Never-say-die Manchester City and four other things we learned from the Premier League weekend

Sport360 staff 11:13 28/08/2017
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  • West Ham and Crystal Palace’s defeats thrust their respective managers back into the firing line, while leaders Manchester United now own the last unbeaten record in the Premier League.

    Here, we look at five things we learned from the opening weekend of the season.

    Share with us your thoughts using Twitter or Facebook.

    Axe already hovering

    The new season is not even into September yet but it not too early to suggest that Slaven Bilic and Frank de Boer are under immense pressure.

    West Ham have played their first three games on the road so Bilic may get one last chance, but it does not excuse their terrible defending.

    As for De Boer – he came with a reputation for attacking football and Palace have scored zilch so far.

    Terriers show full set of teeth

    Not since Charlton in 1996/97 has a promoted side kept clean sheets in their opening three EPL games.

    Though Southampton are not the most lethal attack they will face this year, for Huddersfield to keep it so tight at the back and not look out of place against an established top-tier side is arguably the most encouraging evidence yet that they will avoid relegation.

    It’s not just Aaron Mooy who has made the step up from the Championship.

    Never-say-die City

    Pep Guardiola has been raging against red card injustice for the past week, though inwardly he will be beaming at the fight that his players have shown.

    They conceded first against both Everton and Bournemouth but out of awkward positions the Sky Blues clinched four points.

    After so much lavish spending, the fightbacks have ensured Guardiola has not had to answer too many awkward questions.

    Now they’ll be looking to start clicking.

    In a league of their own

    Everton have improved – it’s just a shame for them that the EPL is like a treadmill. No matter how fast you run, the clubs at the top are spending to get even better and the gap between them and reigning champions Chelsea was plain to see Sunday.

    Wayne Rooney has made a good start back at Everton but if you’re chasing the Champions League, you need much more. The Toffees, better than any team not in the ‘top six’, are currently in limbo.

    Nearly time to Spur on

    The late-doors gut punch from Chris Wood sent Tottenham into the international break on a bum note.

    However, this time last season they had a similarly mediocre start, collecting five points from three games without a goal from Harry Kane. Twelve months later they’re just one point worse off – while Kane is still yet to find the target. History suggests they’ll enjoy September more.

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