5 BIG Premier League talking points: Controversy as Tottenham beat Liverpool
North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are the only remaining unbeaten Premier League teams this season after an eventful seventh set of games. All numerical stats are via OptaJoe.
What’s going on with Man Utd?
The Red Devils have lost more games than they’ve won this season following their 0-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday thanks to a Joachim Andersen screamer. Wily veteran Roy Hodgson is now unbeaten in his last 5 EPL visits to Old Trafford as a manager. United have 2 home games coming up against Galatasaray and Brentford, so the pressure to get results will mount.
Rodri sorely missed as Man City lose at Molineux
The champions are still top of the pile after 7 rounds despite their 2-1 loss to Wolves. However, suspended Spanish midfield maestro Rodri was conspicuous by his absence again. Since he made his Premier League debut in 2019, City have lost 5 of the 15 matches he’s missed. That’s a worrying ratio given he won’t be available at Arsenal on Sunday.
Efficient Arsenal deal with Bournemouth
Mikel Arteta’s side have won their first 3 away games of the league season. The last time Arsenal did that was 2013/14, and their 4-0 success at Bournemouth was as comfortable as it sounds. Skipper Martin Ødegaard starred again, scoring from the spot and teeing up Gunners cult favourite Benjamin White to score their fourth. White also scored against the Cherries in Arsenal’s memorable 3-2 win in March.
The Hatters have arrived
It took a while, but Luton have finally claimed their first win in the top flight. It was a valuable one too, away to fellow strugglers Everton. The Toffees produced a top-class performance to win at Brentford in the weekend prior, but they’re back to losing ways at Goodison Park. They’ve lost their last 4 at home in the league, scoring just once in that sequence. Luton and Everton each have 4 points. The Hatters’ fellow newcomers Burnley and Sheffield United are still awaiting their first league wins after 2-0 defeats at Newcastle and West Ham respectively.
Red cards and VAR steal the show in London
Liverpool defended valiantly with 9 men against Spurs but eventually lost after a late Joël Matip own goal. The Reds will also lament a decision to chalk off Luis Díaz’s first-half goal which replays showed was clearly onside, later acknowledged by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) as a “significant human error”. Some also questioned the sendings off of Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota. Spurs have now scored stoppage-time winners in each of their last 2 home games. Just another Saturday in the Premier League.
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