Stories By Graham Ruthven

• Sport

  Points deduction could bring out the best in Everton

  Everton were already preparing for a fight against relegation. Having narrowly avoided the drop last season, the Toffees were once again in the relegation picture near the bottom of the Premier League table when news of a 10-point deduction for violating financial rules broke.

• Sport

  Man City match is Liverpool’s opportunity to prove they can win the title

  Liverpool are the only team that have disrupted Manchester City’s domination of the Premier League over the last six seasons. Indeed, the Reds are the only team not in sky blue to have got their hands on the trophy in that time and they could be the only team capable of stopping City from making it six titles in seven years this season.

• Sport

  This season could produce the best Premier League title race for years

  Three points is all that separates Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and Aston Villa in fifth place. Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the mix at the top end of the table, highlighting how this season’s margins are slimmer than they have been in a number of seasons.

• Sport

  Southgate must experiment with Watkins as England’s number nine

  Harry Kane is currently the best centre forward in world football and England are lucky to have him. The 30-year-old is operating at the peak of his powers and is expected to be one of the stars of Euro 2024 next summer when the Three Lions will be among the favourites to go the distance in Kane’s new adopted homeland.

• Sport

  Kudus could become key to West Ham this season

  West Ham might have lost against Brentford on Saturday, but they were afforded a glimpse of the attacking quality that could take them to the next level as a team. Indeed, Mohammed Kudus’ stunning scissor kick finish to make it 1-1 was the highlight of the match and a demonstration of the Ghanian’s incredible talent.

• Sport

  Everton are beginning to find a new identity under Dyche

  Three straight defeats to start the season had Everton fans fearing another fight against relegation. Three months on, though, the outlook at Goodison Park is rather brighter with the Toffees edging away from danger near the foot of the Premier League table.

• Sport

  Premier League’s biggest clubs should be interested in all-rounder Mbuemo

  Only four players have scored more Premier League goals than Bryan Mbuemo this season. Indeed, the 24-year-old has been in sparkling form for Brentford of late, scoring and assisting in the Bees’ 2-0 away win over Chelsea on Saturday.

• Sport

  Bellingham is undeniably the best player in the world at the moment

  Lionel Messi picked up a record eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday, but this doesn’t necessarily mean he is currently the best player in the world. While the Argentine has defined an entire era of football at the elite level, his latest Ballon d’Or was something of a symbolic reward for the winning the 2022 World Cup.

• Sport

  David Raya has so far been a weak link for Arsenal

  Few expected Aaron Ramsdale to be replaced as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper, but Mikel Arteta saw an opportunity to upgrade by signing David Raya. The Spaniard had been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League for Brentford last season and so Arteta’s unrelenting determination to improve his team was applauded by some.

• Sport

  Neto’s improvement has given Wolves hope of avoiding relegation

  Wolves appeared doomed before the 2023/24 Premier League had even started. Julen Lopetegui’s sacking days before the start of the campaign hinted at a club in bad shape, but the reality hasn’t been as bad.

• Sport

  Arsenal clash is Chelsea’s chance to show they’ve turned a corner

  The picture at Stamford Bridge is brighter now than it was a few weeks ago. Chelsea are currently on a three-game winning run and have climbed to 11th place in the Premier League table. This might not sound impressive for a club that won the Champions League as recently as 2021, but the Blues are at least moving in the right direction.

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