Outside90’s Matthew Ritchie breaks down the 10 major talking points coming out of the weekend’s Premier League action
Depay and Manchester United still need time
On Friday evening, Manchester United played again, scored again and secured another three points. However, they were far from convincing, even if there were positives to be taken from the game. The defence, for once, looked encouragingly solid and Chris Smalling seems like he has the potential to spearhead this department in the coming years. But worringly, Wayne Rooney looked out of sorts due to a lack of mobility and touch that featured in his younger years. For new boy Memphis Depay, time is still needed for him to adapt to the difficulties of the Premier League, and cold away nights like this.
Claudio Ranieri, Leicester City proving critics wrong
Football, what a funny game it is. Before the season started , numerous pundits predicted the Foxes for the drop. Claudio Ranieri , whose Chelsea tenure had ended in ignominy over a decade ago, looks prepared to deal with the Premier League again. He has reinvigorated this Leicester City team, who have now taken six points from six and are playing his way. Ranieri has managed to strike the right balance between attack and defense, but can the manager and his team keep it up? The critics will never be far away.
Sunderland’s catastrophic start continues
The Premier League campaign for Sunderland seems to follow a similar pattern, season after season. They start atrociously before a late revival saves them from relegation. With form like they showed in the defeat to newly promoted Norwich, the Black Cats will inevitably be involved in the relegation battle yet again. The question is, can they steer clear of the drop this time?
Garry Monk’s Swansea impress again
Garry Monk’s Swansea have continued their high flying start to the campaign with a 2-0 win over Newcastle. What was impressive was how the Welsh outfit managed to maintain their intensity from their first game against the champions, Chelsea. The midfield linked well with Bafetimbi Gomis again , as he and new signing Andre Ayew added to their goals from last week. On this evidence, all is well at the Liberty, and they seem set for another impressive season. Whether it be in the ‘best of the rest’ category, or lower in the top-half remains to be seen.
Everton back on track
The Toffees got their first win of the season in impressive fashion with a 3-0 rout of Southampton. Roberto Martinez’s men played some delightful football, with Ross Barkley in particular linking-up the midfield well with both he and Romelu Lukaku capping-off a fine games by getting on the scoresheet. The hope is that Everton can find the right mix between Premier League and Europa League commitments and attack the last Champions League spot come next May.
Norwich back in the big time
Norwich City have started their season brilliantly with four points from a possible six, it is almost as if they never left the top flight. Against a woeful Sunderland side, they took nothing for granted and ran away to a commanding win with three great goals. With consistent results like these they will certainly avoid relegation. Can the Canaries establish themselves in the Premier League, just like Swansea and Southampton have done previously?
Selhurst Park provides no easy games
On Sunday’s evidence, there will be no easy games at Selhurst Park this season. Arsenal were made to toil for all their worth to secure a much-needed three points. What Alan Pardew has done in less than a season is nothing short of amazing. The Palace side is capable of fluent counter-attacking football, but also have a grit and resilience to them. With the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Wilfred Zaha, the masterstroke signing of Yohan Cabaye and a settled defense, do not be surprised to see the Eagles chasing the Europa League places.
Something is not right at Chelsea.
On Sunday one wondered which set of imposters had taken the field for the reigning champions in their match with Manchester City. Such was the lack of conviction and effort from last season’s runaway winners, you would be forgiven for thinking this was pure fiction. Chelsea was overrun in the midfield by a rampant and revitalized Sky Blue side, who could have been three or four up by the half were it not for the superb Asmir Begovic. This team , who had the best defense last term, looks a shadow of its former self, something David Silva and Sergio Aguero ruthlessly exposed. John Terry, the skipper was subbed for the first time in 177 games under Mourinho, while other member of team looks stale. If they are to sustain a title challenge, the likes of Gary Cahill, Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, standout performers in 2014-15, will have to improve. At the Eithiad, Chelsea were outflanked, outthought and outplayed and already have a five point deficit before September. Has the internal drama with the physios affected the players?
Manchester City look fresh and hungry.
Losing something that belongs to you must not be nice. To have it happen twice is probably even worse. But despite all the preseason speculation over the state of City’s squad, they are ready to fight for the Premier League crown again. Both Manuel Pellegrini and his squad look refreshed and their 3-0 win against Chelsea was a statement of intent from the former Champions. Silva, Yaya Toure and Aguero were all at their mesmerizing best on Sunday and the fact that Vincent Kompany looks like the man from 2011-12 must be pleasing to his manager. He and Eliaquim Mangala secured their second consecutive clean sheet and seem to be forming a solid partnership. Even more impressive is the fact that players such as Bacary Sagna and Aleksander Kolarov, who had below-par campaigns last year, all had impressive games again. The new signing Raheem Sterling gave Ivanovic a torrid time on the left-flank and in this form its hard to bet against the Sky Blues. Can the Citizens retain the Premier League title again?
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Christian Benteke is a great signing for Liverpool.
Even so early into the season one thing is certain for Liverpool. The signing of Christian Benteke will bring them goals, and inevitably closer to the Champions League places. So encouraging was the performance he put in on Monday Night, and not just with his well taken effort to claim the winner. For the whole night Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth team struggled to contain his repertoire of pace, power and trickery. He held up the ball well, also linked the midfield superbly and was probably man of the match. With players like the Belgian in this Liverpool team, one gets the sense that they are in a better position than last season. As long as Benteke keeps up his consistency, with help from the likes of Roberto Firmino , Adam Lallana, James Milner and Phillipe Coutinho, the goals will flow and this will only bring a smile to Brendan Roger’s face. Top four perhaps?
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