De Bruyne, Lampard and Brighton in statistical talking points
In a weekend on which Manchester City and Chelsea dropped points a number of the teams predicted to struggle this season proved that they are more than up for the fight in this week’s Premier League talking points.
Champions suffer setback but De Bruyne runs show
It may have been two points dropped for Manchester City, who saw a late goal chalked off following a VAR review, but Pep Guardiola will take huge positives from their stalemate with Spurs.
His side mustered a whopping 30 shots against last season’s Champions League runners up, conceding just three in a match that they totally dominated against a strong opponent.
Tottenham scored with both of their shots on target - with Erik Lamela’s goal particularly weak from a defensive standpoint - but City carved Mauricio Pochettino’s men time and again and Kevin De Bruyne was razor sharp with his delivery. The Belgian created nine chances - three times that of any teammate or Tottenham’s lineup combined - and to think City won the league without him for much of the previous campaign…
Manchester City may have seen their winning ‘streak’ snapped at one but opponents need be more fearful than ever.
Lampard attacking ethos proving unsustainable over 90 minutes
While many will feel that Lampard’s two jobs early into his managerial career are incomparable, in truth he is dealing with a similar standard of squad as far as each club’s standing within their league is concerned. Derby boasted a lineup with young talent more than capable of mounting a play-off, if not automatic promotion bid and the same can be said of this Chelsea side.
A title charge will no doubt be beyond them but a top six finish is the expectation so a return of one point from two admittedly challenging fixtures is a concerning start. Like his Derby side last season, Lampard set his ranks up with an attacking and high pressing mindset that created strong chances but left them exposed defensively at times, conceding 11 of 12 shots to Leicester after the break.
His Rams side tended to start fast - no team scored more first half goals in the Championship last season (37) - and tail off and that has been true of his early Chelsea reign too.
‘Game management’ is the phrase that comes to mind and is perhaps the biggest area where the rookie coach - still learning his trade - must improve.
Potter working his magic at unfancied Brighton
With four points from fixtures against Watford and West Ham, Brighton fans have real cause for optimism under new boss Graham Potter.
Defensively the Seagulls have looked strong in their new system, with three at the back, and in attack their new recruits have already shown great improvement on last season. Across two games Brighton have conceded only 19 shots, while they have held more possession than their opponents in both matches so far.
It may be early days but the change in approach - up against two sides that finished some way above them last season - has reaped rewards already. Last season the south coast club conceded the third most shots in the league (15.3 per game) and averaged the fourth lowest share of possession (44.1 per cent).
Potter’s side had eight more shots than West Ham at the weekend, which is a positive difference that they only bettered once across the entirety of the previous campaign. Things are looking up when many felt the Seagulls would be heading in the opposite direction.
