Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
No one can now say that Arsenal aren’t the real deal. Top of the league after 9 games, with wins against Tottenham and Liverpool in the past week, anything is possible for Mikel Arteta’s side. Gabriel Martinelli put the Gunners in front inside a minute before Darwin Nunez levelled it up for the visitors at the 34th minute of the game. Nunez was in an offside position when the build-up started and even though he didn’t touch the ball, him being changed what the Arsenal defenders were going to do. They could have (maybe should have) had a penalty earlier on, but this shouldn’t have been a goal. Then right before halftime, Bukayo Saka put Arsenal back in front. The lead only last for 10 minutes (in-game) as Bobby Firmino put the ball home with a really nice finish. In the 76th minute, Arsenal were awarded a penalty for a Thiago foul on Gabriel Jesus. It’s one of those where if you are the attacking team, you would want a penalty but if you are defending, you’d think it’s quite soft. If it happened at the other end, you can bet that Liverpool would be asking for a penalty and Arsenal would be complaining. It doesn’t matter though as Bukayo Saka stepped up and calmly placed it past the keeper’s right hand. That was enough to see Arsenal earn all 3 points. For Arsenal, the win means they stay top of the league with an 100% home record. They play away in the Europa League on Thursday before they face Leeds at Elland Road. As for Liverpool, the defeat means they sit 10th, 14 points of the top of the table (with a game in hand). It’s becoming very concerning for Jurgen Klopp and his team and their next 2 games see them play away to Rangers at Ibrox before they host Manchester City in a game that could genuinely decide their season.
Newcastle 5-1 Brentford
Newcastle look really good right now. This would have been a game they would have drawn a few weeks ago but they seem to have sorted that out. Newcastle took the lead through Bruno Guimaraes in what can only be described as a perfectly executed set piece routine. Newcastle were soon 2-0 up through Jacob Murphy in what could only be described as a terrible goalkeeping mistake. Brentford though they were back into after Ivan Toney scored a superb penalty kick in the 54th minute but they were wrong as less than 2 minutes later, Bruno got his second and Newcastle’s third. With less than 10 minutes to go, Brentford made another terrible defensive mistake which allowed Miguel Almiron to get on the score sheet and then Ethan Pinnock scored an own goal in the 90th minute to sum up the Bees day. Newcastle have won their last 2 games by an aggregate score of 9-2. They sit 6th in table and face the team just above them at Old Trafford next week. Brentford started the season pretty well, but they have really struggled in their last 3 games. They have now dropped down to 11th and they host Brighton and Hove Albion on Friday Night Football later this week.
Manchester City 4-0 Southampton
Manchester City have now scored 33 Premier League goals in just 9 appearances this season. Erling Haaland came close to getting a goal but unfortunately for him, his shot hit the post and came out. It didn’t matter too much for Man City though as Joao Cancelo capped off a terrific solo run by putting the ball into the back of the net in the 20th minute. City were then 2-0 up through Phil Foden. Foden’s finish was like vintage Sergio Aguero. Less than 5 minutes into the second half, Riyad Mahrez made it 3-0 and Erling Haaland wasn’t to be denied as he made it 4-0 to cap off a lovely City move. A great win for City again, they stay second, just a point off of leaders Arsenal, knowing they face Copenhagen in the Champions League before a big test away to Liverpool at Anfield. As for Southampton, they have now lost 4 games in a row and sit perilously above the relegation zone in 17th. They host West Ham United next week in a must win game.
West Ham 3-1 Fulham
West Ham have had a pretty great 8 days. They beat Wolves at home, they went to Belgium and got against Anderlecht and now they’ve pulled out another 3 points in the league. It didn’t start well for the Hammers though as Andreas Pereira strike shot straight past Lukas Fabianski and into the top corner. Dan James then came close to making it 2-0 but his shot smashed off the crossbar and went out of play. Pereira then committed a stupid foul inside the penalty area which allowed Jarrod Bowen to strike from the penalty spot and level the game at 1-1. Gianluca Scamacca then made it 2-1 for the Hammers with a lovely, dinked finisher. However, he didn’t celebrate because he thought he was offside and also, VAR were looking at a potential use of the hand by the West Ham striker, but neither were given. The right call in my opinion. In additional time at the end of the game, Michael Antonio wrapped up the points for West Ham after a complete mess on Fulham’s behalf. Two league wins in a row for West Ham means they now sit in a more respectable 13th place, but you can bet that the whole team wants a lot more. They host Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League this Thursday before an away trip to Southampton in a game that they arguably should be winning. As for Fulham, their really good start to the season is starting to falter. They are still inside the top 10 though and they host Bournemouth (a team that are actually above them) next time out.
