1. Post-Long Hull help themselves into good position
Steve Bruce’s side were held to a draw thanks to a minor disaster in defence that allowed Ryan Shawcross an 83rd minute equaliser.
However, after seeing James Chester sent off after just 14 minutes, a point must be seen as a good result against the Potters.
Chester was rightly red carded for cutting down Glenn Whelan as the midfielder broke through on goal. But the Tigers held firm, allowing Stoke maintain possession until Nikica Jelavic tapped them into the lead before half-time.
Hull have arguably the easiest start to the season and their four points gives them a platform to build on further with games against Villa, West Ham and Newcastle to come before they host Man City at the end of September.
2. Super Spurs
Maurico Pochettino’s grand plan for Tottenham was torn up with an early (extremely harsh) red card last week, but yesterday they were at home, and they were in full flight.
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The Eriks: Christian Eriksen, Eric Dier and Erik Lamela celebrate Dier's goal. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Erik Lamela, now playing a central role, finally made his overdue home debut and he played the game on the front foot, consistently finding space and time to dictate the game with confident touches and a spring in his step as QPR struggled to keep pace.
Pochettino’s side now proudly sit top of the table. And with Eric Dier adding an extra set-piece threat, Emmanuel Adebayor playing like Arsene Wenger always dreamed he might and Nacer Chadli among the goals; they might just get comfortable up there.
3. QPR go the other way
What do we know? Most pundits proclaimed QPR as the side best equipped promoted side to survive in the Premier League this season. Now here they are rooted to the foot of the table after two performances poor enough to send poor ‘Arry rushing to do some ill-thought-out wheeling and dealing.
Andrew Matthews
Andrew Matthews
Richard Dunne’s lack of agility was shown up by Lamela today. And while he probably won’t be the last to be embarrassed by Spurs’ rejuvenated playmaker, Redknapp must surely be losing a few winks of sleep wondering how his ageing central defenders – yeah, we’re looking at you, Rio – can make it through this season.
4. The Manchester United fear factor is long gone
Louis Van Gaal would find it hard to say no to Dunne or Ferdinand at this point. The new Manchester United boss played more than a half of yesterday’s draw against Sunderland with a back three of Phil Jones, Michael Keane and Tyler Blackett.
In front of them, Sunderland were faced with Mata, Januzaj and Cleverley – a midfield combination nobody either predicted or feared.
Even referees have become immune to United’s once intimidating charm. While slow-motion replays may well tell you Santiago Vergini got a touch on the ball when tackling Robin Van Persie, he did so by sliding through the back of the striker. Anywhere else on the pitch it’s a free kick and 99 times out of 100 under Alex Ferguson it’s a penalty. These, however, are not the good old days, United fans.
5. Can Di Maria make a difference?
We can’t imagine Angel Di Maria being very pleased at the prospect of leaving the European Champions to run 14 km a game as a wing back, so we can only presume Louis Van Gaal will adapt his system to accommodate the Argentine.
The Dutchman complained of not enough invention in the final third yesterday and admitted United should be creating more chances than simply penalty appeals. Di Maria is not the creative trequartista that will remedy that, but he does possess the one thing United really lack – searing pace.
Di Maria’s dribbling ability can stretch defences, draw extra attention and aid the midfield by creating space for them to operate. However, that space won’t be enough to turn Van Gaal’s strugglers into a fluent unit capable of winning week-in, week-out.
Even accounting for their injuries, United look short on about two players’ worth of star quality. There’s a big eight days ahead.
5 talking points from Sunday's Premier League action
1. Post-Long Hull help themselves into good position
Steve Bruce’s side were held to a draw thanks to a minor disaster in defence that allowed Ryan Shawcross an 83rd minute equaliser.
However, after seeing James Chester sent off after just 14 minutes, a point must be seen as a good result against the Potters.
Chester was rightly red carded for cutting down Glenn Whelan as the midfielder broke through on goal. But the Tigers held firm, allowing Stoke maintain possession until Nikica Jelavic tapped them into the lead before half-time.
Hull have arguably the easiest start to the season and their four points gives them a platform to build on further with games against Villa, West Ham and Newcastle to come before they host Man City at the end of September.
2. Super Spurs
Maurico Pochettino’s grand plan for Tottenham was torn up with an early (extremely harsh) red card last week, but yesterday they were at home, and they were in full flight.
Erik Lamela, now playing a central role, finally made his overdue home debut and he played the game on the front foot, consistently finding space and time to dictate the game with confident touches and a spring in his step as QPR struggled to keep pace.
Pochettino’s side now proudly sit top of the table. And with Eric Dier adding an extra set-piece threat, Emmanuel Adebayor playing like Arsene Wenger always dreamed he might and Nacer Chadli among the goals; they might just get comfortable up there.
3. QPR go the other way
What do we know? Most pundits proclaimed QPR as the side best equipped promoted side to survive in the Premier League this season. Now here they are rooted to the foot of the table after two performances poor enough to send poor ‘Arry rushing to do some ill-thought-out wheeling and dealing.
Richard Dunne’s lack of agility was shown up by Lamela today. And while he probably won’t be the last to be embarrassed by Spurs’ rejuvenated playmaker, Redknapp must surely be losing a few winks of sleep wondering how his ageing central defenders – yeah, we’re looking at you, Rio – can make it through this season.
4. The Manchester United fear factor is long gone
Louis Van Gaal would find it hard to say no to Dunne or Ferdinand at this point. The new Manchester United boss played more than a half of yesterday’s draw against Sunderland with a back three of Phil Jones, Michael Keane and Tyler Blackett.
In front of them, Sunderland were faced with Mata, Januzaj and Cleverley – a midfield combination nobody either predicted or feared.
Even referees have become immune to United’s once intimidating charm. While slow-motion replays may well tell you Santiago Vergini got a touch on the ball when tackling Robin Van Persie, he did so by sliding through the back of the striker. Anywhere else on the pitch it’s a free kick and 99 times out of 100 under Alex Ferguson it’s a penalty. These, however, are not the good old days, United fans.
5. Can Di Maria make a difference?
We can’t imagine Angel Di Maria being very pleased at the prospect of leaving the European Champions to run 14 km a game as a wing back, so we can only presume Louis Van Gaal will adapt his system to accommodate the Argentine.
The Dutchman complained of not enough invention in the final third yesterday and admitted United should be creating more chances than simply penalty appeals. Di Maria is not the creative trequartista that will remedy that, but he does possess the one thing United really lack – searing pace.
Di Maria’s dribbling ability can stretch defences, draw extra attention and aid the midfield by creating space for them to operate. However, that space won’t be enough to turn Van Gaal’s strugglers into a fluent unit capable of winning week-in, week-out.
Even accounting for their injuries, United look short on about two players’ worth of star quality. There’s a big eight days ahead.
VIDEO: Lamela finally made his home debut for Spurs today, and he played quite well
Van Gaal still searching for first win as Man United fail to fire against Sunderland
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