LEICESTER CITY WERE always going to struggle to come close to replicating the miracle that was last season’s title win.
The Foxes have had a less-than-convincing start domestically — with two defeats, one draw and a win so far — but they were excellent in their Champions League debut and cruised to victory over Club Brugge as the reigning PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez bagged two.
Manager Claudio Ranieri joked afterwards that maybe the famous Champions League anthem woke the Algerian up as he could be “tired of listening to dilly-ding, dilly-dong”, but they will need him to reproduce his best form in the league, where it’s Burnley at home on Saturday afternoon.
Sean Dyche could give club record Jeff Hendrick his debut in the game, but the Clarets boss has said that the Irish midfielder’s £10.5 million price tag doesn’t necessarily guarantee him a place in the team.
2. Pep’s City look like the team to catch
Life at Manchester City could hardly be going much better for Pep Guardiola at this early stage.
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Their win over city rivals Man United means his new club sit top of the table with 12 points from 12, and they followed that up with a 4-0 dismantling of Borussia Moenchengladbach in midweek.
With an abundance of talent throughout the squad, this group of players has genuine potential to push for European silverware as well as domestic and the signs so far show they are responding well to the Spaniard’s managerial style.
Bournemouth provide the opposition at the Etihad on Saturday and Eddie Howe’s men, coming into the game on the back of their first league win of the season, will have to be at their very best and hope luck is on their side if they are to avoid leaving empty-handed.
3. Toffees are much-improved post-Martinez era
Everton boss Ronald Koeman. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Another manager who appears to have settled into his new surroundings with ease is Ronald Koeman.
Unlike Guardiola, the Dutchman had the advantage of two years in England with Southampton before taking up the job at Goodison Park and it is likely to stand to him.
Monday night’s 3-0 victory away to Sunderland put the unbeaten Toffees level with Chelsea and only Man City have acquired more points from their opening four league fixtures.
Newly-promoted Middlesbrough have enjoyed a promising return to the top flight under Aitor Karanka after a seven-year absence, although they went down to Crystal Palace last time out.
4. Man United brought back down to earth
The renewed sense of optimism that Manchester United fans have been feeling due to the arrival of Jose Mourinho, a summer of big-spending and a good start to the season took a significant hit this past week.
After their team was outplayed and outscored in the Manchester derby, Red Devils supporters witnessed a demoralising performance in Feyenoord on Thursday as their (admittedly half-hearted) Europa League challenge began in defeat.
Big questions remain over Wayne Rooney’s worth in the first XI and how to get the best out of world record signing Paul Pogba, but what’s most important is that Mourinho gets back to winning ways at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
The Hornets claimed a stunning 4-2 win over West Ham at the London Stadium despite falling behind to two early goals, and with the likes of Troy Deeney and Etienne Capoue in their line-up, they won’t fear United’s physicality one bit.
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Mahrez returns to form and this weekend's Premier League talking points
Updated at 13.30
1. Have Leicester turned a corner?
LEICESTER CITY WERE always going to struggle to come close to replicating the miracle that was last season’s title win.
The Foxes have had a less-than-convincing start domestically — with two defeats, one draw and a win so far — but they were excellent in their Champions League debut and cruised to victory over Club Brugge as the reigning PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez bagged two.
Manager Claudio Ranieri joked afterwards that maybe the famous Champions League anthem woke the Algerian up as he could be “tired of listening to dilly-ding, dilly-dong”, but they will need him to reproduce his best form in the league, where it’s Burnley at home on Saturday afternoon.
Sean Dyche could give club record Jeff Hendrick his debut in the game, but the Clarets boss has said that the Irish midfielder’s £10.5 million price tag doesn’t necessarily guarantee him a place in the team.
2. Pep’s City look like the team to catch
Life at Manchester City could hardly be going much better for Pep Guardiola at this early stage.
Their win over city rivals Man United means his new club sit top of the table with 12 points from 12, and they followed that up with a 4-0 dismantling of Borussia Moenchengladbach in midweek.
With an abundance of talent throughout the squad, this group of players has genuine potential to push for European silverware as well as domestic and the signs so far show they are responding well to the Spaniard’s managerial style.
Bournemouth provide the opposition at the Etihad on Saturday and Eddie Howe’s men, coming into the game on the back of their first league win of the season, will have to be at their very best and hope luck is on their side if they are to avoid leaving empty-handed.
3. Toffees are much-improved post-Martinez era
Another manager who appears to have settled into his new surroundings with ease is Ronald Koeman.
Unlike Guardiola, the Dutchman had the advantage of two years in England with Southampton before taking up the job at Goodison Park and it is likely to stand to him.
Monday night’s 3-0 victory away to Sunderland put the unbeaten Toffees level with Chelsea and only Man City have acquired more points from their opening four league fixtures.
Newly-promoted Middlesbrough have enjoyed a promising return to the top flight under Aitor Karanka after a seven-year absence, although they went down to Crystal Palace last time out.
4. Man United brought back down to earth
The renewed sense of optimism that Manchester United fans have been feeling due to the arrival of Jose Mourinho, a summer of big-spending and a good start to the season took a significant hit this past week.
After their team was outplayed and outscored in the Manchester derby, Red Devils supporters witnessed a demoralising performance in Feyenoord on Thursday as their (admittedly half-hearted) Europa League challenge began in defeat.
Big questions remain over Wayne Rooney’s worth in the first XI and how to get the best out of world record signing Paul Pogba, but what’s most important is that Mourinho gets back to winning ways at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
The Hornets claimed a stunning 4-2 win over West Ham at the London Stadium despite falling behind to two early goals, and with the likes of Troy Deeney and Etienne Capoue in their line-up, they won’t fear United’s physicality one bit.
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