Welcome to The DebriefSki Sports column in which Adam Bathe uses a mix of data and opinion to think through some of the key storylines from recent Premier League games. this week:
- Bournemouth’s incredible fast starts are illustrated
- More on Sunderland’s dynamic midfield duo
- Rodon’s unusual threat from a corner for Leeds
- Scheid’s pace is unstoppable after Andrews’ advice
Bournemouth get off to a fast start
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest highlights
Bournemouth needed all of 25 minutes to find their breakthrough 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Andoni Iraola’s side have actually taken the lead earlier than that in most of their nine Premier League games so far this season.
It’s a remarkable statistic considering Premier League leaders Arsenal have not led after 30 minutes in any of their last eight games in the competition. When it comes to quick starts in matches, the Cherries are peerless, not the Gunners.
It reflects the intensity of their football under Iraola. Speaking with Ski Sports of this past season he explained: “You have to play to your strengths and that’s why it helps to have a young team with players who can play with a lot of energy, at a high pace.”
Perhaps that youthful exuberance explains some of their late goals, a goal in the 89th minute or later in each of the three games before the win over Forest. But the fact that Bournemouth are starting much faster than their opponents depends on Iraola’s approach.
They cover by far the greatest distance with great intensity in the first five minutes, setting the tone by running 10 percent further than even the next best team. It’s a feature that has become a trademark – making them a favorite among neutrals.
Sunderland’s sadistic revelation
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Chelsea v Sunderland
Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki have quickly established themselves as the Premier League’s dynamic duo, with the Sunderland pair the only two players in the competition to cover over 100km this season. It’s a partnership.
The stats were used to refute the suggestion that Sadiki is there to provide the legs to complement Xhaka’s nous, proof that the 33-year-old midfielder can still cover the ground. However, it is also slight on Sadiki implying that he is a mere athlete.
Sunderland duo Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki have covered the most ground this season
Consider Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris’s comments when Sadiki arrived from Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer. “What immediately stood out was his composure on the ball, his ability to control the rhythm and maturity in his decision-making.”
Sadiki’s ticket to Sunderland in the Premier League this season
Genius IK data shows that while Sadiki’s pass completion rate is 87.58 percent, the expected completion rate of those passes, given the position of everyone on the pitch and the difficulty of passing attempts, is 84.07 percent – 3.51 percentage points lower.
Sadiki, 20, is indeed proving to be the ideal partner for Xhaka in midfield, a combination that has helped propel Sunderland to astonishing heights. But while Xhaka has shown he can run, make no mistake, Sadiki has shown he can also play.
Rodon’s threat from corners
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Leeds v West Ham in the Premier League
Joe Rodon headed in a goal Leeds in a 2-1 win over West Ham it was the ninth goal in the Premier League that the Irons have conceded from a corner this season. No other side conceded more than three. And there is no excuse for not anticipating the threat of Rodon.
It was the ninth time the Wales international center has won first contact from a corner into the box this season. For context, the next most Premier League players are five. He became a real weapon in the opposition box.
Rawdon scored at the same end of the pitch at Elland Road against Bournemouth earlier this season, much to the delight of his boss Daniel Farke. “He adds a goal threat,” Farke said at the time. “I was always moaning about it. I was on his back about it.”
Joe Rawdon became a real threat for Leeds in the opponent’s penalty area
Now, Rodon has his second goal of the campaign. Coupled with his assured performances at the other end of the pitch, it was a triumphant return to the top division for a player who was unable to force his way into a regular place for Tottenham in his younger days.
Farke recently described him as “much more mature” now, having developed considerably. A much better player than he was three years ago, he has already proven that he can do it. And now Rodon has added that goal threat to his game.
Andrews predicts Shad’s goal
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Brentford beat Liverpool to win 3-2
You may have seen it shot from the flight Keith Andrews discusses the chances that might be there for Kevin Schade when he plays on the left and makes that run from out to in Liverpool beat Brentford 3-2 on Saturday night.
“When you win on the opposite side of where you are, there are goals.” Andrews told Shad. “The right back is here,” he added, pointing to the pitch. It proved so as Conor Bradley was caught trying to continue and Schade won the race on Ibrahim Konate.
Liverpool’s Connor Bradley progressed with his team in possession
Kevin Schade ran into goal to score for Brentford against Liverpool
Brentford’s Kevin Shade is the fastest player in the Premier League this season
Once at the back, there is sure to be no catching the 23-year-old flyer. Schade has a top speed of 37.44km/h in the Premier League this season, making him the fastest man in the competition. Andrews believes there is more.
“From the very start of pre-season, I felt he was ready for the next step in his journey to be a more prominent figure in the team,” he said after Schade’s goal against Chelsea last month. Now Liverpool also felt the power of his unstoppable pace.