We’re just three weeks into the 2022/23 Premier League campaign but Arsenal are the only team with a 100% record after yet another round of interesting results. Newcastle United stunned champions Manchester City at St James’ Park to take a point while Manchester United recorded their first victory under Erik ten Hag as the Old Trafford faithful witnessed a 2-1 win over rivals Liverpool. But what were the biggest talking points from Matchday 3?
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
A new Manchester United?
Following his appointment as manager, Ten Hag set about putting his stamp on things at Old Trafford. The Red Devils wanted to dominate the ball and play out from the back. But that approach was their downfall in losses to Brighton and Brentford.
The former Ajax tactician switched it up against Liverpool. David De Gea was going long with his goal kicks and United looked to play on the break. The hosts had 30% of the ball and attempted just 176 passes. By comparison, Jurgen Klopp’s men attempted 515 and had a significantly better pass success rate (84% to United’s 67%).
Yet the home side had the better chances and more of them. They racked up an expected goals total of 1.67 and created four big chances to Liverpool’s one.
Ten Hag’s flexibility played a big part in him getting his first win as United manager.
The 100 Club
William Saliba attempted 73 passes in Arsenal’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday. The Frenchman found a teammate with all 73.
The 21-year-old is now in an exclusive group of players to have a 100% pass success rate when attempting over 50 in a single Premier League match.
The youngster spent last season on loan with Marseille but has started all three league games for the Gunners this term in Mikel Arteta’s new-look Arsenal team. He may have had a forgettable game against Leicester last weekend but Saliba and his teammates have kept two clean sheets in their three outings this term.
Solid foundations for a Champions League push.
A goal frenzy at Fulham
Just one week ago, Brentford were lauded for their ruthless showing against Manchester United. Thomas Frank’s men romped to a 4-0 win and would have been full of confidence heading to Craven Cottage.
They were no doubt shellshocked when they found themselves 2-0 down inside of 20 minutes. Marco Silva’s side started like a freight train and showed that their performance against Liverpool on Matchday 1 was not an exception, but the norm.
Now, the Bees did level the game with 20 minutes remaining on the clock but the hosts forced home a last-minute winner courtesy of Aleksandar Mitrovic. In truth, it was deserved.
Fulham had more shots (18 to 13), more big chances (fives to three), a higher expected goals haul (2.54 to 1.8) and almost double the expected goals on target total (2.92 to 1.52).
Lacklustre Leicester
If reports are to be believed, Brendan Rodgers might be the first manager to be sacked this season.
The Foxes have claimed just a single point from their three outings this season and surrendered a 1-0 lead against Southampton on Saturday to lose 2-1, with Che Adams notching twice to win it for the Saints.
A surprising stat from the match was that Leicester accumulated an expected goals total of just 0.04 in the second half to go with their 0.25 haul in the first half. A poor offensive showing in front of an expectant home crowd.
Thomas Frank’s men were ruthless and fully deserved the emphatic victory, their first of the season.
Top of the Toon
Allan Saint-Maximin ran riot against Manchester City.
There is no other way to describe it. The 25-year-old gave Kyle Walker a torrid time on Sunday afternoon with City manager Pep Guardiola saying the Frenchman was “really dangerous”.
The Newcastle No10 two of the three goals, created four chances and had three shots in total. He also completed five of his six attempted dribbles in what was by far one of the standout showings of the 2022/23 campaign. It might not even be bettered this season.
(Images from IMAGO)
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