Premier League Gameweeks 2-3

After an opening weekend of debuting players, managers and long awaited club return in the Premier League, Gameweek's two and three saw the League begin to take shape with surprises in the top and bottom four. 

City Cruise Past Eagles

Friday night saw Manchester City ease to a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The visitors opened the scoring on 17 minutes as Antoine Semenyo crossed for Erling Haaland to head in for 1-0 and the lead remained until the 53rd minute as Rayan Cherki sashayed through the Eagles defence to slot in for a 2-0 advantage. Palace cut the gap in style as Yeremy Pino's free-kick cannoned off Gianluigi Donnarumma for 2-1 but their joy was short lived as Cherki claimed his second goal of the evening for 3-1 and the rout was rounded off six minutes from the end as Phil Foden who picked out Haaland for his second of the evening with the 4-1 win sending City to the top of the table. 

Reds Deny Forest Joy

Liverpool extended their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest at Anfield in the Saturday lunchtime game. Morgan Gibbs-White picked out Dan Ndoye who slotted in for the opener on 24 minutes and a 1-0 lead that was almost levelled on 32 minutes by Florian Wirtz but his effort was chalked off due an offside in the build-up. The leveller did come on the hour mark as Cody Gakpo's cross found Alexander Isak who send it into the net for 1-1. The visitors regained the lead in the 70th minute as Gibbs-White fired a penalty past Allison Becker for 2-1. Alike the opening weekend, it was to be a 2-2 draw for Liverpool and it was sealed in style by a superb effort from Victor Munoz on 82 minutes. 

Magpies March Past Spurs

Newcastle United secured their first win of the season with 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The two sides played out a closely fought goalless first half before the opening finally came on 62 minutes with a clever turn and shoot move from Anthony Elanga which put the visitors 1-0 ahead. The lead was doubled just 10 minutes later courtesy of an acrobatic effort from Yoane Wissa after collecting Nick Woltemade's header for 2-0 and they held firm to extend Spurs' woes. 

Tigers Topple Sky Blues 

A first ever Premier League meeting between Coventry City and Hull City at the CBS Arena saw the Tigers secure a 2-0 win. A closely fought first half saw the sides remain level until the opener on 82 minutes as Liam Millar raced clear on goal and slotted in for the crucial goal and 1-0 lead that ensured Hull maintain their perfect start to the season.

Cherries Held By Toffees

Everton left it late to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as they sealed a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The hosts opened the scoring with four minutes left of the first half as Evanilson found Alex Scott who fired in for 1-0. The Cherries looked to be on course for their first win of the season but were denied in the 91st minute as James Tarkowski made the most of the hosts failure to clear a corner to fire in for 1-1 and ensure a share of the points.

Blues Edge Seagulls

Chelsea extended their perfect start with a seven goal thriller at Stamford Bridge as they edged past Brighton & Hove Albion. The hosts made a rapid start with Romeo Lavia tapped in after a fumble from Bart Verbruggen for 1-0. The lead was doubled on 14 minutes as Morgan Rogers' cross found the path of Pedro Neto who slotted in for 2-0. Chelsea went three goals clear on 32 minutes with Joao Pedro firing in for 3-0 but the visitors cut the gap just three minutes later as Malick Yalcouye benefitted from a parry from Emi Martinez to make it 3-1 into the interval. The visitors made it 3-2 thanks to a Joao Pedro own goal on 63 minutes but they went 4-2 behind after Cole Palmer's 74th minute effort. There was a frantic finish though as Pascal Gross headed in for 4-3 in added time but the hosts held on for the win. 

Bees Held By Whites

Leeds United shared the points with Brentford in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road. The Bees controlled the first half and found their reward in the 41st minute as Kevin Schade opened the scoring with a clever flick for 1-0. Leeds battled back though with Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelling in the 79th minute for 1-1 and a share of the points.

Black Cats Extend Cottagers Woes

Sunderland claimed their first win of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham at the Stadium of Light. Both clubs lost their opening game of the season and in a close scrappy game, the crucial strike went to the hosts in the 74th minute as Wilson Isidor converted after Bernt Leno parried a cross from Habib Diarra for the 1-0 lead that gave the Black Cats their first points of the season. 

