- Following the latest Premier League weekend games that saw a couple of comeback wins and crucial performances from some players.
- We look at what we have learned from the latest round of games.
Following the latest Premier League weekend games that saw a couple of comeback wins and crucial performances from some players.
We look at what we have learned from the latest round of games.
Sterling back on form for Chelsea
Raheem Sterling. Photo/ The Times
Raheem Sterling was quite honest when he said this week that his Blues career has not gone according to plan thus far despite the winger’s dismal initial season in west London. However, Sterling has put to rest rumors of a downturn throughout the first few weeks of the season by displaying the kind of form that previously rendered him crucial for England.
Last weekend, despite losing to West Ham, Sterling impressed. On Friday night, he led Chelsea to their first victory under Mauricio Pochettino. The winger scored twice and set up Nicolas Jackson for another goal during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Luton at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling’s desire to be more direct looks to be being met by Pochettino, who wants him in advanced parts of the field. He was nimble and clever against Luton, and his first goal was a superb solo effort reminiscent of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard at his best in Blue.
Despite being only 28 years old, Sterling commands respect in the Chelsea locker room due to his maturity. If he can continue performing at the way he has so far this season, his qualifications, experience, and leadership might be crucial to Pochettino’s project in its early phases.
United’s poor start to games
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. Photo/Team Talk
In terms of basic figures, Manchester United’s six points from its first three games of the season portray a reasonably positive image, but the club’s recent performances have raised questions.
After a lucky victory against Wolves on the opening weekend and a depressing loss at Spurs, United fell down by two goals against Nottingham Forest after only four minutes.
The 10-man visitors, who had Joe Worrall sent off, were defeated by Erik ten Hag’s squad after a valiant comeback, but the Manchester United boss will be concerned by the openness of his team.
West Ham’s effective counter-attack football
With their victory over Brighton this past weekend, West Ham disproved the notion that dominating possession is essential for success.
Even though David Moyes’ team only controlled 22% of the ball during their 3-1 victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium, the game plan was ideal as the Hammers mercilessly attacked Brighton on the break.
James Ward-Prowse’s goal gave West Ham the lead at halftime despite the fact that they had only completed 31 passes in the first 45 minutes, the fewest passes a Premier League club has completed before the break since November 2006.
In the second half, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio added further goals—the latter of whom was brilliant as West Ham’s unselfish outlet—before Pascal Gross netted a consolation goal for Brighton.
Darwin Nunez masterclass
Darwin Nunez was the star as Liverpool came back to win at Newcastle. Photo/Eurosport
Darwin Nunez, a football player bought by Liverpool for a significant sum of money but who has thus far struggled to win over everyone, has had a difficult start to his career. Last season, Nunez drew criticism for being wasteful close to the goal and for seeming unpolished and unprepared in the closing third.
Few questioned Jurgen Klopp’s choice to start the striker from the sidelines in each of Liverpool’s first three games, despite the fact that there was a lot of support for the 24-year-old to flourish at Anfield.
How things have changed since Nunez’s game-winning appearance against Newcastle last Saturday. The Uruguayan scored twice in the dying minutes to rescue Liverpool from a goal-down and a man-down situation after Virgil van Dijk was sent off.
His goals were spectacular; he first scored an equalizer by taking advantage of Sven Botman’s error and then added a second goal in stoppage time to give Liverpool a decisive victory with 10 men on the field.
Nunez may require a much-needed confidence boost to achieve his full potential at Liverpool, but everything is in place for him to establish himself as a major member of Jurgen Klopp’s squad. He had an underwhelming first season with Benfica before going off the charts in his second, and Liverpool is hoping a similar tale is about to start.
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