sport news TEN things we learned from the Premier League - including no quick fix at ... trends now

We are just two weeks into the Premier League season and already there has been plenty of fall-out to reflect on... and that's just Manchester United!

But with top clubs Liverpool and even Manchester City, despite the champions' two wins, having some concerns, and Premier League relegation contenders Brentford and Nottingham Forest chalking up early victories - there is plenty to speculate going forward this term.

That being said it's not too early to start picking up on talking points as we look at ten things we learned from the Premier League this weekend

Darwin Nunez needs to wise up

Liverpool have plenty to look forward to in Darwin Nunez who scored and made an assist on his Premier League debut at Fulham following his £85million move from Benfica this summer.

However, the forward still has much to learn too and he was given a lesson on Monday evening when he was sent off for headbutting Crystal Palace's Joachim Anderson having grown frustrated with the defender's close marking during the Anfield clash.

While Nunez looks like he has the ability to fire Liverpool to a title challenge he will need to quickly adjust to the tricks that will be deployed by defenders this term under the pressure of playing in a Reds shirt in the Premier League.

His reaction to Anderson came following niggly fouls and slight pushes from the defender and Nunez's Reds team-mate Virgil van Dijk admits he needs to wise up.

‘He has to control himself, definitely,’ insisted van Dijk. ‘He has to manage himself, knowing that these things can happen, especially in the Premier League.

'He's got the backing from us and he knows it should not happen again and hopefully it will be that way.

‘He was disappointed and also probably with himself. But it's a learning curve and obviously we will always back him. Hopefully it will never happen again.’

There is no quick fix at Manchester United

If Erik ten Hag thought one or two signings could get Manchester United clicking again then it's taken fewer than two games for that notion to be banished.

United's 4-0 defeat by Brentford on Saturday was a new low for the Red Devils, even in a chaotic last year at Old Trafford, as they conceded all four of the goals in 35 crazy first half minutes.

Not only have the club's fortunes not improved much on the pitch, but new arrivals including Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez have endured poor starts on it leading to a worst start in 30 years for the club.

Supporters can accept losing a game providing they can see progress or at least positivity to build on, but the humiliation at the Gtech Community Stadium was worse than anything produced under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick last term.

There were no clear chances for United, no cohesion in attack, barely any understanding in the midfield and certainly no organisation in defence - and it leaves Ten Hag with problems to address in just about every single position. 

Ten Hag then must realise already that it's going to take more than new faces to turn around United's fortunes. While new arrivals will be welcome, there is a rot setting in at Old Trafford that the Dutch boss must quickly mitigate.

Turning around team morale will be crucial already at this early stage of the season but given the turmoil of a dressing room that still features a wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo - that will be easier said than done.

Antonio Conte has brought a nasty streak to Spurs

It's been a problem about Tottenham for years, it's not been an unidentified one too.

Spurs have for many decades just been 'too nice' and easy to play against despite their attractive football and perhaps the first person to openly say it was Sir Alex Ferguson, with the former Manchester United manager's legendary team-talk when playing the north London club boiled down to three simple words of 'Lad's it's Tottenham.'

It plagued even Mauricio Pochettino's teams at the height of his reign between 2016 and 2019, and even his successor Jose Mourinho effectively tried to bang a few heads together by telling his players they had to be a 'bunch of intelligent c****.' 

Antonio Conte may have finally cracked the code though. Spurs were poor at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but encouragingly they still managed to scrap their way to a 2-2 draw.

Robust challenges and a few darks arts like hair pulling, were led by centre-back Cristian Romero who is quickly becoming a fan favourite after adding a bit of a ruthless streak to Conte's side. 

With the likes of Richarlison, who also seems to enjoy a confrontation or two, Spurs don't look like being a easy side to bully this season.

Even Conte himself is leading the battle from the front following his touchline scraps with Thomas Tuchel and Spurs fans will hope this new layer of steel could be the key to finally ending their trophy drought this term. 

Erling Haaland brings more than goals to Man City

Erling Haaland was simply brought to Manchester City to score goals - and a bucket load of them. No amount of spin is going to convince otherwise.

The striker, who was chased by all of Europe's big hitters over the last year while at Borussia Dortmund, instantly showed his worth on the opening day with both goals in a 2-0 win over West Ham. 

However he was a lot more limited against Bournemouth - touching the ball incredibly only eight times before being withdrawn after 74 minutes.