After a week without club football across Europe's biggest leagues as a result of the international break, the English Premier League returned Saturday morning to set up a memorable match week five, which could ultimately have huge implications on the table at the end of the season. The biggest talking point from the weekend's matches was Norwich City's defeat of two-time defending champions Manchester City. However, Man United's victory over Leicester City and Arsenal yet again letting a lead slip away could also have serious effects on the table come May.
Liverpool 3 - 1 Newcastle United
The Reds' pursuit of the elusive Premier League title is off to a great start, as Jurgen Klopp's men have recorded five wins in all five matches in the 2019-20 campaign. Despite falling behind early after a wonderful top-corner strike from Jetro Willems in the 7' minute, the hosts showed their composure and found the lead before halftime thanks to a Sadio Mané double. The Senegalese striker's first goal was a beautiful curler to the top corner assisted from Andrew Robertson and his second was a tap in after a ricochet fell kindly in front of the net. Mohamed Salah put the game to bed in the 72' minute, slotting home a fine feed from Roberto Firmino.
The reigning champions of Europe have looked as much of title contenders as anyone. While Liverpool have what can be called the strongest front three in the Premier League with Salah, Mané and Firmino, the Reds' defense has been the most impressive this season. The 21 minutes Liverpool trailed on Saturday are the only they have this season and despite losing starting keeper Alisson Becker to an injury in the first match, the Reds back line have conceded only four goals this season, tied for the least.
Led by UEFA Player of the Year recipient Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool's defense has been nearly unbreakable. While fill-in goalie Adrián has recorded only one clean sheet this season, the few goals allowed are a testament to the team's abilities in the backline. However, communication can certainly be improved as a cross to a wide-open Emil Krafth in the second half easily could have leveled the game at 2-all, and with Adrián filling in until Alisson returns, a lack of an elite keeper is room for worry.
Nonetheless, the Reds are still anchored by an elite scoring front and with Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri able substitutes to fire in more goals, the offensive productivity. Liverpool's scoring capabilities are arguably the best in the league, as Mané and Salah both have four goals this season, which ties them at No. 6 for the the league lead, while Firmino's three assists is the fourth-best tally. On nearly any day, this Liverpool team is unbeatable and looking like league champions.
As for Newcastle, the loss at Anfield is not an awful mark. Newcastle opened the game with a five-man backline and were content to sit back and battle the storm. However, good ball movement earned the Magpies an early lead and nearly led to another on Krafth's chance. The offense has potential and showcased that Saturday, but missed the finishing touch, with Willems' goal being the sole shot on target.
One can only fault Newcastle so much for conceding three at Anfield, save for a botched take from Martin Dubravka on Mané's second, the Magpies' mistakes were few and farm between. Newcastle, as of now, looks like a team with the potential to stay out of the relegation zone and stay somewhere near the 12-16 range. If Newcastle can continue to build off decent showings like this, as well as its shocking 1-0 win over Tottenham and a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, the season could be moderately succesful.
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 1 Burnley
This game will best be labeled as a game of frustration for both sides. In a battle of two teams that are currently, and throughout the season will likely flirt with relegation. Early in the match, Burnley squandered a couple of solid chances to take lead, including a should-have-been tap-in for Chris Wood from a Jack Cork strike across the face of goal, but Wood found a way to deflect the ball to comfortably roll to Brighton's keeper Mathew Ryan.
As for Brighton, the frustration is most likely much larger, as they dominated the Clarets in most aspects of the game, including possession (68%), shots (14) and shots on target (5). Brighton easily could have added a few more goals, including a strike from Solly March late in the first half, but the Englishman elected to take the shot with his stronger left foot, minimizing his angle, allowing an easy save for Nick Pope in the Burnley goal.
Throughout the entire game, the lack of elite finishing became more and more relevant and visible until Neal Maupay broke the deadlock in the 51' minute. While the finish was a wonderful, acrobatic one, the buildup itself was even a little sloppy and came after a few botched touches from the Seagull's Davy Pröpper, who eventually gathered and fed March, who assisted the goal.
Burnley's equalizer, like Brighton's strike, was actually a wonderful goal as well and game in the last moments of the game. Jeff Hendrick smashed home a one-time finish from about 25 yards out from a smooth feed via substitute Matej Vydra. The equalizer came in the 90+1' minute and was the only shot on target for the visitors.
