Kickoff chronicles

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea

The first game in Matchweek 8 in the Premier League, after another international break, saw Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest host Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea on Saturday afternoon at the City Ground. Chelsea made a shaky start to the game, making three poor defensive errors early on. Forest should have pounced on Chelsea’s errors but put all three chances wide of the post. Apart from the odd Chelsea attack, Forest continued to dominate the 1st half, but were unable to score from all their opportunities with the score 0-0 at half-time after another shocking performance in front of goal.

Ange’s side was ultimately punished for not converting in the 1st half, with young Chelsea centre half Josh Acheampong heading Pedro Neto’s cross home from close range. Chelsea then wrapped up all three points in the 52nd minute to the fury of the City Ground. Reece James played a free kick short to Neto where the Portuguese international drilled the ball into the bottom right corner and through the grasp of Matz Sels. Forest tried to get back in the game, with Robert Sanchez forced into some solid saves before Chelsea made it 0-3 in the 84th minute. Estevao’s corner was punched only as far as James by Sels where the Blues’ skipper volleyed the ball into the back of the net. Chelsea ended the game poorly, with Malo Gusto sent off in the 87th minute meaning they have now had a red card in their last five games. It was deserved, going in recklessly on Neco Williams resulting in a clear 2nd yellow card. The full-time score finished 0-3, with Chelsea claiming their 2nd win in a row taking them to 5th on the table with 14 points. After eight games without a win, Ange was sacked with immediate effect meaning his five Premier League games in charge of Nottingham Forest is the shortest ever managerial spell. Forest drop into the relegation zone, 18th with five points.

Brighton Hove & Albion vs Newcastle United

The following game in Matchweek 8 saw two teams desperate for a win go head-to-head, with Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton hosting Eddie Howe’s Newcastle at the Amex Stadium. Brighton were off to a positive start, with Georginio Rutter forcing an early save from Newcastle’s Nick Pope. Brighton took a deserved lead in the 40th minute after Rutter poked the ball through to striker Danny Welbeck where the Englishman skillfully chipped the ball over Pope to give the Seagulls a priceless advantage. The score at half-time stood at 1-0, with Brighton hoping to secure their 4th game in a row unbeaten.

Newcastle came out much better in the 2nd half, coming inches away from scoring in the 73rd minute after captain Bruno Guimaraes forced a brilliant stop from Bart Verbruggen. The Magpies found a deserved equaliser in the 76th minute after Lewis Miley played the ball across the Brighton penalty area. New striker Nick Woltemade met the ball with a wicked back heel finish, watching as the ball trickled into the bottom left corner. It was Woltemade’s 4th Premier League goal after just five appearances, with Newcastle not missing Alexander Isak at all. Unfortunately for the Magpies, Brighton scored again in the 84th minute after Yasin Ayari was brilliantly tackled by Dan Burn on the edge of the Newcastle box. Burn was so unfortunate, with the ball perfectly falling for Welbeck, who smashed it into the far left corner to net his 2nd brace of the season and win the game for Brighton. Newcastle had a few chances to equalise again in the dying moments but Brighton held on for a heroic 2-1 win at home. Hurzeler’s side move into 9th onto the table with 12 points while Newcastle drop to 12th with nine points.

Burnley vs Leeds United

The next game in Matchweek 8 saw two newly promoted teams face off, with Scott Parker’s Burnley hosting Daniel Farke’s Leeds at Turf Moor. The Clarets were clearly the better side in the opening exchanges and scored a deserved goal in the 18th minute. Kyle Walker whipped the ball in from the right wing where fellow new signing Lesley Ugochukwu headed the ball into the top corner. Leeds should have equalised in the 30th minute after Jack Harrison squared the ball to Brenden Aaronson but the American saw his shot saved into the post by Burnley’s star keeper, Martin Dubravka. The half-time score finished 1-0, with Burnley hoping to claim only their 2nd win this season.

The hosts all but wrapped up the three points in this promoted team play-off, with Loum Tchaouna scoring his first ever Premier League goal. He picked the ball up in midfield from Florentino before setting himself up with his first touch and driving the ball into the top left corner with his second, one of the goals of the season. Leeds had two chances later on, with Jayden Bogle and Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing the target from close range. The full-time score finished 2-0, with Leeds picking up consecutive 2-0 home wins against their promoted rivals taking them into 17th on the table with seven points. Leeds lose back-to-back games as they drop to 15th on the table with eight points.

