Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Bournemouth’s big buy, a ‘silly’ GOAT debate and the player who could save Manchester United a fortune.

Bournemouth’s big buy is coming up trumps

Armed with a £65m windfall from Dominic Solanke’s sale, Bournemouth’s recruitment team took on the challenge of replacing last season’s leading scorer in the summer. Their search landed in Portugal, where Evanilson had impressed with 25 goals for Porto last season. A club-record £40m fee was spent on signing the striker, who has emerged as the perfect player to lead the line for Andoni Iraola.

A return of four goals in 11 league starts is respectable if modest, but Evanilson has brought much more to the Cherries. The Brazilian is in perpetual motion in the forward line and his sharpness saw the striker become the first player in Premier League history to win three penalties in a single game against Wolves.

He didn’t take any of them, though his selflessness from the front has brought out the best in those around him. Iraola’s desire for high-intensity running is well known and few will satisfy the Spaniard’s demands more than the summer signing.

The Gtech has become a fortress

Before a ball had been kicked, the Gtech Community Stadium would not have been credited with being the toughest away trip in the Premier League. Brentford, however, continue to deliver their visitors a fair share of travel sickness.

Brentford remain unbeaten at home this season and have taken more points in home games (19) than any other side. Leicester were the latest side stung by the Bees in West London, as Kevin Schade scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win for Thomas Frank’s side.

The fixtures, in truth, have been favourable but few will relish the trip to Brentford. Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Arsenal all arrive in the capital before the turn of the New Year.

Odegaard underlines Arsenal importance

It is no coincidence that Arsenal’s improvement has coincided with the return of Martin Odegaard from injury. At a time when Manchester City are feeling the effects of Rodri’s absence, Odegaard has returned for Arsenal and instantly improved the side around him.

The Norwegian is a magnificent footballer and was at the hub of everything good about the Gunners this weekend. His mix of off-the-ball work rate, delicate touches, and eye for a pass helped Arsenal to a 5-2 win at West Ham. He did not claim the goal or assist for Arsenal’s second but it was a goal wrapped in Odegaard’s invention.

A lifted pass into Bukayo Saka allowed the winger to square for Leandro Trossard, in the sort of flowing team move that perhaps only works with Odegaard as its conduit. Arsenal need him to remain injury-free to keep their title hopes alive.

Amad could save Manchester United a fortune

Ruben Amorim’s early reign at Manchester United has been an intriguing watch but the biggest beneficiary to date has been Amad Diallo. In an unfamiliar wing-back role, the Ivorian has been outstanding and was the man of the match in Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Everton this weekend.

He was involved in three goals, twice winning the ball back in good areas with tenacious work, and ended the contest with two assists. Having struggled for minutes under Erik ten Hag, he looks nailed on for regular football under the new head coach after an unplayable performance at Old Trafford this weekend. Amorim’s system requires an elite understanding of individual roles and Diallo has taken to his with ease. He could save the club a fortune in the transfer market if he can maintain this sort of level.

Is Van Dijk the GOAT?

Is it time to end the debate around the Premier League’s greatest centre-back? Jamie Carragher certainly thinks so.

The former Liverpool defender paid tribute to Virgil van Dijk at the weekend, insisting the ‘silly debate’ about who is the best centre-back the Premier League has seen ‘is not even close’.

Is he right?

Van Dijk enhanced his argument with another domineering display in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City, restricting Erling Haaland to anonymous involvement at Anfield. Fresh from leading the side to a clean sheet against Real Madrid in midweek, he secured another shutout with an outstanding outing against the Citizens.

There are defenders who have won more and who have greater longevity than Van Dijk, but have any of the other ‘GOAT contenders’ ever made defending look quite so easy? Recency bias is a thing, but so too is misty-eyed nostalgia.

In an era where centre-backs are required to do more than ever before, Van Dijk stands head-and-shoulders above his peers.

Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Salah, Schade, Saka

See more – Premier League Awards – Super Schade, Liverpool’s to lose?

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok