Kickoff chronicles

Arsenal vs Brighton Hove & Albion

The opening fixture in matchweek 3 saw Arsenal take on Brighton at the Emirates Stadium; both teams hoping to continue their 100 percent record start to the season. Arsenal made a strong start to the tie with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard having early chances saved by Seagull’s keeper, Bart Verbruggen. Seven minutes before the interval, the Gunners found a thoroughly deserved opener. Jurrien Timber’s awkward clearance fell kindly into the path of Saka who brushed off the aerial challenge of Brighton skipper, Lewis Dunk. With the ball still bouncing, Saka lobbed the ball over the Brighton defence to Kai Havertz who was through on goal. The German striker then capped off a brilliant Gunner’s move when he dinked the ball over Verbruggen and watched the ball bounce into the back of the net. The score at half time was 1-0 with Arsenal hoping to make it 3 league wins in a row to start the season.

Things then went horribly wrong for Mikel Arteta’s side when star midfielder, Declan Rice, was shown a second yellow card in the 48th minute for idiotically kicking the ball away from a Brighton free kick. Down to 10 men, it was only a matter of time before the Seagull’s equalised. Their 6th goal of the season came from a superb pass from Lewis Dunk who split Arsenal’s defence in half with his ball. Yankuba Minteh was on the end of the pass as he fired a shot at Arsenal keeper, David Raya. The Spaniard was able to keep out the initial effort but Brazilian striker, Joao Pedro, smashed the ball in from the follow up. With the scores now level, the last 25 minutes was end-to-end with Arsenal having a huge chance from Havertz saved by Verbruggen in the 74th minute. Just minutes later Brighton almost scored when Yasin Ayari watched his effort saved by the outstretched legs of Raya. At the end of the 90 minutes the game finished 1-1 with Arsenal fans booing referee Chris Kavanagh off the pitch for his controversial decision to send off Rice. Brighton continue their stellar start to the season under 31 year old Fabian Hurzeler, picking up 7 points from a potential 9 so far.

Brentford vs Southampton

The following game of matchweek 3 saw Thomas Frank’s Brentford take on Russell Martin’s Southampton at the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford were looking dominant in the very early exchanges, creating multiple chances through their main men, Yoanne Wisse and Bryan Mbuemo. Finally, after having shots saved on many occasions by new Saint’s shot stopper Aaron Ramsdale, Brentford found the opener 3 minutes before the break. Kevin Schade dribbled down the left wing and watched as his shot fired off the woodwork. Unmarked and ready to score from the seconds was Mbuemo who tapped in the rebound with ease. The score after 45 minutes finished 1-0 with Brentford fans relieved that they had something to show for their first half efforts.

The Bees then doubled their advantage early on in the second period, taking advantage of another Saint’s error in the backline. Wissa dispossessed Jan Bednarek before passing it off to Mathias Jensen. Jensen played the ball to Mbuemo with his first touch who was on his own inside the Southampton penalty area. The Cameroonian buried it into the far corner, making it 2-0. Brentford made it 3-0 just 4 minutes later when Jensen catapulted the ball into the penalty area with his signature long throw in. Centre back Nathaniel Collins flicked the ball onto the far post where Yoanne Wissa was able to bundle the ball over the line. Just before the full time whistle, Southampton found a late consolation. Tyler Dibling whipped the ball into the penalty area from the right wing where Adam Lallana headed it down for Yukinari Sugawara. Sugawara capped off the move in superb fashion when he curled the ball into the bottom left corner with a neat left-footed trivela finish. The fixture finished 3-1 with Brentford enjoying their 2nd win of the campaign. Southampton finally scored for the first time this season, but still failed to pick up any points.

Everton vs Bounremouth

The next game of the matchweek saw Sean Dyche’s Everton host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at Goodison Park. Everton dominated the majority of the 1st half but were unable to find the back of the net. At half time the score was tied at 0-0 but it was surely a matter of time before the Toffees found the lead.

