Kickoff chronicles

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool

The 7th week of the 24/25 season in the Premier League kicked off in the capital with Crystal Palace hosting Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Inside 60 seconds, the Eagles thought they had snatched an early advantage when Eddie Nketiah scored from close range after Ismaila Sarr’s cut back. Unfortunately for the hosts, Nketiah was behind the last Liverpool player and the assistant’s flag was raised. Liverpool responded in a very professional way to Palace’s electric start, opening the scoring just 6 minutes afterwards. Coady Gakpo received the ball down the left wing from Kostas Tsimikas before playing it directly across the 18 yard area. Ready to poach was Diogo Jota who lunged goalside of defender Trevoh Chalobah before poking the ball through keeper Dean Henderson’s legs. Liverpool dominated for the rest of the half and were unlucky not to go into the interval carrying a greater lead. After the first 45 minutes, the score was 0-1.

Despite all their first half domination, Liverpool then found themselves on the back foot early on. The Eagles created some monumental chances in the second period, with their best one coming in the 84th minute. After being denied on a couple of occasions already, Eberechi Eze found himself with the perfect opportunity to strike level. The chance came after Will Hughes made a driving run from inside his own half before playing the ball to Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Liverpool left with just 1 defender back. The French centre forward played it to his left where Eze had time to get a shot away. Unfortunately for the majority of fans in Selhurst Park, Eze’s effort was weak, making an easy claim from Reds keeper Alisson. At full time, the score remained unchanged, with Palace leaving with nothing to show for the efforts. Still without a win, Oliver Glasner’s side sit 18th in the table on a woeful 3 points. Liverpool continued their brilliant start to the new campaign, sitting 1st on 18 points with just 2 goals conceded, retaining their 5th clean sheet this season.

Arsenal vs Southampton 

The following game of the weekend saw Mikel Arteta’s Gunner’s host Russell Martin’s Saints at the Emirates Stadium. The last time these two clubs met, in the 22/23 season, an already relegated Southampton side managed to draw to Arsenal 3-3, making it almost impossible for Arsenal to keep themselves in the running for the title. The first half was ultimately goalless, with the best opportunity for either side to snatch the lead coming in the 40th minute when Jorginho’s volleyed effort from range just fizzed wide of the bottom corner. At half time the score was 0-0 with Southampton hoping to cause another major upset at the Emirates.

The Saint’s were certainly on track to stun the Gunners, finding the opener on the 55th minute mark. Mateus Fernandes played a ball over the Arsenal backline to striker Cameroon Archer who controlled it brilliantly. Archer, who was inside the left side of the penalty area, cut the ball back onto his favoured right boot before rifling the ball into the bottom right corner and giving his side the lead. Arsenal hit back in a very tame manner, levelling just 3 minutes later. Kai Havertz received the ball outside the penalty area from Bukayo Saka where he turned onto his left boot. The German then fired a shot, watching as it rattled the post and found its way past ex Arsenal keeper, Aaron Ramsdale. It only took Arsenal a further 9 minutes before they had completed the comeback. Once again, Saka was the instigator, whipping a perfect ball from the right wing with Gabriel Martinelli meeting the cross with a brilliant volley after a dashing run from the left side. Arsenal were then forced to flex their defensive muscle, coming so close to conceding after both Tyler Dibling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis hit the frame of the goal for the Saints. After soaking up the travelling side’s pressure, Arsenal then sealed the game with 2 minutes of normal time left to play. Leandro Trossard found himself running at the two Southampton centre halves with players to either side. The Belgian was maybe a little greedy, attempting to score alone with Yukinari Sugawara disspossing him. Unfortunately for the Japanese international, his touch was heavy, resulting in the ball falling straight into the path of Saka. After already creating 2, Saka slotted away a much deserved 3rd goal for the Gunners. At full time, the score finished 3-1 with Arsenal managing to grab 3 crucial points against a tough Southampton side. The Gunners sit 3rd in the table ahead of the international break. Southampton still sit 19th with just 1 point.

