The Premier League's final game of the weekend had more implications at the top of the table more than any other region. Three goals the last nine minutes of the game between Manchester United and Everton might have been a flattering score line for the hosts but there was more to it if we flashback to the events of last season.
1. A Lot Has Changed At Manchester United
The 2016/17 season was one that was filled with a lot of draws for the Red Devils, most of them painful and a few fortuitous. There were games where Jose Mourinho's team had full control but a lot of missed chances and defensive mistakes usually led to a 1-1 draw that characterized Jose's debut season with Man United. The turn of the new season have seen a 'reborn' Manchester United who have scored 16 times in five games. The game at Swansea, much like the one against Everton on Sunday, United weren't exactly on top of their opponents but a second goal calmed the mancunian nerves and two led to three, then three led to four. The story was different last season, where United almost always surrendered the lead and settled for a draw. A Romelu Lukaku who is much younger than Zlatan Ibrahimovic might have been all Manchester United required. A player who plays with and for the team. United's game for much of last season centered around 'finding Zlatan' but now it really about keeping the game flowing and trying to bury the chances when they come. Manchester United have 13 this season from the same fixtures they managed 9 points from last season. A marked improvement.
2. The Indiscipline At Chelsea Will Cost Them
There is little gain saying that Chelsea have been known for having players sent off recently. David Luiz was the latest player in the Chelsea's rank to see red. Two bookable offences in the second half meant the Brazilian would be having his showers a little bit earlier than his teammates, Luiz was the third Chelsea player to be sent of against Arsenal in the last three meetings between the two sides. Red Cards have cost Chelsea the FA Cup and the Community Shield. The Blues were also handed their first home loss of the season when Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were sent off in the season's opener against Burnley. The sending off of Luiz might have come late in the game but it's anybody's guess if an extra man might just given the Gunners the much needed support to see out the game and earn their first point at Stamford Bridge since October 2011.
3. Guardiola Has Found The Recipe
Three goals either side of half-time was more than enough for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to extend their unbeaten start to the season, it was also enough for Watford to lose theirs. those six goals put all kinds of pressure on Manchester United who kicked off 21 hours later. The goals dominated the headlines and most back pages were awash with Sergio Ageuro's feat of equaling Luis Suarez's record of six hat-tricks in English football (a record for non- Europeans) but there's a way City played that was actually archetypal of a Guardiola side. The fluidity among the players were missing last term even when the club won their first nine games at the start of last season. The Citizens did not start so brightly this term but have managed to get their acts together after the game against Bournemouth. The display away to Feyenoord after demolishing Liverpool three days before was also worthy of note. Gabriel Jesus and Aguero seem to have been playing together for a long time. Indeed there are NO EXCUSES! for Guardiola this season and I think he knows that. A returning Ilkay Gundogan will almost seem like a new signing. Pep has found the recipe, can he now go ahead a make Sheikh Mansour a sumptuous meal?
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