EPL Match Week 6: 5 Talking Points

The 6^th round of the English Premier saw all the top 6 sides from the previous season winning. Chelsea and Manchester City swept aside Stoke City and Crystal Palace respectively, whilst Tottenham survived a last minute scare to see out West Ham. 

Manchester United dug out a hard fought victory over The Saints, and Liverpool saw out Leicester, albeit in uncomfortable circumstances. On Monday night, Arsenal got the job done over West Bromwich. Here are the 5 talking points to note from the matches:

Alvaro Morata outshines EPL’s elites: the summer recruit from Real Madrid put in a remarkable performance at the Bet 365 Stadium as the reigning champions put 4 goals past Stoke City. The Spanish forward was in tantalising form on Saturday afternoon as he scored a brilliant hatrick. In a week that Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Alex Lacazette, Chicarito, Jamie Vardy and Sergio Aguero were all on the score sheet, the Chelsea attacker stood tall.

5 star City plants more misery on sorry Crystal Palace: Palace’s season is not getting any better: the dismissal of Frank de Boer has not in any way changed their cause for the better. Guardiola’s side was at their ruthless best as the destroyed Palace 5 goals to 0. Palace still await their first league point and goal of the season.

Coutinho magic propels Liverpool: Philippe Coutinho stuck an amazing free kick in the 23^rd minute at the King Power Stadium as the Reds edged out Leicester in a blockbuster game. Liverpool’s defensive issues continued, as they would have twice blown a 2 goal lead in the encounter but for Simon Mignolet’s save on Vardy.

Gareth Barry the history maker: on Monday night against Arsenal, West Bromwich midfielder Gareth Barry became a Premier League record-breaker when he made his 633^rd appearance in the competition to become the league’s all-time highest appearance maker, overcoming Manchester United great, Ryan Giggs. 

👏 pic.twitter.com/N0kk4hBowp

— Everton (@Everton) September 25, 2017

Mourinho goes unscathed: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was sent to the stand in the dying embers of his side’s hard fought 1-0 win over Southampton at the St. Marys. However, this week has been a lucky day for the enigmatic Portuguese trainer as he was spared disciplinary action by the Football Association.

EPL MatchDay 4: 5 Talking Points

After a 10 day break, the English Premier League is back. Arsenal and Tottenham returned to winning ways, whilst Everton, Crystal Palace and Liverpool suffered high profile defeats. Also, Chelsea and Manchester City continued in winning terms, whilst Manchester United finally conceded goals for the first time in the season. Here are the five major talking points from the weekend.

Manchester City humbles Liverpool amidst controversial officiating: the Citizens smashed 5 goals past Klopp’s men in an eagerly anticipated match at the Etihad. Gabriel Jesus (2), Sergio Aguero, and Leroy Sane (2) were on scoreboard. However, referee Jon Moss was at the centre of all post match reviews for his decision to dismiss Saido Mane for a high foot on City’s ‘keeper, Ederson during a chase for a seemingly 50-50 ball, which ended in a collision between goalie and attacker. The referee’s decision no doubt had a huge impact on the final result.

Manchester United drops points: Mourinho took his charges on an away trip to Stoke, and they returned wounded. A brace from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting ensured that David de Gea has conceded for the first time this season. Goals from Rashford and Lukaku could only earn the Red Devils a draw, meaning United’s perfect record is gone.

Frank de Boer pays the price: news broke on Monday afternoon that Crystal Palace has parted way with the Dutchman after a string of poor results. The former Ajax coach has found life in England very difficult. A defeat in the hands of Burnley on Sunday condemned Crystal Palace to their fourth consecutive defeat. The dismissal marks De Boer’s second short exit in less than 18months, after he was similarly dismissed at Inter Milan after a short stint.

Harry Kane’s season finally kicks off: the Spurs attacker netted a double in his team’s win over Everton, and in the process, he has reached a century of goals in for Spurs. However, the English attacker has had to endure his perennial August hoodoo. It still remains a mystery how the two time EPL top scorer is yet to score in August, but never mind, Kane is back.

Birthday relief for Slaven Bilic: West Ham got off the mark for the new season. Bilic has been coming under increasing pressure for his team’s winless run in the first 3 games of the season. A defeat to Huddersfield Town on Monday night football would have spelt doom for the manager, but an Andre Ayew inspired performance gave the Croat his first win of the season on his birthday.