1
Ten Hag despairs at United setback
While the comparison may not be entirely equitable, it is noteworthy. Fabian Hürzeler, at just 31, is new to his role and exudes excitement about the journey ahead. In contrast, Erik ten Hag, now 54, is enduring his third season as manager of Manchester United, a stretch that can certainly wear anyone down. Compounding his situation is Ten Hag’s habit of going sockless, creating an impression that he is perpetually ready to kick off his shoes and indulge in Toblerone en route to Dundee. Yet, where Hürzeler articulates his thoughts on processes and the risks associated with euphoric feelings with bright-eyed enthusiasm, Ten Hag appears (understandably) disheartened by a team that allowed Simon Adingra to cut back onto his stronger foot in the fifth minute of stoppage time and set up João Pedro for the winning goal. His assertion that “we have to be more clinical in both boxes” may hold true, but the pressing question remains—why aren’t they already? How can these issues be addressed if fundamentals are being overlooked? Jonathan Wilson
Match report: Brighton 2-1 Manchester United
Before the match, Erik ten Hag and Fabian Hürzeler exchanged jokes, but by full time, only the Brighton manager wore a smile. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
2
Sharper Haaland sends rivals warning
In just 68 Premier League matches, Erling Haaland has recorded seven hat-tricks—this matches the total Wayne Rooney achieved in 491 league matches with Manchester United. With ten hat-tricks for Manchester City and an impressive 94 goals in 101 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s squad, the signs are ominous for City’s title competitors as the season unfolds. Ipswich suffered immensely from Haaland’s exceptional strength and incisive play, highlighting the advantages he gained from a prolonged summer break. Norway’s absence from the Euro 2024 has positively influenced City’s quest for a remarkable fifth consecutive Premier League title. “I sense he’s sharper,” expressed Guardiola. “Last season, he had issues with his ankle and knee, but this season, he’s taken great care of himself and feels good. He’s extending his time post-training to work on crossing. Last season, that wasn’t an option… He’s irreplaceable in many aspects, yet we will adapt when he needs rest.” Andy Hunter
Match report: Manchester City 4-1 Ipswich
3
A lively Sunday for Madueke
Chelsea fans were treated to a thrilling second-half performance in their demolition of Wolves. Cole Palmer returned with flair, Nicolas Jackson showcased solid modern center-forward play, and Noni Madueke displayed poise under pressure, netting a hat-trick—even if that pressure was partly self-created due to his unfortunate social media post about Wolverhampton. Earlier in the summer, Madueke was one of the young talents at Chelsea speculated to be leaving the club before they could fully leverage his potential, with Newcastle expressing interest. However, Enzo Maresca, though somewhat reserved in his praise of Madueke afterward, has discovered he can rely on an explosive winger. With Pedro Neto also on the roster, it may highlight the unwise decision to offload Raheem Sterling. The challenge remains in finding a club capable of covering Sterling’s wages. For ambitious players like Madueke, this is a crucial moment in their career trajectory.
At Chelsea, there are numerous talents – the challenge lies in securing sufficient playing time to catch the manager’s eye. John Brewin
Match report: Wolves 2-6 Chelsea
Noni Madueke enjoyed a thrilling experience in Wolverhampton, netting a hat-trick for Chelsea at Molineux. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
4
Rotating cast key to Gunners’ hopes
Arsenal’s quest to be the first team to improve their Premier League point total for five consecutive seasons will heavily rely on Mikel Arteta’s capacity to rotate his squad effectively this year. Last season, seven players participated in at least 30 league matches, helping Arsenal achieve 89 points, yet they still finished behind Manchester City. Arteta’s preferred starting XI was well-known, leading to two significant challenges: core players needing to manage their fitness and fringe players having to stay motivated. This summer, academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe transferred to Fulham, and Eddie Nketiah is likely to follow suit. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola at City seems to rotate second-string players seamlessly without a decline in performance, a lesson Arteta must now embrace from his former mentor. For example, can Leandro Trossard perform as well from the kickoff as he did in a substitute role at Villa Park? Last season, both City and Aston Villa had five players starting over 30 league matches, while Liverpool had only three. Peter Lansley
Match report: Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal
5
Hammers duo in heroic intervention
Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen’s goals marked Julen Lopetegui’s inaugural victory as West Ham manager, but it was their quick thinking at Selhurst Park that avoided a potential crisis. The players realized a ballboy was at risk of being trapped under a collapsing LED advertising board after Soucek’s opening goal. “Immediately, I forgot about the goal and focused on saving the boy,” the Czech midfielder recalled of his brave actions. “There were several people on the barrier, but I managed to lift it so he could escape. It feels even better than scoring; being able to help him was rewarding. He’s a Crystal Palace supporter and thanked me for assisting him. Jarrod also spoke to him; he mentioned he has a game tomorrow and is glad he’s fit to play.” Ed Aarons
Match report: Crystal Palace 0-2 West Ham
Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen help a Crystal Palace ball boy escape from beneath the hoarding. Photograph: MDI/Shutterstock
6
Bissouma back on track in Spurs stroll
Yves Bissouma found himself in Ange Postecoglou’s bad books after a video surfaced on social media seemingly depicting the midfielder inhaling nitrous oxide. Excluded from Tottenham’s draw against Leicester, the critical question was how Bissouma would react. The response came as he demonstrated impeccable conduct leading up to the match against Everton, which earned him a spot back in the lineup – and it didn’t take long for Bissouma to make an impact on the field. Positioned in a defensive midfield role but allowed the freedom to join the offense, the Malian international quickly registered his…
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Bissouma scored his first goal for Spurs since transferring from Brighton two years ago. However, he now needs to build on this achievement. The talented midfielder has struggled with inconsistency in North London, particularly with the arrival of Archie Gray casting doubt on his spot in Postecoglou’s starting XI. This was merely a preliminary achievement; Everton performed poorly, and other teams are unlikely to grant Bissouma as much time on the ball. Jacob Steinberg
Match report: Tottenham 4-0 Everton
7
Smith Rowe provides Silva service
Emile Smith Rowe, one of Fulham’s key signings this summer, has made an immediate impact. The 24-year-old netted a goal on his home debut during Fulham’s 2-1 victory over Leicester City. This marked Smith Rowe’s first Premier League goal in 857 days, following a barren spell towards the end of his time at Arsenal. Having already scored twice during pre-season for Fulham, Marco Silva expressed satisfaction with his integration into the team. “He settled in during pre-season,” commented the Fulham manager. “Gaining confidence was crucial, and he finished well. He is not yet at his physical peak, but he will improve and adapt further, so it was wonderful to see him make a decisive contribution.” Sarah Rendell
Match report: Fulham 2-1 Leicester
Emile Smith Rowe strikes past Mads Hermansen to score for Fulham. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters
8
Barnes storms towards starting spot
Despite the controversy surrounding Dango Ouattara’s disallowed goal, Newcastle’s draw with Bournemouth was crucially influenced by the substitution of Harvey Barnes. Prior to his introduction, the visitors’ offense was stagnant under Andoni Iraola’s intense pressing tactics. Barnes injected fresh energy into the attack, creating a series of opportunities, including a cross for Joelinton that was denied by a magnificent save from Neto. He later delivered the pinpoint pass that enabled Anthony Gordon to equalize. After a season marred by injury at Newcastle, Barnes aims to make it impossible for Howe to exclude him from the starting lineup. “Everyone has something to prove all the time; Harvey is no different,” Howe stated. “He’s undoubtedly a quality player.” Will Magee
Match report: Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle
9
Sluggish Saints must sign a striker
Russell Martin plans to enhance Southampton’s offensive options before the transfer window closes on Friday night, as this loss at St Mary’s exposed their shortcomings in attack. As they did in their opener against Newcastle, the Saints controlled possession but failed to convert it into meaningful chances, with Nottingham Forest largely untroubled. The promoted team’s lack of offensive sharpness raises concerns early in the season, having no goals or points from their first two matches. Martin attributed the team’s sluggish performance to anxiety and an excessive desire to make an impression in their first home game back in the top flight. The game against Forest revealed a lack of pace and creativity, and the Saints must become more unpredictable to avoid an immediate drop back to the Championship. While Forest presented a threat through Callum Hudson…
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-Odoi and Anthony Elanga launched numerous attempts on goal, putting pressure on the hosts before Morgan Gibbs-White secured the victory. The transfer market will be crucial for Southampton if they aim to enhance their attacking prowess. Simon Mail
Match report: Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Russell Martin has expressed frustration over his team’s inability to convert chances in their opening two matches. Photograph: Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock
10
Díaz the opening act for Reds again
Luis Díaz marked his 100th appearance for Liverpool with flair, contributing both a goal and an assist in their 2-0 victory over Brentford. The Colombian forward scored the first league goal of the season at Anfield, making it the third consecutive year that Díaz, who joined the Reds in 2022, has netted Liverpool’s initial home league goal. He was rightfully awarded man of the match, concluding his century of appearances with a brilliant assist for Mohamed Salah’s goal, leading to two wins in two games and a successful league debut at Anfield for his new manager, Arne Slot. SR
Match report: Liverpool 2-0 Brentford
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Premier League Roundup: Ten Hag’s Despair, Haaland’s Dominance, and Madueke’s Hat-Trick
Ten Hag’s Despair: Manchester United’s Struggles
Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United has faced significant challenges this season. Despite high expectations, the squad’s performance has left fans and analysts concerned. Following a series of lackluster games, Ten Hag expressed his frustration with the team’s inability to execute his tactical plans effectively.
