Matchweek 2 of the 2023/24 EPL season saw Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs outclass Man United, Chelsea lose yet another London derby, and a smooth start for the title fancies.
Ange’s Spurs outclass Man United
Ange Postecgolou can breathe. More than that, the Aussie manager can rejoice that his system has already transformed Tottenham.
Spurs hosted Manchester United on Sunday morning (AEST) as $2.85 outsiders but dominated a lacklustre United outfit ($2.30) in the second half. Postecoglou’s men controlled proceedings after the break and were well worth the 2-0 victory ($6.50 pre-match at -1.0). It was Pape Matar Sarr ($22 first goalscorer) who got Spurs underway, before a Lisandro Martinez own goal sealed the deal. They showed the same energy they brought to Brentford on the opening weekend of the EPL season, except this time they were more defensively sound. Against a better side, Spurs didn’t allow United to expose them on the flanks and get in behind the fullbacks as occurred in West London, which is another positive sign in Ange’s early days at the helm.
Their next three outings present very winnable games; against Bournemouth, Burnley and Sheffield United. It’s still far too early to predict how a renewed Spurs side will fare table-wise this EPL season. But an early win against one of the world’s biggest clubs — albeit not at their best — will give them confidence and hope.
"This manager is no nonsense" 😤
Andros Townsend, Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp discuss Ange Postecoglou's impact at Spurs pic.twitter.com/SD6XEBhwSv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 19, 2023
Chelsea grab unwanted record
It wasn’t supposed to be this way for new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. After a solid outing to kick off their EPL season (1-1 with Liverpool), the Blues travelled across town to London rivals West Ham as $2.00 favourites to kick-start their campaign with three points. And while they went down 1-0 to the Hammers ($3.70) inside seven minutes, things looked far brighter for Chelsea when teenager Carney Chukwuemeka equalised, before they won a penalty before the break. But from that moment, things went pear-shaped for Pochettino. Not only was Enzo Fernandez’s spot-kick saved by Alphonse Areola, but David Moyes’ side — down to 10 men in the second half — went on to win 3-1 ($7.40 pre-match at -1.0).
To make matters worse, £100m+ signing Moises Caicedo fluffed a golden chance to make it 2-2 and then went on to conceded a penalty himself in injury time, which Lucas Paqueta converted to seal victory. The defeat is grim reading for Chelsea fans when you consider recent history in crosstown games. In fact, this was the FOURTH London derby loss in a row, after defeat to Arsenal in May, Brentford in April and Spurs in February. Each of these losses was by a margin of two-goals, too. Matchweek 3, when they host Luton this Saturday morning (AEST), couldn’t come sooner.
Frustrations for the Chelsea head coach 😤#WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/8vNmECctXH
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 20, 2023
Smooth start for title fancies
If early indicators are anything this season, it could well be another title fight between Manchester City and Arsenal. The two clubs, along with Brighton, are the only EPL sides to have won their first two games of the 2023/24 season. City faced perhaps the toughest task of Matchweek 2, hosting a pumped-up Newcastle outfit. And while the Magpies ($5.00) impressed again, Pep Guardiola’s men ($1.65 favourites) proved too shrewd and too strong in running out 1-0 victors – a Julian Alvarez strike ($6.50 first goalscorer) proving the difference.
Arsenal similarly ran out 1-0 winners on Tuesday morning (AEST) with a less convincing, far grittier performance at Crystal Palace. After a Martin Odegaard penalty put them up eight minutes into the second half ($8.25 first goalscorer), Arsenal ($1.55) had to survive a nervy final 20 minutes after a red card shown to left-back Takehiro Tomiyasu. Any team that hopes to challenge for the title simply has to win those games. And that’s exactly what Mikel Arteta’s team did.
The perfect start for both clubs has seen City shorten from $1.72 into $1.57 in Palmerbet’s title market, and Arsenal come in from $6.00 into $5.00.
Bet Now ON ALL EPL MARKETSJulian Alvarez's goal secured victory over Newcastle United on our @premierleague return to the Etihad! 🕷
Here's how it happened ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/pgEKW3g4hS
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 19, 2023