Power appears to be Manchester again
Five matches into the Premier League football season is usually no time to be making bold predictions. That’s especially true when you consider there are 33 games of the league season to go and so many variables can be factored in to how teams will cope with European competitions, the busy domestic period and, of course, injuries.
However, all the signs are there that the power in the league is being held tightly in Manchester.
Manchester City’s form since the international break has been undeniable while across town United appear to be finding a level many expected would be immediate when Jose Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford.
City manager Pep Guardiola is not a man to be undone easily, though, and the way he has got players like Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero have been more than impressive early on.
While Guardiola has strengthened his squad in the off-season it’s the quartet who have been at the forefront of City’s table topping start.
Meanwhile, all-time Manchester United top goal scorer Wayne Rooney, who was given a standing ovation when he left the Old Trafford pitch during Everton’s 4-0 drubbing, has been fined two week’s salary by his new club after he was convicted of drink driving.
Everton will not be keeping the $550,000, however, with all the money going to local projects in the Liverpool community.
Rooney, 31, was arrested on September 1 for driving while three times the legal limit.
❚ Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck is expected to be out of action for at least three weeks after injuring his groin during the goal less draw against Chelsea.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed the England forward is unlikely to return before next month’s international break.
It’s a blow for Welbeck who has genuinely had a decent start to the season, having scored three times.
❚ Long-serving Newcastle keeper Tim Krul has signed for Brighton on a one-year deal.
The Netherlands goalkeeper, 29, who was originally on loan, has now been released to join Brighton on a full-time basis.
Krul has ended his 12-year association with Newcastle and can now play against them in the Premier League on Monday (NZ time).
❚ Manchester United will play away at Swansea City in the fourth round of the League Cup, while Chelsea will be at home against Everton.
Manchester City have been drawn against Championship Wolves, with Tottenham hosting West Ham in a London derby.
Arsenal play Norwich City, while Leicester City, who knocked out Liverpool, face Leeds United at home.
Bournemouth host Middlesbrough and Bristol City take on Crystal Palace in the other fourth-round ties.
Weekend fixtures (UK time): Saturday, West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley v Huddersfield Town, Everton v AFC Bournemouth, Manchester City v Crystal Palace, Southampton v Manchester United, Stoke City v Chelsea, Swansea City v Watford, Leicester City v Liverpool; Sunday, Brighton v Newcastle; Monday, Arsenal v West Brom.