Premier League: Are Chelsea the team to beat in this season’s title race?

And then there were five! That is the number of clubs still on a perfect run two matchdays into the Premier League. From what we’ve seen, is Chelsea the team to beat for this season’s EPL glory?

The Premier League took on some normality over the weekend when the champions of England, Man City, returned to winning ways and bounced back from an opening day defeat. Liverpool kicked off the weekend in style, basically proving they’re a different kettle of fish with a fully-fit backline.

Chelsea was involved in their second London derby, this time against supposedly “tougher” opposition, but they still ended with the same superiority and beat Arsenal 2-0 – the scoreline not a true reflection of how the Blues totally outplayed their London rivals.

The kicker of the EPL second weekend; how free-flowing David Moyes’ men are after scoring eight goals in two outings. The Hammers knocked the Foxes out in Monday night football and ended the PL’s Matchday 2 events with a massive statement made.

Clubs who need to worry and need immediate adjustments made are Arsenal, Norwich City and Newcastle United – all of whom are sitting at the very bottom of the table standings.

Here are the highlights from the Premier League’s Matchday 2; the best, the worst, the most entertaining, and the best XI from the weekend past.

The best performing team of Matchday 2

West Ham United [Beat Leicester City 4-1]
Honourable mentions: Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City

The most surprising result of Matchday 2

Southampton 1-1 Manchester united

The worst team of the weekend

Leicester City [Lost to West Ham United 4-1]
Honourable mention: Arsenal

The most thrilling encounter

Leeds United 2-2 Everton

Premier League Matchday 2 stats:

Number of winning teams – 7 Games
Number of losing teams – 7 Games
Number of games drawn – 3 Games
Goals scored –  25 Goals scored
Clean sheets –  8 Clean sheet

Premier League goal of the weekend – Danny Ings [Aston Villa 2-0 Newcastle]

New team, new adventure but the same old Danny Ings – on target in his second week running and makes it two goals scored in two games played – his first a penalty and the next, something you would expect from somebody whose name ends with an O.

It was one of the few times a long throw-in has produced a goal in my time of watching football. A long throw from Matty Cash found the head of Mings who pushed it on to Ings for him to score a contender for Goal of the Season.

Best team of Matchday 1 in the EPL:  Formation

Goalkeeper – Alisson Becker
Liverpool 2-0 Burnley

The Liverpool stopper was at his best and has been since the season kicked off. He single-handedly saved their three points and had a hand or more in the clean sheet (excuse the pun).

The Brazilian maintains a 100% save record over the opening two games. Against the Clarets, the three shots on target were all dealt with by the Liverpool stopper exceptionally – one of them in the dying seconds of added time in the second half – 1v1 and a strong hand by Alisson kept them their second clean sheet of the season.

Defender – Reece James (RWB)
Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea

Reece James continues to improve and keeps Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold on his toes over at Anfield. The pair of RB’s, in their respective EPL outings, were again at the peak of their powers but it was James who went one better this weekend.

A clean sheet, a goal, and an assist to help his side paint London blue. The Chelsea right-back had a special outing at the Emirates and rose to the occasion in defence and attack; he made four tackles, two blocks, intercepted once and had 90 touches on the ball. He was an ever-present figure in their victory over Arsenal.

All English Premier League

Defender – Shane Duffy
Brighton 2-0 Watford

Matchday 1 Shane Duffy just missed out on making TTF’s best XI, due to a goal conceded. However, a week on and he remains in fine fettle for Brighton.

The Northern Irishman leads the top flight in headed clearances, is second in clearances, and third in blocks following his Matchday 2 heroics that helped his side to a clean sheet and a win. He also recorded an assist for one of the two goals scored, proving vital in Brighton’s 100% run.

Defender – Ruben Dias
Manchester City 5-0 Norwich City

The last CB spot was up for debate but Ruban Dias won it in the end. Why? Besides starting and helping City to their first clean sheet for the term, Dias recorded an assist on the attacking end. He registered 122 touches, made three tackles, won three aerial duels, and made two key passes. He was the more involved centre-back compared to his partner, Aymeric Laporte, who scored a goal.

Defender –  K. Tsimikas
Liverpool 2-0 Burnley

An assist and another 90 minutes completed by the Greek Scouser. Tsimikas has left Jurgen Klopp with quite the dilemma for the Chelsea clash coming up; who does the manager choose at left back with Andrew Robertson fit and ready and Tsimikas one of the best LB’s over a pair of games?

The Anfield crowd loved what they were seeing; not only display an attacking promise but a hunger and desire synonymous with what Liverpool players are known for – running tirelessly for 90 minutes of football.

Midfielder – Yves Bissouma
Brighton 2-0 Watford

The Malian was key to Brighton’s second win in as many games. He was by far the most noticeable figure in the middle of the park, doing the most work protecting the back four, breaking up play, and starting the Seagulls attack.

Amazingly, the milestone for Bissouma was his first career assist which he picked up against Watford.

Midfielder – Declan Rice
West Ham United 4-1 Leicester City

Declan Rice made two interceptions, two tackles and recorded an assist, which helped
Michail Antonio for his second of the game and his third for the season. To keep a Leicester City attack consisting of Jamie Vardy and co. limited to one goal is a massive feat.

To also outshine Youri Tielemans is almost impossible to do but that’s what Rice accomplished when commanding the centre of the park for the Hammers in their emphatic victory over the team they are rivalling for a European spot this season.

Midfielder – Said Benrahma (played as a left winger)
West Ham United 4-1 Leicester City

It appears Said Benrahma is ready to show the league what a goal threat he can be. He was again key to the Hammers ruthless attack. Of West Ham’s four goals, he scored one and assisted another, making that two goals and two assists in two games. He cannot be left out of the starting line-up now.

Forward – Gabriel Jesus
Manchester City 5-0 Norwich City

Jesus played in an unusual role when the Cityzens beat Norwich by the biggest scoreline of the weekend and nonetheless, delivered the goods for Pep. He recorded two assists for the night while playing out of position. It was a pure joy to watch.

Forward – Michail Antonio
West Ham United 4-1

The Englishman and red-hot Michail Antonio, made history this weekend past as teams continue to struggle to stop his prolific goalscoring form. He has now been involved in just a little over 60% (62.5%) of West Ham’s goals this season.

Of the four scored against the Foxes, Antonio who is also surprisingly still fit to play after 177 minutes of Premier League football, scored two goals and assisted one for his team. He is undoubtedly a top contender for the Golden Boot this season.

All English Premier League

Forward – Romelu Lukaku
Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea

First game back in the English Premier League and already off the mark; Romelu Lukaku scored Chelsea’s first goal in the London derby but could have had a lot more if it wasn’t for Leno’s hot hands.

The craziest aspect of the big Belgian’s game was his holdup play and his ability to bring other Blues into the match. He showed he has the strength of the bear by making Pablo Marí look like a grassroots defender, who is now questioning his profession – he totally bullied Mari for 90 minutes.

Manager of the weekend: David Moyes
West Ham United 4-1 Leicester City

David Moyes, a couple of seasons ago the villain but is now almost a certified cult hero at the London stadium. If they keep up this form, this West Ham side is going places.

Honourable mentions

Hugo Lloris, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Virgil van Dijk, Tyrone Mings, Sadio Mane, Pablo Fornals, and Danny Ings.