GettyAre Leicester and Brendan Rodgers for real?
Elsewhere, a certain Sunderland star lives up to his name
As we head into October and the days get shorter, it’s nice to know that we’re still just a few weeks into the new football season.
Up and down the country, the various league tables are starting to take shape as we start to see which teams are seriously going to challenge over the next few months... and which still need to figure things out.
Here’s what people have been talking about this weekend.
1) Wait for it...
If patience is a virtue, then Leon Clarke is the most righteous man in football. The Sheffield United striker finally made his Premier League debut on Saturday, 16 years into his senior football career.
2) Pick a side
It’s been some start to the season for Arsenal Women, who are looking more than capable of defending their WSL crown. The Gunners have won all six of their games across three competitions so far this season.
The English champions have conceded just once so far this season and showed remarkable variety in their 18 goals in the new campaign.
3) Rodger that
Leicester were on top form on Sunday, hitting Newcastle for five to move back into third in the Premier League table, reigniting the discussion over whether or not Brendan Rodgers is actually one of the best managers in Britain right now.
After dominating in Scotland with Celtic, the Northern Irishman has worked his magic at the King Power Stadium.
4) They’re magic, you know
In the modern game, you’ve got to be ready for anything the opposition throws at you.
Anything.
5) No paying, no gain
Partick Thistle put an end to their winless start to the Scottish Championship season with a 3-1 victory over Inverness in what we can only assume is known as the Thistle-derby on Saturday.
Having picked up just two points from their opening six games, you’d have thought the Jags would be happy to pick up three points in Ian McCall’s first game and move off the foot of the table. But every win comes at a price.
6) Badd boys
You’ve got to hand it to Yeovil, they were really leaving nothing to chance in their clash with top-of-the-table Bromley at the weekend.
If you’re going to pull off a big win, you’ve got to make sure that everyone is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Even the ball boys.
All of them.
We’re sure the referee started to regret his decision a few minutes later when he realised he’d have to assume some new duties.
7) Taking out the big guns
Man Utd take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday night in a game that could have huge implications in the race for a top-four finish.
The Gunners have had a similarly difficult start to the new campaign but Solsjkaer and co should be on their guard, with Unai Emery’s men slaying some giants over the last few games.
Both sides have struggled somewhat against the so-called smaller teams in the division as of late.
8) Sending a sign
It’s not just in England where fans are feeling disillusioned with viewers at home prioritised over those who actually go out to the stadiums each weekend.
Supporters in France have taken a novel approach to protesting the change of kick off times in order to accommodate viewers in China, with Lyon fans unveiling a “Free Tibet” tifo ahead of their game against Nantes on Saturday.
9) Hitting the spot
If you hear a penalty has been scored in the Premier League, it’s pretty safe to assume it was Luka Milivojević who scored it.
He only arrived in the Premier League on 2017’s January transfer deadline day.
10) They’ve got the Blues
Brighton will be sick of the sight of Chelsea as the Seagulls are still chasing their first non-defeat against the Blues in the league.
In case you were wondering, Brighton did manage to win the first ever meeting between the two sides back in 1933’s FA Cup but have failed to win in the 86 years since.
