Week 6 of Premier League action began on Saturday and despite the season still being in its infancy, the shape of the table has already begun to take a rather familiar form.
Manchester City thumped five goals past Cardiff on the back of almost 80 per cent possession. After putting three through Fulham last weekend, their current form and quality suggest another title is well within grasp. In fact, there might really be only one capable challenger.
First-half goals to Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan saw the contest well and truly decided by the break and the second half strikes to Riyad Mahrez were merely the cherry on top of another City performance putting fear into their nearest rivals.
Of those rivals, Liverpool extended its unbeaten run to six matches with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Southampton. Wesley Hoedt, Jo Matip and Mo Salah all found the net in the first half and the Saints could only muster a single shot on target throughout the contest.
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Only City’s 1-1 draw with Wolves on Matchday 3 prevents both clubs sitting atop the league with a perfect 18 points from the first six rounds. The cream does eventually rise to the top, yet the health of the entire league must be questioned when such disparity is established so early on.
Both games were lopsided and unless you are a passionate fan of either club, somewhat lacking in interest.
Having teams such as Cardiff City, Huddersfield and Newcastle seemingly assured of a relegation battle at this early stage of the season isn’t a desirable state of affairs.
The disenchantment felt by the supporters of the lesser lights is real and their increased level of disinterest isn’t sustainable in the long term. EPL numbers, finances and ratings mask that frustration and disenchantment with the ongoing success of the top five clubs feeding the popularity and profitability of the league.
Elsewhere, a struggling Fulham took a golden point from the high flying Watford. The Hornets were the only exception in the gap already opening between the haves and the have-nots. With a chance to stay within a win of the ladder lead it was something of a slip-up, despite the recent improvement in Fulham’s play that has seen them extricate themselves from the bottom three.
A win and two draws in the last month has brought some hope to Craven Cottage.
Crystal Palace and Newcastle shared the spoils at Selhurst Park in a goalless draw which failed to deliver from an entertainment perspective, while goals to Harry Kane and Erik Lamela saw Tottenham claim a 2-1 win against Brighton at Falmer Stadium.
The win keeps Spurs hot on the heels of the top three and without doing anything extraordinary, they are also creeping away quite comfortably from the also-rans.
Jamie Vardy was back on the scoresheet as Leicester put the cleaners through Huddersfield despite going down a goal after five minutes, but the most surprising result of the weekend came at Turf Moor as Burnley finally found some form against Bournemouth.
Jamie Vardy was once again a force for Leicester. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
With a chance to remain in rarefied air, the Cherries stumbled. Matej Vydra and Aaron Lennon had the Clarets up by two at the break before a brace from Ashley Barnes in the second half completed a 4-0 drubbing. It was a match where possession with purpose proved more decisive than possession itself.
West Ham United fans had something to cheer about for the second week running after grappling to a point against Chelsea at London Stadium. The Blues will be furious at their inability to finish the many chances they created and the one-all draw is another example of a hopeful contender hitting an early speed bump.
Chelsea’s stumble sees the big two assume the top rungs on the ladder. With a long season still ahead, their potential haul of points is starting to look ominous.
Chelsea against Liverpool will be the hot talking point leading into Matchday 7. Also of interest is the Cardiff vs Burnley clash. For both clubs, it’s a chance to grab three vital points in a season where survival could become their major focus.
Frankly, it was a bad look for Hayes. She appears like a grumpy and frustrated manager as her tenure at Chelsea is coming to an end.
Earlier in the season, Liverpool winning this fixture would be close to a foregone conclusion - but Chelsea have players who can win trophies.
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