Crystal Palace vs AFC Bournemouth

The following game in Matchweek 8 saw Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, with both sides hoping they could claim a win which would see them move into the top 4. The Cherries made a rapid start to the game, scoring inside seven minutes after Justin Kluivert whipped in an inswinging corner. Antoine Semenyo flicked the ball over to the back post where the young Eli Kroupi headed the ball in from a yard out. Bournemouth were in full flow in the first half and were causing Palace problems every time they ventured forward. The away side scored a deserved 2nd goal in the 38th minute, with Semenyo involved again, bursting down the left wing before drilling the ball across the penalty area. Marc Guehi was able to clear the ball as far as the edge of the penalty area but it sat up perfectly for Kroupi who smashed the ball past Dean Henderson to secure his brace. The score at half-time stood at 0-2, with Palace’s unbeaten run at Selhurst now in trouble.

The Eagles made a perfect start to the 2nd half, halving the deficit just after the hour mark. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who had started the Palace attack, tapped the ball in from a couple of yards out after wing-back Daniel Munoz had drilled a teasing ball across the 6-yard box. Just five minutes later, Palace levelled the game with a goal much like their first. Daichi Kamada chipped the ball over to the back post where Munoz was able to beat the Bournemouth defenders and play a perfect first time ball across the penalty area. The ball looked to be rolling out for a goal kick but Mateta was able to stretch out and slot the ball past Djordje Petrovic. The next 20 minutes were very cagey, with both sides not wanting to drop a potential point. It was actually Bournemouth who looked to have won all three points in the 89th minute after Marcus Tavernier cut the ball back from the left wing where Ryan Christie tapped the ball home from close range in what looked like the final action in a thrilling encounter. Fortunately for Palace, it was not, with referee Jarred Gillet awarding the Eagles a penalty in the 5th minute of stoppage time after Bafode Diakate needlessly wrestled Guehi to the ground from a Palace corner, only adding to the drama in the game. Mateta slotted the ball into the bottom left corner with composure, earning a point at the death for the hosts and sealing his hat-trick. Mateta had a huge chance just moments later to score his 4th and win Palace the game but smashed the ball over the crossbar from close range. The full-time score finished 3-3, already one of the games of the season. A point takes Bournemouth into 3rd on the table with 15 points, now ahead of 24/25 champions Liverpool. Palace draw their 4th game of the season as they move into 8th on 13 points. 

Manchester City vs Everton

The next game in Matchweek 8 saw Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City host David Moyes’ Everton at the Etihad Stadium, with both sides fresh off wins in week 7. City dominated possession in the early stages but it was actually Everton who had the first big chance. Iliman Nidaye made a bursting run down the right wing before playing the ball across the City penalty area. Toffees’ striker Beto was at full stretch but unfortunately just unable to make any convincing contact which would see Gianlugi Donnarumma forced into action. Moments after City hit the crossbar, Nidaye was causing them problems again, the stand-out player in the game, dancing down the right wing before cutting in and drawing a solid stop from Donnarumma. The score at half-time finished 0-0, with Ndiaye and Everton frustrating the eight time Premier League winners.

City and Erling Haaland finally found their moment in the 58th minute after Nico O’Reilly crossed the ball in from the left wing. Haaland leapt up to head the ball past Jordan Pickford, already his 10th goal of the season. Just minutes later, Haaland popped up with his 2nd of the game to make it 2-0 and wrap up the game. Savinho received the ball in the penalty area from Phil Foden where the Brazilian played it to Haaland on the edge of the box. Haaland met the ball with a powerful first time strike, watching as it caught a slight deflection, fizzing past Pickford and into the back of the net. The big Norwegian was unable to complete his hat-trick before the full-time whistle, with the score ending 2-0. Manchester City catapulted up to 2nd on the table on 6 points while Everton drop to 12th on 11 points, clearly missing Jack Grealish who was unable to play against his parent club.

Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

The following fixture in Matchweek 8 saw Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland host Vitor Pereira’s Wolves at the Stadium of Light, with Wolves the only team yet to win after drawing their last two games 1-1 despite leading 1-0 for the majority of the games. Wilson Isidor had the ball in the back of the net for Sunderland just eight minutes in after a quite thunderous strike, only for the assistant referee to disallow the goal as the Black Cats’ striker was offside. Sunderland weren’t to be denied for long though, with Nordi Mukiele netting his first for the club. The right-back played a sumptuous one-two with fellow full-back Trai Hume before smashing the ball through the legs of Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone, a wonderful move. Hume came so close to scoring his first goal of the season as well just moments later after Dan Ballard flicked the ball on from a long throw, leaving him free at the back post. Hume’s headed effort rattled against the woodwork from a tight angle, with Wolves now in big trouble. The half-time score finished 1-0, with Sunderland hoping to claim their 3rd win in four games at their beloved Stadium of Light.

