Louis van Gaal utilises Marouane Fellaini up top in light of Wayne Rooney’s injury absence. Yannick Bolasie leads the line for Palace at home to City, whilst Manuel Pellegrini shifts to 4-4-2 at Selhurst Park, as Wilfried Bony is handed a first start of the season. Here’s the lessons learned from this weekend’s teamsheets and tactical setups…
Arsenal
Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla; Ramsey, Ozil (Oxlade-Chamberlain 83), Sanchez (Arteta 83); Walcott (Giroud 75).
Mesut Ozil was immediately reinstalled to the Gunners lineup having sat out the Newcastle win, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, last weekend’s scorer, making way. That pushed Aaron Ramsey back to a right flank role. At the back, Gabriel continued alongside Laurent Koscielny with Per Mertesacker still not fully match fit following a chest infection – it’s expected, although not guaranteed, that he’ll return at Chelsea next weekend. Theo Walcott, somewhat surprisingly, kept his berth up front with Olivier Giroud introduced from the bench. Wenger stated post-match that he will likely continue to rotate his strikers without “robbing their confidence”. That would indicate that we’ll see both Walcott and Giroud continue to job share. The latter may start in Zagreb in midweek, suggesting that Walcott will keep his start at Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa
Guzan; Bacuna (Hutton 86), Richards, Lescott, Amavi; Westwood, Sanchez, Gil (Ayew 65) Grealish, Agbonlahor (Gestede 75), Sinclair.
Tim Sherwood made no less than four changes to his lineup for the trip to the King Power Stadium. Most significantly, Ciaran Clark dropped to the bench to allow Joleon Lescott to make his Villa debut. Alan Hutton also made way, along with Rudy Gestede, while Idrissa “Gana” Gueye missed out in midfield through injury. That saw Carles Gil make his first start of the season, with Jack Grealish also making a return to the starting lineup. He took up a left midfield berth, with Scott Sinclair pushed up in support of Gabby Agbonlahor in a “free” number ten role. Carlos Sanchez screened the back four with Ashley Westwood and Carles Gill playing in front in what was effectively a 4-1-3-1-1 setup. Grealish would seem assured of his starting role given his display, while Gil also impressed but would seem most vulnerable along with Sanchez should Gana return to fitness for the visit of West Brom. Sinclair’s goal threat, for now, looks to have assured him a role either behind the striker, or on the right, cutting inside. A change of formation to 3-5-2 could be on the cards, however, with Sherwood suggesting that he may shift to three at the back. Given the nature of the capitulation at Leicester, that could even be introduced for the Baggies visit with Clark recalled and Leandro Bacuna and Jordan Amavi at wing-back.
Bournemouth
Boruc; Francis, Cook, Elphick, Smith; Stanislas (Kermorgant, 57), Ritchie, O’Kane (Gosling, 71),Surman; King (Murray, 57), Wilson.
Eddie Howe made three changes to the side that were held at home to Leicester last time out, with Josh King, Adam Smith and Junior Stanislas came into the starting XI. Charlie Daniels and Max Gradel were missing through injury, while Lee Tomlin dropped out of the squad with Glenn Murray earning a debut from the bench. Murray was introduced once the Cherries had fallen 2-0 behind at Norwich, with Yann Kermorgant also saw action replacing King and Stanislas. Howe could have Harry Arter available as an option in midfield for the Gameweek 6 visit of Sunderland, whilst Murray will clearly be considered for a starting role.
Chelsea
Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel (Kenedy 55), Matic; Pedro (Falcao 68), Fabregas (Willian 74), Hazard; Diego Costa.
Jose Mourinho opted to reinforce his midfield with the inclusion of John Obi Mikel, a move which saw Willian drop to the bench following his exertions with Brazil over the break. That meant that Cesc Fabregas was shifted to the number ten role. At the back John Terry earned a recall following suspension and Kurt Zouma was preferred to Gary Cahill, no doubt to counter the threat of Romelu Lukaku. Mourinho has plenty to consider for the visit of Arsenal next time out, with Cahill perhaps likely to earn a recall. He will also hope to have Oscar available to pep up his side’s attacking prowess – depending on Mourinho’s outlook for that game, he’ll likely compete with Willian for the role behind the striker, with Fabregas set to drop back into the pivot.
Crystal Palace
Palace: McCarthy, Kelly, Hangeland, Dann, Souare, Cabaye, McArthur, Zaha, Puncheon (Lee 81), Sako (Gayle 66), Bolasie (Jedinak 79).
