Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Ten Hag’s men continue to struggle

Pre-season is supposedly a duff barometer of the campaign ahead. The main aim is to gain fitness and audition systems of play versus opposition preparing for their own season. Manchester United usually return from the summer money-spinners with a winning record and conscious that the real stuff of the Premier League is about to begin. Yet in the US this summer, Erik ten Hag’s side won only the first game, against Arsenal, and lost to Wrexham, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid: to this observer, United’s form was a genuine warning of a misfiring unit and, so far, it has duly struggled - badly. Rasmus Højlund is an apt shorthand for United’s problems: the £64m striker was again starved of chances against Crystal Palace. This has to improve – fast. Jamie Jackson

Match report: Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace

Richarlison finds his function

It got a little lost in the general chaos of puzzled-looking bald blokes nominally in charge of a multimillion-pound game-review system, but Tottenham also won on Saturday. In the process Ange Postecoglou – vibes man, empathy-master, the first nice man ever to be involved in football – demonstrated another of his qualities; the ability to bring previously flatlining footballers back into the realm of the living. Against Liverpool Richarlison played his first 90 minutes since August, had five shots at goal, made tackles, interceptions, dribbles, fouls and created a goal. Shifted to the left, the burden of acting as Kane-style centre-forward a little dissipated, he has looked for the first time a functioning element in his team, part of a notably busy front three. Given Richarlison’s obvious state of unhappiness a few weeks ago, this feels like an achievement in itself for now, and another note of quiet progress. Barney Ronay

Match report: Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool

O’Neil makes his mark at Molineux

It was easy for the more cynical Wolves supporters to pooh-pooh the appointment of Gary O’Neil long before his first game in charge but there is no doubt he is getting a tune out of his players, many of whom have been revitalised since he succeeded Julen Lopetegui. Saturday’s victory over Manchester City provided the most compelling evidence yet, with strong performances against Liverpool and Manchester United equally encouraging. It has not been flawless – they exited the Carabao Cup to Ipswich last week – but after just six weeks in the job, the countless hours spent on the training ground and preparing for opponents has been time well spent. “People can’t see behind the scenes and the amount of work him [O’Neil] and his team are doing and how they’re setting us up tactically,” said the Wolves captain Max Kilman. “The quality of training has been phenomenal and it was a matter of time before we started picking up the results.” Ben Fisher

Match report: Wolves 2-1 Manchester City

Arsenal formidable away from home

For all the fretting about Arsenal’s inability to keep a clean sheet at home, there are no such concerns about their defensive form on the road. Mikel Arteta’s players are yet to concede in an away game this season and have rarely looked like doing so. At Bournemouth they were thankful to the customarily majestic William Saliba for a superb tackle on Dominic Solanke early on before pulling clear to win at a canter. Moments like that can turn matches; Arsenal looked composed and compact from there, barely allowing another chance. “Keeping clean sheets is going to be crucial,” Arteta noted. “Now the challenge is can we take that into the Emirates as well and be consistent there.” Sunday’s visit of Manchester City, which could put Arsenal top of the table if they keep the door shut tight, would hardly be a bad occasion on which to start. Nick Ames

Match report: Bournemouth 0-4 Arsenal

Edwards finally gets his reward

Sean Dyche’s biggest gripe after Everton’s latest home defeat centred on his players’ failure to “change the story of the last two years” by building momentum following two away wins. Compared to the predicament facing Luton – who were written off by all and sundry before the season started, had one point before kick-off and had not experienced a top-flight victory in 31 years – the complaint was a damning indictment of Everton’s mentality, as well as a back-handed compliment to Rob Edwards. The Luton manager has protected his players’ confidence during a difficult start to the Premier League campaign – sharing with them his conviction they would win at Goodison Park, for example – and devised a gameplan that fully exploited Everton’s increasingly desperate and clueless tactics. “Everyone else will write us off and I understand why,” said Edwards. “But it is down to us to not worry about the outside noise and keep believing in the work we are doing.” Andy Hunter

