Despite fielding an expensively assembled team, they could find no way past Burnley’s admirable work horses.
Of course, there are several excuses to offer — the team are still getting used to Louis van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system, many of the squad have yet to reach full fitness and recover from their World Cup exploits, and there are still a number of important players to come into the side.
That said, it was still an unacceptable performance by the Red Devils’ standards, as on paper United are vastly superior to Burnley. Consequently, it’s surely about time that the persistently ineffectual likes of Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney start to accept a bit more responsibility and take greater risks during games — otherwise, a repeat of the Moyes era or worse may ensue.
2. Stoke consolidate reputation as Manchester City’s bogey team
Of the incredible 102 goals Man City scored in the Premier League last season, just one came against Stoke.
There was consequently a suspicion that Mark Hughes and his men had identified a weakness in the City set-up, and such a belief will only be strengthened on today’s evidence.
This unlikely victory can be attributed to a mixture of resolute defending, intelligent tactics, lacklustre City attack play and perhaps most vitally of all, luck — Marc Wilson was fortunate not to concede a penalty at one point when he stuck a leg out in the vicinity of an onrushing Yaya Toure, yet the referee chose to give the Irishman the benefit of the doubt, booking the Ivory Coast international for diving and compounding the hosts’ misery in the process.
3. Chelsea formidable but not infallible
http://vine.co/v/OBOwmIUU0Hm
Chelsea have arguably been the most impressive team in the Premier League so far this season, and they certainly looked imperious against Everton at Goodison Park today.
In an attacking sense, Jose Mourinho can have few complaints with his side, who were at their clinical best.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect for the manager to take from the game is that it more or less confirmed the speed with which his new signings are adapting to life in the Premier League — Diego Costa took his overall tally to four goals in the three games, while Cesc Fabregas now has five assists in as many appearances as his Spanish teammate.
That said, defensively, there will be cause for concern. Eden Hazard’s tendency to wander often left full-back Cesar Azpilicueta a little exposed, with Seamus Coleman and Aiden McGeady posing Chelsea considerable problems down the right, to the extent that the visitors could easily have conceded even more than the three they ultimately let in.
4. Swansea flying high
There are currently just two teams that have won three games in the Premier League this season and who sit joint top of the table as a result — Chelsea and Swansea (though Tottenham could join them if they beat Liverpool tomorrow).
The feat is particularly impressive because, in stark contrast with fellow league leaders Chelsea, Swansea are a team without stars. However, one ostensibly astute purchase has been Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icelandic international, taken from Tottenham in the summer in what is his second stint at the Liberty Stadium outfit, has had an excellent start to the season and was influential again today, with two assists.
Moreover, in Nathan Dyer, they boast a player whose confidence is currently boundless, with three goals in three appearances including a brace today.
Though the table at the start of the season can be notoriously deceptive, the early signs suggest Garry Monk and his men could be set to enjoy an excellent season, as evidenced especially by the commanding nature of their display today.
5. Joy at last for Southampton
After a difficult summer in which many key players left, several pundits predicted Southampton would struggle this year.
Yet irrespective of these sweeping changes, they still possess a number of highly talented players, including Morgan Schneiderlin who scored a brace as they gained an impressive 3-1 victory over West Ham at Upton Park this afternoon.
The Saints were ultimately rewarded for an adventurous starting line-up that featured three recognised strikers, including Ireland’s Shane Long, who was playing for the first time from the start since securing a £12million move to the Saints recently.
After a less-than-assured beginning to the season, compared with the heights of their last campaign, a win at Upton Park against a physically imposing West Ham side undoubtedly is the type of performance that the club can derive confidence from and build on from hereon in.
5 thoughts from Saturday's Premier League action
1. Man United’s big players must take more responsibility
Despite an impressive, committed display from Premier League new boys Burnley, Manchester United will wonder how they left Turf Moor without three points today.
Despite fielding an expensively assembled team, they could find no way past Burnley’s admirable work horses.
