Premier League weekend: Five things we learned

Five talking points from the Premier League weekend, featuring managers on the brink, Arne Slot’s record-breaking start at Liverpool, and the transition threat for Manchester City.

Real test starts now for record-breaking Slot

The apprehension about change at Liverpool has begun to dissipate in recent weeks. Jurgen Klopp’s exit was greeted with nerves but Arne Slot has ensured it has been a smooth transition into the new regime.

Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace saw Slot make it nine wins from 10 games across all competitions. A shock defeat at home to Nottingham Forest last month is the only blemish on his record.

Slot’s start is now the best of any Liverpool manager. His ninth win surpassed the previous best of eight victories held by Billy Connell and William Edward Barclay. Bob Paisley won seven of his opening 10 games, while Klopp claimed just six victories.

Of course, the latter’s legacy left Liverpool in good stead for the new era but Slot deserves credit for how he has handled the transition. However, the real test starts now with a fixture list enough to give fans nightmares. Chelsea are up next for the Reds, before clashes with RB Leipzig, Arsenal, Brighton, Brighton, Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa in succession. Real Madrid and Manchester City also arrive at Anfield before December 1.

50 unbeaten for Manchester City – but Fulham show frailties

Manchester City reached an impressive landmark after beating Fulham at the weekend, with their 3-2 victory stretching an unbeaten run at the Etihad to 50 games. Pep Guardiola’s team have not lost on home soil in any competition since a 2-1 defeat to Brentford that preceded the break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

City, however, were not at their untouchable best with Fulham taking an early lead and threatening throughout. The absence of Rodri saw the Citizens vulnerable to transitions with Adama Traore a menacing but profligate threat for the visitors.

Of course, Traore poses a unique opponent with his blend of speed and strength but the Fulham winger’s explosive bursts caused problems once the Cottagers had navigated the initial press. Traore – whose game included one electric surge past Kyle Walker – was guilty of missing a wealth of clear-cut chances, as Fulham (2.4) led City (1.6) for xG created.

Finding chinks in the armour of the champions is difficult, but Fulham’s counter-attack might offer a potential blueprint.

Saka sets sights on Premier League record

Another game, another assist (or rather two) for Bukayo Saka.

The Arsenal winger has started the season in terrific form to underline his status as one of the world’s best wide players. Saka was at the centre of Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Southampton, creating the first two goals before scoring the third to seal the points.

He now has seven assists in seven league appearances for the Gunners in 2024/25, with no player in Europe’s top five leagues having created more goals. For context, Saka ended last season with nine assists across the entire campaign, while he’s more than halfway towards the total of 13 that won Ollie Watkins the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award.

It’s early days, but Saka might even have his sights on the all-time single-season record. Thierry Henry (2002/03) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019/20) currently share the milestone, with 20 assists in a Premier League campaign. Given his start, open-play invention and Arsenal’s numerous targets to attack set-pieces, Saka looks well-placed to challenge.

Ten Hag signings will determine his future

Manchester United battled to a goalless draw at Aston Villa at the weekend, a solid point given the current fortunes of the respective sides. Ten Hag has insisted he retains the backing of the board but the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season means reviews will be taken over the international break.

Managers are often judged on their signings and if Ineos are to measure Ten Hag by his additions the writing appears on the wall. Antony’s struggles are well-documented, while the draw at Villa saw Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez named on the bench. The centre-back duo cost close to £100m combined and worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, but the former has failed to develop as expected since his exciting emergence in Amsterdam. Ten Hag selected the previously unwanted Harry Maguire and 36-year-old Jonny Evans in their place.

Further forward, United have scored just five goals in seven league games. Joshua Zirkzee has struggled since his £36.5m arrival in the summer, despite a debut goal, and does not look the answer. Ten Hag has spent more than £600m on signings and there’s yet to be a true success story.

O’Neil on the brink

Another manager under pressure, the discontent among the Wolves fans was audible at Brentford. Behind after only 76 seconds to the Premier League’s resident fast starters, Wolves conceded five goals in a performance littered with individual errors.

The fixture list has not been kind to Wolves so far this season, but one point from seven games leaves O’Neil in the firing line. Their poor form dates back to last season’s run-in, the sort of extended spell that could prompt change. Wolves have won just one of their last 17 games in the Premier League, against relegated Luton in April, and have not kept a clean sheet since beating Sheffield United on February 25.

Read – Premier League Team of the Week features Arsenal assist king

See more – Premier League Awards: Spursy return, Mexican magic

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