In fairness to the international break – it was entertaining. There was a ghost goal, tears for contrasting reasons, and a last-minute England winner at Wembley, as qualification for Russia 2018 drew its curtains.
But like when you’ve been on a week’s holiday – you’ll cherish your time and keep the fridge magnets, but you’re happy to be back home. Well, here you are. Gameweek Eight promises to be a cracker, with an early kick-off to salivate over. Here’s this week’s Premier League Bingo…
Paul Merson getting ribbed by the Soccer Saturday chaps for his non-league return
In a week where the pundit claimed Arsenal would win the league if Wenger had the tactical acumen of HARRY REDKNAPP, the 49-year-old also agreed to join non-league Welsh club Caerau. It’s almost scripted material for Soccer Saturday’s gang to use against Merson – let’s just hope he doesn’t give Charlie Nicholas any banter back. We all know how that can go.
Pochettino and Guardiola engaging in the most well-groomed feud in the Premier League era
Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino wasn’t happy with Pep Guardiola’s comment this week, referring to Tottenham as “the Harry Kane team”. Past comic book-esque managerial battles have seen a red-nosed Scot lambast Al’s Toy Barn’s real-life doppelganger, and a skulduggerous Portuguese throw shade at a wise, wiry Frenchman. But this brooding bout may be the easiest on the eye yet. Both passionate but collected, sporting designer stubble, it’s a stylish match-up.
Newcastle fans polluting Twitter with complaints about their trip to Southampton
Part and parcel of being a die-hard football fan, a trait which all Geordies develop in the womb, is travelling from Oldham’s Boundary Park to Arsenal’s Emirates to see your team’s interpretation of the Beautiful Game. Newcastle fans have been dealt a bad hand this Sunday, burning rubber down the M1 in a 654-mile round trip on Sunday, with their match against Southampton kicking-off at 4pm. No doubt the Premier League will be getting a few @s on their Twitter notifications.
The baromter of success for Klopp’s two years at Liverpool being decided by Saturday 2.40pm
‘Is Klopp a flop?’ or variations on that nice-sounding but fairly harsh pun seem to have been a popular article topic this week, as the German recently completed two years at Anfield. The strange conclusion that many drew, however, is that Saturday’s result against Manchester United will topple the scales either way, on whether his tenure has been a success. This would mean the preceding 1,058,420 minutes of his time at charge at Liverpool are as important as the 90 on Saturday.
Casual fans’ Sundays to be ruined by the shock realisation there’s only one televised game
For many 40-year-old men up and down the country who hate their wife and kids, Sunday offers a time for reflection, peace and thankfulness. But instead of bread and wine it’s usually a butty and beer, with Super Sunday the day’s entertainment. This weekend, however, Brighton v Everton will only be shown on international channels at Sunday 1.30pm – meaning they’ll have to either watch Derby v Forest, or worse, spend time with the family.
A Question of Sport to pick up The Telegraph’s unveiling of new columnist Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher was announced as a new columnist for the Telegraph this week, meaning you’ll be able to read his articles just as they were on the Mail Online, but with 17 less images. Sue Barker must’ve been overjoyed when she saw the reveal video the Telegraph released on Tuesday, which looked like a scene plucked from a modern adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery, while accidentally being perfect for the BBC One show’s ‘Mystery Guest’ round.
