Manchester United 3-2 Nottingham Forest
Manchester United came from 2 goals behind to beat Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. Nottingham Forest found themselves in front inside 2 minutes after Taiwo Awoniyi kept up his superb goal-scoring streak. I have absolutely no idea what Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana were doing though. 2 minutes later and it was 2-0 Forest as Willy Boly got on the act with a header from about 6 yards out. Manchester United got one back in the 17th minute through Christian Eriksen before Casemiro missed an open goal. I really don’t understand how he didn’t just head the ball into the back of the Forest net. In the second half, Casemiro wouldn’t miss again as he scored from close range to make it two-all after 52 minutes. Matt Turner then pulled out a good save to deny Antony before Notts Forest Captain Joe Worrall was sent off for bringing down Bruno Fernandes. Personally, I’m not convinced that this was a Red card because I don’t think Fernandes would’ve gotten to the ball first. Manchester United were then handed a penalty after Marcus Rashford went down after “contact” from Danilo. I have no idea how this was a penalty, especially as the bar for penalties is meant to be higher this year. Anyway, Bruno Fernandes stepped up from 12 yards and scored a pretty good penalty to complete the comeback for United. In the end, Manchester United may have picked up the victory, but this performance didn’t convince me that they’re good enough to compete for the title. United rise to 8th spot and their next game is a big one away to Arsenal. As for Nottingham Forest, they’ll feel hard done by to have lost this game. Forest drop to 14th in the table and they play Burnley in the Carabao Cup midweek before they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Brighton 1-3 West Ham
West Ham United pulled out a brilliant performance (at The AMEX) to stun Brighton and Hove Albion! Billy Gilmour had a decent chance early on for Brighton, but he dragged his shot wide of the target before West Ham took the lead through James Ward-Prowse. I have no idea what Adam Webster was doing. In the second half, Evan Ferguson should’ve equalised for Brighton, but his effort was saved well by Alphonse Areola. In the 58th minute, it was 2-0 to the visitors as Jarrod Bowen scored what was a pretty good all-round goal from West Ham’s point of view. West Ham were then 3-0 up 5 minutes later as Michail Antonio scored a goal that was arguably better than Bowen’s. Antonio then had another chance which he poorly squandered before Pascal Gross got one back for Brighton with a nice finish. Brighton then had a few more chances to really get themselves back into the game, but they were denied well by Areola. In the end, this result takes Brighton and Hove Albion right back down to earth! The Seagulls drop to 6th in the table and they host Newcastle next time out. As for West Ham United, this was a hell of a result and performance from them. The Hammers now find themselves second in the league and their next game is away to Luton in this week’s Friday Night Football.
Burnley 1-3 Aston Villa
Aston Villa continued their high-scoring week by comfortably beating Burnley at Turf Moor. Aston Villa went in front after just 8 minutes through Matty Cash after a lovely pass from Ollie Watkins. 20 minutes in and Villa were 2-0 up as Matty Cash scored again! This was another really good team goal. Less than 2 minutes into the second half and Burnley had a goal back through Lyle Foster. Aston Villa will be annoyed that they didn’t keep this out, though. In the 61st minute, Aston Villa restored their two-goal advantage as Moussa Diaby scored with a superb finish. Ollie Watkins then had a really good chance to make it 4-1 Villa, but James Trafford denied him well. In the end, it’s not been the start to the season that Vincent Kompany and Burnley would’ve aimed for/wanted. The Clarets remain in the Relegation Zone (18th) and their next game is away to Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup before they host Tottenham in the Premier League. As for Aston Villa, they looked very good in this game. Villa now occupy 7th spot and they play Hibernian and Liverpool this week.
