After the third week of Premier League games, the league will now take a break as qualifiers for World Cup 2018 kick off again. Who will be heading into the international break with their head held high as someone who impressed enough to make an impact on week 3?
Mikel Merino
Newcastle United picked up their first win of the season as they defeated West Ham 3-0 at St James’ Park. The result means West Ham remain without a point and their manager Slaven Bilic finds himself under pressure even at this early stage.
After a disappointing defeat to Huddersfield last week, Newcastle were much improved in the match on Saturday and took the lead after 36 minutes through new signing Joselu. The chance was created by the impressive Mikel Merino who is on loan from Borussia Dortmund. Merino showed his quality with a ball through to Christian Atsu who then squared for Joselu to tap in. Second half goals from Ciaran Clark and Aleksandar Mitrovic later secured the points for the Magpies.
In the Championship last season, Newcastle often struggled whenever Jonjo Shelvey missed a run of games as they lacked a midfielder with his range of passing and creativity. Merino showed signs yesterday that they may have solved this issue with a controlling display alongside Isaac Hayden in central midfield. The Spaniard showed his eagerness to impress as he covered more ground than any other player (11.21 km).
Mikel Merino has been excellent for NUFC. Good on the ball & putting himself about. Joselu a real presence too.
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 26, 2017
Tammy Abraham
Swansea City were another team who grabbed their first win of the season with a deserved 2-0 away win against Crystal Palace.
On loan Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham scored his first Premier League goal at the end of the first half and looked a real threat for Swansea throughout the match. Abraham’s goal showed the attributes he displayed during his 23-goal season for Bristol City last year. He outmuscled Martin Kelly to get onto the end of Leroy Fer’s cross and finished clinically.
Abraham was also involved in the crucial second just a few minutes into the second half. The forward showed excellent hold-up play as Swansea cleared and although his ball to Kyle Naughton wasn’t accurate, the full back then quickly won the ball back off Martin Kelly and played through Jordan Ayew to make it 2-0.
Swansea supporters will have been lifted by the result after the sale of star man Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton. They could be in for an exciting week with Paul Clement looking to use the Sigurdsson money to further improve his squad before the transfer deadline passes.
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Mohamed Salah
FACT: Just 12 SECONDS separated Arsenal's corner kick…and @22MoSalah scoring for @LFC. ⚽️
Counter-attack.
pic.twitter.com/BmYYNefORa
— SPORF (@Sporf) August 27, 2017
Liverpool followed up their Champions League qualification with an emphatic 4-0 victory over a dismal Arsenal at Anfield.
Arsenal struggled to cope with the movement and pace of Liverpool’s attacking front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah throughout the match. All of them ended up on the scoresheet as well, along with substitute Daniel Sturridge.
It took just 17 minutes for the hosts to go in front with Firmino heading in a Joe Gomez cross. Firmino then turned provider after 40 minutes, playing through Mane who cut onto his right foot and shot superbly into the bottom corner. Not to be outdone by his teammates, Salah ensured the victory after 57 minutes with a goal on the break after dispossessing Hector Bellerin just inside Arsenal’s half then racing clear and calmly slotting past Petr Cech. Liverpool weren’t finished there, though. An inch perfect cross from Salah allowed Sturridge to complete the rout with a simple header.
Salah was the pick of the front three. His pace caused all manner of problems for Hector Bellerin all game and none of the Arsenal backline fared much better when attempting to mark the Egyptian. It wasn’t just Salah who had a great game though. Liverpool produced a great team performance against an Arsenal side who seemed disinterested and lacked any real leaders.
SEE ALSO: Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal: Game in 10 Tweets as the Reds eviscerate the Gunners
Phil Jones
Manchester United continued their impressive start to the season by claiming a third win in as many matches, defeating Leicester City 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Manchester United dominated the match with 69% possession and 22 attempts during the 90 minutes. They struggled, however, to get past the impressive defence of Leicester led by Wes Morgan and Harry Maguire who both had solid games for Leicester despite their defeat.
It took until the 70th minute for United to break the deadlock with Marcus Rashford firing in from a Henrik Mkhitaryan corner. Maroune Fellaini added the second just over ten minutes later. You could sense Mourinho’s relief that his side had managed to take all three points.
While United did have most of the attacking play Leicester were always a threat on the break with the speed of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. The United centre back pairing of Eric Bailly and Phil Jones dealt superbly with any counter attacks and ensured that Leicester were limited to very few clear opportunities. Phil Jones’ performances, in particular, have so far kept Victor Lindelof from making his Premier League debut. After yet another clean sheet, Jones is likely to keep his place for the foreseeable future.
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus is @premierleague Man of the Match
Goals 1
Shots 3
Passing accuracy 91%
Sprint 61
Fouls won 4 pic.twitter.com/ydOe3J81KL— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) August 26, 2017
There was a dramatic end at the Vitality Stadium after an entertaining game as Manchester City netted a stoppage time winner to win 2-1 over Bournemouth.
Bournemouth showed they weren’t afraid to go up against City in the opening stages of the match and took a deserved lead through a Charlie Daniels thunderbolt which flew past Ederson and into the top corner. City, though, knew they could create chances and David Silva’s perfectly weighted pass allowed Gabriel Jesus to equalise.
An even second half was then settled in a frantic ending which saw both sides trying to grab a winner. Eventually, it was Raheem Sterling who bundled the ball into the back of the net in the 97th minute to send City fans wild. Although apparently, it was too wild for Mike Dean – he brandished a second yellow card to Sterling for his celebration.
Much was made of Guardiola’s decision to leave Sergio Aguero out of the side against Bournemouth. But Jesus showed why his manager has so much faith in him. His attacking play and skill was a step above most of the players on the pitch. He showed terrific movement and composure for the equaliser. Jesus’ alertness also could have seen Nathan Ake sent off on another day with the defender escaping with just a yellow after tripping Jesus when the Brazilian had robbed Ake of the ball.
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