Chelsea 3-0 Wolves
Graham Potter continued his 100% run in the league as Chelsea boss with a convincing win over managerless Wolves. Chelsea created multiple chances in the first half, but they just couldn’t get the ball past Jose Sa. However, Kai Havertz managed to score with his head to put Chelsea in front, right before halftime. This was a terrible goal to concede from a Wolves perspective, not only because of the timing but also because of how poor Jose Sa was. His positioning was horrendous, and it cost his side. 10 minutes into the second half, Christian Pulisic made it 2-0 to basically kill the game off. Armando Broja then managed to get his first ever Chelsea goal in the 89th minute to seal the deal. It’s been a pretty good start for Graham Potter at Chelsea and this win now means the Blues have moved into a Champions League position. They go to the San Siro to play AC Milan this week before they face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday. As for Wolves, it’s really not looking good for them. They sit 18th in the table, having lost their last 3 games by an aggregate score of 8-0. They host Nottingham Forest next week in a game that if they don’t win, they’re never going to.
Everton 1-2 Manchester United
Manchester United pulled out a big win on a historic day for Cristiano Ronaldo. Everton got off to a great start inside 5 minutes as Alex Iwobi scored with a brilliant strike. Manchester United were then level just under 10 minutes later as Anthony continued his goal a game record in the Premier League. Then, just a few minutes before halftime, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th club goal to put Manchester United ahead. Ronaldo becomes the first ever player to hit this legendary landmark and I can’t see too many more players ever doing this. Marcus Rashford then thought he had continued his pretty impressive run of form, but his goal was disallowed for a handball in the run up to the goal. This was a terrible decision, there was no intention from Rashford and also, it barely even hit his arm. It didn’t end up mattering too much in the end though as Manchester United were able to see the game out and take all 3 points. A loss will hurt Everton’s confidence a bit given they were unbeaten for a while but it’s just how it goes sometimes. They are currently sitting in 12th and face a really tough test away to Tottenham later this week on Saturday Night Football. As for Man United, a win is exactly what Eric Ten Hag needed after the poor loss against Manchester City last week. And the team now sits in a pretty solid 5th place. After hosting Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League, they once again play at home but this time it will be a much tougher test as Newcastle come to town. That should be a really good game.
Bournemouth 2-1 Leicester
Bournemouth sit 8th in the Premier League table! Patson Daka put Leicester ahead inside 10 minutes in what was a mixed goal for the foxes. They got a lot of luck when the ball deflected of the Bournemouth defenders and into Patson Daka but, his finish was superb. Halfway into the second half, Wout Faes made a poor mistake and that ended up costing his side as Phillip Billing ended up levelling the game for the Cherries. Then, just 4 minutes later, Ryan Christie scored to send the Vitality Stadium mental and cap off a brilliant AFC Bournemouth comeback. That goal was also enough to see the Cherries gain all 3 points. Bournemouth are quietly having a brilliant season. They haven’t loss since they faced Liverpool and sit in an incredible 8th place. They play fellow promoted side Fulham at Craven Cottage in their next game. As for Leicester, this was a poor loss. This was an opportunity to build on last week’s positive game, but it just didn’t happen for them. They have now lost all 5 of their away games in the league this season and are back to being at the bottom of the Premier League table. The Foxes host Crystal Palace in their next Premier League game.
Crystal Palace 2-1 Leeds
Crystal Palace earnt themselves a much-needed win at home to Leeds. Brenden Aaronson did most of the Crystal Palace defenders, but his shot could only hit the post. Luckily for Leeds, Pascal Struijk was there to put the ball home on the follow-up. Patrick Bamford had a chance, but his shot was saved and then in the 24th minute, Odsonne Edouard headed home to level the game for the Eagles. With less than 15 minutes to go, Eberechi Eze showcased why I had him in my England squad for the World Cup. Eze showed composure by taking another touch before he brilliantly placed the ball in passed Meslier and into the back of the net. The win for Palace was much needed and they have now moved up to 15th in the table. They play away to Leicester City next time out in a game they will believe they can win. As for Leeds, they have struggled recently. They earnt 7 points in their opening 3 games but have only managed 2 in their last 5. They sit 14th and it isn’t going to get any easier as they host Arsenal next time out.
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest finally ended their losing streak at home to Aston Villa. Morgan Gibbs White’s set piece delivery was met by Emmanuel Dennis who scored his first ever goal in a Nottingham Forest shirt. The lead didn’t last too long though as Ashley Young smashed the ball into the back of the net from well outside the box to the delight of his manager Steven Gerrard. Both Ollie Watkins and Morgan Gibbs White had half chances but neither of them were able to put the ball into the back of the net. After 5 defeats in a row, Nottingham Forest have earnt themselves a point. It’s not something they can continue to accept but it’s a start. They now sit 19th in the table and face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux next time out. As for Aston Villa, a draw is disappointing, but the biggest concern is the performance. They weren’t very good, and it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. They are in 16th place and host Chelsea next time out.
Brighton 0-1 Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur pulled out a big away win at the AMEX Stadium. Tottenham took the lead through Harry Kane and that was all that was required to get the 3 points. Kane’s goal was a proper strikers finish, he flicked the ball, with his head, past Robert Sanchez in the Brighton goal. Brighton suffered only their second loss of the season (first under new management) and they now sit 7th as a result of it. Their next game sees them go to the Brentford Community Stadium to take on the Bees. As for Tottenham, this was exactly the result they needed after a pretty tough week. They are still in third place and after a game against Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League, they host Everton on Saturday Night Football.
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