You wait months for a new Premier League football season to come along and then, just three games in, you pause for an international break.
Frustrating for the majority I’d imagine, although for fans of those clubs who’ve not had the best start to the campaign, perhaps this weekend has provided a welcome sojourn.
Take Everton, for example.
The Toffees were justifiably upbeat at the end of last season.
After one of the most disruptive spells in the club’s illustrious history, three successive home wins in the space of a week secured their safety with three weeks remaining.
Such wriggle room appeared unlikely only a month previously with the club’s long proud top flight status in doubt following two point deductions – a 10 pointer reduced to six on appeal followed by a further two points – coupled with the uncertainty of failed takeover bids.
Yet Sean Dyche and his men stared adversity hard and long straight back in the face and displayed a real character to epitomise what the club is all about.
Three games into the new season and it’s like the clock has turned right back and there is chaos at every turn.
Defeat to Brighton in their opening game was an undoubted setback but could have been different; the woeful reverse at Spurs when they barely had enough players to fill a subs’ bench could not have been different; and the last gasp defeat at home to Bournemouth was as avoidable as it was shocking.
In fact, it was a ‘new low’ in many regards as they somehow contrived to lose a two goal lead in the 86th minute. Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Outplayed throughout, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola could scarcely believe what he had witnessed.
And so onto next weekend and a trip to Aston Villa, where they were defeated 4-0 last term.
It will hardly set the pulse racing in terms of getting some points on the board but perhaps it can act as a springboard for better times.
For example, will Villa have one eye on their immediate return to Europe’s top competition for the first time in 41 years. Can Everton take advantage of that?
Can any of their absentees return and make a positive impact?
If not at Villa Park, then their following home match against newly promoted Leicester City is one to focus on and, arguably, a ‘must-win’, even though 2024/25 is in its infancy.
Two seasons ago they survived at the expense of the Foxes and once again it is against the likes of the newly promoted clubs that they need to target and make sure they claim enough points.
He will try and plug the gap left by compatriot André Onana’s departure from Goodison Park.
If Everton may be glad of the break, the last thing their Merseyside rivals Liverpool wanted was to lose momentum after three straight wins with seven goals for and none against.
While it is very early days, they are the only side to boast a 100 per cent record alongside champions Manchester City.
Another side, for whom the break may have come at an inopportune moment, is a club which has upset the big boys on its way to some memorable Premier League highlights in recent seasons.
Judging by the first three weeks of the season, Brighton is ensuring lightning strike twice.
That opening romp at Everton was followed up by a last-gasp win over Manchester United and then an impressive draw at 10-man Arsenal.
I must admit, I thought the days of the Seagulls repeating their achievements of the last few years – and stunning the Sbotop Premier League betting odds along the way – were well over.
How wrong was I.
And how rewarding it has been to see them strengthen after years of losing their best talent, on and off the pitch.
Their £194 million spend in the summer transfer window was unprecedented.
It’s been proven they do not need signings with a Premier League pedigree as their recruitment has demonstrated time after time that it need not be a disadvantage.
They were still smart enough to bring in around £40 million to the coffers too, mainly as a result of the returns to Germany of club superstar Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), and Billy Gilmour to Napoli in Serie A.
Seven points from their first three outings will be hard to maintain but, even if they can’t, they remain a benchmark for many a club throughout Europe.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
