Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekendâ€s action | Premier League

1

Duo keen to offer Anderson shelter

Elliot Anderson spent much of Nottingham Forestâ€s 2-0 defeat on Tyneside reminding Eddie Howe how much he lost when Premier League spending rules demanded that the midfielder be sold to fend off the threat of a points deduction. That was back in the summer of 2024 and Anderson, now an England international, has rarely looked back since joining Forest. For much of the first half he eclipsed even Sandro Tonali and, overall, was comfortably Ange Postecoglouâ€s best player. Yet Anderson is human and when his loose pass offered Bruno Guimarães an opening, his subsequent attempt at a recovery tackle was mistimed and sent Guimarães crashing in the area. The Brazilian had already shot Newcastle ahead from 25 yards and from the spot Nick Woltemade scored his fourth goal in five starts. Tellingly, at the final whistle both Postecoglou and Howe made concerted efforts to console Anderson. If Forestâ€s manager is to survive and then thrive at Forest he will inevitably be heavily dependent on Andersonâ€s talent. Howe, meanwhile, would love to buy the Newcastle academy graduate back. Should Forest, with or without Postecoglou, continue to founder Newcastle may yet be in with a chance. Louise Taylor

Match report: Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest

2

More Rodri worries mar City win

Rodriâ€s face told its own story. As he sank to the Brentford turf staring at his feet, there was a barely discernible shake of the head – though his body language spoke volumes. Another setback for the Spanish midfielder? It looked more than likely. Pep Guardiola has tried his best to manage Rodriâ€s game time this season since his tentative return from a serious knee injury; now he must put more faith in alternatives. Nico González is the most obvious replacement in Cityâ€s squad, yet has only been trusted to start one league game since 23 August. The former Porto man was a £49.8m signing in January and will be needed to step up more often after his 22nd-minute introduction for City in west London. On whether he can bring a measure of control akin to peak Rodri, the jury is still out. Dominic Booth

Match report: Brentford 0-1 Manchester City

Players check on Rodri (second left) after the midfielder pulled up. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

3

Mount climbs pecking order for United

Injuries have hampered Mason Mountâ€s United career. His start against Sunderland was only his 17th in the league since joining in 2023 from Chelsea. His pedigree has never been questioned but finding a position and sufficient minutes to play himself into form, has proved problematic. On Saturday, his touch was impeccable and he brought creativity and discipline in equal measure, which might explain why Ruben Amorim selected him over Matheus Cunha. He took his goal superbly, scoring the quickest opener for Amorimâ€s team since his first game in charge 11 months ago. In an intense environment, Mountâ€s experience could prove vital. “I see myself as bringing a lot of energy into the team and setting off the press at times, being a bit of a catalyst going forward,†Mount said. “Thatâ€s always something that I focus on, helping the people around me and really bringing the energy. To get the goal was obviously massive for me.†Will Unwin

Match report: Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

4

Nuno puts faith in youngster Marshall

Nuno Espírito Santoâ€s decision to bring on Callum Marshall for his debut at the Emirates against Arsenal, instead of the more experienced Callum Wilson, was an enormous show of faith in the 20-year-old Northern Ireland striker who spent last year on loan at Huddersfield. Given that Wilson – who joined on a free transfer in the summer – and Niclas Füllkrug have contributed just one goal between them so far in the Premier League, Marshall could get plenty of more opportunities if the new managerâ€s post-match assessment is anything to go by. “Itâ€s not easy to put a young lad in front of Callum Wilson,†said Nuno. “Itâ€s important for us, as soon as possible, to have total knowledge of who we have in the squad. What Iâ€ve been seeing in training sessions, [Marshall] has energy, heâ€s a good finisher, good mobility, he can recognise the gaps in the space. I think we have something we can use.†Ed Aarons

Match report: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

5

Calm Frank slowly earns his Spurs

Nobody seems quite sure how good Tottenham can be this season, least of all themselves. What is undeniable is that they are heading in the right direction under Thomas Frank. After a third win from four unbeaten away games this season, belief is growing that Spurs are developing into a far more cohesive and resilient outfit to the one which slumped to their worst Premier League finish under Ange Postecoglou last term. There is a calm assuredness to Frank, who spoke glowingly of his teamâ€s mentality and collective desire in seeing off a pugnacious Leeds side at a raucous, windswept Elland Road. Frank had not beaten his Leeds counterpart and good friend Daniel Farke in five previous meetings in charge of Brentford and Norwich respectively, but goals from Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, either side of Noah Okaforâ€s first-half equaliser, ensued the tables were turned. It is early days, but things are looking up for Spurs. Ross Heppenstall

