1. Mourinho’s faith in Rooney rewarded as United earn big win
YES, IT CAME against a depleted Hull side with a fraction of the resources that the Red Devils enjoy, but the symbolic significance of United’s win this evening bodes well for the remainder of the season.
The match was reminiscent of the Fergie era in many ways — the Red Devils may not have been at their best, but they found a way to win as they so often did in their glory days by throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the opposition.
New signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba failed to unlock a stubborn defence despite their best efforts, though the introduction of substitutes Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan helped turned the screw, but it ultimately took the captain to come up with a big moment.
Wayne Rooney, who was not having his best game, showed admirable character to persevere until the bitter end, evading a tired challenge from Ahmed Elmohamady before laying the ball on a plate with the perfect cross for the lively Rashford to slot home in the dying seconds.
Many onlookers had previously called on the 30-year-old to be taken off following an indifferent display, but Juan Mata and Anthony Martial were instead given the hook, and Mourinho’s faith in Rooney was ultimately rewarded.
It was cruel on Hull, who had defended manfully, but it suggests that as with United in general, talk of Rooney’s decline in recent years has been greatly exaggerated.
2. Harry Kane’s August slump continues
10 - Harry Kane has not scored in any of his 10 Premier League appearances in the month of August. Incubation.
With 64 goals in the past two seasons in all competitions, there has rarely been reason to criticise Harry Kane since he dramatically broke into the Spurs first team two seasons ago.
One odd anomaly, however, is Kane’s tendency to start seasons slowly. In 10 appearances, the England international has yet to score in the month of August.
Last season, the Londoner’s summer participation in the European U21 Championships was blamed for his failure to fire initially, and this season, Kane’s involvement in England’s dismal Euro 2016 campaign could conceivably be having a negative impact on the player.
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Moreover, just as Tottenham went four Premier League games without a win at the start of last season, this year, Spurs have looked well below their brilliant best and lacked their usual sharpness early on.
Today against Liverpool, with Kane conspicuously constrained culminating in his substitution for teenager Joshua Onomah on 83 minutes, the Londoners earned a somewhat fortuitous point thanks to Danny Rose’s 72nd-minute strike.
Bar a 20-minute spell leading to Rose’s goal, Mauricio Pochettino’s men were second best against a Liverpool side who also remain a work in progress, as indicated by their failure to kill off the hosts and the Daniel Sturridge dilemma among other issues.
3. Hazard and Chelsea looking in ominous form
One of the main reasons why Chelsea won the Premier League two seasons ago was the form of Eden Hazard.
The Belgian international contributed 14 goals and nine assists, winning PFA Player of the Year in the process, as the Blues comfortably claimed the title.
Last season, however, was a different story — Hazard failed to score a Premier League goal until April, and Chelsea badly underperformed, finishing 10th ultimately.
This year, by contrast, the early signs suggest both Chelsea and Hazard are back to their best. Under new coach Antonio Conte, they continued their 100% record against Burnley today.
And significantly, Hazard looked superb, as he scored a clinically taken goal and generally starred as Sean Dyche’s side were brought back down to earth following last week’s win over Liverpool.
4. Ozil essential to Arsenal progress
PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The Gunners have begun the campaign in underwhelming fashion, with a chaotic 4-3 loss to Liverpool followed by an uninspired 0-0 draw against Leicester.
Nevertheless, one significant boost today was the return of Mesut Ozil to the starting XI, after the German international had been given an extended rest following his involvement in Euro 2016.
With 19 assists, Ozil was at the heart of many of Arsenal’s best moments last season, and he again made a difference at Watford today.
The 27-year-old attacking midfielder scored with a powerful header to make the game safe for his side at Vicarage Road on the brink of half-time, while he looked a threat throughout with his incisive, intelligent movement.
Ozil was far from the only positive for the Gunners today though, with Granit Xhaka and Alexis Sanchez also producing impressive displays as Arsene Wenger’s men outclassed their opponents.
5. McCarthy injury comes at the worst possible time
RK: "James McCarthy has a groin problem and we will decide tomorrow whether he needs an operation." #EFC
It’s been a discouraging start to the season for the Ireland international, who has been played out of position and substituted after 38 minutes by new Everton boss Ronald Koeman.
The £20million-rated midfielder has reportedly told the Toffees he wants to leave as he targets regular first-team football, but the groin injury he’s picked up may now scupper his hopes of a move.
After Everton’s 1-0 win over Stoke, Koeman indicated McCarthy may need surgery, and should that be the case, rumours of potential moves to Celtic or Newcastle will surely fail to materialise, leaving the 25-year-old in limbo for the coming months.
