Error code: %{errorCode}

Soccer

Spurs implode at the AMEX and Arne Slot rolls on - Five Premier League talking points from Matchday Seven

Ash Rose
Spurs implode at the AMEX and Arne Slot rolls on - Five Premier League talking points from Matchday SevenGetty
Brighton's comeback, breathing space for Ten Hag and Liverpool still top - all the talking points from the weekend.

The Premier League takes a break for yet another international window, and with seven games to play, it's Liverpool that lead the way at the top of the table. 

Arsenal and Manchester City remain unbeaten - despite some scares this weekend - while four sides are still awaiting their first win of the campaign. 

Here are the five biggest talking points from Matchday 7 of the Premier League season. 


Classic 'Spursey' 

Brennan Johnson Spurs-Brighton_06102024Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Since taking charge of the club, Ange Postecoglou has done his best to rid Spurs of their unwanted reputation, but Sunday's implosion at the AMEX Stadium proved that his side is still a work in progress.

Tottenham were 2-0 up and cruising at the break against Brighton but found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline just after the hour mark as the Seagulls turned the game on its head. The Aussie boss called it 'the worst defeat since I've been here' and labelled the second-half performance as unacceptable.

It is now his job to prove this was just a bad day at the office and nothing more underlying if the club are to mount a serious top four challenge and finally rid that 'Spursey' tag that everyone connected to the white half of North London dislikes so much.

Slot top of the lot 

Arne Slot Palace-Liverpool_06102024Julian Finney/Getty Images

It's always a good look to go into an international break on top of the pile, but this Liverpool side is proving they are much more than that - even if their win over Crystal Palace wasn't their best-looking performance. In true cliche fashion, Arne Slot's team weren't at their best at Selhurst Park, but they just about got the job done thanks to Diogo Jota's winner. 

Plenty of stats will tell you that Slot has made a record-breaking start as Anfield boss - no Reds manager has ever won nine of his first ten games - and they are showing all the right signs of a club that will have a big say in the title race this season. 

The real test will come after the internationals, as they face Chelsea and then Arsenal back-to-back. Those results might give a full indication of what to expect from Slot and his team this season. 

Breathing space 

Erik ten Hag 2024Visionhaus/Getty Images

The international break can feel like a long time for managers under pressure, and October is usually the time for itchy trigger fingers to start to flex. Therefore, Manchester United and West Ham's results on Matchday 7 came at just the right moment, at least temporarily giving both bosses some breathing space during the gap between games. 

On paper, United's point away to Aston Villa looks like a decent result, but it has still contributed to their worst-ever Premier League start, and the goalless draw will only calm the talk around Erik ten Hag's future for so long. 

Julen Lopetegui's disappointing start to life at West Ham got a much-needed shot in the arm with their thumping win at Ipswich. Anything other than a win, and it looked like it could have been a difficult period for the Spanish boss. However, the 4-1 victory could now serve as a jumping point for his reign at the London Stadium. 

Bouncebackability 

Martinelli celebrating against Southampton_05102024Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Seeing as 'Barclaysmen' became a trending topic this past month, here's a word straight from the brain of Iain Dowie in the 2000s to describe the top two's performances over the weekend. Both Manchester City and Arsenal went behind in games they were expected to almost walk through, but showed their championship metal by still claiming all three points. 

Southampton went ahead at the Emirates before losing 3-1, while Fulham took the lead and should have been at least two up before Matteo Kovacic turned the game around. 

The rest of the Premier League may see it as chinks in their armour, especially with Manchester City still trying to combat the loss of Rodri, but it remains to be seen if this Arsenal and City side have weaknesses ready to exploit or not over the next few weeks. 

Winless wonders 

Gary O'Neil Wolves_05102024Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Leicester may have picked up their first three points of the season with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, but four sides are still searching for a maiden victory. It was always going to be difficult for the other two promoted sides, with both Southampton and Ipswich still winless, but it's somewhat surprising to see Wolves and, more so, Crystal Palace in that predicament. 

Wolves shipped five goals away at Brentford, with Gary O'Neil calling it his 'worst game as a coach', and they've now made their worst start to a season since 1965. As for Palace, they came out of the 1-0 loss to Liverpool with some credit, but results will start to become a real concern if they don't find that first win soon. 

More Football

Watch Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol live October 12 on DAZN (excluding US and Canada). Click here for details

Watch on YouTube