1
Villa highlight Emery effect
The great strides Aston Villa continue to make under Unai Emery can be measured by comparing last season’s home performances against West Ham with Sunday’s runaway romp. Last August, the team, still coached by Steven Gerrard, was booed from the field after a 1–0 loss to a West Ham in poor early-season form, and well short of the depth in quality they brought to Villa Park 14 months on. And yet only Danny Ings of that day’s Villa starting lineup has since departed the club. As an 11th successive home win, making such short work of David Moyes’ team was no outlier, the fast breaks and fierce finishes reminiscent of last month’s similar 6-1 torching of Brighton. Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby, of the new arrivals, have made impressive impacts, but it is the form of players like Douglas Luiz and Leon Bailey, the forward previously so inconsistent, that highlights the excellence of their Basque manager. John Brewin
- Match report:Aston Villa 4-1 West Ham
2
Ortega takes his chance
Pep Guardiola decided to leave Ederson out for Brighton’s visit, selecting Stefan Ortega for his first Premier League appearance of the season. Ederson had travelled to South America for two matches and returned tired. The City manager is also conscious his second-choice goalkeeper needs time on the pitch, and without Carabao Cup fixtures there are fewer opportunities. “Sometimes it is tough but this is my job – to be there when the team needs me and to keep pushing Eddy every day,” Ortega said. “I’m ambitious so of course I’m not happy to sit on the bench, but we are in a team. I try to prepare like I would play just in case because you never know and if you’re not prepared and you get in, you don’t play well.” Despite a quiet match, Ortega was alert in the 69th minute to get out to Kaoru Mitoma to block his shot. He will be better for the experience with more opportunities to come in a hectic schedule. Will Unwin
- Match report:Manchester City 2-1 Brighton
3
Sánchez comes under fire
Mauricio Pochettino backed Robert Sánchez despite the Spain goalkeeper’s gaffe costing Chelsea all three points. “We are so happy with him,” said Pochettino of the 25-year-old. “Of course he is disappointed and upset with his decision but mistakes happen in football. It’s not to blame someone. It can happen. It will arrive with time, when to be calm and when to take risks, and we are still a really young team getting to know each other.” Having fallen down the pecking order at Brighton last season under Roberto De Zerbi, Sánchez was a surprise choice to replace Real Madrid-bound Kepa Arrizabalaga when he moved to west London for an initial £20m in August and has not enjoyed the most auspicious start. He may come under pressure from understudy Djordje Petrovic – the Serbia international who joined from New England Revolution in the summer – if things don’t improve. Ed Aarons
- Match report:Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal
4
Garnacho worth starting role
Marcus Rashford flickered back to something approaching his best with a special England goal against Italy last week, but it’s still not clicking in Manchester United colours. After a 30-goal season for his club last term, the statisticians werecorrect in predicting a drop-off for Rashford, yet one goal in 11 games for United this season represents concern. He’s looked hesitant and muddled, second-guessing himself in the final third, and it was only when Alejandro Garnacho was introduced to the left wing at Sheffield United that Erik ten Hag’s team found their attacking mojo – with Rashford shunted across to the right flank. Garnacho is such a talent it will be difficult for Ten Hag to keep him on the sidelines for much longer. Sharper, brighter and more decisive than Rashford at the moment, he makes United a more dangerous proposition in attack, as shown for his work in the buildup to Diogo Dalot’s winner. Rashford may have a fight on his hands. Dominic Booth
- Match report:Sheffield United 1-2 Manchester United
5
Poor refereeing mars derby
Sean Dyche was asked whether the furore surrounding Liverpool’s controversial defeat at Tottenham, which led to Jürgen Klopp proposing a replay as the fairest solution to the VAR shambles, might have influenced Craig Pawson’s decision not to show a second yellow card to Ibrahima Konaté with the Merseyside derby at stalemate. Thankfully, the Everton manager did not veer down the conspiracy routeand maintained the referee had missed what was blatantly in front of him during a performance littered with bad decisions against both teams. Pawson was poor throughout, appearing at times to be relying on VAR to bail him out on the big calls (though, of course, it could not intervene in the Konaté incident). He is not alone in that regard. The authority and quality of refereeing at the highest level has suffered since the damaging introduction of VAR. Pawson provided just another example, not evidence of any wider conspiracy. Andy Hunter
Match report:Liverpool 2-0 Everton
6
Elanga thriving with Forest
