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Premier League race wide open after early-season stumbles
LONDON, Oct 23, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Five games into a Premier League season
full of goals and drama, each of the traditional ‘big six’ have dropped at
least five points, and the title race is wide open.
Unbeaten Everton and Aston Villa are the surprise pace-setters and with a
gruelling schedule of European games under way, the odds of a shock title
winner have tumbled.
AFP Sport looks at the runners and riders. Liverpool
Three weeks ago the title looked like Liverpool’s to lose after an
impressive start to their title defence.
However, a 7-2 thrashing at Villa knocked the champions off course and the
loss of Virgil van Dijk, likely for the rest of the season, is a devastating
blow.
Liverpool, who lack options in central defence, still have the firepower to
mount a title challenge but they have already dropped the same number of
points as they did in their first 28 league games last season as they cruised
to a first league title in 30 years.
Manchester City
City and Liverpool have been dominant over the past three seasons but there
are big questions over Pep Guardiola’s defence despite a œ100 million ($131
million) outlay on defenders in the transfer window.
Leicester won 5-2 at the Etihad last month, while goalkeeper Ederson made a
string of important saves to salvage a 1-1 draw at Leeds and ensure a 1-0
victory over Arsenal.
A short pre-season, coronavirus infections and injuries have also hampered
City but they are now the bookmakers’ favourites, with a deep squad and
title-winning know-how.
Chelsea
The Blues’ œ220 million splurge in the transfer market has so far only
reaped two wins from their opening five league matches.
Defensive problems remain an issue for Frank Lampard, who has seen his team
throw away four points in 3-3 draws against Southampton and lowly West Brom.
But the solidity shown in a 0-0 draw against Sevilla in the Champions
League in midweek showed better times could be ahead once new goalkeeper
Benjamin Mendy, experienced centre-back Thiago Silva and England left-back
Ben Chilwell bed in.
Lampard also has an enviable array of new attacking talent. If they click
Chelsea remain title contenders despite the slow start.
Manchester United
What a difference four days may have made for United’s season and the
future of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
From the despair of a 6-1 home humiliation by Tottenham, the Red Devils
bounced back to win 4-1 at Newcastle and then ran out impressive 2-1 winners
away to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Another famous night in Paris for Solskjaer’s men showcased the talent they
have when given the space for Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Bruno
Fernandes to counter-attack, but United desperately need to find consistency.
Tottenham
At half-time of last week’s clash against West Ham, social media was abuzz
with talk of Jose Mourinho’s free-scoring Spurs mounting a title challenge,
before their lead disappeared in a crazy finale.
However, Tottenham are just five points off the top and the form of Harry
Kane and Son Heung-min, who already have 18 goals between them this season,
together with the returning Gareth Bale, give Spurs fans reasons to dream.
Arsenal
The Gunners would be happy just to return to the Champions League for the
first time in five seasons but they could perhaps set their sights higher,
looking the most solid of the big six under Mikel Arteta.
Despite facing Liverpool and City away in their opening five games, only
Villa have conceded fewer goals.
New signing Thomas Partey will offer more of a goalscoring threat from
midfield, while a soft Europa League draw should allow Arteta to prioritise
the Premier League until the New Year.
Outsiders?
Can Everton maintain their impressive start to the season under Carlo
Ancelotti?
With James Rodriguez pulling the strings and Dominic Calvert-Lewin banging
in the goals, the Goodison Park faithful will dream of a first top-flight
title since 1987.
Aston Villa, who escaped relegation on the final day of last season, have
started with four straight wins while 2016 champions Leicester are also
sitting pretty.
Fixtures
Friday
Aston Villa v Leeds (1900 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham v Manchester City (1130), Fulham v Crystal Palace (1400),
Manchester United v Chelsea (1630), Liverpool v Sheffield United (1900)
Sunday
Southampton v Everton (1400), Wolves v Newcastle (1630), Arsenal v
Leicester (1915)
Monday
Brighton v West Brom (1730), Burnley v Tottenham (2000)
BSS/AFP/GMR/1126 hrs