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Faith in Rooney rewarded and more Premier League talking points
1. Mourinho’s faith in Rooney rewarded as United earn big win
YES, IT CAME against a depleted Hull side with a fraction of the resources that the Red Devils enjoy, but the symbolic significance of United’s win this evening bodes well for the remainder of the season.
The match was reminiscent of the Fergie era in many ways — the Red Devils may not have been at their best, but they found a way to win as they so often did in their glory days by throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the opposition.
New signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba failed to unlock a stubborn defence despite their best efforts, though the introduction of substitutes Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan helped turned the screw, but it ultimately took the captain to come up with a big moment.
Wayne Rooney, who was not having his best game, showed admirable character to persevere until the bitter end, evading a tired challenge from Ahmed Elmohamady before laying the ball on a plate with the perfect cross for the lively Rashford to slot home in the dying seconds.
Many onlookers had previously called on the 30-year-old to be taken off following an indifferent display, but Juan Mata and Anthony Martial were instead given the hook, and Mourinho’s faith in Rooney was ultimately rewarded.
It was cruel on Hull, who had defended manfully, but it suggests that as with United in general, talk of Rooney’s decline in recent years has been greatly exaggerated.
2. Harry Kane’s August slump continues
With 64 goals in the past two seasons in all competitions, there has rarely been reason to criticise Harry Kane since he dramatically broke into the Spurs first team two seasons ago.
One odd anomaly, however, is Kane’s tendency to start seasons slowly. In 10 appearances, the England international has yet to score in the month of August.
Last season, the Londoner’s summer participation in the European U21 Championships was blamed for his failure to fire initially, and this season, Kane’s involvement in England’s dismal Euro 2016 campaign could conceivably be having a negative impact on the player.
Moreover, just as Tottenham went four Premier League games without a win at the start of last season, this year, Spurs have looked well below their brilliant best and lacked their usual sharpness early on.
Today against Liverpool, with Kane conspicuously constrained culminating in his substitution for teenager Joshua Onomah on 83 minutes, the Londoners earned a somewhat fortuitous point thanks to Danny Rose’s 72nd-minute strike.
Bar a 20-minute spell leading to Rose’s goal, Mauricio Pochettino’s men were second best against a Liverpool side who also remain a work in progress, as indicated by their failure to kill off the hosts and the Daniel Sturridge dilemma among other issues.
3. Hazard and Chelsea looking in ominous form
One of the main reasons why Chelsea won the Premier League two seasons ago was the form of Eden Hazard.
The Belgian international contributed 14 goals and nine assists, winning PFA Player of the Year in the process, as the Blues comfortably claimed the title.
Last season, however, was a different story — Hazard failed to score a Premier League goal until April, and Chelsea badly underperformed, finishing 10th ultimately.
This year, by contrast, the early signs suggest both Chelsea and Hazard are back to their best. Under new coach Antonio Conte, they continued their 100% record against Burnley today.
And significantly, Hazard looked superb, as he scored a clinically taken goal and generally starred as Sean Dyche’s side were brought back down to earth following last week’s win over Liverpool.
4. Ozil essential to Arsenal progress
Arsenal celebrated the imminent signings of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez with their first Premier League win of the season today.
The Gunners have begun the campaign in underwhelming fashion, with a chaotic 4-3 loss to Liverpool followed by an uninspired 0-0 draw against Leicester.
Nevertheless, one significant boost today was the return of Mesut Ozil to the starting XI, after the German international had been given an extended rest following his involvement in Euro 2016.
With 19 assists, Ozil was at the heart of many of Arsenal’s best moments last season, and he again made a difference at Watford today.
The 27-year-old attacking midfielder scored with a powerful header to make the game safe for his side at Vicarage Road on the brink of half-time, while he looked a threat throughout with his incisive, intelligent movement.
Ozil was far from the only positive for the Gunners today though, with Granit Xhaka and Alexis Sanchez also producing impressive displays as Arsene Wenger’s men outclassed their opponents.
5. McCarthy injury comes at the worst possible time
It’s hard to imagine a worse time for James McCarthy to pick up what could be a serious injury.
It’s been a discouraging start to the season for the Ireland international, who has been played out of position and substituted after 38 minutes by new Everton boss Ronald Koeman.
The £20million-rated midfielder has reportedly told the Toffees he wants to leave as he targets regular first-team football, but the groin injury he’s picked up may now scupper his hopes of a move.
After Everton’s 1-0 win over Stoke, Koeman indicated McCarthy may need surgery, and should that be the case, rumours of potential moves to Celtic or Newcastle will surely fail to materialise, leaving the 25-year-old in limbo for the coming months.
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