5 Takeaways From Premier League Matchday 4

One more matchday remains before the international break. Matchday Four began last Saturday, with five games being played simultaneously. It concluded Monday with Leeds United defeating Newcastle 4-1. Manchester City and Arsenal remain the only teams to have won all their games this season. However, Arsenal are now in first place due to the superior goal difference.

With one more matchday left before the month-long international break, Matchday Four showed us more about how the season is shaping up. From the Manchester Derby to shocking results, here are my biggest observations from Matchday Four.

1. Manchester United is Not A Top-4 Team

What a missed opportunity for Manchester United in the Manchester Derby. However, it didn’t come without any drama and controversy. 

In the 23rd minute, Manchester City forward Phil Foden was controversially shown a red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes in retaliation after Fernandes had fouled and kicked Foden while he was on the ground. The decision left Manchester City with 10 men for the remainder of the match, giving Manchester United a major advantage and a golden opportunity to secure a much-needed victory. In the end, they didn’t. 

The Red Devils had plenty of chances, with three shots on goal and two that hit the post. They had more possession and had 16 shots compared to Manchester City’s six. Yet they failed to score and lost 1-0 despite a man advantage for most of the game. This loss made it clear that Manchester United don’t have clinical players other than Fernandes to take over a game when it matters most. 

Their depth was also exposed, as Manchester United manager Michael Carrick made only two subs, both after Manchester City scored, as they struggled to break down a 10-man City side. Even though Manchester City’s goal was controversial, the Red Devils should’ve come out of this game with a win, given the talent and quality on this team. Instead, they now have one win in four games, sit in 13th place in the Premier League table, and face many more concerns. As it stands, Manchester United do not look like a team capable of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. 

2. Coventry City Will Be The First Team To Be Relegated

It’s starting to look like a long season for Coventry City.

This season, Coventry City returned to the Premier League for the first time since the 2000-01 season. After four games, it looks like a short stay in the Premier League for this team. They are the only team in the league without a point and one of just two teams yet to score. They’ve also conceded 10 goals in their first four matches. For a team that just spent about 150 million euros in the transfer window, the start of the season couldn’t have gone any worse. 

More misery was piled on last week for Coventry City as they were blown out 5-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion at home. They were dominated in every aspect of the game, and their record-signing goalkeeper, Carl Rushworth, had a horrible outing, making only two saves on seven shots on goal. It didn’t end there for Coventry City: they had six shots on goal and an expected goals rate of 1.39, yet were shut out. Their striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, also received a red card in the 53rd minute, when Coventry were already down two goals, forcing them to play a man down for the rest of the game. 

Things won’t be easier for Coventry City as they will head on the road to take on Nottingham Forest, who are coming off a big win over Aston Villa, this week. Head coach Frank Lampard has a lot of work to do to keep his team out of the relegation zone, and a response is desperately needed so this team can head into the international break with momentum. However, Coventry City’s problems don’t look short-term. They struggle to score, allow too many goals, and can’t consistently compete against Premier League opposition, which could lead to inevitable relegation.

3. Leeds United Are A Sneaky Good Team

Without many people realizing it, Leeds United currently sit third in the Premier League table, showing that they are better than expected. 

Leeds United have been impressive through the first four games of the season, winning two matches and drawing two. In their last game, they played their best game of the season as they won 4-1 over a good Newcastle team. While the statistics show that this was evenly matched game, Leeds United were clinical as they converted on four of their six shots on target. They also scored three in the first half to essentially put this game away before halftime. 

Leeds United’s defense has frustrated its opponents, allowing three goals in four games. A big reason for this has been their goalkeeper, James Trafford, who was signed from Manchester City in the transfer window. He has made an average of almost four saves per game this season and has helped his team stay in games whenever it has looked like Leeds United’s opponent was taking over the game.

The same thing couldn’t be said for the offense prior to the Newcastle game as they had scored an average of one goal. However, it looks like this offense has finally clicked into gear after scoring four goals against Newcastle. They have playmakers like Dominic Calvert-Lewin who can lead the attack, while players outside of the offense, such as defender Jayden Bogle, have also shown that they can make a difference. Leeds United are surprising us this season, showing that this is a team that will be a hard opponent for anyone in the Premier League.

4. Tottenham Will Be In The Relegation Battle

Things just keep getting worse at Tottenham, and it doesn’t look like they are going to get any better anytime soon. 

The Spurs once again failed to get their first win of the season as they drew against Everton at home. They also have yet to score a goal this season, which is embarrassing after the team spent more than 300 million euros in the transfer window. This is the first time since the 2006-07 season that Tottenham has gone four consecutive games without scoring. 

In their game against Everton, Tottenham’s attack continued to struggle to break down their opponent’s defense. The team dominated possession, controlling 62% of the ball, yet Everton were the much more dangerous team. Everton had the higher expected goals total, 1.17 compared to Tottenham’s 0.64, while also recording more shots on target and winning more corners. Also, it was alarming that the Spurs had 14 shots throughout the whole game and yet managed to only get two on target against a team that doesn’t have significant depth. This brings more concerns about this team’s ability to create quality chances.

Now, this team sits 17th in the Premier League table with two points, just one place above the relegation zone. The Spurs have one last chance to ease some of the pressure before the international break with a win this week over Aston Villa. However, despite having fewer points than Tottenham, Aston Villa have shown that they are the better team and need a result just as badly as Spurs do. If Roberto De Zerbi can’t produce results any time soon, Tottenham could once again find itself in the relegation battle.

5. The Premier League Title Race Will Be Between Arsenal And Manchester City

After four matchdays, it’s becoming more evident that this year’s Premier League title race will come down to only Arsenal and Manchester City.

Both teams are the only two teams to have won all their games and have answered many of the concerns surrounding them through the first four games. After defeating Chelsea last week, Arsenal once again showed against Sunderland that they can win even when they aren’t at their best. They had to fight hard for a 2-0 win as Sunderland had an expected goals rate of 1.64 and needed a moment of magic from Bruno Guimaraes to break the deadlock in the 58th minute. They might still lack a difference-maker in attack, but for now, the Gunners still have the resilience and talent that made them champions last season, making them one of the favorites to win this year’s title. 

As for Manchester City, they have had an incredible start to the season despite Pep Guardiola’s departure. Not only have they won all their games, but they have also shown characteristics of previous title-winning teams under Guardiola. In their win against Manchester United, they were once again resilient, just like they were against Bournemouth, as they beat their rivals on the road despite playing with 10 men for the majority of the game. Erling Haaland continues to be clinical for this team, as he has scored four goals in four games, while the midfield looks more stable after Enzo Fernandez’s arrival. Along with that, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been incredible and was the biggest reason why City held on against Manchester United, making three saves, including one in the final minutes of the game. 

There’s a lot to like about both of these teams right now. They have so much talent, depth, and the characteristics of a championship team. Lastly, they have been able to fend off teams that could challenge for the title, like Manchester United and Chelsea. Those teams still have a lot of questions and concerns to address, with Chelsea’s defensive fragility once again apparent in their draw against Hull City. There might still be a lot of games left this season, but it’s starting to look like we will have another title race between Arsenal and Manchester City, just like last season.