⚽ Premier League 2026/2027 Discussion Thread ⚽

[Marvelockg]

They did manage to get promoted to the Premier League, but being able to compete and survive in the Premier League is a different matter. There must have been a lot of evaluation in the first 4 matches of this season because the results were clearly not good. But they probably won't make any major changes. Performance improvements need to be made at least to get better results. 
I see that Tottenham also hasn't scored in 4 matches. Although they have collected 2 points from draws, this is not a good start for Tottenham.

Man City and Man United game is in progress and City has a set back as Phil Foden has been shown a red card in 23 minute. This means City has to play the rest of the match with 10 players.  

This is a big blow for Manchester city and if united can take advantage of this gap as fast as possible even before the first half comes to a close, it will be a sure way of them winning in this game. if city are able to defend this into the second half, we might be seeing a game that if united will ever will will be through struggle and if care is not taken, we see another draw. So far, city and arsenal are the only two teams that have had a perfect three game start and arsenal has pushed theirs to the forth one. can city afford to drop point due to this?

[Umulala-alala]

This is a big blow for Manchester city and if united can take advantage of this gap as fast as possible even before the first half comes to a close, it will be a sure way of them winning in this game. if city are able to defend this into the second half, we might be seeing a game that if united will ever will will be through struggle and if care is not taken, we see another draw. So far, city and arsenal are the only two teams that have had a perfect three game start and arsenal has pushed theirs to the forth one. can city afford to drop point due to this?

Man city are still playing better than Man united despite Foden early red card, i don't think Phil Foden deserve that red it was even Fernandes that deserve a yellow because he actually did first before Foden retaliated, the referee shouldn't have given him red card but yellow instead.

Man united have to take advantage of this red card in the second half to win Man city because it wouldn't be good if Man city wins the match or draw the match with 10 men.

[Rhow]

Four games played. No single goal scored. Ten goals conceded. Zero point.

They did manage to get promoted to the Premier League, but being able to compete and survive in the Premier League is a different matter. There must have been a lot of evaluation in the first 4 matches of this season because the results were clearly not good. But they probably won't make any major changes. Performance improvements need to be made at least to get better results. 
I see that Tottenham also hasn't scored in 4 matches. Although they have collected 2 points from draws, this is not a good start for Tottenham.

Their adjustment to the Premier League is a big challenge. Many promoted teams like them have struggled for weeks/months in the past. This is not unusual because the pace of the Premier League, the physicality of the battle and the quality of the opponents are all different. So I won't judge them based on the results of their first four matches. Although I also think they probably won't be able to make any changes right away. The first few problems for any promoted team are building confidence and chemistry. It takes some time to get used to the players, the new tactical system and the pressure of a big match.

[Pandu Geddon]

They did manage to get promoted to the Premier League, but being able to compete and survive in the Premier League is a different matter. There must have been a lot of evaluation in the first 4 matches of this season because the results were clearly not good. But they probably won't make any major changes. Performance improvements need to be made at least to get better results. 
I see that Tottenham also hasn't scored in 4 matches. Although they have collected 2 points from draws, this is not a good start for Tottenham.

Another team that surprised everyone after week 4 is Aston Villa, they finished 4th last season but so far they are still looking for their first win of the season. While Hull City performance has been impressive, they haven't lost any game so far and are at third position on points table. With time may be there position on points table change because every club has still 34 more games to play.

Man City and Man United game is in progress and City has a set back as Phil Foden has been shown a red card in 23 minute. This means City has to play the rest of the match with 10 players.  

Hull City has indeed performed better at the start of this season. They also managed to draw against Aston Villa and Chelsea. I think they are preparing well for the Premier League, even though I don't have high expectations for this team. 

There is always something unexpected in derby matches, that's what I said before. Even though many favor Man City, luck has already been on United's side. Everything will depend on United's ability.

[Byebyebtc]

This is a big blow for Manchester city and if united can take advantage of this gap as fast as possible even before the first half comes to a close, it will be a sure way of them winning in this game. if city are able to defend this into the second half, we might be seeing a game that if united will ever will will be through struggle and if care is not taken, we see another draw. So far, city and arsenal are the only two teams that have had a perfect three game start and arsenal has pushed theirs to the forth one. can city afford to drop point due to this?