While, like Newcastle, there were flashes of skill and possibility from both squads, the top-tier ability needed to be comfortable in England's top league was absent in this meeting. Through five weeks, both teams sit at five points via a win and two draws. However, the Clarets' -1 goal differential sees them to 14th place, while the Seagull's -3 lands them at 16, two from the relegation zone. Ultimately, Burnley, led by players like Wood and Ashley Barnes, should be several spots clear of relegation come May, but Brighton may find itself in the bottom three or sweatingly close to that line.
Manchester United 1 - 0 Leicester City
In a season where the battle for first seems to be a two-horse race between Liverpool and Manchester City, any points are crucial as 18 other teams (more or less) battle out for the berths into European competitions. Manchester United and Leicester City are two of these teams that have a true chance at grabbing one of these top five spots. With this in mind, the decision to give ManU an early penalty kick could be a huge moment come May when the table is finished. But for now, ManU has looked surprisingly solid through its first five games.
Saturday's match between the 2015-16 Premier League winners, Leicester, and the 13-time winners, ManU, was a tough one for both clubs and showcased the skill of both sides.
While the amount of shots was not as high as some of the other matches that took place during week five, the skill and passing was is to be expected from a battle of two clubs in the top five. The two clubs took only combined shots through the match, with 10 for the Reds and five on target, and nine for the visitors, with three on target. However, when the shots flew, they were of high quality.
This includes Daniel James' early strike to the top corner of Kasper Schmeichel's goal, which required a phenomenal save from the Dane just three minutes in. However, the Red Devils would not be denied and Marcus Rashford scored the sole goal of the match in the 8' minute after Calgar Söyüncü fouled him inside Schmeichel's box and calmly converted from the spot, sending Schmeichel the wrong way, burying it on the floor.
Ben Chilwell forced a solid save from David de Gea just short of the 30-minute mark with a deep strike that the Spaniard had to tip over the bar. Rashford nearly doubled his team's advantage as his free-kick from close to 30 yards smacked Schmeichel's top left corner.
While the match did not contain the offensive prowls that some would expect from two of the league's best, this match did have some of the highest skill the PL has to offer. Manchester United has now won two matches, drawn two and its sole loss has come at the hands of Crystal Palace. ManU was not expected to be as succesful as some of the previous Old Trafford squads, but the tough win against a solid Leicester squad may give some promise to the currently second-best team in Manchester. The key for the club will be consistency, as the differences between a 4-0 victory over Chelsea to start the season and 1-1 draws to both Southampton and Wolverhampton, and the loss to Crystal Palace are still issues for concerns.
For Leicester, the biggest struggle this season, and in week five's match, has been offensive production. The Foxes' have one of the best keepers in the world in Schmeichel and a strong backline. However, even with Jamie Vardy up front, the scoring has not quite emerged yet. The Foxes have conceded only four goals, a very solid tally, but have netted just six of their own. If Leicester can sneak into the top four this season for a Champions League berth, the scoring must pick up.
Sheffield United 0 - 1 Southampton
While this match was not the most sought after or hyped up match of the weekend, it turned out to be a solid match between two decent teams. The two clubs combined to record 28 shots, with 11 of those on target. Both teams had a few shots that were not of the highest quality, but the overall game was highlighted by several incredible near opportunities, resulting in a handful of elite saves from both goalkeepers.
In the 12' minute, Southampton's Che Adams struck the post with a wonderful volley and the opposition immediately pushed up the field where Oliver McBurnie fed David McGoldrick through, resulting in the first great save of the game as Angus Gunn shutdown McGoldrick on the breakaway. The 26' minute then saw what may already be a solid contender for save of the season, as Adams ferocious header to the top corner was denied on the line, in acrobatic fashion, by Sheffield United's keeper Dean Henderson.
Southampton eventually broke the deadlock in the 66' minute as Moussa Djenepo danced his way past three defenders then slotted the winner into the back of Henderson's net with ease from about 15 yards out. The action continued late, including a straight red card for Sheffield's Billy Sharp after a reckless tackle on Stuart Armstrong, cleating his higher shin.
While Djenepo's personal effort and finish was a phenomenal feat in its own, the heroics by both goalkeepers were even more of a talking point. The game finished with Henderson recording six saves, while Gunn had four. Both men rank in the top four saves in the league, with Gunn's 19 being the fifth most and Henderson's 15 the eighth-best tally.