Red Devils Thrash Tractor Boys

Manchester United bounced back from their opening loss with a 5-2 hammering of Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. The visitors opened the scoring in the 29th minute as Leif Davis fired in a superb volley but the sides went into the interval level after a 40th minute equaliser from Bruno Fernandes after he was picked out by Matheus Cunha. United raced into a 4-1 lead with thanks to a Jacob Greaves own goal and a double from Fernandes who completed his hat-trick with a 68th minute effort following a penalty on the hour. The rout was complete on 82 minutes as Fernandes turned provider for Bryan Mbeumo who made it 5-1. The visitors had the final say on the score line as Julio Enciso cut back for Chuba Akpom to slot in for 5-2. 

Gunners Glory Against Villa

Arsenal continued their title defence with a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday evening. The sides played out a goalless first half with the crucial strike coming in the 59th minute from Bukayo Saka after a cut back from Riccardo Calafiori as the visitors secured the three points. 

Rapid Reds Topple Tractor Boys 

Gameweek three opened on Friday evening with Liverpool sealing a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. A rapid start for the visitors saw Alexander Isak fire them ahead inside six minutes before he was found by Cody Gakpo for a tap in for a 2-0 lead after just nine minutes. The lead remained intact as the Reds claimed their first win of the season. 

Magpies Hold Cherries

Newcastle United and Bournemouth shared the points in Saturday's early game at St James's Park in a 2-2 draw. The Cherries struck first with a Marcus Tavernier flicking in for a 1-0 lead inside nine minutes and they opened up a 2-0 advantage with a gift of an own goal from Malick Thiaw on 35 minutes. Newcastle cut the gap just two minutes later with curled effort from Harvey Barnes finding the top corner for 2-1 and looked to be falling short until the 88th minute when Jacob Ramsey levelled from close range to make it 2-2 and ensure a share of the points. 

Black Cats Deny Bees

Brentford were held to a 1-1 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium by Sunderland. After a closely fought first half, the hosts opened the scoring on 57 minutes as Vitaly Janelt fired them ahead and they looked to be on course for a victory but gifted the visitors a chance to level in the 82nd minute with Enzo Le Fee slotting in a penalty to seal a point in the 1-1 draw. 

Whites Held By Seagulls

Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the AMEX stadium. The visitors opened the scoring with a Jayden Bogle strike inside 15 minutes before being pegged back by a Luka Vuskovic effort on 71 minutes to make it 1-1 and seal a share of the points. 

Eagles Edge Past Cottagers

Crystal Palace came out on top in a five goal thriller as they won 3-2 against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The hosts struck first with a deflected effort from Josh King making it 1-0 on 11 minutes before Tyrick Mitchell levelled from a tight angle for 1-1 on 35 minutes. Fulham did lead into the interval though as Cesar Palacios capitalised on a rebound for 2-1. Mitchell levelled for a second time on 54 minutes as he made the most of a Fulham defensive melee and it was to be joy for the visitors with Ben Chilwell putting them 3-2 ahead on 77 minutes with a thumping effort that secured the win. 

Winless Spurs Hold Forest

Tottenham Hotspur are still in search of their first win of the season as they claimed a point in a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground. Spurs were lucky to avoid defeat as Forest had a Nico Williams effort chalked off due to a handball in the build-up in the second half.

City Edge Sky Blues

Manchester City maintained their perfect start with a 1-0 win over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium, The crucial strike came in the 26th minute as Antoine Semenyo crossing for Erling Haaland to head in for 1-0 and it was enough to secure the win. 

Villa Hold Tigers

Aston Villa remain winless but managed to secure a point against high-flying Hull City at MKM Stadium. The Tigers had the best chance of the game in the 65th minute with Mohamed Belloumi beating the Villa keeper but not the frame of the goal. 

Gunners Comeback Against Blues

Arsenal continued their perfect start with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. The visitors made a rapid start as Morgan Rogers capitalized on a defensive melee from ths hosts to fire the Blues ahead inside two minutes. Arsenal levelled on 25 minutes as Kai Havertz looped an effort into the bottom corner for 1-1. The comeback was completed on 50 minutes as Martin Odegaard slipped through the Chelsea defence to slot in for 2-1. 

