Manchester City’s hat-trick hero continues to have mere mortals question his existence, while the Red Devils’ proved consigning a $AUD136 million star to the bench would improve their backline.
Liverpool’s star man sent virtually the entire football fandom mad and Arsenal’s skipper proves he’s so much more than a fleet-footed Norwegian.
All of that and more in the latest edition of Premier League Talking Points!
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MORE COVERAGE
Star duo BOTH bag hat-tricks as Ange’s Celtic obliterate opponents in nine-goal demolition
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PL Wrap: Liverpool in staggering NINE-goal demolition job; $86m star’s hat-trick saves City
NORWEGIAN ‘ALIEN’ FIRES 19-MINUTE HAT-TRICK
Manchester City signing Erling Haaland for $AUD86 million might prove to be the greatest piece of business the Premier League has ever seen.
Sure, it was a figure that triggered the Norwegian’s release clause at Borussia Dortmund, but to get one of the hottest properties in football for a relative bargain is mind-boggling.
Although he was outshone by Liverpool’s big money signing Darwin Nunez in the Community Shield, it’s been a completely different story in the Premier League.
Nunez scored on his English top flight debut against Fulham, then was sent off in the Reds’ next clash against Crystal Palace for headbutting Joachim Andersen.
How has Haaland fared in comparison, you ask?
Better. Much, much better.
He scored twice in City’s first game against West Ham before somehow failing to score in a 4-0 win over Bournemouth.
Haaland was once again on the scoresheet in a pulsating 3-3 draw against Newcastle, but it was City’s match against Crystal Palace when he proved his worth and served a timely reminder to the rest of the league that he’s a serious problem.
With Pep Guardiola’s side 2-1 down midway through the second half, Haaland flipped the script.
Bang, a 62nd-minute equaliser.
A goal in the 70th minute gifted City the lead.
Haaland then completed his 19-minute hat-trick and justifiably celebrated like a madman to the adoring crowd.
The 22-year-old now has six goals to his name after just four games, a damaging instant return that The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards likened to a famous group of invaders.
“Not since Viking raiders landed on the Northumberland coast and came across the gold and silver riches of the local monasteries has a Scandinavian landed on these shores and done so much damage so quickly.”
After all, Edwards revealed that a rival manager described Haaland “like an alien … stronger, taller, faster than anything we have seen before.”
Good luck to the rest of the defenders in the Premier League who must find a way to stop the rampaging striker.
NINE GOALS FOR LIVERPOOL … BUT NOTHING FOR STAR MAN?
As football fans across Australia woke up on Sunday morning and checked the scores, eyebrows were raised when they saw the scoreline between Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Perhaps there was a hint of surprise that a team other than Southampton was on the wrong end of a 9-0 scoreline?
But surprise quickly turned to frustration when the fantasy Premier League players among us delved into the goalscorers and the stars who assisted them.
Staggeringly, Mohamed Salah was nowhere to be found.
Against the Cherries, Salah missed two sitters and also had an effort thwarted by Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers.
It’ll only serve as frustration for Salah given he’s now falling behind to Haaland in the golden boot race.
GUNNERS’ ‘MASTER OF THE ART’ THE KEY TO COMEBACK
There’s something special brewing at the Emirates and, keeping with the nationality theme, it’s another Norwegian doing the business.
Martin Odegaard has taken to life as Arsenal’s captain like a duck to water.
Despite his age and his position as an attacking midfielder, he does not shirk his defensive responsibilities and has proven he can lift his team out of dark moments.
In the Gunners’ clash against Fulham, Odegaard won the ball back 11 times, more than any of his teammates.
Aside from his work off the ball, the 23-year-old displayed the magic in his feet with the ball for Arsenal’s equaliser.
Sure, a deflection helped, but his step-overs and positional sense to be in the right place at the right time played a pivotal role in getting on the scoresheet.
Odegaard’s goal sparked Arsenal’s comeback and as The Telegraph’s Sam Dean notes, it was all down to the qualities that made the skipper a prodigious talent from a young age.
“In a wild second half, in which Arsenal attacked with a ferocity and fearlessness that thrilled the Emirates home crowd, it was Odegaard who made it all flow,” Dean wrote.
“Football matches at this level are often defined by the players who find space when, to the naked eye at least, there is no space to find.
“Odegaard is a master of the art, using body feints and shimmies to create the half-yard he needs within a packed defence.”
Granted, Odegaard’s form has come against a weaker set of opponents in Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Bournemouth and Fulham.
But with a tasty match against Manchester United up next, that will be a true test of the Gunners’ and Odegaard’s levels.
$136M STAR’S AXING SPARKS UTD’S DEFENSIVE REVOLUTION
How the mood has changed at Old Trafford.
After two humbling defeats to start the Premier League season, beams of sunlight are slowly emerging through the stormy clouds thanks to two vital wins on the trot.
Manchester United followed up the surprise 2-0 victory over Liverpool with a 1-0 win away at Southampton and showcased a steely defensive side seldom seen previously.
Tyrell Malacia bombed up and down the left flank all game while the reborn Diogo Dalot teed up the all-important assist for Bruno Fernandes.
But it’s the heart of the backline that has impressed most, according to The Telegraph’s Jim White.
“The centre back partnership of the cool, elegant [Raphael] Varane and the snapping, snarling Lisandro Martinez looks to have real merit,” White wrote.
While Varane and $95 million summer signing Martinez build a formidable partnership, Harry Maguire cut a forlorn figure on United’s bench.
Maguire started the first two games for United and in the process, the Red Devils conceded six goals.
Since Varane came in for the skipper, ten Hag’s side have not conceded once.
Barring an injury to either Varane or Martinez, will Maguire ever see the starting line-up again this season?
STEELY SEAGULLS
Who has the best goals against record this Premier League season?
It is not league leaders Arsenal, nor is it Manchester City’s expensively-assembled backline.
Instead, it is Brighton, who have conceded just one goal all season.
Even then, it was an own goal from Alexis Mac Allister in the opening fixture against Manchester United.
It’s rather remarkable Graham Potter’s side have managed the feat when you consider they lost starting left back Marc Cucurella and defensive midfielder Yves Bissouma to Chelsea and Tottenham respectively before the season began.
The Seagulls are flying high in fourth with 10 points (three wins, one loss) and have an extremely favourable run of fixtures coming up, as clashes against Fulham, Leicester City, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace await before they play Liverpool on October 2.
If Potter’s side continue their defensive record and maintain their form, who knows just how good this team from Sussex can be.
TIME RUNNING OUT FOR FALTERING FOXES?
With West Ham’s victory against Aston Villa, it now means Leicester City are coming last.
For a team that has finished outside the top 10 just once since their famous 2015/16 Premier League title, it’s rather baffling.
So too is the fact they have not lost any of their key stars in the transfer window, although Wesley Fofana’s departure to Chelsea is imminent.
On the other hand, the Foxes have not brought in anyone besides goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
It was worrying Leicester, despite having more chances and possession, could barely find a way past a Chelsea side who were down to 10 men for over an hour.
In fact, it took until the 66th minute for the Foxes to find a breakthrough via Harvey Barnes.
Things could quickly get worse for Brendan Rodgers’ side, as they face Manchester United, Brighton and Tottenham in three of their four upcoming fixtures.