Match report: Leeds 1-2 Tottenham

Mohammed Kudus scored what proved to be the winner against Leeds. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock

6

Acheampong and Badiashile step up

Enzo Maresca wanted a new centre-back after losing Levi Colwill to a knee injury before the start of the season. His bosses thought otherwise. Chelseaâ€s resources are deep and a panic buy was not required. Then came more injuries, leaving Maresca stretched. There were nerves about Josh Acheampong and Benoît Badiashile lining up against Liverpool on Saturday, but there need not have been. Acheampong is only 19 but few doubt his potential. The teenager dealt with Crystal Palaceâ€s Jean-Philippe Mateta well on the opening weekend and he was assured again as Liverpool were beaten at Stamford Bridge, with Alexander Isakâ€s influence was dimmed by Chelseaâ€s fine defending. For Maresca, the only problem was Acheampong and Badiashile having to go off in the second half. Badiashile has only just returned from injury and it is hoped he was only suffering from cramp. The 24-year-old Frenchman has not always been convincing, but he appears to have stepped up a level since coming back into the starting lineup. Jacob Steinberg

Match report: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

7

Glasner stays calm as Eagles finally dip

To his credit, Oliver Glasner refused to blame fatigue as Crystal Palaceâ€s proud 19-game unbeaten run came to an end four days after their Conference League exertions in Poland. “That would be a cheap excuse,†he said while attempting to come to terms with Evertonâ€s unexpected late win at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Defeat to Jack Grealishâ€s first Everton goal was entirely self-inflicted, according to the Palace manager, with Jean Philippe-Mateta missing two clear chances to double the visitors†advantage before Maxence Lacroixâ€s foul on Tim Iroegbunam offered David Moyesâ€s side a way back via the penalty spot. “We didnâ€t decide the game when we could have done and that has happened a few times now,†explained Glasner. “It is part of our development. Weâ€ve made a few steps forward in the last few months and now we have to feel this pain and learn from it.†Andy Hunter

Match report: Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace

Maxence Lacroix fouls Tim Iroegbunam to concede the penalty that let Everton back into the game. Photograph: Peter Powell/Reuters

8

Bogarde has Villa fans on their feet

It is a staple of junior football and if there was a Most Improved Player prize at Aston Villa it would surely go to Lamare Bogarde. The 21-year-old, who signed from Feyenoord at 16, was given a standing ovation upon being substituted in the victory at home to Burnley, a week on from Unai Emery leading the applause when Bogarde was withdrawn late on in the win against Fulham. Emery admires Bogardeâ€s versatility but it was at the base of midfield where the Dutchman, who has started Villaâ€s past two league matches and featured in eight of Villaâ€s 10 games in all competitions, looks most at home. He was Villaâ€s most-fouled player against Burnley, a statistic indicative of his involvement, but perhaps more tellingly he completed 97% of his attempted passes (56 out of 58). Villaâ€s rise has meant academy youngsters have had few opportunities but Bogarde is proving increasingly instrumental. Ben Fisher

Match report: Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley

9

Brightonâ€s note of curious caution

Brighton remain the team to have received the most yellow cards in the Premier League this season after another four in the frustrating draw away at Wolves took them to 22. Manager Fabian Hürzeler was frustrated by the refereeing decisions. “I didnâ€t understand it,†he said. “Every first foul from us was a yellow card and in the hardest league in the world, thatâ€s very frustrating.†He added that he was forced to substitute Carlos Baleba at half-time because of his midfielderâ€s caution. Itâ€s not as if Brighton are overly aggressive or cynical is it? Peter Lansley

Match report: Wolves 1-1 Brighton

Carlos Baleba and Hugo Bueno battle for the ball as their managers watch on from the sidelines. Photograph: David Davies/PA

10

Kluivert family make Patrick proud

If the summer transfer market divested Bournemouth of a first-choice defence, Andoni Iraola retains much of his teamâ€s attacking talent. Antoine Semenyo was the subject of serious interest but instead signed an extension to stay on until 2030. The match-winner in Fridayâ€s late defeat of Fulham is in rare form, his two well-taken goals taking him to second in the Premier League scoring charts. “World class,†said fellow scorer Justin Kluivert on his colleague. “I want to try to keep him at this level, especially, confidence wise,†said Iraola of Semenyo. Kluivert had come off the bench to score a fine goal, completing a fine week for the Kluivert clan. On Wednesday, 18-year-old half-brother, Shane, scored for Barcelona in the Uefa Youth League against Paris Saint-Germain while his full brother, Ruben, scored for Lyon in the Europa League against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday. Father Patrick shared his delight on social media as a “proud dadâ€. John Brewin

Match report: Bournemouth 3-1 Fulham

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