Match report: Everton 1-2 Luton

Howe’s squad feeling the grind

Newcastle are in the midst of a run of five games in 15 days and it is clearly taking a physical toll. Sven Botman, Callum Wilson and Joe Willock will all miss Wednesday’s eagerly-awaited home Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain while Joelinton is extremely doubtful. That quartet are capable of making a big difference to Eddie Howe’s side but Newcastle’s manager was circumspect when he was asked if the number of matches leading teams play should be rationed. “I don’t know,” he said, presumably mindful of the wealth clubs generate from television revenue. Burnley, meanwhile, were very good to watch at St James’ Park. Vincent Kompany’s team are mentally, as well as physically brave. They deserve to stay up. Louise Taylor

Match report: Newcastle 2-0 Burnley

Watkins makes his England case

Aston Villa were crushing winners of Saturday’s meeting of those most likely to crash the Champions League picture. Ollie Watkins, with a hat-trick and all-round display, deservedly took the focus. After TV pictures flashed up of Gareth Southgate in the stands, England-related questions were asked post match. Watkins will fully deserve his place for the upcoming internationals, but Villa’s success did not rest purely with him. Tyrone Mings is missed by Villa but Ezri Konsa assumed leadership in central defence, a position where Southgate has issues. Comparisons have been made with Paul McGrath and for Konza there is no higher praise available at Villa. Meanwhile, Brighton’s Lewis Dunk, an England starter against Scotland, and centre-back partner Adam Webster were ravaged by Watkins and Moussa Diaby. John Brewin

Match report: Aston Villa 6-1 Brighton

Soucek revitalised in forward role

Tomas Soucek played a key role in West Ham finishing sixth in 2020-21. The Czech Republic international offered steel and athleticism in midfield, burst forward and finished as the club’s joint top scorer with 10 league goals. Yet the next two campaigns were tougher. The 28-year-old looked fatigued at times and there was a slight alteration to his role when Declan Rice began to attack more. Asked to sit back, Soucek’s goal threat decreased and his passing from deep was scattergun when he was pressed. With Rice sold to Arsenal, Soucek has been able to push forward again. David Moyes has found a nice balance in midfield after signing James Ward-Prowse and Edson Álvarez. With Lucas Paquetá shifting to an inside-left role, Soucek has been able to move higher. His goal during West Ham’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United was his third in his past four appearances. Jacob Steinberg

Match report: West Ham 2-0 Sheffield United

9) Murillo follows game plan to the letter

Making a Premier League debut as a 21-year-old who had only previously played in his native Brazil, could have been a daunting prospect for Murillo but he looked comfortable at the heart of Nottingham Forest’s defence. It was an inauspicious start for the centre-back, whose name was misspelt on the back of his shirt but the kitman will not make that mistake again in what could be an exciting spell at the City Ground. Brentford kindly allowed the defender to settle into the match by not launching an attack of note in the opening 45 minutes but before that he was happy with the ball at his feet and showed he was able to read the situation to avoid his team being put into dangerous positions at the back. When down to 10-men, he did not lose his focus, which would have been understandable considering the late pace of the match as Brentford looked to score the winner. Murillo was the hero in the end, clearing a injury-time shot off the line to ensure his team held on for a point and give Forest fans the impression they have secured another promising young Brazilian alongside Danilo. Will Unwin

Match report: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brentford

10) Brighton overpowered in midfield

There were few positives to take from Villa Park for Brighton. Plenty of lessons, though. It soon became apparent Roberto De Zerbi, the revolutionary from whom even Pep Guardiola is learning fresh things, does not have a fully foolproof plan. The two managers that have picked him off this season, David Moyes and Unai Emery, are canny operators with greater mileage on the clock. Going direct over the counter-press worked for both, and De Zerbi admitted that his callow squad is already feeling the strain of playing Europa League football. Saturday was the first time the Italian had admitted his team missed Moisés Caicedo in midfield where Billy Gilmour, 22, was accompanied by the yet younger, full debutant Jack Hinshelwood, 18. Brighton were overpowered. The pitfall of building a talent factory for sell-on value is that resources can never be inexhaustible. JB