The Good, The Bad
The tops and flops from the Premier League weekend.
Here, we look at the good, and the bad, from the latest Premier League action.
THE GOOD
David Moyes did not make the ideal start to his second Everton stint, but on Sunday, he proved the decision to re-hire him was based on more than just nostalgia. With strong tensions rising between the fans and Sean Dyche, it became undeniably clear that the next appointment had to reunite the club and harness the true power of Goodison Park in its final year. Although Moyes’ second reign began with a frustrating 0-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Everton showed what they can do in a 3-2 win against Tottenham. In the first half, the Toffees looked a completely transformed team, showcasing just why fans had grown frustrated with Dyche’s tactics. Moyes’ return feels both right and reassuring for Everton. There is plenty of work to do, but there are certainly green shoots of recovery.
Bournemouth’s campaign just keeps getting better. Andoni Iraola was tipped for the sack after a disappointing first few weeks at the helm last season, but the Cherries are flying high and on Saturday, claimed arguably their most impressive win of the season as they hammered in-form Newcastle United 4-1 at St James’ Park. Justin Kluivert was a star of the show, bagging a hat-trick and supplying an assist. They sit just one point off the top four. They are in dreamland.
Unai Emery has had a good week. After his Aston Villa team denied both new West Ham boss Graham Potter and new Everton boss Moyes happy starts to their respective tenures, Emery’s men then fought back from two goals down to claim a dramatic 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
THE BAD
Ange Postecoglou’s time as Tottenham boss may be nearing its end following a shambolic performance against Everton. While the Spurs board have publicly backed the Aussie in the past, he is increasingly coming under scrutiny. Although Tottenham have suffered a remarkable number of injuries, Postecoglou has struggled to adapt, and the results are all the evidence you’d need. Spurs are winless in five Premier League games, losing four of them. Though they scored twice late on at Goodison Park on Sunday, they were arguably fortunate to only be 3-0 down at half-time. They now sit 15th, just four points above Everton and only eight above the drop. The heat is surely on.
Ruben Amorim has struggled to make the impact that many expected at Manchester United, and Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat to Brighton further compounded his frustrations. The Red Devils gave up plenty of chances against lowly Southampton earlier in the week and were only saved by a late spark of Amad Diallo brilliance; they were once again defensively wide open this time around — the Seagulls, though, had the quality to punish them. Amorim wildly stated: “We are being the worst team, maybe, in the history of Manchester United”. Jim Ratcliffe has shown he is not one for patience. And with players such as Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo seemingly not playing into Amorim’s plans, there’s a real ‘crisis club’ feeling still sticking around United.
Newcastle fans are likely to still be in shock after that 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth. They had dipped in and out of form this term, but a nine-game winning match had propelled them up the table, into the next round of the FA Cup and well in with a shout of reaching the EFL Cup final. However, the Magpies had their wings firmly clipped by the Kluivert-inspired Cherries, who are hot on their heels in the race for Champions League qualification. Newcastle now have to prove Saturday’s defeat was just a blip.
By James O’Brien