After six video games within the 2023-24 Premier League season, we now have a clearer image of which membership will possible go through which course. Coming into the gameweek six, the Premier League had already given us some season-defining moments, be it targets, assists, pink playing cards, and rather more. And this week simply added some extra moments of insanity to the record.
After six video games, we now have solely 4 groups undefeated, with one group holding a 100 per cent profitable report. This reveals us how aggressive the league will likely be. One other factor that has change into extra clear is that there are a few groups who, regardless of not having the stage of a giant group, are heavy top-six contenders, which implies that regardless of how robust a group could be on paper, it should do the speaking on the pitch to thrive.
So, what can we be taught from gameweek six of the 2023-24 Premier League season?
Dominik Szoboszlai may very well be the signing of the season
All through all the switch window, Liverpool had been extra within the information for the gamers they missed out on signing moderately than one which ultimately joined. It was one of many explanation why sensible signings similar to Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai went underneath the radar. Nevertheless, after six video games, Szoboszlai has proven that he’s price each penny spent.
With out the presence of a correct quantity six, Liverpool’s midfield has been underneath extreme strain. Whereas Curtis Jones and MacAllister have had some underwhelming shows, the Hungarian has been constantly good.
The sport in opposition to West Ham United was one other instance the place he had a passing accuracy of 93 per cent, creating 4 probabilities, 102 touches, one clearance, and one sort out whereas additionally finishing 5 out of seven passes.
And if Liverpool handle to complete within the high 4 and even win any trophy, anticipate Szoboszlai to play an integral half.
Nothing can cease Manchester Metropolis, not even pink playing cards
A sixth consecutive win has cemented Manchester Metropolis’s quest for a sixth Premier League title underneath Pep Guardiola. And this one got here regardless of Metropolis being a person down for nearly half of the sport. One of many vital enhancements that Guardiola has made this season is to get different gamers in his assault to attain extra targets, thereby lessening the burden on Erling Haaland.
And so they had been at their ruthless greatest in opposition to Nottingham Forest, racing to a 2-0 lead inside quarter-hour. Nevertheless, the hosts discovered themselves one man down after Rodri was despatched off for grabbing the throat of Morgan White.
Metropolis managed to win the sport after substituting Kalvin Phillips in for Jeremy Doku. Nevertheless, Rodri is banned for 3 video games, which suggests he’ll miss the pivotal conflict in opposition to Arsenal, which will likely be a significant fear for Guardiola.
Attracts hurting Arteta’s ArsenalÂ
After ending second final season, Mikel Arteta was seeking to take his group one step as much as win the Premier League. And the group has performed brilliantly this season, however their incapacity to complete video games or to win them when they don’t seem to be at their greatest is regarding.
Their current draw at dwelling in opposition to Tottenahm Hotspur uncovered the identical previous issues. The Gunners let the guests equalise twice after taking the lead. Nevertheless, Arsenal had loads of probabilities to place the sport to mattress, which they didn’t take, a difficulty acknowledged by Arteta on the post-match convention.
The identical points had been evident as Arsenal didn’t take all three factors in opposition to a ten-man Fulham. Champions take their probabilities and win even on a nasty day. For now, Arsenal are exhibiting neither of the 2 qualities.
Stamford Bridge is falling down
Now we have run out of phrases to explain Chelsea’s season, as they ship the identical disappointment every week. They did begin the sport in opposition to Aston Villa with Mykhailo Mudryk, creating a superb opportunity that Nicholas Jackson missed. Regardless of this, they entered the primary half figuring out a purpose was coming.
All of the hope ended within the 56th minute when right-back Malo Gusto was despatched off after a VAR intervention, which pushed Chelsea to defend. And Aston Villa made their one-man benefit rely as Ollie Watkins scored the sport’s solely purpose from a decent angle.
For Mauricio Pochettino, it was one other week of frustration as Chelsea slipped to 14th within the desk, two factors above the relegation zone.
Newcastle come again in modelÂ
Earlier than their recreation in opposition to Sheffield United, Newcastle United had solely received one out of 5 video games. This is the reason Eddie Howe badly wanted a win on the street in opposition to Sheffield United. And his group responded in model, scoring eight previous a hapless Wes Foderingham within the hosts’ purpose.
The present’s star was Bruno Guimaraes, who scored one and offered one other. One other notable stat from the sport was that no participant scored multiple purpose. Guimaraes additionally received each sort out and duel he made. The Brazilian was additionally awarded a score of 0.87 on the Expected Offensive Value Added (xOVA) by knowledge analytics website Soccerment, essentially the most by any participant on this gameweek.
After their possession change, Newcastle United constructed a group signing gamers with potential moderately than splurging money on high signings. The motivation was that Howe wished a whole squad that was not solely depending on one particular person. And this win was an ideal instance of that.
Manchester United win unconvincinglyÂ
Manchester United had been on a three-game dropping streak earlier than travelling to Burnley. And whereas their efficiency in opposition to Burnley was removed from excellent, they escaped with three factors, which can relieve Erik Ten Hag, who’s already going through huge issues on the squad.
With Antony unavailable and Jadon Sancho froze out of the squad after his altercation with Ten Hag, the squad was fairly skinny. Nevertheless, Hannibal Mejbri and Facundo Pellistri have put their arms up. And Ten Hag will want these gamers to step up if they’re to salvage one thing from the season.
