Our Football Insider Graeme Bailey looks back on the weekend’s footballing action and brings you his ‘Bullet points’….
- PAUL POGBA CAPTAIN
Jose Mourinho was making a statement by making Pogba his captain, don’t under-estimate the meaning of this – if some people are correct in their thinking that Pogba wants out, then he is going to have to do it the hard way, not that Jose and United have given him the huge honour of captaining the side….very clever from Jose.
- LIVERPOOL’S FRONT THREE
Yes Naby Keita was great for Liverpool, no doubt about that – but that front free is just getting better and better…Salah and Mane scored, Firmino was dropping deep mixing it, personally I thought that was a good a performance from all three – not just one stand out – as there has been and this is a frightening thought for anyone.
- NEVES AND RICHARLISON CLASS EMERGE
The game at Molineux lived up to expectation, and it came to being because of the two best young players on the park, and who could become two of the best young players in the Premier League this season. Ruben Neves showed what a class act he is, his all-round player and a wonderful free-kick. Richarlison we have seen bits of at Watford, but Marco Silva is a huge believer and the Brazilian showed what he can do – mouthwatering prospect to see what they could.
- DON’T JUDGE EMERY YET
It would be so easy to attack Unai Emery here, question his team selection, the tactics employed – but let’s not forget who they were playing – the best team in Europe in Man City, he has had one window and this is going to be a long build. Am going to give him a few months before judging him…
- WATCH FULHAM GO
So they lost at home to Palace opening day, many will assume that Fulham are in for a long hard season. Yes it is a worry, but Slavisa Jokanovic is a top class act – their midfield will be able to live with anyone going forward, the Cottagers are still one of the team’s to watch
- PLAYERS OF THE WEEKEND
A lot of candidates but my players of the weekend would be….
GOALKEEPER – Joe Hart – Showed what he can do when given a chance, looks to have confidence again and Burnley could have picked up a real bargain.
DEFENDER – Aymeric Laporte – People almost forget about the French stopper – they wonder why John Stones may not get in the team long-term , easy to see when this guy is in full flow. Brilliant display at the weekend and showed what a high calibre performer he is.
MIDFIELDER – Ruben Neves – Quality from the young Portuguese, some wonder if he can really deliver in the Premier League, well on this display he could be up there with the best.
FORWARD – Sadio Mane – Top display, brilliant finishing and constant threat – could probably have scored his hat-trick if he really wanted.