2<\/p>\n
Liverpool need to stop Gibbs-White<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is just not personnel,\u201d insisted Andoni Iraola in response to Liverpool conceding two goals to quick Newcastle transitions in his first Premier League game as the club\u2019s head coach. Some long-term faults cannot be rectified overnight \u2013 although that did not prevent some hysterical reactions to the performance at St James\u2019 Park \u2013 and, with Liverpool prioritising wingers in the final days of the transfer window, the answer to this particular weakness, as Iraola indicated, lies on the training ground. Morgan Gibbs-White revelled in the spaces behind Liverpool\u2019s midfield last season as he \u2013 and set pieces \u2013 helped Nottingham Forest to a second successive league win at Anfield<\/a>. Iraola does not want to curb Ryan Gravenberch\u2019s attacking instincts but greater tactical discipline and willingness to do the dirty work from the entire Liverpool midfield will be needed to stop Gibbs-White producing a repeat performance. Forest\u2019s new record signing, Liam Delap<\/a>, has also been registered in time to play. Andy Hunter<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Everton note Cherries\u2019 set-piece struggles<\/p>\n There were so many encouraging takeaways for Bournemouth despite an agonising late defeat at Manchester City. The catalyst for City\u2019s turnaround was Marc Gu\u00e9hi\u2019s 84th-minute equaliser, the England defender heading in unmarked at a corner, after wasting a near-identical earlier chance. For Bournemouth, it was a familiar source of pain; only Liverpool conceded more set-piece goals in the top flight last season (20), with the Cherries and Crystal Palace both conceding 18. Bournemouth sought to address their vulnerability in the summer by hiring their first dedicated set-piece coach in Nicolas Gagnon, who worked with Canada at the World Cup and previously at Southampton and in Saudi Arabia. Only Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United<\/a> and Aston Villa claimed more points away from home than Everton last season and David Moyes\u2019s centre-backs, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski, will be licking their lips if Bournemouth do not sharpen up their act. Ben Fisher<\/p>\n Bournemouth were again undone by a set-piece goal as they lost 2-1 at Manchester City. Photograph: Darren Staples\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Too early for a relegation six-pointer?<\/p>\n Contrasting opening weekends for Coventry and Hull, harsh reality dealt out against the dream scenario lived out. At Arsenal<\/a>, Coventry were well beaten by the champions, while in East Yorkshire, Manchester United were soundly, deservedly, defeated. Despite contrasting starts, both teams remain warm favourites for relegation. Two defeats in a row for Frank Lampard\u2019s team would dim the optimism of a summer of expectation. Hull seek to extend the reverie of last week though Coventry are unlikely to be caught as cold as United last week, and surely cannot defend set pieces so badly. The last three Championship matches between these two teams ended in draws, last season\u2019s meetings goalless, although both squads have since been upgraded by brisk transfer business. At Hull, much is expected of Lucas Herrington, who missed Australia\u2019s fateful penalty against Egypt at the World Cup. The teenage defender shone against Stoke in the Tigers\u2019 successful midweek Carabao Cup assignment. John Brewin<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Tottenham keen for Tonali to tick<\/p>\n It has not taken long for Sandro Tonali to be reunited with his former teammates. After succumbing 3-0 on the opening weekend at Brentford<\/a>, a home victory will be the minimum requirement for Tottenham. Roberto De Zerbi and his players will be desperate to show that things have changed after a busy summer in the transfer market. Tonali will be a key part of that; he was the only central midfielder who made it past half-time in west London, so at least has minutes in his legs to build on. The Italian will be eager not to suffer at the hands of a team that served him well after bringing him to England. Tonali is supposed to make his new team tick and a rousing home debut would do a lot for everyone\u2019s confidence, while defeat would bring plenty more questions. WU<\/p>\n Sandro Tonali (left) faces his old club Newcastle after a difficult debut against Brentford. Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The Guardian<\/p>\n 6<\/p>\n Acheampong fights to stay with Blues<\/p>\n This is an important moment in Josh Acheampong\u2019s development. The 20-year-old academy graduate did not have many opportunities last year but he started in Xabi Alonso\u2019s back three when Chelsea<\/a> beat Fulham on Monday. It was a big vote of confidence from Alonso in the young defender, who played well, and may indicate that Acheampong will stay at Stamford Bridge this season. Several clubs are interested in the England youth international and there is talk of a loan before the transfer window shuts, but Acheampong would strengthen his position further if he is selected again for Sunday\u2019s home game against Brighton. Jacob Steinberg<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a>Free newsletter | Every weekday<\/p>\n Sign up to Football Daily<\/p>\n Kick off your evenings with the Guardian’s take on the world of football<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n On Monday night, Jamie Carragher told a Sky Sports audience that he thought Sunderland might be relegated this season. The former Liverpool defender compared R\u00e9gis Le Bris\u2019s team to the Sheffield United side managed by Chris Wilder that went down in 2020-2021 \u2013 their second season after promotion \u2013 and suggested Sunderland were \u201carrogant\u201d. How will Le Bris\u2019s players respond against Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Sunday? Has the moment arrived to end a winless Premier League<\/a> run against the west London club stretching back 12 years? If there are legitimate concerns about the ability of Le Bris\u2019s players to cope with a Europa League campaign, regular Sunderland watchers struggle to buy into the accusations of arrogance, let alone the analogy with a very different Sheffield United side. Nonetheless, last Saturday\u2019s 2-1 defeat at Ipswich has prompted a certain anxiety, leaving Wearsiders hoping Nordi Mukiele is fit enough to raise defensive standards. Louise Taylor<\/p>\n Sunderland fans have bristled at Jamie Carragher\u2019s prediction for their team\u2019s season. Photograph: Dylan Martinez\/Reuters<\/p>\n 8<\/p>\n Leeds look to strengthen as Bees buzz<\/p>\n Subplots abound at Elland Road as Leeds and Brentford meet after two wins apiece from their first competitive matches of the season. There is the goalkeeping beauty contest between Daniel Farke\u2019s showpiece summer signing, James Trafford \u2013 who has two clean sheets in his opening games \u2013 and Brentford\u2019s Caoimh\u00edn Kelleher. Further forward, fans can ponder the question of which centre-forward, the Leeds favourite Dominic Calvert-Lewin or his opposite number, Igor Thiago, will prove the more incisive. Similarly, the technical area tactical duel involving Daniel Farke and Keith Andrews looks extremely hard to call. Away from the pitch, Farke is hoping to win a race with Sunderland to sign Marseille winger Igor Paix\u00e3o for about \u00a330m as the Leeds manager urges his board to strengthen. \u201cI\u2019m happy with my group and my signings so far,\u201d said Farke. \u201cBut we know we can definitely improve our squad. That is what Leeds supporters and Leeds United<\/a> deserve.\u201d LT<\/p>\n 9<\/p>\n Carrick under pressure to deliver<\/p>\n Manchester United are bloody-nosed and Ipswich definitely delighted after the tale of each team\u2019s results on the opening weekend. At Hull, Michael Carrick\u2019s team played with zero cohesion and conviction and went down to a miserable 2-0 loss. At Portman Road, Gary O\u2019Neil\u2019s side hosted Sunderland and claimed a rousing late 2-1 win, so arrive at Old Trafford with a bounce in the step. Carrick has to lift his men and get a result \u2013 preferably victory. A loss, at home, to another promoted team, would begin the latest inquiry into a United manager: a predicament suffered by all of Sir Alex Ferguson\u2019s successors. Jamie Jackson<\/p>\n 10<\/p>\n Villa fans bid farewell to Konsa<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787918292_313_500.jpg\")
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