It was an action packed weekend in the Premier League, with three or more goals scored in all but two of the fixtures, which started with Chelsea v Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Friday Night Football.
Blues manager Antonio Conte, handed David Luiz his first start since returning from PSG on Deadline Day, and despite losing 2-1 to the Reds, thanks to a sensational striker from Jordan Henderson, the Brazilian had a fairly solid performance.
Despite a reduced fixture list on Saturday due to the return of European football in the week, there was plenty on show for Premier League punters, with the highlight being Man City’s mesmerising demolition of Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side, whilst Slaven Bilic and his West Ham players were embarrassed as West Brom dispatched them 4-2.
There was a full day of games for fans to sink their teeth into on Sunday, starting with an nightmare for Jose Mourinho at Vicarage Road as Watford added to his Europa League misery with a 3-1 win, with Etienne Capoue on the scoresheet once again.
With so much to talk about, some managers, players, pundits or fans can go a bit far when evaluating the weekend’s results, here are the FIVE biggest overreactions that can be taken from gameweek five in the Premier League…
It was a bad day at the office for the likes of Jose Mourinho, Mark Hughes and Slaven Bilic over the weekend, with their sides all losing to Watford, Crystal Palace and West Brom respectively, which has provoked some to call for their heads.
Man United’s defeat to The Hornets rounded off a dismal eight days for the former Chelsea boss, which started with a derby loss to Man City, before a humbling 1-0 Europa League defeat to Feyenoord on Thursday. The defeat on Sunday led, rather quickly, to comparisons with his predecessor, Louis Van Gaal.
https://twitter.com/BigSportGB/status/777497267930554368
Whilst Mourinho is having a rough time on the pitch, Slaven Bilic’s club is falling apart all around him, with very public and worrying teething problems at the London Stadium offering no help to issues on the pitch.
After a home defeat to Watford last weekend, Saturday’s routing at The Hawthorns proved that it’s not just the distraction of fans scrapping in the stands that is causing the Hammers’ woes, which led some fans to point the finger at their once beloved boss.
https://twitter.com/WestHamBoedo/status/777164480857997312
After being sent to the stands and facing suspension, you would forgive Mark Hughes for thinking that he would be in for an easier ride at Selhurst Park on Sunday, it was not to be however.
The Eagles took an early 2-0 lead through defenders James Tomkins and Scott Dann before going on to win 4-1, which has resulted in some pretty outrages reactions.
Will tweet sack Hughes everyday until it's done.
— Rory (@Rory_Watt) September 19, 2016
The Gunners were impressive 4-1 winners at Hull City on Saturday, a performance which was capped by a stunning long-range effort from summer signing, Granit Xhaka who started on the bench at the KCOM Stadium.
The win was the North London side’s third on the bounce in the Premier League, after a rough start losing at home to Liverpool before drawing with Leicester. However, their run of form has led manager Arsene Wenger to claim that a win against a promoted side proves they can challenge for the crown.
This is not to say that they weren’t impressive against Mike Phelan’s side, they were – very much so, however, they are yet to face the likes of the re-vamped Man City, Man United or Chelsea, which will provide a real litmus test of their real quality this season.
Man City have made a flying start to life under Guardiola, with eight wins from eight in all competitions, which is – of course- incredibly impressive, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, there is are still 33 games to play in the Premier League, anything can happen.
Therefore the suggestions that Pep’s side are destined to be the next invincibles is just a tad over the top. They have been a joy to watch thus far, and it would be quite the spectacle to see them go all season undefeated, as the Arsenal side of 2003/04 did, but plenty of hurdles lie in waiting for the Sky Blues so hold off, for now.
https://twitter.com/AlexFG98x/status/777265502964121600
Like Man City, Everton have made a cracking start to life under their new manager, with four wins from five games, they find themselves second, behind the invincibles elect.
Their strong start has led to many predicting a top four finish for The Toffees, some even earmarking them for the title, with the player’s reported fear of new boss, Ronald Koeman getting the best out of them and Lukaku scoring for fun once again, you never know what could happen.
However, every team has a spells of good and bad form over a season, let’s not forget the dire run which the Dutchman’s Southampton side endured over Christmas last season, where they won only once in eight Premier League games. Therefore, it would be advisable to temper your expectations somewhat.
Man City, Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool for the Champions League.
— ZB (@ZcBkr) September 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/BuchananOx/status/777786881429925889
The Watford skipper has enjoyed a strong start to the new Premier League season, with the highlight being his superb finish against West Ham last weekend.
The Hornets faced Man United this weekend, in which Deeney scored the final goal from the spot in a 3-1 win, but it was something said in the build-up to the game which caught the eye of many here at Shoot!
Manager, Walter Mazzarri was full of praise for his No.9, and was quick to compare him to one of the best players to have ever graced the game, Diego Maradona.
The Italian boss said: “What Deeney did against West Ham was a great goal.
“Only a few players can do it and one of them was Maradona. It was incredible.”
Now, Walter, we don’t want to take anything away from Deeney, but don’t you think that is a bit too much?