Kickoff chronicles

Brentford vs Manchester United

The opening game of Matchweek 6 saw Keith Andrews’ Brentford host Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United at home, with United hoping to continue their form after a win against Chelsea last weekend. After dropping points away to Fulham last weekend, the Bees made a rapid start to the game, scoring inside 10 minutes after a thunderous strike from Igor Thiago. A long ball from Jordan Henderson caught out the United defence where the Brazilian striker saw himself through on goal with no United player near him, thrashing the ball on the half volley into the top left corner, leaving Altay Bayindir with no chance. Brentford pounced again in the 20th minute, with Thiago sealing his brace. He chested the ball down for Kevin Schade along the left wing where the German winger forced a save from Bayindir after his shot from a tight angle. The ball fell kindly into the path of Thiago where the Brazilian tapped it underneath the Turkish goalkeeper to score his 4th of the season. United finally woke up and scored just minutes later to make it 2-1, with Benjamin Sesko getting his name on the scoresheet for the Red Devils for the first time. Patrick Dorgu crossed the ball in from the left wing where Sesko saw not one but two chances saved by Coaimhin Kelleher before he eventually smashed his 3rd into the roof of the Brentford net. The score at half-time stood at 2-1, with this game turning into a cracker at the Gtech.

Amorim’s side came out much better in the 2nd period and after 25 minutes of pressuring the Brentford defenders, they won a penalty in the 71st minute, the perfect opportunity to strike level. Matheus Cunha played the ball along the penalty area to fellow new signing Bryan Mbeumo where the Cameroonian was clearly held back by Nathan Collins, resulting in an obvious yellow card for the Bees’ captain and a spot kick for United. Bruno Fernandes, who had only scored once from two attempts from 12 yards this season. United’s captain looked nervous on his approach and his lackluster effort from the spot was kept out by Kelleher after the Irish shot stopper dove down brilliantly to his left to keep Brentford in front. After missing a golden chance to level the game, Brentford scored a 3rd late in stoppage time after some brilliant passing inside their own half to release Yehor Yarmoliuk on a counter attack. Yarmoliuk played the ball to substitute Mathias Jensen where the Danish international drove with the ball towards the United penalty area before smashing the ball into the roof of the net with a lovely strike. The full-time score finished 3-1, with Brentford picking up a well deserved win, their first since Gameweek 2, as they moved into 13th on the table with seven points. United sit one place below Brentford in 14th with seven points also. Amorim has still failed to pick up back-to-back wins as the United head coach after almost a year in charge.

Chelsea vs Brighton Hove & Albion

The following fixture in Matchweek 6 saw Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea host Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton at Stamford Bridge with both sides hoping to gain points after dropping multiple last weekend. Chelsea came so close to scoring on many occasions inside the opening 10 minutes, with both Enzo Fernandes and Reece James forcing solid saves from Brighton keeper Bart Verbuggen after their brilliant free kick efforts. Ex-Brighton full back Marc Cucurella also missed a chance to open the scoring against his former employee after his long range shot just brushed wide of the post. The hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 24th minute after James’ cross from the right wing took a huge deflection over to the back post where Fernandez was unmarked and free to score his 3rd of the season. Chelsea well and truly dominated the 1st half and were unlucky not to go into the break with two or three goals and the score at the break stood at 1-0.

After a red card ruined Chelsea’s chances of beating Manchester United last weekend, they were again reduced to 10-men after some horror errors from their defenders. Kaoru Mitoma was hot on the heels of Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato, forcing him into playing a weak back pass to fellow centre half Trevoh Chalobah where the ball was intercepted by Diogo Gomez. Fresh off scoring four goals against Barnsley in midweek, Gomez was halted from doing so again after Chalobah chopped him down, resulting in a clear red card. The game shifted into Brighton’s favour as the Seagulls dominated the 2nd half, scoring a deserved goal in the 77th minute. Yankuba Minteh whipped the ball in from the left wing where Danny Welbeck rose high to head the ball past Robert Sanchez to finally open his account for the season. With 11 minutes of stoppage time added on, Brighton were always going to score a 2nd goal which would win the all three points. Yasin Ayari whipped the ball over to the back post from the left wing in the 2nd minute of added time where Mats Wieffer headed the ball back across the 6-yard box. Substitute Maxim De Cuyper then flicked it past Sanchez to score his first goal for the club and win the game for Brighton. The travelling side gave their fans a 3rd goal to cheer after another Chelsea defensive error saw Josh Acheampong play the ball right into the path of Brajan Gruda. Gruda slipped the ball into the path of Welbeck in the Brighton penalty area where the experienced striker chipped the ball into the top left corner, sealing the three points in style. The full-time score finished 1-3, with Brighton claiming a 2nd win of the season which takes them into 10th on the table with eight points. Chelsea lose back-to-back games with 10 men which sees them drop into 8th on the table with eight points.

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool

The next game in Matchweek 6 saw the only two remaining unbeaten sides go head to head, with Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace hosting Arne Slot’s Liverpool at Selhurst Park. To the shock of the travelling side, Palace made an electric start to the game and put Liverpool’s defence under pressure straight from kick off. Palace scored the opener inside 10 minutes from yet another corner after Daichi Kamada whipped the ball in from the left side. The ball ricocheted off the head of Ryan Gravenberch at the back post and fell kindly to Ismaila Sarr who smashed the ball in from close range to score his 3rd goal on return from injury. It was Liverpool’s first time being behind in a Premier League game this season and they didn’t quite know what to do, with Palace proving too hot to handle. Reds’ keeper Alisson was forced into action on three occasions in the first half, denying Palace’s Yeremy Pino, Daniel Munoz and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s effort with some quite sublime stops. Liverpool’s only chance came in the 20th minute after Palace keeper Dean Henderson brilliantly tipped Gravenberch’s long range effort onto the post. Just before the break, Palace came inches away again after Mateta’s strike from outside the penalty area rattled the inside of Alisson’s post and bounced across the face of goal. The half-time score stood at 1-0, with Palace hoping to hand out Liverpool’s first defeat of the season.

Liverpool came out much better in the 2nd half, with both their 100+ million pound signings coming close to scoring after the restart, with Florian Wirtz seeing his close range effort saved by Henderson before Alexander Isak dribbled through almost every Palace defender before scraping his shot wide of the post. The league-leaders finally tied the game in the 87th minute after Gravenberch’s cross was deflected into the path of super sub, Federico Chiesa, where the Italian smashed the ball into the bottom left corner. There was much controversy over the goal, with Mohamed Salah clearly hitting the ball with his hand as the cross came in but the goal stood. Just as it looked like both sides were going to extend their unbeaten run, Chris Richards launched in one last long throw in for Palace in the final minute of stoppage time. Marc Guehi flicked the ball over to the back post where Palace’s super sub, Eddie Nketiah, smashed the ball underneath Alisson to win all three points for the Eagles in a dramatic finale. The full-time score finished 2-1, with Palace now unbeaten in 18 games, equalling their best ever run, as Glasner’s team moved into 2nd on 12 points. Liverpool lost for the first time this season but still remain top of the table with 15 points.

Leeds United vs AFC Bournemouth

The next fixture in Matchweek 6 saw Daniel Farke’s Leeds host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at Elland Road, with both sides hoping to continue their brilliant starts to the season. After Leeds finally found their shooting boots against Wolves last week, they looked much more threatening up front with new striker Dominic Clavert-Lewin forcing three absolutely world class stops from Djordje Petrovic. Totally against the run of play, Bournemouth then snatched the lead in the 26th minute when Antoine Semenyo scored his 4th of the season. Bournemouth won a free kick right on the edge of the area where Semenyo thrashed it low under the wall and into the bottom left corner. The hosts then finally scored a deserved equaliser in the 37th minute after summer signing from Newcastle, Sean Longstaff, whipped Leeds’ latest corner over to the back post. Meeting the ball with a bullet header was Joe Rodon who directed the ball brilliantly into the far left of Petrovic’s net. The score at half-time finished 1-1, with both sides believing they could go on and win the game in the 2nd period.

