Premier League Matchday 7: Chelsea Eye Goal-Scoring Top Spot, Manchester United Hesitate on Ten Hag’s Future

The seventh round of the Premier League continues on the evening of October 6 (Beijing time), with Chelsea enjoying a prolific run of form in front of goal, while Manchester United remain engulfed in defensive issues and managerial uncertainty. Chelsea’s explosive attack has seen them score at least three goals in each of their last four matches, propelling them past Manchester City on the goal-scoring charts. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s struggles under Erik ten Hag have left them mired in defensive chaos, though the board seems reluctant to part ways with the Dutchman just yet.

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Cole Palmer’s Rise as Chelsea’s New Star

Chelsea are brimming with confidence after a thrilling 4-2 comeback victory against Brighton last weekend, a match that saw Cole Palmer carve his name into Premier League history. Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a match, earning him the title of "The Imperial Star" from Chelsea fans. Palmer’s breakout performance has catapulted him to second place in the league’s scoring charts, with a remarkable average of one goal per game.

Despite his early-season brilliance, Palmer has shown the versatility to drop deeper into midfield, creating opportunities for Chelsea’s central striker, Nicolas Jackson. However, Jackson’s hesitancy in front of goal has drawn comparisons to his inconsistent form last season. In the Brighton match, Palmer’s selflessness was on full display when he dropped back to support Jackson, but even that wasn't enough to help Jackson find the back of the net.

Chelsea fans have begun drawing comparisons between Palmer and club legend Frank Lampard, albeit noting that Palmer has a more direct approach to attacking the goal. When Palmer is in form, he can score in bunches, a trait that Lampard rarely exhibited. On the passing front, Palmer has shown flashes of brilliance reminiscent of Kevin De Bruyne, displaying the vision to orchestrate from midfield with deft diagonal passes that unlock defenses.

In the match against Brighton, a team that had conceded only four goals in their previous five matches, Chelsea identified their weakness in midfield and exploited it to perfection. After conceding an early goal, Chelsea found success with sharp diagonal passes, and Jackson missed a one-on-one chance before Palmer equalized. Palmer’s movement and positioning in these situations evoke memories of De Bruyne, capable of both scoring and setting up his teammates with a touch of genius.

Nottingham Forest, Chelsea’s next opponent, also pride themselves on defensive solidity. Like Brighton, Forest recently suffered their first defeat of the season in a 1-0 loss to Fulham. After conceding the opening goal, Forest were forced to abandon their defensive shape and mount an attack, which ultimately led to their downfall. Still, Forest’s defensive record this season has been stellar, with only league leaders Liverpool conceding fewer goals than them.

The big question for this fixture is whether Nottingham Forest can recover from their first defeat, or if their defense will unravel in the face of Chelsea’s in-form attack. With Chelsea’s deep squad and few concerns over player fatigue, they are expected to put out a strong starting lineup once again. Palmer, along with Jackson and the rest of Chelsea’s offensive weapons, will be looking to secure another high-scoring performance, while Forest’s compact defense will aim to contain the damage. Expect Chelsea to show about 40% of their attacking capability, while Forest may only manage to showcase about 10% of theirs.

Aston Villa vs Manchester United: Ten Hag Under Fire as Defensive Woes Continue

Aston Villa, fresh off a frustrating 2-2 draw against Ipswich, are another team dealing with inconsistency. Villa’s defense was shaky from the start, conceding an early goal, but they quickly capitalized on Ipswich’s defensive vulnerabilities, overturning the deficit with two goals before halftime. Ipswich’s defense crumbled under Villa’s pressure, with simple crosses into the box leading to dangerous scoring chances. However, Villa’s overconfidence cost them, as they missed three clear counter-attacking opportunities that would have sealed the match, and Ipswich eventually equalized late in the game.

In their midweek Champions League clash, Villa faced a nervy Bayern Munich side whose defensive line was prone to errors, particularly in their high offside trap. Villa’s patience paid off, as they had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, but eventually broke through in the second half when substitute forward Jhon Durán scored from a long pass by Pau Torres. Bayern’s defenders were caught retreating too quickly, leaving Villa’s attackers onside without even having to adjust their runs.

On the other hand, Manchester United are in freefall. In their last Premier League match, they were soundly beaten 3-0 at home by Tottenham Hotspur. While both sides were evenly matched in terms of offensive firepower, United’s defense was nothing short of disastrous. Spurs’ center-back Micky van de Ven produced a shocking 80-yard run with the ball before assisting the opening goal, while United’s defenders failed to react, seemingly anticipating a pass that never came. This defensive meltdown set the tone for the rest of the match, as United lost control, and captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off, leaving United down to 10 men. Spurs exploited the gaps in United’s backline, scoring two more goals to compound the misery.

The woes didn’t end there for Manchester United. In midweek Europa League action, they squandered a two-goal lead against Porto, eventually drawing 3-3, with Fernandes once again receiving a red card. United salvaged a point only thanks to a late equalizer from an unlikely source – defender Harry Maguire, whose headed goal kept United from an embarrassing collapse. Still, the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag has been growing, with many fans calling for his sacking. Despite the continued failures, United’s board seems reluctant to dismiss Ten Hag, likely due to his record of winning trophies – something no other manager since Sir Alex Ferguson has achieved. This loyalty may keep Ten Hag in charge until at least Christmas, especially if United can progress in the Europa League.

For Villa, this match is an opportunity to turn the page on their previous frustrations and secure a victory against a faltering United side. Last season, Villa enjoyed a resurgence under Unai Emery, but they were swept aside twice by Manchester United, who seemed to have their number. Emery has since become known for his tactical expertise and "scientific defending," which emphasizes discipline and structured play, making it difficult for opponents to break through. This system, known among fans as "kexue baoteng" (scientific defending in Chinese), has been vital to Villa's success.

United will need to find a way to breach Villa’s structured defense if they want to avoid another humiliating result. However, given their current form, it’s hard to imagine United putting in a performance of much higher than 30% of their attacking capability, while Villa’s own attack, which has struggled at times, may only operate at about 20%.

Chelsea’s Scoring Power and United’s Managerial Dilemma Take Center Stage

As Premier League Matchday 7 unfolds, the narratives of Chelsea’s goal-scoring prowess and Manchester United’s defensive disarray dominate the headlines. Chelsea’s attacking revolution under Mauricio Pochettino has transformed them into one of the most potent offenses in the league, with Palmer emerging as a star in the making. Nottingham Forest, despite their strong defense, face a daunting task in containing Chelsea’s relentless forward play. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s repeated failures under Erik ten Hag, especially in defense, have left the club in turmoil. Aston Villa will look to take advantage of United’s fragility and claim a statement win at Villa Park.

For Chelsea, topping the goal-scoring charts seems like an inevitability, while Manchester United face far more difficult questions about their future direction. The managerial dilemma surrounding Ten Hag shows no signs of resolution, and while he may survive for now, time is running out to fix the club’s deep-seated issues.