So as football continues at a breathtaking pace — and the number of games in which top class professionals are being made to play brings its own concerns —now is an apt time to reflect on the early Premier League highlights in 2023-24.
As we take a brief break for internationals, my choice may surprise you.
What it does show, though, is the absorbing Premier League is still very capable of delivering unimaginable results against the odds.
Nowhere was the drama more evident than at Old Trafford last Saturday where, barely 24 hours after the announcement of the passing of Lady Cathy Ferguson – the rock behind the rock of Manchester United – the most successful team in the history of the competition somehow defeated spirited Brentford amid scenes of elation.
How fitting that United won in ‘Fergie time’ through a fellow Scot who was brought to the club during his legendary tenure.
United had been heading for a third successive home league loss and a seventh from 11 games as they trailed to Mathias Jensen’s 26th-minute opener. But Scott McTominay, on as a substitute two minutes before the end of normal time, scored in the third and seventh minute of added time to take United to 12 points from eight matches.
The Stretford End serenaded, singing “Every single one of us loves Alex Ferguson” and, although absent, he must have been immensely touched by the tributes on the terraces and on the pitch.
It also spoke volumes that tribute was paid elsewhere with former United man Ashley Young wearing a black armband as he turned out for Everton 30 odd miles away.
Yes, United had ended a galling losing streak and avoided breaking unwanted records dating back to the year Neville Chamberlain entered No.10 Downing Street.
There was no third successive home defeat for the first time since October 1962; no third successive home league defeat since February 1979 and this was not Brentford’s first victory at Old Trafford since 1937.
But most tellingly of all, the way the match was won was typically United and extremely emotional.
Even by their standards, this result turned the ongoing SBOTOP Premier League betting odds upside down, inside out and back to front in four amazing minutes.
It was not the first impressive comeback so far this season, of course.
The first of those unlikely scenarios actually came at St James’ Park in late August as Uruguayan Darwin Nunez struck two late goals to complete a remarkable turnaround and give 10-man Liverpool a dramatic victory against Newcastle United.
Make no mistake, the Merseysiders had been second best for much of a thrilling encounter, falling behind to Anthony Gordon’s opener after he cashed in on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mistake, then seeing captain Virgil van Dijk sent off for a foul on Alexander Isak three minutes later.
Goalkeeper Alisson kept Liverpool in it by miraculously turning Miguel Almiron’s shot on to the woodwork in the first half, the forward also hitting the post after the break, before that old adage of failing to score when on top and converting chances came back to haunt the Toon Army.
In complete command but failing to take full advantage, they ultimately paid a heavy price to leave the majority inside the stadium stunned.
Also worthy of mention, but not quite the same, was when Spurs, trailing until the 98th minute, provided the latest winning comeback in Premier League history to see off Sheffield United.
Yet unlike the games at Old Trafford and St James Park, should there really have been that much added-on time?
No-one likes time wasting and balance has to be found but encounters such as this – and that of Aston Villa v Crystal Palace – really does beg the question of the amount of football currently being played in an already congested calendar – a route not being repeated on the European scene.
This past week it has emerged that Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes played more minutes of football than any other elite player last year.
New data from world players union Fifpro said the Portugal international played 6,666 minutes between September 2022 and September 2023.
It is campaigning for changes to the football calendar to protect players and that surely should be looked at.
Let us finish on a positive.
One of the most heartening sights for me so far has been the return of Luton Town.
Until welcoming West Ham in early September, not since April 1992 had Kenilworth Road hosted a game in the top flight of English football.
Luton have been through so much since then, from the agony of dropping out of the Football League in 2010, to the ecstasy of last season’s improbable promotion, so in that context it hardly mattered that a few renovations were required before they could finally play at home this season.
The charms of the stadium remain and it warmed the cockles to read, before their Friday night clash with West Ham, about some of the associated idiosyncrasies.
For example, for away fans to get into the Oak Road Stand, they have to walk through a row of terraced houses.
Once inside they find terracing where the seats are so tightly packed as to make standing up compulsory. The Main Stand has stood for more than a century and is made of wood. To get to the toilets you have to stoop to pass through the exit.
A wonderful tale amidst the heavy duty, business-focused relentless demands of top flight football.
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