Premier League hits and misses: Liverpool present they’re critical title contenders as Man Metropolis present their flaws | Soccer Information

Slot’s Liverpool underline title credentials

Arne Slot has made the all time begin by a Liverpool supervisor by successful 9 of his first 10 video games – however did the 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace strengthen their title credentials or maybe present why they continue to be a piece in progress behind favourites Man Metropolis and Arsenal?

Their greatest traits have been all on present through the first hour, with Ryan Gravenberch setting the tempo, the large gamers a menace and creating possibilities for Diogo Jota within the center. On the uncommon events Palace acquired the ball Liverpool’s rock-solid defence shut them out.

However the mixture of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s introduction and a hamstring harm to Alisson created chaos within the closing phases, with Palace spurning a number of good openings and Virgil van Dijk maybe lucky to flee punishment for a pull on Marc Guehi within the field.

But, the surprising cameo of Vitezslav Jaros underlined the purpose that this squad is filled with gamers who could make an affect at this stage. See additionally Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas – or Wataru Endo, who obtained reward from Slot afterwards for the applying he introduced within the closing minutes.

Towards Wolves and within the closing half hour at Palace, Liverpool have been beneath their greatest and but nonetheless gained. The blip was the defeat at dwelling to Nottingham Forest. The one dropped factors of the season. However the total image going into the worldwide break is of a proficient, well-coached group who needs to be thought of very a lot within the combine with Metropolis and Arsenal for this title chase.
Peter Smith

Havertz on monitor for 20-goal mark

Kai Havertz grew to become the primary Arsenal participant since Robin van Persie to attain in seven consecutive dwelling video games along with his aim within the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Southampton on the Emirates Stadium.

With 4 objectives within the Premier League and 6 in all competitions this season, he seems nicely on monitor to fulfil Mikel Arteta’s prediction that he’ll hit the hallowed 20 mark this time period.

His newest effort was brilliantly taken, his end crashing into the web off the submit from Bukayo Saka’s go, offering additional proof of what Arteta describes as a change of mindset.

“His focus now is, ‘I’m going to win the game, I’m going to do it’, and that’s a different thing,” stated the Arsenal boss. “He’s not satisfied with what he is doing, because there is still another level for him.

“Clearly, he’s surrounded by unbelievable gamers, however one thing has modified in him, and that confidence, you possibly can actually sense it. Now he is placing it into video games and successful matches.”

With regular goals added to everything else he was already giving the team, the 25-year-old has taken on even greater importance, quietening talk of Arsenal needing a striker in the process.
Nick Wright

If only ‘unstoppable’ Traore could finish…

Not often do Manchester Metropolis concede a larger anticipated objectives whole than they generate, particularly at dwelling. However Fulham didn’t come to the Etihad to take a seat again and defend in a low block. They got here to play.

Marco Silva’s facet created 5 huge possibilities all through a topsy-turvy 90 minutes, and handed up three of them as they misplaced 3-2. A hat-trick of alternatives fell the way in which of Adama Traore, liable for practically half (1.04) of Fulham’s 2.40 xG, with quick breaks an indicator of the whole lot good about Silva’s daring method.

Pep Guardiola was deep in dialog with Traore, who he referred to as “unstoppable”, on the finish of the sport. It regarded just like the Metropolis boss, figuring out his facet have been considerably fortunate, was providing counsel after the ahead value Fulham what would have inevitably been a share of the spoils – perhaps extra.

And it was not that Ederson was essentially on hearth. The goalkeeper acquired the higher of Traore in two one-vs-ones however by no means gave the impression to be at full stretch.

The ploy to harm on the counter-attack was so practically excellent. It carved Manchester Metropolis open way more instances than Guardiola would have been snug with. If solely Traore might end…
Laura Hunter

Man Metropolis usually are not infallible

Is Mateo Kovacic the brand new Rodri? He definitely performed the half towards Fulham.

Ninety-eight touches of the ball, 100 per cent of tackles gained, 4 ball recoveries and two objectives – the primary time he has scored greater than as soon as in a Premier League recreation.

In Man Metropolis’s Rodri-less world, Guardiola is discovering options, having now averted defeat in every of their final 11 league video games wherein they’ve trailed (W9 D2).