Brentford vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The next game of matchweek 7 was yet again staged in London with Thomas Frank’s Brentford hosting Gary O’Neil’s Wolverhampton at the Gtech. Brentford found the lead after just 65 seconds, coming so close to making it 4 games in a row in which they had opened the scoring inside a minute. Mikkel Damsgaard crossed the ball in from the right wing where ex Wolf, Nathan Collins, headed the ball past Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone to score against his old employers. Wolves then went on to even the score in equally quick time, with this match already looking like another Premier League classic. Nelson Semedo received the ball in the right side of the penalty area where he cut it back to Wolves’ talisman, Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian’s strike wasn’t clean but it was enough to find its way past Mark Flekken and into the back of the Brentford net. After already scoring for Brentford, centre back Collins then gave his side a huge chance to restore their lead after he was pulled down inside the penalty area by Wolves skipper, Mario Lemina. Brentford’s main man, Bryan Mbuemo, stepped up to take the penalty and dispatched it perfectly, casually slotting the ball into the bottom right corner. Once again, Wolves refused to be beaten as they struck level in the 26th minute. Rayan Ait-Nouri crossed the ball in from the left wing where Jorgen Strand Larsen used his striker instincts to wrestle goal side of Ethan Pinnock before poking the ball by Flekken. Two minutes later, the Bees had found yet another goal to put them ahead for the 3rd time in the afternoon. The goal came from some appalling Wolves defending, not for the first time this season, resulting in Vitaly Janelt playing a first time pass into Christian Norgaard inside the penalty area. The Dane’s first touch set himself up perfectly as he drilled the ball into the far left corner with his second. In 1st half stoppage time, Brentford doubled their lead for the first time in the fixture, coming from a corner this time. Damsgaard’s delivery was met by a towering header from Pinnock, who managed to guide the ball into the far corner from almost 12 yards out. At half time, the score was 4-2 with the Bees threatening to embarrass O’Neil’s side even further. 

After a much less exhilarating second 45 minutes, Brentford wrapped up all 3 points in the 90th minute. Keane Lewis-Potter played the ball across the penalty area in what looked like an easy claim for Johnstone in goal. Unaware of Fabio Carvahlo who was making his way into the 6-yard area, Johnstone palmed the ball away from goal but unintentionally into the right boot of Carvahlo, who finally found his first Premier League goal in his new colours. Wolves did go on to score a consolation in injury time through Ait-Nouri with the full time score finishing 5-3. Thomas Frank’s side continued their stellar start to the new season as, despite all their injuries and departures, they comfortably sit 11th on the table. O’Neil’s time at Wolves may just be up, with even his own fans singing to him, “You don’t know what you’re doing, you’re getting sacked in the morning”. Wolves sit rock bottom of the table on 1 point with a whopping 21 goals conceded, letting in an average of 3 goals each game. 

Leicester City vs Bournemouth

Matchweek 7 then saw Steve Cooper’s Leicester City host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at the King Power Stadium. After being denied by a brilliant save from Cherries keeper, Kepa, Facundo Buonanotte then gave the Foxes the lead in the 17th minute. Once receiving the ball from James Justin down the right wing, the Argentine dribbled into the penalty area. With Jamie Vardy waiting inside the 6 yard area, he opted to go alone, cutting the ball onto his left boot before smashing the ball into the roof of the net. The Brighton loanee is showing promising signs this season, netting his 2nd in the Premier League for Leicester. At half time, the score was 1-0 with Bournemouth slow to start so far.

Hitting the post just 3 minutes into the 2nd half, Bournemouth thought they had found their leveller in the 65th minute. Lewis Cook’s inswinging free kick from the left wing seemed to pass everyone before bouncing into the far corner. Unfortunately for the travelling side, VAR controversially chalked the goal off due to Evanilson attempting to head the ball from the free kick, involving himself in the play. The Foxes defended heroically and held out until the final whistle, keeping their first clean sheet of the season as well as winning their first. The Foxes sit 15th on the table with 6 points while Bournemouth sit 13th on 8.