Leeds made the better start to the 2nd half and scored a deserved 2nd goal in the 54th minute. There was a scrappy sequence of play down the left wing where Noah Okafor’s deflected shot rolled perfectly into the path of Brenden Aaronson. The American’s shot was blocked and bounced its way out of the area, sitting up nicely for Longstaff who thrashed the ball into the top right corner on the volley, a brilliant way to score his first goal for the club. Leeds came so close to a 3rd in the 70th minute after Jack Harrison’s piledriver from outside the penalty area forced an acrobatic save from Petrovic. Leeds were so close to their 3rd win of the season but Bournemouth were not to be beaten, scoring in the 3rd minute of stoppage time to steal a point. David Brooks whipped in one last free kick for the Cherries where Marcos Senesi headed the ball to the back post. Eli Kroupi then met Sensi’s header with a wonderful volley into the far corner, a brilliant way to score his first Bournemouth goal. The full-time score finished 2-2, with Leeds so unlucky not to come out winners. Farke’s side move into 11th on the table with eight points, still a very positive start to the season. Bournemouth extend their league unbeaten streak to five games as they sit 5th on the table with 11 points.

Manchester City vs Burnley

The following fixture in Matchweek 6 saw Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City host Scott Parker’s Burnley at the Etihad Stadium, with Parker hoping his side would be able to sit back and frustrate City, much like they had done with Liverpool and Forest in previous weeks. Unfortunately for Parker, his game-plan went out the window in the 12th minute after Jeremy Doku made an explosive run into the penalty area. His shot was comfortably saved by Martin Dubravka but the ball ricocheted off the leg of Burnley defender Maxime Esteve and into the back of the net. After a horrible start, the Clarets hit back through Jaidon Anthony who scored in the 38th minute for his 4th goal of the season. Quilindschy Hartman played a perfect ball across the City penalty area where Anthony saw his deflected shot nestle into the bottom right corner, continuing his brilliant individual start to the campaign. The score at half-time stood at 1-1, with Burnley hoping they could get something from this game.

Unfortunately for the Clarets, City proved too strong and regained the lead in the 61st minute. Josko Gvardiol whipped the ball in from the left wing where Erling Haaland headed the ball back into the 6-yard box from the back post. Present and ready in the area was Matheus Nunes who smashed the ball into the roof of Dubravka’s net to make it 2-1. City all but sealed the three points in the tie. Nunes played a ball across the penalty area in search of Oscar Bobb but the ball was unfortunately tapped into his own net again by Esteve, who was having an afternoon to forget at the Etihad. Haaland, who had been kept quiet for the majority of the game, then left his calling card in the 90th minute after some brilliant wide play from Doku saw the big Norwegian smash his cross into the bottom corner to make it 4-1. With only seconds left to play, City pounced off another Burnley defensive error, with their two centre halves, Esteve and Hjalmar Ekdal, failing to communicate and getting in the way of each other when attempting to head Nathan Ake’s clearance away from goal. The ball then kindly fell into the path of Haaland who slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to wrap up the win in style. The full-time score finished 5-1, with City finally finding some good form again as they move into 7th place on 10 points. Burnley will be disappointed with their amount of defensive errors, given how good they have been this season as they drop to 18th with four points.

Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland

The next fixture in Matchweek 6 saw Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest hosting Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland at the City Ground, with Ange hoping his side could finally pick up a win in his first managerial game at Forest’s historic home ground after four away games in a row in all competitions. Forest made a slow start to the game and it was almost punished by Sunderland’s top scorer, Wilson Isidor, in the 8th minute after his shot from inside the penalty area just bent wide of Matz Sels near post. After an overall poor half from Ange’s men, the Black Cats scored a deserved opener in the 38th minute after summer signing and captain Granit Xhaka played Sunderland’s latest free kick over to the back post. Omar Alderete was unmarked at the back where he headed the ball underneath Sels to score his first ever Premier League goal, a very deserved goal for the Paraguayan who has been one of Sunderland’s most underrated performers this season. The half-time score finished 0-1, with Ange still in search of his first win as Forest manager.

