Nemanja Matic has given Paul Pogba licence to roam at Manchester United while Antonio Rudiger is settling at Chelsea - 10 THINGS WE LEARNED

  • Premier League news: All the latest from the English top flight 
  • Paul Pogba had six goal attempts in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Leicester  
  • Antonio Rudiger produced a dominant display as Chelsea cruised past Everton
  • Kyle Naughton relished Swansea's switch to a back three at Crystal Palace
  • Marco Silva has made a decent start at Watford but doesn't know his best team

Three games into the Premier League season and we now have to contend with a fortnight without top-flight domestic action due to the first international break of the campaign, with managers twiddling their thumbs.

Bosses will also be crossing their fingers hoping that their squad comes back with a clean bill of health from travelling the globe, but the Bank Holiday weekend has provided a round of fixtures with plenty more talking points. 

Ralph Ellis has studied all the stats and facts from the action, not only in the top flight but throughout the Football League, and brings you the 10 things we learned from it all... 

Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score the opener as Manchester United won again

Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score the opener as Manchester United won again

But it has been an abysmal start to the campaign for West Ham following three straight losses

But it has been an abysmal start to the campaign for West Ham following three straight losses

 

1. It's fair to say that the signing of German international centre half Antonio Rudiger left some Chelsea fans underwhelmed but there are good signs the 24-year-old is settling well.


The £34million recruit from Roma was one of Antonio Conte's first targets when he arrived at Stamford Bridge but the deal was held up 12 months after Rudiger injured knee ligaments.

It looks worth the wait. He was dominant against Everton in the 2-0 win, and after picking up bookings in his first two games didn't concede a single free kick.

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was largely untroubled in keeping a clean sheet

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was largely untroubled in keeping a clean sheet

2. Nemanja Matic's arrival at Old Trafford is giving Paul Pogba more licence to show the attacking side of his game and he had six goal attempts in the 2-0 win over Leicester.

The £89m former Juventus midfielder, who got goals in both United's first two Premier League games, couldn't find his range with all of his efforts off target apart from one that was blocked.

But it was still hugely encouraging for United fans to see the 24-year-old show such attacking intent – last season he averaged just three goal attempts per game.

United star Paul Pogba has shown greater attacking verve this season under Jose Mourinho

United star Paul Pogba has shown greater attacking verve this season under Jose Mourinho

3. Stoke began talking with skipper Ryan Shawcross at the start of the summer about a new contract – he has only a year of his current deal remaining – and they need to get it done quickly.

Mark Hughes has spent £97m on 16 players in the four and a bit seasons since taking over at Stoke but Shawcross, who has been there 10 years, remains his key player.

He led by example in the 1-1 draw at West Brom, standing up to the aerial bombardment from set pieces making 15 clearances.

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross is yet to commit himself to a longer deal in the Potteries

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross is yet to commit himself to a longer deal in the Potteries

4. Kyle Naughton clearly relished Swansea's switch to a back three at Crystal Palace and the chance to play as a more attacking wing back.

The 28-year-old former Spurs defender, who signed a new contract at the Liberty Stadium in the summer and has replaced Angel Rangel as first-choice right back, set up Jordan Ayew's goal that clinched the 2-0 win.

He also played more accurate passes (22) in Palace's half than any other Swansea player, setting up two more chances in the process, as well as winning the ball back more times (9) than anybody else.

Swansea wing back Kyle Naughton has benefited from Paul Clement reverting to a back three

Swansea wing back Kyle Naughton has benefited from Paul Clement reverting to a back three

5. Manchester City's flowing commitment to attacking football makes keeping Vincent Kompany fit all the more crucial for Pep Guardiola's attempt to win his first Premier League title.

The 31-year-old City captain held a sometimes shaky defence together to play a crucial role in the dramatic 2-1 win at Bournemouth.

He made 11 clearances, three more than attacking full backs Danilo and Benjamin Mendy managed between them.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany showcased his importance with vital clearances

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany showcased his importance with vital clearances

6. Marco Silva has made a decent start at Watford but it looks fair to say he doesn't know his best team yet.

The Portuguese coach who made such an impression when he just failed to pull off a miracle keeping Hull up last season has already used 21 players in three Premier League games, more than any other boss.

He might need a few more as he'll be without defender Miguel Britos following his red card for that horrendous tackle on Anthony Knockaert.

Watford manager Marco Silva is still working out what his best starting XI is at Vicarage Road

Watford manager Marco Silva is still working out what his best starting XI is at Vicarage Road

7. If Mauricio Pellegrino is going to make a success of his job as Southampton manager he needs to find a way of getting striker Manolo Gabbiadini more involved.

The Italian enjoyed a meteoric start under Claude Puel after his £15m move from Napoli in January with six goals in five games before suffering a knee injury.

He has got one goal under his belt this term in the win over West Ham, but was hauled off with nearly 20 minutes left in the 0-0 draw at Huddersfield having had just 21 touches of the ball.

Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini experienced a very quiet game against Huddersfield

Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini experienced a very quiet game against Huddersfield

8. Highly-rated Liverpool starlet Sheyi Ojo, one of England's Under-20 World Cup-winning team, could turn out a key signing for Fulham after joining the Championship club on loan for the season.

Ojo, whose career at Anfield has stalled under Jurgen Klopp, made a big difference on his full league debut as Slavisa Jokanovic's side won 2-0 at Portman Road to end Ipswich's 100 per cent record.

Liverpool starlet Sheyi Ojo impressed on his loan debut for Fulham in the 2-0 win at Ipswich 

Liverpool starlet Sheyi Ojo impressed on his loan debut for Fulham in the 2-0 win at Ipswich 

9. Bristol Rovers will be relieved when the transfer window shuts if striker Billy Bodin is still with them – the 25-year-old son of former Wales international Paul is attracting interest from Championship clubs.

Bodin, picked up on a free from Northampton two years ago when his career seemed to be stalling and in the final year of a contract he signed in 2016, scored his fifth of the season in the 3-1 win over Fleetwood.

That brings him to 18 in his last 31 games, and 12 in the last 14 home matches.

Bristol Rovers striker Billy Bodin is a wanted man after a blistering start to the new campaign

Bristol Rovers striker Billy Bodin is a wanted man after a blistering start to the new campaign

10. Former Wigan boss Gary Caldwell knew taking over at cash-strapped Chesterfield was a tough task when he got the job in January but it's turning out even worse.

After failing to save them from relegation with just 12 points from his 19 games in charge, he had to cut costs in the summer but so far the six new boys he was allowed to recruit are struggling to settle.

The 35-year-old publicly criticised the character of his own players after Frank Nouble's 13-minute hat-trick left them on the wrong end of a 4-1 defeat at Newport.