1
Tonali should start for Newcastle
Despite positive results, Newcastle’s performances have disappointed, so Saturday’s 3-1 reverse at Fulham was not a significant shock. Eddie Howe did not disagree with recent suggestions that his team had been deliberately “undercooked” in pre-season training to help reduce the injuries that dogged them in the spring. The only problem is that they currently seem unable to implement the high, hard press that has brought them considerable success under the former Bournemouth manager.
Howe is possibly attempting to modify Newcastle’s style to something a bit more considered but this squad appears a little short of technical and tactical nous. All in all it is probably not the best time to be hosting Manchester City. Perhaps Howe needs to adjust a malfunctioning midfield by switching away from his 4-3-3 formation but surely the moment has come for the Sandro Tonali to start his first Premier League game since returning from a 10-month suspension for breaking betting regulations? Louise Taylor
2
On-song Welbeck will test Chelsea
Despite his dismissal from the touchline during last weekend’s draw with Nottingham Forest, Fabian Hürzeler has escaped a suspension and will be in his technical area when Brighton travel to Chelsea. He will, however, have to plan for the game without João Pedro, the victim of a Morgan Gibbs-White tackle that prompted the touchline melee which ended with Hürzeler and Nuno Espírito Santo being shown red cards. Danny Welbeck, in a rich vein of early season form, has scored in three of his past four games against Chelsea and will fancy his chances of adding to that tally at Stamford Bridge, not least if Karou Mitoma can repeat the virtuoso performance with which he bamboozled assorted Forest defenders last weekend. With threats in all areas of the pitch, there’s every chance Brighton can continue their unbeaten start to the season, despite Chelsea’s frighteningly good form. Barry Glendenning
3
Pressure mounts on Lopetegui
Having become the first team in Premier League history to score inside the opening minute of consecutive games, Brentford will fancy their chances of making it three blistering starts on the spin when they come up against West Ham’s almost comically hapless defence at the Gtech Community Stadium. Already under pressure only seven games into his reign at the London Stadium, Julen Lopetegui took responsibility for his team’s dreadful defending against Chelsea last weekend but was adamant the scoreline in his team’s 5-1 midweek shellacking at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup did not reflect his side’s performance. Against Chelsea, the Spaniard brought in Guido Rodríguez and Edson Álvarez to add defensive cover, before thinking better of it and replacing the Spaniard before half-time. With Rodríguez yet to convince and Álvarez suspended, another reshuffle of West Ham’s midfield looms. BG
4
Dyche under scrutiny again
There is light at the end of a very long and very dark tunnel for Evertonians after Monday’s announcement that the Friedkin Group has agreed a deal to bring Farhad Moshiri’s calamitous ownership to a close. Until their takeover is ratified, however, many might suspect it is the light of an oncoming train, to pinch a line from Half Man Half Biscuit, given previous false dawns and Moshiri’s record. But this deal should go through, and with it comes an added pressure on Sean Dyche as he attempts to rectify a dismal start to the season against a Crystal Palace side that are also without a Premier League win. Dan Friedkin has not been slow to implement managerial change at Roma and scrutiny on the Everton manager’s long-term worth will be under way. Dyche’s options have been seriously stretched so far but with Jarrad Branthwaite in contention for his first start of the campaign and Vitalii Mykolenko also back in training, he may have a recognised defensive unit available at last. His prospective employers will be paying close attention. Andy Hunter
The decision to part company with the academy products Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson (albeit only on loan for now) was taken with a heavy heart by Mikel Arteta. But while Smith Rowe could perhaps have provided a solution to Martin Ødegaard’s extended absence with injury, the rapid emergence of Ethan Nwaneri has repaid the Arsenal manager’s faith in the 17-year-old from Enfield. Two goals against Bolton in the EFL Cup on his full debut to cap an impressive display will mean that he is in contention to feature once more against Leicester on Saturday. Arsenal’s starting lineup on Wednesday featured five academy graduates as the goalkeeper Jack Porter became the youngest player ever to start a game for them. Neto is likely to replace the 16-year-old on Saturday if David Raya is ruled out with a thigh injury but Porter and Nwaneri have proved that Arsenal’s future is in safe hands. Ed Aarons
6
Fulham aiming for Europe?
