The latest match reports underline a troubling pattern for Tottenham Hotspur: a team that looks capable but is currently mired in a nightmare of poor performances at both ends of the pitch. In just five league games they have failed to secure a single win, and they have slipped back into the relegation zone.
Their attacking unit is wasteful, squandering chances, while their defence looks determined to hand the opposition free gifts through sloppy passing, questionable decisions and glaring lapses. Roberto De Zerbi, the manager, was visibly frustrated after the defeat to Aston Villa. He described the defensive error that led to Villa’s second goal as "unacceptable" and his anger was palpable during the post‑match press conference.
The most striking admission was that he did not even speak to his players after the loss – a clear sign that he believes the same mistakes are repeating themselves and that words alone will not fix the problem. The situation is made worse by the timing of the international break.
De Zerbi now has to wait more than two weeks before he can get the squad back together for a focused training session, meaning the players who need the most guidance will be out of his reach for a considerable period. This is not a season that should be written off. The Spurs roster contains a wealth of talent, but talent is rendered useless when a side consistently shoots itself in the foot. Top clubs do not allow such self‑sabotage to become a habit.
If De Zerbi cannot eradicate these tendencies quickly, the campaign could become another chapter of humiliation for the club. One of the standout performers for the opposition was Nicolas Jackson, who tormented Tottenham with a blend of silky skill and physical power.
He kept the Spurs centre‑backs under constant pressure, offering himself as an outlet, protecting the ball and pulling his teammates into the game. Jackson’s display reminded everyone why Chelsea invested heavily in him. Although he does not always rack up the goals his all‑round contributions merit, his confidence can make the entire team click: midfielders have a target to feed, wingers have a partner to combine with, and the forwards find space to exploit.
His performance also produced the decisive goal that doubled Villa’s lead, underscoring the type of centre‑forward impact Tottenham are missing in the middle of the park. Turning to Arsenal, the Gunners suffered a 3‑0 loss to Brighton, a result that should have been even worse given the opportunities they missed. Brighton created three big chances that could have turned the scoreline into a six‑goal drubbing.
Arsenal’s away record over the past few years has been exemplary – they have collected more points on the road than any other side in the last five seasons – yet this display was uncharacteristically poor. The last time Arsenal conceded three goals away in the Premier League was in December 2023, a match they actually won 4‑3 at Luton.
The most recent three‑goal defeat before this came in May 2023, also at the hands of Brighton. Mikel Arteta recognised the problem early, admitting that Arsenal were in trouble from the first throw‑in.
He framed the defeat as a "bad day at the office" rather than a symptom of a deeper issue, emphasizing that the team has won every other match this season despite a congested schedule, late World Cup returns and a spate of defensive injuries. Arteta also pointed to the 2026 Carabao Cup final loss as a previous low point that was followed by a series of setbacks – an FA Cup exit, a defeat to Bournemouth and a loss to Manchester City that briefly shifted the title race.
The upcoming international break should give the Gunners time to recover, but they must ensure this Brighton stumble does not become a wobble that undermines their title ambitions. Brighton, meanwhile, have started the campaign in electrifying fashion. They lead the Premier League in goals scored while also improving a defence that was already the third‑best last season.
Under Fabian Hürzeler, they have managed to beat the reigning champions for three consecutive seasons – a feat that becomes even more impressive when the victories are against fully‑fledged title‑contenders rather than clubs already in decline. Their resilience is evident when key players are unavailable: when Carlos Baleba left, Chema Andrés stepped up; when Danny Welbeck departed, Georginio Rutter delivered crucial goals against United and Arsenal; and when Jack Hinshelwood suffered injury, Pascal Gross contributed seven goal involvements in five games. Hürzeler praised Gross as "like a fine wine," and the same sentiment applies to the whole squad, which continues to improve week after week. Everton’s story under David Moyes offers another glimpse of over‑achievement despite constraints.
With the smallest squad in the division, they have remained unbeaten in their first seven matches across all competitions, keeping five clean sheets. After a contentious VAR decision that threatened to overturn their win over Ipswich, Moyes’ side held firm. He even suggested that a limited squad can be an advantage, saying they are trying to make it work that way. Everton recorded 21 shots against Ipswich – a club record for a Premier League game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium – yet Moyes still feels there is room for improvement, particularly in front of goal.
Thierno Barry was denied a legitimate goal by VAR, and Everton squandered four major chances, a level of wastefulness that could bite them later. Nevertheless, Moyes’ ability to maximise the tools at his disposal has earned praise, and his managerial insight could push Everton further than their recruitment budget would normally allow.
In the north, Newcastle United displayed a mix of defensive grit and attacking flair in a 2‑1 win over Hull City. Harvey Barnes was the catalyst, providing two assists within the first seven minutes – the quickest double‑assist ever recorded by a Newcastle player in a Premier League match, beating Fabian Schar’s nine‑minute record from the 6‑1 demolition of Tottenham in 2023. Barnes’ precise through‑ball set up Joe Willock, and his subsequent cross led to a goal by Lewis Hall. Throughout the game Barnes continued to create chances, even when Newcastle were under pressure.
He now boasts five goal contributions in seven games under manager Matthias Jaissle, yet he was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in favour of Eberechi Eze, who has yet to start a Premier League match for Arsenal this season. If Barnes maintains his form, a call‑up seems inevitable. Coventry City’s 1‑0 victory at Nottingham Forest marked their first top‑flight win in 25 years, the previous one being against Sunderland in April 2001.
Back then there was no VAR, but this time the technology played a decisive role, overturning a potential Igor Jesus goal that would have been cruelly denied. Jay Dasilva’s winner, assisted by goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, showcased the spirit and quality that have turned Coventry from perennial underdogs into a genuine Premier League side. Early season fears that Frank Lampard’s team would become the league’s basement club have been dispelled; after five attempts they have proven they belong at this level. Their win at the City Ground adds to Nottingham Forest’s growing list of away defeats, a trend that has seen Forest earn fewer home points than only Tottenham in the current campaign.
Chelsea, for the first time this season, were without their notorious front three – often dubbed "JP Morgan" – after Joao Pedro’s injury. Danny Welbeck filled in, but the new attacking trio of Welbeck, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers managed only one shot on target, a stark drop from their average of three in the previous four league games.
Pedro is not just a scorer; he drops deep to link play and provides a balance of goals and assists. Xabi Alonso refused to use his absence as an excuse, but it is clear the manager would welcome his quick return after the international break. Brentford’s most valuable signing of the window may be Jannik Schuster, who arrived from Red Bull Salzburg for £13 million. While the team’s attacking display – three goals, Igor Thiago’s first of the season and Kevin Schade’s two assists – was impressive, their defensive performance against Chelsea was equally noteworthy.
Schuster’s 12 clearances earned him the Player of the Match award, double the next best Brentford player, and highlighted his immediate impact despite it being his first home Premier League start against a seasoned opponent. Manager Keith Andrews praised his fearlessness, character and aggression, noting that Schuster’s love for defending is evident in every match. Overall, the early weeks of the Premier League have produced a tapestry of narratives: Spurs battling self‑inflicted wounds, Arsenal confronting an unexpected dip, Brighton rising as a goal‑scoring powerhouse, Everton punching above their weight, Newcastle’s wing‑play brilliance, Coventry’s historic revival, Chelsea coping without a key attacker, and Brentford’s defensive solidity bolstered by a new signing.
The international break looms, offering teams a chance to regroup, heal injuries and address the tactical flaws that have emerged. How each club uses this pause could shape the trajectory of their seasons, turning potential crises into opportunities for resurgence or, conversely, cementing a slide that proves difficult to reverse.