10 Talking Points From Premier League Weekend as Arsenal Thrashed And Man United Grab Late Win
Man United, Man City, Leicester, Everton, Tottenham all picked up three points whilst Liverpool and Chelsea drew in the weekend’s heavyweight clash in a week that saw Cristiano Ronaldo return to the Premier League.
Manchester United won in a controversial fashion, Tottenham kept up their 100 per cent record and Chelsea shared the spoils with Liverpool at Anfield.
It’s just another weekend of Premier League football that has left many of us talking.
That’s before we mention the return of one Cristiano Ronaldo, who will make his bow after the international break.
United saw off Wolves at Molineux whilst their neighbours Manchester City deepened Arsenal’s woes with a five-goal performance.
Leeds drew with Burnley whilst Crystal Palace – West Ham and Newcastle – Southampton both ended in stalemates.
We take a look at 10 talking points from this weekend’s games.
Wolves were fuming at this challenge from Paul Pogba on Ruben Neves ( Image:Sky Sports)
1. Pogba the “leg breaker”?
United’s winner came with ten minutes to go, but much of the talk after the game was about how Paul Pogba wasn’t penalised for a tackle on Ruben Neves.
Mike Dean, who stood two yards from the challenge, chose not to blow and VAR backed up his decision.
Graeme Souness labelled the tackle a “leg breaker” as he lamented the decision.
He said on Sky Sports: “The referee is there to referee the game, he’s two metres away. Whether Neves goes down or doesn’t go down – that is immaterial.
“That is a leg breaker. Look how close the referee is, that’s a leg breaker.
“Any player who has ever played the game, he’s standing two yards away from it, they will tell you that’s a dangerous challenge.”
2. Red leaves unanswered questions
The heavyweight clash of the weekend was at Anfield and it gave Chelsea a chance to underline their champion credentials.
Up until this point the Blues have looked sensational and for 45 minutes on Merseyside that trend continued.
Kai Havertz headed them into a deserved lead but the dismissal of Reece James changed the contest and denied us the chance to see just how good Thomas Tuchel’s side are against top class opposition.
Liverpool equalised from the spot, but even with a man advantage Chelsea held their own and returned south with even more credit.
Reece James was sent off at Anfield
3. Richarlison’s penalty tantrum
A debate as old as time – who takes penalties?
Always decided before a game even kicks off yet how often do we see players try and alter the pecking order.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored from 12 yards last weekend at Leeds but Richarlison clearly felt it was his turn at Brighton.
He picked up the ball before he was overpowered and had to watch his team-mate slot home.
The Brazilian said on Instagram : “For those who don’t know here, there is a hierarchy where I waited for three years to get my turn.”
4. Tottenham roll continues
That’s a third 1-0 win on the trot for Nuno Espirito Santo’s new side.
The manner of the performances are one conversation, but separate to that are the results, are no one can question those.
Tottenham’s display against Watford was far more dominant than their previous two and with Harry Kane starting optimism will continue to grow and Son Heung-min continues firing on all cylinders.
Tottenham are the only side with a 100 per cent record
5. James caught red-handed
The red card handed to the Chelsea right-back proved crucial, but really, could he or they have any complaints?
Some believe James was unlucky due to the fact the ball bounced up off his thigh, which is seen as a mitigating factor.
However, Anthony Taylor made a quick decision with VAR and the way James’ right hand flung up as the ball seemed goal-bound did him no favours.
“I can understand the decision and I’m not saying it’s wrong,” said Tuchel.
“But I did not like the way the referee checked it because for me he checked only the image and the image showed the contact”.
6. Arsenal’s woes deepen
On the red half of north London, it never seems to rain, it only pours.
Mikel Arteta has now seen his Arsenal side lose three games on the bounce without scoring a goal and the downpour has set in.
It marks the Gunners worst start to a year since the 1950s and, right now, there appears to be little light at the end of the tunnel.
Whether its defensive frailties, a lack of ambition in attack or simply not having the appetite for a fight.
The international break could not have come at a better time for Arteta as pressure mounts.
Mikel Arteta saw his side concede five at Man City
7. Greenwood seizes moment before Ronaldo arrival
Cristiano Ronaldo is heading back to Manchester, just in case you didn’t know. There’s been the odd piece written since Friday.
The dynamics in United’s attack stand to change and that may hamper certain individuals.
Mason Greenwood’s standing in the pecking order, and how that affects his development, will be a serious issue for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer going forward.
The teenager scored for the third successive game against Wolves, but may see his minutes reduced going forward.
8. Miss of the season
Is it a little too early to start listing potential miss of the season contenders?
Well either way Southampton’s Moussa Djenepo has thrown his hat into the ring after missing from three yards out at Newcastle.
He didn’t just miss, he sent his effort over the bar when it seemed easier to score.
The Saints rescued a point in injury time, much to Djenepo’s relief. It isn’t one he’ll want to see again.
Moussa Djenepo somehow missed when it seemed easier to score
9. Torres the way forward
Kane? Nope. Ronaldo? Nope. Any other takers?
Much has been made about City’s failed pursuit of a striker this summer as they try and replace Sergio Aguero.
But a left-wing solution could already exist within the walls of the Ethiad and his name is Ferran Torres.
The Spaniard scored a hat-trick at Newcastle late last year and has been deployed as a centre forward so far this term.
His movement has come in for particular praise and he grabbed two of his side’s five vs Arsenal. Pep Guardiola may have stumbled on a gem.
10. How are Wolves pointless?
It is a legitimate question.
They deserved at least a point on Sunday if not three.
Rewind a week and they gave as good as they got against Tottenham and lost by a solitary goal at Leicester on the opening weekend.
