Premier League 2017/18: The key talking points of the 3rd week

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Kolkata: The Premier League in the third week continued to grace the football fans across the globe, as the top teams had a mixed-bag results but the minnows startled the fans with some brilliant performances. Here goes a round up analysis of the third week by www.xtratime.in .

Jose Mourinho magic continues

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Mourinho’s Manchester United has been getting better and better and had made an imperious start to the season with back to back 4-0 victories, but there were still question marks surrounding them given the quality of the opposition. Leicester were the first real test many said prior to kick off. Their counter attacking ability would make them the first to really test the United defence, or so we thought.

Jose Mourinho’s side kept the Foxes fairly quiet in an attacking sense, and goals from Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini, both of which came off the bench, secured a 2-0 home win for the Red Devils.

Heading into the first International break, United have most certainly been the best team in the first three games. Of course, there are still questions regarding how they match up against the top six, but for now they look like a team that can go all the way.

Leicester have shown enough to safely say they will have a solid season. Yes, they have two defeats already, but both of them were against top six opposition. It will be interesting to see if Riyad Mahrez will stay at the club, or has he played his last game for the Foxes?

Problems for Arsenal?

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When Arsenal took to the field to face Liverpool on Sunday, many expected a high scoring competitive contest, much like their most recent meetings. What we got was a massacre. Liverpool ran out 4-0 victors in a very one sided match which could have easily finish six or seven nil if not for Petr Cech in the Arsenal goal. Roberto Firmino opened the scoring before Sadio Mane made it two. Further goals from Mohamed Salah and substitute Daniel Sturridge completed an easy victory.

The scoreline and nature of the defeat is bad enough for Arsene Wenger, but what was really concerning was the performance. Liverpool are known as quick starters, yet there was nothing done to counter that. The defence was non-existent, and the midfield was unwilling to help them out.

Going forward, the Gunners were hardly firing too- they did not hit a single shot on target the whole game. They were poor all round and wee lucky Liverpool did not score more. Question marks remain over the future of some of the players at Arsenal, including Alexis Sanchez.Investment may be needed to cover any leavers.

Liverpool will be gutted there is an International break as they have built up some good momentum after a poor opening game. Once again they looked very sharp going forward, and if they can bring in a top class defender, then they could challenge for the title.

Wembley is becoming an uncomfortable Home for Spurs

Tottenham dropped points at home again on Sunday as Chris Wood’s late equaliser secured a point for Burnley at Wembley. Spurs had taken the lead through Dele Alli earlier in the second half, but the new signing from Leeds scored in stoppage time to rescue a point for the Clarets. Burnley now have four points from their opening three games, all of which came away at the top two from last season.
It is becoming evident that Wembley may be a problem for Tottenham this season. They struggled here at the Champions League last year, and evidence suggests they have yet top fully adjust in their temporary home. They will need to adapt fast if they are to challenge for the title again this year. White Hart Lane was such a fortress last season and they need to find that form inside Wembley and soon or they could get left behind.
Man United looks excellent, Man City look like challengers, and Chelsea have gotten their act together after a poor result on the first match-week. Spurs have yet to show they are on that level so far. The good news for them is, there is still plenty of time.

Saturday

Bournemouth 1-2 Man City

Crystal Palace 0-2 Swansea

Huddersfield 0-0 Southampton

Newcastle 3-0 West Ham

Watford 0-0 Brighton

Man United 2-0 Leicester

Sunday

Chelsea 2-0 Everton

West Brom 1-1 Stoke

Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal

Tottenham 1-1 Burnley

The Premier League returns on September 9th