Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend action | premier league

Ten talking points from weekend football

Pep Guardiola has invented another new role, while Fulham hope to reinvigorate Raúl Jiménez

Mon Aug 21 2023 3:00 AM EDT

Jackson and Blues lack a ruthless edge

Nicolas Jackson looks like a handsome footballer, a smart runner with soft feet, physical prowess and a wild imagination. But he’s not – yet – a killer, appreciating the aesthetic beauty of the game more than the near-post runs, penalty kicks and scuffed finishes that must become his stock in trade; no serious centre-forward should allow Enzo Fernández to claim what should be the sure goal from a free-kick. Alongside him, Raheem Sterling is unlikely to score prolifically in a side not managed by Pep Guardiola. When you factor in Christopher Nkunku’s injury, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke’s softness and Mauricio Pochettino’s favorite 3-5-2 formation, it’s hard to see how Chelsea will be prolific enough to do serious damage this season. On the other hand, however, Moisés Caicedo will soon settle down despite a disastrous first cameo, and any team that has him, Fernández and Carney Chukwuemeka on the prowl in front of three centre-backs should have enough to win most games. . Daniel Harris

Champions need more like Akanji

Manuel Akanji was a surprising summer signing a year ago when he arrived at Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund. Fast forward 12 months and he’s become a mainstay, often chosen for crucial games, whether at centre-back or what can be loosely described as a left-back marauding down the flank. Against Newcastle he played in defensive midfield, sometimes moving into central defense, but more often forward and becoming an additional attacking midfielder. Akanji repeatedly tried to sneak past the Newcastle defence. It showed his versatility and intelligence, two main reasons he was signed. After a slow transfer window – and with a need to acquire more players – City are hoping to find another multifaceted and undervalued signing to add to their squad. By the high standards of three-time winners, there is currently limited strength at depth and a long season ahead, as Pep Guardiola is always happy to remind us. Won’t win

Richarlison remains in the shadows

There was relief at Tottenham on Saturday and also a sense of optimism. After a somewhat shaky start, Ange Postecoglou had settled things at half-time and then, following a slight wobble after Spurs started in front, closed the game with his substitutions. A win and a good performance and the indications are that there will be a lot to enjoy this season. But there is still a hole in the shape of Harry Kane and Richarlison, at least so far, hasn’t seemed likely to fill it. In 69 minutes on Saturday, he had 28 touches, none of which were shots, during which he lost possession eight times. His reaction to being substituted did not suggest a player comfortable with himself – although, in fairness, he did seem to quickly lift his spirits on the bench once it became clear the game was won . But the centre-forward is an obvious area where Postecoglou has a problem to solve. Jonathan Wilson

Are partnerships back in fashion?

Is using a strike partnership the next tactical step in football? Wolves and Brighton both started – and played most of the latter’s 4-1 win at Molineux – in 4-4-2 formations, with Fabio Silva recalled to play alongside Matheus Cunha for the side. at home, and Julio Enciso often superior to Danny Welbeck. . This led to intense, thrilling and very open play with 16 chances created by each team. Brighton’s fluid interplay, based on greater use of one-touch passing and off-the-ball runs, and more clinical finishing won them the win, but Gary O’Neil is confident that’s the way for the Wolves to progress How does a team maintain control in the center of midfield with a front two though? Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo led the way as an effective forward pair for the Lionesses at the Women’s World Cup, but Sarina Wiegman combined that with a three-man midfield. The 4-4-2 dominated English football for a quarter of a century before Terry Venables and Glenn Hoddle changed the model in the late 1990s, but with three-man midfielders now established, how do teams find- a new way to win? Peter Lansley

Liverpool consider Mac Allister appeal

Conspiracy theorists seized on the fact that Jürgen Klopp’s pet peeve Paul Tierney was the VAR who accepted Thomas Bramall’s decision to sack Alexis Mac Allister and that the VAR assistant was Andy Robertson’s old opponent, Constantine Hatzidakis. That two penalty cries went to Liverpool in the win over Bournemouth undermines their argument. Liverpool were still considering appealing the red card on Sunday given that a watertight case is needed these days and the FA could increase Mac Allister’s three-match ban if an appeal is found to be ‘frivolous’. It was a harsh decision with a tougher punishment – Liverpool’s summer signing won’t play in the Premier League again until September 24 unless the red card is waived – and presents Klopp with a new midfield problem just in time. when he thought that department had been fixed. The benefits of an appeal surely outweigh the risks, even though they will forensically review gross misconduct law. Andy Hunter

