With Liverpool’s loss on Saturday, there is now one remaining team with four wins from four Premier League games. In the least surprising fashion, it’s Manchester City, winners of four consecutive Premier League titles. While it’s obviously too early to declare that the title is already theirs, Erling Haaland already having nine goals from four matches and the defense doing just enough to not lose games, that old feeling of the inevitable that City, will win another title just keeps increasing.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool got out of the gates well winning their first three matches without conceding a goal but all it took was one slip up for them to drop points to Nottingham Forest. No one is going to stop a shot like the one that Callum Hudson-Odoi curled in for Forest’s winning goal, but that’s also where CIty, and their high octane attack, separate themselves from the pack.
City went behind only one minute into their match against Brentford. By halftime, Haaland had a brace and the result was just about secured. It’s a gear that other teams like Arsenal have been able to match during moments of the season but no one has been able to withstand the physical and mental battle that it takes to defeat City.
Martin Odegaard’s injury and Declan Rice’s suspension already raise plenty of questions for the Gunners ahead of a critical North London derby facing Tottenham. Given that the title was decided by two points last season, it’s important to find a way to get as many early points as possible especially with each team playing more matches in Champions League now.
The only team who can stop Manchester City is themselves and their injuries, but even now, they’re performing these feats without Phil Foden. He has only made one appearance this season due to struggling with injuries after scoring 19 goals last campaign. The man to watch is Haaland as if he misses time, City doesn’t have another recognized striker on the roster, but the Norwegian has been quite durable in league play so far, appearing in 70 of 80 possible league matches in just over two seasons with the club.
In looking for who can challenge City for the title, one unexpected contender may actual be Newcastle United. They’ve had their own struggles starting the season with Fabian Schar picking up a suspension in their first match and Alexander Isak struggling to find the back of the net, but they’ve still managed to secure seven points in three matches. A victory against Wolverhampton could see the Magpies rise as high as second in the league. Without European soccer, their depth concerns also won’t be as magnified as last campaign.
It’s still Manchester City’s league to lose at this stage, but when other teams need to be perfect to even come within touching distance of City, playing fewer games is a critical factor. Arsenal and Liverpool won’t go away, but there are questions that they have to answer. Arsenal felt like they were a striker away from winning the league and after not signing one during the summer they have to get attacking output from everywhere. Under Slot, Liverpool have looked great but it’s one thing to start the season well and another to respond to a rough patch. After losing to Forest, we’ll have a chance to see how the Reds bounce back. More dropped points from teams could end up keeping the title in Manchester for a fifth consecutive season.
