Big spenders Chelsea are still active
In Chelsea’s matchday program ahead of Nottingham Forest’s visit to Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino insisted he is „delighted with the progress” his new side are making. After a slow start to his reign, back-to-back wins over Luton and AFC Wimbledon suggested the Argentine had a point.
They weren’t encouraging results, but there were small signs of encouragement in each match to give Pochettino confidence about the direction Chelsea are heading. But Saturday’s shock defeat at home to Forest is a significant bump on the road and will clearly hurt the former Tottenham boss. .
Paul Merson set up Chelsea’s game against Nottingham Forest
However, Pochettino’s plan will take time as he tries to make his mark on an entirely new squad full of young players. Chelsea’s starting XI against Forest had an average age of 24.5 and there was no one better to guide their development than the 51-year-old.
Pochettino will find a winning formula and bring his attractive style of football to Chelsea, but he will not be naive. After spending record sums in the summer transfer window and already surpassing £1bn under Todd Bohli’s ownership, he knows the club’s hierarchy will want to see clear improvements soon.
Don Sansom
Even if Johnson leaves, the Forest will be stronger
Brennan Johnson has been Nottingham Forest’s most important player since their return to the Premier League. His exit on deadline day was a significant blow, but Steve Cooper’s side now look stronger than before the 22-year-old’s move to Tottenham.
But what is interesting about this? Not one of Forest’s seven deadline-day signings was named in Cooper’s starting line-up as they shocked Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Nuno Tavares, who played his full debut in west London, was the only one to qualify. With Nicolas Dominguez, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Ibrahim Sangare, Divock Origi and Andrew Omobamidele yet to be integrated into the squad, Forest are already set to outperform the rigors of the Premier League. Last season.
Despite losing one of their prize assets in Johnson, Cooper will be happy with his summer trade. He was serenaded by the visiting supporters at the final whistle after masterminding Forest’s first win at Chelsea for more than 28 years. He deserved this win and now has the foundation to improve after the international break.
Don Sansom
Son shines in the role of number nine
Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou decided to go with Heung-Min Son to lead the line for the first time under his management – and the decision paid off handsomely at Burnley.
Son scored a superb hat-trick at Turf Moor to keep Spurs unbeaten in the Premier League and kick-start his campaign.
The South Korean hadn’t scored before the trip to Burnley, but switching to ninth – Richarlison’s previous four in all competitions – brought the best out of him in this fluid 'Angelball’ system. .
His captain’s display saw him take more shots (5) and into the box (4) than any other player in a 5-2 win at Burnley.
Son also replaced Richarlison with Manor Solomon, with the winger – taking Son’s previous position on the left – setting up his first two goals.
Solomon created the most chances (5) in the win and Richarlison will almost certainly be on the bench for next Saturday’s home game against Sheffield United as the son shows he can be the man to replace Harry Kane up front.
Declan Ollie
Do we need to talk about VAR again?
On a day when Erling Holland hits another hat-trick—and a good one at that—the thing we keep hovering over is VAR. Controversial VAR. The system created to end the controversy actually serves to fuel it.
Bill Foden’s corner in second-half stoppage time saw Nathan Eck head it straight towards goal – no mistake. But he did so from an offside position as Manuel Akanji left the ball. There’s no doubt Akanji was in the „line of sight” of goalkeeper Bernd Leno, which a quick scan of the rulebook will tell you is a definite infringement. The entire episode was somehow missed by field referee Michael Oliver.
Seems like a clear and obvious error, right? wrong „He should have stopped the goalkeeper, he should have interfered with the goalkeeper,” former referee Mike Dean told Soccer Saturday. VAR, notably, disagreed.
The system is fundamentally flawed – governed by judgments far removed from the actual nuances of any football match.
Holland touched the ball 17 times against Fulham. Three goals in it. One was an assist to Julian Alvarez. This is a truly remarkable return. Yet, all reflections center on a problem that will not go away. Of course, Holland won’t be out either, but while we celebrate his achievements, VAR continues to be a letdown in our game.
