Liverpool's perfect start and other things learned from the Premier League this weekend

Sport360 staff 08:00 27/08/2018
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  • Liverpool are top of the table after three weeks.

    Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford retained their 100 per cent Premier League records as champions Manchester City dropped their first points of the season in a 1-1 draw at Wolves.

    Here, we look at five talking points from an eventful weekend of top-flight action.

    Gunners game without Ozil

    Mesut Ozil was conspicuous by his absence as Arsenal claimed their first win under new boss Unai Emery. Emery was quick to deny reports of a training-ground row with Ozil, stating the Germany international’s absence was due to illness.

    How quickly Ozil returns to the starting line-up, however, remains to be seen as Emery’s desire for Arsenal to play with energy and press high was evident during a 3-1 win over West Ham opponents still pointless after three games.

    The relationship between Ozil and Emery is under scrutiny.

    The relationship between Ozil and Emery is under scrutiny.

    Wolves pack at home

    Three games in and new boys Wolves have yet to win a Premier League game. But their 1-1 home draw against champions Manchester City was a strong statement that Wolves belong at this level.

    Wolves were compact and organised in defence, quick in transition and full value for a point in providing the blueprint of how to combat City.

    A first win at West Ham would be welcome before the international break, but no-one will enjoy coming up against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

    Wolves showed their resilience against City.

    Wolves showed their resilience against City.

    Fox outside the box

    You could almost feel Jose Mourinho‘s pain when Harry Maguire drilled home Leicester’s winner in the dying seconds at Southampton. The Manchester United summer target was his imposing physical self at the back for the Foxes and retains his handy knack of scoring goals.

    Maguire’s 25-yarder might not have been as trademark a goal as his World Cup header against Sweden last month, but Jamie Vardy was not slow to turn to social media and praise his Leicester and England colleague.

    Red all over

    Liverpool leapt to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Brighton making it three wins from three for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

    But it was also a red letter day in other ways as four players were sent off in Saturday’s shortened six-match programme – the biggest walk of shame for nearly three years. Adam Smith and Richarlison saw red in Bournemouth’s 2-2 draw with Everton, Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg paid the price of a dive and Huddersfield’s Jonathan Hogg lost his head against Cardiff.

    Red mist, indeed.

    Richarlison was one of four players to see red this weekend.

    Richarlison was one of four players to see red this weekend.

    Blunt Bluebirds

    Peter Whittingham is in danger of becoming a quiz answer – the last Cardiff player to score in the Premier League. No Bluebird has managed to do so in the six top-flight games Cardiff have played since Whittingham converted a penalty against Stoke on April 19, 2014.

    After the goalless draw at Huddersfield – the second time this season that Cardiff have ended up playing against 10 men – Neil Warnock’s side are now the only side in the top four divisions of English football not to have scored.

    It doesn’t get any easier with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City next up.

    Neil Warnock has his work cut out at Cardiff City.

    Neil Warnock has his work cut out at Cardiff City.

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