Five Premier League Takeaways: VAR Farce and Chelsea's Leaky Defence | OneFootball

Another Premier League weekend, another round of drama, controversy and questions to answer.

VAR is back under the microscope after a controversial Manchester derby, whileXabi Alonso has problems to solve at Chelsea. Elsewhere, Liam Delap offered Nottingham Forest encouragement, Liverpool's latest defensive gem continues to impress and the pressure is already mounting on Frank Lampard at Coventry.

Here are five takeaways from thePremier League weekend.

What is the point of VAR?

Look, we all know what VAR was brought in to do. A technology introduced to improve refereeing standards, avoid almighty cock-ups from the officials, and bring fairness to the game. No one would argue against that being brought into the Premier League, but seven years on from VAR's arrival, it's still not fit for purpose.

It just doesn't do the job it was supposed to do. Sure, there are plenty of decisions that VAR intervenes with and gets right, but it's far from perfect, and negatively impacts the game as a spectacle.

When decisions are as incorrect as this weekend's Manchester Derby decider, and we're subjected to (yet another) pointlessapology from Pro Ref, it does make you wonder what exactly is the point?

Have we really ruined celebrating joyous moments and the flow of football, for a technology that doesn't even always get it right? It won't be reassessed, but it should.

Alonso must fix leaky Chelsea's defence

Xabi Alonso keeps banging the drum about Chelsea needing to be able to win boring games. Entertainment has not been in short supply at Stamford Bridge this season, with an average of five goals per game involving Chelsea this season. The Blues were held by Hull this weekend in another goal-fest, as the newly-promoted Tigers claimed a 2-2 draw in West London.

Alonso has flicked between formations at Chelsea, using three central defenders and wing-backs, alongside a more conventional back four, without success. He'll hope to eradicate the teething issues quickly, but might need another transfer window to get the personnel in required. Trophies, particularly league titles, often coincide with the best defensive units. Only three teams have conceded more league goals than Chelsea so far this season.

Delap might have found the right home

How Liam Delap needed this. The forward's move to Chelsea did not work out, but Nottingham Forest have provided the 23-year-old with a fresh start. He was unplayable in moments against Aston Villa this weekend, and offers far more than the bulldozing style some suggest.

Delap took his first Forest goal with real class as Oliver Glasner's side claimed a good win on the road, showing neat footwork and balance before driving low past Zion Suzuki.

Last season stalled the development of a forward who had looked like a potential heir to Harry Kane for England while at Ipswich Town. At Forest, we might have just seen the first shoots of growth again.

Jeremy Jacquet is a gem

Going under the radar at Liverpool during a mixed start to the season has been the effortless ease at whichJeremy Jacquet has adapted to the Premier League.

The 21-year-old's move from Rennes was agreed in January with Liverpool beating competition from Chelsea for the defender, on which the pressure increased as Ibrahima Konate departed for Real Madrid.

Jacquet has been almost flawless during the season's opening weeks for Andoni Iraola's side, looking right at home alongside Virgil van Dijk. The Frenchman's intelligence ensured the weekend draw with Fulham was not worse, with a goal-line clearance to keep the game goalless.

According to French newspaper L'Equipe, he's set to be recognised with a first France call-up when Zinedine Zidane names his first squad this week.

Coventry in trouble as Lampard feels the heat

Frank Lampard knew the Premier League would be tough, but even he probably did not imagine it would be this difficult. Coventry's first four games since promotion have passed without a point or goal scored, with this weekend's 5-0 defeat to Brighton the latest low.

Lampard found that when it rains, it pours. It was the first time in his managerial career that Lampard has seen his side concede 3+ goals, receive a red card, and concede a penalty.

Coventry are only the fifth side in top-flight history to lose each of their opening four matches of a campaign without scoring, and only the second in the last 100 years, after Crystal Palace in 2017-18. The Sky Blues badly need a lift ahead of facing Aston Villa (EFL Cup) and Nottingham Forest before the break.