Louis van Gaal has instilled discipline at Manchester United and Oscar's form is costing Chelsea - 10 THINGS WE LEARNED

  • Manchester United haven't picked up a booking in their last three games 
  • Tottenham's Dele Alli is making his £5m fee from MK Dons look a bargain
  • Oscar's form is one reason why Chelsea have started the season poorly

After seven games played, Manchester United are top of the Premier League with 16 points following their 3-0 home win over Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Chelsea continue to stutter in 15th position, after their 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal on the up after victories over Manchester City and Leicester City, respectively.

Sportsmail looks at the 10 things we learned from the weekend's action.

 

1. Louis van Gaal has improved Manchester United's discipline at the start of his second season – the 3-0 win over Sunderland was the third game in a row without a single booking.

United have been shown only 13 yellow cards in 11 matches in all competitions so far this campaign.

After the same number of games last year they'd collected 20 yellows and three reds.

Louis van Gaal has improved Manchester United's discipline at the start of his second season

Louis van Gaal has improved Manchester United's discipline at the start of his second season

2. James Milner got a huge ovation from Aston Villa's fans as he went to take a corner in front of them at Anfield – despite having scored against his old club after just 63 seconds.

The reaction from his old club's fans was all the more generous considering his record against them since his departure in 2011 to join Manchester City, a move which ultimately precipitated Martin O'Neill's decision to walk out.

Liverpool's 3-2 win was the 10th time he's played against Villa since leaving, and he's been on the winning side nine times.

James Milner got a huge ovation from Aston Villa's fans as he went to take a corner in front of them at Anfield

James Milner got a huge ovation from Aston Villa's fans as he went to take a corner in front of them at Anfield

3. Teenager Dele Alli is already making his £5million fee from MK Dons look an absolute bargain, adding huge industry, as well as skill, to Tottenham's midfield.

The 19-year-old covered 8.3 miles during the 4-1 thumping of Manchester City, the second-furthest distance run by any Premier League player this season.

He also logged 81 sprints on the EA Sports performance index, the most of any player this weekend.

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli is already making his £5million fee from MK Dons look an absolute bargain

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli is already making his £5million fee from MK Dons look an absolute bargain

4. Oscar's struggle for form is one of the reasons Chelsea have started the season so poorly, and he was hooked again by manager Jose Mourinho after just 61 minutes at Newcastle.

The Brazilian had to miss the Copa America during the summer because of hamstring issues and still hasn't completed 90 minutes in a match.

His flair was one of the big plus points for Chelsea in the first half of last season – but he hasn't played an entire game in any competition now since an FA Cup tie at Liverpool last January.

Oscar (right) has struggled for form and this is one of the reasons Chelsea have started the season so poorly

Oscar (right) has struggled for form and this is one of the reasons Chelsea have started the season so poorly

5. Wayne Hennessey has taken his form with Wales into the Premier League after helping Crystal Palace earn their 1-0 win at Watford.

The 28-year-old, who nearly moved to West Brom before the August deadline, grabbed his chance after boss Alan Pardew dropped £3.5m summer signing Alex McCarthy.

Hennessey hasn't been beaten in 504 minutes for his country in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, and has now also kept clean sheets in his last two Premier League matches.

Wayne Hennessey has taken his form with Wales into the Premier League after helping Crystal Palace win

Wayne Hennessey has taken his form with Wales into the Premier League after helping Crystal Palace win

6. It's just over a year since a defensive injury crisis meant unknown Hector Bellerin was called up out of nowhere to make his debut for Arsenal in a Champions League tie away to Sporting Lisbon.

Now aged 20, the Spanish defender is beginning to establish himself as first-choice right back, having not missed a Premier League game since the 2-0 loss at home to West Ham on the opening day.

His energy going forward makes a difference – he was involved in the build up to Arsenal's second and third goals at Leicester.

Spanish youngster Hector Bellerin is beginning to establish himself as first-choice right back at Arsenal

Spanish youngster Hector Bellerin is beginning to establish himself as first-choice right back at Arsenal

7. Ryan Bertrand's return to the Southampton side following injury is good news for both club manager Ronald Koeman and England boss Roy Hodgson.

The former Chelsea defender, who underwent knee surgery in the summer, got through an impressive 90 minutes in the 3-1 win over Swansea.

No Saints player completed more passes in the attacking half of the field than his 20.

Ryan Bertrand (right) back in the Southampton side following injury is good news for club and country

Ryan Bertrand (right) back in the Southampton side following injury is good news for club and country

8. Tom Ince is recapturing the form that once made him one of English football's hottest properties as big-spending Derby begin to hit their stride in the Championship.

Now 23, the son of former England skipper Paul was a sensation under Ian Holloway's management at Blackpool but then lost his way after signing for Hull.

He began to sort himself out on loan at Derby last season, but a £4.75m permanent move in the summer has helped him blossom. His goal in the 3-1 win at MK Dons was his third of the season, but he's also created 25 chances for others in nine games.

Derby's Tom Ince is recapturing the form that once made him one of English football's hottest properties

Derby's Tom Ince is recapturing the form that once made him one of English football's hottest properties

9. Wigan boss Gary Caldwell is proving himself a hard task master and blamed teenage striker Jordan Flores for his side failing to hang on to a lead at struggling Oldham.

Academy product Flores, 19 and making only his second start in League One, was sent off for kicking in retaliation at Jay Fulton following a bad tackle.

Arsene Wenger or Jose Mourinho might have made excuses for the youngster, but Caldwell insisted: 'You can't let your team-mates down like that.'

10. There are some people who insist the curse of the Manager of the Month award is a myth, but Leyton Orient's Ian Hendon is not likely to be one of them.

The 43-year-old deservedly picked up the League Two prize for August after a six-wins start to the season which saw the Os as the only side in the top four divisions with a 100 per cent record.

Since getting his gong, however, things have gone from bad to worse. The 1-1 draw at Northampton, thanks to Dean Cox's last-minute equaliser, made it just three points from four games in September.

Leyton Orient's Ian Hendon deservedly picked up the League Two Manager of the Month prize for August

Leyton Orient's Ian Hendon deservedly picked up the League Two Manager of the Month prize for August

 

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