The stand out…
Watford wowing
Watford continue to be the surprise package of the season so far, with Sunday’s game at home to Tottenham meaning one of the two teams 100% start had to go, and it was Watford with the 2-1 win keeping them joint top of the table Liverpool and Chelsea.
What’s been the key to their success? It’s no fluke! Manager Javi Gracia has got them playing in a way meaning they’re not giving their opponents much time on the ball. Through the first four games of the campaign, their opponents’ average possession length is 8.26 seconds, the third-shortest duration behind only Manchester City and Chelsea, also, their opponents on average lose the ball 57.39 metres from their own goal. That’s the second-best average of any side, behind Manchester City (55.62 metres).
So, it’s not just that Watford is winning the ball back so quickly, it’s also that they’re regaining possession so high up the field. Little wonder, then, that the Hornets have only conceded three goals, and have scored nine times – the same as Liverpool and Tottenham.
More to come from Liverpool and Chelsea?
Both Liverpool and Chelsea have also started with 4 ticks in the win column and with Salah not really showing his form from last season and Sarri saying there is still a lot of improvements to be made with his team, will we see more from both teams? They play each other in the Carabao Cup later this month but expect second string sides as they attempt to keep up their league run.
A reprieve for Mourinho
If ever Jose Mourinho needed a win, Sunday was it. After enduring a challenging week with widespread speculation about his future at Manchester United, Mourinho saw his side put in a strong performance in earning a convincing 2-0 win over Burnley.
Alisson’s gaffe for Liverpool
When Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson received a terrible back pass, no teammate made himself available as an outlet, and Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho was bearing down on him.
The smart play by the Brazilian goalkeeper would have been to knock the ball out of touch, and allow his team to reset defensively. Instead, he got cute and tried to dribble his way out of trouble. Iheanacho stripped him of possession and Leicester scored.
Although a mistake by a Liverpool goalie as been all too common in recent years, I don’t think they have another crisis on their hands. Alisson has looked very solid other than that moment and I think he will be a very important player for them for a number of years.
Goal of the weekend
Man City v Newcastle, early in the second half with the score at 1-1, Sergio Aguero shifted the ball to Kyle Walker who took a touch and then hit a low, screaming drive from 25 yards out that nestled in the side netting past Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Stat attack
- Liverpool’s James Milner has now 80 Premier League assists, the same amount as David Beckham. Only six players have more in the history of the Premier League.
- Kyle Walker on Saturday scored his first goal for Manchester City in all competitions in his 52nd appearance for the club.
- This is only the second time in club history that West Ham United have lost their first four Premier League games in a season. First was in 2011, the season they got relegated.
- Watford’s Jose Holebas has been directly involved in five Premier League goals this season (one goal, four assists), more than any other player.
- Manchester United have won each of their last 24 Premier League matches in which they’ve scored the opening goal.
THREE STARS
1) Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal: Set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal and then scored the later winner for the Gunners with a sublime finish.
2) Eden Hazard, Chelsea: Another goal and man of the match performance inspiring Chelsea to break down a spirited Bournemouth performance.
3) Glenn Murray, Brighton & Hove Albion:Â Bagged a brace to help the Seagulls earn a draw at home against Fulham.
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