The Premier League did not disappoint this weekend with a number of games living up to their pre-match billing. We’re going to attempt to unpack some of the biggest talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Six from six for the champions
It was a strange day at the Etihad for Manchester City. The hosts took the lead against Nottingham Forest after seven minutes with Phil Foden opening his account for the season. Erling Haaland doubled City’s lead seven minutes later with his eighth of the campaign. It looked set to be another big win for Pep Guardiola’s side. That was until Rodri was sent off just after the half-time break for violent conduct.
The Spanish midfielder is now going to miss the next three matches, including the trip to the Emirates.
City managed just seven shots against Forest in total and had just one shot in the second half. The champions managed just 57% possession, down on the 66% they’ve averaged this term. The early goals were enough to ensure they picked up all three points though for a sixth successive match.
A sticky situation for the Bees
Brentford kicked off the season in fine form but are now winless in four Premier League matches following the shock 3-1 loss to Everton on Saturday evening.
Coming into the game, Sean Dyche’s men had failed to win a single match and had scored just two goals in the English top-flight.
Abdoulaye Doucoure got Everton off to a dream start, scoring inside the opening 10 minutes. Brentford equalised before the break but two goals, including one from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, during a four minute span just after the hour mark won the game for the Toffees. It was a deserved win for the away side. They had more shots (18 to 12), had a higher Expected Goals haul (1.9 to 1.03) and finished the game with more big chances.
Everton are now out of the relegation zone and will hope to climb the table over the next couple of weeks.
Spurs send a message
Tottenham fought back on two occasions to claim a point against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Ange Postecoglou’s men might be the real deal.
Bukayo Saka fired the hosts into the lead, albeit his effort was deflected in by Cristian Romero. Spurs hit back before the break with James Maddison wriggling free down the left before finding Heung-Min Son in the penalty area. His effort kissed the post before nestling in the back of the net with David Raya helpless.
Romero was the villain again, handling a goal bound effort to give the hosts an opportunity from the spot. Saka converted from 12 yards out and Arsenal had their lead back. For all of one minute.
Maddison robbed Jorginho in midfield and slid the ball into Son. The Spurs captain kept his cool to claim his second of the match.
The away side had a higher Non-Penalty xG haul and had more of the ball against a usually dominant Arsenal side. It was a performance to make people sit up and take notice.
Another Salah record
Mohamed Salah is now the only player in Premier League history to score or assist in 12 consecutive matches twice.
The Liverpool No. 11 scored the opener in the 3-1 win over West Ham United at Anfield. Salah was caught by Nayef Aguerd in the area and stepped up to smash the penalty past Alphonse Areola.
He also created two big chances as the Reds racked up an xG of 3.06. Salah is now on three goals and four assists for the season.
The hosts were pegged back just before the break when Jarrod Bowen intelligently nodded a header beyond Alisson. Darwin Núñez spurned a chance before getting on the scoresheet. Diogo Jota added a third late on as Liverpool secured a fifth successive Premier League win.
The Blades are blunted
It wasn’t a record breaking day at Bramall Lane but Newcastle United certainly came close to it as the Magpies hit Sheffield United for eight.
The hosts held out for 20 minutes but found themselves 3-0 down just 15 minutes later.
A similar blitz occurred after the break when Eddie Howe’s side scored four goals during a 17 minute period.
Remarkably, Newcastle had eight different scorers. They amassed an Expected Goals total of 3.94 in one of the most one-sided matches of the season so far, creating nine big chances in what was a ruthless display by the visitors.
Kieran Tripper helped himself to three assists and a FotMob rating of 9.5 during his 70 minutes on the pitch. Anthony Gordon didn’t start but replaced Harvey Barnes after 18 minutes. The former Everton winger scored and created three big chances in what was also a standout showing.
(Images from IMAGO)
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