Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action - one

Louis van Gaal is not making sense, Newcastle need a new striker, Jürgen Klopp has an early door to bolt shut and is Leicester’s fairytale unravelling?

1) Van Gaal manages to baffle, even in victory

In Saturday’s first half against Swansea City Manchester United stank out Old Trafford. It is no exaggeration to say Louis van Gaal oversaw a display that felt poorer than the very worst of the David Moyes vintage two years ago. Not according to the Dutchman, though. United scored twice after the break to win the game yet Van Gaal said: “When we score goals and we create always chances, then it is a big difference because also, in this [press] room, a lot of journalists are saying the second half was better. I can say that it was not better.” In a particularly competitive field this goes down as one of the prime head-scratchers offered by Van Gaal. If goals and chances created are not the mark of a team playing better, then what is? Over to you, Louis. 

2) England talent shines through Goodison Park draw

The managers took plenty of encouragement from Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at Everton, Mauricio Pochettino from his team’s performance level, though not the outcome, and Roberto Martínez from his side’s defensive improvement having conceded seven goals in the previous two home games. Roy Hodgson must also have found grounds for optimism in his preparations for England’s European Championship campaign this summer. Dele Alli produced a stand-out display and equaliser for the visitors but the midfield control exerted by Tom Carroll and Eric Dier was also crucial to Spurs’ dominant first-half performance. Harry Kane, Ross Barkley and John Stones underlined the young talent at Hodgson’s disposal in a game where the overlooked England veteran, Gareth Barry, continued his fine recent form. “It was a really good game to see British talent,” said Martínez. “The two teams are not afraid to invest in youth and to give players the opportunities they wouldn’t get in other Premier League teams. What you are seeing now is such a variety of good young English players. You don’t get many generations like this with John Stones, Ross Barkley, Harry Kane. It is important they play in games like this because they bring experience and that experience is needed at a big tournament. The talent is clearly there.”

3) Capoue epitomises Watford’s free spirit

Midfielder

Etienne Capoue

Appearances

20

Fouls Committed

37

Bookings

4

Dismissals

0

While Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney share the Watford limelight Étienne Capoue has played a significant role in the shadows. It is hard to think of another player capable of elegantly nutmegging players on such a regular basis. Fernandinho became the latest victim on Saturday and, if only Capoue had finished with the shot that followed instead of firing over, Watfordwould have surely been celebrating another scalp. A £6.3m signing from Tottenham, where he struggled for consistency, Capoue has settled into an impressive partnership alongside Ben Watson. It looks as if they have played together for seasons rather than months. The manager, Quique Sánchez Flores, says when asked about how quickly all of his new signings have settled: “I trust a lot in the players, how they want to improve, how is the spirit of this team, how is the soul of these players, I think it’s very important.” Capoue has not just brought soul but flair too. He said recently he feels “free” since leaving Spurs, a feeling that is spread around a carefree squad.

4) Klopp must address Liverpool’s sluggish starts

Liverpool’s performance in their 2-0 defeat by West Ham raised more questions than answers about the Merseysiders’ credentials as a genuine top-four challenger, and one which seems to be particularly troubling Jürgen Klopp is his team’s vulnerability early in games. Michail Antonio’s close-range header made it four times Liverpool have gone behind in the opening 10 minutes of a match since Klopp took charge at Anfield, and the second time in their last four fixtures, following Nathan Aké’s rather comical goal for Watford before Christmas. Klopp’s philosophy centres on a high-intensity, aggressive approach from his players, so it is strange they are sleepwalking into certain games. “It’s something we have spoken about three times [before] and it’s not good,” said the Liverpool manager. Among the other issues he must address is Christian Benteke’s ineffectiveness. The striker has scored six times since arriving from Aston Villa in the summer but regularly looks ill-suited and uninterested when positioned at the top of Liverpool’s attack, as was the case again at Upton Park

5) Has Hazard scored his last Chelsea goal?

Midfielder

Eden Hazard

Appearances

19

Free Kicks

8

Corners

2

Crosses

22

Assists

2

Eden Hazard’s early departure at Selhurst Park with a groin injury is an interesting turn for students of the Hazard goal drought, which has now extended to 22 Premier League games. With Chelsea producing their most fluent display of the season, Hazard missed his best chance in some time to end that run. At the same time, as Chelsea goal drought connoisseurs will have noted, a period of absence will impact on his ability to haul in Cesc Fàbregas, whose own non-scoring run is now up to 25 league games. In fact, look a little more closely and this was the outstanding goal drought fixture of the weekend. If Chelsea’s meekness near goal has been a feature of their season,Crystal Palace have overachieved while scoring even fewer. Frazier Campbell, their No9 here, managed nine successful passes in 64 minutes: his last league goal was in February last year. Connor Wickham, injured here, last scored from open play in April. Marouane Chamakh, who came on for Campbell, has one league goal since August 2014. It is a wider theme too. The average goals per game this season (2.6) is just a notch down on recent years, but attacking players with long non-scoring streaks are a feature of even the more ambitious teams (Adam Lallana has one goal in 30 league games; Jesús Navas has one in 81 in all competitions). It is perhaps a sign of changing times. Attacking midfielders, even centre forwards, can spend most of their time fulfilling a high energy tactical role. There are no real pushovers or easy beats. Hazard, last season’s footballer of the year, remains the league’s outstanding drought-merchant. Given that he’s 8-1 to be at Real Madrid by the end of this month he might even – who knows – never score for them again.