Chelsea surprised by Southampton, Brighton and Leeds neutralize each other

Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham have something to rub their hands after seeing their pursuers Brighton, Leeds and Chelsea do not win on Tuesday, for the 5th day of the Premier League, when they will not play until Wednesday. First in action, Brighton suffered the first setback of their season at promoted Fulham (2-1), as Chelsea were overthrown by Southampton (2-1) and Leeds failed to beat the evil rated Everton (1-1). Brighton retain their 4th place with 10 points but could see City and Tottenham, level on points with them, and Arsenal, who lead them by two lengths, outrun them with very affordable matches. Arsenal will receive Aston Villa (16th) on Wednesday (8:30 p.m.), while Manchester City will host Nottingham Forest (14th) and Tottenham will go to 17th West Ham (8:45 p.m.). Leeds also retains its 5th place with 8 units, but it is joined by Fulham, which it is only ahead of on goal difference. Chelsea, 8th with 7 points, is overtaken by Southampton in the number of goals scored.

Crystal Palace and Brentford could not decide between themselves (1-1), when they had a great opportunity to join the fight for European places.

Brighton not rewarded

The most frustrated of these teams is undoubtedly Brighton, who created plenty of chances to win against fairly realistic Cottagers. Fulham opened the scoring thanks to Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 5th goal of the season, only beaten by Erling Haaland (6 goals) in the scorer rankings (1-0, 48th). An unfortunate goal against his side from Brighton defender Lewis Dunk had allowed the promoted to double the bet (0-2, 55th), before Alexis Mac Allister reduced the score on penalty (2-1, 60th). Despite all their offensive efforts, Graham Potter’s men returned empty-handed. Far from being illogical, the scenario of Chelsea’s defeat has something to displease Thomas Tuchel. His players had taken control on a very nice collective action, full of movement and intelligent movements, allowing Raheem Sterling to score from close range (0-1, 23rd). The joy was short-lived, with Londoners then showing themselves to be very dissipated. Barely 5 minutes later, they left young Romeo Lavia, 18, a defector from Manchester City, alone from 18 meters to score with the outside of his foot, on a shot that Edouard Mendy hit but insufficiently (1- 1, 28e).

Tuchel must wake up Chelsea

Far from waking up, the Chelsea players seemed even more passive on the second goal, leaving Southampton to combine until side Romain Perraud on the left, who found Adam Armstrong in the center to score (2-1, 45 + 1). Even the break and the muscular speech of Tuchel did not cause a rebound in the second half and the question of whether he will manage to restart the machine, after an already disappointing end to the season last year, is clearly posed. There are barely a few days left for Chelsea to strengthen and if the priority seems to be to sign the French central defender Wesley Fofana, the problem seems to come less from behind than from an offensive animation that has become very sluggish. Tuchel’s predecessor, Frank Lampard, gave himself some air with the good draw obtained by Everton in Leeds.

The Toffees have still not won and, with 3 points, only occupy a fragile provisional 15th place, but the combativeness and discipline displayed against Leeds bodes well. Anthony Gordon had even managed to give them the advantage shortly after the end of the first quarter of an hour, but Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra scored his first goal in his new jersey to ensure the points were shared (1-1, 55th ).