There’s never a dull moment when it comes to Premier League football. Okay, maybe there are a few when Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United are in action but their clash at Brighton & Hove Albion was an anomaly.
The Red Devils conceded three goals in a blistering first half and fans are starting to turn on the Portuguese.
Away from the Amex Stadium, there was lots of drama this weekend. Starting with Saturday afternoon’s last-gasp penalty for Newcastle against Cardiff to Manchester City’s demolition job of Huddersfield Town on Sunday, the Premier League did not disappoint.
Here are five of the most important things to take from this weekend’s action…
The Title Is Manchester City's To Lose
There’s only one place to start and that is at the Etihad Stadium. The defending champions, allegedly rocked by news of Kevin de Bruyne’s injury earlier this week, put six goals past David Wagner’s hapless Huddersfield.
Liverpool face Crystal Palace on Monday evening and that City result will have raised a few eyebrows at Anfield.
The Reds invested heavily in the summer transfer window but the title is City’s to lose. Pep Guardiola’s side are a class above their domestic rivals and it would take a brave man to back against the Blues this season.
Watch this space, another hammering from City could be on the cards in the coming weeks.
West Ham United Need Time
With so many new faces arriving at the London Stadium this summer, it was always going to take time for West Ham to settle.
Manuel Pellegrini was given a handsome sum of money to spend in the transfer window but the Hammers are looking disjointed. Fans must be patient in order for Pellegrini to work his magic in the long term.
West Ham were poor against Liverpool on the opening weekend and they were second best against Bournemouth this weekend as well.
Bringing four or five new faces into the starting line-up and expecting players to gel immediately never works – it may take a few months before we start to see West Ham realise their full potential.
Harry Kane's August Run Is Over
The England international had failed to score a Premier League goal in August in well over 1,000 minutes of top flight action but that run is over.
With that mental barrier now lifted, Kane can push on and build momentum as he looks to get his hands back on the Golden Boot award – Mo Salah is going to take some stopping though.
Kane’s goal helped Tottenham to a 3-1 victory over London rivals Fulham at Wembley and the England captain had a few opportunities to add to his tally.
Backing against the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner in his pursuit of individual recognition would be foolish, especially considering his recent Premier League record.
Burnley Struggling, Watford Soaring
Sean Dyche’s Burnley may be struggling to juggle their European commitments. The Clarets failed to inspire confidence against Watford at Turf Moor on Sunday, conceding after just three minutes – not “Burnley-like” in the slightest.
The hosts were taken to extra-time by Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday and those excursions may have taken their toll.
Meanwhile, Javi Gracia’s side are heading in the opposite direction. Watford were a class above Brighton on the opening weekend and followed that up with an equally impressive performance at Burnley.
The Hornets hadn’t scored away from home in the Premier League since January but the signs are positive for Watford in 2018/19.
Pressure Cranking Up On Jose Mourinho
Manchester United fans are starting to turn. Despite finishing second in the Premier League table last season, Jose Mourinho is a man under pressure.
United’s lack of transfer activity had fans fearing the worst ahead of the new campaign and Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Brighton confirmed those doubts: the Red Devils are some way below their title rivals.
United registered just two shots on target in 90 minutes – Mourinho’s side have struggled to create chances so far this season and the Red Devils are in real danger of finishing outside the top four.
Will Mourinho still be in the Old Trafford hot seat come the end of the season? Not if United play like they did against Brighton. It is as simple as that.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
