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5 lessons learned from English Premier League week 2

We have given the English Premier League week 2 matches some time to digest after another solid week of action. The season may be very young, but already, some narratives are beginning to be written.

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1. Everyone is beatable

The first two weekends of football in England have shown us that any team this season is beatable. Blame it on the money, but teams are slightly more even this season. Teams are at least fractionally closer. English Premier League week 2 saw Chelsea upend Tottenham just a week after Chelsea were beaten by Burnley. Add in Everton’s draw with Manchester City and Huddersfield’s perfect six points, and this is shaping up to be a brilliant season.

2. Manchester City’s defending still shaky

Manchester City’s defending and goalkeeping looked just as fallible in English Premier League week 2 as it did all of last season. New goalkeeper Ederson’s inability to make a save on Wayne Rooney’s goal made him look  incapable of saving shots right at him. The £35 million signing let Rooney’s shot sneak in between his legs, and City will need better from him to win the title.

3. Stoke are better than given credit

First off, how did no other Premier League side sign Jese from Paris Saint-Germain? The once highly rated player joined Stoke well under the radar, and it looks like the Potters pulled off a coup. Stoke may very well be better than previously given credit and the team’s defence may have more steel and guile than previously thought.

4. Goals hard to score

After two weeks of the Premier League, five teams currently sit on zero goals scored. Bournemouth, Swansea, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Brighton are all yet to score this term. Although Bournemouth and Crystal Palace weren’t expected to fight the drop, they could both be sucked into it. Palace are attempting to revolutionise the team’s playing style under Frank de Boer. However, after two matches and two losses, he leads the sack race at 2/1, according to Sky Bet.

5. West Brom are flying

Who would have thought West Brom would win their first two matches? The Baggies have been great so far, and the team have done it with three well scouted new signings playing a big part. Gareth Barry, Jay Rodriguez and Ahmed Hegazy have all been vital in the opening two matches. Can the team keep it up? There is a chance as West Brom’s next three fixtures are very winnable. Stoke, Brighton and West Ham are to come next before a late September trip to the Emirates to play Arsenal.

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