Half of The Top Four Is Under New Management

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta continue to battle as their clubs vie for the Premier League title. Neither of their clubs is currently topping the table, however, and a potential new challenger has now crashed the top four. Both that new challenger and the current Premier League leader are under new management as Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca are off to better starts than their club supporters could have ever hoped for.

Liverpool, of course, was expected to contend after Jurgen Klopp bequeathed a talented roster which ran third behind Manchester City and Arsenal last season. No one, however, expected the transition to Slot’s regime to go so smoothly that the Reds would sit above those two to this admittedly early point in the season. Without making wholesale changes, the former Feyenoord manager has instituted a bit more caution into Klopp’s helter skelter gameplan. Attack minded fullbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have been challenged to attend more to their defensive responsibilities. A double pivot of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch provides additional cover in front of a back line that was showing leakage as the Klopp regime wound down. The stronger defensive shape has led to only two goals being conceded to date in Liverpool’s seven Premier League matches. By comparison, Arsenal has conceded six times and Manchester City has leaked eight goals to date.

On the attack, Liverpool has been more judicious in its attempts. Big chance creation, those goal attempts where a player is expected to score, are up even though shots are down more than eight shots per match in the first seven contests under Slot versus the final seven matches under Klopp. Culture wise, there has been little drama during the transition so far and Mohamed Salah seems much happier now that he is out from under his deteriorating relationship with former manager Klopp. All seems well after the club has won nine of its first ten matches across all competitions under Slot. The true test, of course, will be when inevitable adversity is encountered at some point during this long season.

Another positive manager story is unfolding at Stamford Bridge. When Slot’s legendary predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, announced his departure last January, Liverpool fans had several months to acclimate to the idea of a regime change before the May announcement of Slot’s appointment. Things were a bit more jarring for Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino had just overseen a strong season ending run of five consecutive victories by his young Chelsea squad, capping a run of 15 games where Chelsea lost just once as a difficult start to the 2023/24 season quickly faded into memory. Then two days after the final match Pochettino was gone, purportedly a mutual decision between the Argentine and Chelsea club ownership based on irreconcilable differences. Pochettino, who stayed just one season at Chelsea, is now in his early days  of managing the United States National Team and already voicing aspirations that he would really like to be managing Argentina.

Less than a month after Pochettino’s abrupt departure, Chelsea fans learned their new manager would be Enzo Maresca. The Italian won the Championship in his own one season at Leicester, admittedly limping a bit across the finish line to the consternation of Fox fans. Maresca had failed miserably in his one other top job with Parma where he was fired less than halfway through his maiden season. A presumed big selling point for Chelsea ownership was the Italian’s time spent on the staff of Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola.

There was some understandable doubt among Chelsea supporters as to whether they were seeing an upgrade on the touchline from the vastly more experienced Pochettino. There can be little complaint thus far. Maresca has Chelsea back in the top four and his club is performing in exciting fashion. Only Manchester City has scored more goals than Chelsea this season. This week Maresca was named the Premier League Manager of the Month for September. The new manager has been quick to assert himself at Chelsea and has taken controversially hard stands to cast veteran players Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell from his plans for the season.

On the pitch, Maresca has implemented three key changes. His club uses a short passing game focused on build up play and possession versus the more aggressive transition-based style of Pochettino. Secondly, one of Maresca’s two fullbacks will invert in attack seeking to create a numbers advantage in midfield. Finally, much to the delight of supporters, rising star Cole Palmer is featured in a number 10 role where he can be even more influential than under Pochettino where he was spending time on the right wing. The former Manchester City player was also recognized Friday, being named the Premier League Player of the Month.

While Palmer’s star continues to rise, other young players such as Noni Madueke and Niclas Jackson are also showing improvement. Even defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo appears more comfortable in Maresca’s disciplined system and is showing flashes of the star he once was at Brighton.

There is a long season ahead as the new Chelsea and Liverpool managers get to take a breath during this international break. Both should feel good, however, at their performance so far.

Premier League Results Match Week 7: Top Three Unchanged As Reds, Gunners and Citizens Prevail; Goalless Grind by Aston Villa and Manchester United; Epic Collapse By Spurs; Hammers Pound The Tractor Boys; Chelsea Drops Points In Melee At The Bridge; Wolves Stung By Bees

Liverpool posted its fifth clean sheet in seven Premier League matches as the table leaders edged Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park. Diogo Jota’s ninth minute goal was all that was required as the Reds faced little challenge from Crystal Palace. The Eagles remain mired in the relegation zone, continuing to search for their first win of this season. Crystal Palace bemoaned a potential penalty call when Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk purportedly grabbed Marc Guehi. While the call was debatable, the argument was sadly the only energy the Eagles displayed on the day.