Manchester City is a team definitely not ready to drop points, they know very well that Arsenal are the only team equal with them in the Aspect of winning the title race, and they can not afford to loose this match if the title is their interest.
If they loose this match Arsenal will be on top, and Arsenal as we all know is a team that is capable of going unbeaten for the rest of the league.
All being considered I don't think Manchester City will loose this match, they will have to put in their best in the second half if to win the match if not there will not be much of a competition anymore

[MK-74]

First of all I have to congratulate M. City because they played with 10 men from the 23rd minute and still managed to win the match 1-0.
It is an important win for M. City, they picked up three very important points with 10 men.

There is nothing to say about M.United because I don’t think they were able to take control of the game against an opponent who had been reduced to 10 men at home and they lost to a team with 10 men. Really bad defeat.

[emrecemsan]

What an interesting Manchester derby that was and disappointing at the same time...

Only 1 goal in the whole match. When Foden got that red card I thought Manchester United would use it to their favor but they were just horrible. All those attempts but not even creating many big chances.

Is this the curse of Rashford?    We don't see the same team from the part which Carrick took over last season. They are really struggling.

[Sally9256]

First of all I have to congratulate M. City because they played with 10 men from the 23rd minute and still managed to win the match 1-0.
It is an important win for M. City, they picked up three very important points with 10 men.

There is nothing to say about M.United because I don’t think they were able to take control of the game against an opponent who had been reduced to 10 men at home and they lost to a team with 10 men. Really bad defeat.

Manchester United has been dissapointing multiple times this season that even their fans don't know what they are capable of anymore. I expected them to at least be able to do Draw against Manchester City or even win this fixture since they are the home team but they failed. After the red card I expected them to fully take control of the game and comfortably win the game but they had to shamefully lose to a 10 men team.

It's an important win for Manchester City, it's perfect points for them so far which is impressive for Maresca and his team. They had the opportunity to win this game but their carelessness might cost them if they were to play against another team with a man down. I still think there's more to improve on in the City's team to go for the league title.

[Oluwa-btc]

Hull City has indeed performed better at the start of this season. They also managed to draw against Aston Villa and Chelsea. I think they are preparing well for the Premier League, even though I don't have high expectations for this team. 

There is always something unexpected in derby matches, that's what I said before. Even though many favor Man City, luck has already been on United's side. Everything will depend on United's ability.

They remain yet unbeaten in the Premier League Competition. The owner was interviewed prior to the start of the league and his words were how he wants to stay in the Premier League and not return this same season. So far so good, he has seen his club remain unbeaten and it is more like keeping to his words. The big question is how far can they go? Because, how far is not how well. Who will?! Hull City are  gradually becoming the dark horse this season.

Manchester United is the club you shouldn't be expecting anything from. One thing is sure, this should be yet another trophyless season. Michael also will not be the guy to win Manchester United the Premier League Competition.

[Sunshine1525]

What an interesting Manchester derby that was and disappointing at the same time...

Only 1 goal in the whole match. When Foden got that red card I thought Manchester United would use it to their favor but they were just horrible. All those attempts but not even creating many big chances.

Is this the curse of Rashford?    We don't see the same team from the part which Carrick took over last season. They are really struggling.

It's suprising how Manchester United lost that match, today would be a painful one for Manchester United fans cause their team had all the opportunities but where so unlucky with goals, they hit the bar severally but nearly is almost as good as nothing, i don't even know which player to blame, not Rashford cause he made attempts.

Carrick is a coward, he needs to trust his striker and quit the false 9 tactics cause it's not working. Cunha is not a striker, he should either be starting or replacing Rashford from the flank, Dorgu is not a leftback although the coach is left with no choice, Maguire and Martinez is not a good pair. A lot of crosses where wasted and i blame Carrick for benching Sesko, air Sesko!

[eisen33]

First of all I have to congratulate M. City because they played with 10 men from the 23rd minute and still managed to win the match 1-0.
It is an important win for M. City, they picked up three very important points with 10 men.

