Manchester teams ones to chase this term
AFTER a first week in the Premier League that saw champions Chelsea toppled and 31 goals flying in, the victories by Manchester’s clubs on the opening weekend suggests they could be the teams to chase this term.
The rivals are book-ending week two, with United at Swansea City tomorrow and City testing Everton’s new bigspending resolve on Monday.
That should provide an even better feel for their credentials.
Jose Mourinho’s United put four past West Ham United and Romelu Lukaku quickly demonstrated his intent to be crowned the league’s top scorer, after just missing out last year, with an accomplished double.
Just as impressive was the performance of Pep Guardiola’s City, who broke down newcomers Brighton & Hove Albion, with the pairing of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus promising much.
German international Ilkay Gundogan is back in the frame for them, too, after a long-term injury as the summer’s big spenders face an Everton side who have also been splashing out by signing Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Still having to prove they have enough goals in them after the departure of Lukaku, manager Ronald Koeman declared on Wednesday that the Icelander is the man to bring productivity to the Toffees.
The big question marks have all been down at Stamford Bridge this week following their home loss to Burnley.
They ended up with nine men and the first glimpse of deja vu for Blues’ faithful who cannot believe their title defence under Antonio Conte will go the same way as the last one, under Mourinho, two years ago.
With injuries and suspensions to the dismissed Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas, a visit to old foes Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday is the sort of demanding follow-up Conte might have hoped to have been spared so early in the campaign.
Liverpool’s win in the Champions League qualifier at Hoffenheim was just the tonic they needed to forget the saga of whether Philippe Coutinho would stay or head for Barcelona.
They seek their first league win of the campaign against Crystal Palace, who were left reeling by a woeful debut under Frank de Boer in the 3-0 defeat at home to Huddersfield Town.
The Terriers now have the chance to make it, in contrast, a pointless start for fellow newcomers Newcastle United at the Kirklees Stadium.
Arsenal visit Stoke City and will be counting on new signing Alexandre Lacazette to hit the target again. Lacazette scored after just 94 seconds of his debut in the 4-3 win over Leicester City.