1
Calming influence at Old Trafford
Amid the concerns at Manchester United, one player unquestioned is Senne Lammens. The goalkeeper produced some important first-half saves against Ipswich to keep his side in the game in difficult circumstances. A relaxed character, the Belgian is a calming influence in an emotional environment, especially with a panicked defence. When Julio Enciso was through on goal, Lammens had to decide when to come and how far, getting his distance and angles perfect to ensure the Paraguay attacker was repelled. His distribution was also excellent, instigating rapid attacks and bringing the dynamism demanded from the modern goalkeeper. Will Unwin
2
Liverpool’s curious transfer strategy
Oliver Glasner said he would celebrate the closure of the transfer window with a pint on Wednesday night. Andoni Iraola would surely be tempted to join his Nottingham Forest counterpart – perhaps in Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem – were it not for the distance between them. It underlines the strangeness of Liverpool’s recent transfer strategy that the understandable excitement generated by Bradley Barcola’s impending £123m arrival from Paris Saint-Germain is offset by concern over the gaps in Iraola’s squad that have not been filled – right-wing, right-back and central midfield being the most obvious ones. The need to improve in all three departments was evident as Liverpool had to fight back to salvage a late 2-2 draw for the second Premier League game in succession. “We don’t know what the squad is going to be on 2 September,” said Iraola, surely holding out hope that wingers are not the only incomings before Tuesday. “I think every analysis I can make is when I know and when everything finishes, when I will know who is going to be here all the season or until January.” Andy Hunter
3
Alonso brushes off need to keep the ball
Chelsea prioritised control under Enzo Maresca but they have been counterattacking under Xabi Alonso. They have had little of the ball during the Spaniard’s first two league games. Chelsea had 38.1% possession during last week’s win over Fulham and 25% when they beat Brighton on Sunday, although Alonso insists this is not a strategy. “You need context to data,” he said after the Brighton game. “After 30 minutes we have scored [to make it] 3-0. Probably, in that moment, we have played too much with the result, instead of keep playing. But it is never that approach, I don’t say today we need to have 60% or 20%.” Jacob Steinberg
4
Armstrong saga sets out battle lines
Deciding not to sell Harrison Armstrong will quell unrest at Everton for now but perhaps not for long. Factions are apparent. David Moyes has been on the defensive since the chief executive, Angus Kinnear, said the Friedkin ownership group saw last season as a “failure”. Moyes aligned himself with those fans at Bournemouth threatening to protest should Armstrong be sold to Nottingham Forest. Selling a local boy for “pure profit” was beyond the pale. “I’d say the manager’s an Evertonian,” Moyes said. “Supporters aren’t always wrong.” His harking back to harmonious working relationships at Preston and his initial spell at Everton was pointed. A manager who faced criticism as Everton slumped in the closing months of the season threw it back to his employers. “I have said we could do with strengthening,” he said, after a performance where the lack of a proper right-back was apparent. The remainder of the transfer window, in which Everton have little wriggle room, may deepen battle lines. John Brewin
5
Jaissle bedding in swiftly at Newcastle
Matthias Jaissle laughed when asked if he felt a responsibility to develop players who had signed for the club before he had. “The job of the coach is to get the best out of your players,” the Newcastle manager replied. With all the focus before Saturday’s game on summer spends and squads in transition, Jaissle built victory over Spurs with revitalised performances from players written off after poor seasons. Yoane Wissa led the line with ferocious energy, Anthony Elanga took his chance coolly to open the scoring. There was also an energetic showing from Joe Willock, and even an assist for the maligned Nick Woltemade. New signings were impressive too – notably Nico González and his range of passing – with more to be bedded in still. But Jaissle has shown he can build a team from the parts available, an achievement that can make victories feel all the more sweeter. It is notable that the Toon Army seem very much onboard with their German head coach already. Paul MacInnes
6
Hull keep playing to their strengths
Two games, two wins, two clean sheets: what is the secret ingredient in Hull’s winning formula? They have an eclectic squad and Sergej Jakirovic wants to add at least a right-back and another goalkeeper before Tuesday’s transfer deadline. Jakirovic said his head was exploding due to the hectic window and joked his proposed new three-year contract remains unsigned because the ink in his office has run dry owing to 13 summer arrivals. At Coventry on Saturday, Hull registered fewer shots than Frank Lampard’s side and fewer touches in the opposition 18-yard box, and made 182 passes to their opponent’s 501. Liam Millar’s winner was courtesy of a superb counterattack and Hull undeniably played to their strengths. “We prefer letting the other team have the ball and just defending,” said the striker Oli McBurnie. “We’ve seen teams dominate the ball in the Championship, come into the Premier League and try to use the same style and it’s really, really difficult. It’s not all about looking pretty and having a million passes.” Ben Fisher
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7
Unsettled Palace await crunch week
Crystal Palace are in a tricky spot. Daniel Muñoz looks ready to join Nottingham Forest, Galatasaray want Ismaïla Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta is injured. Sarr and Mateta, a duo responsible for the large bulk of Palace’s goals last season, missed the defeat by Manchester City and their absence was felt in attack. Eddie Nketiah was wasteful and Jørgen Strand Larsen was ineffective. Pierre Sage, beaten in his first two games after replacing Oliver Glasner as manager, could do with reinforcements arriving before the window shuts. Axel Disasi should make a difference once he slots into a defence weakened by Maxence Lacroix’s departure, but it has been a worrying start for Palace. JS
8
Farke’s nous can match Leeds’ ambition
Premier League managers rarely get the acclaim when things are going well but on Sunday afternoon, it felt right to shine a deserved spotlight on Leeds’ manager, Daniel Farke, after they continued their unbeaten start to the season. Farke’s decision to revert to a back five last November against Manchester City was a turning point in Leeds’ season and his own time in charge. It is not an exaggeration to suggest Farke was under extreme pressure at that stage, but his show of flexibility ultimately saved his job. He showed that tactical flexibility again on Sunday. Leeds were outplayed by Brentford in the first half before Farke switched from a five to a four at the back. The result was a much better second-half showing, a deserved equaliser from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and a point Leeds were good value for. Leeds are a hugely ambitious club, and that ambition may rear its head again before the window shuts on Tuesday. The early evidence appears to be they have a manager who can match that ambition. Aaron Bower
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Mukiele proving to be Black Cats’ bargain
Football – like life – is full of mysteries. How, for instance, did Sunderland end up paying only £12m to sign Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain last summer? And how has the 28-year-old right-back or centre-half – who spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen – won only one France cap? Mukiele was deployed in central defense as Sunderland beat Fulham 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Sunday and he proved absolutely outstanding, making a couple of goal-preventing blocks. Álvaro Arbeloa was left thoroughly dejected after suffering two defeats in his first two matches as a Premier League manager. “I was really impressed with Nordi and I told him this,” said Régis Le Bris, Sunderland’s manager. “Nordi showed us today that he’s a great player.” Sunday’s man of the match ranks as one of the biggest Premier League bargain signings of recent years. Louise Taylor
10
Davis’s form could catch Tuchel’s eye
Considering the general dearth when it comes to English left-backs, Ipswich’s Leif Davis has spent a long time under the radar. Back in the Premier League and facing some of the world’s best opponents, the full-back looks stylish in both directions. He is competent in defence, diligently holding his position and giving wingers a difficult time but can also push forward, proved by his opener at Old Trafford, in addition to an array of fine passing, long and short. If Thomas Tuchel is short of options over the course of this season, Davis could and should become more prominent in his thoughts if his form continues. WU