Winners and losers from Matchday 2 of Premier League

Kevin de Bruyne is out with an injury but Manchester City responded with a massive win over Huddersfield.

The bright lights and hot takes from the opening weekend of the Premier League are behind us. However, even though it’s still early in the season, there are a few notable trends to monitor over the coming weeks.

Whether it’s Jose Mourinho’s future at Manchester United or Arsenal and Chelsea adapting to new managers, there was plenty of note-taking over the past few days.

Here are three winners and three losers from Matchday 2 of the Premier League.

WINNERS

Under-pressure strikers
Harry Kane finally scored in August, thus ending one of the league’s most tired narratives. There were still signs of fatigue from Kane, but at least he was able to put an end to that storyline.

Elsewhere, Alvaro Morata bagged just his second Premier League goal in his last 16 appearances. It was a well-taken goal as well, as Morata rounded Shkodran Mustafi and beat Petr Cech with a composed finish.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri turned Gonzalo Higuain into one of Europe’s most lethal strikers and Dries Mertens, a winger by trade, into a dynamic false nine. Surely Sarri can work his magic on Morata, especially since the numbers do prove that the Spaniard just experienced some bad luck.

Benjamin Mendy
It’s two matches into the season and Benjamin Mendy has three assists, including two in Manchester City’s victory over Huddersfield Town on Sunday.

After Mendy’s devastating knee injury last year, he’s slowly returning to his old Monaco form. Those bombing runs down the left and whipped, low crosses into the box were his specialty in the principality, and manager Pep Guardiola is more than happy to utilize those strengths.

The French left-back hugged the touchline versus Huddersfield more often compared to the opener against Arsenal, when he drifted centrally more often. Because the Terriers were so narrow, City required a player who could stretch the opposing back line.

Mendy was the difference-maker for City and this is surely the beginning of an excellent season for the World Cup-winning full-back.

Chelsea, Arsenal midfields
Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Arsenal was determined by Chelsea’s easing off the high press in the attacking third and the Gunners repeatedly exploiting Marcos Alonso through Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

However, Chelsea’s Jorginho, Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal, plus second-half substitute Lucas Torreira were fantastic for their respective sides and deserve to be singled out.

By now, Guendouzi’s story is known. He played in Ligue 2 before joining Arsenal in the summer at 19 years old. His first two appearances have come against two of Europe’s marquee clubs and he’s been quite solid in both matches.

There have been some rushed passes or the odd hesitant sequence, which is to be expected. That’s why Torreira playing with Guendouzi works well.

The Uruguayan has a habit of snuffing out the ball, executing a tackle and laying off the ball for the closest midfielder. That’s where Guendouzi comes in. Granit Xhaka may have something to say about that, but competition for places is always a positive.

As for Jorginho, his knowledge of Sarri’s complex system is already proving vital. He’s marshalling the players, telling them where they need to be positioned and they’re catching on quickly.

That pass to find Marcos Alonso before setting up Pedro for the first goal was classic Jorginho as well.

So far, so good for these three players.

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LOSERS

Jose Mourinho
It must be said that Brighton & Hove Albion were exceptional on Sunday against Manchester United. Glenn Murray, Anthony Knockaert and Solly March scythed through United’s defence as if they weren’t there. It was a thoroughly deserved win for the hosts.

However, every negative result will put even more pressure on Manchester United manager Mourinho. Even he’s aware that his words carry extra weight these days and is playing it safe with the media.

United appears to be a sluggish and disinterested side. That can point to the players no longer having confidence in the manager.

Everyone is aware of the transfer market issues, but even Mourinho can’t use that excuse after that sort of performance. If this side, with hundreds of millions of dollars worth of players, can’t defeat Brighton, there are far deeper issues than just a lack of incoming signings.

Kenedy
It’s arguable that Kenedy helped Newcastle United surge up the top in the second half of last season. Unfortunately for him, though, the 0-0 draw with Cardiff City is a match he’ll want to forget.

Not only did the Brazilian have a late penalty saved by Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, he was also sloppy in possession. Kenedy committed a handful of turnovers in the match and didn’t complete a single pass in the first half, demonstrating his struggles on the ball on Saturday. He also avoided a retroactive ban for kicking Victor Camarasa.

Overall, it was a pretty dour outing for Kenedy, but he should be able to recover from this.

West Ham United midfield
The Jack Wilshere-Mark Noble partnership in midfield just doesn’t work. West Ham United was completely overrun by Bournemouth, who was far more dynamic in the central channels.

Noble’s lack of pace is an issue, especially as Wilshere does like to advance forward at times. This leaves gaps in the middle, which Bournemouth exploited.

Noble and Wilshere’s combined heat map (left) compared to Bournemouth’s midfield heat map, via WhoScored.com.

Someone like Carlos Sanchez might be a better fit. He’s a durable holding midfielder and more mobile than Noble. Dropping a West Ham legend might raise some controversy, but if anyone can make the tough decisions, it’s manager Manuel Pellegrini.

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