Last Gasp Toffees Deny Red Devils

Everton left it late to salvage a 2-2 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Manchester United. The visitors opened the scoring with superb solo goal from Bryan Mbeumo sashay through the Everton defence before slotting in for 1-0. The hosts levelled with a stunning equaliser from Tyrique George rifling in from a tight angle for 1-1. United regained the lead on 88 minutes as Benjamin Sesko headed in for a 2-1 lead that saw a last gasp screamer from Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the sixth minute of added time to seal the 2-2 draw and stun the visitors. 

Tigers Topple United While Seagulls Stun Villa

After the blogging had to take a back seat last season, the writing resumes with the new Premier League season. 

Gunners Ease Past Sky Blues

The season opened on Friday night as defending Champions Arsenal eased to a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium. The hosts took just 15 minutes to open the scoring as Kai Havertz collected from Riccardo Calafiori to slot in for 1-0 and the lead was doubled just eight minutes later as Bukayo Saka made it 2-0. The Gunners wrapped up the three points and extended their stay atop the league across the seasons with a clipped effort from Martin Odegaard on 49 minutes. 

Bees Sting Spurs

Saturday evening saw Brentford ease to a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Gtech Community Stadium. The hosts went ahead inside 12 minutes as Keane-Lewis Potter tapped in from a Mamadou Sangare cross for 1-0 and the Bees doubled their advantage to 2-0 on 33 minutes with Vitaly Janelt slotting in after Antonin Kinsky had parried Mathias Jensen's effort. Spurs' day only got worse as Michael Kayode reacted rapidly to tap in a rebound for 3-0 just four minutes after the half-time interval and their woes were saved further blows when Igor Thiago hit the post with a penalty in the 53rd minute. The hosts held firm on their three goal lead to celebrate the win while Spurs' summer spending spree seems to have early issues. 

United Defeat Forest

Nottingham Forest's woes from last season extended into the new season as they lost out 1-0 late on to Leeds United at The City Ground. The visitors struck the crucial winner in style on 88 minutes as Anton Stach superbly curled in a free-kick to seal the 1-0 win and a first win away at Forest in 55 years. 

Tractor Boys Edge Black Cats

Ipswich Town left it late to claim 2-1 opening day win over Sunderland at Portman Road. The hosts struck first as Emmerson slotted in after a lay-off from Julio Enciso after a pacy counter-attack on 24 minutes for 1-0 before the visitors levelled on 39 minutes as Nilson Angulo made his impact on the game with a stunning lofted free kick ensuring the sides went into the half-time interval at 1-1. Ipswich sealed an opening weekend victory late on with Jack Clarke haunting his former club in added time as he curled the ball into the far corner for the 2-1 win.

Toffees Double Joy Against Eagles

Everton opened their season at the Hill Dickenson Stadium with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace though the visitors had the best chances to open the scoring with efforts hitting the post then later the bar but it was the Toffees who struck first. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall rifled in a cross-goal shot on 42 minutes to make it 1-0 and their home fans' joy was doubled on 53 minutes when Thierno Barry headed in from Iliman Ndiaye's cross for 2-0 and they held on to the two goal advantage for their first opening weekend win in five seasons.

Tigers Topple United 

Hull City made the perfect start on their return to the top flight as they stunned Manchester United with a 2-0 at the MKM Stadium on in Saturday's early kick-off. The hosts opened the scoring on 17 minutes as Semi Ajaji tapped in to the empty net after Senne Lammens saved Ollie McBurnie's effort. Hull extended their lead on 38 minutes as Nobel Mendy headed in a long range free kick from Regan Slater and held on to secure a famous win.

Seagulls Stun Villa

Brighton & Hove Albion stormed to the top of the league with a comfortable 4-0 hammering of Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium. A rapid start from the hosts saw them race into a 2-0 lead, firstly the opener on eight minutes via a Victor Lindelof own goal before the lead was doubled on 18 minutes as Georginio Rutter picked out Maxim De Cuyper who tapped in for 2-0. The contest was over before half time as Jack Hinshelwood struck twice in the space of two minutes , the second goal within seconds of the kick off to open up a huge 4-0 lead inside 31 minutes.

 A woeful first half got worse for Villa as they saw Joao Gomes dismissed on 40 minutes. The second half was a closer affair as lacking in the action from the first as the Seagulls held their four goal advantage to celebrate an opening weekend rout that sent them to the top of the league.