Manchester City vs Fulham

The following game of matchweek 7 then saw Champions Manchester City host Marco Silva’s Fulham at the Etihad Stadium. This game always looked like it could go either way with City recently losing Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne to injuries and Fulham finding some great form this season. After a promising start for the Cottagers, they found a priceless advantage in the 26th minute. Alex Iwobi chipped the ball into the penalty area to Raul Jimenez whose first touch wasn’t great, leaving him with his back to goal. Despite a poor first touch, the Mexcian’s 2nd required a great amount of audacity and skill. Jimenez managed to backheel the ball over both City centre backs where an unmarked Andreas Pereira lunged in to poke the ball past keeper Ederson. Just moments after Adama Traore missed an absolute sitter down the other end for Fulham, City were level. Filling in due to Rodri’s absence, Mateo Kovacic slotted into the team brilliantly and marked the occasion with a goal too. As the ball was cleared from a corner, the Croatian drilled the ball back at goal, watching as it caught a huge deflection before finding its way by Fulham shot stopper, Bernd Leno. At half time the score was 1-1 with Marco Silva left distraught that his side couldn’t convert more of their earlier chances.

Two minutes into the second period and Manchester City found themselves leading the game for the first time. A heavy cross from Phil Foden down the left wing was chested down neatly by Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese then laid it off to Kovacic whose first touch was sublime, taking it around Sander Berge before curling the ball into the far left with ease. After continuing to put the Cottagers under immense pressure, City finally sealed all 3 points in the 82nd minute. Rico Lewis made one of his signature driving runs through the middle of the park before spreading the ball wide to Jermey Doku. The Belgian ran at full back Timothy Castagne before chopping the ball onto his right boot and unleashing a strike. Doku’s hit was so powerful and it moved all over the place, making it impossible for Leno to prevent it from finding the back of the net. The travelling side did give the Citizens something to think about in the 88th minute when Rodrigo Muniz opened his account for the season. Arsenal loanee, Reiss Nelson, found him isolated in the penalty area with a pass from the right wing where Muniz flicked the ball up before smashing it past Ederson on the spin. In the end, Fulham left it too late as the full time score finished 3-2. Fulham fans won’t be too bothered though as they sit 8th on the table. Manchester got the job done in the end, albeit unconvincingly, and Pep’s side sit 2nd on the table.

West Ham United vs Ipswich Town

Back in the capital, the Premier League then saw a West Ham side desperate for a win, host an Ipswich team that was currently unbeaten in 4 league games. The Hammers got off to a much needed electric start when they scored their quickest ever goal in the Premier League (48 seconds). Kalvin Phillips, known for making errors from his short stint at West Ham, gave the ball away in the midfield, resulting in Tomas Soucek playing the ball to skipper Jarrod Bowen down the right wing. Bowen ran at the Ipswich defence before playing the ball dangerously into the 6-yard area where Michail Antonio opened his account for the season after he flicked the ball into the far corner. The Tractor Boys then had to turn to their star man, Liam Delap, to strike them level. An Ipswich corner was cleared only as far as Delap. The young Englishman skillfully turned Lucas Paqueta for drilling the ball into the bottom left corner. West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola will have felt he should’ve got a stronger hand to it but nonetheless, it was a good goal. West Ham then started to dominate the tie, hitting the post and being denied by a goal line clearance as it looked like the teams would go into the break level. Finally, the Hammers restored their lead after Emerson whipped in a ball from the left wing. Antonio jumped high to head it past Arijanet Muric but his effort hit the bar and bounced on the line. Mohammed Kudus, arguably one of the smaller players on the pitch, then somehow out jumped the Ipswich defenders and headed the ball over the line before hitting his famous celebration in front of the away end. At half time the score was 2-1 with Julen Lopetegui disappointed his side couldn’t convert more of their many opportunities. 