Of course, there are several excuses to offer — the team are still getting used to Louis van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system, many of the squad have yet to reach full fitness and recover from their World Cup exploits, and there are still a number of important players to come into the side.
That said, it was still an unacceptable performance by the Red Devils’ standards, as on paper United are vastly superior to Burnley. Consequently, it’s surely about time that the persistently ineffectual likes of Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney start to accept a bit more responsibility and take greater risks during games — otherwise, a repeat of the Moyes era or worse may ensue.
2. Stoke consolidate reputation as Manchester City’s bogey team
Of the incredible 102 goals Man City scored in the Premier League last season, just one came against Stoke.
There was consequently a suspicion that Mark Hughes and his men had identified a weakness in the City set-up, and such a belief will only be strengthened on today’s evidence.
Stoke managed to do what just one side (Chelsea) achieved in the league last season – beat Man City at the Etihad.
This unlikely victory can be attributed to a mixture of resolute defending, intelligent tactics, lacklustre City attack play and perhaps most vitally of all, luck — Marc Wilson was fortunate not to concede a penalty at one point when he stuck a leg out in the vicinity of an onrushing Yaya Toure, yet the referee chose to give the Irishman the benefit of the doubt, booking the Ivory Coast international for diving and compounding the hosts’ misery in the process.
3. Chelsea formidable but not infallible
http://vine.co/v/OBOwmIUU0Hm
Chelsea have arguably been the most impressive team in the Premier League so far this season, and they certainly looked imperious against Everton at Goodison Park today.
In an attacking sense, Jose Mourinho can have few complaints with his side, who were at their clinical best.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect for the manager to take from the game is that it more or less confirmed the speed with which his new signings are adapting to life in the Premier League — Diego Costa took his overall tally to four goals in the three games, while Cesc Fabregas now has five assists in as many appearances as his Spanish teammate.
That said, defensively, there will be cause for concern. Eden Hazard’s tendency to wander often left full-back Cesar Azpilicueta a little exposed, with Seamus Coleman and Aiden McGeady posing Chelsea considerable problems down the right, to the extent that the visitors could easily have conceded even more than the three they ultimately let in.
4. Swansea flying high
There are currently just two teams that have won three games in the Premier League this season and who sit joint top of the table as a result — Chelsea and Swansea (though Tottenham could join them if they beat Liverpool tomorrow).
The Welsh side had already defeated Manchester United and Burnley before they continued their perfect start to the season as they overcame a hapless West Brom outfit 3-0 this afternoon.
The feat is particularly impressive because, in stark contrast with fellow league leaders Chelsea, Swansea are a team without stars. However, one ostensibly astute purchase has been Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icelandic international, taken from Tottenham in the summer in what is his second stint at the Liberty Stadium outfit, has had an excellent start to the season and was influential again today, with two assists.
Moreover, in Nathan Dyer, they boast a player whose confidence is currently boundless, with three goals in three appearances including a brace today.
Though the table at the start of the season can be notoriously deceptive, the early signs suggest Garry Monk and his men could be set to enjoy an excellent season, as evidenced especially by the commanding nature of their display today.
5. Joy at last for Southampton
After a difficult summer in which many key players left, several pundits predicted Southampton would struggle this year.
Yet irrespective of these sweeping changes, they still possess a number of highly talented players, including Morgan Schneiderlin who scored a brace as they gained an impressive 3-1 victory over West Ham at Upton Park this afternoon.
The Saints were ultimately rewarded for an adventurous starting line-up that featured three recognised strikers, including Ireland’s Shane Long, who was playing for the first time from the start since securing a £12million move to the Saints recently.
After a less-than-assured beginning to the season, compared with the heights of their last campaign, a win at Upton Park against a physically imposing West Ham side undoubtedly is the type of performance that the club can derive confidence from and build on from hereon in.
Redknapp reveals Remy set for Chelsea switch as Torres departs>
Shay Given has returned to the Republic of Ireland squad this evening>
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Analysis Barclays Premier League Saturday Burnley Chelsea Everton Manchester United