Kickoff chronicles

AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham

The opening game of Matchweek 7 on Friday night saw Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth host Marco Silva’s Fulham at the Vitality Stadium, with both sides hoping to continue their solid starts to the campaign. The 1st half was very even, with the two teams sharing chances. The best effort in the first 45 minutes came from Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams, who saw his shot from outside the penalty area saved by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno. The half-time score stood at 0-0, with both sides believing they had the capability to go on and win the game.

Bournemouth were the better side in the opening minutes of the 2nd half, with Leno being forced into action on multiple occasions. Fulham then had their own little 10 minutes of domination, where they happened to break the deadlock, with Harry Wilson forcing a brilliant save from Djordje Petrovic before Ryan Sessegnon played a sharp 1-2 with Samuel Chuckwueze leaving him 1-on-1 with the Cherries keeper. Sessegnon chipped the ball over Petrovic and watched as the ball bounced over the line to give the Cottagers a priceless lead. It was always going to take a moment of magic for Bournemouth to hit back against the travelling side and their top scorer, Antoine Semenyo, was the man to supply it. He picked up the ball down the left wing and took it all the way to the bi-line, beating three Fulham players before shooting from an almost impossible angle. Semenyo somehow managed to slot the ball through the legs of Leno and into the bottom corner, easily the best goal of his Premier League career. Bournemouth completed the turnaround in the 84th minute after Justin Kluivert got off the mark for the current season. He picked the ball up in the middle of the park from Semenyo,  before dribbling past Tom Cairney with ease and smashing the ball into the far left corner with a wonder-strike. Bournemouth then sealed all three points in stoppage time with an explosive counter after new signing Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled with the ball down the right wing before playing the ball into the box for Semenyo. The Ghanaian smashed the ball into the bottom corner to score his 6th goal of the season, taking him into 2nd in the race for the Golden Boot. The full-time score finished 3-1, with Bournemouth claiming a spectacular win which took them into a temporary 2nd on the table with 14 points, although they have since dropped to 4th. Fulham register back-to-back losses on the road as they drop to 14th on the table with eight points.

Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur

The first game of Matchweek 7 played on Saturday afternoon saw Daniel Farke’s Leeds host Thomas Frank’s Tottenham at Elland Road, with Leeds hoping to continue their unbeaten record in the league this season at home. Leeds came so close to opening the scoring inside 10 minutes after Joe Rodon’s header from close range rattled against the woodwork, proving how dangerous they could be to Spurs from set pieces. Unfortunately for the hosts, Tottenham scored just minutes later after Mohammed Kudus released Mathys Tel down the right wing. Tel progressed into the penalty area before his deflected strike flew into the top right corner, his first of the season to give Spurs a 0-1 lead. Leeds then scored a deserved equaliser in the 34th minute after Jayen Bogle whipped the ball in for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to control down for Brenden Aaronson. Aaronson then saw his shot kept out by Guglielmo Vicario but the Italian was unable to save Noah Okafor’s rebound which was smashed into the back of his net for Okafor’s 2nd of the season. Spurs came so close to restoring their lead just before the break after Tel’s header from close range was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Karl Darlow to deny the young Frenchman from a first-half brace. The half-time score stood at 1-1, with both sides capable of claiming all three points in the 2nd period.

Leeds had the first meaningful chance of the half, with Okafor playing the ball into the path of Calvert-Lewin where the striker hit the ball on the spin, watching as it was saved by the outstretched leg of Vicario. Tottenham regained their lead in the 57th minute after Pedro Porro found Kudus down the right wing. Kudus cut into a more central area before unleashing a shot, watching as his effort took a hefty deflection, leading it perfectly into the bottom right corner, in ideal time for Kudus to score his 1st ever Spurs goal. Leeds came so close to leveling the game again late on, after Joel Piroe’s close range effort was acrobatically saved by Vicario in stoppage time who confirmed the three points from Spurs. The full-time score finished 1-2, with Tottenham claiming a big victory which saw them move into 3rd on 14 points. Leeds drop points again at home as they drop to 15th on the table with eight points, still a decent start for Farke’s side who have looked good so far this season.