Alan Pardew was forced into two changes in defence as Martin Kelly came in for the injured Joel Ward at right-back, while Brede Hangeland earned a start in place of Damien Delaney, who had suffered a knock in training. Yannick Bolasie also made a return to the teamsheet, as expected, although he came in for Connor Wickham, who also missed out through injury. This mean that Bolasie led the attack, with Wilfried Zaha and Bakary Sako occupying the flanks and Jason Puncheon pushing on from a central position. Pardew tweaked things on 66 minutes with the introduction of Dwight Gayle for Sako, which shifted Bolasie to his regular wide role before he was sacrificed for Mile Jedinak. Indeed, Wickham’s likely return for the visit to Spurs in Gameweek 6 would seem to present the Eagles boss with a selection headache, with either Zaha or Sako likely to drop to the bench to accommodate Bolasie’s return to the flank.
Everton
Howard; Coleman (Funes Mori 77), Stones, Jagielka, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry; Kone (Lennon 72), Barkley, Besic (Naismith 9); Lukaku.
Roberto Martinez was forced into two changes to the side that earned a draw at Spurs, with Brendan Galloway recalled in place of the injured Bryan Oviedo and Mo Besic earning a first start of the campaign for the stricken Tom Cleverley. Besic, lined up on the left of a midfield three in a 4-3-1-2, was then forced off on 9 minutes which saw the introduction of Steven Naismith – a factor which turned the match. The Scot’s hat-trick will surely put him in the driving seat for a starting role in Gameweek 6 at Swansea. Galloway would also seem likely to retain his berth, regardless of Oviedo’s availability and the claims of Ramiro José Funes Mori, who was handed a debut from the bench on 77 minutes. Arouna Kone’s starting role, with both Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas staking claims, could come under threat.
Leicester City
Schmeichel, De Laet, Huth, Morgan, Schlupp, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Inler (Ulloa 64), Albrighton (Kanté 64), Okazaki (Dyer 45), Vardy.
Claudio Ranieri made a couple of changes to the side that earned a point at Bournemouth. Gökhan Inler earned his debut in midfield, while Shinji Okazaki returned to the starting line-up – N’Golo Kanté and Andy King both dropped to the bench as the Foxes reverted to a 4-4-2 setup. Ranieri tweaked matters at half-time, handing Nathan Dyer his debut and pushing Riyad Mahrez up in support of Jamie Vardy with Okazaki making way. He was then forced into further changes as Villa took a two-goal lead, with the introduction of Kanté and Ulloa ultimately swinging the game Leicester’s way. The starting lineup at Stoke in Gameweek 6 is now far from clear, with both Dyer and Kanté pushing for berths. Certainly King’s status has declined, while Okazaki could also be sacrificed away from home, as he was at Bournemouth, with Mahrez continuing in a “number ten” role behind Vardy in a 4-2-3-1 setup.
Liverpool
Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez, Milner, Lucas (Moreno 88), Can, Firmino (Ibe 65), Benteke, Ings (Origi 74).
Brendan Rodgers made just one change to the side that suffered a damaging 3-0 home defeat to West Ham, with Danny Ings given his full Liverpool debut in place of the suspended Philippe Coutinho in a 4-3-3 system. Rodgers attempted to tweak matters as his side fell behind but was limited to the introduction of Jordan Ibe and Divock Origi, who replaced Roberto Firmino and Ings either side of Christian Benteke. Coutinho’s return for the Gameweek 6 meeting with Norwich is inevitable, while Ibe may push Firmino for a start. Elsewhere, Rodgers’ options to improve matters look limited until Daniel Sturridge is deemed fit enough to return. While the Liverpool boss will not want to force that, with pressure building, we could well see Sturridge make an appearance very soon with a change in formation on the cards.
Manchester City
Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; Nasri (Demichelis 90), Bony (Iheanacho 89), Navas; Agüero (De Bruyne 25).
Manuel Pellegrini was without both David Silva and Raheem Sterling due to knocks and, while no doubt tempted to hand Kevin de Bruyne a first start, opted to turn to Samir Nasri and Wilfried Bony. City deployed a 4-4-2 initially, then, although that was scrapped on 24 minutes when Sergio Aguero suffered a knee problem and was replaced by De Bruyne. That saw the Belgian shift wide to the left as City moved to their regular 4-2-3-1 setup. With Silva and Sterling passed fit for the midweek clash with Juventus, we can expect them to be at Pellegrini’s disposal for the Gameweek 6 home meeting with West Ham. Aguero has been ruled out of the Juventus clash and his weekend availability is more in doubt – that will likely see Bony claim a starting berth, despite Kelechi Iheanacho’s winning goal. Given the decision to omit Sterling for this encounter, we will need to be wary of Pellegrini’s teamsheet around Champions League encounters – their next tie is on September 30, after the trip to Spurs in Gameweek 7 – although that is the early kick-off that weekend.
Manchester United
De Gea, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Carrick (Schneiderlin 74), Schweinsteiger, Mata (Martial 65), Herrera, Depay (Young 45), Fellaini.
