The wheels came off the Ange Postecoglou revolution on Monday night, with Tottenham falling 4-1 to Chelsea and ending the match with 9 men. The North London side started brightly enough, with Dejan Kulusevski opening the scoring via a nasty deflection in the 6th minute. Tottenham did their best to double their lead, but Son’s goal was rightly disallowed for offside. Chelsea grew into the game, earning a disallowed goal of their own (this time for a handball in the build up). Then things got wild. Moisés Caicedo found the bottom corner only to again have the flag go up for offside - however, there was more spice in the stew and a subsequent VAR check noticed that Cristian Romero had not only fouled Enzo Fernández in the box, but also that the foul met the red card threshold. Thus, Spurs found themselves down to 10 men and tied after Cole Palmer slotted home the spot kick. Ange’s men held their own with 10, but injuries forced Micky van de Ven and James Maddison off - and gave us the gift of Eric Dier’s return from exile. However, in the second half, Tottenham went down to 9 after Destiny Udogie grabbed himself a second yellow card. Spurs continued their high line play and kept Chelsea out until the 75th minute when Nicolas Jackson began tallying the worst hat trick in recent memory. The match ended 4-1 and Tottenham will take credit for their temerity of their performance. But, the club has not only lost their first match of the season but also lost two key players to suspension and another 2 even more critical players to injury.

Mikel Arteta would like you to know that he is sickened by this match. Just, completely sickened and embarrassed. Not because his side failed to trouble the Newcastle defense in any meaningful way, but because the goal that went against the Gunners should have been disallowed. While there’s a case that Gabriel was fouled in the immediate build up (the ball going out of play and the offside are less concrete), this petulance is frankly unbecoming from a manager who was quick to say that mistakes are part of the game a few weeks ago when an actual objective error was made in the Tottenham Liverpool match. To focus on the football, Newcastle succeeded in their game plan to numb the contest and pounce on a scoring opportunity (even if the legitimacy of the goal is questionable). There was real animosity in the match, and both clubs may count themselves lucky that they ended the 90 with 11 men. It’s a frustrating first loss for Arsenal, and a critical win for Newcastle, who showed signs of fatigue in their last league match. Gunners fans can be rightfully upset, but the discourse coming from their manager and their club will do nothing to improve officiating. The best thing they can do for their league campaign is to hammer Burnley next time out.

Things got interesting at Kenilworth Road on Sunday evening, when Luton Town held previously high flying Liverpool to a 1-1 draw. The Hatters deserve immense credit for the result, as they executed a gameplan to hold the Reds while staying ready to spring a surprise. To be fair, if this match were played 10 times, Liverpool would likely run out winners in about 7 of them - big chances went begging and Luton created few clear cut opportunities outside of their lone goal. But, even with that said, this performance may be a blueprint for the Hatters - it’s easy to see Rob Edward’s side using these tactics to snatch points over the long season. Chiedozie Ogbene was a stand out performer; his position on the pitch was dangerous not just as an outball, but as a potential facilitator. It wasn’t all dreary for Liverpool, however. After Tahith Chong put Luton ahead, Luis Díaz entered the pitch searching for a late winner. At the time of writing, the winger’s father is still being held captive in his native Colombia, so it was a truly magical moment when Díaz looped a header by the excellent Thomas Kaminski. The result dims a hot streak for Liverpool, but that goal will likely keep their inner fires burning.

Manchester City were the only club in the current top five who avoided defeat, absolutely dumptrucking Bournemouth 6-1 behind a worryingly good (for neutrals) Jérémy Doku. The Champions scored 3 in each half, with their young Belgian winger opening the floodgates in the 30th minute. Doku then turned provider, distributing 4 assists over the course of the proceedings, most notably teeing up 2 goals for Bernardo Silva, the second of which was a glorious chip which just barely crossed the line. The Cherries grabbed a consolation goal through Luis Sinisterra, but it was a deflating afternoon for any and all players, coaches, and fans with Bournemouth sympathies. It’s by no means a result which will define their season, but they find themselves back in the bottom 3 and looking a bit rudderless. This win propels City to the top of the table - a distressing proposition for fans of competitive title races in the Premier League.

Nottingham Forest surprised a few by handling a confident Aston Villa side 2-0 at the City Ground. Steve Cooper, who had been beginning to feel pressure, expertly guided his side, scoring early in each half and holding firm at the back. Rare goalscorer Ola Aina broke the deadlock with a great shot with his weaker foot - a strike enhanced by just how slow the pass and run up were. Forest then comfortably kept Unai Emery’s side at arms length, and Villa were hard pressed to create any real opportunities, weaving large stretches of possession into… pretty benign possession. The second half started similarly to the first, with Orel Mangala hitting a shot so hard that it short-circuited Emiliano Martínez in goal, whose hand wasn’t strong enough to keep the ball from crossing the line. After their second, Forest sat back more and invited Villa to break them, which they - despite all their efforts - weren’t able to do. It’s a huge result for Steve Cooper, who has likely silenced any critical murmurings, and Forest take one more big step forward towards survival. Aston Villa have the tougher job moving forward, as they’ve shown that they struggle to create when allowed long stretches of possession. Emery needs to remedy this if the Birmingham side want to stay in the top 5.

