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A strong weekend for defences didn’t lead to a lack of excitement as the Premier League resumed at the weekend following the international break.
The goals didn’t flow but there was plenty of incidents and with a returning icon and a storming debut, it’s led to numerous talking points.
Winners
Cristiano Ronaldo
It’s been 12 long and largely trophy-less years at Old Trafford, however, that may be about to change as an icon returns.
The long-term argument for signing Ronaldo can be debated for hours but make no mistake, this is a player still operating at a world-class level.
Newcastle United won’t be the sternest opposition the Red Devils come up against this season but the Portuguese forward treats every game as if it’s a final. He sniffed out the opener following a spill from Freddie Woodman and then rolled the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs after taking the ball brilliantly in his stride.
Ronaldo will be a hard man to keep quiet this season and should propel Manchester United to at least a serious title challenge.
Romelu Lukaku
Chelsea struggled for goals last season with Jorginho their top scorer, all from the penalty spot. Timo Werner, Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud all failed to do enough to convince Thomas Tuchel that they could lead the line.
Step forward Romelu Lukaku. Yes, he wasn’t cheap, but in this world, you get what you pay for and Chelsea have acquired top quality.
Lukaku was clinical against Aston Villa. Firstly turning Ezri Konsa inside out before his second which was right out of the top drawer.
The Blues were far from their best but could win any match with Lukaku in this sort of form.
Mohamed Salah
Rounding off our trio of superstars is the latest member of the ‘100 Club’. Salah reached the milestone against Leeds United on Sunday in another terrific display in which he ran the Whites defence ragged.
It won’t feature high up in the list of his century of goals but the Egyptian played a part in the build-up, linking up with Joel Matip before getting on the end of a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
We generally don’t talk about current players in the same way as legends but when the dust settles on his career, he’ll go down as a Premier League great.
Everton’s bargain recruitment
The signings of Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray didn’t exactly set the pulses of Everton fans racing during the summer but the duo are making a big impact.
Gray scored against Burnley for the third game in a row while Townsend scored an absolute belter while also laying the ball on a plate for Michael Keane.
Everton have spent a fortune in recent years but £1.5 million for the duo could be their best business yet.
Bernardo Silva
A man that looked set for the exit door from the Etihad this summer, Silva didn’t get his move and has instead knuckled down and made a strong start this season after a couple of indifferent campaigns.
The midfielder made the most of a lucky deflection against Leicester City to grab the winner and make it three consecutive wins for the Premier League champions.
It says a lot too for Pep Guardiola’s management that Silva has been able to slot back after looking certain to move back to the continent in the transfer window. He’ll feel like a new signing to the Manchester City fans.
Brighton & Hove Albion
The Seagulls are hot on the tails of last season’s top four after a last-gasp win at Brentford. Leandro Trossard scored a brilliant winner to continue the impressive start from Graham Potter’s outfit.
Survival will be the main aim for a while yet but Brighton have over 20% of last season’s points total already. A top-half finish could well be on the agenda.
Odsonne Edouard
Having only arrived on the pitch in the 84th minute, Edouard was probably expecting to feel his way onto the Selhurst Park pitch and try to get some touches on the ball.
Instead, the French under-21 international had what can only be described as a dream debut. Two goals and the Crystal Palace faithful were in raptures.
With himself, Wilfried Zaha, Conor Gallagher and Michael Olise on the pitch, Palace suddenly look an energetic, attacking outfit.
Bruno Lage and Mikel Arteta
One manager finding his feet in the job and one under immense pressure. Yet both will have been delighted to get their first goals and wins of the season on Saturday.
Wolves played some lovely football and deservedly beat Watford while Arsenal huffed and puffed but eventually saw off Norwich City. Bigger tests will come but it’s a platform to build from.
Losers
Norwich City
Either side of a season in the Championship, it’s now 14 consecutive Premier League defeats for the Canaries. It has been a difficult run of fixtures to start the season but this is a team desperately short of confidence.
Tim Krul did his best to deny Arsenal but Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s goal was the type that goes against you when you’re at the bottom.
The only side in the division without a point, Daniel Farke’s men need that to end soon. Sunderland’s unwanted record of 20 defeats in a row is in their sights.
Newcastle United
Three defeats out of four to start the season following another disappointing transfer window has heaped the pressure on Steve Bruce. Added with an early exit from the Carabao Cup will have done nothing to help.
The Toon were always going to be the support act at the Cristiano Ronaldo show and did give it a go but were overrun by a vastly superior team. Friday’s match with Leeds is now of growing importance.
Burnley
Ben Mee’s goal could have set the Clarets on their way to a first win of the season but Sean Dyche’s men fell apart as Everton completely overwhelmed them.
Burnley are usually solid and hard to beat but struggle for goals has hindered them a lot. Many pundits reckon they’ll be fine but in an increasingly difficult division, can we say that with such certainty?
Leeds United’s defence
Ripped apart and lucky not to lose by a greater margain, Leeds woes increased as the game wore on.
Diego Llorente has been a good signing at centre-back but has been dogged by injuries and that issue arose again with a hamstring injury against Liverpool.
Pascal Struijk’s red card looks unlikely to be overturned which will likely lead to Luke Ayling playing centre-half for the trip to Newcastle with Robin Koch also sidelined.
Stuart Dallas will probably move to right-back which in turn leads to a gap in midfield. A small squad is already getting stretched.
Watford
A third defeat in a row after a winning start and no goals since. Watford made a plethora of signings in the summer and many may struggle to name their starting line-up, their own fans included.
The Pozzo’s have shown a ruthless streak in the past and the Hornets need to re-find their sting.
Tyrone Mings
A short backpass from Mings allowed Mateo Kovacic to nip in and score Chelsea’s second which was followed by Cesar Azpilicueta skipping past the England man for the third goal.
It was a bad day at the office for Mings which casted a shadow over some good attacking play for Dean Smith’s men.
Brentford
The unbeaten run is over following a late defeat to Brighton. It’s been a start to be proud of from the new boys but the fans felt the brutal reality of the Premier League for the first time after Trossard’s winner.
Leicester City
A defeat to the champions is not a reason for Leicester fans to be too worried but it looks less likely that the Foxes will challenge the top four with the same intensity as the previous two seasons.
Brendan Rodgers has yet to get the attack functioning this season but has Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka waiting in the wings. Midweek Europa League action may see an opportunity for the pair.
Tottenham Hotspur
No shots from Harry Kane summed up a dismal day for Tottenham at Crystal Palace. This was as bad as anything from the Jose Mourinho era and needs to be an exception rather than the norm.
Eric Dier went off injured, Japhet Tanganga was sent off while Davinson Sanchez and Cristian Romero are still out of the country.
Things won’t get any easier with Chelsea up next as Nuno Espirito Santo will want his South Americans back as soon as possible.
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