Wolves should have equalised minutes into the 2nd half after Marshall Munetsi brilliantly cushioned down Hugo Bueno’s cross for Joao Gomes. Gomes’ effort was poor, dragging his shot wide of the post when he really had to hit the target. Wolves dominated for the rest of the half, but for the third game running they conceded in the final minutes of the game which meant they were out of the game. Chemsdine Talbi played a ball across the edge of the Wolves’ penalty area attempting to find teammate Lutsharel Geertruida. Fortunately for the hosts, young Wolves centre half Ladislav Krejci stretched out and played a horror back pass to his keeper Johnstone, smashing the ball into the back of his own net and gifting Sunderland a 2nd goal. The full-time score finished 2-0 with Sunderland claiming yet another victory at home which sees them move into 7th on the table with 14 points, 1 point away from the top four. Wolves are still without a win as they remain rock bottom on two points.

Fulham vs Arsenal 

The final game of Matchweek 8 played on Saturday evening saw Marco Silva’s Fulham host Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at Craven Cottage, with the Gunners having only conceded three goals all season. Arsenal thought they’d scored an astonishing team goal just 15 minutes into the tie after Bukayo Saka played a brilliant switch ball over to Leandro Trossard inside the Fulham penalty area. Riccardo Calafiori had made an advanced run up the pitch and when he received the ball from Trossard, he smashed the ball into the top right corner with his first touch. Unfortunately for the Italian, he had ventured too far forward and it was chalked out for offside. Fulham then had two good chances after Arsenal’s ruled out goal, with Harry Wilson missing the target from close range before Josh King’s cross right on the top of Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya forced an intervention from the Spanish keeper. Arsenal had the final chances of the half, drawing a brilliant double save from Bernd Leno, with the German keeper parrying away the initial shot from Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres before he comfortably claimed the rebound header from Trossard. The half-time score stood at 0-0, with Arsenal needing to win if they wanted to move back into 1st on the table.

After a shaky start to the 2nd half, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute thanks to another corner. Saka whipped the ball in from the right where centre half Gabriel flicked the ball over to the back post. Trossard was unmarked at the back where he tapped the ball in from close range, edging Arsenal closer to a much needed three points. Arsenal continued to dominate for the rest of the half, with Gyokeres missing another two big chances to make it 0-2 before the final whistle. The full-time score finished 0-1, with Arsenal claiming yet another big victory and clean sheet, taking them three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. Fulham lose their 3rd game on the bounce as they drop to 14th on the table with eight points, a worrying run for Marco Silva and Fulham.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa

The first game in Matchweek 8 played on Sunday saw Thomas Frank’s Tottenham host Unai Emery’s Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs able to climb into 1st on the table if they were to beat Villa and other results went their way. Tottenham made an ideal start to the game after Mohammed Kudus whipped the ball over to the back post from the left wing where Joao Palhinha headed the ball back across goal. Rodrigo Bentancur then smashed the ball past Emiliano Martinez to make it 1-0 inside five minutes. Tottenham continued to dominate the half but to the fury of their fans, it was Villa who scored next, completely out of nothing. Morgan Rogers finally got off the mark for the season after a slow start to the campaign, picking the ball up just outside the Spurs’ penalty area before he drilled the ball into the top left corner of Guglielmo Vicario’s net, a wonderful strike. The half-time score stood at 1-1, with Rogers striking Villa level with one of their only shots of the half.

Both sides hit the side netting early after the restart, with Palhinha missing with a lovely strike from the outside of the penalty area before Donyell Malen failed to hit the target after a brilliant Villa move. Villa were playing much better in the 2nd half and soon scored their 2nd after the two full-backs linked up brilliantly, Matty Cash playing a wonderful switch ball down the right wing to Lucas Digne who matched the pass with his first touch. Digne then played the ball to Emiliano Buendia who thought twice about shooting before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner with ease, a brilliant strike to give Villa the lead. Spurs failed to create anything after Villa’s 2nd goal as the full-time score finished 1-2. Villa move into 11th on the table with 12 points after their 5th win in a row in all competitions. Spurs drop to 6th on the table with 14 points after another poor performance at home, proving Frank still has work to do.

