The Premier League was back with a bang this weekend. All 20 teams played for the first time since the first week of September and everyone involved seemed eager to make up for lost time, with goals galore in the North London and Manchester derbies. Here, we take a look at the biggest talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
New beginnings at Anfield
Roberto De Zerbi got his Brighton career off to a fine start. The Italian tactician saw his side take a 2-0 lead against Liverpool before they eventually salvaged a draw with an 83rd minute equaliser, a goal that stunned the home crowd.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Leandro Trossard. The Belgian netted a memorable hat-trick and landed all four of his efforts on target.
He had an Expected Goals total of just 0.87 but his Expected Goals on Target total was 2.03, really emphasising how impressive his finishing was.
The 27-year-old is making a habit of scoring on Merseyside having netted the equaliser in the 2-2 draw last season. His 9.6 rating on the FotMob app was fully deserved.
North London is red
Arsenal are yet to relinquish top spot in the Premier League. In what was arguably their biggest test of the season, a home clash against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham, the hosts ran out comfortable 3-1 winners.
Granted, the Emerson dismissal helped their cause, the Gunners controlled everything on the day. They dominated the ball, had 22 shots to the away side’s seven and amassed an Expected Goals total of close to 2.5, significantly more than the 1.57 Spurs managed
Many thought this might be weekend that Manchester City leapfrogged Arsenal at the summit but Mikel Arteta’s men had other ideas.
Welcome to Manchester, Erling
So, Erling Haaland might be a bit of a cheat code.
In his eighth Premier League appearance for Manchester City, he scored his third hat-trick. The champions hit neighbours United for six and Haaland had a hand in five of the goals.
The relentless forward now has 14 goals and three assists for the season and looks well on course to break Premier League records.
Haaland finished the match having attempted six shots and created four chances, two of which were classed are big.
Manchester City’s No9 is making it all look too easy and those doubting him are looking even more foolish with every passing week.
Lampard-ball is sticking for the Toffees
Everton overturned a 1-0 deficit to record a 2-1 win over Southampton at St Mary’s. It was something of a statement performance with Frank Lampard’s men extending their unbeaten to seven.
The Toffees actually have the best defensive record in the Premier League now having conceded just seven goals.
Their mean defence is now being backed up by an able attacking unit, with Everton racking up an Expected Goals total of 1.96 from just 12 attempts. By comparison, the hosts had 22 shots but couldn’t match the xG haul the away side managed. These are encouraging numbers for Lampard and his players who now find themselves comfortably in mid-table.
Wolves lack a bite
Wolves finally parted ways with manager Bruno Lage after one of their worst runs in top-flight football.
They are winless in eight Premier League away games – their worst run in the top tier of English football since 2011/12 – and they have won just one of their last 15 matches under Lage.
The loss against West Ham saw the hosts climb above the visitors. It was actually the first time David Moyes’ side had taken maximum points in front of a home crowd this season. The London Stadium had not been a fortress.
However, Wolves toiled in possession. They had 61% of the ball but managed just four shots on target with an Expected Goals total of 0.74.
As soon as West Ham scored the opener, the game was as good as over. Wolves have yet to score more than a goal in a game this term. Lage did well last term, guiding the club to a tenth place finish, but everything had turned stale at Molineux and it felt like a matter of when and not if the one-time Benfica manager would be replaced.
(Images from IMAGO)
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