West Ham scored a fully deserved 3rd goal only 4 minutes into the 2nd period when Bowen popped up with a captains contribution. It was yet again put down to an error at the back for Ipswich, ex Hammer Ben Johnson giving his keeper, Muric, a terrible back pass which the Koskovian could only clear as far as Bowen. Proving why he should be in the England squad, Bowen dribbled down the right wing before checking back onto his left boot and passing the ball into the far corner. With 2 goal contributions already to his name, Bowen chipped in with his 3rd of the afternoon, all but seeing out the 3 points for the Hammers. After receiving it from Antonio down the right wing, the English winger dribbled down the flank before playing a perfect ball across the 6 yard area with the outside of his boot. Present to tap the ball over the line was Lucas Paqueta who notched his 2nd of the season. West Ham comfortably saw out the remaining minutes with the full time score finishing 4-1. West Ham picked up a hugely needed 3 points before they play Spurs in 2 weeks time, taking them to 12th on the table. Ipswich’s 4 game unbeaten run is put to an end as they sit 17th on the table.

Everton vs Newcastle United

The final game played on Saturday afternoon starred Sean Dyche’s Everton as they hosted Eddie Howe’s Newcastle at Goodison Park. Newcastle got off to a solid start and would have found the lead through Bruno Guimaraes if not for a brilliant goal line clearance by Iliman Ndiaye. It was then the Toffees who thought they had found the lead after Abdoulaye Doucoure headed home from close range. Unfortunately for the hosts, VAR ruled the goal out due to Doucoure being offside. Newcastle then found a golden opportunity to score the opener in the 35th minute when Sandro Tonali won the Magpies a penalty after he was tugged down by James Tarkowski. Fresh from scoring a penalty last week, Anthony Gordon stepped up, hopeful to score against his old team who were desperate for Jordan Pickford to deny him. Gordon never looked confident and Pickford dove the right way as he parried the ball away with his outstretched knees. At halftime, the game was still tightly poised at 0-0 with Eddie Howe left furious that his side hadn’t converted the penalty.

The 2nd half was much less exciting, with the best chance coming in the 67th minute when Magpies keeper Nick Pope pulled a magnificent save out of the bag to deny Toffees talisman, Dominic Calvert-Lewin. At the full time whistle, the score finished 0-0 with both sides feeling as though they should’ve picked up all three points, despite a draw being an overall fair result. Everton drop to 16th on the table while Newcastle stay in 7th.

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

The first game played on Sunday afternoon saw Unai Emery’s Aston Villa (fresh off a 1-0 win against Bayern in the Champions League) face Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United. With all the entertaining fixtures so far this week, it was fair to say this game was well below par, especially the first half. With a strong Emiliano Martinez save to deny United along with Villa missing the target on a few occasions, it was an actionless first 45 minutes as the teams went into the interval tied at 0-0.

It was more of the same in the second period with keepers, Martinez (Villa) and Andre Onana (United), the heroes for their respective sides. Just as it looked like the game was to finish goalless, Villa found themselves with a huge chance. Ian Matsen drilled a ball across the penalty area which looked like an easy clearance for new Manchester United signing, Matthijs de Ligt. Unfortunately for the Dutchman, he missed the ball completely as it rolled to Jaden Philogene. Philogene rifled the ball first time at Onana’s goal, with the Englishman so unlucky as the ball struck the back of Diogo Dalot before fizzing out for a corner. As the full time whistle was blown, the score finished 0-0. Manchester United fail to pick up 3 points yet again as they sit 14th on the table. Unai Emery’s side sit in a positive 5th spot on the table, but will still be gutted they couldn’t beat a lifeless United side at Villa Park.

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest

The next game of matchweek 7 was staged at Stamford Bridge with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea hosting Nuno Espirito’s Nottingham Forest. It was fair to say Forest had the bulk of opportunities early on in the first half but Chelsea came closer to scoring. Noni Madueke made a brilliant run down the right wing and to the goal line. Inside the penalty area, Madueke cut the ball back into the path of international teammate Cole Palmer with time and space. Palmer may have dallied on the ball for too long as his effort was blocked. In the end, the ball almost bobbled over the line due to some miscommunication in the Forest 6 yard area. It came so close that the Chelsea fans in the North Stand started celebrating. At half time, the score was 0-0 with either team capable of snatching the points.

