Slot's Liverpool underline title credentials

Arne Slot has made the best-ever start by a Liverpool manager by winning nine of his first 10 games - but did the 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace strengthen their title credentials or perhaps show why they remain a work in progress behind favourites Man City and Arsenal?

Their best traits were all on show during the first hour, with Ryan Gravenberch setting the tempo, the wide players a threat and creating chances for Diogo Jota in the middle. On the rare occasions Palace got the ball Liverpool's rock-solid defence shut them out.

But the combination of Jean-Philippe Mateta's introduction and a hamstring injury to Alisson created chaos in the final stages, with Palace spurning several good openings and Virgil van Dijk perhaps fortunate to escape punishment for a pull on Marc Guehi in the box.

Yet, the unexpected cameo of Vitezslav Jaros underlined the point that this squad is full of players who can make an impact at this level. See also Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas - or Wataru Endo, who received praise from Slot afterwards for the application he brought in the final minutes.

Against Wolves and in the final half hour at Palace, Liverpool have been below their best and yet still won. The blip was the defeat at home to Nottingham Forest. The only dropped points of the season. But the overall picture going into the international break is of a talented, well-coached group who should be considered very much in the mix with City and Arsenal for this title chase.
Peter Smith

Havertz on track for 20-goal mark

Kai Havertz became the first Arsenal player since Robin van Persie to score in seven consecutive home games with his goal in the Gunners' 3-1 win over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

With four goals in the Premier League and six in all competitions this season, he looks well on track to fulfil Mikel Arteta's prediction that he will hit the hallowed 20 mark this term.

His latest effort was brilliantly taken, his finish crashing into the net off the post from Bukayo Saka's pass, providing further evidence of what Arteta describes as a change of mindset.

"His focus now is, 'I'm going to win the game, I'm going to do it', and that's a different thing," said the Arsenal boss. "He's not satisfied with what he is doing, because there is still another level for him.

"Obviously, he is surrounded by incredible players, but something has changed in him, and that confidence, you can really sense it. Now he's putting it into games and winning matches."

With regular goals added to everything else he was already giving the team, the 25-year-old has taken on even greater importance, quietening talk of Arsenal needing a striker in the process.
Nick Wright

If only 'unstoppable' Traore could finish...

Rarely do Manchester City concede a greater expected goals total than they generate, especially at home. But Fulham did not come to the Etihad to sit back and defend in a low block. They came to play.

Marco Silva's side created five big chances throughout a topsy-turvy 90 minutes, and passed up three of them as they lost 3-2. A hat-trick of opportunities fell the way of Adama Traore, responsible for nearly half (1.04) of Fulham's 2.40 xG, with fast breaks a hallmark of everything good about Silva's bold approach.

Pep Guardiola was deep in conversation with Traore, who he called "unstoppable", at the end of the game. It looked like the City boss, knowing his side were somewhat lucky, was offering counsel after the forward cost Fulham what would have inevitably been a share of the spoils - maybe more.

And it was not that Ederson was necessarily on fire. The goalkeeper got the better of Traore in two one-vs-ones but never appeared to be at full stretch.

The ploy to hurt on the counter-attack was so nearly perfect. It carved Manchester City open far more times than Guardiola would have been comfortable with. If only Traore could finish...
Laura Hunter

Man City are not infallible

Is Mateo Kovacic the new Rodri? He certainly played the part against Fulham.

Ninety-eight touches of the ball, 100 per cent of tackles won, four ball recoveries and two goals - the first time he has scored more than once in a Premier League game.

In Man City's Rodri-less world, Guardiola is finding solutions, having now avoided defeat in each of their last 11 league games in which they have trailed (W9 D2).

But let's be clear, the champions are far more open than before. City conceded five big chances and a season-high 2.40 expected goals against. Were it not for Traore's profligacy, they would have almost certainly lost this game.

Food for thought for Guardiola, who promised to spend the international break "reflecting". And encouragement for the rest: Man City are no longer flawless.
Laura Hunter