Premier League: Manchester City's Setback Without Rodri, Man Utd's Failed Sofyan Amrabat Experiment, and More!

Cause for concern at Brentford?

Brentford's performance in the Premier League this season has been lackluster, as they have only managed to secure seven points from their seven games. Their sole victory came against Fulham, and it remains their only win in normal time out of the nine matches they have played across all competitions. Despite having the advantage of an extra player for 43 minutes (including added time) in their 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest, they were unable to overcome a determined Steve Cooper-led team. Given their opportunities, Brentford should have collected nine points instead of just seven.

Thomas Frank, expressing his belief in the power of strong performances, emphasized the importance of consistently making correct decisions, building upon them, and continuously gaining knowledge from games like this. He stated, "We are confident that it is only a matter of time before we achieve victory and succeed."

Frank is known for providing trustworthy evaluations of Brentford's performance level. This recent game marked a significant improvement after their disappointing performance against Everton, where Frank openly acknowledged his team's lackluster display.

With 15 shots within the box and a total of 39 touches in the Forest box, it would typically result in scoring two goals in a match, especially when the opposing team is down to 10 players. By remaining focused on their strategy, Brentford should be able to overcome any challenges and succeed.

Man City just aren't the same without Rodri

Since August 2019, when Rodri made his Premier League debut, Manchester City's win rate in top-flight matches without the Spaniard has been 33 per cent lower than their win rate with him in the team. In contrast, with Rodri in their side, Manchester City have only lost 7.5 per cent of their top-flight matches.

City's loss to Wolves and their defeat in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle further fuels the belief that the team is not as formidable without the commanding presence of Rodri. While Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic are talented players, City seemed to lack the necessary urgency and creativity on the ball. As a result, Pep Guardiola took the decision to substitute Nunes during halftime.

City appeared vulnerable whenever they lost possession, especially on the left side where Pedro Neto posed a significant threat. Although Rodri alone couldn't alter the course of events at Molineux, the statistics reveal that City is evidently more exposed without him.

Amrabat experiment malfunctions Man Utd

City's initial dominance in the early stages of the season has been replaced by vulnerability, leaving Mikel Arteta eager for Arsenal to seize the opportunity to exploit the void caused by Rodri's absence at the Emirates next Sunday.

Being adept at problem-solving is a crucial characteristic for a Premier League football manager. Erik ten Hag faced a challenge with injuries to Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan Bissaka, and Sergio Reguilon. To address this issue, he opted to deploy new signing Sofyan Amrabat in a versatile role on the left side, similar to what he did during United's dominant first half performance in their 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace earlier in the week. However, it should be noted that Crystal Palace displayed a different level of play compared to their previous match.

Crystal Palace exhibited bravery, physicality, and a significant amount of energy upon their return to Premier League action. Consequently, Amrabat found himself having to take on more defensive responsibilities. Unfortunately, he struggled to contain the cunning maneuvers of Jordan Ayew, who is known for his expertise in winning free-kicks and relieving pressure from his defenders. Ayew managed to draw fouls from an overwhelmed Amrabat on five occasions, bringing his total number of fouls won this season to 25, surpassing any other player by seven.

Has Havertz turned a corner at Arsenal?

Arsenal enjoyed a splendid afternoon at Bournemouth on Saturday, but Kai Havertz stole the show.

Despite facing significant challenges following his £65m transfer from Chelsea earlier this year, the 24-year-old finally found his form for the Gunners, netting his first goal in his 10th appearance. This impressive performance contributed to Arsenal's dominant 4-0 victory on the south coast.

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Although Havertz is not typically Arsenal's designated penalty taker, Bukayo Saka, with his team already leading 2-0, allowed him the opportunity to break the club's goal drought, which had persisted since March. Havertz flawlessly executed the penalty, confidently guiding the ball into the bottom corner, sealing the victory beyond any doubt.

Upon scoring, Havertz was swiftly surrounded by his fellow teammates and his name resounded from the opposing section. Undeniably, this moment carried great significance and held deep meaning for the German international.