- Defensive Vulnerabilities: Manchester United has been plagued by defensive errors, leading to crucial points dropped in matches.
- Midfield Issues: The midfield, often a stronghold in previous seasons, has struggled with consistency, affecting the team’s overall performance.
- Injury Concerns: Key players have faced injuries, compounding the challenges for Ten Hag as he seeks to find a winning formula.
Recent Matches Analysis
In their latest outing, Manchester United faced a tough opponent, which resulted in a disappointing draw. The match highlighted several systemic issues, including:
- Lack of creativity in the final third.
- Defensive lapses that allowed easy goals.
- Failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Haaland’s Dominance: A Goal-Scoring Machine
Erling Haaland continues to showcase his exceptional talent in the Premier League, solidifying his reputation as one of the most formidable strikers in football. His recent performances have left both fans and defenders in awe.
Statistical Breakdown
| Match | Goals | Assists | Total Shots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City vs. Arsenal | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Manchester City vs. Liverpool | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Manchester City vs. Chelsea | 3 | 1 | 6 |
- Record-Breaking Pace: Haaland’s goal tally has set records in the Premier League, making him the fastest player to reach certain milestones.
- Unmatched Skillset: His combination of speed, strength, and technical ability makes him a nightmare for defenders.
Madueke’s Hat-Trick: A Rising Star
Noni Madueke has emerged as one of the exciting talents in the Premier League, recently dazzling fans with a stunning hat-trick. His performance not only secured a vital win for his team but also showcased his potential as a future star.
Hat-Trick Highlights
- First Goal: A powerful strike from outside the box that caught the goalkeeper by surprise.
- Second Goal: A well-placed shot after a brilliant solo run, showcasing his pace and agility.
- Third Goal: A clinical finish from a cross, displaying his ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Impact on the Team
Madueke’s performance has significantly boosted his team’s morale, providing them with much-needed momentum in the league:
- Confidence Booster: His hat-trick has inspired teammates and increased collective confidence.
- Strategic Importance: Coaches are now considering him as a key player for upcoming matches.
Comparative Analysis: Haaland vs. Madueke
| Player | Current Goals | Style of Play | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | 9 | Physical, Direct | World-Class |
| Noni Madueke | 5 | Skillful, Agile | Future Star |
Fans’ Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The Premier League community has been buzzing with reactions to recent performances, particularly focusing on Haaland’s incredible scoring and Madueke’s rise.
- Social Media Highlights: Fans have taken to platforms like Twitter and Instagram to celebrate Madueke’s hat-trick, calling for more recognition of his talent.
- Fan Polls: Online polls show a growing appreciation for Madueke, with many fans predicting he will become a household name.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Ten Hag and His Squad
As Manchester United continues to navigate its tumultuous season, Ten Hag must address the pressing issues within the squad. Key focus areas include:
- Strengthening the Defense: Improving defensive coordination to prevent further slip-ups.
- Enhancing Midfield Creativity: Finding players who can create more opportunities for forwards.
- Injury Management: Ensuring that the squad remains fit and healthy for the demanding fixtures ahead.
Conclusion: Premier League Landscape Shifts
The Premier League remains unpredictable, with standout players like Haaland and Madueke shaping the narrative. Manchester United’s struggles under Ten Hag highlight the challenges of competing at the top level, while rising stars continue to emerge, promising an exciting season ahead.
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