Liverpool vs Manchester United

The final game played on Sunday in Matchweek 8 was the biggest game on the English football calendar, with Arne Slot’s Liverpool hosting Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United at Anfield. Manchester United made the best possible start to the game, scoring just after a minute to silence Anfield. Amad Diallo received the ball down the right wing from Bruno Fernandes where he waited for Bryan Mbeumo to make a late run into the penalty area. Amad then played a perfectly waited ball into the path of the Cameroonian who chipped the ball over Giorgi Marmadashvilli to give the Red Devils’ the lead against their fiercest rivals. Liverpool came inches away from equalising in the 20th minute after Mohamed Salah showed great footwork and vision to pick out Cody Gakpo down the left wing. Gakpo cut in and saw his curling effort rattle against the woodwork and out of play. Just minutes later, United also hit the woodwork after Amad cut the ball back to the edge of the penalty area to captain Fernandes. The Portuguese international had all the time and space in the world but still failed to hit the target, with his strike brushing the post and fizzing out for a goal kick. It was an end-to-end first half which finished 0-1 in favour of the travelling side, with Liverpool still in the game.

Liverpool were hungry for a goal early on in the 2nd half and came so close once again after Gakpo hit the woodwork even harder than the last time. The hosts finally found their leveller in the 77th minute after Florian Wirtz played the ball to Federico Chiesa down the left side of the United penalty area. Chiesa drilled the ball across the box where Gakpo tapped the ball in from a yard out, a deserved goal for the Dutchman. Just as it looked like Liverpool would go on and score a late winner, United struck back totally against the run of play. An Mbeumo shot was blocked into the path of Fernandes who volleyed the ball back into the 6-yard box straight away. United centre half, Harry Maguire, then jumped up brilliantly to head the ball into the bottom left corner and win all three points for the Red Devils. The full-time score finished 1-2, with Maguire ending United’s 10-year run of failing to win at Anfield with a dramatic late goal. United move into 9th on the table with 13 points, their 3rd win in their last four games as Amorim is slowly starting to get it right. Liverpool lose their 4th game in a row in all competitions as they drop to 4th on the table with 15 points. Slot will need to work things out soon as Arsenal are slowly pulling away at the top of the table with Manchester City finding some good form too.

West Ham United vs Brentford

The final game of Matchweek played on Monday night saw Nuno Espirito’s West Ham host Keith Andrews’ Brentford at the London Stadium, with West Ham hoping they could break their streak of losing their three opening home games against London rivals. West Ham’s starting XI was quite baffling, starting players who hadn’t featured much this season, leaving out star players like El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and not starting a proper no.9 such as Callum Wilson or Callum Marshall. It was no surprise the Hammers were on the back foot from the get go, with Brentford’s attackers having a field day in the 1st half, registering 15 shots. After hitting the bar and missing multiple open goals from their deadly set pieces, Brentford finally scored in the 43rd minute, just before half-time. Yehor Yarmoliuk played a perfect ball over the top to Kevin Schade who took a couple of touches before squaring the ball to striker Igor Thiago. Thiago thrashed the ball through the grasp of Alphonse Areola, the French keeper so unlucky as he was just unable to keep the ball out as it trickled into the bottom right corner. Thiago thought he’d scored his 6th of the season with the last kick of the half after he chipped the ball over Areola from Mikel Damsgaard’s perfectly weighted ball but the goal was ruled out as he started from an offside position. The half-time score stood at 0-1, with West Ham in threat of losing their first four home games to start the season for the first time since 1931.

Despite three half-time substitutes, West Ham put out another pathetic 45 minute performance, with the Hammers so fortunate Brentford were unable to convert more. Schade rattled the crossbar in the 65th minute with a header from a Michael Kayode cross, a chance which could have sealed all three points for the Bees. With West Ham offering up absolutely nothing from an attacking sense, Brentford scored with the last kick of the game to put a cherry on top of a solid away performance after Mathias Jensen scored his 2nd of the season. Keane Lewis-Potter made a brilliant run down the right wing before cutting the ball back to the Danish international from the bi-line. Jensen took a touch before smashing the ball into the top left corner, an emphatic strike. The full-time score finished 0-2, with Andrews’ side claiming their first away win of the season as they jump into 13th on the table with 10 points. West Ham continue their horrid run of performances at home as they remain 19th with four points, almost certainly playing Championship football next season.

Written by Ollie Wade