Maresca's Big Challenge as City Faces United, Chelsea Looks to End Hull's Streak

Enzo Maresca faces his first big challenge since taking over from Pep Guardiola as City visits United for the Manchester derby on Sunday. Arsenal will also be looking to keep their winning streak alive at Sunderland.

Aside from last season’s top two teams, newly-promoted Hull is still unbeaten. But their strong start will be tested against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea, who have been scoring freely.

At the bottom of the table, Fulham has not earned a point under Alvaro Arbeloa as they prepare for a tough game against Liverpool.

AFP Sport highlights three key points ahead of this weekend’s matches:

Haaland Wants More Goals

In four matches, Maresca has had a solid start after taking over as City’s coach. They have nine points from nine in the Premier League and began their Champions League journey with a win in Porto. But the team's performances have not always impressed.

Coventry missed several chances to score their first goal and earn a point in the top flight for the first time in 25 years at the Etihad last weekend. City narrowly won 1-0, and Maresca’s team needed two late goals to overcome Bournemouth in their first match of the season.

It was not just a change in coaches. City spent a record £460 million ($623 million) on new players, bringing in a new midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Elliott Anderson, and Ayyoub Bouaddi. They could start together for the first time at Old Trafford. One consistent factor for City is Erling Haaland’s ability to score goals.

The Norwegian striker has netted five goals in four games, making him City’s third-highest goalscorer of all time with 167 goals. “I’m really proud of these numbers, but I’m only 26, and I’m hungry for more,” said Haaland.

Concerns for Fulham

Alvaro Arbeloa’s time as Fulham coach may be short if he cannot turn things around at Anfield. He is currently the bookmakers’ favorite to be the first Premier League manager sacked after losing three straight matches.

Arbeloa has been criticized for being too naive in his tactics, which have left Fulham’s defense vulnerable. A match against Liverpool, where he played for two and a half seasons, is next, followed by a home game against Manchester United. After that, there will be a three-week international break that could give the club time to reconsider their decision to hire him.

“It is not about my position, but I am very confident and I talk to my players that they are working in the way I want,” said Arbeloa.

Hull Must Challenge Chelsea

Hull was expected to struggle this season after being favored for relegation, but they have not conceded a goal yet in their return to the Premier League. Chelsea’s sharp attack will test Hull’s defense after Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer helped the team score six goals in a 6-3 win against Leeds in the League Cup.

Palmer scored twice after coming on at half-time, and Rogers had four assists, bringing Chelsea's total to 16 goals in five matches under Alonso. “To kick them,” joked Hull coach Sergej Jakirovic about his plan to stop the Chelsea attack, which includes the in-form Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, and Estevao. “If you are there man-marking, you don’t have a chance.”