Premier League GW4 Talking Points: Glenn Murray for England? Watford to challenge for European spot??
Elewhere, the Gunners have finally found their winning combination in the victory over Cardiff City.
The Premier League is yet to be in full flow, but there have already been quite a few surprises in Gameweek 4. Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur lost to high-flying Watford at Vicarage Road. Meanwhile, Manchester United finally came back to winning ways with a victory over Burnley at Turf Moor. Pep Guardiola's cash-rich Manchester City outfit had to find the hard way in overcoming a hungry Newcastle United.
Gameweek 4 results of the Premier League
With four weeks already over, among the English giants, Liverpool and Chelsea look to be the most solid, but anything could happen in a month or two. In this article, we at Khel Now are going to analyze the five talking points observed during Gameweek 4 of England's top tier:
5. Should Gareth Southgate give Glenn Murray his England debut?
Murray has scored three goals in this campaign so far
Glenn Murray has always put in decent displays in the Premier League. But this season, he has taken his performances a notch higher. Last time, from clubs outside the top six, Murray was the second highest scoring forward (behind Jamie Vardy). The Leicester City man has since retired from international football.
The Brighton and Hove Albion talisman came to the fore in his side's victory against Fulham at home. The Cottagers were leading by two goals until the 67th minute when the 34-year came to his team' rescue at the Amex Stadium with a well-taken goal. Then he scored the equaliser in the 84th minute via a penalty, which took his tally to three for the campaign. Right now, only Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sadio Mane have scored more than him.
4. Watford could put up a serious challenge for a top-four spot
Watford could have a serious say in how the top of the table ends up
The Hornets are having the time of their lives right now, winning all their fixtures so far. The last time they had such a splendid run, Watford finished second in the First Division (behind Liverpool) and Elton John was their chairman.
The Hertfordshire-based team do not need to be title contenders, but they will have a serious say in how the top of the table ends up towards the end of the season.
3. Are Manchester City missing Kevin De Bruyne?
The Belgian was City's star player last season
Although, The Citizens seem to be doing fine in the Belgian's absence, there is still that extra bit of juice which has been missing in their midfield. The former Chelsea man was City's star player last season and he brings AN X-factor to the team.
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Against Newcastle, Spaniard David Silva created the most goalscoring opportunities (four). Bernardo Silva, who was expected to fill in the void has gone missing recently with poor displays. The likes of Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling cannot be relied on always. Although, Sterling is third in the list of players to have had a hand in the most PL goals since last season (20 goals and 11 assists), behind Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane.
2. Have Arsenal found their winning formula, reminiscent of their glory days?
The duo combined well against Cardiff
Two weeks ago, Unai Emery had stated that he couldn't find a way to use both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in his starting XI. But then, against Cardiff City, he changed his plans and decided to give the Frenchman a chance to prove that a partnership is possible and it was the game's decisive factor. The former Lyon forward had a more central role. Meanwhile, the Gabon striker played on the left wing.
Lacazette did not disappoint, assisting Arsenal's second goal, scoring the third, leading the frontline and forming an excellent partnership with the former Dortmund frontman. There was a moment in the match which might have made every Gunners fan nostalgic of their past strike partnerships of the likes of Theirry Henry and Denis Bergkamp. For Arsenal's second goal, the 27-year old surprised us all. Rather than keeping Mesut Ozil's illustrious through-ball, he instead flicked it to Aubameyang (purely based on instinct), who curled in the ball into the net with ease. Both of them could form a title-winning partnership in years to come.
1. Amongst the heavyweights, Liverpool and Chelsea appear to be the most solid of all
Liverpool beat Leicester City 1-2
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]Other than Watford, these two are the only teams to have won all their matches till now. Under Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea seem to be more disciplined with the ball, which was missing last season. The former Napoli man has added that extra bit of solidity and discipline which The Blues lacked under Antonio Conte. The backline is more confident and Eden Hazard has taken his game a notch higher.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have continued their good run from the end of the last campaign. Jurgen Klopp has finally integrated his winning mentality and tactics into the team and they could maintain their lead at the top of the table throughout the campaign.