Forest found the lead after just 3 minutes into the 2nd half from a free kick almost on the halfway line. New signing Nikola Milenkovic won the initial header, playing the ball across the 6 yard box. Chris Wood was once again the man to score for Forest, lunging in to score his 4th of the season. Chelsea hit back almost instantly, with Madueke popping up with his 4th of the season as well. The Englishman received the ball down the right wing where he progressed into the penalty area before chopping back onto his left boot. Madueke then fired a shot, watching as it perfectly nestled into the far left corner. After Wood’s opener was cancelled out, things got even worse for Forest as West Ham loanee, James Ward-Prowse was sent off. Ward-Prowse received a backpass in his own half but let the ball run under his foot with Jackson now favourite to intercept the ball and potentially find himself in a 1v1 situation on goal. Ward-Prowse dived to the ground and stopped the ball rolling into the path of Jackson, resulting in a clear second yellow card and a deserved sending off. It was certainly a very Premier League-like last 10 minutes with sending offs, players getting angry with each other as well as managing staff, and last minute dramatic saves. Just after Robert Sanchez denied Nico Williams of Forest in spectacular fashion, Chelsea got the ball down the other end of the pitch through the blistering pace of Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukrainian crossed the ball in from the left wing where Forest shot stopper Matz Sels kept out a header from Christopher Nkunku with a spectacular palm away from goal. With almost the last play of the 13 minutes of stoppage time, Sanchez was forced into another save, this time denying Jota Silva’s header with his brilliant outstretched arm. In the end, this end to end and dramatic game finished 1-1, with a point each a fair result. Enzo Maresca’s side sit 4th on the table while Nuno Espirito’s Forest sit on the top half of the table too (10th).

Brighton vs Tottenham Hotspur

The curtain draw for matchweek 7 saw Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton host Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur. After Timo Werner had previously had a goal disallowed for Spurs due to Pedro Porro being offside in the build up, Ange’s side finally found the lead just moments later. James Maddison won the ball in the middle of the park before looking to play no.9 Dominic Solanke straight away. Once Solanke received the ball, he played a perfect ball between the 2 Brighton centre halves for Brennan Johnson to slot into the bottom left corner with his first touch. Johnson now becomes the first Spurs player in 6 years to score in 6 consecutive games across all competitions since Harry Kane in the 18/19 season. Fourteen minutes later, Spurs found themselves with a 2 goal cushion just ahead of the interval. Solanke picked up the ball on the halfway line before playing a brilliant pass down the left wing and into the path of Timo Werner. The German winger held the ball up well before spitting it back out centrally to James Maddison who was on top of the penalty area. Maddison then shaped to shoot before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner. Seagulls keeper, Bart Verbruggen, will not want to watch the replay back as he could’ve easily got a stronger palm to Maddison’s effort. At half time, the score was standing at 0-2 with Tottenham threatening to run away with the tie.

Despite all of Spurs’ 1st half domination, Brighton halved the deficit just 3 minutes into the second period when Yankuba Minteh opened his account for the season. Kaoru Mitoma’s cross should’ve been easily dealt with by Destiny Udogie but the Italian full back failed to clear the ball convincingly. Ready to pounce was Minteh who drilled the ball into the bottom right corner on the volley. The Seagulls completed the comeback just 10 minutes later when substitute Pervis Estupinan found Mitoma outside the Spurs penalty area. The Japanese international played the ball perfectly into the path of new signing Georginio Rutter who took a series of touches before smashing the ball past Guglielmo Vicario in the Tottenham goal. Brighton then flipped the game on its head when Danny Welbeck scored his 4th goal of the season, continuing his most prolific start to a season ever. Rutter was once again involved showing great strength and skill to dribble through the Tottenham defender and get to the goal line. The Frenchman slid in to chip the ball over Danny Welbeck who jumped up to head the ball into an empty net. After creating chances continuously in the first 45 minutes, Spurs offered up nothing in the closing minutes as they threw away 3 points with the result finishing 3-2. This result is what many fans would call “Spursy,” as they become the first side in Premier League history to lose a total of 10 league games with a 2-0 advantage at one point.. Ange’s side sit 9th on the table. Brighton picked up a much needed and, in the end, deserved 3 points as they sit 6th on the table.

Written by Ollie Wade