Chelsea, Foden and Salah: Overreactions in the Premier League?

Premier League on Fire: Analysis and Reactions After an Intense Matchday

The Premier League returns strongly after a weekend full of emotions. The teams are preparing for new challenges midweek. In the previous matchday, Chelsea, despite playing with ten men, managed a 1-1 draw against Arsenal. Manchester United demonstrated their unpredictability against Crystal Palace, while Liverpool found the path to victory. In addition, Sunderland continues its outstanding season and Manchester City counted on the performance of Phil Foden. After this weekend, we analyze the reactions and assess whether they are exaggerated or justified. Here, a look at the key moments of the day.

Chelsea’s Discipline in Question

Chelsea’s lack of discipline could be a problem. Counting the red card to coach Enzo Maresca against Liverpool on October 4th, Moisés Caicedo’s expulsion against Arsenal was the team’s seventh this season. Too many for a team that aspires to titles on multiple fronts. Chelsea is six points behind the leaders, a distance that could have been smaller if they had kept eleven players on the field.

Chelsea’s red card record doesn’t help, despite having a deep squad.

Alofoke Deportes

Chelsea has received four red cards in the Premier League, one in the League Cup and another in the Champions League, in addition to Maresca’s. In the league matches where they have suffered expulsions, in addition to the one against Arsenal, they lost against Manchester United, fell 3-1 to Brighton and beat Nottingham Forest.

Despite the red card, Chelsea offered one of their most solid performances under Maresca’s direction, achieving a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Fortunately, they have a large squad, which allows them to have replacements ready to come in. In addition, Cole Palmer is close to returning. Although the disciplinary situation must improve, so far they have managed it well, but they cannot allow it to continue.

Manchester City’s Plan B

After Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, doubts arose about the team’s alternative attacking plan, especially in the absence of Erling Haaland. However, Phil Foden demonstrated against Leeds that City can be much more than a one-player team in attack. Foden scored two goals, including the winning goal in added time, securing a 3-2 victory.

Before the match against Leeds, City’s second-highest Premier League scorer was Maxime Estève, from Burnley, with two own goals in City’s 5-1 victory. Foden’s two magnificent goals reminded everyone that City’s attack is more than just Haaland. This will be put to the test in the upcoming matches against Fulham and Sunderland, but Foden’s performance was timely in a match where Haaland didn’t score.

City performs better when Haaland scores, with a record of 10-2-1 in all competitions when he scores, and 1-0-4 when he doesn’t. If Foden maintains this level, it will ease the pressure on Haaland.

Sunderland, the Best Promoted Team

Following their 3-2 victory over AFC Bournemouth, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris maintains the goal of reaching the 40 points needed to secure their place in the Premier League. The team is in sixth position, with 22 points in 13 matches. It’s possible that we’ve already seen enough to consider Sunderland as the best promoted team of the last decade. Sunderland has had a magnificent season, winning against Chelsea and drawing with Arsenal. Their victory over Bournemouth demonstrated their fighting spirit, coming back from two goals down to win 3-2. Their work ethic is impressive, and they could surpass Wolves as the best promoted team. Your next challenge is against Liverpool, who eased the pressure somewhat after their 2-0 victory over West Ham.

Is Mohamed Salah No Longer Undisputed?

Arne Slot’s team showed determination and greater offensive precision against West Ham, leaving Salah on the bench. For a long time, Salah has been Liverpool’s most important player, an exceptional attacker and the third-highest goalscorer in the club’s history. However, as Liverpool evolves, Salah is no longer the second name on the team’s list, after Virgil van Dijk.

In the match against West Ham, Liverpool lined up Alexander Isak in the forward position, Cody Gakpo on the left, Florian Wirtz in the center, and Dominik Szoboszlai on the right. The connection between Wirtz and Isak was effective, with Wirtz assisting Isak four times in the first half, surpassing the season record. Isak scored his first Premier League goal after a play initiated by Wirtz. Salah’s production this season has been four goals and two assists, somewhat unusual for his high standards. However, Gakpo and Salah have created many opportunities, although they haven’t managed to convert them, while they have shown instability in defense. It is likely that Salah will regain his rhythm, and this could be more a matter of rotation than evolution.

Manchester United, an Enigma

Following their poor performance in the 1-0 defeat against Everton, Manchester United did not improve in the first half against Crystal Palace. But, in the second half, United scored two goals from set pieces and are in sixth position. They remain unpredictable.

Palace coach Oliver Glasner was furious after the match, criticizing United’s goals, which came from set pieces. United needs to win their next three matches against West Ham, Wolves, and Bournemouth to have a chance of fighting for Champions League spots.