Five things we learnt from the Premier League: including Diego Costa's comeuppance is not far away and Louis van Gaal is feeling smug

ANALYSIS:

Sunday 20 September 2015 19:26

Anthony Martial impressed yet again

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STAR NAMES ARE BEING LEFT IN THE SHADE

Last season's star trio of Sergio Aguero, Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez have only two goals between them - Riyad Mahrez of Leicester and Bournemouth's Callum Wilson have five apiece. It is early days, but the form of the lesser-fancied clubs and players is eye-opening

EUROPE IS A HEADACHE FOR MANCHESTER CITY

For all their spending power, Manchester City still struggle to come to terms with the demands of playing in the Champions League and Premier League. Juventus opened the wound in midweek and West Ham rubbed salt into it in agonising style, illustrating that City were still feeling the effects of that match in Europe. Manuel Pellegrini needs to sort out this weakness - and quickly.

DIEGO COSTA IS KIND, CONSIDERATE AND SPORTSMANLIKE

OK so we didn't learn that - his antics against Arsenal merely confirmed him as the Premier League's leading hate figure. What the referees and assistants are learning however is that he keeps pulling the wool over their eyes - his comeuppance can surely not be too far away.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

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1/21Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Southampton: Stekelenburg: 5/10

The Dutchman was not helped by his defenders, but did not have the look of a composed man. Not a worthy replacement for Fraser Forster.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Yoshida 4

Right back is not his favoured position and it showed. Produced a criminal back pass to gift Martial the opportunity to score his second goal.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Fonte 6

A leading light in Southampton's back line. The only remaining member of last season's tight knit rearguard, he is a level above the rest.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Van Dijk 5

The defender is quickly discovering that the Premier League is not comparable to the north of the border. Struggled and lucky not to be dismissed for a petulant foul on Martial.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Targett 5

Substituted at half time after struggling to contain United's forages forward on the right flank.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Wanyama 6

The enforcer was not at his best but still helped to smother plenty of United attacks. However, couldn't link to the front men as well as he would have liked.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Romeu 5

Struggled to get a foothold in the game. The Spaniard must improve if he is to fulfil his potential at St. Mary's.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Mane 6

A constant menace. Few defenders seem to have figured out how to stop him and he produced a superb assist for Pelle's second.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Ward-Prowse 6

The English youngsters boasts superb delivery from wide areas and did not disappoint. Needs to do more to cope with the physicality of the division.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Tadic 6

Encouraging early on, but the midfielder's display fizzled out somewhat. His crosses did not dip in quality but he did not have the impact that his start suggested he would.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Pelle 7

A simple tap in for the first goal, which he took well, and nodded home superbly for his second. Would have had a hat trick but for the width of the post.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Manchester United: De Gea 7/10

The safest pair of hands in the division. Exposed by his poor defence on countless occasions but still made several smart stops.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Darmian 5

Withdrawn at half time due to injury. If the Italian's absence is an extended one he will be sorely missed given the impressive start to his career in England.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Smalling 5

All at sea early on in a throw back to the dark days. Struggled to cope with Pelle's power and the fluid nature of the remainder of Southampton's attack. A dip after what has been a stellar start to the campaign.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Blind 5

Although the Dutchman is composed on the ball his lack of pace is strikingly obvious. His ability can get him our of trouble at times but his snail-like speed can be his downfall at centre back.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Carrick 5

The Englishman's strengths do not seem to sit well with Schneiderlin's. Sat deep but looked off the pace. He is far from an enforcer and his composed - but safe - patterns of passing did little to affect the game.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Schneiderlin 6

Appeared to be somewhat affected by the return to familiar surroundings. Received a bit of jib from the home crowd but still managed to pass the ball impeccably.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Mata 6

Debate continues in regards to the Spaniard's best position, though the right flank is not alien to him.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Rooney 6

Distinctly average. The skipper was deployed at number 10 and covered plenty of ground but did not provide the cutting edge in the final third that he is constantly expected to command.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Depay 6

It just isn't happening for the Dutchman. He is desperate to make something happen but his powerful runs and ability on the ball are yet to yield a final product. Struck the post in the build up to Mata's goal.

Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 player ratings

Martial 8

The teenager has answered his critics emphatically. A well-taken brace courtesy of two composed finishes had the appearance of a man with far more experience than the 19-year-old. His instant impact goes from strength to strength.

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IT'S A NIGHTMARE IN THE NORTH-EAST

If last season was a tough time to be a fan of Newcastle and Sunderland, this season is looking even worse with the deadly rivals propping up the Premier League table. Newcastle boss Steve McClaren is clearly no miracle worker, while Sunderland's squad looks substantially short on quality.

VAN GAAL IS FEELING MIGHTY SMUG

Some performance for the £36million teenager Anthony Martial, with two goals at Southampton on his first Premier League start. Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal could be forgiven for saying 'I told you so'.

PA

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