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Premier League Weekend – Five things we learned

Arsenal have already given themselves a mountain to climb

In fairness to Unai Emery, any coach in world football could lose back to back games against Manchester City and Chelsea. This is unlikely to ease the pain of Arsenal supporters though, who are now staring up the league table with glum expressions.

The hope would have been that a new look Arsenal may have been able to scrap away for a couple of decent results from a very tricky pair of opening games. Two defeats means there is now no margin for error in their next few league games.

It’s only early days, but any more dropped points, especially if it’s against lesser opposition will have the panic buttons well and truly pressed at The Emirates. Emery’s job just got that extra bit tougher.

Cardiff are carrying the flame for Pulis and Allardyce

Two shots on target in one hundred and eighty minutes of football are hardly inspiring or encouraging. Cardiff fans will care little though if Warnock can somehow keep them up. This season is all about survival for them no matter how that looks or feels and their veteran manager looks as though he is using the Pulis and Allardyce playbook exquisitely. A dour draw at home to Newcastle means they are now off the mark, albeit it in an ugly fashion.

Cardiff looks like it will be a tough, combative place to go and play football this season. Whatever happens to them, Warnock looks like he will have The Buebirds well drilled and ready to pounce with long balls and physicality. There are always one or two of these teams about and it will very interesting to see how the big boys cope when placed out of their comfort zones in the Welsh Capital.

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Aguero is still very much the main man at City

City fans are extremely fortunate to be experiencing their greatest ever player, who is still, without doubt, at the top of his game.  Sergio Aguero has been synonymous with City’s rebirth as a top club. Yes the money has flowed in from wealthy owners, but the football has always been breathtaking. The Argentine has played a lot of football for City down the years, but still looks in excellent shape with his instincts showing no signs of dulling. He has now scored a ridiculous nine Premier League hat-tricks and is fast closing in on the all time record.

It’s not been an easy week for the club. Kevin De Bruyne being ruled out for three months and accusations of them “lacking class” with their new behind the scenes documentary on the club’s title winning antics have left some squirming somewhat.

However with Aguero still in him pomp, they look in safe hands. For the rest of us hoping for a sign of weakness in their title defense, we are still just hoping.  The Terriers have become the latest club to leave The Etihad with their tails between the legs and their goal difference in ruins. Aguero could be about to carry them to another league title.

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United will not be allowed to operate in second gear

Another week, another crisis for Jose. One of the most embarrassing aspects of their 3-2 defeat at Brighton was that the score line flattered them somewhat. In a performance devoid of fight and creativity, Mourinho’s side went down to their first defeat of the season. A late penalty at the Amex gave them some credibility, but that is very much a straw to be clutched at for Manchester United fans.

Exaggeration and over-reaction aside, this is a defeat which will surely fire a warning shot to United. They, and indeed all of their rivals for the top places, cannot afford to turn up to away fixtures in second gear. The Premier League has a habit of enacting painful results to sides that fail to run the lines and put a shift in. Brighton were sharper, hungrier and just better all around than their stellar opponents. If you give a top flight club a sniff, they will hurt you.

United fans will once again be left with the horrible frustration that they are watching their side, playing with the handbrake on.  Mourinho will not be permitted to have his teams playing like this for too much longer or his employers will put a stop to it.

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Harry Kane can score in August.

One of the strangest hoodoos in recent Premier League history, Harry Kane has finally scored a league goal in August. It came in the nick of time too, with Spurs just managing to see off a plucky Fulham performance to make it two wins from two. That’s now a staggering one goal in fifteen Premier League fixtures in August for the Spurs forward.

Kane is the lifeblood of any Spur’s ambitions this season. It will be an encouraging sign for the North Londoners, if the World Cup golden boot winner can hit the ground running with the goals this season. If you are going to be successful, you need a man like Kane firing on all cylinders, he is up and running and looking hungry. Defenders should be suitably concerned.

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