Jose Mourinho and Manchester United find scoring mojo, Frank de Boer struggles at Crystal Palace and the law needs to change after Raheem Sterling
The Analyst picks out five things from the Premier League weekend
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MANCHESTER UNITED have played three, won three and not conceded any goals.
But the big thing for them is that they’ve had SIX different goalscorers.
Last season, there was a big emphasis on Zlatan Ibrahimovic — and that was probably one of the main reasons why they had a lot of draws at home.
Now there are other players stepping up to the plate and they look as though they will be tough opponents for anyone.
Substitutes are coming on and making the difference and Jose Mourinho has got his players firing.
FRANKLY, IT’S TOUGH
Frank de Boer has gone into Crystal Palace and tried to change their style but he’s gone from one extreme to the other.
He wants total possession football now. By all means change it bit by bit but he’s not brought in many players who are going to help change the system.
When you’ve got players like Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend, you have to play to their strengths.
Last season they got the ball out wide and crossed into the box.
Now Benteke is starved of service and that’s because of the way De Boer has set them up.
It’s very difficult for the players to adjust.
Palace were awful against Swansea, who just did what they wanted.
THE CLUCAS PLAN
Swansea’s new £15million signing Sam Clucas was outstanding against Palace.
He was released by Leicester at the age of 15, went to the Glenn Hoddle Academy and worked his way back up through the lower leagues.
He looked as though he’d been playing with his new team-mates for months.
He’s such a flexible player and he protected the back three against Palace.
He didn’t have to defend too much but, when he got the ball, he looked calm, in control and set Swansea off. Impressive.
STER THE PASSION
It was right for Raheem Sterling to be sent off, according to the laws. But you would hope common sense would prevail.
His goal beat Bournemouth with near enough the last kick of the game and sometimes emotions get the better of you.
Some people say there is a real disconnect between the players and supporters.
Sometimes it’s not down to the players, it’s the powers-that-be and common sense doesn’t always prevail.
At certain times you have to understand football is an emotional game and the passion can take over.
PHIL-GOOD FACTOR
If Liverpool keep Philippe Coutinho it would be their biggest bit of business this summer.
They’re saying: We want to build and be challenging and we’re going to keep hold of our best players.
If players they’re after see the club turning away big bids, it’s only going to entice them more.
Liverpool showed against Arsenal they are title challengers.
They might be the best counter-attacking team in the Prem.
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