Monday, October 24, 2016

10 things we learned this Premier League weekend as Man City clung on to top spot

And breathe!

The Premier League has been and gone for another weekend with talking points aplenty once more dominating the back pages.

Manchester City clung on to top spot with a point against Southampton, but are level on points with Arsenal and Liverpool.

Chelsea and Tottenham are on their heels, just a point further back, after the Blues demolished City's neighbours United on Sunday.

So - what did we learn from the 10 fixtures over the course of Saturday and Sunday? Look no further...

1. Wilshere makes it through 90 minutes

Wilshere played the full 90 mins against Spurs

By Adrian Kajumba

You can take the boy out of north London but you can't take the north London out of the boy, and all that comes with it.

Jack Wilshere may not be in Arsenal colours this season but that was never going to spare him dogs' abuse from the Tottenham fans.

They jeered his every touch. The reception when his name was read out was so predictable even the PA announcer couldn't resist a chuckle.

The good news for Wilshere was a first 90 minutes for Bournemouth with Southgate watching on.

2. Arsenal carried away with their own hype

Arsenal fired a blank against Boro

By John Cross

They celebrated putting six past Ludogorets in midweek with dressing room selfies. You’d have thought they’d have learnt their lesson from last season when they did the same after beating Leicester - and then collapsed in the title race.

Arsenal have been on a great run, Arsene Wenger was celebrating his birthday, the fans were expecting a n easy __win as Boro have been struggling.

That’s exactly when you tend to slip up. Especially if you’re getting carried away with selfies.

3. Sloppy Everton are in a slump

Everton
Bolasie scored his first Toffees goal at Burnley

By Simon Bird

Five wins in a row raised expectations, but now it is a run of two draws and three defeats.

They are better than that, but have to prove it.

The visitors were well on top with almost 70pc possession at half time, but a goal down. They were lacklustre and without aggression all over the pitch.

4. Stoke are getting their act together

Stoke City
Shaqiri's double won the day for Stoke at Hull

By Nathan Hemmingham

After a slow start, Stoke are heading in the right direction.

Mark Hughes’s men are four games unbeaten following this, their first away league __win since March, and have now recorded back-to-back victories following their first success of the season at Sunderland last week.

They were better than Hull in every area of the field and could and should have won by four or five goals.

5. Ahmed and dangerous

Leicester City
Musa impressed against Palace

By Mike Walters

Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa's first goal for Leicester, which broke the deadlock amid too much white noise and too little quality, was a decent hit.

Linking up purposefully in an all-African front line with Algerian pair Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, Musa has been a peripheral figure this season, promising more than he delivered.

Confidence is the cure for most ills in football, but whether this performance will be enough to dislodge the consistent Marc Albrighton from Claudio Ranieri's optimum first XI remains to be seen.

6. Bradley not afraid to make changes

Swansea City manager Bob Bradley
Swansea got a point on Bradley's home bow

By Andrew Gwilym

It may have been his home bow, but Bradley showed he was not afraid to make the big calls.

He made five changes from the defeat at Arsenal, including changing three members of the back four and taking top scorer Leroy Fer out of the side.

No doubt Swansea will need such a no-nonsense approach.

7. Moyes in serious trouble

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic and Sunderland manager David Moyes
Moyes tasted defeat again

By Darren Lewis

During the week the Sunderland boss insisted Jermain Defoe’s claim that the club have “gone backwards” had been taken out of context. The trouble is, they have gone backwards.

They are far worse than they were under Sam Allardyce. They looked a disorganised mess during the first half. The only surprise was that both teams went in at half time goalless.

They were only slightly better during the second period - and then conceded late on. Moyes needs time to sort this mess. The worry is that he might not get it.

8. Coutinho is a genius

Liverpool
Coutinho celebrates his goal

By David Maddock

He was desperately disappointing against United on Monday, rushing his passing to the point of hysteria, but he was only SO disappointing because you know he can do stuff like he tortured West Brom with.

His dummy to create the first goal defined the game, a moment of pure class that turned a tight contest on its head.

And his turn inside and stunning near post finish showed a player who is maturing.

He's at an age now where he could take the next step towards world class level.

9. City caught out by Pep's way...again

Pep Guardiola looks on
City were caught playing out from the back

By David McDonnell

All week, Pep Guardiola has faced criticism for his refusal to change his ways.

City - and in particular Claudio Bravo - were caught out at the Nou Camp but Pep insisted he would always play out of the back.

Within half an hour at the Etihad, his methods had led to another City calamity and saw them drop more points.

This time it was John Stones who messed up as he tried to play the ball across defence to Vincent Kompany.

10. The 'rats' are all right

Chelsea
Hazard celebrates his goal

By Dave Kidd

Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were two of the players branded as 'rats' by Chelsea fans in the immediate aftermath of Mourinho's sacking last December.

Yet both have rediscovered their peak form under Conte.

Hazard, who has admitted he enjoys playing in this narrow front three, netted his fourth league goal of the season – as opposed to a big fat zero at the same stage last term.

Costa didn't score yesterday but was full of menace and has seven to his name this season.

Premier League results

Saturday

  • Bournemouth 0-0 Tottenham
  • Arsenal 0-0 Middlesbrough
  • Burnley 2-1 Everton
  • Hull 0-2 Stoke
  • Leicester 3-1 Crystal Palace
  • Swansea 0-0 Watford
  • West Ham 1-0 Sunderland
  • Liverpool 2-1 West Brom

Sunday

  • Manchester City 1-1 Southampton
  • Chelsea 4-0 Manchester United