Naturally, there was plenty of disappointment at the City Ground after Nottingham Forest gave up a two-goal lead against Luton in the final 10 minutes of the match but there were still positives to take. Anthony Elanga was unwanted at Manchester United and convinced to move to the east Midlands rather than Everton. The Swedish winger has settled quickly under Steve Cooper and proved his threat in Forest’s latest draw by providing two assists for Chris Wood. He arrived with confidence that is growing the more he plays after a stop-start career at Old Trafford, where he never came close to becoming a regular. Elanga is dangerous on either flank and that could become more important after it was confirmed fellow summer signing Callum Hudson-Odoi will be out for six weeks through injury. Elanga should enjoy the extra responsibility. WU
- Match report:Nottingham Forest 2-2 Luton
7
Tonali takes his tearful adieu
Days after admitting to breaching Italian betting regulations, Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali made what is widely expected to be his final Premier League appearance this season. This week, Tonali will learn the precise length of his virtually inevitable, and lengthy, ban. On this evidence, Newcastle should cope without him. By the time the Italy midfielder, Eddie Howe’s marquee £55m summer signing, stepped off the bench in the 69th minute, goals from Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson had already crushed Crystal Palace. Howe’s irrepressible team – unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions, scoring 22 goals and conceding just three along the way – surely gave Borussia Dortmund cause for concern before Wednesday’s Champions League engagement. Yet Saturday was about emotions not statistics. “The hardest part’s ahead for Sandro,” said Howe in thanking fans for an outpouring of “love” towards a tearful Tonali. Louise Taylor
Match report:Newcastle 4-0 Crystal Palace
Gary O’Neil played down his Wolves team’s vindicatory victory at Bournemouth but enjoyed the moment. Photograph: Kieran Cleeves/PA
8
O’Neil makes satisfying return
Gary O’Neil’s achievement of keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League last season looks even more impressive after his former club’s struggles since his summer sacking. O’Neil deserved much better from Bournemouth and his reputationwas emphasised by Wolves’ victory on his return. While Bournemouth successor Andoni Iraola has been unable to translate his high-pressing style into wins since his appointment – with the clubdeep in the relegation zone – O’Neil has again flourished despite significant financial constraints. O’Neil said: “There is a bit of a difference depth wise between the squads. Obviously we had a very different summer to them. We managed to make an £8m profit while they spent over £100m so a big difference.” Bournemouth’s loss has undoubtedly been Wolves’ gain. Simon Mail
Match report:Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
9
Maupay has plenty to offer
At Everton, Neal Maupay gained the unfortunate reputation of being a striker who could not find a goal. The search extends to 31 matches but back at Brentford, where he made his name in English football, Maupay, making his first start since his loan return suggested that while he is unlikely to replicate Ivan Toney’s goal output, he can be a useful member of Thomas Frank’s attacking trident. Both Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo got on the score sheet and Maupay’s hold-up play as the central forward was outstanding, with key roles in his partners’ goals. Despite a couple of misses, including a weak effort that barely reached James Trafford’s hands, he spoke afterwards with confidence. “I’ve scored goals all my life,” he said. “Ivan is a top striker and there’s no hiding that. It’ll be good to have him back. But I’m Neal Maupay, I score goals as well.” JB
- Match report:Brentford 3-0 Burnley
10
Fati gives City a scare
Brighton lacked threat for the first hour of their defeat to Manchester City. Their struggles in the final third quickly changedonce Ansu Fati came off the bench. The Spain international, on loan from Barcelona, pulled one back for his side late on at the Etihad and his overall playhelped lift Brighton’s tempo. He set up Kaoru Mitoma for a fine chance with a smart pass over the top and was able tomanoeuvre City defenders around with his speed, something the Seagulls had failed to do for most of the match. Fati is in the Premier League to get his career back on track after breaking through at Barcelona only to struggle to find a consistent place. He is yet to start a Premier League game but his cameo against City should earn him one soon enough. WU
Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts
—|—|—|—|—
1 | Man City | 9 | 12 | 21
2 | Arsenal | 9 | 10 | 21
3 | Liverpool | 9 | 11 | 20
4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 8 | 10 | 20
5 | Aston Villa | 9 | 10 | 19
6 | Newcastle | 9 | 15 | 16
7 | Brighton | 9 | 4 | 16
8 | Man Utd | 9 | -2 | 15
9 | West Ham | 9 | 0 | 14
10 | Chelsea | 9 | 4 | 12
11 | Crystal Palace | 9 | -4 | 12
12 | Wolverhampton | 9 | -4 | 11
13 | Fulham | 8 | -5 | 11
14 | Brentford | 9 | 2 | 10
15 | Nottm Forest | 9 | -2 | 10
16 | Everton | 9 | -5 | 7
17 | Luton | 9 | -9 | 5
18 | Burnley | 9 | -16 | 4
19 | AFC Bournemouth | 9 | -14 | 3
20 | Sheff Utd | 9 | -17 | 1
*[Pos]: Position
*[P]: Played
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Pts]: Points
