Liverpool fail Fulham test as Chelsea's defensive problems continue to hamper their title challenge credentials - Premier League hits and misses
The Sky Sports football writers analyse Saturday's Premier League action as Liverpool fail to inspire in goalless draw with Fulham; Chelsea held by newly-promoted Hull in further showing of defensive frailties; Aston Villa have major attacking concerns
Saturday 12 September 2026 22:51, UK
Attack vs defence - Alonso needs to focus on the latter
Much of the talk surrounding the Chelsea team that Xabi Alonso is in the midst of creating is what they are capable of in attack. How can you stop JP Morgan?
No one has been able to stop them from contributing at least one goal per game this season, but you can't bank on them to get you out of footballing bankruptcy if you can't keep clean sheets.
It is a problem that has impacted the Blues for some time, not just under Alonso. This is the 20th Premier League game in a row their defence has been breached.
The signing of a World Cup winner and multi-time Yashin trophy winner in the form of Emi Martinez is all well and good. However, if he has defenders not doing the basics in front of him, he may as well be Robert Sanchez.
The 1.32 xG that Hull managed was a fair reflection of how dangerous they were at times at Stamford Bridge. And it wasn't like they carved open the hosts. Most of the time, they had chances put on a plate.
The potential in attack is obvious, and certainly exciting. However, Alonso needs to tap into his learnings under Jose Mourinho and make this Chelsea side much tougher to score against if he wants to challenge.
Callum Bishop
Liverpool fail their Fulham test
There were celebrations at Anfield on Wednesday when Andoni Iraola picked up the first Champions League win of his coaching career against Atletico Madrid. But that win was always going to come at some point this season. There was a bigger question.
One of the themes of this Liverpool season was always likely to be how the new coach would be able to cope with an increased schedule, having impressed at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth without the added challenge of European commitments.
- Match report and highlights: Liverpool 0-0 Fulham
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- Latest news and rumours: Liverpool | Fulham
This was the first test of that and Liverpool did not pass it. They were unable to play at the tempo that Iraola usually demands, starting slowly and struggling to raise the level. Fulham were well worth their first point of the campaign and looked as likely to win it.
Iraola's unbeaten run as Liverpool boss continues, one that extends back to the first week of January for him personally given his exploits with the Cherries. But home games against Nottingham Forest and Fulham have yielded only two points. More is needed.
Asked in the press conference whether the fatigue explained Liverpool's performance, Iraola replied: "In the end, this is the easier one, for me, for you, for everyone - our players were tired. I think there is a lack of freshness, definitely. We cannot hide it.
"I think it's the worst turnaround in terms of 60-something hours between the games, after a very big game the other day. But this is going to happen more times, maybe with one more day, maybe."
The onus is going to be on Iraola to find the answers.
Adam Bate
Millions spent, but where is Spurs' goalscorer?
It doesn't take a genius to figure out where Tottenham's biggest concern lies right now. You can't win games if you don't score goals. That's why Spurs haven't won a league game this season, after going 400 minutes without finding the net.
They have so many creative players, all of whom were on the pitch against the Toffees. Yet the man who they need to score the bulk of their goals was anonymous. Or at the very least, wasn't found.
- Match report and highlights: Tottenham 0-0 Everton
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- Latest news and rumours: Tottenham | Everton
Dominic Solanke's fitness for Tottenham feels imperative. As the only out and out number nine available to De Zerbi, the Englishman has to be picked when fit. Purely because it seems Spurs don't have a choice.
However, whether it be rustiness following his latest setbacks or another reason, Solanke didn't offer anywhere near enough as the number nine. He managed just 19 touches. That's less than Kinsky in goal.
More worryingly, he had zero shots. If the man whose job is to find the net isn't even letting fly at it, no wonder Spurs are struggling in the final third.
Only De Zerbi can answer if the reason for this is because his team-mates aren't utlising him enough, or if Solanke can't be relied upon to be the replacement to Harry Kane. Of course, replacing Kane is practically impossible. But, in the three years since he left for Germany, Solanke is the only one Spurs have splashed the cash on to fill his shoes.