Arsenal vs West Ham United

The following fixture in Matchweek 7 saw Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Nuno Espirito’s West Ham at the Emirates Stadium, with Nuno looking to build off a strong point against Everton last week and gain something against the Gunners. Arsenal were clearly the better side in the opening exchanges, and came so close to scoring inside five minutes after skipper Martin Odegaard threaded the ball through to Jurrien Timber. Timber then saw his effort from close range saved by the knees of Alphonse Areola, with West Ham just about keeping the score 0-0. Arsenal should have scored in the 13th minute after Odegaard found Bukayo Saka inside the West Ham area. Saka played the ball into the 6-yard box where the travelling side made a mess of a clearance leaving Eberechi Eze with an open goal from point blank range. The summer signing from Crystal Palace then blazed the ball over the bar, a shocking miss from such a talented player. Arsenal finally broke the deadlock just before the interval after Martin Zubemendi played a brilliant ball into the path of Eze in the West Ham area. Eze’s shot was kept out by Areola, but unfortunately for the Frenchman, he punched the ball right into the path of his ex teammate Declan Rice who smashed the ball into the roof of the net, his 2nd goal against his former club as he refused to celebrate. Arsenal left back Riccardo Calafiori, who is no stranger to the odd goal, came inches away from making it 2-0 after his thunderous strike rattled against the inside of the post and then fortunately rolled right into the path of Areola. The half-time score stood at 1-0, with Arsenal hoping to overcome their poor form at home against the Hammers, with West Ham winning their previous meetings at the Emirates 0-1 and 0-2.

West Ham were slowly getting back into the game in the 2nd half, but a horrible VAR and referring call by John Brooks changed the game completely. Zubimendi played a ball over the West Ham defence for Timber to chase where El Hadji Malick Diouf fouled the Dutchman outside the penalty area. Brooks then made the bizarre decision to point to the spot, causing an outrage from the West Ham players and fans. Buyako Saka held his nerve and slotted the ball into the top right corner from 12 yards on his 200th Premier League appearance making it 2-0 and wrapping up the win. The full-time score finished 2-0, with Arsenal claiming a huge three points which took them into 1st on the table with 16 points. West Ham remain 19th, although their fans can clearly see the positive changes Nuno has already made as they look towards Brentford in two weeks time.

Manchester United vs Sunderland

The next game in Matchweek 7 saw Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United host Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland at Old Trafford with Sunderland hoping to claim back-to-back wins which would see them jump into the top four of the Premier League. United made an exceptional start to the game after they opened the scoring inside 10 minutes. Bryan Mbeumo crossed the ball in from the right wing where Mason Mount brilliantly controlled the ball down with his left boot. The Englishman smashed the ball into the bottom right corner with his right boot, making for an amazing two-touch finish for his first goal of the season. Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs, arguably the best goalie of the Premier League season so far, was playing so well to keep the game at 1-0, acrobatically denying Amad Diallo, Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes with three world class stops. The Red Devils found a deserved 2nd goal just after the half hour mark when Diogo Dalot launched a long throw into the Sunderland 6-yard box. The ball found its way to United striker Benjamin Sesko, where the Slovenian poked the ball past Roefs to make it 2-0. Sunderland’s lone chance of the half came in the 35th minute after skipper Granit Xhaka’s long range strike was comfortably parried away by United keeper Senne Lammens who was making his debut for the Red Devils.The half-time score finished 2-0, with United the deserved leaders.

The 2nd half failed to be as exciting as the first, with the damage already inflicted on Sunderland as they failed to break down the United defence. Their best chance in the 2nd period came after Eliezer Mayenda made a bursting run through the midfield. He played the ball to his left where Chemsdine Talbi saw his weak effort kept out by Lammens. The full-time score finished 2-0, with Manchester United claiming another home win making it three in a row at Old Trafford. They sit 10th on the table with 10 points. Sunderland’s unbeaten run comes to an end as they sit one place above United, 9th with 11 points.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

The final game in Matchweek 7 played on Saturday evening saw Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea host Arne Slot’s Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, with both sides hoping to recover from shock losses last weekend. Chelsea made an electric start to the game to shock the champions, scoring in the 14th minute. Moises Caicedo picked the ball up in midfield from Malo Gusto where he drove at the Liverpool penalty area. Caicedo smashed the ball into the top left corner with a stunning strike to score his 3rd goal of the season, the Chelsea record signing finally living up to his hefty price tag. Chelsea continued to frustrate the champions for the rest of the half, allowing them minimal chances as the score at half-time stood at 1-0, with Chelsea hoping to claim their first win since Matchweek 3. 

Liverpool were much better in the 2nd period and found a deserved equaliser just after the hour mark when Mohamed Salah crossed the ball in from the right wing. Record signing from Newcastle, Alexander Isak, brilliantly controlled the ball down for Cody Gakpo who poked the ball past Robert Sanchez to make it 1-1. Despite Liverpool’s goal, the game then shifted in Chelsea’s favour, with the Blues pushing for a late winner. Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was making his Premier League debut after signing from Valencia in the summer, was forced into three amazing saves. The first from Jamie Gittens, the second from an outside the box curler by Estevao and the third from another long range piledriver thanks to Caicedo. Chelsea finally made all their late pressure pay off when they finally scored a 2nd goal in the 5th minute of stoppage time. Enzo Fernandez played a smart ball into the path of Marc Cucurella who had made a run into the Liverpool penalty area. Cucurella drilled the ball across the 6-yard box, with Estevao diving in at full stretch and reaching out to slot the ball underneath Mamardashvili. The full-time score finished 2-1, with Estevao’s first ever Premier League goal sealing the three points for the Blues. Chelsea moved into 7th on the table with 11 points after a brilliant win at home. Liverpool lose their 3rd game in a row in all competitions as they dropped to 2nd in the table on 15 points, one behind Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Liverpool are now in a mini crisis of their own, with new signings underperforming while their experienced players seem to be getting worse as each game goes on.

Aston Villa vs Burnley

The first game played on Sunday afternoon in Matchweek 7 saw Unai Emery’s Aston Villa host Scotty Parker’s Burnley at Villa Park, with the hosts hoping to continue their brilliant run of form in all competitions and pick up a 4th win in a row. Aston Villa made a dominant start to the game and almost scored just minutes after kick-off when Ezri Konsa’s header from Lucas Digne’s corner was brilliantly saved by Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka. Villa found a deserved lead in the 25th minute after Boubacar Kamara played a wicked through ball to Donyell Malen. Malen brilliantly slotted the ball past Dubravka on the stretch for his first goal of the season. Burnley had a huge chance to make it 1-1 just before the break after Josh Cullen’s long range volley effort was brilliantly saved by Emiliano Martinez. The half-time score stood at 1-0, with Villa hoping to make it four wins in a row in all competitions.

The hosts should have made it 2-0 in the 54th minute after Ollie Watkins played a through ball to Morgan Rogers on the other side of the penalty area. Unfortunately for Villa, Dubravka was quick off his line and able to block Rogers’ first time effort. Villa finally wrapped up all three points in the 62nd minute after Rogers played the ball into the path of Malen outside the Burnley penalty area. Malen controlled the ball with his right boot before smashing the ball into the bottom left corner with his same foot, making for a rapid two-touch finish. Burnley gave the hosts something to think about in the 78th minute after Quilindschy Hartman’s quick corner was headed past a confused Martinez by Lesley Ugochukwu for his first Burnley goal. Unfortunately for the hosts, the travelling side posed no real threat after their consolation, with the full-time score finishing 2-1. Villa claim back-to-back league wins for the first time this season as they move into 13th on the table with nine points. Burnley fail to pick up points yet again as they languish in 18th on four points.

Everton vs Crystal Palace

The following game on Sunday afternoon in Matchweek 7 saw David Moyes’ Everton host Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Everton fans hoping their side could continue their unbeaten run at their new home. Palace, who were the only unbeaten side left this season, made a great start to the game with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismalia Sarr causing Everton all sorts of problems in the first half. They finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute after Sarr made a driving run through the Everton half on Palace’s latest counter attack. He played the ball to the right of him where wing-back Daniel Munoz had made a bursting run. Sarr’s ball was perfectly weighted for Munoz, with the Colombian slotting the ball past Jordan Pickford to score his 1st of the season. The half-time score stood at 0-1, with Everton needing to improve if they were to get anything against the Eagles.

Palace should have scored early on in the second half after Mateta’s cheeky chip over Pickford was fortunately cleared of the line by Jake O”Brien who had single handedly kept the Toffees in the game. Everton then slowly started to get back into the game, with substitute Charly Alcaraz making a huge difference off the bench. The hosts then won a penalty in the 76th minute after Tim Iroegbunam was recklessly brought down by the usually reliable Maxence Lacriox. Iliman Ndiaye stepped up to take the spot kick and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 1-1, with the home fans hoping they could go on to win the game. Everton’s moment finally came in the 3rd minute of stoppage time after Ndiaye crossed the ball in from the right wing where substitute Beto saw his header saved by the foot of Dean Henderson. Munoz was then so unlucky, attempting to clear the ball after Henderson’s save, with the ball pinballing back off the shin of Everton’s Jack Grealish and nestling into the back of the Palace net for Grealish’s first goal for Everton. The full-time score finished 1-2, with Palace’s historic 19 game unbeaten run finally coming to an end in an unfortunate fashion. Glasner’s side drop to 6th on the table with 12 points, still an amazing start. Everton continue their unbeaten streak at their new home as they pick up their 3rd win of the season taking them into 8th on the table with 11 points.

Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest

The next game in Matchweek 7 saw Eddie Howe’s Newcastle host Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest at St. James’ Park. Postecoglou needed a win against the Magpies after he went off to boos from Forest fans mid week given his loss against Midtjylland. He’s now failed to win after his first six games in charge. Newcastle dominated the first half, with ex-Newcastle keeper and current Forest shot stopper, Matz Sels, forced into making a series of brilliant stops to keep the scores level at half-time. The hosts’ best chance of the half came in the 16th minute when Joelinton’s header was clawed into the post and out of danger by Sels, a world class save. 

