Premier League talking points: Mahrez mare and Jose joy

Rounding up the big issues

With the second international break of the season on the horizon, the Premier League is about to take a breather.

Gameweek eight provided another belting dose of drama. And the top of the table is tantalisingly poised for resumption in a fortnight’s time.

With the dust settling on another hectic weekend, the Coral News Team have wrapped-up all the top talking points…

Mahrez miss ensures Anfield ends all-square

Liverpool and Manchester City will both be feeling relatively satisfied following their 0-0 draw at Anfield.

The game didn’t quite live up to the hype, but it was a tense affair nonetheless.

City arguably had the better of the match, and would have won the game had Riyad Mahrez not blasted his penalty over the bar in the dying moments.

It was the Algerian’s fourth miss from his last six spot-kicks. The result leaves City, Liverpool and Chelsea all on 20 points after eight games.

Coral have City as 4/6 to win the title, with Liverpool at 9/4 and Chelsea lurking at 8/1.

Sanchez saves Jose at Man United… for now

Reports in the press on Friday suggested that Jose Mourinho would be ousted as Manchester United this week, regardless of their result versus Newcastle United on Saturday night.

So when the Magpies took a shock 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes at Old Trafford, it appeared time was up for the ‘Special One’ at the Theatre of Dreams.

But an inspired second-half performance saw a relentless United wear out Rafa Benitez’s visitors. Quickfire goals from Juan Mata and Anthony Martial made it 2-2, before Alexis Sanchez grabbed the winner in the final minute.

United’s unceasing desire to win the game was typical of their former glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson. But will the win change Mourinho and United’s fortunes? Is Jose still doomed? Time will tell.

Arsenal hit five – and a goal of the season contender

Unai Emery’s Arsenal revolution is slowly coming together. The Gunners won their ninth successive match in all competitions in Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing of Fulham. It was arguably their best performance of the Emery era.

Arsenal were in scintillating form going forward. Alexandre Lacazette continued his excellent start to the season with a brace, while Aaron Ramsey’s effort for their third is a goal of the season contender.

The stunning end-to-end move featured back-flicks, headers, cutthroat passing, pace and more.

A sloppy end to the first half did allow Fulham briefly back into the game, so Emery still has work to do. But Arsenal fans have plenty of reason to be optimistic. They’re only two points off the top, and only Man City have scored more goals.

Nuno’s Super Wolves keep marching on

Wolves are really starting to look the business. Last season’s Championship winners now sit seventh after claiming their fourth win in five games away at Crystal Palace.

They’ve already held both Manchester sides to 1-1 draws, and appear perfectly comfortable at the top level. Nuno Espirito Santo has made his side hard to get past – Wolves’ six goals conceded is only bettered by the top three.

Odds of 80/1 to go down highlight how strong Wolves look right now. A top-half finish is now just 2/9, too.

Cherries take the sting out of the Hornets

Both Watford and Bournemouth were hoping to maintain strong starts to the season when they met at Vicarage Road.

The hosts started brightly but it all fell apart when David Brooks put the Cherries 1-0 up. Christian Kabasele was sent off soon after for a second yellow card, and Watford’s day disintegrated from there as Eddie Howe’s visitors turned rampant.

 It was a clinical performance from the South Coast side, who grabbed a third win in four games, and now sit in a fine and deserved fifth.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing