Five Things Learnt From The Weekend’s Premier League Action

Steve Osborne

Another weekend of Premier League action is in the books, and with Everton and Crystal Palace to do battle at Goodison Park in the Monday Night Football fixture, the weekend ends with the season’s surprise package Leicester City standing proudly at the top of the table, followed by Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs.

Chelsea’s defence of their title took one more fatal blow with a shock defeat at home to new-boys Bournemouth.

Here are Five Things we learnt from the weekend’s action:

5) Leicester Aren’t All About Jamie Vardy

While the England striker’s goals have undoubtedly had a huge say in their rise to the summit of the Premier League table, and manager Claudio Ranieri can take a lot of the credit.

He has put together a well-organised, sound, and confident squad. From a goalkeeper putting in displays reminiscent of his famous father in Kasper Schmeichel, all the way through to the goals of Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, and the experience of Christian Fuchs and Robert Huth, the Foxes do not fear anyone.

The biggest test may be yet to come however: hanging on to the likes of Mahrez and Vardy when the transfer window opens.

4) Louis van Gaal has touch decisions to make

While the Dutchman has without doubt tightened United defensively, the fact remains that they are woefully short up front. Part of this has to come down to his tactics.

The days of old under Sir Alex Ferguson where United would, as the fans chanted against West Ham United, “attack, attack, attack”, the swashbuckling style that won trophy after trophy after trophy, have long gone. They have been replaced by a more defensive set up that has seen United lose that attacking edge.

Next up for the Red Devils is the must-win Champions League tie with Wolfsburg on Tuesday, a game where United have to go for it. LVG faces a huge decision, and must make it soon: abandon his long-time tactic mentality and please the fans in an effort to bring wins rather than draws, or keep to his philosophy and risk losing the support of the club’s players and fans forever.

3) Chelsea need to sort themselves out

Another defeat for the Blues yesterday left them just THREE points above the relegation zone. While they surely won’t go down, their hopes of a Champions League place are diminishing by the week. Even Jose Mourinho reckons the Europa League is the best they can hope for this term. The champions must get their heads together and find a way to get their swagger back, before their season really falls away into oblivion.

2) Can Liverpool Recover from Setback?

There can be little doubt that Liverpool have improved since Jurgen Klopp became manager, especially away from home. That is, until today. The 2-0 loss to Newcastle is a setback, but it is hardly the end of the world. A few more performances like the 6-1 Capital One Cup demolition of Southampton is proof that they are heading in the right direction once again.

1) Fortunes changing at Newcastle?

The Geordie fans have suffered for a long, long time, especially in recent years. Interest in football these days seems to be at an all-time low under the ownership, or as some Toon fans may call it, dictatorship of Mike Ashley. Yet, today’s win over Liverpool, while only one victory, is very significant.

Yes. Newcastle remain in the drop zone, but if they can use this as a springboard, go on a run, then all of a sudden the interest may well come flooding back amongst some of English football’s most passionate fans.

By Steve Osborne @BlizzardSteve75