The fourth round of the Premier League for the 2024/25 season concluded with plenty of excitement and notable developments.
In this round, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace pulled off remarkable comebacks, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur delivered a fierce North London derby, and Erling Haaland continued his impressive scoring form without signs of slowing down.
Here are 4 key takeaways from this weekend’s Premier League action, as evaluated by 90min:
- Everton’s Relegation Struggles
Despite four rounds of the season, Everton has yet to earn a point. Their recent 2-3 defeat to Aston Villa marked their fourth consecutive loss in the Premier League this season, resulting in their worst start to the top flight in 66 years.
Under manager Sean Dyche, Everton was on the brink of relegation towards the end of the last season, and their current form suggests they could be in serious trouble again. It’s safe to say that Everton’s battle to stay in the Premier League has already begun.
- Super Sub Jhon Duran
Aston Villa’s €16 million signing from January 2022, Jhon Duran, is making waves in the English football scene. Though not a regular starter under manager Unai Emery, Duran is proving that displacing Ollie Watkins might just be a matter of time.
In the 2024/25 season, Duran has featured in all four games so far, albeit as a substitute. His contributions have been impressive: 3 goals in 103 minutes, averaging a goal every 34 minutes. This is a scoring rate that even Erling Haaland would admire.
- Jadon Sancho’s Comeback
Jadon Sancho’s transfer from Manchester United to Chelsea surprised many, given Chelsea’s already strong wing options. However, after just one appearance, Sancho has shown why manager Enzo Maresca’s decision was sound.
In the second half against Bournemouth, Maresca brought Sancho on for Pedro Neto. The former Borussia Dortmund star caused significant problems for Bournemouth’s defense with his impressive dribbling skills and also provided the assist for Christopher Nkunku’s match-winning goal, securing Chelsea’s three points.
- Arsenal’s Resilience
Facing Tottenham Hotspur without Declan Rice, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal faced considerable challenges. However, their title-contending mindset helped them weather the pressure from Spurs, with Gabriel Magalhães scoring the only goal of the match.
Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham might not have been pretty, but it demonstrated the team’s formidable spirit and resilience, reinforcing their status as serious contenders in the title race.