Southampton earned its second win of the season, leaving them a tied-for-eighth on a -1 goal differential. As for Sheffield United, the Blades are still at a decent 15th place, sitting on five points and a -3 differential. Both teams have shown great potential so far this campaign, especially Southampton, who is now in its seventh straight Premier League season, looks like it could finish comfortably above the relegation line and a place as high as eighth does not seem too far fetched. Considering the Saints' sole loss this season was against Liverpool 2-1, which saw the league's top team struggle, this may be a season of promise with a team anchored by experienced players like Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings and Djenepo.
As for Sheffield, the season has been more up and down. Promising results like draws with Bournemouth and Chelsea have shown potential upsides, and a victory over Crystal Palace is a huge bright spot, so with more consistency and offensive potential they showed today, Sheffield could ensure a return to the Premier League come 2020.
Tottenham 4 - 0 Crystal Palace
Despite its inconsistencies, Tottenham showcased that it belongs in the conversation for one of the top teams in the league. The Spurs thrashed one of their cross-town rivals 4-0, putting up three on the scoreboard before the half-hour mark and adding another before halftime rolled around. Within the first minute, Tottenham brought the fire as Son Heung-Min rifled a shot at Vicente Guaita. Less than nine minutes later, Son would open the scoring as he sliced his way through the Eagles' defense and finding Guaita's bottom left corner.
From Son's goal, it only declined from there for Palace. The 21' minute saw Serge Aurier's cross deflect off Patrick van Aanholt and find the back of the net. 90 seconds later, Aurier flashed another ball, this one lofted, across the box, finding Son would smashed it into the back of the net off the volley.
Spurs capped the half with another goal from a cross, as Harry Kane found a sliding Erik Lamela on the back post, who squeaked the ball beneath Guaita.
While Tottenham and Crystal Palace have each had their own ups and downs through just five games, the two looked like polar opposites in Saturday's match. Spurs domination of possession with 64% showcased the elite level they have evolved into in recent years. Despite Crystal Palace actually leading in the shots on target with six compared to five, Tottenham, anchored by some of the league's top players, used pin-point passes and sharp finishing to route one of its London rivals.
More so, two of the league's top five passers reside with the Spurs, as defenders Toby Alderweireld and Harry Winks have 425 and 359 respectively. As a club, Tottenham's 2,884 completed passes are the third highest tally in the league. If more of this Tottenham shows up this season, like the squad that drew Manchester City and comeback to draw level with Arsenal, another Champions League berth seems very likely.
As for Crystal Palace, inconsistency struck again for a squad full of players that have an extremely high ceiling. The Eagles fell to 12th in the table with seven points and a -3 differential. Despite having some potentially potent offensive players, including Luka Milivojevic, Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend. Last season, Zaha netted 10 goals, five assists, Townsend notched six goals and fed another four and Milivojevic netted 12 and assisted two others. None of the three have scored or assisted on any of the Eagles' three goals this season. These three goals are the fewest scored of any Premier League squad and they have not scored since van Aanholt's stoppage time game winner against Manchester United on Aug. 24. Crystal Palace should be comfortably above the relegation mark and are a team with skill to be near the top of the table, but if the Eagles do not start finding the net more often, that relegation line could seem more likely.
Wolverhampton 2 - 5 Chelsea
Chelsea's thrashing of Wolves at the Molineux showed that this new look squad has a very high ceiling. Tammy Abraham, the 21-year-old striker, has had an incredible start to his Chelsea career and topped off the phenomenal start in the Premier League with his hat trick Saturday. Between the three goals, Abraham showcased what makes him such a promising talent going forward. His skill to beat defenders to create an open shot, his athletic frame, allowing him to nod the ball into the net (which in itself was a clean finish) and his expertise level finishing, finding the bottom corner with a shot.
Sitting on seven goals in five games, Abraham is tied with Manchester City's Sergio Agüero as top scorer and has done so with incredible accuracy. Abraham has taken 15 shots thus far, with all but one of his eight shots on target finding the back of the net. This elite productivity tells me that the youthful striker will excel in this league for decades to come.
Along with Abraham, Mason Mount, who is just 20 years old, looked extremely promising in the dismantling of Wolverhampton. Mount netted the seventh goal of the match in the final moments of the game with a clever touch to create enough space and used speed and a shifty move to beat Wolves' keeper Rui Patricio earlier in the second half, ultimately putting what could have been goal number four for him into the side netting. This team has a lot of youth and that is proving to be anything but a bad thing.
