2021/22 Premier League Review: Matchday 4
Pintsized Background
Another matchday passes, another week proving that Potter ball is a real phenomenon. After an unexpected early season low blow from Spurs, Man City continue on their path back to frightening superstar status once again. The same cannot be said for Tottenham, however. 10 men or not, Spurs inexcusably capitulated away against a green Crystal Palace. Chelsea once again demolish any team foolish enough to stand in their way, as do Benitez’s surprisingly sweet Toffees. Speedy recoveries and well wishes are also sent towards Harvey Elliot after suffering a horror injury against Leeds.
Catch up on the preview and predictions of Premier League Matchday 4 if you haven’t already, and have a good old laugh at our expense.
More interested in number crunching? Find out how each Pintsized predictor ranked this weekend on Football Statistics: Premier League Matchday 4.
The Good
Match of the Week
Everton 3-1 Burnley. A Burnley opener away from home, Michael Keane spiting his former club and an Andros Townsend worldie, what’s not to love? In a week where the entire Premier League was overshadowed by the return of one player, Everton Burnley slipped under the radar. A cagey first half eventually blossomed into a back-and-forth war with Everton benefitting from extra firepower. Even without club-record signing, Gylfi Sigurdsson, the Spanish waiter is performing admirably when compared to Ancelotti last season.
Player of the Week
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Newcastle (2 Goals, 39/45 (87%) Passes, 1 Key Pass, 1 Interception). I don’t even care. Throw your rage my way. The GOAT has returned to the biggest league in the footballing world, you can’t convince me that this isn’t a net gain for everyone in the PL. Sure, CR7 will have a major say over United’s trajectory, but he has single-handily drawn millions of more eyes to the ever-growing beast that is the Premier League. Admittedly, Ronaldo wasn’t the finest player this Matchday, but his performance has to be viewed through the lens of pressure. Berated for falling stats in the Serie A, nearing thirty-seven at a worrying pace and swimming under an incredible volume of media pressure, the Portuguese legend produced a typically clinical performance to punish a spritely Newcastle defence.
Honourable Mention
Patrick Viera. Transfers can often provide a kick up the arse that a team desperately needs. Odsonne Edouard made good on his £14m price tag with a quickfire brace over Spurs. More so in Palace’s case, however, it has been the appointment of Patrick Vieira that seems to have kickstarted a new club culture. With a greater focus on youth investment and cutting experienced, higher salaried players, Vieira finally has some form of success to back his approach.
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The Bad
Match To Forget
Brentford 0-1 Brighton. Not a terrible match by any stretch of the imagination, but it was rather stale in regards to highlight reel action. Ivan Toney once again proved to be a bright spark in the top division, but aside from Leandro Trossard’s injury-time winner, it was dire in the final third from both sides. A cracking goal though, to be fair. Riding a challenge along the border of the penalty box, Trossard curled the ball into the corner and saved David Raya’s legs.
Performance to Forget
Harry Kane (0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Shots, 0 Key Passes, 17 Times Possession Lost). A career-worst match? Harry Kane registered zero shots or touches in the opposition box despite playing the full ninety minutes. Not only is this the first time in Kane’s career, but it doesn’t appear Spurs’ talisman will be able to return to sparkling form any time soon. Ran into the ground by club and country, Harry Kane is stumbling on fumes and currently teeters on the edge of total physical disaster. You don’t have to be a Tottenham fan to feel sorry for a player who hasn’t been allowed a proper period of recovery – this is knocking years off his career and future paydays.
Dishonourable Mention
Jesse Lingard vs Young Boys (18 Minutes Played, 17% Passing Accuracy, 0 Shots, 0 Key Passes, 5 Times Possession Lost, 1 Error Leading to Goal). Yes, ok, it wasn’t a Premier League match, but Lingard’s dire mid-week sub performance has to be named and shamed. After rejecting a contract extension to stay at the Red Devils, Lingard rewarded his manager with a horrendous showing away in Switzerland. With United already down to ten men, Lingard’s impact was handing the ball straight back to Young Boys and exhausting United’s already stretched defence. While Jadon Sancho may have been invisible all match, Lingard went one further by gifting Jordan Siebatcheu an unmissable injury-time winner.
The Ugly
Top Prediction
Ryan (Arsenal 1-0 Norwich AND Man Utd 4-1 Newcastle). Big bad Ryan finally ditches the dunce hat with a beautiful brace of perfect score predictions.
Predictor of the Week
Ryan (5/10 Results, 2/10 Scores). A big victory for the sleeping giant, but there remains quite a climb before catching Steviano.
Dunce of the Week
Steviano. Although Steviano secured one more result over Pint, a blank sheet on scorelines leaves Steviano in the naughty corner for Matchday 4.
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