As Gameweek 8 of the Premier League 2021-22 comes to a close, we look at the major talking points from all the matches played this week.
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We are now officially eight weeks into the 2021-22 season of the Premier League and a clearer picture of which teams stand where is beginning to emerge.
As things stand, the title fight is between Chelsea and Liverpool. However, Manchester City cannot and should not ever be discounted. Manchester United, on the other hand, are experiencing a worrying slump in form.
But there is good news for other sides. Brighton and Hove Albion continue to hang with the big boys of the league. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are beginning to find some degree of form. And West Ham continue to be West Ham, showcasing their ability to compete against any side in the division.
That being said, there were plenty of other notable talking points that emerged. Let us now take a look at all of those right here.
Is the trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane one of the best attacking trios English football has ever seen? It’s certainly worth a shout. The three players are so in sync at this point that it is often hard to defend against them in full flow. That’s something Watford found out the hard way.
Mane and Salah scored once – the latter with an outrageous solo goal rivalling his effort against City a week before. Firmino, usually the least prolific of the three, scored a hat-trick of his own. Watford, in their first match under new manager Claudio Ranieri, were simply blown away.
And yes, part of it is down to the fact that Watford were essentially non-existent in both defence and attack. But it’s one thing getting chances and it’s quite another to take them. Liverpool’s front three were ruthless, and that is exactly the kind of showing from potential title winners.
It isn’t often that we speak of goalkeepers deciding games; that honour largely goes to the goalscorers. Yet it is no exaggeration to say that Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Brentford was down largely to Edouard Mendy’s heroics between the sticks. Without that, Ben Chillwell’s winner might have been cancelled out many times over.
That Brentford are a relentless side at home is well known. Arsenal found that out the hard way on the opening day of the Premier League. And Liverpool saw a certain three points reduced to just one. Chelsea too could have suffered a similar fate but for Mendy.
At a time when the defence was in disarray, he stood calm between the sticks. He saved at least two to three shots that seemed certain to hit the back of the net. He did have some luck on his side – Brentford hit the post twice, after all. But Mendy’s performance ensured Chelsea remained atop the league standings.
Absolutely love to see it. ? pic.twitter.com/0SDhm9qY1K
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 16, 2021
It might seem premature to ask this question with only 8 games played. After all, Manchester United have shown that when they’re on song they are unstoppable. The sad part is, they can go from world beaters to dishevelled and disorganised very quickly. And it was the latter side that was more evident against Leicester City.
Granted, losing 4-2 in a game where both sides outperformed their xG stats isn’t the worst result in the world. But look beyond the result and a pattern is beginning to emerge. Leicester were well-drilled, disciplined in defence and clinical in attack. United, by contrast, looked lost in defence and reliant on individualism in attack.
That United have a talented squad is clear to everyone. But getting a coherent starting XI featuring all of them is turning out to be an issue. There is every chance the side will improve, of course. But, as things stand, a title race that seemed like a four-horse one is now down to three teams.
The game between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa might not have seemed like peak viewing for neutrals. However, the match ended up being one that everyone was scrambling to watch afterwards. This was, of course, thanks to Wolves completing an impressive comeback to steal a win from the jaws of certain defeat.
John McGinn set up Danny Ings in the 48th minute before doubling the lead 20 minutes later. However, Wolves let the cat among the pigeons when Romain Saiss slotted home a Daniel Podence cross. And the game was level five minutes later, Conor Coady scoring from close range after Leander Dendoncker found him with a cross.
Ruben Neves’ deflected free-kick completed the turnaround, with joy for Wolves and frustration for Villa. Wolves showed amazing spirit to come back from two goals down. However, Dean Smith and Villa will be asking themselves how they let a certain three points end in them getting no points.
There are moments when you realise life is more than just about football. Sure, the game forms an integral part of the lives of many people. If you’re reading this right now, you are almost certainly one of those people. Yet when a medical issue in the crowd stopped the game, it was impossible not to cast your mind back to Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest during Euro 2020.
Thankfully for all, the fan was stabilised and the match went on. But it was a delicate reminder of the fragility of life. And there was not a soul who witnessed it that wouldn’t have breathed a sigh of relief when the good news came pouring in.
Credit must also go to Sergio Reguillon and Eric Dier, who alerted the referee to an issue in the stands when they spotted it. That quick thinking – as well as the immediate action of the medical staff – doubtless saved a life. In that context, Spurs winning the game 3-2 hardly mattered.
That’s all for this week folks. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for our Champions League match talking points. See you all very soon!
