Sky Sports’ football writers dissect the action from another busy day of Premier League football as Chelsea prepare for a key run of games by thrashing Bournemouth, while Noni Madueke caught the eye in a new position for Arsenal in the champions’ come-from-behind win over Leeds Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Chelsea’s season is set to be shaped by the run of games they have before the November international break. After a mixed start to Xabi Alonso’s reign, he is in need of a strong run in the Premier League to boost the bid to return to Champions League football, while a Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool could be a launchpad for early silverware. His Chelsea side showed how they’re going to go about it on Saturday, blowing away Bournemouth with their attacking power. Joao Pedro is fit again and still firing.
Cole Palmer was classy and looks recovered from the issue which forced him out of England duty and buoyed by a new Chelsea contract. Morgan Rogers is in form and connecting with both in style. And a certain Jordan Henderson has developed an ability to crack in stunning goals. Everton (a), Spurs (h), Liverpool in Carabao Cup (a), Man Utd (h), Sunderland (a).
Moises Caicedo’s first start brought extra punch in midfield. There was, though, some nervousness when Bournemouth bundled one back, such has been Chelsea’s poor defensive record this season. But while Alonso was preparing a double change to intervene, Chelsea scored two more. That looks like it will be their way for now, as they aim to blast their way into a position to push for success this season.Peter Smith Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Noni Madueke can be a frustrating player to watch at times.
Arsenal and Chelsea fans have seen it. England fans witnessed it at the World Cup. Even Mikel Arteta feels it. “When I haven’t liked so much what he was doing or it wasn’t impacting the game, I made certain decisions, he has accepted them,” the Arsenal manager said.
But this was a display where Madueke shone – and led the way – in a slightly different role. Madueke lined up on the left wing for Arsenal against Leeds. He has only started two games for the Gunners in that position – the first came 14 months ago in the 5-0 win over Leeds. That was his full Arsenal debut.
But with Christos Tzolis injured, Arsenal have been a bit short at left wing. Many expected Eberechi Eze to fill in – but Madueke got the nod and as Arteta said: “He took his chance.” Madueke was Arsenal’s best forward player on the day, creating three chances – that Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard should put away. He then played a big role in the equaliser, with his right-footed cross finding Ben White at the back post, who then set up Riccardo Calafiori. Madueke was the only Arsenal player to complete a cross against Leeds – and he completed five crosses from six attempts.
He was making things happen – he has been doing it for a while in front of Arteta. “What he’s done is raise the level. And in training he’s been the best player in the last 10 days. You could see that every time he was in and around the ball he looked a threat.” Like other signings last season, including Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, Madueke’s Arsenal career was at risk of stalling.
Has he now found a second wind in a new position?Sam Blitz It is a mark of the progress Leeds United have made that Daniel Farke was heartbroken to leave the home of the Premier League champions empty-handed. Last season, they lost four and five-nil to Arsenal. At the Emirates on Saturday, Leeds were comfortably the better side for nearly an hour, limiting Arsenal to just five shots before James Justin fired Farke’s side ahead after 55 minutes. In the immediate aftermath of their opener, Leeds kept pushing and Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a whisker away from doubling the advantage from Jayden Bogle’s cross.
If that goes in, we might be talking about a completely different outcome. Farke set Leeds up to go for it at Arsenal, spurred on by Brighton’s blueprint before the international break, and he was nearly rewarded for his ambition. The unbeaten run might be over, but Leeds can keep looking up. They should be considered European contenders.Zinny Boswell Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Alvaro Arbeloa is going to have to learn quickly if he is to survive the Premier League.
Ipswich’s 2-1 victory over Fulham was a painful reminder that managing at the highest level is about more than having a tactical plan. It is about understanding the physical demands of this league, recognising the momentum shifts and knowing when to make the right substitutions. Fulham’s decision to retreat in the closing stages was almost Thomas Tuchel-esque in England’s approach against Argentina. The invitation was there for Ipswich to pile on the pressure, and they duly obliged, scoring twice late on to turn the game around.
Just like Argentina did. Bringing on the lightweight Manuel Ángel for a Premier League debut felt like a gamble at precisely the wrong moment. With Ipswich turning the contest into a physical battle, Fulham needed players capable of matching that intensity, winning second balls and relieving the pressure. Instead, Ipswich’s power and directness came to the fore when it mattered most.Lewis Jones “At Villa Park, we have played three matches and we did not win until now,” said Unai Emery after seeing his side held by Kristoffer Ajer’s goal that earned Brentford their 2-2 draw.
This place was once a fortress but it is proving trickier for a much-changed squad. There will be patience with the players, particularly given that Nicolas Jackson, scorer of Aston Villa’s opening goal, has made a promising start and there is such excitement about the potential of talented new signings like Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye. But could the empty North Stand be another factor in their home form too? Villa Park feels unusually open with no supporters there and the Brentford supporters were likening the atmosphere to that of a library right from the early stages of the contest.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player “It just feels wrong, doesn’t it? I don’t know what it is,” said Bees boss Keith Andrews. “I have got a little bit of OCD, so maybe it’s that, if there’s a whole stand missing it doesn’t quite sit well with me. Naturally, it’s not going to generate the type of atmosphere.
“I have to say, I love coming here. When I was growing up as a kid, some Irish legends played here, Ray Houghton, Paul McGrath, Andy Townsend, so it’s always been a special place for me and you can feel the history of it. With a stand missing, it is a bit different.” Emery has been sanguine about the situation publicly, accepting that it is one step back to take two forwards by increasing the capacity. But Villa Park is less claustrophobic for its visitors right now and that is far from ideal for a club so reliant on its home form.Adam Bate Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris will be praying Brian Brobbey’s hamstring injury is not too serious after his side drew a blank against the 10 men of Brighton at the Stadium of Light.
The striker, who scored a brilliant hat-trick in the Black Cats’ previous outing at Manchester City, picked up the knock while recently on international duty with the Netherlands, meaning a first Premier League start of the season for Wilson Isidor. The Haiti international nearly gave the hosts an early lead when his sliding opportunity was deflected, while after the break he was involved in Pascal Struijk’s dismissal, having been brought down by the Brighton defender while through on goal. However, Isidor was unable to find the net, meaning Sunderland have now lost back-to-back league games on Wearside without scoring for the first time since April/May 2017 as they slipped to 16th in the table.Rich Morgan Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.
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