However let’s be clear, the champions are way more open than earlier than. Metropolis conceded 5 huge possibilities and a season-high 2.40 anticipated objectives towards. Have been it not for Traore’s profligacy, they might have nearly definitely misplaced this recreation.

Meals for thought for Guardiola, who promised to spend the worldwide break “reflecting”. And encouragement for the remainder: Man Metropolis are now not flawless.
Laura Hunter

O’Neil vows to alter winless Wolves

It’s fashionable for managers to declare they are going to stick with their rules and philosophy throughout a foul run of kind – however Gary O’Neil has vowed to alter winless Wolves.

A chastening 5-3 defeat at Brentford has proved to be the tipping level regardless of the success and reward his workforce obtained final season for his or her courageous, free-flowing fashion.

“The proof there today is that they weren’t able to carry out what we needed to. So there needs to be a rethink around how we go about things,” stated O’Neil.

“The fact that the players are making mistakes means there’s a disconnect somewhere in understanding of what’s being asked or where they need to be.”

Wolves might argue their performances up to now, a drubbing from Chelsea apart, had been respectable towards robust opposition. Their opponents had collectively recorded an unusually excessive shot conversion of 20 per cent too. “We have been competitive mainly,” stated O’Neil.

Nevertheless, all of it unravelled on the again towards Brentford, who might have scored 10. Wolves’ expansive construction left them large open. Their assault benefitted from it, taking 17 pictures albeit with solely six on the right track, they usually had extra closing third entries (57) than Brentford (51).

Will O’Neil get the time to alter Wolves? “Being a football manager means that you have today, definitely,” he added. “And then after that, so many things can happen.”
David Richardson

Newcastle’s wastefulness clear to see

If a workforce wins 10 corners, has 42 touches within the opposition field and 12 pictures from contained in the field in a recreation, that workforce ought to win the sport comfortably.

Newcastle didn’t win at Goodison Park although – they usually had solely themselves responsible because it ended goalless. Everton, with out Jarrad Branthwaite, have been there for the taking however Eddie Howe’s workforce lacked ruthlessness and effectivity with their closing ball. Anthony Gordon was the chief wrongdoer.

Regardless of a efficiency filled with verve and power, he wasted the 2 huge moments that ought to have led to the Toon taking most factors. Jordan Pickford guessed proper from the spot earlier than Gordon then blazed astray when in on Pickford within the second half.

Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak returning after the worldwide break might be an enormous assist to Howe.
Lewis Jones

Benching Mateta comes again to chew Glasner

If you find yourself developing towards the very best defensive workforce statistically within the Premier League, one would suppose the right foil to that might be to play your greatest attackers. That layered with the truth that Crystal Palace are with out a win of their first seven and are within the backside three, not beginning Jean Phillipe Mateta looks like an oversight.

Oliver Glasner began with £30m summer time signing Eddie Nketiah main the road. Given the truth that Liverpool dominated possession, the previous Arsenal striker had little or no of the ball however when he did obtain it, Nketiah did little or no to problem Liverpool’s colossal again 4.

Within the second half, Glasner referred to as upon the person who has scored 17 objectives in 22 video games since his arrival and Palace had an outlet. Mateta created three possibilities in 38 minutes with Nketiah enjoying alongside him which provides to the confusion surrounding his exclusion.

Competitors for locations could have nicely been the reasoning behind not beginning Mateta however given the truth that Palace are persevering with to battle, Glasner can not afford to not have Mateta on the pitch.
William Bitibiri

Promise for Southampton regardless of one other defeat

Southampton want wins, and quick, however there’s at the very least hope they’re getting nearer within the method of their defeat at Arsenal.

Going 3-0 down in 39 minutes at Bournemouth on Monday actually crystallised the concern that both Saints could also be heading straight again to the Championship, or Russell Martin would quickly be underneath strain with a questionable line-up.

He confirmed extra flexibility on the Emirates in shifting to a again 5 after a blistering opening 10 minutes from the hosts, who then took till first-half added time to drive Aaron Ramsdale right into a save. Arsenal created an xG of simply over 1.2 by the break, however nearly half of that had come within the opening seven minutes.

Martin requested much more of his gamers on the interval they usually responded by taking the lead, and even retaining Arsenal on tenterhooks till Bukayo Saka put the sport past doubt within the 88th minute.

This was not a facet not enjoying for his or her supervisor, it was not a facet missing high quality. It was a glimpse of what Southampton could be.