Louis van Gaal handed David de Gea an immediate return to his starting XI after the Spaniard put pen to paper on a new four-year deal – Sergio Romero’s role, as expected, will now be one of back-up. Marouane Fellaini’s inclusion was the other change to XI that lost at Swansea, with Wayne Rooney missing out with a hamstring problem sustained in training on his return from international duty. Fellaini took the striker’s berth, then, with Ander Herrera fielded in the number ten role in a 4-2-3-1. The most significant change came at half time when the ineffective Memphis Depay was hooked in place of Ashley Young. He won the free-kick which helped United break the deadlock and was a bright influence on a stronger United second-half showing. Anthony Martial was introduced late on and shifted up front, with Fellaini dropping in behind. There will be pressure to hand Martial a start against Southampton next time out but Young would seem the more likely to make an impression on Van Gaal’s teamsheet, with Rooney set to return and Depay now under threat.
Norwich
Ruddy; Wisdom, Martin, Bassong, Brady; Redmond, Howson, Tettey, Jarvis (Olsson 73); Hoolahan (Dorrans 73); Jerome (Mbokani 82).
Alex Neil was forced into a change at right-back with Steven Whittaker serving a one-match suspension for the red card received at Southampton. Andre Wisdom came in for his full Norwich debut, then, while Matt Jarvis also earned a first start following his loan move from West Ham. Graham Dorrans dropped to the bench to make way – his starting role is now clearly in question. Cameron Jerome held the striker’s role in the 4-4-1-1 and claimed his first goal of the season, so it seems that new signing Dieumerci Mbokani may have to a wait for his opportunity – he replaced Jerome on 82 minutes. Martin Olsson’s appearance on 73 minutes was his first following a long-term injury and that allowed Neil to shift the impressive Robbie Brady into midfield on the left flank. With Jarvis also pushing for a wide berth, suddenly Neil has several natural options in that area.
Southampton
Stekelenburg; Cedric (Yoshida 75), Fonte, Van Dijk, Targett; Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, S. Davis; Rodriguez (Mane 67), Tadic, Pelle.
Ronald Koeman gave an immediate debut to Virgil van Dijk in defence, with the Dutchman lining up alongside skipper Jose Fonte. Victor Wanyama also returned to the midfield along with Jay Rodriguez in a 4-2-3-1. That saw Maya Yoshida and Oriol Romeu drop to the bench, along with Sadio Mane, who was preserved following international exertions and a long-haul flight after featuring for Senegal. Both Mane and Yoshida were introduced in the second-half as the Saints chased a victory. Interestingly, Cedric Soares made way in a straight swap for the second successive match, having also been replaced on 71 minutes against Norwich. Koeman’s approach to the home encounter with Man United in Gameweek 6 will likely see Mane restored to the starting lineup, while Romeu will also hope to earn a recall with James Ward-Prowse the most likely under threat.
Stoke
Butland; Bardsley, Cameron, Muniesa, Pieters; Van Ginkel, Whelan; Shaqiri, Arnautovic; Joselu (Ireland 57), Diouf (Bojan 75).
With Charlie Adam and Ibrahim Afellay suspended, and Glen Johnson injured, Mark Hughes was forced into three changes for the trip to Arsenal, with Joselu, Marko Arnautovic and Phil Bardsley all coming in. Hughes retained his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Joselu, making his first Premier League start, playing as the lone striker, with Mame Biram Diouf playing on the right of the three attacking midfield positions. The Spaniard failed to make much of an impression, however, and was replaced by Stephen Ireland before the hour mark, with Diouf moving back up front. Bojan made his first appearance of the season, taking over the lone forward role from Diouf, and could come into contention for a first start of the season at home to Leicester in Gameweek 6. With Adam and Afellay both still suspended for the clash against the Foxes, Hughes won’t have many fresh options available to him as Stoke look to pick up their first win of the campaign.
Sunderland
Pantilimon; Jones, O’Shea, Kaboul, Van Aanholt; Gomez (Cattermole 74), M’Vila; Lens, Toivonen (Rodwell 81), Borini (Watmore 74); Defoe.
Dick Advocaat made three changes for the home encounter against Tottenham, with new signings Ola Toivonen and Fabio Borini replacing Danny Graham and Jack Rodwell, while Jordi Gomez made his first appearance of the season at the expense of Lee Cattermole. Sunderland lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Gomez playing alongside Yann M’Vila in a double-pivot and Toivonen playing in the “number ten” role. Borini was stationed on the left, with Jermain Defoe fielded as the central striker, whilst Jeremain Lens retained the role on the right. Duncan Watmore, Cattermole and Jack Rodwell all entered the fray as the Black Cats looked for a breakthrough but ultimately to no avail as Ryan Mason struck late on for Spurs. It was generally a more lively attacking performance from Sunderland, so the Dutch boss may keep faith with the same front four for the Gameweek 6 trip to Bournemouth, although changes to both personnel and formation in midfield look very possible.