While reinforcements were clearly needed across the pitch after last season, the fact a fitter, more reliable striker wasn't on the agenda is a concern. And it's biting Spurs now. They can't get an improvement until January now, so De Zerbi has to find a way to get Solanke more involved.
Callum Bishop
Are Rose's Bournemouth unlucky or do they have a deep issue?
Bournemouth are now the first team to lead in each of their opening four Premier League games of a season and fail to win any of them.
Marco Rose said it was clear after their Newcastle draw that game management was something they needed to remedy. You can't help but feel a touch sympathetic for a side freely creating as they are.
- Match report and highlights: Bournemouth 2-2 Brentford
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- Latest news and rumours: Bournemouth | Brentford
They took 20 shots with 10 being on target, while Brentford only tested Dorde Petrovic's goal twice. You'd expect two goals in the game off those statistics alone.
The concern will be the speed at which they allowed Brentford back in though.
Against Brentford, they went 2-1 up and conceded again within three minutes. Brentford didn't have to wait long to find a way back into the game, and that's becoming the recurring theme for Bournemouth.
There's clearly enough in this team to win football matches. But until they can control those periods after scoring, and prevent opponents from immediately regaining momentum, they're going to keep leaving points on the table.
Four games, four leads, no wins. Welcome to the Premier League, Marco Rose.
William Bitibiri
Hull not the only newly-promoted team going well
When they first returned to the Premier League in 2024/25, it was 16 games before Ipswich had recorded two wins.
This time around, it has taken just four.
They beat Sunderland on the opening day, took the lead against Man Utd at Old Trafford the following week - before an eventual 5-2 defeat - and recorded a higher xG than Liverpool in the 2-0 loss last time out.
And against Crystal Palace, both Emersonn and Leif Davis' headers were all too easy. Axel Disasi's sending off gave them an extra boost, but they took advantage when opportunities presented themselves.
When Palace's equaliser made it 2-2, they did not go all out, desperate for the winner; they just waited, exercising patience, with the belief the winner would come, which it eventually did.
While taking three points at Selhurst Park was impressive, equally - if not more so - was the fact it was the third time in the four games they have played that they have conceded less than 0.70 xG.
Fellow newly-promoted side Hull are taking all the plaudits for their start on their return to the Premier League, and rightly so - but, out of the spotlight, Ipswich are going well, too.
Dan Long
Aston Villa's attacking process is a concern
Aston Villa managed just seven shots against Nottingham Forest. That is the third-lowest shot count they have posted in 59 home league games under Unai Emery.
It wasn't just that Villa failed to score more than once. It was the manner of their attacking play. Everything looked difficult. There was a lack of fluency, a lack of penetration and a lack of ideas.
You can understand some of it.
Villa have undergone significant change this summer and it takes time for new players to understand each other's movements, particularly in the final third. There is also a new goalkeeper behind them and fresh faces still adapting to Emery's demands.
Seven shots at home is a red flag though, regardless of the personnel.
Villa need to find ways of getting their attacking players into dangerous positions more frequently. The worrying thing is that Forest didn't need to produce a defensive masterclass to restrict them.
Of course, Unai Emery is one of the best coaches around at solving problems. He will know this is one that needs addressing quickly.
Lewis Jones
Delap the battering ram is back
This was the Liam Delap we remember.
The one who bullied defenders at Ipswich. The one who made centre-backs uncomfortable simply by running towards them. The one who plays football like a battering ram.
There was something wonderfully uncomplicated about his performance in Nottingham Forest's 2-1 victory at Aston Villa.
Delap ran the channels relentlessly, chased lost causes and gave Villa's defenders absolutely no time to settle. He was aggressive without being reckless and looked like he was enjoying himself.
And he got the goal.
He took aim and unleashed a strike that flew into the net with the sort of power that summed up his afternoon perfectly.
Direct. Powerful. Relentless.
That is what Forest signed him for.
Lewis Jones
