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London Calling: Capital occupies 1, 2 and 3 after Spurs and Arsenal disrupt Northern Line

London sides occupy the top three slots in the EPL table after two rounds of games. Tottenham produced the result of the day with a 0-2 win away to Manchester City, beating the Citizens on their own ground for the second successive year.

First half goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Paulhinha, the second a farce of City’s own making, secured all three points for the Lillywhites.

In first half stoppage time, City had a goal kick. Rather than thump the ball upfield, Portuguese defender Ruben Dias passed it short to keeper James Trafford with Spurs forwards lurking.

He in turn tried a short pass and suddenly dark blue shirts were swarming until Dias’ fellow Portuguese international smashed the ball home.

Many in the press pinned the blame on young Trafford but it was Dias who stood over the goal kick and who had time to assess how close Spurs’ Richarlison and Palhinha were, before retstarting the game. He should take the bulk of the blame not Trafford.

Tottenham have now started with two wins and two clean sheets against Lancastrian opponents. They have Bournemouth at home next weekend.

Perhaps more predictably, Arsenal protected their 100% record with a 5-0 win over promoted Leeds in their first home game. The Gunners had just five shots on target but Jurrien Timber (2), Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyökeres (2) sealed the win.

In addition, new signing Eberechi Eze, poached from under the noses of neighbours Tottenham, was presented to the home crowd before kick-off and 15-year-old Max Dowman made his first team debut.

In the weekend’s sole London Derby, Chelsea scored their first goals of the season with a 1-5 win over West Ham at London Stadium.

Although the Hammers scored first, the win was as comfortable as it sounds and leaves West Ham at the foot of the table with a 3-0 loss to a promoted side and a 1-5 home thumping to start the season.

Manager Graham Potter is under enormous pressure and needs to produce something better when his side visit Nottinngham Forest next week.

According to Damien Charles Lucas in Hammers News,

“Potter is reportedly on such a knife-edge that he has essentially been given two games to prove he should keep his job.

“Daily Mail journalist Dominic King claims says ‘it is understood Potter will be in charge for Wolves in the League Cup and Forest in the league this week’.

But there are no guarantees beyond that.”

There were second successive draws for Crystal Palace and Fulham, both at home this weekend. Palace could not hold a lead against Forest and, for the second week running, Fulham came from behind to draw 1-1, this time with Manchester United.

Brentford pulled off an excellent result with a 1-0 home win over Aston Villa in manager Keith Andrews’ first home game in charge.

Burkina Faso international Dango Ouattara was acquired for a club record £42.5m from Bournemouth. He showed his worth as early as the 12th minute with the game’s only goal.

Wantaway Yoane Wissa did not figure in the Bees line up but these are also worrying times for Villa, yet to score their first goal.

West Ham trail in a table where over half the sides are yet to play

Next week’s derby is at Stamford Bridge where two unbeaten sides and SW6 residents, Chelsea and Fulham clash. Fulham will be looking for their second successive win at the Bridge.

The league’s biggest match will be at Anfield where Arsenal visit Liverpool. Brentford make the long trip to Sunderland while Palace visit troubled Aston Villa.