Bruno stars but Mainoo impresses too

Bruno Fernandes produced yet another match-winning performance for Manchester United in their come-from-behind 5-2 win over Ipswich. The Premier League assist king could not depart without throwing one of those in too for United's fifth at Old Trafford.

"I understand Bruno will be getting a lot of the credit but [Kobbie Mainoo] was immense," said Michael Carrick afterwards. Fernandes was indeed the player of the match, but it was the performance of Mainoo against Ipswich that was most encouraging for United.

Carrick said the efforts of the young midfielder "underpinned the result of the team" and Mainoo certainly impressed. On a pitch packed with talent, he completed more dribbles than anyone else, used the ball smartly and produced three tackles too.

Interestingly, Mainoo's physicality stood out. His robustness in this particular game, controlling midfield, serves as a reminder that he is still only 21 years old. He has been around a long time already, had his ups and downs, but this is a player who can keep developing.

What he needs is time on the pitch after a World Cup in which he was a squad member for England but remained a spectator throughout. After a watching brief under Ruben Amorim at United too, there are signs that he can grow under Carrick.

He will need to do so given the competition. Carlos Baleba was introduced to the Old Trafford crowd before the game. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have arrived too. That represents a major challenge for Mainoo to show that he belongs on the pitch.

"It is about trying to make the most of the combinations," said Carrick when discussing that midfield. But whatever combination works best for United in the long term, this performance from Mainoo was a step towards showing that he must be part of it.
Adam Bate

Is Chelsea's low possession a problem?

Chelsea supporters were thrilled by the speed and incisiveness of their side's attacks against Brighton. They scored four goals to add to their three against Fulham and could easily have had more.

But the victory also featured a record low possession share. Xabi Alonso's side only had 25.6 per cent of it. Their total of 146 completed passes was also their lowest on record since 2003/04.

It followed them only having 38 per cent of the possession in the win over the Cottagers, giving them the third-lowest average in the division at the time of writing. But does it matter? Few fans would say so, as long as the results continue to go their way.

Alonso stressed the importance of context. As against Fulham, his side spent almost the entire game leading against Brighton, meaning the attacking onus was on their opponent.

"You need to have context for every data for sure," he said. "After 30 minutes we scored the 3-0. Probably in that moment, we played too much with the result instead of keeping playing.

"But the data is not important, it is how you play and what we can do better. It is never that approach. I don't say, 'today we need to have 60 per cent or 20 cent'. I never talk about those things, it is about how to prepare, how to be more competitive."

Chelsea have shown the extent of their counter-attacking threat in their opening games. Clearly, it is going to be a major weapon for Alonso. But privately, he will also accept the need for more control, too, in the absence of the exiled Enzo Fernandez and the seemingly injured again Moises Caicedo. "It is a process," he added.
Nick Wright

Squad depth bodes well for Sunderland in Fulham win

It is going to be a squad game for Sunderland this season as they juggle domestic and European matters.

So it bodes well for Regis Le Bris that it was two of his substitutes that settled the game against Fulham on Sunday.

Habib Diarra with the cross, Wilson Isidor the finish. Both had been introduced together 10 minutes before the goal.

Isidor, in particular, showed resolve in getting into a good position again after missing a glorious chance a few minutes earlier.

The 26-year-old had been linked with a move away this summer, but signed a new contract this week and celebrated perfectly at the Stadium of Light.

"[Isidor] has a good future," Le Bris said after the game. "He has to work hard again and again but he showed really good qualities.

"It's important and the lads are really clear now about the rotation of the squad. They all want to be a starter but it's not possible and the group is well-connected.

"You see they are frustrated when they are on the bench but they know they will have opportunities and this season is going to be really long and demanding so the roles they have are clear."

They will need him plenty this season if they are to compete.
Simeon Gholam

Leeds and Brentford show growth as Farke's changes come good

Leeds showed their Premier League grit and manager Daniel Farke his tactical prowess in earning a point against Brentford, who are evolving under Keith Andrews.

Brentford had been by far the stronger side in the first half at Elland Road with Kevin Schade's clever finish putting them ahead as they restricted Leeds to just two shots, none on target, while having 11 of their own.

This same fixture in March ended 0-0. "The way we had to approach it was quite pragmatic," said Andrews of that day. "Today was a different mindset as a group. How we've started the season has been built on what we did last season - you could see that in the first half."

Leeds could not match Brentford's aggression, nor their quality on the ball, until Farke switched to a back four at half-time, adding Ao Tanaka into the midfield and Harry Wilson initially off the right.

It worked at first but Brentford's centre-backs Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins still weren't being troubled enough and Farke brought on Lukas Nmecha to partner Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a 4-4-2.

Dan James was also introduced to provide width on the right, with Anton Stach tucked inside on the left to guard against Brentford's three-man midfield, now up against an unorthodox but fresh pairing of Tanaka and Wilson with Ethan Ampadu moved to right-back.

And Leeds' goal came when James combined with Ampadu and his low cross was controlled by Nmecha, who flashed the ball across the six-yard box to be turned in by Calvert-Lewin.

Farke's tactical flexibility and his side's determination to not fold when Brentford were on top shows how Leeds are slowly establishing themselves in the top flight.
David Richardson