Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring Enzo Maresca’s ‘dirty’ Chelsea team and a title showdown at the Etihad.

Maresca happy for Chelsea to get ‘dirty’ ahead of derby

Enzo Maresca has said he wants his team to get ‘dirty’ in the pursuit of points, having been left unimpressed by their first-half performance at Bournemouth last weekend. Christopher Nkunku’s goal off the bench earned the Blues three points after Robert Sanchez’s penalty save with the game goalless.

It was a bad-tempered game that saw Chelsea earn eight yellow cards as part of a record-breaking 14 in the contest, excluding the one shown to Maresca himself. The Italian won’t mind, however, as he looks for Chelsea to reemerge as an awkward opponent for any side. A London Derby at West Ham this weekend offers another chance for Chelsea to show a new win-at-all-costs mentality.

Can Emery fit in-form forwards in the same team?

Unai Emery has a welcome selection headache at Aston Villa. Two capable centre-forwards in the goals this season, it’s a dilemma other Premier League managers would wish to have. Ollie Watkins remains Aston Villa’s talisman and found his form with two goals in the win over Everton last weekend but Jhon Duran is pushing hard for a place in the side.

After transfer speculation surrounding his future in the summer, Duran has started the season spectacularly with three match-winners off the bench in four games. The Colombian has averaged a goal every 34 minutes and it will only be so long before the 20-year-old demands more than cameo appearances.

Two centre-forwards would represent a change of shape for Emery, though he’s under pressure to give Duran the minutes his goals – and potential – deserve.

Everton already facing crucial period

Everton are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with Sean Dyche coming under pressure. The solidity of last season has been lacking across the opening weeks, with capitulations against Bournemouth and Aston Villa leaving the Toffees without a point.

This weekend’s clash with newly-promoted Leicester already feels like a huge game for Everton, as the Merseysiders look to climb clear of trouble. Everton’s next six fixtures include trips to all three promoted sides, alongside winnable home clashes with an out-of-sorts Crystal Palace team and Fulham.

It might be early, but Everton are already facing a crucial period in their battle to avoid what would be a disastrous relegation, given the club’s precarious financial situation and imminent move to a new stadium.

Can Liverpool regain Anfield aura?

Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest was an unexpected setback in a largely positive start to Arne Slot’s reign. Forest secured their first win at Anfield since 1969, as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal earned the visitors an upset result.

It was Liverpool’s second home defeat in five Premier League games, following a costly defeat to Crystal Palace on home soil during last season’s run-in. The Reds had lost just one of their previous 58 games at home in the Premier League and Slot will want his team to address any suggestions their fortress has become pregnable.

The underlying statistics bode well for Liverpool, however, who have been defensively sound this season. No team in the Premier League has faced fewer shots (28), conceded fewer goals (1), or has a lower expected goals against (2.8).

Ipswich improving ahead of six-pointer

Kieran McKenna has insisted this weekend’s clash with fellow promoted side Southampton is not a Premier League ‘six-pointer’ but the importance of the game will not be lost on the Ipswich manager.

Southampton are without a point after four games ahead of facing an Ipswich team who have made a much more solid start. The Tractor Boys have bounced back from defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City with battling draws to earn points with Fulham and Brighton.

The target now will be a first three points in the Premier League for 22 years and McKenna has said he wants to change the narrative over expectations for promoted teams.

“It’s a huge jump, no doubt about that, but it’s not one we’re afraid of,” McKenna said this week.

“It’s one we’re enjoying the challenge of taking on. Can we go and create a new narrative, as we have done over the last couple of years, about what’s possible? Let’s see if we can rewrite what’s possible as a double newly-promoted team.”

Johnson can take confidence from Coventry winner

Ange Postecoglou condemned the online abuse Brennan Johnson has received following Tottenham’s North London Derby defeat, with the forward targeted by trolls. Johnson deactivated his Instagram account as a result of the abuse with Postecoglou admitting the 23-year-old is lacking confidence.

Despite patchy form, Johnson scored five goals and laid on 10 assists for Spurs last season, averaging a Premier League goal involvement every 139 minutes. A target during Tottenham’s underwhelming start, he received a confidence booster with a well-taken winner in the Carabao Cup against Coventry in midweek.

His post-match celebrations were muted when greeting the travelling support, given the stick he has faced of late. However, Postecoglou and Johnson will hope this can be the springboard to better fortunes and a more positive relationship with the fans.

Ten Hag keen to exorcise Eagles demons

Erik ten Hag has not been short of disastrous defeats as Manchester United manager. Heavy losses to Liverpool, Manchester City and Brighton all feature in the club’s Hall of Shame over the last two seasons, while last season’s trip to Crystal Palace was equally deflating.

Beaten 4-0 at Selhurst Park, the result looked likely to be the end for the Dutchman, though he salvaged the season with FA Cup success to earn another chance. A mixed start to the season has improved with big back-to-back wins over Southampton and Barnsley (League Cup) with 10 goals scored and none conceded.

The importance of maintaining that momentum will not be lost on Ten Hag, against a Crystal Palace side who did the double over his team last season but have started slowly this time around.

Will Arteta be braver at the Etihad?

In late March last season, Arsenal headed to face Manchester City in a potentially season-defining clash at the Etihad. Far from a classic, Arsenal battled to a goalless draw that was celebrated, keeping the Gunners ahead of the champions in the title race.

Arsenal, however, stumbled against Aston Villa during the run-in to finish as runners-up. Despite taking four points from fixtures with title rivals City and Liverpool, the North Londoners still fell short and it will be fascinating to see whether Arsenal offer more adventure this time around.

The absence of Martin Odegaard is problematic for the Gunners, though a win at the Etihad would represent a serious statement of their championship credentials. Achieving it, however, is a different matter entirely.

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