Premier League: Five talking points from the week gone by

Arsenal and Manchester United played out a drab draw, while Liverpool remained flawless in the Premier League. Chelsea finally tasted victory at home.

Published : Oct 01, 2019 14:19 IST

Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino.
Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino.
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Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino.

Manchester United played out a drab 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Monday night as the Red Devils now sit on the tenth spot in the Premier League, 12 points behind table topper Liverpool.

Things look good for Klopp's Liverpool as its flawless start to the Premier League season continued with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Sheffield United thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum's winner.

Chelsea, finally, earned Frank Lampard his first league win at Stamford Bridge with a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion, while top-four rival Tottenham, which was reduced to 10 men, claimed a 2-1 win over Southampton.

Here are five talking points from the week gone by:

1) Once-mighty Man United, Arsenal have now fallen

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after Manchester United's draw with Arsenal
 

For so long, Manchester United versus Arsenal was a highlight of the Premier League season. It is fair to say those days are over, with Monday's drab 1-1 draw adding further proof, as if it was needed, of just how far these once-mighty sides have fallen.

Scott McTominay's effort lit up a mediocre encounter in which, for long periods in the teeming Manchester rain, the quality on offer proved every bit as abysmal as the weather.

McTominay - helped by an ill-timed duck from Arsenal's newly elected captain Granit Xhaka - punctured the mundanity but United, which has made its worst start to a Premier League season, showed little ability to push on before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck back.

 

2) Klopp's Liverpool shows its grit

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
 

This was a day when Liverpool had to roll up its sleeves and get stuck in. Sheffield United did not give Jurgen Klopp's side an inch and the German had to squeeze every ounce of effort out of his players.

It was even more acute when Liverpool's front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino seemed to forget where the goal was and errant finishing might have proved costly on another day.

Klopp's side has been renowned for its free-flowing football but it showed a grittier side against dogged opponent at Bramall Lane.

If the Reds are to go one better than last season and beat Manchester City to the title that resilience, especially away from Anfield, is going to be key.

 

3) Home comfort finally for Lampard, Chelsea

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Jorginho celebrates after scoring his Chelsea's opening goal against Brighton & Hove Albion.
 

Lampard had gone into the game against Brighton without a Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge – it was an itch he was absolutely desperate to scratch.

Chelsea thrashed Grimsby 7-1 in the EFL Cup on Wednesday to give Lampard his first win on home soil, but it is the league where the former England international will be judged and he needed three points against Brighton.

At half-time, with the scoreline goalless against Brighton, Lampard might have been more than a little concerned.

However, a penalty from Jorginho five minutes into the second half eased the nerves before compatriot Willian added a second to give Chelsea a routine victory.

 

4) Spurs shows its mettle

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Harry Kane celebrates a Tottenham goal.
 

This had all the hallmarks of being a miserable day for Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino, but he ended up with a smile on his face.

A red card for Serge Aurier just after the half-hour mark and a howler from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had the whiff of a Tottenham implosion.

Tanguy Ndombele put Tottenham ahead before Aurier was shown a second yellow card. Lloris then sloppily allowed Danny Ings to equalise when he casually received a Toby Alderweireld pass.

Harry Kane had Spurs ahead again before half-time but, playing the majority of the game with 10 men, Southampton had chances. Spurs, though, showed plenty of backbone to earn the three points.

 

5) Man City indebted to Ederson

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Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson.


In the same way Liverpool was not at its fluent best, neither was Manchester City as it clinched a 3-1 win over Everton.

City had thrashed Watford 8-0 last weekend but it became a battle of wills at Goodison Park. Pep Guardiola's men secured the victory to remain five points behind Liverpool thanks to goals from Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling after Seamus Coleman had cancelled out Gabriel Jesus' opener.

However, City had goalkeeper Ederson to thank for the win. With City 2-1 up the Brazilian came off his line to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin and then dived brilliantly to keep out a Yerry Mina header.

( With inputs from Omnisport )

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