It only took the hosts 5 minutes in the second period to find the opener after Dominic Calvert-Lewin controlled a ball for Michael Keane to strike. Keane’s strike was powerful as it caught a deflection and found the back of the Cherries’ net. Five minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage when Calvert-Lewin opened his account for the season. Dwight McNeil played a neat ball through the Bournemouth defence to the no.9 where he chipped it over Bournemouth’s new keeper signing, Kepa Arrizabalaga, to make it 2-0. In the 87th minute, it looked as though Everton would comfortably see out a first win for the season. Unfortunately for the hosts, that was not the case as Antonie Semenyo went on to score his 2nd goal this campaign. Dango Outtara’s whipped cross from the left wing was met by the studs of Semenyo’s left boot as he poked it past Jordan Pickford. In the 2nd minute of stoppage time, the Cherries completed their comeback when Luis Sinisterra received the ball down the right wing. He then chipped a ball into the 6 yard box instinctively with his back to goal. Making a late run in was Lewis Cook who jumped to head Bournemouth level. Everton were starting to implode as within the next few minutes, Bournemouth missed multiple opportunities with Pickford being bought into action. Finally, in the 6th minute of added time, Bournemouth completed the turnaround when Sinisterra found the back of the net. Once again, the travelling side scored from a crossed ball into the penalty area, demonstrating Everton’s inability to deal with any aerial balls. Justin Kluviert whipped in a ball from the left wing where Sinisterra turned from provider to scorer when he headed home the Dutchman’s cross. Sinisterra’s dramatic late winner was the last action of the game as Bournemouth pinched all 3 points to take back down south. They continue their brilliant start to the season as they sit 7th with only a few teams left to play. Everton now look most likely to go down as they throw away their best chance to pick up their first points of the campaign, blowing a 2-0 lead with just 3 minutes to play.

Ipswich Town vs Fulham

The next game of matchweek 3 saw Ipswich host Fulham in their second game back at Portman Road in the Premier League since 2002. Scott McKenna’s team made the perfect start to the game when Liam Delap scored the Tractor Boys’ first Premier League goal at Portman Road in over 20 years. He picked the ball up in the middle of the pitch where he was able to keep progressing with the ball as he brushed off challenges from Fulham players. The ex-Man.City employee then unleashed a shot, watching as his wonder strike from outside the area travelled all the way into the top left corner. Unfortunately for the home fans, the lead didn’t last long as Fulham struck back just 15 minutes later. Antonee Robinson drilled the ball into the penalty area from down the left wing. The American’s cross travelled through a crowd of players before Adama Traore put the ball past Arijanet Muric to cancel out Delap’s early goal. Both sides shared chances before the break but at half time they went in tied at 1-1.

The Cottagers came out strongly for the 2nd period with new signing Emile Smith Rowe having 2 shots on target deflected wide. Ipswich saved their best effort until the very end with Omari Hutchinson watching his powerful shot from inside the penalty area parried away by Fulham shot-stopper, Bernd Leno. Referee Lewis Smith then blew his whistle, with the points fairly shared after a 1-1 draw. Fulham picked up a positive point on the road, taking them into 9th in the table with only a few teams left to play. Ipswich picked up their first point this season, but will need to start gaining more. They are left with the tricky task of playing Brighton away in 2 weeks time.

Leicester City vs Aston Villa

Steve Cooper’s newly promoted Leicester then hosted Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in the following game of matchweek 3. Aston Villa got off to an electric start with Leicester’s man between the sticks, Mads Hermansen, denying Villa striker, Ollie Watkins, twice in the opening 10 minutes. The Villains then found the lead minutes before the half hour mark through a well worked set piece. Youri Tielemans stood over the free kick and played a through ball to Jacob Ramsey who had made a late charging run. Ramsey got to the bi-line and drilled the ball across the 6-yard area with Amadou Onana using his long legs to his advantage, poking the ball over the line. Villa continued their dominance for the remaining minutes of the first half and went in at the interval as deserved 1-0 leaders. 

Leicester then put the ball into the back of the net early on in the second period when Jamie Vardy scored from Oliver Skipp’s cut-back but referee David Coote ruled it out as the pass to Skipp deflected off him, falling kindly for the English midfielder. Villa then doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute. Lucas Digne’s whipped cross in from the left wing was met by a leaping header from Jhon Duran, who had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes. The Foxes then clawed their way back into the game in the 73rd minute when they halved the deficit. Stephy Mavdidi made a dancing run down the left side of the penalty area before lobbing a ball into the 6 yard area. The cross was too high for Wilfred Ndidi who failed to make any convincing contact, but it then fell kindly for loanee Facuanoo Buentonte. The Argentinian drilled the ball back at goal, scoring to make it 1-2. It was a very nervy and uncomfortable end for the travelling side,as, with the last kick of the game, Leicester thought they had won a penalty. Ezri Konsa had quite clearly fouled Vardy inside the penalty area where Coote immediately pointed to the spot. Unfortunately for the hosts, the assistant’s flag was up as Vardy was offside. Villa held out for the remaining seconds, winning 1-2 but in unconvincing fashion. Emery’s side moved into 5th in the table with 6 points. Leicester will be disappointed they couldn’t snatch a point at the death and know they will need to provide a better first half performance against Crystal Palace in two weeks time.

Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The next game of the matchweek starred Nuno Espirito’s Nottingham Forest as they hosted Gary O’Neils Wolves side at the City Ground. Forest were the first side to strike when their ever present Kiwi striker scored inside 10 minutes. Elliot Anderson took a corner from the right side of the pitch which floated all the way over to the back post where Chris Wood was unmarked. The no.9 jumped high and headed the ball down, watching as it bounced through a crowd of players before bobbling past new Wolves keeper, Sam Johnstone. It didn’t seem to affect the travelling side as they struck back just 1 minute later. A bad clearance from Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare was cushioned into the path of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde by Mario Lemina. The Frenchman controlled it before looking up and firing a shot. It was a cracking effort, spinning out of the grasp of Matz Sels and finding the top corner. The two sides went into the break level at 1-1 with both teams sharing equal opportunities throughout the rest of the half.

Nottingham Forest came out strongly for the second period, with Wolves debutant Johstone forced into action multiple times, making brilliant saves to deny the home side. Wood thought he had scored a brace late on and nicked all three points for Forest after he volleyed the ball past Johnstone. Unfortunately for the hosts, Wood came back from an offside position as the assistants flag was raised. In the end, the game finished 1-1 with a point each a fair result. Forest continue their unbeaten start to the season under Nuno and Wolves finally pick up their first point of the season. Forest will play Liverpool at Anfield in two weeks time and Wolves will host Newcastle. 

West Ham United vs Manchester City

The final game played on Saturday afternoon saw the new look West Ham host the Premier League champions, Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side took an early advantage and it was no surprise whose strike gave them the lead. Some call him the robot, while others refer to him as just Erling Haaland. Either way, it was the big Norwegian who gave the Citizen’s the lead in the 10th minute. Lucas Paqueta gave the ball away in midfield where Bernardo Silva was quick to spot the run of Haaland. Haaland took a touch before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner, making it 0-1 early on. Totally against the run of play, West Ham equalised just 9 minutes later. After a good run through the Manchester City high press by Mohammed Kudus, the Ghanaian laid it off to Paqueta. Paqueta then played it down the wing to Jarrod Bowen who had no one in support. It looked like the winger had nowhere to go but he ran at the City defence, crossing a ball into the box. The unfortunate player on the end of Bowen’s ball was City centre back, Ruben Dias, after the ball spun off his knee and under goalkeeper, Ederson. The champions then conjured up a champion-like response when they restored their lead 10 minutes later. It was definitely a Pep like goal, with City making a number of intricate passes around the West Ham penalty area before Haaland eventually drilled the ball into the roof of the net. At half time the score finished 1-2, but West Ham were not out of the tie yet.

West Ham came out for the second period positively and came milimetres away from equalising after a brilliant Kudus breakthrough left them in a 3 v 2 situation. The Ghanaian played the ball across to Bowen who soon gave it back to him. Kudus took a touch and unleashed a shot, watching as it rattled off the woodwork and back into play. After soaking up all the West Ham pressure, City put the game to bed when Haaland completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute. Mathues Nunes played a defence-splitting ball through to Haaland who chipped the ball over Hammer’s keeper Lukasz Fabainski, making sure all 3 points were going back with them to Manchester. Haaland has now scored more Premier League goals than games played (70 goals in 69 games). The fixture finished 1-3 with City continuing their perfect start to the season. West Ham fans will be pleased their side gave Manchester City a good game and will be positive travelling to Craven Cottage, playing Fulham in two weeks.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

The first game played on Sunday afternoon took place in the capital with Chelsea hosting Crystal Palace at the Bridge. Chelsea looked strong from kick off and came so close in the 23rd minute when last week’s hat-trick hero, Noni Madueke, had to watch as his volleyed effort was tipped onto the bar by Palace shot stopper, Dean Henderson. Just 2 minutes later, Chelsea found the lead after Madueke spotted Cole Palmer inside the Eagle’s penalty area. Palmer played a brilliant ball across the Palace 6-yard area where Nicholas Jackson poked it in for 1-0. Chelsea held onto their lead and went into the break up 1-0 with Palace needing a strong second half comeback if they were to pick up their first point/s for the new season.

