1
Oliver takes centre stage in biggest clash
The Etihad showed off the best and worst of English football. Arsenal almost rolled back the years when their back five frustrated all-comers. Riccardo Calafiori’s cracking goal reminded of Ronaldinho at his improvisational best. Manchester City’s opener through Erling Haaland was a beauty, too. As for the bad – a referee taking centre stage and often losing control. Michael Oliver should not be headline-maker after this meeting of the Premier League’s best teams, but is likely to be. Sending off Leandro Trossard was correct, the Belgian foolish, but his red card generated the usual conspiracies that now swamp elite football. Arsenal then cranked up the gamesmanship as both sidelines behaved like spoiled children. That City, until John Stones’ goal, were poor – Rúben Dias is no attacking force – will concern Pep Guardiola. So will Rodri’s injury. Without him, City are a lesser force. Mikel Arteta may wonder about Arsenal’s own lack of composure: 10 men need not have meant complete submission. John Brewin
Nuno Espírito Santo did not watch the end of Nottingham Forest’s draw from the dugout after his late red card, but his proactive substitutions again made the difference, extending their unbeaten start to the season. Forest were in trouble, trailing 2-1 at half-time against a purring Brighton, but Nuno’s four changes within the first 15 minutes of the second half propelled them to a hard-earned point. Jota Silva and Ramón Sosa combined from off the bench for the equaliser. It was a similar story in the stunning victory at Liverpool, when Anthony Elanga set up substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi. Nuno deserves credit for his use of Forest’s squad, showing a willingness to make positive changes rather than waiting too long. It is also further evidence of the greater depth at Forest’s disposal, suggesting there will not be any danger of being dragged into trouble after finishing one place above the relegation zone last season. Simon Mail
3
Maresca’s eye for detail aids Chelsea
Enzo Maresca’s lack of experience was considered problematic on his appointment. He has so far shown few problems with making the step from winning the Championship with Leicester. If Stamford Bridge is a cauldron of uncertainty, of rebellion against the owners, Chelsea away from home have become a fearsome proposition. Like Wolves, beaten 6-2 in August, West Ham were picked apart by an approach full of risk but reaping rewards. Maresca’s Chelsea attack at speed, the wisdom of stockpiling wingers to play off Nicolas Jackson vindicated by the match-winning contributions of Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Jadon Sancho. “He gives us every single detail we need to be able to go into the game and put a performance in to get the points,” said Tosin Adarabioyo at the London Stadium. Maresca knows his way around English football, having been a teenage West Brom midfielder and handpicked former assistant to Pep Guardiola. His appointment is starting to look smart. JB
4
Sarr not far from a start
Ismaïla Sarr has only completed 90 minutes once since he joined Crystal Palace from Marseille in the summer, and that was for Senegal against Burundi in a Cup of Nations qualifier. In every game for Palace, he has come off the bench. But in the second half against Manchester United, the former Watford winger was arguably Palace’s best player, quick, direct and aggressive. The oddity was that he was played at centre-forward, replacing Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has perhaps paid the price so far this season for his exertions with France at the Olympics. Eddie Nketiah remained in one of the inside-forward positions in Oliver Glasner’s familiar 3-4-3. The assumption had been that Nketiah would become the central striker, as he operated for Arsenal, with Sarr taking up the semi-wide position. Whether that is a long-term plan or was a specific ploy to try to exploit something in United’s shape is unclear, but on that form, Sarr surely can’t be far from a start whichever position he takes up. Jonathan Wilson
5
Villa dig deep with strong subs
When do the finishers become the starters? Aston Villa were lethargic for the first half of this comeback win over Wolves, prompting Unai Emery to change things at the break. Ian Maatsen replaced Lucas Digne in a like-for-like change at left-back and Leon Bailey came on for the captain John McGinn, who was forced off with a hamstring problem. Ross Barkley and Jhon Durán followed soon after the hour and from there Villa turned the tide. Durán has four goals in five substitute appearances and Barkley, an inspired half-time sub against Everton the previous week, again impressed. Villa’s depth ultimately proved the difference against Wolves, who faded after a strong start. “There’s a lot of fresh energy off the bench,” said Maatsen, who could be promoted to the starting lineup at Wycombe in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. “We need to be ready and give our best. We keep calm, we know our players are going to make a difference. We always believe we can come from behind.” Ben Fisher