City Comeback Denies Cherries 

Bournemouth's epic 18 match unbeaten run from last season ended at the first hurdle this season in a 2-1 loss to Manchester City who staged a late turnaround at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The Cherries opened the scoring on 26 minutes as Evanilson swept a low cross for Marcus Tavernier to slot in for 1-0. The lead lasted until six minutes from the end when City drew level through Marc Guehi's headed effort from a corner for 1-1 before their comeback was completed on 88 minutes as Josko Gvardiol slotted in from close range to secure the 2-1 win. 

Last Gasp Reds Halt Magpies

Liverpool levelled with literally the final kick of the match to secure a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James' Park which saw a shared tribute to the legendary Kevin Keegan. The hosts opened the scoring inside five minutes as a counter-attack saw William Osula find Anthony Elanga who slotted in for 1-0. The Reds found a leveller on 55 minutes as Cody Gakpo fired a low shot for 1-1. However the equality was short lived as substitute Joe Willock restored the Magpies' lead after being picked out by Yoann Wissa. Newcastle looked to have sealed the win and the opening weekend win but were denied deep in added time as Victor Munoz was fouled and Dominik Szoboszlai fired in the resulting penalty to secure the 2-2 draw. 

Blues Edge Cottagers

Chelsea held off a fightback from Fulham take a 3-2 win away from Craven Cottage on Monday night and the Blues made the perfect start as Joao Pedro opened the scoring inside 31 seconds with a clever finish between the legs of Bernd Leno for 1-0. The hosts levelled on 23 minutes via through Josh King for 1-1 from a tight angle. Chelsea regained the lead on 41 minutes as Morgan Rogers slotted in from a Maxence Lacroix cutback for 2-1. The lead became 3-1 just four minutes after the restart as Cole Palmer collected from Joao Pedro to slot the ball in the far corner. Fulham cut the gap to 3-2 on 54 minutes with a header from Gonzalo Garcia 3-2 but were unable to force a leveller as the visitors secure a first opening win since 2022-23.

Villa Victorious Against Forest While Seagulls Defeat Clarets

Villa Victorious Against Forest

Aston Villa returned to winning ways with a comfortable 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off at Villa Park. The hosts opened the scoring with a superb flicked effort from Ollie Watkins on 45 minutes before John McGinn doubled the lead three minutes after the restart as he flicked in from a cross for 2-0. Morgan Gibbs-White cut the gap to 2-1 with a cross-goal shot on 61 minutes but it was to be only a consolation as McGinn scored his second and Villa's third as he fired into an open goal from long range for the 3-1 win. 

Seagulls Defeat Clarets

Brighton & Hove Albion continued their good form with a 2-0 win over Burnley at the AMEX Stadium.The hosts opened the scoring as Georginio Rutter slotted in from close range on 29 minutes and the lead was doubled on 47 minutes as Yasin Ayari arrowed into the far corner for 2-0.  

 Hammers Humbled As Wolves Finally Win

Wolverhampton Wanderers finally ended their season-long winless streak with a 3-0 win over West Ham United at Molineux. The hosts made a rapid start with Jhon Arias slotting in for 1-0 inside four minutes and the lead was doubled on 31 minutes by Hwang Hee-Chan's penalty for 2-0. The win was wrapped up before the interval as Mateus Mané curled in a low effort for 3-0 after just 41 minutes. The hosts pushed for more in the second half but held firm with the 3-0 lead to record a much needed victory. 

Gunners Edge Cherries 

Arsenal extended their lead at the top with a narrow 3-2 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The hosts were gifted the opening goal as Evanilson took advantage of a defensive error to slot into an open goal for 1-0. The visitors drew level on 16 minutes as Gabriel went from villain to hero with a low strike for 1-1. The turnaround was complete on 54 minutes as Declan Rice fired in from the edge of the area for 2-1 and he doubled his tally from close range on 71 minutes for 3-1. The hosts cut the gap to 3-2 in style as Eli Kroupi swept in a superb strike on 76 minutes but they were unable to draw level as the visitors celebrated the win. 

MIDWEEK

Forest Edge Past Hammers

The midweek gameweek began on Tuesday night as Nottingham Forest claimed a narrow 2-1 win over West Ham United at London Stadium. The hosts were gifted the lead on 13 minutes as Murillo hit into his own net but they levelled with a flicked headed effort from Nicolas Dominguez on 55 minutes for 1-1 and the comeback was completed with a minute left of the 90 as Morgan Gibbs-White slotted in a penalty to wrap up a much needed 2-1 win for Forest. 

