Manchester United show signs of revival, Arsenal strikers fail to cover up issues, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea lack leaders among squad
Seven things we learnt: Leicester form sees Foxes pushing for Europe, Crystal Palace defeat hardly a setback, Spurs' start drastically changes and Swansea search for consistency
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal strikers fail to convince despite finding the target
On the face of things, goals for Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud should be exactly what was needed to shut up the critics at the Emirates and convince fans that Arsenal's current strike force is strong enough to lead a Premier League title challenge. But the true story isn't quite what it seems.
In total, Arsenal had 29 shots at goal during the 2-0 win against Stoke on Saturday, with an impressive 12 on target. So to come away with just two goals against a side languishing down in the relegation zone – despite Stoke expected to challenge for a top-10 finish this season – goes down as a disappointment.
Walcott had eight of those efforts, missing one simple header when the goal was at his mercy, while Giroud had two shots at goal once he came off the substitutes’ bench. While one found the back of the net, the other saw him capitalise on a sloppy mishit in the Stoke defence only to fire the ball wide of the goal with just Jack Butland to beat. True, the young English goalkeeper put in one of his best performances, but Arsenal are nowhere closer to solving their goalscoring conundrum.
United show signs of revival in dominant win over Liverpool
There was once a time where Manchester United would be openly confident of securing a result against Liverpool, but that hasn’t been the case in recent seasons. However, Saturday evening’s meeting saw United play with a swagger that they have rarely demonstrated since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and he result came in the form of a convincing 3-1 victory and a debut goal from record teenage signing Anthony Martial.
Even when Christian Benteke scored a screamer to get Liverpool back into the game, United were able to kick on and control the game, with Martial coming on to make a name for himself and register a debut to remember. If United can keep that confidence this season, there’s no reason to suggest that anything other than success is on the cards.
Chelsea look like they’re missing leading figures in the dressing room
What’s wrong with Chelsea? Jose Mourinho is busy blaming computers, luck and team doctors, Diego Costa can’t find the back of the net to save his life and the strongest defence in 2014/15 is suddenly the weakest. Could it be possible that the Blues’ struggles, which continued with a 3-1 defeat at Everton, is down to a lack of leaders in the squad?
The last two seasons has seen the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and Petr Cech leave the club, meaning John Terry stands alone as the club’s last remaining member of the ‘Old Guard’. Branislav Ivanovic looks a shadow of his former self this season as he continues to struggle for form, while Cesc Fabregas has endured one of the poorest starts to a season in his entire career.
Chelsea’s squad is talented enough that they can’t be ruled out of launching an incredible comeback to retain their title, but the problem is Manchester City look untouchable right now, and they may be too strong for anyone, let a Chelsea side 11 points adrift, to catch.
Leicester for Europe? Suddenly it’s not so absurd
Few would have expected Leicester to be sitting pretty in second after five games of the Premier League season, but even fewer would have 33 points from 14 matches that stretches back into last season’s unlikely survival bid. Nigel Pearson has been replaced by Claudio Ranieri, but the squad’s team spirit looks intact and they continue to show an incredible resilience that any side would be proud of in the top flight.
Selecting Leicester v Aston Villa for the 4pm kick-off on Sunday raised many an eyebrow, but the two sides played out an early contender for match of the season. Jack Grealish and Carles Gil put the away side ahead with two beautiful goals, only for the Foxes to complete a breath-taking comeback that was completed through Nathan Dyer’s brave injury-time header. With that belief and character among their squad, there’s no stopping Leicester this season.
Palace defeat hardly a setback as Pardew’s Eagles continue to impress
A deflated Crystal Palace suffered a late 1-0 defeat to Premier League champions-elect Manchester City on Saturday, but they would’ve been forgiven for scratching their heads and questioning who had delivered the disastrous blow. Kelechi Iheanacho, wearing No 72, showed a striker’s instinct when he reached an Alex McCarthy parry first to tap in an injury-time winner.
But Palace should not be disheartened. For 90 minutes, they did what no other side has been able to do this season and keep City goalless, and they still sit in fifth position with a credible nine points from five games. With winnable games against Tottenham, Watford, West Brom, West Ham and Leicester, they can quickly put this defeat behind them.
Pochettino thankful for win that drastically changes season start
Three points from five games will have any manager looking over their should, but six from five matches looks a whole lot better and will have Mauricio Pochettino breathing a sigh of relief this morning. For large periods of Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Sunderland, it was the Black Cats that looked the most threatening. Jermain Defoe hit the post and also had a shout for a penalty, while substitute Jack Rodwell glanced the crossbar.
But where Harry Kane is failing so far this season, Ryan Mason stepped up. The midfielder went on a lovely run that linked Kane, Erik Lamela and himself, before chipping the ball over Costel Pantilimon and give Spurs their first win of the season. Relieved? You bet, but it at least gives Pochettino some breathing space and time to try and get his misfiring strikers running on all cylinders.
Swansea lack the consistency of a top-four challenger
With Jefferson Montero, Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre Ayew starting the season like a house on fire, Swansea looked to be one of the sides to watch this season. An unlucky draw with Chelsea and a win over Manchester United saw them solidify their place in the top half, and a trip to winless Watford should have posed little problem for the Welsh side.
However, Odion Ighalo found his form at the best time for the Hornets to give them a welcome three points and lift them up the table. If Swansea have ambitions of pushing on this season, they need to find the consistency of a top side that will make them stand out from the best of the also-rans.
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