A pair of clubs stayed perfect, one manager triumphed under pressure, another coach wilted and Bournemouth finds itself on the brink of the top four.
Here are three winners and three losers from Matchday 5 of the Premier League.
WINNERS
Chelsea and Liverpool fans
If you’re a Chelsea or Liverpool fan, the opening five matches have been wonderful, if not perfect.
Their records certainly show that, and to put their hot starts in perspective…
Liverpool’s strong opening to the campaign is somewhat expected given the marquee summer signings that were made. However, this was supposed to a learning period for Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea. Even he admitted that it could take up to two months for the squad to fully understand his methods.
It’s been a month and Chelsea has won all five matches. No, the Blues aren’t flatlining their opponents, as evidenced in the 3-2 win over Arsenal back on Aug. 18. But Eden Hazard has just returned to optimal fitness and bagged a hat trick in the victory versus Cardiff City. Sarri mentioned that the Belgian could score 40 goals if he reserved his energy. If this team isn’t at its peak, that’s a scary prospect.
As for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp deserves plaudits for getting his side to click this early in the campaign. Spurs tried to control the tempo in midfield, then attempted to spread the ball across the pitch. Klopp was ready for it and Tottenham was overwhelmed in its 2-1 defeat.
The Champions League and Europa League group stages begin this week, so now Sarri and Klopp have to deal with fixture congestion. That will be the next test of their resolve.
Jose Mourinho
Few managers needed a win this weekend as badly as Jose Mourinho.
Aside from a few shaky moments in the second half, the Manchester United boss executed his tactics perfectly. The inclusion of Marouane Fellaini caused fits for Watford’s defence in the air. United pulled ahead 2-0 thanks to a quick double-fire off set pieces. Fellaini was vital during both sequences.
Defensively, Fellaini put in a shift as well. The Belgian stopped the dynamic Abdoulaye Doucoure from executing his driving runs through the middle and broke up most counter-attacks in his path.
Critics will mention Watford’s turnaround in the second half. But given Watford’s previously perfect record and the match being played at Vicarage Road, Mourinho should be credited for halting the Hornets.
Ryan Fraser
Ryan Fraser’s display against Leicester City was as dominant a performance as we’ve seen this season.
Fraser scored two goals and assisted another to help Bournemouth coast past Leicester. His strikes were excellent, but it’s his vision that really stood out in the victory.
Ryan Fraser has created more big chances (5) in the Premier League this season than any other player.
At least two more than anyone else. pic.twitter.com/NQ2MXFohiw
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 4, 2018
The midfielder now has three goals and two assists in five matches, which has Bournemouth in fifth place. Whether or not it lasts is one thing, but the Cherries are in good hands with Fraser.
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LOSERS
Tottenham midfield
Mauricio Pochettino made a gamble against Liverpool. He wasn’t rewarded.
Harry Winks hadn’t started a match for Tottenham since Feb. 28. He was given the nod against Liverpool, probably the most intense and dynamic team in the Premier League. Pochettino also deployed Mousa Dembele as a No. 6, despite Eric Dier being more comfortable in that role.
Pochettino’s mind was in the right place. He wanted the option to grab control of the game so Tottenham could bypass Liverpool’s high-press. That clearly did not happen because the Reds completely overwhelmed the midfield.
Sometimes those tactical gambles pay off and the manager is rendered a genius. But when it goes sideways, it’s very obvious.
Burnley defence
The downward trend of Burnley’s defence continued in a loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
Despite the narrow 1-0 scoreline, Wolves mustered 30 shots. That is an absurd number for any top-flight league.
Last season, Burnley faced 122 shots on target. The Clarets have already conceded 26 in their first five matches. That has them on pace to allow 198 over a 38-game campaign.
If Burnley continues to leak big chances, then relegation is a definite possibility.
Wes Morgan
It might be time for Leicester City to move on from Wes Morgan.
It’s always difficult to drop a club captain, especially one who helped guide the team to a historic Premier League triumph. However, it’s evident that Morgan is now Leicester’s fourth-best centre-back.
Morgan was sent off in the loss to Bournemouth and some Leicester fans actually celebrated that decision. Crass, but it’s a sign that the Jamaican international is no longer good enough. He’s too slow to cope with the pace of the matches.
There’s a reason why the Foxes signed 22-year-old Turkish defender Caglar Soyuncu. He made 50 Bundesliga appearances for Freiburg in the past two seasons and was reportedly tracked by Arsenal. He has serious potential and now is the time to utilize it.
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