We are now seven games into the 2020/21 Premier League season, and it’s still as unpredictable as before. Just four points separate 13th– place Manchester City from third-place Tottenham Hotspur, whilst Liverpool have opened up a one-point gap at the top. At the other end of the table, things are still looking pretty bleak for Sheffield United and Burnley – who have only picked up a single point so far this term – whilst Manchester United remain firmly in the bottom half of the table – some six points behind Everton in 4th.
With that in mind, read on as we take a look back at the key talking points from gameweek seven.
- Diogo Jota scores late winner (again) as Liverpool go top
Liverpool hosted West Ham at Anfield on Saturday night, and it was a torrid start for Jürgen Klopp’s side, as Pablo Fornals fired the east Londoners into an early lead. However, just before half-time, Mohamed Salah levelled from the penalty spot, and it was summer signing Diogo Jota who netted the winner with just five minutes left. It was similar circumstances to gameweek six, when the Portuguese winger wrapped up a 2-1 victory against Sheffield United at Anfield, after the Reds went 1-0 down early in the first half. Following back-to-back domestic victories, Liverpool are now neck-and-neck with Man City in the odds on the Premier League winner.
- Gareth Bale scores late winner for Spurs
A clash between Spurs and Brighton, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, capped off an action-packed day of Premier League action on Sunday. The ever-reliant Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot to give José Mourinho’s side the lead in the first half, but the highly-rated Tariq Lamptey pegged back Spurs just over 10 minutes into the second period. Up stepped Gareth Bale, who, just three minutes after coming off the bench, headed home his first goal since returning to North London, and the subsequent winner. To get the Spurs fans even more excited, the victory propelled them into third, just two points behind leaders Liverpool.
- Arsenal end ‘Big Six’ duck, as Man United remain winless at Old Trafford
The Red Devils’ fans would have been hoping for their first Premier League home win against Arsenal on Sunday, as the Gunners have failed to win away to the ‘Big Six’ in five years, whilst their last league win at Old Trafford came in 2006. However, it was quite the opposite. It was a tense affair between the old rivals, and, in the end, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second-half penalty was enough to take home the three points. It marked yet another home defeat for Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who has picked up just a single point against Chelsea in Manchester United’s four home games so far this season.
- Back-to-back defeats for Everton
Following a fast start to the season, which included four-successive Premier League victories, Everton shot to the top of the table. However, after a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Merseyside rivals Liverpool, Everton have gone on to lose back-to-back league games. The first was a 2-0 defeat to Southampton at St Mary’s last weekend, before a trip to Newcastle ended in a 2-1 defeat this weekend. Carlo Ancelotti’s team remain third, for now.
- In-form Southampton
That leads us nicely onto our next point; Southampton are in stunning form. Almost as shocking as Everton’s fast start, the Saints have gone unbeaten in their last five games. After losing to Crystal Palace and Tottenham in their opening two games, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side have beaten Burnley, West Brom, Everton, Aston Villa, and drawn with Chelsea, to shockingly move into the top four.
- Another clean sheet for Chelsea
Chelsea’s summer signing of Edouard Mendy is quickly becoming a fan favourite in west London. After the horror show that was put on by Kepa Arrizabalaga last season, which has continued somewhat into this season (see 3-3 with Southampton), Frank Lampard was in desperate need of a new goalkeeper this summer. Mendy was brought in from Rennes, as a recommendation from Petr Čech, and, following his clean sheet against Burnley, the Senegalese shot-stopper became the first goalie since the legendary Czech in 2004 season, to keep three successive Premier League clean sheets.
- Torrid start continues for Chris Wilder’s Blades
After being last season’s surprise package, Sheffield United look unrecognisable this term. The Blade lost to Wolves, Villa, Leeds, and Arsenal in their first four games, before finally picking up a point against Fulham. However, after back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and Man City, that single point against the Cottagers remains their only one, and the Blades are quickly being sucked into a relegation battle.