Is it too early for Fulham to aim for a European spot? Perhaps, but it feels like things are finally clicking in west London. A disappointing exit from the Carabao Cup was followed by an emphatic win against Newcastle – their first in eight years. More than just the victory, Marco Silva has impressively assembled pieces from other Premier League sides to fit his system. Against Eddie Howe’s side, the former Wolves duo Adama Traoré and Raúl Jiménez combined to score Fulham’s opener after five minutes. Alex Iwobi assisted his former Arsenal teammate Emile Smith Rowe for the second. Joachim Andersen, previously at Crystal Palace, stood out as Fulham’s best defender with seven clearances and two interceptions. As the proverb goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Yara El-Shaboury
7
Liverpool seek to feed Wolves’ losing habit
After defeat to Newcastle at Molineux earlier this month, Mario Lemina, the Wolves captain, didn’t sugarcoat the situation. “I’m really unhappy,” he said after the match. “We need to change this losing mentality now and get back to work.” Since then, Wolves have lost twice more – 3-2 to Brighton in the League Cup and 3-1 to Aston Villa – and dropped to the foot of the table with the joint-worst goal difference (-9) and number of goals conceded (14) alongside Everton. After a difficult summer in which he lost Max Kilman and Pedro Neto – and with Yerson Mosquera now likely ruled out for the rest of the season – Gary O’Neil has been dealt a horrible hand. Having lost home and away to Liverpool last term, and with Arne Slot’s side in fine attacking form with 11 goals scored in their last three games, Wolves will have to rediscover their resilience to withstand the perfect storm blowing through the Midlands this weekend. Will Magee
8
McGinn’s absence can encourage Ipswich
With comparatively glamorous assignments against Bayern Munich and Manchester United to look forward to next week, it would not come as a huge surprise if Aston Villa’s players were to take their eye off the ball when they travel to Ipswich. While Emi Buendía played his first full game in midweek after more than a year out with injury, Unai Emery must now cope with the loss of John McGinn, who is expected to be sidelined for at least eight weeks with a pulled hamstring. Leon Bailey is likely to deputise for the Villa captain against an Ipswich side who are unbeaten in three league games and visibly improving with each outing as they grow into their Premier League skin. It is only a matter of time before Ipswich fans get to celebrate their first top-flight win since April 2002 and Sunday afternoon against a team missing arguably their most important player seems as good as time as any. BG
9
Underachievers meet in Manchester
Manchester United, in 11th place, host Tottenham, who are 10th, each having seven points after five matches: hardly the rosiest portent for two teams targeting a top-four finish. Erik ten Hag and Ange Postecoglou have their sides mired in their own particular deja vu all over again mode. Ten Hag’s United cannot finish and cannot close out winning positions. Spurs have a manager who is an apostle for the high line and refuses to countenance a plan B as surmised by Postecoglou’s “it’s just who we are mate” mantra. Sunday at Old Trafford, when this kicks off at 4.30pm, will intrigue. Jamie Jackson
10
Bournemouth need more firepower
The fixture list has not been kind to Bournemouth. Back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool have put added pressure on matches against Southampton and Leicester. These games are crucial, especially with encounters against the defending champions and former runners-up looming in the next five fixtures. Andoni Iraola impressed in his first season after a slow start but his side are still facing teething problems particularly after the sale of Dominic Solanke. Bournemouth have often held their own but a lack of a clinical forward has impeded them. They rank fourth in the expected goals table, trailing only Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa, with an xG of 10.41 – more than double their current goal tally of five. While chances are being created, fans will need to be patient with the Brazilian striker Evanilson, who missed a penalty against Chelsea and failed to impose himself at Liverpool. The club have a history of showing patience with a young talent. Solanke took 18 months to score his first top-flight goal for Bournemouth, a decision that ultimately paid off. YE-S