Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a wide player who has six goals and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an awkward situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their past two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally than any other English footballer in the top flight this season on six and will be keen to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's team must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from this position, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity emerges as seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured at club level in a month following a muscle issue while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