Leaky defense adds to Dyche’s woes

An irritating dripping was the backdrop to Sean Dyche’s post-match press conference at Villa Park. “It adds to my day of woes,” he said, before comparing the torment to Chinese water torture. His Everton team had just been humiliated 4-0, “a day of collective recovery” he hoped. Everton fans will worry that this is a worrying snapshot of a bigger issue. Arnaut Danjuma injected some zest after replacing the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Lewis Dobbin was probably the only other player who could come out of a crushing defeat with any credit. “At half-time it was like, ‘Where to start? ‘” Dyche said afterwards. The expected £15m arrival of Che Adams from Southampton will provide some welcome ammunition but is unlikely to transform the squad and, according to recent evidence, Everton are set for another painful labor . Ben Fisher

Silva should aspire to the varnish of the bees

While Fulham’s lack of firepower without the late Aleksandar Mitrovic was evident at Craven Cottage, Brentford’s firepower was fraught with danger even without Ivan Toney. Afterwards, Marco Silva expressed his hope that he could do the same renovation work on Raúl Jiménez that he did on Mitrovic. He could draw inspiration from the work of Thomas Frank to hone the talents of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, who have already netted five Premier League goals between them this season. “They’re looking for me to score goals and help the team defend hard and attack hard,” said Wissa, who had played at the center of an attacking trio, with Kevin Schade as third wheel. “I can play right-back, I can play goalkeeper – I don’t care, I just want to help the team,” Wissa continued. It speaks to the collective spirit that has made Brentford such a welcome addition to the Premier League and a tough proposition to face. John Brewin

United continue their listless start

Manchester United played quite well in the first half at Tottenham, but their failure to take advantage was a familiar sight, as was their panic after conceding. United opted to stop working spaces and opportunities in order to unleash a succession of hopeful balls and shots that spoiled decent situations. It’s fair to criticize Erik ten Hag – his team looked significantly less fit than their opponents and Mason Mount isn’t what his midfield needed – but those players need to take responsibility too. They would do worse than listen to their new guardian; Andre Onana spent much of Saturday’s second half urging his team to calm down and then, in his interview afterwards, took issue with his own role in their defeat. Having been at Old Trafford for just a few weeks, it shouldn’t be up to him to change the culture of the dressing room – but someone might have to. DH

Cooper cheered by forest growth

Nottingham Forest left it late to register their first win of the season, at home to Sheffield United on Friday, and while they didn’t exactly stun their opponents, it was a satisfying victory for Steve Cooper. Forest had to absorb some uncomfortable pressure spells from the Blades and Bénie Traore missed a chance for the win moments before Chris Wood headed for what Cooper called “a Chris Wood goal”, a fine header from a delicious cross from Serge Aurier. After the match, Cooper spoke with club owner Evangelos Marinakis. While the manager is still keen to bolster his squad, he welcomed some early signs of progress. “I’m not sure we won this game last year, especially at the start of last season, so maybe there’s a bit of growth in the mentality of the team,” Cooper said. “I really like how we kept to the task.” Ben Fisher

Injuries hurt Arsenal’s optimism

An opening weekend win for Arsenal at Selhurst Park set the stage for last season’s title challenge, but in only their second game this season both teams look rather patched up. So far August hasn’t gone to plan for either Mikel Arteta or Roy Hodgson, although the Palace manager had a better week of news than his Arsenal counterpart. Jurriën Timber’s cruciate ligament injury in his knee has dealt a severe blow to Arteta’s best-laid plans, and means Oleksandr Zinchenko’s return to left-back is timely. Timber’s versatility through defense will have to be mothballed until next season. Gabriel Jesus’ knee issue is less serious but concerning given his previous issues. What looked like Arsenal’s near-perfect ‘victory’ of the transfer window was clouded by these early-season problems. Roy Hodgson is also without the crippled Michael Olise, but only for the short term, with the winger signing a new contract and turning down the chance to join Chelsea’s brain drain. J.B.