The hosts were much better in the 2nd half, but Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs, who has been crucial in all of Sunderland’s results this year, was proving hard to beat yet again. After being forced to punch a corner away that was right on top of him, Forest substitute Omari Hutchinson then drew another brilliant stop from the Dutchman. Forest captain Chris Wood, who is usually so reliable in front of goal, saw two huge chances missed late on. His first effort from a Hutchinson cross was kept out by Roefs before his 2nd effort from another cross in from Hutchinson, he headed wide from point blank range. After Forest had dominated the whole 2nd half, it was actually Sunderland who should have scored late on after Lutsharel Geertruida’s rare yet wonderful solo run and shot was kept out by Forest keeper Sels. The full-time score finished 0-1, with Sunderland claiming a brilliant win away from home which takes them into 5th on the table with 11 points, a dream start to life back in the Premier League. Forest have now failed to win in all of Ange’s five games in charge, leaving them 17th on the table with five points.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The final game played in Matchweek 6 on Saturday evening saw Thomas Frank’s Tottenham host Vitor Pereira’s Wolves at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Wolves hoping to pick up their first points of the season. Tottenham made a quick start to the game, with Mohammed Kudus coming inches away from scoring his first goal for Spurs after his header from close range was tipped onto the crossbar by Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone. Lucas Bergvall then missed two big chances for the hosts, miskicking the ball from close range in the 22nd minute before his acrobatic overhead kick just flew over the crossbar in the 40th minute. Despite all of Tottenham’s first half domination, Wolves actually had the best chance of the half after ex-Spurs player and current Wolves captain, Matt Doherty saw his effort from a corner rattle against the upright with the last kick of the half. The half-time score stood at 0-0, with Tottenham hoping they could convert all their chances into something more meaningful.

To the shock of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wolves scored early on in the 2nd period to silence the home crowd. Jhon Arias’ corner from the right side pinballed around in the Tottenham 6-yard area before centre half Santiago Bueno poked the ball in from close range to score his first ever Premier League goal. Tottenham continued to dominate possession in the 2nd half but failed to make anything of it. Finally, Tottenham scored with virtually the last kick of the game to steal a point at the death. Mathys Tel’s cross in from the left wing was brilliantly controlled by Pape Sarr, setting the ball up perfectly for Joao Palhinha. Palhinha composedly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, breaking the hearts of the Wolves away fans who thought they were about to witness their side’s first win of the league season. The full-time score finished 1-1, with Tottenham moving back into the top four, sitting 4th with 11 points. Wolves still sit rock bottom of the table, although they have now finally picked up their first point of the season.

Aston Villa vs Fulham

The first game played on Sunday afternoon in Matchweek 6 saw Unai Emery’s Aston Villa host Marco Silva’s Fulham at Villa Park, with Emery hoping his side could pick up their first league win of the season which would take them out of the relegation zone. Raul Jimenez, Fulham’s striker who was only brought into the team an hour before kick-off, scored for Fulham inside three minutes to silence the home fans. The Mexican jumped up brilliantly to flick Sasa Lukic’s corner into the far right side of Emiliano Martinez’s net, although Jimenez unfortunately had to be subbed off shortly after as he injured himself when scoring his 1st of the season. After an end-to-end first half, Villa finally scored their first home goal of the season after Lucas Digne played a ball over the top of the Fulham defence for Ollie Watkins to chase. Watkins brilliantly lifted the ball over Bernd Leno who was well off his line, with the ball bouncing into the back of the Fulham net for Watkins’ first goal of the season, much needed for the English striker. The score at half-time stood at 1-1, with Emery hoping his side could complete a turnaround which his side so desperately needed which would see Villa win their first league game of the season.

The hosts made an ideal start to the 2nd period after captain John McGinn, fresh off the back of his winner against Bologna in midweek, scored to make it 2-1. The Scottish international picked the ball up from substitute Emiliano Buendia in the middle of the park before he drove towards the Fulham goal and drilled the ball into the bottom left corner. Villa then made it two in quick succession after impact sub Buendia scored in the 51st minute, proving to be a brilliant half-time substitution by Emery. Watkins’ cut back from the left wing was miskicked by Morgan Rogers before Buendia smashed the ball into the back of the Fulham net to make it 3-1. Fulham almost hit back instantly to half the deficit in the 54th minute when keeper Martinez gave the ball away in a dangerous position. Iwobi played the ball to Lukic with the goal gaping but Villa centre half, Ezri Konsa, recovered brilliantly to clear Lukic’s shot off the line and essentially win Villa the game. The full-time score finished 3-1, with Villa finally winning their first game of the season which takes them into 16th on the table with six points. Fulham continue their topsy-turvey start to the campaign as they drop to 10th on the table with 10 points.

