7 Things We Learned From Another Fascinating Weekend of Premier League Action

Another weekend of Premier League football has been and gone. Liverpool and Manchester City did what they do best - win. Manchester United and Tottenham did what they do best - lose away from home. And Arsenal...well they were involved in a game full of outstanding attacking play and hopeless defending. Sound familiar?

Yet it would be too easy to simply pass it off as another normal weekend in the top-flight. Now is the time to look at how teams are shaping up, as the season is in full flow with six games gone.

Here are seven things that we learned from the weekend.

Liverpool Laid Down a Marker

It is hard to criticise this Liverpool side, who have been exceptional for the last 18 months. Yet if you did want to nit-pick, you could argue that their form away to the other members of the 'big six' has been a little disappointing.

Last season, they won just one of those five games. They lost to Manchester City, whilst being held to draws by Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Given that they ended up falling short in the title race by a single point, it was clear that they needed to improve in these games if they were to go one better this year.

That meant that Sunday's game against Chelsea was crucial. It was not a pretty win, with Liverpool relying on two set-pieces for their goals, whilst having to hold off a second half onslaught from the hosts. Still, they got the job done. Title-winning teams know how to grind out results. Liverpool stepped up to the challenge to maintain their five-point gap at the top of the table.

Chelsea Are Heading in the Right Direction

"I hope they don't get used to it."

Jose Mourinho says the #CFC fans have accepted that they will not be fighting for the title this season and are fully behind Frank Lampard and his philosophy.

Roy Keane, Graeme Souness and Jose Mourinho reaction: https://t.co/eoweh9WNZ7 pic.twitter.com/xtM89K5B0X
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 23, 2019

If you look at the Premier League table, it will show you that Chelsea are already ten points behind Liverpool after just six games, having conceded more goals than any side who are yet to play Man City. It is hard to put a positive spin on that.

Yet anyone who watched the game on Sunday can see what Frank Lampard is trying to do at the club. The team made a number of errors, conceding far too many free kicks around the edge of the box. They were also incapable of defending those set-pieces.

However, their fightback in the second half was impressive. Liverpool were 2-0 ahead at the break, and but for a stunning save from Kepa to deny Roberto Firmino just after the interval it would have been three. That seemed to galvanise Chelsea, and they piled on the pressure in the latter stages of the game after N'Golo Kante had halved the deficit. They had chances to earn a point, but could not quite take them.

At the final whistle the players were clapped off, with the home crowd clearly appreciating the efforts of their team. This Chelsea side did not lie down, and they certainly have plenty of quality in the final third. There is something for Lampard to work with.

Manchester United Are Not Heading in the Right Direction/Any Direction

0 – Since winning each of his first nine away games as Man Utd manager in all competitions, Ole Gunnar Solskjær has seen his side fail to win any of his most recent such nine matches. Homesick. pic.twitter.com/YdjamGLbna
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 22, 2019

Look at the league table again, and it will show you that United and Chelsea are on the same number of points. Do not let that deceive you.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were dismal over the weekend, slipping to a 2-0 defeat to West Ham. The team looked sluggish, and it was hard to see how they were going to score goals.

It is also difficult to know where United are heading. They certainly do not seem to be going up the table any time soon, but they are not really going backwards either. Their away form since Solskjaer took the job permanently back in March has been abysmal. This was simply a continuation of that run. Another season of fighting for a Champions League/Europa League place awaits. That is fast becoming the norm.

Manchester City at Their Best Simply Cannot Be Stopped

A week ago there was talk of a mini-crisis at Manchester City. They had just suffered a shock 3-2 loss to Norwich and seemed to be struggling to put together a competent back four. Since then, they have played twice, scoring 11 goals without reply.

On Saturday they were irresistible, beating Watford 8-0. They were 5-0 up by the 18th minute, before taking their foot off the gas having well and truly put the game to bed with that early blitz.

Defeats such as the one to Norwich may well cost City the title come the end of the season. Liverpool remain incredibly consistent and rarely look like dropping points. However, if you needed a reminder as to which team plays the best football on their best day, City offered it on the weekend.

Tottenham's Away Day Woes Continue

When did Tottenham last win away in the Premier League? 20th January, when Harry Winks scored the winner against Fulham with a last-minute header. It's been a long eight months since.

In truth, Spurs could easily have broken that run this weekend. Serge Aurier thought he had doubled the side's lead in the second half, only for Son Heung-min to be adjudged offside by the finest of margins in the build-up. Leicester took advantage of their moment of fortune and scored twice in the final quarter of the game to win 2-1.

Tottenham lost 13 times in the league last season, and have already lost twice in the current campaign. With Pochettino struggling to get the best out of his players this is a worrying time for the north London club.

You Can't Take Your Eyes Off an Arsenal Game

Arsenal are fast becoming arguably the most entertaining team to watch in the league. Not necessarily for all the right reasons, but the point still stands.

On Sunday they were involved in a five-goal thriller, falling behind twice and having a man sent off before scoring twice in the final ten minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

We did not learn a great deal about Arsenal if we are honest. We know they are great going forwards. We know that they are not great/atrocious when it comes to defending. That makes for brilliant viewing though. When Arsenal are on the TV, you do not want to miss it.

Leicester Can Make the Top Six, Everton Will Not

At the start of the season fans were wondering who could possibly break into the top six outside of the usual suspects. Many predicted Leicester or Everton. Some also argued Wolves, but with their European commitments that was always going to be a struggle.

Six games in, and Brendan Rodgers' side look well-placed. Once again, Liverpool and Manchester City look head and shoulders clear of the chasing pack, but then you have Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea who have all been very inconsistent so far. Leicester have had a test of their top six credentials in the last two games. They fell short against United last weekend, but responded by beating Tottenham on Saturday. They are starting to show that they can compete their top six rivals.

Meanwhile, Everton look lost. They were beaten 2-0 at home to Sheffield United this weekend, their third defeat of the season. After keeping clean sheets in their opening two games, they have conceded nine goals in their last four league matches. Marco Silva has plenty of work to do. At the moment, they look like a mid-table club.

Source : 90min