Yahoo Sports Premier League weekend: Five things we learned
Here a five things we learned from this weekend in the Premier League, featuring a lesson on set pieces from Arsenal’s win over Spurs, Everton imploding again, Arne Slot’s first defeat as Liverpool manager, and Newcastle United’s unbeaten start.
Premier League weekend: Five things we learned
Set pieces are one of Arsenal’s greatest weapon – and Spurs’ Achilles’ heel
It’s the same story again for Tottenham; dominate the ball, create more chances than the opposition, concede from a set piece. It’s becoming monotonously predictable at this point, and Mikel Arteta knew that better than anyone else.
Arsenal were defensively disciplined for the entire match, keeping to their shape even as Spurs banged on the door repeatedly, looking for an opener.
But it was the Gunners who struck first blood from a corner. They crowded the six-yard box to prevent Guglielmo Vicario from coming out while Gabriel effortlessly brushed off Cristian Romero to head home. The Argentine centre-back lost his man far too easily.
Ange Postecoglou has been steadfast in his refusal to put a premium on set pieces, but it’s proven too costly for his side and too profitable for their north London neighbours for him to ignore any longer.
Since the start of last season, Arsenal have scored 23 goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) – more than any other team in the Premier League over that period.
Meanwhile, of teams involved in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, only Nottingham Forest (23) have conceded more set piece goals than Spurs (18).
Something needs to change.
Everton have (surely) reached peak Everton
Speaking about history repeating itself, Everton yet again squandered two-goal lead only to lose the game 3-2. Two-nil really is the most dangerous scoreline when you’re the Toffees.
Full credit has to go to Aston Villa for the way they fought their way back into the match, in particular Ollie Watkins, our Player of the Week. But it was an astonishing collapse by Sean Dyche’s men.
The fans have been through a lot over the years, but even they must be gobsmacked at what they’re seeing from the team right now. They are incapable of stopping themselves from stepping on rakes at every turn.
Everton remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with no points from their opening four games. Belief they can muster up another fight for survival must be fading rapidly.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool aren’t invincible after all
It was bound to happen at some point, but few would have expected Liverpool‘s dream start under Arne Slot to be ruined by Nottingham Forest on their own patch.
The Tricky Trees exposed some chinks in the armour that were not taken advantage in the opening three games which the Merseysiders won without conceding a single goal.
Slot gave an honest assessment of his team’s performance afterwards, admitting that they fell below the standards required in the Premier League. They won’t have long to lick their wounds, though: they travel to the San Siro on Tuesday for a Champions League encounter with AC Milan.
Read – Premier League awards as Everton collapse and Liverpool stunned
Jadon Sancho has still got it
Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea signed Jadon Sancho on loan with an obligation to buy in the summer. The Blues already possessed a host of wide attackers, but here they were recruiting one who had barely played for Manchester United in the past year after a disappointing few years at Old Trafford.
It may turn out to be something of a masterstroke if Saturday night’s display is anything to go by. The winger came on at halftime of their visit to Bournemouth with the home side on top, but he changed the course of the game with his wing play.
The ball stuck to Sancho after he entered the pitch, the Cherries finding it impossible to dispossess the 24-year-old. He created two chances, one of which resulted in Christopher Nkunku’s winner.
A fine way to announce yourself as a Chelsea player.
Read – Premier League team of the week for matchday four
Newcastle are channelling the Entertainers with unbeaten start
Following a comeback victory over Wolves, Newcastle United are unbeaten and lie third in the Premier League table, despite a series of unconvincing performances. They’re not playing anything like the great Entertainers of the nineties, but there are parallels between that side and this one.
With 10 points after four games, the Magpies have made their best start to a Premier League campaign since the 1995-96 season, when they won each of their opening four matches under Kevin Keegan.
Their away kit this year is styled on the one from that famous season.
“It is a great start to the season in terms of results,” Fabian Schar said afterwards. “10 points from four games is big. Performance-wise we can improve a lot. Great start but we need to work on our performances.”
Read – Six Premier League players who shone during the international break
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