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Soccer

More misery for Ten Hag and ice-cold Cole - Five Premier League talking points from Matchday Six

Ash Rose
More misery for Ten Hag and ice-cold Cole - Five Premier League talking points from Matchday SixJames Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Man Utd's misery, Rodri-less Man City and Liverpool's rise to the top - all the Premier League talking points.

The Premier League is only six games old, but already the pressure is red hot on Manchester United's Erik ten Hag once again, while Cole Palmer continues to run riot on the league to help Enzo Maresca's bright start at Stamford Bridge. 

Here are the five biggest talking points from Matchday 6 of the Premier League season. 

Manchester United back to square one

Ten Hag post Man U-Spurs_29092024PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

There perhaps wasn't a more apt image over the weekend than the sight of Erik ten Hag looking on glumly at his fallen Manchester United troops in the pouring rain at Old Trafford.

Gary Neville called it the worst United performance of Ten Hag's reign as a rampant Spurs comfortably beat the Dutchman's team 3-0. Those expecting a response after the lethargic draw with Twente in midweek were quickly disappointed when Micky van de Ven ran almost the length of the pitch to set up Spurs' opener inside three minutes. From then on, United were never in the match.

Yes, they were hampered by Bruno Fernandes' debatable red card, but in truth, they were never at the races, regardless of how many on the pitch. It was a performance harking back to the darker times last season, and there surely can't be many more days like this before the United board see fit to make a change in the dugout. 

Cole is too cold for Seasiders 

Cole Palmer Chelsea_11082024James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

Cast your mind back to last summer, when Manchester United splashed out £60 million to sign Mason Mount, while Chelsea used that cash to recruit Cole Palmer.

In that time, Mount has barely been seen in a United shirt and contributed just a single goal and assist since making the move, compared to Palmer, who's netted 31 goals and provided 19 assists. His latest trick this weekend was to become the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a match as he and Chelsea took down Brighton.

Palmer's relentless run of form has just continued from last season - and through the Euros - and if he can carry on in the same vein, then Chelsea could have a real say in the top four race this season. 

Tractor Boys to make life tough 

Liam Delap Ipswich-Aston Villa_29092024Julian Finney/Getty Images

Ipswich may still be looking for their first Premier League win of the season, but they proved on Sunday that it's going to be no easy ride for teams going to Portman Road this campaign.

They picked up a point against Aston Villa in a game where they almost and somewhat deserved all three, especially given the Champions League calibre of their opponents. Liam Delap made it three goals for the season with his brace, proving that for any promoted team, having someone who can put the ball in the back of the net is as vital as it comes.

His form and making Portman Road the perennial 'fortress' this season could be just enough to see Kieran McKenna's side avoid a return to the Championship. 

Rocky without Rodri

Pep Guardiola April 2024BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

The last thing Pep Guardiola wanted this weekend was to drop points in Manchester City's first game without the sidelined Rodri.

Unfortunately for the Spanish boss, that's exactly what happened. The 1-1 draw at Newcastle United meant that Manchester City lost top spot to Liverpool over the weekend and left Guardiola facing questions about his Spanish star in the post-match presser.

At St James' Park, he opted for a combination of Matteo Kovacic and Rico Lewis in the space Rodri normally occupies, but City failed to dominate possession as much as we've seen so far this season - with their passing accuracy down at 87.5%, their lowest in a league game since March. They have, of course, already started the season without the Spanish midfielder, but his long-term absence is a conundrum Guardiola still has to find the answer to. 

Arne sits on top 

slot-20240901-getty-ftr(Getty Images)

We can't read anything into the top of the table - especially when just two points separate the top five - but Liverpool are quietly going about the business and surely making a case for title contenders.

With Manchester City panicking over Rodri and Arsenal surrounded by red card complaints, there feels a sense of calm around Anfield that has been sewn into their performances. Arne Slot's side weren't at their best at Wolves but showed they can happily turn a game around when they need to, after being pegged back by Gary O'Neils team and then finding a way to win the game.

It's obviously early days into Slot's reign, but the signs are as good as there's been for someone who's replaced such a big figure at one of the Premier League's top clubs. 

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