Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Richarlison, Arsenal’s attack and Jack Grealish.

Spurs spot is Richarlison’s to lose

Richarlison has often been a patchy performer but he’s started the new season in purple mood. After scoring twice in the win over Burnley, he was central to Tottenham’s impressive win at Manchester City.

He set up the opening goal for Brennan Johnson and led a press that City struggled to deal with. Dominic Solanke was the favoured forward last season but Richarlison has made the most of his opportunity under new head coach Thomas Frank. In this form, he’ll be difficult for Solanke to oust.

West Ham have a huge week ahead

There’s a week left of the transfer window and West Ham have work to do. Graham Potter’s position is under real threat after a nightmare start to the season, with Friday’s home humbling against Chelsea pushing him towards the exit door.

Potter has failed to improve the side’s fortunes since arriving last season and a modest summer in the transfer market has added to their issues.

Mads Hermansen has started poorly, while the club’s glaring issues in midfield have not been addressed. A midfield duo of James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek lacks dynamism, with Chelsea cutting through at will during their 5-1 success in East London.

After an uninspiring transfer window so far, West Ham need a lift before the deadline shuts. Based on their opening two performances, the Hammers are in a fight for survival.

Promoted teams dealt reality check

Sunderland and Leeds enjoyed a dream return to the Premier League last week, recording wins on the opening weekend. Both, however, were dealt reality checks this time around.

Leeds were well beaten at Arsenal, losing 5-0 in North London. Their season won’t be defined by a trip to the Emirates, but Daniel Farke will be concerned at his side’s collapse. Sunderland stunned West Ham last week on Wearside, but fell to defeat at Burnley on Saturday. The Black Cats missed a perfect chance to start their season with successive wins, as Burnley ran over Regis Le Bris’ side at Turf Moor. Both have learned quickly that any off day will be punished at this level.

A positive from a neutral’s perspective is that Burnley’s win means all three promoted sides have now tasted victory after just two games. It took until mid-November for that to occur last season.

Gyokeres off the mark but Arsenal improvement required

It’s been a perfect start to the season for Arsenal at surface level. Two wins, two clean sheets, and a place at the top of the table with please Mikel Arteta. So too will two goals for Viktor Gyokeres against Leeds, as the summer signing got up and running in an Arsenal shirt. It’s the way of modern football, but a quiet debut and opening half against Leeds already had the critics out on social media.

Gyokeres answered them almost immediately after the restart, with his first goal for the Gunners after a surging run into the box. The Swedish striker has offered Arsenal a different outlet, with a desire to run in behind defences and bulldoze centre-backs. Arsenal’s occasionally over-patient build-up represents a clash of styles, but adding versatility to their attack could be the difference.

The arrival of Eberechi Eze could help unlock Gyokeres, who so often wants an early pass to chase. His first goal was something of a trademark, attacking space and powering into dangerous areas. His brace will have done his confidence a world of good ahead of next week’s huge trip to Anfield.

Grealish shows flashes of old as Everton open new ground with win

David Moyes has said he wants to see Jack Grealish take defenders on and be positive at Everton, a statement that will be music to the winger’s ears.

Grealish made his full debut as Everton opened the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a win against Brighton and was the catalyst behind their performance.

The loan recruit created the historic first goal for Iliman Ndiaye with some trademark play, skipping past his marker before drilling across a low ball into the box.

He claimed a second assist after teeing up James Garner’s fierce drive on an encouraging first outing at Everton’s new home. After a poor period at Manchester City, this was more like the Grealish of old.

Read – Premier League Awards: Everton’s new home and Super Sarr

See more – Premier League Team of the Weekend: Grealish, Timber, double Joao

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