Arsenal 2-2 Fulham
Fulham scored both early and late to pick up a good point away to London rivals Arsenal. A terrible mistake from Bukayo Saka allowed Andreas Pereira to shoot, and his effort bamboozled Aaron Ramsdale enough to put Fulham in front inside 60 seconds! Raul Jimenez then came “spectacularly” close to making it 2-0 to Fulham before, in the second half, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after Kenny Tete stupidly fouled Fabio Viera. Bukayo Saka stepped up and scored to equalise for Arsenal in the 70th minute. 2-minutes later and it was 2-1 to Arsenal as Eddie Nketiah got on the scoresheet. Fulham were then down to 10-men as Calvin Bassey was shown a second yellow card, but then, in the 87th minute, Joao Palhinha scored to snatch a point for the visitors! In the end, this was a disappointing result for Arsenal. The Gunners drop to 5th in the table and their next game is a big one at home to Manchester United. As for Fulham, they deserved a result from this game and that’s exactly what they got. The Cottagers now find themselves in 12th spot and their next game is at home to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup before they go to Manchester City on Saturday.
Chelsea 3-0 Luton
Chelsea picked up their first victory under Mauricio Pochettino by thrashing Luton Town! Enzo Fernandez had a good chance to put Chelsea in front which he wasted, but Chelsea were soon in front after 17 minutes through Raheem Sterling. This was a good solo goal from Sterling. In the second half, Ben Chilwell had a golden opportunity to put Chelsea two in front, but he decided against shooting which was very odd. It kind of looked like when you play FIFA and you’d accidentally press the pass button. In the 68th minute, Chelsea had their second as Raheem Sterling got himself another goal. Chelsea then wrapped up the victory in the 75th minute as Nicolas Jackson got his first goal for The Blues. Overall, this should give Chelsea some confidence going forward. The Blues now find themselves inside the top half of the table (10th) and their next two games see them host both AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup and Nottingham Forest in the League. As for Luton Town, it’s not been the start to life in the Premier League that they had planned. The Hatters drop to 19th in the table and they host both Gillingham and West Ham this week.
Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool left it late to pick up a dramatic away victory against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. Newcastle took the lead in the 25th minute through Anthony Gordon, but the goal came down to the fact that Trent Alexander-Arnold made a terrible defensive error. Things then got worse for Liverpool three minutes later as Virgil van Dijk was shown a straight Red card for taking out Alexander Isak. It was certainly a close call, but there’s no doubt that van Dijk was the last man. Miguel Almiron then should’ve put Newcastle two in front, but his effort was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by Alisson. In the second half, Almiron had another good chance, but this time his effort hit the post and came out! In the 81st minute, Liverpool found an equaliser through Darwin Nunez. I have no idea what Sven Botman was doing, but that shouldn’t take away from what was a superb finish by Nunez. And then, in the 93rd minute, Darwin Nunez scored again to seal an incredible comeback victory for the visitors. In the end, Newcastle United will be gutted to have come away from this game empty-handed. The Magpies drop to 13th in the table and their next game is excitingly away to Brighton. As for Liverpool, these were the types of victories that Liverpool picked up when they went on to win or challenge for the title. The Reds move into the Top 4 (4th) and their next game is a big one at home to Aston Villa.
Sheffield United 1-2 Manchester City
Despite dominating the game, Manchester City left it late to keep up their 100% PL record. Julian Alvarez had a good chance to put Manchester City ahead in the first half, but his effort was saved well by Wesley Foderingham. Man City were then awarded a penalty after the ball struck the arm of John Egan, but it didn’t end up mattering too much as Erling Haaland shockingly hit the post! In the second half, Haaland had another good opportunity, but he once again failed to hit the target. Haaland then had another chance which was saved this time by Foderingham, but then, in the 63rd minute, Erling Haaland finally had his goal as he headed in from close range to put City 1-0 up. The ball from Jack Grealish was superb. However, the lead wouldn’t last as a terrible mistake from Kyle Walker allowed Jayden Bogle the opportunity to score which he absolutely took (his effort also took a deflection off Josko Gvardiol). What a stupid, stupid error from Kyle Walker. However, in the 88th minute, Walker was saved as Rodri fired home to put Manchester City back in front at Bramall Lane! In the end, Sheffield United will be gutted to have lost this game, but they can take massive positives from it. The Blades are now 17th in the table and they have two important games at home to Lincoln and Everton this week. As for Manchester City, I think the ending of this game shows they still have the hunger to win. City move to the top of the Premier League as the only team with a 100% record still, and their next game is at home to Fulham.