There is nothing to say about M.United because I don’t think they were able to take control of the game against an opponent who had been reduced to 10 men at home and they lost to a team with 10 men. Really bad defeat.

City played a very good game, despite Foden's red card. He deserved it, can't make that kind of studded movement. Haaland did everything he could to score and give City the win, and Manchester United should have played better, especially in front of their home crowd. But I think they continued playing at the same pace and therefore weren't able to take advantage of Foden's red card, or City didn't allow them to, which again speaks in City's favor.

[Shadiq]

What an interesting Manchester derby that was and disappointing at the same time...

Only 1 goal in the whole match. When Foden got that red card I thought Manchester United would use it to their favor but they were just horrible. All those attempts but not even creating many big chances.

Is this the curse of Rashford?    We don't see the same team from the part which Carrick took over last season. They are really struggling.

United had the worst performance I have ever seen in a Manchester derby. They had 80 minutes to control the game against 10 men, but they chose to fail.

A great win for City, perhaps the opposite of what most football fans would have expected. After Foden's red card, no one expected City to win, except Michael Carrick. He was probably fighting for City's victory instead of his own team. I was a fan of his when United returned after he was appointed last season, but he has now been kicked off the fan list. I can't support this manager after a game like that, this one game was enough to make me disappointed.

[iBaba]

What an interesting Manchester derby that was and disappointing at the same time...

Only 1 goal in the whole match. When Foden got that red card I thought Manchester United would use it to their favor but they were just horrible. All those attempts but not even creating many big chances.

Is this the curse of Rashford?    We don't see the same team from the part which Carrick took over last season. They are really struggling.

I was also thinking that man united would take advantage of the minus one, their attacking was just poor to me because they were struggling to create clear chances. I don’t think what happened was Rashfords curse, they just lack some confidence right now and when a team is like that even if they have good possession or attempts does not mean they can create good chances always. So carrick still have a lot to do if man united want to keep up last season standard,

[Shineup]

What an interesting Manchester derby that was and disappointing at the same time...

Only 1 goal in the whole match. When Foden got that red card I thought Manchester United would use it to their favor but they were just horrible. All those attempts but not even creating many big chances.

Is this the curse of Rashford?    We don't see the same team from the part which Carrick took over last season. They are really struggling.

I was also thinking that man united would take advantage of the minus one, their attacking was just poor to me because they were struggling to create clear chances. I don’t think what happened was Rashfords curse, they just lack some confidence right now and when a team is like that even if they have good possession or attempts does not mean they can create good chances always. So carrick still have a lot to do if man united want to keep up last season standard,

In as much as I had always believed Manchester City was going to beat Manchester United, I never thought it would be with one man down, that's so embarrassing believe me, I know things like this do happen but this is the worst of it, like Manchester United was looking all set at the first half before the red card, the game was actually 50/50 then after the red card I was quite sure they could take advantage of that, but to my greatest surprise, they were even more messed up than when Manchester City was with full squad, like I'm sensing danger in this Micheal Carrick's job, trust me.

[sokani]

What an interesting Manchester derby that was and disappointing at the same time...

Only 1 goal in the whole match. When Foden got that red card I thought Manchester United would use it to their favor but they were just horrible. All those attempts but not even creating many big chances.

Is this the curse of Rashford?    We don't see the same team from the part which Carrick took over last season. They are really struggling.

No, Rashford had nothing to do with the defeat or United's poor performance. It's Carrick's fault. United has a striker, and he keeps benching him and playing Cunha, who IMO, has been ineffective as a striker. Even if Sesko does not score, he will keep City's defenders on their toes.

Meanwhile, someone bet $5,000 on City to win at halftime, even with one man down, and he won the bet. What a bet!

[bitzizzix]

What an interesting Manchester derby that was and disappointing at the same time...

Only 1 goal in the whole match. When Foden got that red card I thought Manchester United would use it to their favor but they were just horrible. All those attempts but not even creating many big chances.

Is this the curse of Rashford?    We don't see the same team from the part which Carrick took over last season. They are really struggling.

