The discussion surrounding Xabi Alonso’s developing Chelsea side has largely focused on their offensive potential. Their ability to find the net is undeniable – they have managed to score at least once in every league game this season.
However, relying solely on firepower will not rescue a team that cannot keep a clean sheet. Defensive frailty has plagued the Blues for a while, and it is not just an Alonso problem. This marks the twentieth consecutive Premier League match in which Chelsea have conceded.
The arrival of World Cup‑winning goalkeeper Emi Martínez, a multiple‑time Yashin Trophy winner, should have been a major boost. Yet, if the back line fails to perform the basic defensive duties in front of him, Martínez is reduced to the status of a mere custodian, no better than a stand‑in. Hull City’s 1.32 expected‑goals (xG) against Stamford Bridge illustrated how dangerous they were at times, even though they never truly broke the home side down.
Most of their chances came from a defensive lapse that handed them clear opportunities. Chelsea’s attacking talent is obvious and exciting, but Alonso must draw on the defensive lessons he learned under José Mourinho and shape a side that is harder to score against if he wants to mount a genuine title challenge. --- At Anfield, there were celebrations on Wednesday when Andoni Iraola secured his first Champions League victory as Liverpool manager against Atlético Madrid.
The win was expected to come at some point during the season, but the broader issue was whether the new boss could handle an intensified schedule. Iraola had impressed at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth, but those clubs did not face the added strain of European fixtures. Liverpool’s first real test of this new workload came against Fulham, and they failed to meet it. The team started sluggishly, could not match the tempo Iraola normally demands, and struggled to raise their level of play.
Fulham deserved the point they earned and were on course to win the match. While Iraola’s unbeaten run as Liverpool manager continues – a streak that dates back to his tenure with the Cherries in early January – his home record against Nottingham Forest and Fulham has yielded only two points, indicating that more work is needed. When asked whether fatigue explained the poor performance, Iraola admitted: “In the end, this is the easier one, for me, for you, for everyone – our players were tired. I think there is a lack of freshness, definitely.
We cannot hide it. I think it’s the worst turnaround in terms of 60‑something hours between the games, after a very big game the other day. But this is going to happen more times, maybe with one more day, maybe.” The onus now lies on Iraola to find solutions and restore Liverpool’s competitiveness.
--- Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimarães was asked after his side’s 2‑0 win over Sunderland whether he considered David Raya the world’s best goalkeeper. He answered unequivocally: “Definitely.” Guimarães’ spectacular strike completed a rapid two‑minute turnaround at the Stadium of Light, but it was Raya’s superb penalty save from Enzo Le Fee that proved decisive. Arteta argued that the spot‑kick should not have been awarded, yet Raya’s focus was singular – to stop it.
Le Fee struck the ball well, but Raya displayed athleticism by diving low to his left and making the save. Throughout the 90 minutes, Raya continued to dominate his area, claiming crosses and exuding calm under pressure.
His late‑game intervention to deny Nordi Mukiele after a brilliant Granit Xhaka cross, when Arsenal were only a goal ahead, was another crucial moment. He quickly recovered to deal with the follow‑up, demonstrating his constant alertness. Although Raya was a bench player for Spain at the World Cup, there is little doubt about his status as one of the Premier League’s, if not the world’s, top custodians. His contributions are vital for Arsenal’s success, and he has repeatedly proved to be a match‑winner.
--- Tottenham’s most pressing problem is simple to identify: they cannot score goals. The Spurs have yet to win a league match this season, having gone 400 minutes without finding the net. Despite fielding several creative players, the team’s primary goal‑scorer remains invisible.
Dominic Solanke’s fitness is crucial for Tottenham. As the only true number‑nine in De Zerbi’s squad, he must be selected when fit, because the team seems to have no viable alternative. Yet, whether due to rust from recent injuries or another issue, Solanke’s impact was minimal – he recorded just 19 touches, fewer than Brentford’s goalkeeper Kinsky, and failed to register a single shot.
