The Premier League season is beginning to gather momentum as 6 weekends have now already been completed, and each weekend has produced talking points of their own - with this particular weekend being no different.
Title contenders show their strength
After they suffered a disappointing and shock 3-2 defeat away to newly-promoted Norwich City, reigning champions Manchester City produced an emphatic response to their critics as they absolutely hammered Watford 8-0 at the Etihad Stadium. The champions produced an impressive performance, even if Watford were truly awful on the day, and they proved that they will be vying for the league title once again.
The current league leaders Liverpool also continued to demonstrate that they will be competing for the league title at the end of the season, as they recorded a 2-1 victory away to Chelsea. However, it is worth noting the fact that Liverpool's performance was not necessarily the best, notably in the second half, though they showed incredible resilience to withstand Chelsea's pressure. That resilience, which may need to be coupled with some luck as well, will be imperative during the season if Liverpool are to claim their first league title in 30 years next May. In addition, it was a very positive response to Manchester City's trouncing of Watford a day earlier. Furthermore, the result continues to put the pressure on Manchester City, who arguably cannot afford to drop too many more points, even this early in the season, as they could find themselves cut adrift from Liverpool already, especially as Liverpool are a very consistent side who will not drop too many points during the campaign.
In conclusion, the two title contenders from last season have so far demonstrated that they will be competing for the golden prize once again as they are very consistent sides, and have quality in abundance across all areas.
United very far off top teams, though patience is the name of the game
The team with the most Premier League titles since its inception in 1992, Manchester United, suffered a 2-0 defeat away to West Ham United. The result was undoubtedly disappointing, though moreover, the performance was utterly appalling. The team right now is weak in the midfield area in particular, and very few players who enter onto the pitch seem to truly play for the badge and shirt they are wearing, which is arguably even more upsetting to witness.
Given the fact that they are such a large club, rather inevitably it is worth pointing out, Manchester United's performances and results face lengthy scrutiny. After Sir Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013, the club have since hired four permanent managers (David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, and now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer), and there were some who argued after last Sunday's dismal showing that Manchester United might need to replace the manager again. Such a decision would be hasty and wrong, as continuing to change managers repeatedly in a bid to gain success would only serve to create additional uncertainty, arguably even further division as well as frustration amongst supporters.
The club appointed Solskajer as their permanent manager in March on a 3-year contract. Therefore, it is fair to suggest that the club should honour his contract and give him the full length of time to rebuild the team which is a mix and match of previous managers. Furthermore, this rebuilding process is one which will require time and patience, and it is fair to argue that matters might need to worsen before improving. However, there is no denying the fact that Manchester United are considerably far off their near neighbours and fierce rivals Liverpool, whilst moreover the room for improvement is massive to say the least.
Leicester prove top six credentials, West Ham put bad first game behind them The team who, against all the odds, claimed the Premier League title in 2016, Leicester City have struggled slightly since. However, the appointment of Brendan Rodgers seems to have invigorated the whole club and entering into this season, there were a substantial amount of people who argued that they could break into the top six. In the six league games they have played so far, they have faced three of last season's top six. In the first of those clashes away at Chelsea, they earned a point, before they last week suffered a defeat to Manchester United. However, it was a case of third time lucky as they came from behind to record a largely impressive 2-1 win victory over Tottenham as they produced a particularly positive performance, with attacking midfielder James Maddison standing out in a central role. Considering the fact that Manchester United are enduring significant struggle at present, and neither Tottenham Hotspur nor Arsenal appear particularly convincing so far, as well as the fact that Chelsea are undergoing a transitional period, on the evidence so far the argument that Leicester City may break into the six could well be correct and last Saturday's victory over Tottenham will only have enhanced that claim. However, it is worth pointing out that there is a long way to go in the campaign.
Meanwhile, after they suffered a 5-0 humiliation on the opening day, West Ham United have recovered in impressive fashion since, as they have not lost another league match and last Sunday they deservedly beat Manchester United 2-0. The club-record signing of striker Sébastien Haller seems to have been an astute one, as he has been noticeably effective having scored 3 goals in only 5 games. Moreover, it is to fair to point out that their defence has improved considerably since the opening day hammering, having conceded a mere 2 goals in the 5 league games since, and credit here should go to young defender Issa Diop who has been extremely solid so far. Although few seemed to mention West Ham - certainly less than they mentioned Leicester or Wolves for example - regarding potentially breaking into the top six, given that other established top six sides have been struggling at this point in the season, it would be fair to say that West Ham may potentially break into that zone, although it is of course still extremely early on in the season.
Watford and Newcastle both struggling to show clear identity
After they came from 2 goals down a week earlier to earn a point against Arsenal, Watford suffered an 8-0 battering away to champions Manchester City. The result is of course an extremely disappointing one, however, the manner of the performance was even more alarming in what was only Quique Sanchez Flores' second league game in charge. Watford, currently bottom of the table with only 2 points after 6 league games need to show a drastic improvement if they intend to stay up this season, let alone avoid a relegation battle. Furthermore, the team appeared awfully disorganised, whilst it must also be said that they also lacked a clear identity. Speaking of lacking a clear identity, it is fair to say that the same problem applies to Newcastle United after six games - as the players seem confused on the pitch, and it has seemed as though new manager Steve Bruce, who in his defence has a squad of limited quality, has no clear idea of an effective formation to use and has frequently tinkered with formation in a bid to try win matches, but too little avail so far. After 6 league games, Newcastle lie in 17th place with 5 points, though the fans are hugely disgruntled and disillusioned with the club (though this probably has more to do with owner Mike Ashley) as Steve Bruce does not seem to have a clear vision of where he wishes to take this club whilst performances have hardly been overly inspiring at this stage.
In conclusion, it is fair to say that both Newcastle and Watford have been struggling not only due to poor results but a lack of a clear identity. They will both need to rack up points quickly if they want to remain in the Premier League come August 2020.
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