The controversy around this is ultimately about more than just an error of judgement. It's the fact that the on-field team initially came to the correct decision. If VAR wanted to ask the refereeing team to have another look and review the footage, the assistant referee involved in making that call could have been reviewing the footage alongside them. In the end, they made the wrong decision, and Manchester United now suffer as a result.
Category: Premier League
Xabi Alonso – Chelsea – Tactical Analysis
It's been four Premier League matches for Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, and already, the Blues are so much more fun. They're scoring goals left, right, and centre, have the most harmonious and eye-pleasing front three in the league, and a tactically complex shape full of new faces and utter disorganization in defense. Chelsea fans might have been hoping for a slightly better start to this season, but they can be optimistic about the club's direction under Xabi Alonso. Here is an analysis of Chelsea so far this season, and what needs to change.
Matthias Jaissle – Newcastle United – Tactical Analysis
Matthias Jaissle has only been in charge for a month now, and Newcastle are still a work in progress. They've lost some of their most influential figureheads, and are rapidly changing their approach and identity. Instilling his philosophies across the pitch and integrating all the new faces will take time. But with so much in the Premier League also being new, Jaissle has started the campaign on an impressive unbeaten run. While it's only three matches in, Newcastle fans can be optimistic that they've found a new spark to life in the league.
The new Martin Ødegaard is the Premier League’s best player
Going into this season, even despite his fantastic World Cup campaign, fans might have wondered if we were witnessing the slow decline of Martin Ødegaard, soon to be fazed out. But instead, it's been the opposite. Martin Ødegaard has not only been Arsenal's best player to start this season, but arguably the best in the Premier League over the opening three matches. Here is why the Arsenal captain has thrived in 2026-27 so far.
Tactical talking points from Matchday 1
The new season has sprung upon us, enlisting a host of exciting tactical tweaks to explore. Some things might not last more than a match, and that's all part of the fun of the first round of fixtures. Here is what stood out to me from Matchday 1.
Lewis-Skelly and Tzolis star in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Coventry
Earlier this week in my Arsenal preview, I declared the Gunners as favourites for the Premier League title again in 2026-27. They’re just so complete. So well drilled. So organized. No missing components to the puzzle. It’s a really efficient side that Mikel Arteta has built, and one that can hurt opposing teams from such a vast variety of angles. To no surprise, they rolled Frank Lampard’s Coventry City over in the opening fixture of the 2026-27 season - claiming an impressive 3-0 win. All eleven players in an Arsenal shirt stood out. Tactically, two of the players deserve the most post-game commentary.
How Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal could look in 2026-27
Arteta's made subtle adjustments in the transfer window to keep his squad the same, adding only a few pieces to the puzzle. The only loss is Leandro Trossard, and it's safe to say that United, Liverpool and City have endured greater losses. Meanwhile, Bruno Guimarães adds another versatile dimension in midfield, and Greek international Christos Tzolis has looked bright in the pre-season to make up for that Trossard loss. Here is everything you need to know about Arteta's Arsenal in 2026-27, and why they may just win the title again.
How Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool could look in 2026-27
After winning the title in Arne Slot's first Premier League campaign, Liverpool endured one of their worst seasons across the past decade in his second, ultimately resulting in an end of season sacking. Three points below them, Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth secured European football for the first time in club history. Despite that, the prospect of taking the wheel at one of football's most historic club must have been too good to turn down, and we now prepare for a new evolution in Liverpool's post-Klopp era. Here is a look into Andoni Iraola's Liverpool, and what they still need to solve in the transfer market ahead of the first fixture.