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Kai Havertz netted his inaugural goal for Arsenal on his tenth outing. Despite receiving a caution for a late challenge in the initial half, Havertz showcased an enhanced display and received a well-deserved standing ovation from the Arsenal supporters when he was replaced in the 81st minute.

Mikel Arteta commended the midfielder for his unwavering dedication both on and off the field, despite the challenges he has faced since joining north London. "This goal will be a game-changer," stated the Arsenal manager. Is Havertz now on the right track?

Spurs riding the Postecoglou wave

Tottenham had just experienced their most exhilarating last-minute triumph since… their previous match at home. With only seven league games played in the season and under Ange Postecoglou's leadership, ranking the unforgettable moments for Spurs fans is becoming a challenging feat.

Every week brings excitement and a sense of optimism. Last Saturday, for instance, the eruption in the crowd occurred when Joel Matip unintentionally scored a goal for Liverpool in the final seconds. Another cherished memory was the entire stadium giving a standing ovation to Postecoglou as he acknowledged the crowd from the pitch. These moments encapsulate the essence of what it means to be a fan.

Postecoglou is fulfilling the desires of Spurs supporters who longed for a departure from the pragmatic style of play witnessed in recent years. With their ambitious and daring approach, Spurs have occasionally relied on good fortune, but their efforts have been rewarded with thrilling victories, propelling them to second place in the Premier League standings.

Liverpool channel the mentality monsters

The picture could have been different if the officials hadn't been incompetent, as their superiors acknowledged a "significant human error". Despite the sense of injustice, Liverpool remained focused on their task and didn't let it distract them.

The hard work of the players in red was evident, as Tottenham's numerical advantage only became apparent when Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones were sent off. Even in this situation, Klopp adapted effectively by employing an unconventional 5-3-0 formation, which frustrated and silenced Tottenham for the most part.

The transformation of Liverpool 2.0 is well underway as Klopp, an expert in managing his team, has swiftly shaped the new additions according to his own vision. Impressively, the group seems to be surpassing expectations and making progress in their objective to close the gap on, and eventually overtake, Man City.

According to Gary Neville, this season they may not be prepared to compete for the title, but their performance on Saturday demonstrated that they should never be underestimated in the battle. Regardless of the circumstances.

Brilliant Bowen is too good to ignore

Jarrod Bowen's clinical low finish in West Ham's 2-0 victory against Sheffield United marks his fifth goal in seven Premier League games this season. When considering his memorable winning goal in the Europa Conference League final in June, it brings his overall tally to six goals in eight matches.

He had plenty of opportunities on Saturday afternoon at the London Stadium. In the first half, his header was on target and required a remarkable save by Wes Foderingham. Despite this, he performed exceptionally well and received a standing ovation when he was replaced towards the end.

Afterwards, David Moyes mentioned that the 26-year-old is likely closer than ever to being selected for the England team, and it is hard to dispute that. Bowen has been one of the top performers in the Premier League this season, with only Erling Haaland and Heung-Min Son having scored more goals.

Gareth Southgate has a plethora of options in his forward line, but only a few are consistently performing at a high level. While his goal-scoring abilities are attracting attention, his dynamic performance against the Blades served as a reminder of his numerous other talents.

The opposition struggled to cope with Gareth Southgate on the left flank, as he skillfully partnered with Vladimir Coufal, displaying impressive dribbling skills, driving forward with possession, and putting pressure on the opposing defenders. It is undeniable that Southgate can no longer overlook his contributions.

Set-piece threat offers Luton survival hope

Despite the promising victories against Brentford and Aston Villa, Everton's hopes for a brighter future were overshadowed by Luton's historic triumph. This marked a monumental day for Luton, as they achieved their first top-flight victory since their 2-0 win over Aston Villa back in April 1992.

Rob Edwards, soaked from head to toe, led his followers in the Bullens Road End with three exuberant fist pumps amidst the pouring rain. Despite the miserable weather, it was a glorious day for those who had made the trip from Bedfordshire.

