Five takeaways from last weekend’s Premier League action

5. Liverpool is in serious trouble

Following their recent 3-3 draw against Brighton, Liverpool has picked up just 10 points from their first seven league games this season. That total leaves them a whopping 11 points behind the top of the table.

The performance against Brighton was not up to their standard. A hat trick from Leandro Trossard condemned them to their fourth draw of the season. Throughout the match, they allowed Brighton to dictate the play and only escaped a loss due to the heroics of Alisson. It reflected how most of their games had been this season. They’ve looked short of an attacking threat and are defensively vulnerable. Stars like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, and Jordan Henderson have been subpar all season.

Next, Liverpool goes to table-topping Arsenal and hosts second-place Manchester City in extremely pivotal games for them. Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to get two great results to kickstart their season.

4. The Toffees keep on improving

A second-half come-from-behind win against Southampton earned Everton a second successive win. Goals from Conor Coady and Dwight McNeil saw Everton defeat the Saints 2-1, wh them ich moved them up into 11th place in the table. Soton dominated the game in possession and territory, but Everton’s defensive solidity and set-piece prowess ensured an impressive win for the Toffees.

This result has now seen Everton go six games unbeaten in the league since suffering two straight losses to open up the campaign. They also have the best defensive record, only conceding a league-best seven goals. This revival has seen many Everton fans optimistic for the rest of the season, as manager Frank Lampard will be hoping to continue this wonderful form. Everton hosts Manchester United next as they look to break into the top half of the table.

3. Conor Gallagher must play in an advanced role

It was the 90th minute with Chelsea and Crystal Palace tied 1-1, as it looked set to end in a stalemate. Then, up steps Conor Gallagher with a 25-yard screamer to steal a 2-1 win for Chelsea and move them up to fifth place in the standings. The game was cagey. Both teams were struggling to create many chances. It was also filled with a major controversy, as Thiago Silva handled the ball deliberately and prevented a goalscoring opportunity but was only awarded a yellow card.

Chelsea was sub-par in this game until Graham Potter introduced his substitutes into the game. They struggled to get going offensively, but the introduction of Gallagher increased the pace of their attacks, and he displayed his technical ability by hitting the top corner with a 25-yard curler.

Under Tuchel, Gallagher played a more deep-lying role, affecting his impact on games. However, in his brilliant spell at Palace last season, he was deployed in a more advanced and free-roaming role which saw him excel during that loan spell. Potter played him in a similar role during this game, and he produced his first goal contribution of the season and impacted the game much more. Chelsea has struggled in attack this campaign, but Conor Gallagher could become a lethal weapon for the blues if deployed in the right position.

2. Arsenal are serious title contenders

Goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka sealed a 3-1 North London Derby win over rivals Tottenham Hotspurs. After losing their first major test against Manchester United, many discredited them and labeled them as ‘pretenders’. So, the onus was on them to deliver a better result this time and get a win against a traditional top-6 side and they did just that. The Gunners were dominant throughout the game and deserved all 3 points in this heated affair. They were fluid in attack and stifled the front three of Spurs. This win ensures the Gunners remain top of the table with 21 points, winning seven out of eight. Before the start of the season, many predicted them not to even finish in the top 4, due to the strength of the other teams. However, an impressive start to the season has seen them remain top of the table and their performances have greatly improved. The signings they made have all been excellent and this team looks like the real deal. Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates, as they will look to grab another impressive win. The season is early, but the Gunners look like they will be challenging for the Premier League title.

1. Erling Haaland is UNSTOPPABLE

Manchester City overcame neighbors Manchester United 6-3 in a derby day demolition, thanks to hat tricks with both Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. However, the damage was done by halftime, as the Citizens led 4-0.

City was ruthless. They dominated the game in every facet. United couldn’t live with the fluidity and dynamism of City’s attack and midfield. It looked like men against boys. The Red Devils couldn’t cope with everything City did, and one man in particular: Erling Braut Haaland.

Haaland was unstoppable, but then again, he has been all season. A hattrick and two assists in a very explosive display. That takes his tally to 14 goals and three assists in just eight games in the Premier League this season. He also has three straight hat tricks at home now and is on course to score 65 league goals this season, which is more than double Mohammed Salah’s single-season record of 32 league goals. Manchester City host Southampton at home in the next game. Surely he couldn’t? Could he?