Oliver Glasner’s side made the perfect start to the 2nd half when they equalised on the 53 minute mark. Chieck Doucure had his effort blocked from inside the penalty area where it bobbled back out into the path of starboy Eberichi Eze. The Englishman cracked a shot and watched as it beautifully rolled down the side netting, proving once again what a special talent he is. It was a very dramatic end to the game, with both teams having efforts saved to win the game. Daichi Kamada watching his powerful distance strike parried unconvincingly over the bar by Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez and Nicholas Jackson having his close range effort saved by the outstretched leg of Henderson. When referee Jarred Gillett blew his whistle to end the affair, the score was 1-1 with the points shared in the London derby. Chelsea sit 11th on the table after a strange start to the 24/25 season while Crystal Palace sit 16th after picking up their first point.

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

The next game of the match week saw the Premier League travel up north with Newcastle hosting Tottenham at St. James’ Park. Tottenham came out dominating possession but it was Newcastle who created more meaningful opportunities. Alexander Isak came so close to scoring inside 5 minutes when his intended cross hit the post and rebounded back into play. The Magpies then found the opener in the 37th minute through Harvey Barnes, the man Newcastle fans had been begging Eddie Howe to start. New signing Lloyd Kelly played in a ball from the left wing which Barnes stretched out to place the ball into the bottom right corner. The score at half-time was 1-0 with Ange Postecoglou’s side needing to put a much better performance in for the next 45 minutes. 

Spurs came out a different side and came so close to scoring after new signing from Burnley, Wilson Odebert, blazed his volley over the crossbar from point blank range. Less than two minutes later, Tottenham found their equaliser in scrappy fashion. James Maddison’s shot from the left side of the penalty area was parried away by Magpies keeper Nick Pope. Running in for the seconds was Brennan Johnson who volleyed the ball across the 6-yard box. It looked like a routine clearance for defender Dan Burn, but unfortunately, he smashed the ball into his own net; embarrassingly but unintentionally. Newcastle then deservedly found their lead again when Joelinton played a brilliant ball through to Jacob Murphy. Murphy was in on goal but decided to pass the ball to Isak who may have had a higher chance of scoring. The Swede was then left with the easy task of tapping the ball into an uncontested net and almost seeing the hosts over the line. The Magpies were able to hold on for the remaining minutes, winning 2-1 and continuing their unbeaten start to the season. Tottenham are dealt with their first loss of the season and Ange will hope they can bounce back in 2 weeks time when they host Arsenal in what looks like an enticing North London derby.

Manchester United vs Liverpool

The final game of the matchweek was arguably the biggest game on the English football calendar with Manchester United hosting Liverpool at Old Trafford. Arne Slot’s side thought they had taken the lead inside 7 minutes when Trent Alexander-Arnold smashed the ball over the line. Unfortunately for the travelling side, it was chalked off as Mohamed Salah was in an offside position when he flicked it backwards to the Englishman. On the 34 minute mark, Liverpool found an opener that stood after Ryan Gravenberch intercepted Casemiro’s pass from inside his own half. The Dutchman progressed with the ball before playing it off to Salah. Salah chipped the ball in first time and was spoilt for choice, with Manchester United defenders failing to pick up Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai at the back post. In the end, Diaz headed the ball into an empty net with the only player contesting him for it, his own teammate: Szoboszlai. Diaz soon made it a first half brace for himself after he found the back of the net again in the 42nd minute. He dispossessed Casemiro ,who was once again at fault for the goal, and played the ball to Salah out wide. The Egyptian cut inside before finding Diaz with a lovely trivela pass. Diaz struck the ball first time and did so perfectly, with the ball spinning into the bottom right corner. The half finished 0-2 with Liverpool running riot in Manchester.

It went from bad to worse for United early on in the second half as they conceded a 3rd, once again put down to an error in the midfield. Kobbie Mainoo was shoved off the ball with ease by Alexis Mac Allister before the Argentine played it to Szoboszlai. Szoboszlai drove with the ball before finding Salah inside the penalty area. Liverpool’s star man embarrassed United keeper Andre Onana once again by beating him at his near post and making it 0-3. He now becomes the 5th highest scoring player at Old Trafford since 24th of January 2021 with 10 goals and scoring consecutively in his last 7. Manchester United then started to create some chances, but it was too late as Liverpool had already ran away with the scoreline. It all finished 0-3 with Liverpool continuing their perfect start to the season in the new Arne Slot era, still yet to concede a goal. Slot also became the first manager to win at Old Trafford on his first attempt since Bob Paisley in 1975. Manchester United lost their second of the season, with questions over Erik ten Hag and his ability to manage this side yet again.

Written by Ollie Wade