The less-than-impressive performance for Chelsea came from goalkeeper Kepa Arrizzabalaga, who conceded twice. The Spaniard recorded three saves on the day, with two of those "saves" directly leading to opposing goals. The first came off a Roman Saïss header, which Kepa dealt with very poorly, parrying the ball off Abraham at the front post and into the back of the net (the fourth time Abraham was a "goalscorer" Saturday).
Then, in the 85' minute, Matthew Doherty volleyed a shot with great pace, but directly at the keeper, who again could deflect the ball nowhere but back into danger, as Patrick Cutrone tapped the loose ball into the net. Kepa has yet to record a clean sheet this season and has saved as many shots as goals he has allowed (11). The 11 goals against is also the second-highest tally of any club in the league.
And if it was a tough day for him, it was an awful day for typically sound Wolves' keeper Patricio. The Portuguese with experience looked sluggish, wrong-footed and all around out of it throughout the game. He has now conceded ten goals while making only 9 saves. Wolverhampton's five goals conceded are now the most in a game by any team this season.
Wolves are one of two teams that have yet to notch a victory this campaign and as a result, find themselves in 19th. While Wolves had a massively succesful season last year and earned their way into a European competition for the first time in decades, if order is not soon restored, this could be a terrible turnaround.
Norwich City 3 - 2 Manchester City
Norwich City welcomed the reigning champions into its home and delivered what will be one of the most important results of the season and a monumental upset. This shocking result separates Liverpool five points clear of Manchester City in pursuit of the title.
And how crucial will Nicolás Otamendi's blunder be come May?
Norwich's season thus far has been characterized by the offensive abilities of the squad, specifically Golden Boot hopeful Teemu Pukki and the Fin was part of everything positive offensively for the Canaries on Saturday. Pukki's expertly-timed run and clinical feed across the goal brought Norwich's lead to an unexpected 2-0 before 30 minutes past and netted what would eventually be the game winner from Emiliano BuendÃa at the 50' minute mark as a result of Otamendi's giveaway.
This Norwich side has the attacking abilities to perform very well in this league and defeating the champions certainly showed that. With Pukki and his offensive skill leading the way, this team should stay around the mid of the table. In his first Premier League season, Pukki sits at third in goals scored with six and has assisted another two.
As for Manchester City, the absence of Aymeric Laporte is a glaring issue for the defending champions. Man City is still the highest scoring team in the league with 16 goals through five games, but the injury to crucial defender Laporte and with seasoned defender Vincent Kompany leaving the club over the summer, the glaring issues arise at the back. Luckily Man City, the next six league games do not see a single of the other top six opponents, but as shown by Norwich, any team on a solid outing can disrupt the Citizens. An early November hosting of Southampton could pose a sneaky surprise, which is then followed by what could be a title deciding meeting with Liverpool Nov. 9. With Laporte likely out until the turn of 2020, and not the best showing from goalkeeper Ederson Moraes, Manchester City's strive for a three-peat could be in serious jeopardy.
XI of the Week
Goalkeeper - Dean Henderon, Sheffield United
Defense - Andrew Robertson, Liverpool
Serge Aurier, Tottenham
Fikayo Tomori, Chelsea
Harry Maguire, Manchester United
Midfield - Todd Cantwell, Norwich City
Mason Mount, Chelsea
Moussa Djenepo, Southampton
Striker - Tammy Abraham, Chelsea
Sadio Mané, Liverpool
Son Heung-Min, Tottenham
Power Rankings
1.) Liverpool
Place in table: 1
2.) Tottenham
Place in table: 3
3.) Manchester City
Place in table: 2
4.) Manchester United
Place in table: 4
5.) Chelsea
Place in table: 6
6.) Leicester City
Place in table: 5
7.) Arsenal
Place in table: 7
8.) Southampton
Place in table: 10
9.) Bournemouth
Place in table: 8
10.) West Ham United (could change)
Place in table: 9 (could change)
11.) Everton
Place in table: 11
12.) Norwich City
Place in table: 13
13.) Sheffield United
Place in table: 15
14.) Newcastle United
Place in table: 17
15.) Wolverhampton
Place in table: 19
16.) Crystal Palace
Place in table: 12
17.) Brighton & Hove Albion
Place in table: 16
18.) Burnley
Place in table: 14
19.) Aston Villa (could change)
Place in table: 18 (could change)
20.) Watford
Place in table: 20