Cherries Edge Spurs In Thriller

Bournemouth left it late to secure a narrow 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium. Matthys Tel drove a low shot across goal which rolled into the bottom corner for 1-0 and the hosts were level on 22 minutes as Evanilson headed in for 1-1. Eli Kroupi put the hosts 2-1 ahead on  36 minutes as he flicked in from close range. Spurs drew level at 2-2 with a superb overhead kick from Joao Palhinha on 78 minutes but the joy was to go to the hosts as Antoine Semenyo sealed the win in added time with a superb strike for the 3-2 victory. 

Bees Sting Black Cats

Brentford eased to a 3-0 win over Sunderland at the GTECH Stadium to continue their good form. The hosts opened the scoring on the half hour mark as Igor Thiago raced towards goal and rounded the 'keeper to slot in for 1-0 and the visitors had the chance to level on the hour mark but a truly woeful penalty from Enzo Le Fee was caught by Caoimhin Kelleher and that proved costly as Thiago doubled the lead with a 65th minute header. The win was wrapped up on 73 minutes as Ehor Yarmoliuk fired in from close range to complete the 3-0 victory. 

Eagles Hold Villa

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa shared the points in a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park in a game where both sides had good chances but were unable to find the net and Villa will be the more unhappy in the result as they missed the chance to close up at on league leaders Arsenal. 

Wolves Deny Toffees

Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Hill Dickenson Stadium that saw the hosts end the game with nine men on the pitch. The hosts opened the scoring with a Michael Keane effort on 17 minutes and were pegged back by a superb equaliser from Mateus Mané on 69 minutes. Everton suffered a double blow with the dismissal of Keane on 83 minutes for hair pulling with Jack Grealish sent off in the 90th minute after two bookings in the space of two minutes as the sides shared the points in the 1-1 draw. 

Cottagers Celebrate Beating Blues

Fulham claimed the local bragging rights with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Craven Cottage. The visitors suffered a blow as Marc Cucurella was dismissed in the 22nd minutes, Fulham used their advantage in taking the lead as Raul Jimenez flicked in the opener on 55 minutes for 1-0. Chelsea drew level on 72 minutes with Liam Delap firing in a rebound for 1-1 but their joy lasted just nine minutes as Harry Wilson sealed the win for the Cottagers on 81 minutes as he fired into the far corner to claim the 2-1 victory. 

City Held By Seagulls

Manchester City's challenge at the top suffered a blow in a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium. The hosts opened the scoring with an Erling Haaland penalty in the 41st minute which was his 150th goal for the club and also an historic 35,000th in the Premier League itself. The Seagulls drew level on the hour mark with Kaoru Mitoma firing in from the edge of the area for 1-1 which is how the match finished with a share of the points. 

Clarets Deny Red Devils

Burnley and Manchester United shared the points in a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor. The hosts were gifted the lead as a cross was deflected into his own net by Ayden Heaven for 1-0 inside 13 minutes. United did draw level with Benjamin Sesko's effort after collecting a through pass on 50 minutes and he completed the turnaround with his second goal on the hour mark as he flicked in from a cross to give United a 2-1 lead. However, they were to be denied the win as Burnley secured a share of the points with Jaiden Anthony's stunning top corner strike just six minutes later and neither side was able to score a third as they finished level at 2-2. 

Magpies Marvel In Late Leeds Win 

Newcastle United left it late to seal a 4-3 win over Leeds United at St James' Park. The visitors opened the scoring on 32 minutes as Brenden Aaronson fired in to the bottom corner for 1-0 before Harvey Barnes levelled for the hosts as he slotted in from close range in the 36th minute. Leeds regained the lead as Dominic Calvert-Lewin slotted in a penalty for 2-1 deep into first half added time. Newcastle levelled at 2-2 in the 54th minute via a clever flick header from Joelinton.

The visitors took a 3-2 lead on 79 minutes with Aaronson slotted across goal for his second goal of the game. However, Newcastle were not to be denied as they struck twice in added time, firstly a Bruno Guimaraes penalty in the first minute of added time for 3-3 then a stunning winner in the 12th minute of added time as Barnes scored his second goal of the evening tapping in from close range to claim the 4-3 win.