Arsenal pummeled another of the league’s winless punching bags in a 3-1 win over Southampton as Bukayo Saka set up Arsenal’s first two goals before scoring himself in the 88th minute. Kai Havertz was the beneficiary of Saka’s first assist, finding the net for a club leading fourth time this season as the former Chelsea man scored in a seventh consecutive Emirates appearance. The home crowd was initially shocked by a Southampton goal which gave the Saints an improbable lead before Arsenal began to roll to their 400th home win in the Premier League. Only Manchester United had previously reached that milestone.

Manchester City remained level with Arsenal, one point behind Liverpool, by defeating Fulham 3-2. As was the case with Arsenal, Manchester City also played the role of gracious host by allowing their visitors to score the opening goal. Mateo Kovacic, however, then played the unlikely hero for the defending champions as the midfielder scored twice in succession. A Jeremy Doku goal put the Citizens beyond the reach of an 88th minute consolation goal by the Cottagers.

Homestanding Chelsea also conceded the game’s first goal to Nottingham Forest. A Noni Madueke goal  brought the Blues level, but Chelsea was then unable to capitalize on an ensuing man advantage. Forest’s James Ward-Prowse was disqualified in the 78th minute but Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels stood tall with numerous key saves to preserve the away point for the Tricky Trees. The scrappy contest will likely see disciplinary action against both clubs for failing to control their players after a melee in the closing stages. As it is, both Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana will be suspended for Chelsea’s next league match after they became the first Premier League players this season to pick up five yellow cards. Chelsea as a team were assessed six yellow cards on Sunday for the second time this season. Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca dismisses the seeming indiscipline as he professes to “like the spirit of the team.”

Aston Villa remains level on points with fourth place Chelsea after a somnolent goalless slog with Manchester United. The ugly point by Manchester United may well save the job of Manager Eric ten Hag at least for a few weeks. Ten Hag’s pleas for patience with what he characterizes as a long-term project are a bit comical, however, considering his man of the match on Sunday was 36-year-old Jonny Evans who played his first league match with the Red Devils back in 2008. The Dutch manager’s short-term fate is reportedly to be discussed during an ownership meeting planned for this week. Aston Villa were lackluster, perhaps an understandable let down after an exhilarating Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Brighton, meanwhile, rose from ninth to sixth place in the table with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Tottenham Hotspur. Another “Spursy” performance saw Tottenham Hotspur lose for a league record 10th time after leading a match by two goals as a two-goal halftime lead disappeared with the concession of three second half goals inside of 18 minutes. While the goals reflected individual player mistakes by Tottenham Hotspur players, debate continues on the net viability of Manager Ange Postecoglou’s high risk / high reward system of play. Summer transfer acquisitions Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter  scored the fist two goals of the Seagull comeback before Premier League veteran Danny Welbeck headed in the winner. The final goal was indicative of Spurs’ play as neither the cross nor Welbeck’s header was contested by Tottenham Hotspur defenders. Postecoglou after the match would describe his club’s play as “bad as it gets.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle United were one of the three clubs which Brighton leapfrogged on the weekend as the Magpies were held to a goalless draw at Everton. The Toffees’ Jordan Pickford more than earned his first clean sheet of the Premier League season when the England keeper stopped a penalty try from Anthony Gordon. The miss was particularly disappointing for Newcastle’s Gordon who made 78 appearances for Everton after his childhood signing by the club. An acrimonious 2023 exit led some supporters and even official club sources to delight in his misfortune at Goodison Park Saturday. Everton moved two points clear of the relegation line as the Toffees have captured four of their last six available points.

Leicester secured its first victory of the season to improve its own survival prospects as the Foxes defeated visiting Bournemouth 1-0 at King Power Stadium. Facundo Buonanaotte, on loan to the Foxes from Brighton, scored his second goal of the season as Leicester took the lead in a match for only the second time this season. Absent a feared points deduction form the league, the Foxes are currently best poised of the newly promoted sides to stick around for another year.

The Foxes are 15th in the table, jumping over Ipswich Town which was hammered 4-1 at West Ham on Saturday. Julen Lopetegui scored his first victory as a West Ham manager at London Stadium after starting his managerial tenure with three consecutive home defeats. The fireworks started early on Saturday as each club scored within the opening two minutes of play. The Tractor Boys were finished, however, after Liam Delap’s fourth goal of the season. The Hammers would go on to score three more times to lessen the pressure on their new manager who was being rumored to quickly become their former manager. The three points move West Ham to 12th in the table, level with Bournemouth and Manchester United and two points behind Brentford.

The Bees on Saturday swarmed all over bottom of the table Wolverhampton in a 5-3 goal fest. The Wolves levelled twice early on before the home side poured on three consecutive goals, rendering a Wolves stoppage time goal meaningless. Brentford ended a three-match winless run with the win. Winless Wolves have captured just a single point this season and have conceded a staggering 21 goals in their seven matches. 

