Marcos Alonso of Chelsea, Premier League Match-week 2 2017
Photo by Kieran McManus/BPI/REX/Shutterstock | Marcos Alonso of Chelsea, Premier League Match-week 2 2017

Premier League: 5 Lessons Learned From Match-Week 2

 

By Niall Clarke

  • Five lessons learned from Premier League match-week two
  • Full results

Champions Chelsea got back to winning ways as Manchester United continued their perfect start to the new Premier League season. Here are five lessons we learned from match-week two.

 

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Champions Chelsea are back

Chelsea returned to winning ways as they etched a 2-1 away win against Tottenham at Wembley. Marcos Alonso scored a beauty of a free kick to give the Blues the lead, but Spurs would level through Michy Batshuayi’s own goal less than ten minutes from time. However, Alonso would bag a second two minutes from time to seal the win.

It was a much needed three points for Antonio Conte’s men after the disaster against Burnley last weekend. With two players suspended, the Italian had to switch his side around and deploy David Luiz in midfield. The Brazilian playing further up the pitch, would have a big hand in the winning goal.

Conte may have stated he needs four more players to contend, but on evidence of this match, they do not need many at all. Cover for midfield might be a wise investment however in case of injury or suspension.

As for Spurs, their Wembley woes continue as they suffer another defeat at the home of English football. Whether it is the extra width of the pitch or the environment they play in, Tottenham do not look the same side at Wembley. But with a full season ahead, it is too early to write them off altogether on this ground.

 

Manchester United look imperious

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Manchester United remained top of the Premier League table with another 4-0 thrashing, this time away to Swansea City.

For the majority of the match, the Red Devils looked rather slow and flat, much like they did last campaign. But on the stroke of half time, Eric Bailly gave them the lead with his first goal for the club.

It began to look eerily like a United game of last year with a 1-0 lead and chances wasted, but with 10 minutes to go the floodgates opened. Romelu Lukaku scored his third goal in two games before Paul Pogba’s chip and Anthony Martial’s finish put the game beyond any doubt.

4-0 flattered United as they were not that much better than the Swans, but once again a flurry of goals gave them a huge win. That is now eight scored and none conceded in the opening two games for Jose Mourinho’s side.

They are yet to be tested defensively though, and next week’s visit from Leicester should ask more questions on their back line.

 

Huddersfield look more suited to the Premier League than Newcastle or Brighton

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Out of the three promoted clubs, many had Huddersfield finishing the lowest, often inside in the relegation zone. But on the evidence of the opening two games, the Terriers look the most comfortable in the Premier League out of the new boys.

Huddersfield hosted a Premier League match for the first time against Newcastle on Sunday and after 90 minutes of tension, the John Smiths Stadium saw a home Premier League win for the first time. Aaron Mooy’s strike was enough to seal a 1-0 win, and maintain Huddersfield’s 100% record in the division.

Brighton once again suffered a 2-0 defeat, this time at the hands of Leicester City. The Foxes made a perfect start through Shinji Okazaki in the first minute. New signing Harry Maguire doubled Leicester’s lead with a header to secure the three points.

After two match-weeks, Huddersfield are one of the new sides with two wins to their name whilst Brighton and Newcastle sit on zero points. Somebody somewhere did not read the script.

 

‘Wenger out’ is prematurely back

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It did not take too long for Arsenal fans to cry ‘Wenger out’, in fact it managed to rear its head again in just the second week of the new season as Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the campaign at the hands of Stoke City.

Despite dominating possession and the chances, The Gunners slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the Bet 365 stadium thanks to a goal from Stoke debutante Jese Rodriguez. The Spaniard, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, struck just after half time to win the game for Stoke and condemn Arsenal to their first loss of the season.

The defeat brought back the ‘Wenger out’ campaign with many complaining that it is the ‘same old Arsenal’ and that nothing has changed. Given it is only two games into the season, it is harsh to judge progress so early. There are 36 games left to turn it around, enough time to go and win the title.

A loss to Stoke does not bode well, but Chelsea lost to Burnley last week and came back to beat Spurs. Let the season play out before making claims for a long term manager to leave the club.

 

Rooney makes history

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History was made at the Etihad Stadium on Monday as Wayne Rooney became only the second player to score 200 Premier League goals.

The Englishman joined his compatriot Alan Shearer in the 200 goals club by giving Everton the lead against Manchester City on the 35th minute. It was a landmark moment for the former Manchester United striker on his 462nd Premier League appearance, Shearer took 309 games to accomplish the same feat.

Regardless of what you think of him, Rooney has certainly cemented himself as one of the greatest Premier League players of all time. The stats do not lie and he has helped Manchester United to many Premier League triumphs.

The game ended up finishing 1-1 with Raheem Sterling scoring the equaliser off the bench for City who went down to ten men after Kyle Walker saw red. Morgan Schneiderlin was also booked twice and sent off late in the game.

 

Predictions round-up

Neil improved on last week’s showing with four points instead of three, but he once again failed to get the crucial correct score. Niall was nowhere near his total of 13 from last week, but he still extended his lead thanks to correctly predicting Leicester to beat Brighton 2-0.

Niall
Points Neil
Points
Swansea 0-2 Man United
Β 1 Swansea 0-3 Man United
1
Bournemouth 2-1 Watford 0 Bournemouth 3-1 Watford
Β 0
Burnley 1-0 West Brom
0 Burnley 1-1 West Brom
0
Leicester 2-0 Brighton
Β 3 Leicester 2-1 Brighton
Β 1
Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace
Β 1 Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace 1
Southampton 1-1 West Ham
Β 0 Southampton 1-1 West Ham
0
Stoke 1-2 Arsenal
0 Stoke 1-2 Arsenal
0
Huddersfield 1-1 Newcastle
Β 0 Huddersfield 2-1 Newcastle
1
Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea
Β 0 Tottenham 2-2 Chelsea
0
Man City 3-1 Everton
Β 0 Man City 3-0 Everton
Β 0
Week 2 Total 5 Week 2 Total 4
Overall 18 Overall 7

Full Premier League results

Premier League – Matchweek 2
Swansea 0-4 Manchester United
AFC Bournemouth 0-2 Watford
Burnley 0-1 West Bromwich Albion
Leicester City 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace
Southampton 3-2 West Ham United
Stoke City 1-0 Arsenal
Huddersfield Town 1-0 Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea
Manchester City 1-1 Everton

 

The Premier League returns on 26 August

Main Image:Β Kieran McManus/BPI/REX/Shutterstock