Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action | Premier League

The last time Southampton were promoted to the Premier League and lost their opening four games, they finished 14th. That was in 2012-13, Mauricio Pochettino replaced Nigel Adkins midway through the season, Rickie Lambert was up front and their Japanese summer signing was not Yuki Sugawara but Maya Yoshida. Sugawara, one of the positives of this season, was one of seven summer signings to start Saturday’s defeat to Manchester United, while Russell Martin looked to find a winning formula, with Lesley Ugochukwu, Mateus Fernandes and Cameron Archer all making their first league starts. Although it didn’t happen, the Southampton manager is confident they can avoid relegation. “I’m much happier with the level of performance this season than I was at this stage last season,” said Martin, whose side lost four straight games in the Championship in September last year. “The boys have had so many moments in the games where they have shown that they can really have an impact on the league and not just fight for survival. I have played five seasons in the league but I have not really had one.” Ben Visser

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6

O’Neil’s Wolves Cut to the Bone

In a Super Sunday that looked like it was going to win big and look set for longevity, Wolves ultimately lost to Newcastle, who despite missing Marc Guéhi this summer, didn’t have to sell their best forward and defender. Wolves are sorely missing the defensive organisation of Maximilian Kilman and the incisiveness of Pedro Neto. Could they have held off Newcastle’s second-half advance with that pairing? For a moment it looked as if a defence led by the evergreen Craig Dawson might hold out. Then came a deflection – off Dawson – for Fabian Schär’s equaliser. Harvey Barnes’ winning goal represented the level of class that Wolves abandoned when Neto left for Chelsea. If Eddie Howe remains unhappy about the lack of summer recruitment, and his relationship with sporting director Paul Mitchell is widely regarded as uneasy, he might offer sympathy to Gary O’Neil. Winless Wolves look set for a relegation battle as their manager loses the ground beneath his feet. JB

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7

Guardiola enjoys the workload at City

Pep Guardiola was quick to dismiss fatigue as an excuse after the first of seven games in 22 days. A tireless student of his players’ commitment and attitude, he welcomed a season that was extended with the first quadrennial 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in June, with Inter next up in the Champions League opener on Wednesday. “It’s more games, but it is what it is,” the Manchester City manager said. “So we’re going to play the best team in Italy by a big margin on Wednesday and then Arsenal (on Sunday), the best contender we’ve had in the last two seasons, then one more game (and beyond) and we’re on. We have an academy. We’ve got to adapt and go.” Manuel Akanji has made 127 appearances for City and Switzerland in the last two years and the defender’s attitude is in stark contrast to that of his manager. “You can’t just keep adding game after game and assume everything will be as it was. You have to think about the players,” he said. “We train as hard as we can and are fit – but there has to be a limit.” Jamie Jackson

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8

Hammers lack style under new regime

When West Ham’s owners replaced David Moyes with Julen Lopetegui, they probably didn’t envisage the team playing route-one football four games into the new season. Against Fulham, it was hard to see much evidence that Lopetegui was making his new team more expansive. West Ham were reliant on long balls in the first half and were even reduced to their striker, Michail Antonio, who unleashed a couple of ineffective long throws into the Fulham area. To be fair, some of the stiffness in possession was down to Lucas Paquetá starting on the bench after returning from international duty. Yet it was odd that Lopetegui adapted without Paquetá by starting Tomas Soucek at No. 10, with the defensive duo of Guido Rodríguez and Edson Álvarez further back. The plan backfired and West Ham were fortunate to leave Craven Cottage with a point. Jacob Steinberg

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9

Nketiah finds good home at Palace

Eddie Nketiah showed enough promise on his debut for Crystal Palace to suggest the former Arsenal forward could prove a shrewd signing. Nketiah had spent too much time on the fringes of north London but the chance to play regular football at Selhurst Park following his £30million move could prove a defining moment for his career. The 25-year-old had six shots in their comeback draw with Leicester and was involved in some of Palace’s best attacks. Oliver Glasner said: “Everyone can see he’s a threat. He’s got good movement and runs between the lines. He was a bit unlucky not to score. It was a good debut for Eddie.” Jean-Philippe Mateta may have grabbed the headlines with his two goals but Nketiah combined sharply with him and Eberechi Eze. A longer run of games will be crucial, with being pushed forward at Palace likely to benefit him after a frustrating career in which he played second fiddle at Arsenal. Simon email

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10

Ipswich await first win

The meeting between the Premier League’s two youngest managers – though Kieran McKenna is almost seven years older than Fabian Hurzeler – ended in a stalemate. The kind of match that is euphemistically described as an intriguing tactical battle? Brighton had 21 shots to Ipswich’s six, while McKenna’s side defended with a dogged style that was a far cry from their first three games. Town’s goalkeeper, Arijanet Muric, was praised by McKenna afterwards as Hurzeler singled out Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe for taking down Kaoru Mitoma. Like Roberto de Zerbi and Graham Potter before him, Hurzeler no longer has a goalscorer than Joao Pedro. Evan Ferguson, a late substitute, remains a shadow of the player who made an impressive breakthrough two seasons ago. Every game so far has brought positive signs for Ipswich, but a first victory has eluded them. Liam Delap’s brilliant solo run almost resulted in a goal, but like Brighton, Ipswich need an edge above all else. JB

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