Premier League Preview: Match Week 7

Premier League leading Liverpool is at Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Reds have not lost there since 2014, and this is a lovely time to visit. The Eagles have lost all momentum from their fine finish to last season and are sitting in the relegation zone, having not won a single match. Manager Oliver Glasner was lauded for the job he did after taking over the club from Roy Hodgson in February. Now he could be in the hot seat with his grounded Eagles not only winless but limping along with just six goals in their last five matches.

Matchday -1 🌟 #CPFC pic.twitter.com/a7vx8wKnnO

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 4, 2024

Only Arsenal has conceded fewer goals than Fulham this season. That could change when the Cottagers visit the Etihad to face a Manchester City side which has scored more goals than any club not named Chelsea. Fulham is a tough out this season, however, after going undefeated in five matches since an opening week loss and crashing the “top six.” Kevin De Bruyne will be missing for a Manchester City side which is still reeling from a season ending injury to Rodri and has uncharacteristically dropped points in consecutive weeks.

Arsenal is level on points with Manchester City, one point behind Liverpool as the Gunners head to Southampton to face the suffering Saints. Southampton has scored only three goals in its six league matches. Worse yet, the Saints have leaked 12 goals by opponents, leading Manager Russell Martin to call his team "soft" after last week’s loss to Bournemouth. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz has the chance to tie the record of Robin Van Persie by scoring for a seventh consecutive match across all competitions at the Emirates.

Havertz’s former team, Chelsea, is also scoring a lot of goals. The Blues lead the Premier League in finding the net, 13 of their fifteen goals coming from young stars Cole Palmer, Niclas Jackson and Noni Madueke. Palmer also has four assists to go with his six goals on the season. Chelsea’s goal barrage has landed the Blues back into the top four as they await the visit of Nottingham Forest on Sunday. It will be interesting to see if that goal production continues against the Tricky Trees who suffered their first defeat of the season last week to Fulham. In only one of Nottingham Forest’s six matches has either club scored more than a single goal.

Brighton and Hove Albion was handed its first loss of the season last week at Chelsea. This week the Seagulls will be home to visiting Tottenham Hotspur. While Brighton may have lost for the first time last week, the Seagulls had drawn their previous three Premier League matches. Meanwhile, the arrow has most assuredly been pointing upwards for Spurs which has won all five matches across all competitions since its league loss in the north London derby to Arsenal. The London side is seeing increased contributions from attackers Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski which should help cover for the absence on Sunday of Son Heung-min who is expected out with a hamstring. Johnson has scored in his last five appearances across all competitions, Solanke has scored in back-to-back league matches and Kulusevski was responsible for creating nine chances in the match against Manchester United last weekend. Spurs’ 3-0 win at Old Trafford, the identical score by which Liverpool had won at the historic ground two weeks earlier, raised the temperature on the already hot seat of Manchester United Manager Eric ten Hag.

A change of venue will be welcomed this weekend as the Red Devils visit Villa Park, a stadium where Manchester United has lost only once in its last 25 Premier League visits. Villa, however, is in fine form this season, level on points with fourth place Chelsea after winning four of six matches and losing only to Arsenal. Aston Villa strikers Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran have been an impressive tag team for Manager Unai Emery. Watkins has scored in three straight matches while super-sub Duran has scored as a substitute in all four of Aston Villa’s wins. Manchester United received word this week that its appeal of Bruno Fernandes’s red card from the Spurs’ match was successful and their Portuguese captain will be available on Sunday.

Just when things were looking up for Everton, news came this week that Jarrad Branthwaite is injured again after suffering a thigh injury in training. His return from a groin injury was a key factor in the Toffees’ first win of the season last weekend. The defender is now a doubt for Saturday’s match versus Newcastle when the Magpies’ Anthony Gordon returns to his former stomping ground. The former Toffee star is now finding his way after a slow start to his career in the northeast. The versatile Gordon, a natural winger, might well play at center forward against his former team. Injuries to Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson forced Gordon to the middle against Manchester City last week where he performed well and scored the penalty kick which secured a point in the 1-1 draw.

West Ham has striker issues as transfer acquisition Niclas Fullkrug remains sidelined with a calf/Achilles problem. The Hammers will be trying to avoid a fourth consecutive home defeat when they host Ipswich Town at London Stadium on Saturday. Things could turn dark early for West Ham and new Manager Julen Lopetegui. Only one of 12 Premier League clubs whose new managers lost their first four home matches has managed to avoid relegation. The Tractor Boys have drawn four consecutive matches after opening losses to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Another newly promoted side, Leicester, will host Bournemouth at King Power Stadium. The Foxes are above the relegation line by virtue of goal differential over Crystal Palace. Bournemouth had their way with another relegation side in Southampton last week and are sitting just outside the top half of the table.

Newly promoted sides vying to survive this season could have their chances improved if Wolverhampton continues to play as dreadfully as they have in their first six matches. Last in the table with just a single earned point to date, Wolves travel to Brentford on Saturday.