In this midweek edition of the 5iver, Desh Parthab looks at Diogo Dalot's renaissance under Erik ten Hag, Martin Ødegaard's coming of age at Arsenal and more from the Premier League!
The previous round of fixtures gave us goals galore with just five clubs blanking.
Liverpool shook off their slow start to the season in emphatic fashion. The Merseysiders put nine unanswered goals past a hapless Bournemouth team – simultaneously equalling the Premier League records for goals scored and margin of victory.
That loss was enough to convince the Bournemouth hierarchy to part ways with manager, Scott Parker, the first managerial casualty of the season.
Fellow promoted club Fulham were handed their first league defeat of the season, after succumbing to table-toppers, Arsenal.
Elsewhere Crystal Palace found themselves 2-0 up against Manchester City at the home of the champions. Pep Guardiola’s men would go on to score four second-half goals to sink to sink the Eagles, though.
Everton, Wolves and Leicester occupy the relegation spots and will be on the hunt for their first league win of the season respectively. With that being said, here are a few points to consider ahead of this round of fixtures.
Misfiring de Bruyne to come right against wide open Forest?
Kevin de Bruyne has only bagged a single goal from 12 shots attempted but could have added to his tally as illustrated by the fact that he’s missed one big missed chance. The Citizens are at home to a Nottingham Forest side who face 19.8 shots per game. Manchester City have found themselves two goals behind in four of their previous six league outings but you feel they won’t have that problem at home against Forest. Whilst the Citizens are currently two points off the top spot, they will need to improve how they start matches, something de Bruyne can help them do on Wednesday against Steve Cooper’s men.
🅰️ De Bruyne
— 433 (@433) August 8, 2022
⚽️ Haaland
We better start getting used to this..pic.twitter.com/nMdrL3hwBc
Ødegaard’s coming of age
Martin Ødegaard has been finding the net with regularity for the Gunners. The Arsenal captain has bagged three goals across his previous two league appearances, attempting six shots during that period. Last season, the midfielder was Arsenal’s creator in chief, delivering 78 chances to his teammates over his 36 league appearances. This season, he has created just three chances across his opening four league appearances – incredibly, four teammates have bettered that. Arsenal are one of just three top-flight clubs to have reached double digits on the scoring charts and Ødegaard is certainly getting in on the act. This could be the season that the Norwegian finally realises his full potential and I’m here for it.
🚨 Martin Odegaard vs Fulham:
— ESR #10 (@oneofakindESR) August 27, 2022
• 90 minutes
• 1 goal
• 2 key passes
• 2/2 crosses completed
• 6/7 long balls completed
• 5/5 dribbles completed
• 8/15 ground duels won
• 3 tackles won
• MOTM 🌟
Magician🪄 pic.twitter.com/HibIJeXvIG
Toney the real deal
Ivan Toney has been involved in four goals across his four league appearances. The forward has delivered two goals from his seven shots and two assists from his eight chances created. Whilst Toney blanked last time out, he did hit the woodwork. Brentford have created nine big chances thus far, only Crystal Palace (10), Liverpool (10) and Manchester City (15) have created more from all top flight clubs.
Dink @IvanToney24#BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/hItriGjtsY
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 29, 2022
Harrison’s helping hand
Jack Harrison is the current joint-leader of the Premier League assist charts. Last season, the Englishman netted eight times and delivered just a single assist across his 35 league appearances, but seems to have a different mandate this time around. The onus seems to be placed on providing for his teammates rather than tucking them away himself. The wideman has created a whopping 13 chances and has three assists to his name, with all three of those being scored by Rodrigo.
Jack Harrison. That’s the tweet!🔥🔥🔥#LUFC pic.twitter.com/LhEVgcK5rC
— Totally Leeds (@TotallyLeeds) August 21, 2022
Dalot’s United renaissance
Diogo Dalot has started each of United’s four league outings this term and for good reason. The Portuguese defender has won 20 duels, hit four accurate crosses, completed eight tackles and effected a team-leading eight interceptions. Furthermore, he has created eight chances during that period – which is half of his 2021/22 season tally. Last time out Manchester United ended a run of seven consecutive away league defeats with a scrappy victory against Southampton. Furthermore, it was United’s first away league clean sheet this calendar year and they could follow that up with another against a Leicester team who sit plum last, ahead of this round of fixtures.
Diogo Dalot vs Liverpool
— MU Comps 🔰 (@CompsMU) August 23, 2022
[@DalotDiogo] pic.twitter.com/gCxxd6yaNN