However getting as much as play Arsenal is straightforward, it’s video games like their subsequent one towards Leicester which is able to determine their destiny this season. And now there could be no excuse for not matching this efficiency in a fortnight.
Ron Walker

Leicester show they will win ugly

It was not at all a classic efficiency from Steve Cooper’s facet however come the tip of the season, they could look again on the 1-0 win over Bournemouth as some of the necessary outcomes of the marketing campaign in the event that they keep up.

The performances towards heavy-hitters Tottenham, Aston Villa and Arsenal confirmed the Foxes might compete at this stage – but it surely finally translated into only one level from the three video games.

With this win, Leicester demonstrated they’re able to weathering a storm, shutting out their opponents and might finally stroll away with three factors.

Six factors from seven video games is a stable return, given the run of fixtures they’ve had, they usually can now take this added confidence into the large recreation towards Southampton after the worldwide break.
Patrick Rowe

Bournemouth flatter to deceive

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was left scratching his head after the loss to Leicester Metropolis, as his facet flattered to deceive in entrance of aim.

Lower than every week in the past on the Vitality Stadium, his gamers placed on a masterclass of ending towards Southampton with Evanilson getting off the mark and Antoine Semenyo netting from distance.

Nevertheless, their efforts this time spherical have been a stark distinction to that show, because the Cherries wasted likelihood after likelihood within the Leicester penalty space.

Marcus Tavernier, Marcos Senesi and Dango Ouattara all got here shut, with two of their efforts putting the body of the aim, however finally they weren’t environment friendly sufficient to take something from this recreation.

“We are really disappointed,” stated midfielder Lewis Cook dinner, who thought he had netted an equaliser solely to see it dominated out for offside. “We dominated for large spells. That is football.

“Some days it simply does not go in. We have to take them. We want some factors within the subsequent couple of video games as a result of it is going to be robust.”

Their opportunity to break into the top half has now been squandered and after a promising start to the week, this fixture leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the players and staff heading into the international break.
Patrick Rowe

Bowen offers excellent response to England snub

When Jarrod Bowen was overlooked of Lee Carsley’s England squad for the forthcoming Nations League encounters with Greece and Finland, the information was not surprising. West Ham had carried out below-par of their opening six video games, and Bowen’s personal requirements had dropped.

Within the 4-1 win over Ipswich, he was head and shoulders above everybody else on the pitch as Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham reign acquired a much-needed shot within the arm.

“It’s the best way [to respond],” the Spaniard stated. He is aware of that and he’s all the time prepared to assist the workforce and work onerous and play nicely. That is why he is an excellent participant.”

Bowen both scored and assisted in a Premier League game for the eighth time. Indeed, since his debut for the Hammers in February 2020 only five players have scored and assisted in more matches in the competition (Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, Bruno Fernandes and Heung-Min Son).

West Ham spent around £132m in summer transfer window – recouping around £32.5m – but started the weekend just two points clear of the relegation zone.

This win helps ease the lingering concerns around Lopetegui’s appointment. It has been an uneasy start to life as West Ham boss, but this handsome win provides a timely reminder of the goalscorers in his ranks, spearheaded by the irreplaceable Bowen.
Ben Grounds

Ipswich taught ruthless lesson

Ipswich stay one in all 5 Premier League groups nonetheless with out a win together with present backside three – Crystal Palace, Southampton and Wolves. Their second-half show at West Ham was as unhealthy a forty five minutes as Kieran McKenna’s facet have produced up to now this season.

“It ended up a disappointing day for us,” the Ipswich boss stated. “There was a large majority of the first half in which it was a competitive game that was evenly fought. We played some good football but we conceded poor goals which changed the momentum of the game.

“We did not deal nicely sufficient with the direct play. The objectives got here from these moments so there’s lots for us to study.”

McKenna highlighted how particular person errors contributed to a lopsided scoreline. It was a depressing return to the London Stadium too for Kalvin Phillips, whose error contained in the opening minute set the tone for an uncomfortable afternoon that was reduce quick by his second-half substitution.

This was a actuality verify for Ipswich, who got a chastening afternoon by Bowen. McKenna has impressed in the way in which he has carried the battle to opponents up till now, however this was a reminder that if you’re not at full tilt at this stage, you’ll get severely punished.
Ben Grounds