Matchweek 6 of the Premier League weekend saw Manchester United getting humiliated at home by Tottenham Hotspur while Newcastle held Manchester City at Saint James’ Park. With a 2-1 win at the Molineux, Arne Slot’s Liverpool are the new leaders of the Premier League.
Let us take a look at 5 things we learned from the Premier League weekend.
1. Ten Hag Under Pressure
Eric Ten Hag entered the new season under intense pressure, having narrowly held onto his position after a thorough internal review last season. Despite a disappointing eighth-place league finish, his job was reportedly saved by an unexpected FA Cup final win over Manchester City. However, after suffering three losses in their opening six league games of the current season, Manchester United now find themselves 11th in the table, with the clock ticking on the Dutch manager’s tenure.
The humiliating home defeat at the hands of Spurs will be followed by daunting trips to Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the PL and with the international break to follow, the pressure on the Dutchman is at its peak.
2. A Tight Title Race Looms
Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City currently hold the top three positions, but despite their strong performances, each has dropped points, setting up a potentially close fight for the Premier League crown.
With all eyes on the likes of Man City and Arsenal, Liverpool have been quietly going about their business and have taken over the lead with a win over Wolves. Slot’s team might benefit from being less in the spotlight compared to the other contenders. As long as the title race is perceived as a battle between two teams, Liverpool will be content to quietly stay in the mix.
3. Chelsea could surprise under Maresca
Chelsea secured their third consecutive Premier League victory, and fourth across all competitions, with a thrilling win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer took center stage once again, writing his name into the record books by becoming the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League match.
The Blues sit fourth in the table, just two points off the leaders Liverpool. They only lost their opening game of the season against Man City and have gone unbeaten since scoring the most goals by any side in the league this season (15). Maresca’s tactical approach appears to be unlocking the full potential of Chelsea’s players, suggesting this could mark the beginning of a significant resurgence for the club.
4. Fulham could push for a European spot
Fulham achieved a notable away victory against Nottingham Forest, with Raul Jimenez scoring from the penalty spot in the 51st minute after Andreas Pereira was fouled. This win marks Fulham’s best-ever start to a Premier League season after six matches, bringing their points total to 11.
Their recent form, bolstered by key goal scorers like Raul Jimenez, suggests they have the potential to compete with the league’s top teams. Additionally, if they maintain consistency and continue to build momentum, Fulham could secure a coveted place in European competitions for the next season.
5. Everton have the team to stay out of trouble
Everton got their first win of the season, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at home. With the first win of the season in the bag, the Toffees have demonstrated that they possess the quality needed to stay clear of relegation troubles. With strong attacking options like Dominic Calvert Lewin and Dwight McNeil, the team appears well-equipped to make a march towards the upper reaches of the table.
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Everton has managed to avoid the challenges faced by other teams struggling at the bottom of the table, including Southampton, Wolves, Leicester, and Ipswich. Their recent victory underscores their capability to rise in the league standings and steer clear of relegation threats.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