When the player whose job is to score does not even attempt to shoot, it is unsurprising that Spurs struggle in the final third. Only De Zerbi can explain whether the problem lies with his teammates not providing Solanke with service or with Solanke’s own inability to replace Harry Kane. Replacing Kane is a monumental task, and since his departure three years ago, Solanke has been the main investment to fill that void. While the club needed reinforcements across the board after last season, the lack of a reliable striker is now a glaring concern.
With no new signings until January, De Zerbi must find a way to involve Solanke more effectively if Tottenham hope to turn their fortunes around. --- Bournemouth have become the first team in Premier League history to lead in each of their first four matches of a season and fail to win any of them. After a draw with Newcastle, Marco Rose admitted that game management was an area requiring improvement. The Cherries created 20 shots, ten on target, while Brentford managed only two attempts on goal.
Statistically, one would expect at least two goals for Bournemouth, yet they could not convert. A worrying pattern emerged when Bournemouth surrendered leads quickly. Against Brentford, they went 2‑1 up only to concede an equaliser within three minutes.
This rapid loss of momentum after scoring has become a recurring theme for Rose’s side. The squad clearly possesses the quality to win matches, but until they can protect their leads and prevent opponents from regaining momentum almost immediately, they will continue to drop points. Four leads, zero wins – a stark reminder of the fine margins in the Premier League. --- Ipswich Town have shown a remarkable turnaround in their second season back in the top flight.
Where they needed 16 games to secure just two wins in their first return, this time they have achieved three victories in four matches. After beating Sunderland on opening day, they led at Old Trafford against Manchester United before eventually losing 5‑2, and they posted a higher xG than Liverpool in a recent 2‑0 defeat. Against Crystal Palace, goals from Emerson Palacio and Leif Davis came easily, and a red card for Axel Disasi gave them an extra advantage. When Palace equalised to make it 2‑2, Ipswich did not panic; they remained patient, trusting that the winning goal would eventually arrive – and it did.
Moreover, this was the third of four games in which Ipswich allowed less than 0.70 xG, highlighting their defensive solidity. While newly promoted Hull receive most of the media attention, Ipswich’s steady progress deserves recognition. --- Aston Villa’s attacking output has been alarmingly low. Against Nottingham Forest they managed just seven shots, the third‑lowest total in 59 home league games under Unai Emery.
The issue was not merely a lack of goals but a broader deficiency in attacking fluency, penetration, and creativity. Villa underwent a significant overhaul this summer, bringing in numerous new players. It takes time for a new group to develop an intuitive understanding of each other’s movements, especially in the final third.
Additionally, a new goalkeeper and several fresh faces must still adapt to Emery’s tactical demands. Nevertheless, seven shots at home is a red flag regardless of personnel changes.
Villa need to create more clear‑cut chances and get their attackers into dangerous positions more often. The fact that Forest did not need to produce a defensive masterclass to limit Villa makes the problem even more concerning. Emery, known for his problem‑solving abilities, will undoubtedly prioritize fixing this issue quickly.
--- Liam Delap delivered a performance reminiscent of his early reputation: a relentless, physical striker who makes defenders uncomfortable simply by charging towards them. In Nottingham Forest’s 2‑1 win over Aston Villa, Delap attacked the channels with unrelenting energy, chased down lost causes, and gave Villa’s back line no time to settle. He combined aggression with composure, striking a powerful shot that found the net with perfect timing.
His display was direct, powerful, and relentless – exactly the qualities Forest signed him for. --- Overall, the Premier League narrative this week has been dominated by defensive vulnerabilities at Chelsea and Liverpool, attacking inefficiencies at Tottenham and Aston Villa, and promising signs from Bournemouth, Ipswich and Forest. Managers will need to address these issues swiftly if they hope to secure points in the tightly contested season ahead.