The Good 😀 The Bad 😕 The Ugly 👹: Basmati Busquets and award curse | OneFootball

After a weekend of FA Cup football, the top flight was back and better than ever.

We had wonder goals, late drama and ridiculous individual performances – so what does it all mean?

Let us take you through the big talking points and everything in between.

The Good

Declan Rice

West Ham put in a strong team performance as they beat Arsenal on Saturday but how good was Declan Rice?

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise in east London and recently signed a new six-year deal with the club – a decision that looks wiser by the day.

Rice was everywhere on the pitch. Winning headers, battling for aerial duels, sharp in the tackle, and all while remaining diligent in possession.

The Hammers look to have a gem on their hands and we are absolutely backing his his new Basmati Busquets tag.

Southampton under Hassenhüttl

Ralph Hasenhüttl arrived in England with considerable pedigree but nobody expected him to improve Southampton this quickly.

Under Mark Hughes, the Saints had one win all season and seven measly points. Hasenhüttl has already bettered that total (nine) in half the games.

When Yan Valery was sent off against Leicester, you wouldn’t have bemoaned a second-half collapse but they defended brilliantly to pick up three crucial points.

The Austrian has already implemented his style onto this squad and they’re far better for it. Winning against Claude Puel made things all the sweeter.

The Bad

Tottenham’s finishing

David de Gea was absolutely monstrous in goal at Wembley, making a string of impressive saves. That, however, should not excuse the mediocre standard of finishing.

Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Heung-min Son all went through with just the Spaniard to beat but opted to find his midriff instead of the back of the net.

Mauricio Pochettino will have been incredibly frustrated to watch his side squander chance after chance, knowing that the same group of players scored 15 in their last six Premier League games.

United, meanwhile, had three good chances and scored one of them. They certainly won’t be complaining.

Bournemouth and the award curse

Since Eddie Howe was named manager of the month for October, Bournemouth have lost nine of their last twelve games.

Watford lost four games in a row after Javi Gracia earned the award in August, while Wolves failed to win in five after Nuno Esperito Santo enjoyed a brilliant September.

The Cherries’ are unfortunate because their performances haven’t translated to results but sliding down the table remains very much a reality.

Could the transfer market provide a chance for Eddie Howe to stop the rut? Either way, this curse looks to have taken another victim.

The Ugly

Fulham trying to defend

Oh, Fulham. Most goals conceded, fewest clean sheets and their performance against Burnley showed everybody why.

After initially going ahead through a brilliant André Schürrle strike, they were victims of their own downfall at Turf Moor.

A lack of defensive awareness allowed Jeff Hendrick to fire home via the outstretched leg of Joe Bryan, before Dennis Odoi headed into his own net just three minutes later.

Claudio Ranieri has the ability to utilise their attacking options but losing to teams who can’t even muster a shot on target doesn’t bode well.

Special mention

Solskjaer makes history

Following the 1-0 win against Tottenham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer become one of only two Manchester United managers to have won each of their first five league games in charge.

He also became the first Manchester United manager ever to win his first six games in charge. What an impact he has made.