The Premier League always springs a surprise or two, but the extent of those shocks depends on how closely one follows the action.
The latest round of Premier League games took place between the just-completed two-week international break and the first round of group-stage games in both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europea League, which kick off Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Some teams seem ready for the coming onslaught of activity at home and abroad. Others apparently aren’t so much.
The contrasts were apparent Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Liverpool. The highly touted game lacked the quality and tempo we expect from two giants of English soccer. That sometimes happens immediately following an international break, so it comes as no great surprise.
What was more eye-popping was that one team, Manchester United, appeared to be more focused and better prepared for the biggest game in England. The Red Devils’ win gives them a three-point lead over the rival Reds in the standings, but the performances suggest Manchester United’s prospects of successfully balancing the demands of domestic and continental play are greater than Liverpool’s.
Packed schedules place premiums on depth, quality and squad cohesion. Manchester United joins Manchester City and Arsenal among teams which appear ready for battle. Question marks remain over Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham.
Premier League Round 5 results and reaction (home team listed first):
Saturday, Sept. 12
Everton 3-1 Chelsea
Chelsea’s season went from bad to worse, as Steven Naismith came off the bench and scored a hat trick for the victorious Toffees. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says the defending champions aren’t in crisis. Results suggest otherwise.
Norwich City 3-1 Bournemouth
The Canaries topped the Cherries in the battle of two newly promoted teams, and those three points the hosts collected could loom large at the end of the season.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City
The Eagles came within minutes of ending Manchester City’s perfect start to the season, but Kelechi Iheanacho, 18, became City’s newest hero with a late game-winner.
West Brom 0-0 Southampton
This draw came and went without goals or major incident. Both teams have struggled at the outset of the campaign and nothing could separate them.
Arsenal 2-0 Stoke City
That’s two wins in a row for the Gunners, who face Chelsea this weekend in what should be a consequential meeting of would-be contenders.
Watford 1-0 Swansea City
The Swans beat Manchester United before the international break but fell to the newly promoted Hornets in their next outing. Anything can happen in the Premier League.
Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool
Check out what happened at Old Trafford in our wrap and what it means for the Reds in our verdict.
Sunday, Sept. 13
Sunderland 0-1 Tottenham
Tottenham won for the first time this season, and Sunderland’s misery continues at home and on the road.
Leicester City 3-2 Aston Villa
The game of the weekend saw the Foxes storm back from a two-goal deficit to earn three more points. Leicester City sits second after five games — an astonishing start for a team we tipped for relegation at the start of the season.
Monday, Sept. 14
West Ham 2-0 Newcastle
West Ham made it two consecutive wins by beating the Magpies at home. Newcastle is at the bottom of the standings after five games.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@PremierLeague
