Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Ruben Amorim has been a highly successful Manchester United manager against continental opposition and promoted Premier League clubs. He’s been respectable against the top teams in England, with a win at the Etihad, a draw at Anfield and a win on penalties against Arsenal. But he’s been hopeless when faced with opponents from mid-table. Last season, after taking over in November, Amorim supervised 14 league games against clubs that ended up between seventh and 17th. United won two, drew two and lost 10, scraping eight points out of a possible 42. One of those two wins was at Craven Cottage, a streaky 1-0. Here, again, they needed luck to take the lead as Leny Yoro got away with a two-hands push on Calvin Bassey; this time they blew it, and they couldn’t complain. United had been the better team for 20 minutes, Fulham for about 75. Tim de Lisle

David Moyes’ instruction to Jack Grealish was fairly simple but will have come as a blessed relief to the on-loan Everton winger after two seasons of torment at Manchester City. “I just want Jack to take people on and be positive, he has great ability to take the ball forward,” said the Everton manager, who hopes to improve his options on the opposite flank this week with the signing of Tyler Dibling from Southampton. “The boy who we saw playing for Manchester City in the year they won the treble is a really exciting player. I hope we can get him back. He didn’t want to come off after 60 minutes. No chance. He wanted it. He probably feels he has something to prove.” Grealish proved he can still shape Premier League games with a sparkling home debut for Everton. The 29-year-old last produced an assist for City in September 2024 but delivered two to mark Hill Dickinson Stadium’s grand Premier League opening. Questions about his appetite are starting to disappear. Andy Hunter

Amid all the talk about Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 shape and its pluses and minuses, it’s often forgotten that there is another devotee of the formation in the Premier League, one whose side seem rather more comfortable in the formation. At Crystal Palace, as at Eintracht Frankfurt, Oliver Glasner has constructed a side who seem more than the sum of their parts, more comfortable playing on the break perhaps, but a reliable and consistent Premier League presence. Although they ran out of steam late on against Forest, Palace’s goal showed how the system can work and how reliant it is on the wing-backs. Tyrick Mitchell, the left wing-back, got forward, crossed and, although the ball was cleared, it was worked to the right. Daniel Muñoz was in an advanced position and, with Forest’s rearguard having been dragged the other way, found himself unmarked. His cross was then turned in by Ismaïla Sarr for the opener. Jonathan Wilson

After his two-goal showing against Burnley, Richarlison was a huge factor again in Tottenham’s fine triumph at Manchester City. Having been reportedly touted as a makeweight in the Eberechi Eze deal that never was, the Brazilian was in spiky form afterwards when referencing a chat with Thomas Frank, the new Spurs manager. “It was very important,” the Brazilian striker said. “Since I got here, every time the transfer window opens, my name is circled as one who could leave – going back to Brazil or wherever. But I’ve always been focused on Tottenham and I’ve never had a conversation about leaving. I’m in a good moment. I hope to continue working hard and getting the opportunity to give my best. Now I want to be able to continue like this and play like this.” Jamie Jackson

Arsenal have a new weapon in their armoury this season. Against Leeds, they caused problems with an aggressive counterpress. The hosts should have taken the lead when Martín Zubimendi, who is supposed to be the deepest midfielder, read an attempt from Leeds to play out from the back. Viktor Gyökeres failed to take advantage but the ploy soon worked. Zubimendi’s midfield partner Declan Rice was involved, stepping in to win possession. Rice’s tackle fed the ball to Zubimendi, who was in close attendance. Zubimendi collected and passed to Jurriën Timber, who sent Bukayo Saka through to score. It was an encouraging sign for Mikel Arteta, and Leeds could not cope with the smothering tactics. Arsenal sat on too many 1-0 leads last season. There were too many home draws and dropped points from winning positions. Arteta has the toughest defence in the Premier League, but his team have to become more assertive if they are to win the title. Jacob Steinberg

There are good draws and bad draws. After two games, Fulham have two satisfying ones: a pair of 1-1s, away at Brighton and home to Manchester United. Drawing with Ruben Amorim’s misfiring team may not sound like much, but on United’s previous eight visits to Craven Cottage, Fulham had lost every time. This time they went 1-0 down and, just like on the south coast, Marco Silva saved the day with a substitution. Rodrigo Muniz got the equaliser against Brighton, about as late as he could have. Emile Smith Rowe got the equaliser here, about as early as he could have: 90 seconds after coming on, he met Alex Iwobi’s cross with a deft finish. It was very Fulham. A third of their league goals since the start of last season have come from subs – 19 out of 56. Silva is either a genius at in-game management, or not so hot when picking his starters. TdL

Three statistics from Aston Villa’s defeat at Brentford summed up the visitors’ story: 76% possession, 17 shots – their most without scoring in a Premier League match since October 2022 – but just two on target. Villa have problems in attack and nowhere is that more evident than on either flank. As he was for their goalless opener against Newcastle, John McGinn was deployed on the right wing, with Morgan Rogers on the other. Both tended to drift inside, offering precious little width. Evann Guessand looked lively when he came on for his debut, but 15 minutes was insufficient time to work with. The Ivorian international cannot be far off a start, based on Villa’s recent troubles. Unai Emery is seeking reinforcements over the next week; he needs to procure a winger or two, otherwise they will be all too easy to nullify this season. Ben Bloom

Bournemouth have been mined for £200m-plus of talent this summer, but to Andoni Iraola’s credit, it is hard to spot the difference between last season’s team and this iteration. Bournemouth built on a promising performance in defeat at Liverpool with victory at home to Wolves. Five new players featured, including the debutant Amine Adli, a £25m purchase from Bayer Leverkusen, while Eli Junior Kroupi made another appearance off the bench. The hosts were organised if not outstanding, the early signs encouraging. Iraola suggested the defender Bafodé Diakité, another of those new additions, finished the game stronger than he started. “We’ve had a lot of changes,” Iraola said. “Amine and Junior Kroupi were doing the right things but not always synchronised. They need to know their teammates and we need to know them better. I think the more time we play together, the better we will be.” Ben Fisher

It seems unlikely Burnley’s inevitable relegation battle will be based on outplaying other teams. Discipline and graft will be the key components of Scott Parker’s plan. Against Sunderland, they enjoyed a healthy share of possession but chances were limited. In the knowledge of what his team is about, Hannibal Mejbri embodied the work ethic demanded by the home fans and his manager. The Tunisian midfielder was relentless in putting pressure on opponents, chasing lost causes and generally irritating anyone in a black shirt. Often players who come through the Manchester United academy are gifted with natural ability, but fall down when it comes to backing it up with the effort required to reach the top. Mejbri had to drop down to the Championship to kickstart his career after having his path blocked at Old Trafford. He looks determined to show he can cope with Premier League football, and will be hoping his team can do the same. Will Unwin

Graham Potter wants to move West Ham to a style based on dominant possession, but does not have the players to make it work. It is time to go back to basics. West Ham were humbled by Sunderland on the opening day and confirmed that they are relegation candidates during their pathetic defeat by Chelsea on Friday night. The hosts did not run, press or fight. They did not compete. They let crosses come into the box and did not defend them. They gave up three soft goals from set pieces. They are using a back five but are still easy to break down. Potter’s system means their ponderous midfield is outnumbered by three to two. The manager needs an urgent rethink after a slow, confused transfer window. He somehow has to make West Ham horrible. Forget about trying to play entertaining football because this is already a fight for survival. JS