Antoine Semenyo reveals Liverpool’s predominant weak point and Newcastle look blunt with out Alexander Isak – Premier League Hits and misses

Ekitike shines however defensive issues for Liverpool?

Jamie Carragher hit out at Liverpool’s “unbelievable” and “absolutely shocking” defending of their 4-2 win over Bournemouth – saying they won’t retain their Premier League title in the event that they proceed with these requirements.

Liverpool received on an emotional night time at Anfield because of late objectives from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah – however they got an actual scare by the Cherries as Antoine Semenyo’s quickfire double cancelled out objectives both facet of half-time by Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo.

Each of Semenyo’s objectives noticed Liverpool caught out on the transition – with Bournemouth’s second objective seeing the younger ahead run almost the size of the pitch earlier than discovering the underside nook.

Carragher additionally hit out at Ibrahima Konate, who he felt was accountable for poor defending for each objectives.

“It is unbelievable,” stated Carragher on Friday Night time Soccer. “It is incredible from Semenyo – however Liverpool have had this drawback.

“What number of gamers had been forward of the ball – possibly eight gamers – once they had been successful 2-1? That may’t occur. It is completely surprising at this stage.

“For Semenyo to run that far and get his shot away is incredible – but where Konate is going? He had a really poor night tonight at centre-back.”

Semenyo a motive for Bournemouth optimism

Arne Slot was proper post-match. “It was a great game to watch”, he declared. “This is what fans want to see.”

This was every thing a Premier League opener ought to be about. Entertainment, excessive depth, comebacks and throwbacks. Beautiful objectives in addition to the tough and prepared sort. It had the lot.

And due to this fact, the very fact it has been tainted by one mindless act of alleged racist abuse from a so-called fan at Anfield is particularly disappointing. What ought to be celebrated, nonetheless, is Semenyo’s response to that idiocy.

He gave Milos Kerkez and, latterly, Andy Robertson the runaround, scoring with two of his three pictures on track, from an anticipated objectives worth of simply 0.89. His efficiency was a triumph of expertise and resolve and reveals precisely why he had so many golf equipment this summer time.

The very fact Bournemouth have tied him right down to a brand new five-year deal is a large coup and in addition motive for optimism transferring ahead.
Laura Hunter

Newcastle see measurement of process to interchange Isak

Newcastle offered a united entrance after their goalless draw with Aston Villa. Eddie Howe described their efficiency as “magnificent”. Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn talked up their togetherness and group spirit in tough circumstances.

A degree at Villa Park represents a optimistic outcome however they’d probably have been celebrating all three had Alexander Isak been obtainable. Their star striker, coaching on his personal as he continues to carry out for a transfer to Liverpool, was sorely missed.

Isak, scorer of 23 Premier League objectives final season, would probably have buried one of many first-half possibilities that fell to his team-mates. The sport was a reminder of his significance. Newcastle have didn’t win any of their final six Premier League video games with out him. They haven’t even scored within the final 4. Their pictures had been value 1.43 anticipated objectives at Villa Park however they didn’t capitalise.

Howe improvised in Isak’s absence, utilizing Gordon centrally with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga both facet. “I really like it,” stated Gordon of his new function afterwards. “As my career progresses, I think I might end up more central.”

He had his moments. Most notably with the run in behind to drive Ezri Konsa’s purple card. However total this was one other reminder of the massive process Newcastle will face to interchange Isak if he does go. With followers turning in opposition to him, it’s a actuality they might quickly should confront.
Nick Wright

Lapses in focus price Villa once more

Lapses in focus have now price Aston Villa in back-to-back video games.

Outdated Trafford in opposition to Manchester United within the final recreation of the 2024/25 season and now the opener within the 2025/26 marketing campaign. Two purple playing cards for 2 key gamers.

Villa had simply gathered momentum within the fixture following the restart. Boubacar Kamara went shut with a header and Ollie Watkins rifled his shot instantly at Nick Pope.

“The red card changed the game,” Emery stated in his post-match press convention.

He was proper. Anthony Gordon darted behind the defence and was racing by on objective, leaving Ezri Konsa with little alternative apart from to tug the makeshift ahead down.

Villa did properly to assemble themselves after that incident, however final season confirmed how pricey dropping factors might show to be.

Earlier than Konsa’s problem, it appeared like Emery’s facet had been gathering actual momentum and will go on to win the fixture.

It’s not at all a disastrous begin to the season for Villa however securing that first win now will get tougher.

They journey to Brentford for his or her subsequent fixture and might want to name upon their solely different centre-back off the bench, Pau Torres, to play alongside fellow left-footer Tyrone Mings.
Patrick Rowe

Frank has rejuvenated Richarlison to thank for excellent begin

Recommendations had been made about an exit plan for Richarlison this summer time. The ahead solely managed 4 league begins for Tottenham final season and 500 minutes in complete. His 4 objectives had been indicative of a marketing campaign blighted by accidents, with kind not possible to return by as a bit-part participant below Ange Postecoglou.