Newcastle United vs Arsenal

The final game played on Sunday afternoon saw Eddie Howe’s Newcastle host Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at St. James’ Park, with Arsenal in desperate need of a win after they dropped points to Manchester City last weekend. Arsenal made a dominant start to the game, with Eberech Eze seeing two of his spectacular volleyed efforts saved by the ever present Nick Pope before Leandro Trossard’s effort from close range rattled the woodwork. Arsenal then thought they had a case for a penalty after striker Viktor Gyokeres was brought down by Pope but it was clear on the VAR replay that Pope played the ball and not the man. Despite all of the Gunners’ domination, Newcastle sent St. James into party mode after their big German, Nick Woltemade, headed the ball home from close range after Sandro Tonali’s brilliant cross into the box. It came from two errors from the two Arsenal centre halves, Cristhian Mosquera, giving away a needless corner with a poor passback before Gabriel, who was marking Woltemade, went down trying to say the German shoved him in the back when there was clearly minimal contact. The half-time score stood at 1-0, with the away end hoping their side could come back and punish Liverpool dropping points away at Palace on Saturday.

Arsenal were once again superior in the 2nd half, with Jurrien Timber forcing another brilliant stop from Pope in the 59th minute. After they scored late on to equalise against a defensive City side last week, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 84th minute after ex-Magpie, Mikel Merino, brilliantly flicked on Declan Rice’s cross into the far right corner, sinking the hearts of the former fans. Only moments after Merino’s goal, Newcastle were robbed of a penalty after substitute Anthony Elanga’s shot was clearly blocked by the arm of William Saliba. With the last kick of the game, Martin Odegaard whipped in what looked like Arsenal’s last chance of the game from a corner. Making up for his error in the first half, Gabriel rose brilliantly to head Odegaard’s corner into the back of the net, winning all three points for Arsenal in a dramatic turnaround. The full-time score finished 2-1, with Arsenal finally winning a game at St. James’ park which saw them catapult back into 2nd on the table with 13 points, only two behind league leaders Liverpool. After they dropped points to Manchester City last week, this was a huge result early on in a title race, with Arsenal showing some grit and determination to come back from 0-1 down yet again. Newcastle have still only won one game from their opening six as they drop to 15th with six points.

Everton vs West Ham United

The final game of Matchweek 6 played on Monday night saw David Moyes’ Everton host Nuno Espitiro’s West Ham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Nuno hoping he could claim a win with his first game in charge of the Hammers. West Ham saw a lot of the ball in the early stages, but Everton soon threw Nuno his first curveball after the Toffees took the lead in the 18th minute. It came from a recycled corner, which West Ham were so poor at defending, with James Garner whipping the ball in from the left wing where Michael Keane beat Maximilian Kilman to the ball to brilliantly head Garner’s cross over Alphonse Areola’s to make it 1-0. The Hammers continued to dominate possession in the remaining minutes but failed to create anything convincing, with the half-time score finishing 1-0, Moyes hopeful he could get the job done against his former employers.
Everton had a few good chances to put the game to bed in the opening minutes of the 2nd period, with Idrissa Gueye seeing his effort from outside the area just dip over the top left corner, fresh off scoring in the Merseyside Derby last weekend. The travelling side then finally equalised the game in the 65th minute after summer signing from Slavia Prague, El Hadji Malick Diouf, made one of his signature explosive runs down the left wing. The Senegalese international then whipped in a cross which found its way to skipper Jarrod Bowen at the back post. Bowen then cut the ball back onto his left boot as he so often does before firing the ball into the far left of Jordan Pickford’s goal, his 3rd of the season. It was also the first ever goal Everton had conceded at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, keeping clean sheets against Brighton and Aston Villa but finally creasing against the Hammers. West Ham then came so close to turning the game around, with the standout player of the match Crysencio Summerville, pouncing on a poor back pass from Everton defender Jake O’Brien before his effort from close range was brilliantly kept out by the outstretched leg of Pickford. That was the last big chance of the fixture as the full-time score finished 1-1. Moyes’ side picked up a solid point at home, which saw them move into 9th on eight points. West Ham showed much signs of improvement and earnt a hard fought point against a tough opposition although they still remain 19th with just four points.

Written by Ollie Wade