It was a good old fashioned shootout in West London when the Hammers visited Brentford. Ultimately, the hosts edged the contest 3-2, firmly putting their recent struggles behind them. Almost more significant than the win was the identity of the first goal-scorer - Neal Maupay - who found the net for the first time in 14 months. It wasn’t a spectacular goal by any stretch of the imagination, but the Frenchman seems to be blossoming back at Brentford, folding into and strengthening their attack. The lead wasn’t safe, however, and Mohammed Kudus shone again - leveling with a gorgeous half-saddle overhead kick. The Ghanaian new addition played a significant part in the second goal as well: his parried shot led to Jarrod Bowen stabbing home. The Hammers had a chance to put the game out of reach, but a struggling Michail Antonio scuffed an easy chance. This miss loomed large, as Brentford equalized via a Konstantinos Mavropanos own goal and took the lead for good with a booming Nathan Collins header. West Ham never really mustered dangerous chances to level, and David Moyes’ men are beginning to slip down the table.

Roberto De Zerbi and Brighton are also traveling the wrong way in the standings, compounding recent poor results with a 1-1 draw at Everton. The Toffees, who have been no slouches in recent matches, took an early lead and did exactly what you’d expect them to do - constricted the game in an attempt to hold on. Brighton knocked on the door without really threatening, their best chances coming from Lewis Dunk, who has been tremendous this season. The Seagulls were rewarded eventually, however, when Kaoru Mitoma’s cross was directed in by Ashley Young’s unlucky thigh. Brighton have had more growing pains than foreseen in their adjustment period to European Competition and general heightened expectations, and De Zerbi could do with a convincing League win soon. Also, it should be said - for all that Brighton is struggling - Everton look to have coalesced and seem destined to avoid a 3rd successive relegation battle. 

Manchester United pulled another rabbit out of a hat down in West London, pipping Fulham very late to win 1-0. It was another performance which only barely merited a win, and the Cottagers were more than a match for the Red Devils for much of the contest. In fact, for large stretches of the second half it was Marco Silva’s side who seemed more likely winners. The first half - barring an offside Scott McTominay goal - was pretty molasses, and neither side looked ready to win. While the second 45 was a bit more exciting, the lack of goals felt more due to poor offense than great goalkeeping or imperious defense, and a draw seemed inevitable. It was not to be, however, and Fulham opened the door for Erik Ten Hag’s side by repeatedly failing to clear their lines. This was all the invitation Bruno Fernandes needed, and he deftly took his time and slotted home. It’s doubtful to be a victory that lives long in United fans’ collective memories, but it is a welcome 3 points. Fulham will feel as though they let an opportunity slip through their fingers, but they remain safely away from danger. 

What is left to write about Burnley? Every week it’s the same thing - they’re too naive for the top flight, they’re tactically inflexible, and their offensive talent doesn’t scale to their ambitions. Unsurprisingly, the Clarets fared no differently against the experienced leadership of Roy Hodgson, whose Crystal Palace side played poorly but still handled Burnley 2-0. Vincent Kompany’s players continued to create chances with a complete lack of end product, and it took only one moment of pressure for the Eagles to seize upon Burnley’s disorganized defense. Jordan Ayew pounced on a moment of indecision and found Jeffery Schlupp, who made no mistake with his finish. The match trucked along, with more Burnley pressure and no Burnley goals. Palace put the contest out of reach when Eberechi Eze (who made his long awaited return to the squad) picked out Tyrick Mitchell, who gamely slammed the gate on the Clarets.

Somewhat surprisingly, it wasn’t Luton Town who had the best weekend of the promoted sides, because Sheffield United won a football match, becoming the last side in the Premier League (and the EFL) to do so. The Blades had only 1 point after 10 games, and looked bereft and - frankly - content to be bereft after selling so many top players without established reinforcements. This weekend Paul Heckingbottom’s men started well enough in very poor conditions, creating a few chances and holding up well to Wolves' stronger pressure. The Blades turned the screws in the second half - a phrase that feels odd to type - and eventually went ahead via a great Cameron Archer finish. While Bramall Lane was bouncing, it looked as though familiar malaise was going to win out, when Jean-Ricner Bellegarde netted his first goal for Wolves through a wicked deflection. But, the underdog got his day, and a late (softish) penalty gave Oliver Norwood a chance to play the hero. He had a long wait to think about it, but all that time went to good use, and the veteran absolutely smashed the ball into the net. It’s a first win for the Blades, and, while there may not be many more this season, the Bramall Lane faithful were able to lift their voices in celebration.