The hosts finally scored a deserved goal just before the hour mark after big Dan Burn dispossessed Morgan Gibbs-White in the middle of the pitch. Burn drove towards the Forest goal before laying it off to skipper Bruno Guimaraes who lined up a shot. Guimaraes’ effort was out of this world, with the Brazilian smashing the ball into the top right corner with a sublime strike. Forest were desperate for a second goal which would seal all three points, with Sels pulling out three more epic stops to deny Sandro Tonali, Nick Woltemade and William Ousla. Newcastle finally sealed the win in the 84th minute after Guimaraes was fouled by Elliot Anderson. Woltemade stepped up and smashed the ball into the top left corner from 12-yards, a world class penalty and one which saw him write his name into the Newcastle history books (the first Newcastle player since the great Alan Shearer to score in his first three Premier League games at St. James’ Park). The full-time score finished 2-0, with Newcastle securing their 5th clean sheet and 2nd win of the season as they jump into 11th on the table with nine points. Forest have now failed to win in all seven of Ange’s first games in charge as they sit on the brink of the relegation zone, 17th with five points.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brighton Hove & Albion

The following fixture in Matchweek 7 saw Vitor Pereira’s Wolves host Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton at the Molineux Stadium, with Wolves hoping to build from their first point of the season away at Tottenham last weekend. Despite Brighton making a better start to the game, Wolves scored the opener totally against the run of play in the 21st minute after Jhon Arias floated the ball into the penalty area. The ball was only cleared as far as the edge of the penalty area by Danny Welbeck where Marshall Munetsi smashed the ball into the crossbar, with the rebound bouncing off Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen and crossing the line, Munetsi’s first of the season. Wolves were troubling Brighton on multiple occasions with set pieces in the first half, with Ladislav Krejci seeing his header from a Hugo Bueno cross brilliantly saved by Verbruggen. The score at half-time finished 1-0, with Brighton offering up nothing offensively after they conceded the opener.

Wolves picked up where they’d left off in the first half and should have made it 2-0 after Bueno cut the ball back to Arias who was unmarked from about 8 yards out. Wolves’ big money signing then proceeded to blaze the ball over the bar, still yet to score his first Premier League goal. With less than 20 minutes to play, Wolves decided to sit back and substitute defensive players on and take off more attacking players. Sam Johnstone was forced into a world class save after Georginio Rutter’s half volley from Yankuba Minteh’s cross looked destined for the top corner, if not from an acrobatic stop from the Englishman. Moments after Jorgen Strand Larsen hit the post to seal the three points for Wolves, Brighton equalised in the 87th minute after their 24/25 player of the year, Jan Paul van Hecke, brilliantly headed the ball past Johnstone from Stefanos Tzimas’ cross to win a point at the death for the Seagulls. The full-time score finished 1-1, with Brighton finally getting some last minute luck after dropping so many points to late goals this season. They move into 12th on the table with nine points. Wolves have now dropped four points in two games after leading 1-0 meaning they could be sitting 17th on the table with six points. Instead, they will have to settle with 20th on two points.

Brentford vs Manchester City

The curtain draw for Matchweek 7 on Sunday evening saw Keith Andrews’ Brentford host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, with Andrews’ hoping his side could do the double against the two biggest clubs from Manchester after beating the red side of the city 3-1 last weekend. Unfortunately for Brentford, Erling Haaland had other ideas, bullying his way through the Bees’ defenders to score his 9th of the season. He ran onto a long ball from Josko Gvardiol before shoving his way through Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins before slotting the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher to give City an early lead. Phil Foden, who is no stranger to a goal at the Gtech scoring five times in his last two appearances, should have made it 2-0 in the 31st minute after he blazed the ball wide from close range. Tijjani Reijnders came so close to making it 2-0 as well, watching as his effort from close range was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Kelleher. The half-time score stood at 1-0, with Brentford so fortunate it wasn’t more.

Brentford should have equalised just minutes after the restart when Igor Thiago pounced off a poor defensive header by Gvardiol, leaving him one-on-one with Gianluigi Donnarumma. Thiago panicked when he got close to the Italian, taking a poor touch before chipping the ball into the chest of Donnarumma. After his heroics to prevent Thiago, Donnarumma came so close to gifting Brentford a late equaliser after he was tackled by Kevin Schade from a couple of yards out, with the ball fortunately rolling out for a goal kick. The full-time score finished 1-0, with City claiming their 10th point from 12 since the first international break as they jump into 5th with 13 points. Brentford, while impressive in the second half, fail to beat the Blue side of Manchester as they drop to 16th on the table with seven points.

Written by Ollie Wade