6
Leicester storms prompt weather question
How bad does the weather have to turn for a Premier League match to be abandoned? Neither Steve Cooper nor Sean Dyche could remember a match being played in such a storm. Dyche was applying his Factor 50 before the match, so sunny were the conditions, but after about 20 minutes, the heavens opened and the rest of the first half was played in thunder, lightning and torrential rain. Cooper pointed out he could not see the assistant referee on the other side of the pitch and was mindful of player and spectator safety. The Euro 2024 tie between Germany and Denmark in the summer was suspended by Michael Oliver for 25 minutes. The start of the second half at Leicester was delayed for six minutes by Darren England after he consulted in the players’ tunnel with both managers. But the game resumed with the conditions briefly seeming to relent. Should it have done? Peter Lansley
7
Gordon under pressure from Barnes
While Fulham’s 3-1 victory over Newcastle ended up being about the old Arsenal boys – Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe scored, Alex Iwobi thrived – there was much to enjoy from their man on the right, Adama Traoré. This was the bulldozer at his best, hard running to go with end product, his cross for Raúl Jiménez’s opener followed by involvement in the second. Lloyd Kelly, the Newcastle left-back, was replaced at half-time: the winger had won. Anthony Gordon, Traoré’s counterpart, offered a contrast, beginning on the right before moving into the middle after the restart in the search for impact. Gordon was denied by Bernd Leno after a jinking run but delivered a largely blunt performance, his positional conundrum growing more complicated by Harvey Barnes’ continued success. Barnes, on the left, where Gordon shone last season, scored for the third game in succession, his case for a run of starts growing stronger. A period of adaptation could follow for Gordon. Taha Hashim
8
Martin deserves chance to march on
So much in football is about perception. Both Southampton and Ipswich remain winless but while Kieran McKenna’s trajectory is still pointed upwards towards the elite, wild rumours of Russell Martin being replaced at Southampton have begun to circle. Five games into the season feels premature for the manager who hauled the club back up to the Premier League. Would John Eustace or Carlos Corberán, the Blackburn and West Brom managers linked, do any better? Pressure on Martin would surely have been released had they beaten Ipswich but there had been much to cheer, including a first senior goal for Tyler Dibling. The teenager almost assisted Cameron Archer, too, but the striker – otherwise lively – hit the woodwork. “It’s about game management, there’s too much anxiety in the team,” admitted Martin. It would be cruel if Southampton’s manager is denied his chance to fight on. JB
9
Iraola and Arrizabalaga have work to do
It was a bold call from Andoni Iraola to decide he wanted to change his first-choice goalkeeper late in the transfer window. Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived on loan from Chelsea and Neto headed to Arsenal to play second fiddle to David Raya. Few could complain about the efforts of the Brazilian, who was named club captain by former manager Gary O’Neil, but Iraola felt there was an upgrade to be had. Arrizabalaga has been the most expensive goalkeeper in world football since Chelsea paid £71m to sign him from Athletic Bilbao six years ago, but since then very little has gone right for the Basque. At Athletic Bilbao, Arrizabalaga played with Iraola, who must think he can extract the maximum from his new signing. The goalkeeper made a number of good saves to keep matters goalless at Anfield but made an awful mistake for the opener to drain his confidence. He and Iraola know there is work to do if they are to prove the manager’s decision right over the season. Will Unwin
10
Defiant Frank reaction gives Bees hope
The early Premier League fixture list has been particularly unkind to Brentford. Defeats at Anfield and the Etihad were followed by this 3-1 loss at Tottenham. While the angsty Spurs manager, Ange Postecoglou, finally savoured the fruits from his team’s drive and potency, even after Bryan Mbeumo put the Bees ahead inside the first minute, Thomas Frank’s defiance is certainly justified. Injury-stricken Brentford may have gifted their hosts a couple of goals via individual errors, but were subsequently thwarted several times by Guglielmo Vicario. The west London side, sitting in 12th place, have been purposeful for large chunks of all three away examinations. “There’s no away ground we are fearful of,” said Frank. “I like the bravery from my players.” There’s potential respite ahead for the Bees, with winnable home fixtures against West Ham and Wolves. Julian Taylor