Six Prem speaking factors as Arsenal drop factors and Man City crimson card controversy
The Premier League again threw up a number of major talking points, none more so than Arsenal being handed their first defeat of the season by Brighton in a 3-0 thrashing on Saturday. Mikel Arteta’s reigning Premier League champions were blown away by the Seagulls who scored all three goals in less than half an hour either side of half-time.
The Gunners managed just one shot on target and will spend the three week international break licking their wounds, unable to immediately rectify their form on the pitch.
Manchester City’s 5-3 win over Sunderland on Sunday means that Arsenal will spend the international period in second place, looking up at the only team in the league with a 100 per cent record.
At 35, Pascal Gross just keeps getting better. Brighton’s bargain £3million signing in 2017 played seven years at the Seagulls before joining Borussia Dortmund.
It never quite worked for him back in his homeland and he returned to Brighton in January, where he again has continued to be the scourge of the big six. Gross scored his eighth goal against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup comeback in midweek before he opened the scoring against Arsenal.
The German playmaker made it three goals and three assists in five league games to start the season and his exploits against Arsenal made it 26 goal involvements against the big six clubs.
Manchester United icon Gary Neville pulled no punches as he launched into a scathing attack on their second half performance when appearing on co-commentary for Sky Sports.
Fulham took the lead at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon after a comedy of errors led to Lisandro Martinez’s own goal in the 1-1 draw. And Neville, left furious at what he was watching slammed it “the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen” by United.
He said: “I’ve watched Manchester United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen them play. Absolutely pathetic. They have walked for 15 minutes and you get what you deserve in a football match.
“Maybe there will be a reaction but I’ve never seen a lack of effort for 15-20 minutes like I have just seen there. What must he be thinking? He probably cannot believe what he has watched in that last 15 or 20 minutes. He’s got to act now.”
United hit the post twice in the first-half but were unable to offer the same threat in the second 45. It took a deflected effort from Matheus Cunha from distance to see the Red Devils rescue a point in the 89th minute and avoid an incredibly scrutinised international break before they return to action in October.
City became the only team standing with a faultless record in the Premier League following Arsenal’s defeat and their 5-3 win over Sunderland, but the result could have been completely different.
The Black Cats were controversially denied a penalty after Elliot Anderson swatted the ball away with his hand in the penalty box. The penalty was not awarded on pitch and VAR decided not to recommend an on-field review.
Anderson’s contact with the ball was deemed accidental, but Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris saw it differently, saying at full-time: “It was hard to see that as not a handball. It is what it is and we have to accept the decision. It’s hard to comment.”
After throwing the kitchen sink at appointing Roberto De Zerbi to stay up last season and splurging close to £300million in the summer, Tottenham have fallen from 17th to 20th.
Spurs are bottom of the league, winless, five games into the new season. After back-to-back 17th place finishes, Tottenham are still the butt of jokes in the Premier League.
A 3-2 home loss to Aston Villa was followed by Coventry winning their first game of the season against Nottingham Forest and Fulham drawing against United, meaning Spurs foot the table in the international break on a minus six goal difference.
An investigation has been launched by Ipswich Town alongside the Premier League after Abdul Fatawu was the subject of racist abuse online. Fatawu was sent off during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The winger received a second yellow card midway through the second-half for diving after picking up his first booking for hauling back Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. And in a statement released on Sunday afternoon, Ipswich said Fatawu was the target of racial abuse on social media following his dismissal.
“Ipswich Town Football Club is aware of online racist abuse directed at Abdul Fatawu via social media,” a statement from the Portman Road club read. “The club finds any form of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable and has no place in football.
“We are investigating this incident alongside the Premier League and the relevant authorities. We will continue to offer Abdul our full support.”
In a statement released shortly after Ipswich’s, the Premier League said: “The Premier League stands with Abdul Fatawu and Ipswich Town following the unacceptable abuse he has received online, and we have offered our full support to the player and club.
“We are appalled by the discrimination players face online and it has no place in football or wider society. We will continue working with clubs, authorities, law enforcement and social media companies to address this issue, support investigations and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
“Those found guilty of discriminatory abuse should expect the strongest possible sanctions, including club bans and legal prosecution.”
