MANCHESTER, England -- It says something when a £220 million summer spending spree -- more than half of which has been invested on new defenders -- results in a team playing their first home game of the season with a left winger asked to play as a wing-back. But that is the reality of Manchester City under Pep Guardiola at the start of the 2017-18 campaign.

In total, Guardiola has spent just short of £400m on new players since taking charge as manager in June 2016, but the tactical confusion...

MANCHESTER, England -- Three quick thoughts from Manchester City's 1-1 draw versus Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

1. Man City, Everton settle for a point

Wayne Rooney continued to silence his doubters in an Everton shirt, as Manchester City gave further ammunition to those who wonder when they will finally get it right under Pep Guardiola.

Rooney's 200th Premier League goal -- he also scored his 50th and 150th Premier League goals against City -- looked set to earn Everton...

LONDON -- There really is no place like home and don't Tottenham know it. They have certainly made every effort to make Wembley feel like "home" after their temporary move to the national stadium while White Hart Lane is being rebuilt, but for all the Tottenham banners, flags and even the executive box windows bearing a frosted image of the club crest, Wembley is still anything but home for Mauricio Pochettino's players.

Having signed off at White Hart Lane in May with an unbeaten home record...

LONDON -- Three thoughts from Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

1. Wembley woe for Tottenham

Just like last season's FA Cup semifinal defeat to Chelsea, Tottenham probably did not deserve to lose this game.

But they did, and the manner of this defeat means it is far more damaging than the one in April. Michy Batshuayi's own goal eight minutes from time, cancelling out Marcos Alonso's 22nd-minute free kick, appeared to have salvaged a deserved point for the hosts, which...

STOKE-ON-TRENT, England -- Three thoughts from Stoke City's 1-0 Premier League victory against Arsenal at the bet365 Stadium.

1. Stoke sink Arsenal yet again

Stoke City are never to be taken lightly, and definitely not against the opponent they love beating most of all. For the third time in five seasons, they mugged Arsenal at their home ground. 

Jese's 47th-minute winner came after Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka was caught out in possession. Saido Berahino's link-up play was cool...

LIVERPOOL, England -- Three thoughts from Liverpool's 1-0 win against Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

1. Mane the man as Liverpool edge Palace  

Liverpool would love to welcome Philippe Coutinho back, but Sadio Mane is carrying the torch for their attack in Coutinho's absence due to a back injury.

The Reds missed Coutinho's creativity for large sections of Saturday's win, but with Mane's help manager Jurgen Klopp's side are 1-0-1. His second goal in as...