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NINE THINGS WE LEARNT

Mane deserved red, United slip up and Crystal Palace are already shot: Nine things we took away from this Premier League weekend

YOU missed it, didn't you?

Good old Premier League. Like a reliable old friend, the top flight of English football never lets you down, never fails to deliver on controversy, netbusters and talking points.

 Sadio Mane had to be sent off for his high kick on Ederson
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Sadio Mane had to be sent off for his high kick on EdersonCredit: AFP
 Phil Jones was out-muscled as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting headed Stoke level
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Phil Jones was out-muscled as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting headed Stoke levelCredit: PA:Press Association


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International football, well, it's alright, but it's just not the same.

And with our familiar old chum back in the limelight, SunSport takes a look at the biggest issues from the weekend.

Did Sadio Mane deserve to be sent off?

HE had his eyes on the ball, fair enough. He never intended it, nobody could argue that.

But if you lift your foot that high, you're asking for trouble.

And with Manchester City keeper Ederson racing out to head the ball clear, the studs did the rest.

Referee Jon Moss had little choice, he had to reach for the red card for serious foul play.

Despite the outcry from several former pros, including Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Gary Neville, the referee had to side with player safety.

 Phil Jones was left on his backside as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
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Phil Jones was left on his backside as Eric Maxim Choupo-MotingCredit: Rex Features
 Eric Bailly switched off for Stoke's opener at the bet365 Stadium
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Eric Bailly switched off for Stoke's opener at the bet365 StadiumCredit: Reuters

United's defence lets them down

PHIL JONES has improved.

There's no doubt about it, the Englishman looks more aware, more in control, more organised and is making good decisions.

But he still has the capacity to make a hash of it.

For Stoke's opener on Saturday, the defender was caught under a high cross-field pass to the full back.

While it was United's entire defence that switched off, Jones was sucked five yards too far forward and when the cross came in for the opener, he was nowhere to be seen to kill the cross at the near post.

And Eric Bailly had switched off as well as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting ghosted in for a bread-and-butter finish.

Then, with United 2-1 up, Jones and Jose Mourinho will simply be disappointed that the lost his footing at the crucial moment.

Marking Choupo-Moting from a corner, the 25-year-old had a banana-skin moment when he should have challenged the Cameroonian in the air.

United also still have the problem of an unsettled left back. Luke Shaw played against Arsenal reserves on Friday and does not look match fit, while Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian don't look like the right fit.

Eagles grounded

IN case you haven't seen the news, Frank de Boer has been sacked by Crystal Palace.

Chairman Steve Parish has finally decided to pull the plug on a managerial gamble that didn't pay off.

But he's one of many.

When are the Eagles going to aim for some long-term stability.

Roy Hodgson looks set to take over, but despite being an experienced tactician and coach, will the former England boss have the wherewithal to turn it around?

The players have looked like they've never met before, while signings have been short-termist at best.

Palace are surely still favourites for the drop.

 Frank de Boer has been sacked by Crystal Palace
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Frank de Boer has been sacked by Crystal Palace

Manchester City enjoyed the party

AFTER Mane's red card, you could see Jurgen Klopp knew it was not going to be a fun afternoon, while the home side were licking their lips.

With the score 1-0, it was all to play for at the Etihad, but City are too good.

 Leroy Sane is proving to be a fantastic Premier League import
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Leroy Sane is proving to be a fantastic Premier League importCredit: Getty

With Kevin de Bruyne, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, David Silva and Sergio Aguero, it was always going to be testing.

And then with Kyle Walker bombing on on one side and the superb crossing of Benjamin Mendy the other, City were always going to get behind their opponents.

It was another warning that City mean business this season and don't bet against them scoring nearly 100 goals.

Chelsea are fine

WITH all the furore surrounding Chelsea's transfer window dealings, you'd have thought they had become worse overnight.

But they have won three and lost one this season and were down to nine men in their opening day defeat to Burnley.

 Alvaro Morata has plugged any hole left by absentee striker Diego Costa
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Alvaro Morata has plugged any hole left by absentee striker Diego CostaCredit: PA:Empics Sport

Alvaro Morata looks a classy buy, while early goals and assists have helped him settle in.

The Champions League starts this week and it remains to be seen how they will cope as the season progresses, particularly if they are still in Europe in March and April.

But for now, don't bet against them, they're still a top team. They're the champions.

Enjoy it Arsenal fans

IT has been nothing but doom and gloom at Arsenal all summer, so they might as well enjoy this win.

A 3-0 win against a good but severely under-performing Bournemouth team was something to smile about.

 Alexandre Lacazette is justifying his price tag at Arsenal
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Alexandre Lacazette is justifying his price tag at ArsenalCredit: Rex Features

Alexandre Lacazette is proving he is a superb finisher, while Danny Welbeck looks like a man on a mission.

Arsenal have Chelsea away next up in the Premier League and, given recent results, they have to try and get a result at Stamford Bridge.

Marco Silva has the golden touch

WATFORD are flying. They're in the Champions League places and have three clean sheets in three games.

And there's signs of a healthy squad, with plenty of competition.

 Marco Silva can afford to smile after Watford's strong start to the season
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Marco Silva can afford to smile after Watford's strong start to the seasonCredit: Rex Features

Will Hughes has barely had a look in since he joined from Derby over the summer, while highly-rated Richarlison has had to fight his way in.

Problem is, if they keep this up, how long will the Hornets be able to hold on to Marco Silva?

Spurs far and away a better side

TOTTENHAM'S players seem to be able to relax more away from their adopted home.

Wembley really is becoming a monkey on their backs, but the trio of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen looked at their best in a 3-0 Goodison Park mauling.

 Christian Eriksen is one of the form stars in the Premier League at the moment
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Christian Eriksen is one of the form stars in the Premier League at the momentCredit: Rex Features

Dane Eriksen is in a top streak of form at the moment for both club and country.

You have to wonder if those who have said this will be the year Spurs slip up will be made to eat their words once again.

Seagulls soar... for now

BRIGHTON'S first win and home goals in the Premier League was a fantastic achievement.

And most notably for the supporters, who deserve so much credit for pulling the club up by the boot straps and getting them to this point.

 Brighton's players celebrate scoring against West Brom
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Brighton's players celebrate scoring against West BromCredit: Getty Images

From liquidation to vindication, it's some journey. But they feel short on quality in the squad.

If you asked fans right now if they'd take a 17th-place finish at the end of the season, they'd bite your hand off.

Or, being seagulls, they'd nick your sandwich.


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