Premier League R9: Villa, Murphy, Dyche's VAR Frustration, Chelsea's Brilliance, Doku's Spark

 Premier League R9: Villa, Murphy, Dyche's VAR Frustration, Chelsea's Brilliance, Doku's Spark

Goalscorer Julian Alvarez celebrates with team mates Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion at Etihad Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Manchester, England.(Image-Getty)

Analysis of Premier League Round 9 Highlights:

1. Villa's Surge Towards Top-Four Contention: 

Unai Emery's Aston Villa seems to be on an upward trajectory, as evidenced by their emphatic 4-1 victory over West Ham, securing the fifth position in the league. Ollie Watkins' outstanding performance, along with Douglas Luiz's brace, underscored the impact of Emery's leadership, with Watkins now being touted as a potential inclusion in England's Euro 2024 squad.

2. Murphy's Impact Presents Selection Dilemma for Howe: 

Jacob Murphy's dazzling display for Newcastle United in their 4-0 win against Crystal Palace left manager Eddie Howe with a challenging task of managing an array of attacking talents. Murphy's impressive collaboration with fullback Kieran Trippier showcased Newcastle's dominance, raising questions about team selection as Howe balances the talents at his disposal.

3. Dyche Displeased with VAR in Everton's Loss at Anfield: 

Everton's manager Sean Dyche voiced his discontent with the officiating and the use of VAR following his team's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. Frustrated with the delay caused by VAR, Dyche highlighted the need for a more efficient decision-making process. Despite his team being on the receiving end of key decisions, including Ibrahima Konate's potential second yellow card, Dyche emphasized the need for a swifter and more conclusive approach to decision-making in the game.

4. Chelsea's Impressive Forward Tactics Without Recognized Striker:

 Mauricio Pochettino's strategic deployment of a striker-less lineup for Chelsea proved effective during the 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Cole Palmer's pivotal role as a forward, alongside Conor Gallagher's aggressive attacking approach, underscored Chelsea's dominance in midfield and the attacking third. Palmer's successful conversion of an early penalty displayed his confidence, giving Pochettino a welcome selection dilemma upon the return of his strikers from injury.

5. Doku's Impact Bolsters Manchester City's Offensive Arsenal:

 Belgian winger Jeremy Doku's dynamic performance in Manchester City's 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion demonstrated his ability to significantly enhance the team's attacking prowess. Instrumental in setting up the opening goal, Doku's swift movements and sharp passes earned him the title of the man of the match, indicating a promising future for the former Stade Rennais player as he continues to hone his skills in training sessions.