A truly unexpected result.
Given that Foden received a red card in the 23rd minute, Manchester United should have been able to capitalize on the situation. However, they failed to do so and squandered several chances.
In my opinion, Carrick had prepared a solid strategy, but they were up against a strong team bolstered by high-quality players. I look forward to Manchester United's next steps under Carrick and hope for positive changes, considering the poor start to the season they have endured.

[puloweh555]

What an interesting Manchester derby that was and disappointing at the same time...

Only 1 goal in the whole match. When Foden got that red card I thought Manchester United would use it to their favor but they were just horrible. All those attempts but not even creating many big chances.

Is this the curse of Rashford?    We don't see the same team from the part which Carrick took over last season. They are really struggling.

The Manchester derby was disappointing in my opinion because there were so few goals. Usually, derby matches always have a lot of goals.  

What’s even more disappointing is, of course Man United because this match was played at Old Trafford, against 10 men, and Man United still lost.  

Man United poor performance is purely Carrick fault in setting up the lineup; even this season, he’s been messing up the lineups a lot. Last season the gameplay was smooth, but this season Carrick is just overthinking things. You can see it from the start of the season Man United play has already been bad, and if they keep playing like this, don’t expect them to finish in the top 4.  

The lineup mistakes really show in how the game changes. Last season, with Amad, Cunha, and Mbuembo, when Man United counterattacked, it was super deadly, and the attacking tempo was fast. Honestly, Rashford doesn’t fit this style he tends to delay the ball and is slow in making decisions.

[LGD2Business]

The Manchester derby was disappointing in my opinion because there were so few goals. Usually, derby matches always have a lot of goals. 

If it was 11 vs. 11 game, we could've seen more goals.

City had a dangerous start this year. Even though they were down a man they beat United, even in the Old Trafford. Very few teams in the world can pull that off. Foden left his team down to 10 men very early on. That was a stupid move. Come on dude, you are a professional.
Despite that, they won thanks to Haaland's goal. It's true there's an offside controversy surrounding the goal but I think that was expected. Passive offside position is highly open to interpretation. That's why the controversy never end. The player was trying to get to the ball. I don't think anyone could've argued if it had been called offside, but the referee saw it differently. We're used to these kinds of controversial calls in the Premier League.

[Mayor of ogba]

It looks like today is draw day. 4 games finished as draw. Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham didn't start well. I don't see them in the title race this season. I believe it will be between City and Arsenal again.

Hull City surprised most of the people. Not me though, I expected them to start good and stay in the league this season. They may overachieved in first 4 weeks, it will balance out soon. But they have good players and a manager who knows how to play with what's in his hands despite their modest squad.

Even though Chelsea lost to Arsenal and drew with Hull City I see them in the title race because there's a lot of improvement in them this season but I'm sure Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur aren't in the title race even though they pick form and start winning their matches it will be too late for them to compete for the title. I was one of the people Hull City surprised I thought they came to the Premier League to become father Christmas by dashing their opponents free three points and be relegated back to the Championship but from what Hull City has displayed since the start of this season they are here to stay.

[Agbam]

It looks like today is draw day. 4 games finished as draw. Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham didn't start well. I don't see them in the title race this season. I believe it will be between City and Arsenal again.

It seems so many EPL clubs are not improving a lot compared to their last season performance. Even some clubs are just facing a huge regress like Liverpool and Chelsea. They're also consistently getting draw, which is making the gap with Arsenal is far bigger.
At this point, i only see City as the only club that may be possible to contest for the trophy. However, i may also rule out their chance to challenge Arsenal if they're also getting pretty bad result in the upcoming game against MU.

You can add Manchester United to the teams experiencing regress from their last season performance or how they ended it. A lot expected Michael Carrick and his Squad will be in high flying form this season but it has not been the case.

How did they lose to a Manchester City side that was down to 10 men from just 20 mins out. The game was very close even with the man advantage United couldn’t do any harm.

They were just playing around though I don’t think that Erling Haaland’s goal is clean that looked so much like an offside, I don’t know what rule they applied there cos i didn’t see the United player touch the ball.