Premier League soccer returned after the worldwide break with a bang, with 28 targets scored, 5 gamers despatched off and two injury-time winners over the weekend.
The motion kicked off with a London derby as Tottenham swept apart West Ham, with Leicester Metropolis producing a outstanding comeback to beat Southampton earlier than Aston Villa stored tempo with the highest 4 with a 3-1 win over Fulham.
Manchester United got here from a aim right down to beat Brentford, as Everton prolonged their unbeaten run on the expense of Ipswich City, whereas Arsenal have been dealt their first defeat of the season away to Bournemouth after William Saliba’s dismissal.
Liverpool remained on the Premier League summit after beating Chelsea in an entertaining affair at Anfield, however Manchester Metropolis are scorching on their heels, albeit they wanted a late John Stones header to edge previous Wolves.
So, in spite of everything that, who have been the unfortunate, and fortunate, groups based mostly on the underlying metrics?
Unfortunate losers: Newcastle United
Newcastle’s poor run of type continued within the Premier League as Danny Welbeck’s strike helped Brighton to a 1-0 triumph at St. James’ Park.
100 – Danny Welbeck has now scored (72) or assisted (28) 100 Premier League targets. The Brighton ahead has netted as many targets within the league this season (5 in 8 apps) as he managed the entire of final time period (5 in 29). Scorching. pic.twitter.com/pHW1whAaKp
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 19, 2024
Nevertheless, the Magpies will really feel they need to have taken a minimum of a degree for his or her efforts, ending the competition with an anticipated targets (xG) complete of two.02, a quantity solely bettered by Southampton (2.15) and Leicester Metropolis (3.21) throughout the weekend’s fixtures.
Fifteen of Newcastle’s makes an attempt additionally got here from contained in the field in comparison with Brighton’s eight, whereas Eddie Howe’s aspect managed 45 touches within the opposition field, with solely Man Metropolis (85) registering extra on matchday eight.
Newcastle managed 21 pictures, although solely six have been on track, with Brighton in the end being extra scientific. The Seagulls amassed an xG complete of 1.12 from their 10 makes an attempt, but in addition had Bart Verbruggen to thank, with the Dutchman making six saves on the day.
Fortunate winners: Liverpool
Arne Slot continued his glorious begin to life as Liverpool head coach with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, although this was arguably his hardest project thus far.
Whereas the Reds ended the competition with an xG complete of 1.94 in comparison with Chelsea’s 0.99, it was Enzo Maresca’s aspect that posed the larger questions at Anfield, registering 12 pictures, although solely two have been on Caoimhin Kelleher’s aim.
Jadon Sancho additionally felt he ought to have been awarded a penalty for a tangle of legs with Trent Alexander-Arnold within the first half, with Nicolas Jackson additionally putting the woodwork earlier than the interval.
The Blues additionally managed extra pictures within the field (9) in comparison with Liverpool’s seven, in addition to registering extra touches within the opposition field (26 to Liverpool’s 17) and 56 closing third entries to the Reds’ 54.
Certainly, Liverpool’s non-penalty xG was 1.15, so a 1-1 draw would most likely have been a good consequence.
10 – Solely Pep Guardiola (gained first 10) has reached 10 wins in all competitions as a Premier League supervisor in fewer matches than Arne Slot, who has gained 10 of his first 11 video games with Liverpool. Elite. pic.twitter.com/qeifIL5UGn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 20, 2024
Unfortunate losers: Fulham
After pushing Man Metropolis all the best way earlier than the worldwide break, Fulham returned with one other good efficiency, however fell quick as soon as once more, this time towards Aston Villa.
Morgan Rogers rapidly cancelled out Raul Jiminez’s opener, although Andreas Pereira fluffed his traces from the penalty spot after an excellent save from Emiliano Martinez.
Fulham amassed an xG complete of 1.78 in comparison with Villa’s 1.68, however Ollie Watkins and Issa Diop’s unlucky own-goal sealed the triumph for Unai Emery’s aspect, who’re again in Champions League motion in midweek.
Marco Silva’s crew have been left to rue one other encounter with squandered alternatives, failing to take any of the 4 huge probabilities they created, whereas solely 4 of their 10 makes an attempt at Craven Cottage have been on track in comparison with Villa’s 5 from 14 pictures.