However this model of Richarlison, absolutely match and firing, is altogether totally different. He lastly seems able to dwell as much as the promise of a No 9, buoyed by Thomas Frank’s belief to play the starring function forward of Dominic Solanke.

A formidable double in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Burnley hinted at a participant rejuvenated. It is exhausting to think about a extra excellent begin for brand spanking new boss Frank, with summer time addition Mohammed Kudus offering each assists for Richarlison to ship two particular objectives.

The ahead has solely teased his high quality since arriving in north London from Everton again in 2022. Many questioned his £60m price ticket. They had been proper to. But when this newest efficiency is an indication of issues to return, pleasure ought to swiftly substitute the apathy.
Laura Hunter

Parker’s Burnley taught a lesson in Premier League ruthlessness

After Burnley’s defeat to Spurs, Scott Parker admitted their defeat was born out of the ruthlessness of the Premier League.

“It’s the Premier League as well and one of the biggest learnings from today, is the clinicalness you have to be at, how quick you have to get your shot off,” Parker stated.

“You don’t have a lot of time in the Premier League, obviously, against world-class players, athletes, physically. And that’s the ruthlessness of the Premier League, all concentration, keeping attention constantly, because the game at any moment can turn.”

Burnley, regardless of exhibiting promise throughout phases of the sport, had been bettered by a medical, savvy and bodily Spurs facet.

Within the early phases of the second half as they chased an equaliser, Hannibal Mejbri’s hesitance on the ball meant that probability went begging. Burnley had been their architects of their very own demise on the day. Maxime Esteve gave away the ball for and Tottenham opened the scoring inside 10 minutes.

A misplaced duel, minutes after conceding the second, led to a 3rd as Burnley appeared to crumble. It is a lesson Parker’s facet must study from shortly as they mount an try to stay within the prime flight.
William Bitibiri

Ballard is Sunderland’s Concorde, commanding the skies

Sunderland are the nice unknows of this Premier League season.

How would they address the step up?

Have they modified an excessive amount of too quickly from the Championship promotion-winning group? Would all the brand new signings slot in?

Early indicators are although they may very well be simply high quality this season and it was one of many ‘outdated guard’ that impressed most.

Dan Ballard, hero of the play-off semi-final win over Coventry, rose to the event as soon as once more. He was a colossus. A rock. He was persistently in the appropriate place on the proper time to fend off West Ham’s assaults. No participant on the pitch received extra duels (10) or made extra clearances (8).

He was like Concorde – commanding the skies together with his dominant aerial capability, showcased by his incredible headed objective, one in all 4 pictures he had within the recreation. Large issues may very well be on the horizon for Ballard and Sunderland this season.
Lewis Jones

Potter’s inventory at its lowest

Everyone knows what Graham Potter’s groups can do within the Premier League – his Brighton group was distinctive and tactically forward of their time. His inventory was at its highest there. It is now at its lowest with questions to significantly reply about whether or not his soccer can thrive at West Ham.

There is a little bit of id disaster on the membership.

Potter desires to make them extra possession-orientated and tactically versatile however the success West Ham below David Moyes was all about defensive organisation and creating huge moments in transition. Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta – West Ham’s two most potent attacking gamers – are at their finest with house to roam into. They appear cramped and restricted taking part in on this present model. It is testomony to Bowen’s capability that he continues to be their star man. He did not need to be on the dropping facet.

Potter must discover a answer.
Lewis Jones

A well-recognized feeling for Brighton which is holding them again

On the face of it, there was at all times going to be late drama between Brighton and Fulham. Rodrigo Muniz’s late equaliser means there have been 4 objectives scored after the 79th minute within the final three encounters.

For Brighton, nonetheless, there was a well-recognized story. One other lead dropped, one other missed probability. Twenty-two factors had been dropped from successful positions final season. Add two extra to the Fabian Hurzeler period.

Brighton’s performances below the German have been good – the eighth-placed end for the 32-year-old was under-rated by way of Premier League achievements final season. Think about how good they’d be if they’ll maintain on to a lead?

But when proprietor Tony Bloom desires to see his dream of being in Europe each season – then his gamers will want some spine.
Sam Blitz

King is a gem – however Fulham want extra elsewhere

Carlos Baleba had been strongly linked to Manchester United this week, however he was outshone by one other younger gem after 25 minutes.

It was solely Josh King’s second Premier League begin however the 18-year-old was doing rings across the Brighton midfielder. He was Fulham’s largest menace and the participant making issues occur all through.

{The teenager} mixed properly with Fulham’s key participant from final 12 months, Alex Iwobi, down the left, with King’s directness, consolation on the ball and aggressiveness within the duels a motive why he began over the obtainable and extra skilled choices of Emile Smith Rowe and Andreas Pereira.

“He’s a top talent player and I didn’t have any reservations to start with him,” stated Marco Silva. However the Fulham supervisor can not depend on an 18-year-old for attacking inspiration.

Extra signings are wanted – with Fulham but to make an outfield buy this summer time. Rodrigo Muniz is needed elsewhere and even when he stays, seven out of his final 9 Premier League objectives have come in its place. Fulham want extra gamers like King to make the distinction from the off.
Sam Blitz