"The Town will remain in the league," resonated the chorus from the visiting section, and based on what was witnessed, it is difficult to dispute that the Hatters won't make a swift comeback to the Championship.

Luton displayed a brilliant performance and rightfully earned their victory, particularly due to Alfie Doughty's threatening deliveries. Each player remained committed to the game plan and exhibited excellent organization without possession. Their proficiency in set-pieces was commendable, and they capitalized on their opportunities.

The team's unity greatly contributed to their success, evident even when faced with adversity as they lost Reece Burke and captain Tom Lockyer to injuries in the second half. However, the result could have been even more impressive if Carlton Morris had not been ruled offside, denying him his second goal.

Nasty reality check for Everton

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Everton have lost four home Premier League games

In attendance at Goodison Park were 777 Partners' co-founders Josh Wander and Steve Pasko, alongside Don Dransfield, CEO of the 777 Football Group. However, they were confronted with the immense challenge of restoring Everton's dominance in English football, despite witnessing 23 goal attempts. Unfortunately, fourteen of these attempts missed their mark, reflecting a desperate lack of finesse and a frantic pace.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin criticized Luton's Carlton Morris for his "criminal" defending during their crucial second goal. Sue Smith noted that the players appeared "scared" after falling behind. The team's confidence, gained from two consecutive away wins in a span of five days, quickly vanished as they conceded two goals within 32 minutes against a recently promoted side at home.

Following their unexpected victory over Brentford, Everton had hoped to secure a comfortable lead over the relegation zone with this home game, prior to their upcoming match against Bournemouth at Goodison Park next weekend.

The Cherries' visit will bring back happy memories of the last-day victory that ensured survival, but it also highlights Everton's struggle to perform in front of their home fans. Despite Calvert-Lewin scoring his third goal in three games, there was a lack of chemistry between him and Beto when the Portuguese player came on in the second half. The £27m striker, who was signed from Udinese, missed a clear opportunity to equalize. Overall, this match served as a harsh reminder of Everton's current challenges.

Watkins provides another timely England reminder

Brighton will be sick of the sight of Ollie Watkins.

Watkins' hat-trick propelled Aston Villa to a resounding 6-1 triumph over the Seagulls. The exceptional performance by the England striker takes his tally to six Premier League goals against Brighton, finding the net in each of his previous four encounters with them. This achievement now solidifies his position as the lead scorer against a single opponent in his English league career, surpassing his previous record of five goals against Liverpool.

He works really hard for the team which sometimes goes unnoticed. Today was the complete performance.

John McGinn praised Ollie Watkins' brilliant display against Brighton. The 27-year-old striker has been exceptional this season, scoring seven goals across various competitions. Notably, he has achieved the incredible feat of netting two hat-tricks in a single season, a record that hadn't been accomplished by an Aston Villa player since Andy Gray in the 1976/77 season. Watkins has now joined Christian Benteke as the only two players in Aston Villa's history to score more than one hat-trick in the Premier League.

Watkins' impressive progression under Unai Emery persists, and his outstanding performance against Brighton served as a timely reminder to England manager Gareth Southgate, present in the stands at Villa Park on Saturday.

Although he was not included in the Three Lions squad for the matches against Ukraine and Scotland in September, based on this display, it is highly likely that Southgate will consider him for selection when announcing the squad for the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy in October.

Burnley's season starts now

"As a newly promoted team, I'm not that naive to not guess that it could be this type of start."

With only one point to show from their first six matches in the Premier League, Burnley finds themselves second from the bottom. Their daunting lineup of opponents included Manchester City, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, and Newcastle.

The side that clinched the Championship title has shown glimpses of their past brilliance. Zeki Amdouni and Luca Koleosho have particularly excelled when faced with challenging situations. They now face the important task of delivering in a critical October.

Up next is a trip to Luton on Tuesday, followed by matches against struggling Chelsea, Brentford, and Bournemouth. Burnley's season is set to kick off now with these upcoming fixtures.