Swansea
Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork (Ki 66), Shelvey; Ayew, Sigurdsson (Eder 71), Routledge (Montero 60); Gomis.
Garry Monk named an unchanged starting XI from the one that beat Man United 2-1, with Jefferson Montero fit enough to return to the bench. The Swans lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation once again, then, with Ki Sung-yeung also having to settle for a place among the substitutes, as Jack Cork started alongside Jonjo Shelvey in the engine room. With Swansea 1-0 down, the Ecuadorian was brought on for Wayne Routledge, whilst Ki came on for Cork shortly after as the Welsh side chased an equaliser. Eder replaced Gylfi Sigurdsson late on as Monk switched to a two-man frontline with the Hornets down to ten men. Looking ahead to the Gameweek 6 home clash against Everton, Montero and Ki could well return to the starting XI, with Routledge and Cork looking the most vulnerable.
Tottenham
Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Mason (Carroll 85); Chadli, Alli (Lamela 67), Son (Townsend 62); Kane.
Mauricio Pochettino handed a Premier League debut to attacker Heung-Min Son, while Ben Davies replaced Danny Rose at left-back for the trip to Sunderland. The other change saw Dele Alli come in for the injured Nabil Bentaleb, who will miss the next three-to-four weeks with an ankle injury. The Argentine stuck with his favoured 4-2-3-1 system, with Ryan Mason playing in the double-pivot alongside Eric Dier, and Alli stationed behind lone striker Harry Kane. Son started on the right of the three attacking midfield positions, with Nacer Chadli on the left. Son was replaced by the fit-again Andros Townsend after the hour mark, but should keep his starting berth for the Gameweek 6 home clash against Crystal Palace as he looks to find his feet in the Premier League. Erik Lamela came on for Alli and provided the assist for Mason’s winning goal: he could now come back into the reckoning for a start against the Eagles. The left-back situation remains unclear, with rotation leaving neither Davies or Rose as viable Fantasy options. Tottenham’s Europa League teamsheet on Thursday will be of interest in that respect.
Watford
Gomes; Nyom, Prodl, Cathcart, Anya; Behrami, Capoue; Jurado, Ighalo (Berghuis 71), Abdi (Watson 66); Deeney (Diamanti 84).
Quique Sanchez Flores only made one alteration to the side that lost 2-0 to Man City for the home encounter against Swansea, with Ikechi Anya returning at left-back instead of Jose Holebas. He retained his favoured 4-2-3-1 system, although, significantly, it was Odion Ighalo who spent more time as the lone striker, with Troy Deeney playing just behind. The two did dovetail throughout the match, however. Valon Behrami will now serve a three-match suspension following his sending off, with Ben Watson the favourite to claim his starting birth, although Adlene Guedioura offers another option. New signing Victor Ibarbo was an unused substitute, and may have to bide his time for first-team action, given the strong performances by Ighalo and Deeney in attack. Steven Berghuis and Alessandro Diamanti seem to be clearly behind Jurado and Almen Abdi in the pecking order while Flores maintains the current setup.
West Brom
Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Evans (Olsson 86), Brunt; McManaman (McClean 61), Yacob, Fletcher, Gardner; Lambert (Berahino 55), Rondon.
Despite having lost home matches against Man City and Chelsea using a 4-4-2 system, Tony Pulis reverted back to that formation for the visit of Southampton to the Hawthorns, with Rickie Lambert earning a recall alongside Salomon Rondon. James Morrison and James McClean were dropped to the bench, with Callum McManaman the other new face – he played on the right of midfield, with Craig Gardner on the left. Jonny Evans was handed a debut in defence, with Jonas Olsson missing out. Chris Brunt started at left-back, while Boaz Myhill was retained in goal ahead of new signing Anders Lindegaard. After declaring he wouldn’t play for chairman Jeremy Peace after a deadline day move to Tottenham fell through, Saido Berahino was named among the substitutes, and was brought on for Lambert as the Baggies chased a winning goal. McClean came on for McManaman out wide, while a bout of cramp meant Olsson replaced debutant Evans late on. Looking forward, it appears Evans could well be a regular starter at the back, while Myhill looks to be the goalkeeper to target, with a third shut-out in five matches likely to see him remain between the sticks for the time being. Pulis seems to be rotating his wide players, with the likes of McManaman, McLean, Gardner and Morrison all sharing playing time, while Berahino could well return to the starting XI, be it out wide in a 4-5-1, or in attack alongside Rondon in a 4-4-2 formation.
