10 Things We Learned From The English Premier League Football Weekend (23-25 Sept 2017)
9. Be Careful What You Wish For, And All That
Many pundits bemoan the lost art of defending, citing a confluence of factors that have led to its demise. Stricter rules have regulated the physical side of the game. Moreover, the financial pressures of remaining in the top flight have given rise to the era of the marquee striker signing and the widespread tactical focus on No. 9s.
This was a game for the defensive purists - which is a euphemistic way of cherishing the technological advancement that is the Sky Plus box, or relishing that last pint and the early sleep it brings forth - for the Match Of The Day running order totally ran out of steam close to midnight. In a game low on quality in the respective final thirds, at least Aaron Mooy reinforced his sleeper credentials for signing of the season by dictating play and creating the few decent chances. As influential as he was, the Burnley defence was resolute - and in a game of few genuine openings, Huddersfield's Rajiv van La Parra failed even to create an artificial one. He was booked for a graceless and utterly transparent dive.
In the end, even the Martin Keowns of this world had something to moan about.