Laura Hunter
Everton are more confident
The narrative of what Everton are doing for goals without Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s presence has long been a running one. The Toffees players may finally be realizing it now. Four goals in a week shows Sean Dyche’s side finally rubbing the green in front of goal.
It looked to be a classic day for the Merseysiders, with Arnaud Danjuma spurning a number of chances as the Toffees went behind in the first half.
But unlike against Fulham and Wolves recently, Danjuma and Everton eventually found a way to pile up chances and xG numbers.
It must be remembered that both Danjuma and Beto are new to this Everton squad, and Dyche recognizes that „clarification” still needs to be done in attack.
But if this is the beginning, the finished article will be brighter.
Blitz itself
Archer Chef UDT can take the distance in the hunt for survival
„He really couldn’t have had a better introduction.”
Paul Heckingbottom was full of praise for new goalscoring talent Cameron Archer, and the forward’s fitness and firing will be key to Sheffield United’s survival hopes.
Archer played with the vigor and sharpness of a player waiting impatiently at Aston Villa. Given the opportunity, feigned, the 21-year-old took his chance.
Much to the delight of the Sheffield United boss, Archer’s goal and assist came from long-range stunners as Everton created chance after chance, scoring two close-range finishes from two yards out.
The more comfortable an archer is in creating magical moments, the more likely the Blades will stand up.
Blitz itself
Stubborn Brentford refuses to lie down
„This team will never die”. Thomas Frank may have seen his side hold a third consecutive home draw, but he couldn’t hide his delight at the way they collected their point.
After sparking a series of inviting openings and hitting the post three times, Brian Mbuyomo finally showed the composure to keep himself and his side from collapsing in the injury-time equaliser.
Brentford piled the pressure on Bournemouth and their draw was unsurprising – only Manchester City and Brighton have scored more stoppage-time goals than the Bees since entering the Premier League.
Frank’s side are also unbeaten this season, while they have lost just one of their last 18 Premier League home games.
Bournemouth are the latest team to discover how difficult it is to beat Frank’s Brentford.
Joe Shred
Solid foundations to help West Ham thrive
West Ham continued their unbeaten start with a 2-1 win at Luton, making it their third win in a row.
David Moyes’ side were made to work hard against Luton. Backed by a rousing crowd, Luton came out full force, but after weathering an early storm, West Ham showed a quality in their play that impressed Sky Sports’ Gary Neville.
„I’m very impressed with the backbone of West Ham,” he told Sky Sports. „If you look at Mikel Antonio up top, Kurt Zouma at the back, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Brows in the middle, Lucas Paqueta floating around – it’s a very strong spine. Moyes was under a lot of pressure last season. He looks like he is. He’s got something to really build on now and have a good season. has.”
It is now the Hammers’ joint-highest points tally since the opening four games of a Premier League season when they took 10 points in 1999/00. 10 points from four games with Everton in 2006/07 was manager Moyes’ joint-best start to the competition.
The foundations are very solid in East London as the Hammers eye another successful season.
Oliver Yu
Hatters need to take heart from a solid scene
Luton Town boss Rob Edwards admitted he was very disappointed with the 2-1 defeat to West Ham.
Loudon Town’s raucous supporters savored every moment of their first experience of top-flight football since 1992. They made a lot of noise. While Rob Edwards’ side’s performance, certainly at the top end of the pitch, didn’t match its surroundings for energy and intensity, it was often enough to suggest that Luton were going to make life difficult at Kenilworth Road. In this season.
This campaign will no doubt be a slow one for Luton. They don’t have the big-money signings or flashy stadiums, they don’t spend millions in the transfer window – nor can they – but they have fighting spirit and determination.
They are not here to simply make numbers. Luton want to punch above their weight but will soon have to deal with the harsh reality of the Premier League.
Three games. No points. But there is no reason to despair. For most of the game against West Ham, the Hatters conceded possession and territory, but still outperformed their visitors’ expected goals. Edwards has done quite a bit over the international break because life is tough in the big leagues, but don’t write Loudon off too soon. They have a lot more to give.
Laura Hunter