Bournemouth 0-2 Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur continued their good start to life under Ange Postecoglou by winning 2-0 at AFC Bournemouth. James Maddison had a good chance to put Tottenham in front after 15 minutes, but his effort was saved by Neto. However, Neto wouldn’t deny Maddison a second time as he scored his first goal in a Tottenham shirt to put them in front after 17 minutes. Richarlison then should’ve put Spurs two in front, but a mixture of him making a mess of it as well as good defending from Joe Rothwell meant it stayed as a one-goal game. Right at the end of the first half, Bournemouth had a great chance to level things up, but Philip Billing rather disappointingly stuck his effort wide of the target. And then, in the 63rd minute, Tottenham doubled their lead through Dejan Kulusevski. Iyenoma Udogie did superbly well to keep the ball in play, but I also have no idea why Lloyd Kelly decided to stop playing. In the end, it’s not been a particularly good start to the new campaign for AFC Bournemouth. The Cherries drop to 16th in the table and their next two games are both away against Swansea and Brentford. As for Tottenham Hotspur, they look pretty good at the moment. Spurs currently sit third in the league and they have games against Fulham and Burnley this week.
Brentford 1-1 Crystal Palace
Brentford took the lead after 18 minutes through a superb solo goal by Kevin Schade. This wasn’t a bad way for Schade to get his first Brentford goal! Yoane Wissa then had a pretty good opportunity for Brentford, but his lack of height prevented him from getting a proper connection on the ball. In the second half, Brentford Goalkeeper Mark Flekken pulled out two really good back-to-back saves to deny Crystal Palace an equaliser. His first save was particularly good. However, Flekken then made a mistake which saw Joachim Andersen score for Palace to tie the game up at 1-1. In the end, this was a slightly disappointing result for Brentford. The Bees drop to 9th in the table and they play away to Newport County in the Carabao Cup before they host Brentford in the League. As for Crystal Palace, I thought this was a decent result for them. The Eagles remain in 11th (not this again) and their next two games are away to Plymouth and at home to Wolves.
Everton 0-1 Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers scored a huge late goal to pour more misery onto Everton. James Tarkowski had a really good chance for Everton in the first half, but he poorly slashed the ball wide of the target. In the second half, Everton had more chances to score, but Jose Sa denied them with a quick back-to-back save. Defensive miscommunication from Everton then allowed Fabio Silva a golden chance to put Wolves in front, but he poorly missed the target completely. Jordan Pickford then pulled out a superb save to keep the game at nil-nil before Arnaut Danjuma was denied by Jose Sa. Abdoulaye Doucoure then thought for certain he’d put Everton in front, but Sa again denied the hosts with a World Class save. And then, in the 87th minute, Wolves dramatically took the lead through Sasa Kalajdzic. What an amazing moment for the Austrian Giant and the best part about all of this is the ball went into the back of the net off Sasa’s shoulder. In the end, this has been a disastrous start to the new season for Everton. The Toffees remain bottom of the league and their next two games are must-win against both Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield United. As for Wolverhampton Wanderers, they’ll be hoping that this result kick-starts their season. Wolves rise up to 15th in the table and they host Blackpool in the Carabao Cup tomorrow before they play away to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Premier League Table at the End of Gameweek 3
Manchester City: 9pts (+5)
West Ham: 7pts (+4)
Tottenham: 7pts (+4)
Liverpool: 7pts (+3)
Arsenal: 7pts (+2)
Brighton: 6pts (+4)
Aston Villa: 6pts (+2)
Manchester United: 6pts (0)
Brentford: 5pts (+3)
Chelsea: 4pts (+1)
Crystal Palace: 4pts (0)
Fulham: 4pts (-2)
Newcastle: 3pts (+2)
Nottingham Forest: 3pts (-1)
Wolves: 3pts (-3)
Bournemouth: 1pt (-4)
Sheffield United: 0pts (-3)
Burnley: 0pts (-5)
Luton: 0pts (-6)
Everton: 0pts (-6)
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