on his shoulders,” Maresca said last week and the message has been taken on board. Others are stepping up and the worry for West Ham is that stopping Palmer might not be enough to stop Chelsea. Jacob Steinberg
It is not he Midlands derby, but a Midlands derby no less and Wolves' trip to Aston Villa promises to be a tasty one. Villa have made a fine start to the season, taking Champions League glory so far In his stepWhile Wolves are in dire need of a boost after taking one point from their opening four games, Wolves' visit to Villa Park brings an extra layer of excitement for Morgan Rogers, born in Halesowen and brought up at bitter rivals West Brom, and Jacob Ramsey, the boyhood Villa fan who grew up in Great Barr. “I grew up playing for West Brom, and Wolves weren't a team I was a big fan of,” Rogers said, putting it diplomatically, after Villa's 3-0 win at Young Boys on Tuesday. “It's no different now. I want to beat them as much as anyone. With me and Jacob being from the area, it's a big game for us. We're going to have to dust ourselves off and get back to playing.” Ben Fisher
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Smith Rowe aims to make the leap to Fulham
Fulham did well to sign Emile Smith Rowe in the summer. The midfielder had a poor couple of years at Arsenal, with injury problems curtailing his development, but he looks more like himself at Craven Cottage. Playing regularly helps, as does knowing that Marco Silva will give him the freedom to express himself. Silva is an attacking manager and wants Smith Rowe to thrive. These are early days, but the early signs are positive. The 24-year-old, nicknamed the De Bruyne of Croydon, scored against Leicester last month and set up Raul Jimenez for last week's goal. Draw with West HamHe will look to be at his best against Newcastle. Silva believes Smith Rowe will improve and become more consistent as he gains more sharpness. JS
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This is supposed to be easy for Everton.
In mid-August, Opta scientists did some calculations and deduced that of the 20 Premier League teams, Everton had the 10 easiest games to start the season (Wolves were the toughest, in case you were wondering.) Yet after four games Everton find themselves bottom of the table, having lost all four of their games, to Brighton, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Villa. Having made their worst start to a season since 1958-59, Saturday’s trip to Leicester already looks like a crucial game in the fight against relegation, which remains a disastrous financial prospect and the worst way to say goodbye to Goodison Park. Everton face all three promoted teams in their next six games and must start picking up points before the toughest games come. Michael Butler
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A chance for Núñez to find his rhythm?
Defeat against Nottingham Forest in their last Premier League match Surprised Arne Slot and his team because Liverpool simply weren't good enough that day. recovered The Uruguayan has made a couple of changes from his previous three games, bringing in Kostas Tsimikas and Cody Gakpo. Slot seems keen to play his strongest XI as much as possible, but is quickly realising that the pace of English football and the demands of the schedule will reduce the chance of sticking with his preferred option. Darwin Nunez made his fourth substitute appearance of the season in Italy, but will want to prove to Slot that he can start in the No.9 role and could play two games in a week with West Ham away in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday. The Uruguayan is the type of player who needs consistent minutes, rather than repeatedly coming off the bench. He is at his best when there is a rhythm to his game and finding that could be a win-win situation for Slot. He will not win
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Harwood-Bellis has new confidence
Few memories were made at Goodison Park on Tuesday night as Southampton stumbled The team progressed to the next round of the Carabao Cup on penalties. Russell Martin made 10 changes from the side that lost to Manchester United three days earlier as he looked to appease the majority of a bloated squad. Taylor Harwood-Bellis was handed the captain's armband, restoring confidence with an equalising goal and a successful spot-kick in the shoot-out. The centre-back has impressed in recent years in the Championship and making his move from Manchester City permanent this summer seemed an ideal option for the clubs and the player. Harwood-Bellis started the first three defeats but was substituted after 56 minutes at Brentford and sat out on Saturday. Despite the blow to his confidence, he came through the Everton game against Beto without any problems. It is natural for a player to have anxiety after finally making it to the Premier League and Harwood-Bellis' efforts at Goodison Park should allow him to replace the suspended Jack Stephens this weekend. WU
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Spurs may need to look to youth
There were many Tottenham players who worked hard and fought in The fortunate Carabao Cup victory over Coventry Citywho did not exactly feature as a starter in Saturday's game against Brentford. And while Ange Postecoglou will be grateful for the more established names who came off the bench to rescue the game for Tottenham, there were two players, making their debuts for Tottenham, who did make a good impression: teenagers Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. “They were both very, very good,” said Postecoglou. “They are going to play a big part in our season.” Based on performances elsewhere, the duo could return to the Australian's starting XI sooner than expected, with Spurs facing an excellent and efficient Brentford side that caused Manchester City all sorts of problems away from home last weekend. MEGABYTE
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The Palace places its hopes on Nketiah
It is just 134 days since Manchester United last visited south London, but for Crystal Palace fans it already seems like an eternity ago. The famous 4-0 win at Selhurst Park in the first week of May was a highlight of Palace’s positive run at the end of last season, which also saw them beat Liverpool and Aston Villa. But with Oliver Glasner’s side now having to do without the inspirational Michael Olise and still seeking their first league win of the new season, Palace may not be the same proposition this weekend as their summer signings continue to gather steam. An early goal from Eddie Nketiah in the Carabao Cup win over QPR in midweek capped a promising start to his Palace career after being deployed in a deeper role than he was used to at Arsenal. Glasner will hope he can provide the spark when United return to town on Saturday. Ed Aarons
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Hudson-Odoi and Elanga aim for starting spots
Unbeaten Nottingham Forest were excellent in their Victory over Liverpool at Anfieldkeeping things very tight before making match-winning changes off the bench. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga were influential while Nuno Espírito Santo added width to stretch the game in the second half. It was much like rugby, where a manager has starters and finishers, with the wingers, on this occasion, being the experts among the replacements. It is a strategy that worked last weekend, but it is uncertain how long the talents of Hudson-Odoi and Elanga can be convinced that it is better for the team for them to wait their turn. Both will want to be starters at Brighton. Nuno is a smart manager and is making his players very hungry for success, but it might be too much to resist seeing the two wingers fly from the start. WU
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Foden is ready to step up again
Phil Foden could replace Kevin De Bruyne as Manchester City’s main playmaker against Arsenal if the latter is ruled out with the groin injury he sustained during Wednesday’s draw with Inter. There are flashbacks to last season, when Foden flourished after De Bruyne suffered a serious hamstring problem in the opening game against Burnley. Once again, we see the terrifying depth of City’s squad: when the footballer who has a case to be the best attacking midfielder in Premier League history is sidelined, Pep Guardiola’s solution is to sign the reigning holder of the PFA players’ and writers’ player of the year award. Jamie Jackson
