Ederson proves his value to City:
Ederson proved his worth for Manchester City in the Premier League with crucial saves against Fulham, especially denying Adama Traoré. Pep Guardiola confirmed there was interest from Saudi clubs in the summer, but no serious offer materialized. Guardiola emphasized Ederson’s strong mentality, saying he quickly refocused and continues to perform at a high level in the Premier League. He also credited the healthy competition with backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega for pushing Ederson to excel.
United need to click quickly:
The debate over Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United continues after a lackluster draw against Aston Villa in the last Premier League match. Despite moments like Bruno Fernandes hitting the bar and Diogo Dalot preventing a late goal, United’s struggles persist. Ten Hag tried to find positives, but mediocrity looms, highlighted by underperforming big-money signings. United’s attack remains a major issue, with only five goals in seven matches, and new signing Joshua Zirkzee, who replaced Rasmus Højlund, hasn’t impressed. Ten Hag remains hopeful but time is running out for things to “click.”
Suspensions unlikely to hurt Chelsea:
Enzo Maresca was unfazed by Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella receiving five yellow cards each, leading to their suspension for the Liverpool match on 20 October. He noted that big clubs, with significant investments like Chelsea’s £220m spend, can easily rotate players without feeling the impact as much. Despite missing two key men, Maresca praised the team’s spirit and said they would simply use other players after the international break.
Welbeck embodies sage Seagulls:
Danny Welbeck, signed by Brighton four years ago, continues to play a key role at nearly 34. Though not a prolific scorer, his intelligent movement and link-up play have impressed managers like Arsène Wenger and Roy Hodgson. Now, Brighton benefits from his experience, as seen in their second-half comeback against Spurs, where Welbeck scored the winner. His leadership, alongside veterans like Jason Steele and James Milner, helped inspire the team to fight back after halftime.
Slot’s machine making the right noises:
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool has shown improvements in several areas. Virgil van Dijk is back to his best, with Ibrahima Konaté providing solid support, and Ryan Gravenberch impresses with his passing and physicality. Cody Gakpo shines on the flanks, assisting Diogo Jota’s goal. However, Liverpool will need to raise their tempo in tougher matches against teams like Chelsea, Arsenal, and City. While Mohamed Salah continues to score, his play sometimes clashes with the team’s system-focused approach.
Hammers hit their attacking stride:
Before their 4-1 win against Ipswich, West Ham’s starting front four had scored just one goal and a penalty in their first six Premier League games. However, the match showcased the entertaining style fans hoped for under new manager Julen Lopetegui, with the team recording 13 shots on target—their highest since records began. All four attackers, including Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paquetá, scored. With injuries affecting Niclas Füllkrug and Crysencio Summerville’s inclusion, this quartet is crucial for future games, especially with tougher matches against Tottenham and Manchester United ahead.
