In the match of the week (at least on paper), Arsenal struck late to defeat Manchester United 3-1. The game was a bit of an unlicensed roller coaster, with momentum jerking back and forth throughout. Arsenal dominated the initial run, only to be caught on the break when a sloppy pass from Kai Havertz led to a vintage Marcus Rashford strike. However, the Red Devils could only celebrate for a few seconds, as Martin Ødegaard fired home an equalizer soon after the restart. Each side created chances, and Arsenal had a penalty awarded and then rescinded upon further review. Then, in the 88th minute, Manchester United sprung a counter that ended with a coolly slotted Alejandro Garnacho finish… or did they? VAR correctly determined that the young Argentinian had barely strayed offside, aided in no small part by a body contortion from Arsenal’s Gabriel. The North London club would go on to have the last laugh, and - in the 96th minute - Declan Rice latched onto an unclaimed corner and scored via a friendly deflection. Gabriel Jesus then stomped on United fans’ dropped ice cream, suavely sitting Diogo Dalot down and firing home. Fans of the North London club fly into the international break with restored faith, while fans of the Manchester Club have reason to worry. It may still be early, but two defeats in three, a public spat with Jadon Sancho, an incredibly serious assault allegation against Antony, and Ten Hag’s scapegoating of refs have all combined to make United the league’s current crisis club.

Chelsea are bordering on a crisis themselves after falling at home to Nottingham Forest. The Blues started with an early onslaught, but were numbed once Forest eased into the match. It’s early for this squad and this manager, so this isn’t entirely catastrophic, but fans may be beginning to worry. Also, it’s not as if Nottingham Forest are a particularly settled group - they made 7 new signings on deadline day. The lone goal came from a deeply cruel nutmeg by Taiwo Awoniyi, who continues to grow in stature this season, and was knocked home by Anthony Elanga. Forest fans will feel amazing this week, and, while the 7 signings feel a bit panicky, the new players look like they’ll be an incredible boost to the squad. Ibrahim Sangaré in particular feels like a major coup. Steve Cooper enters the break looking to build, whereas Mauricio Pochettino is looking to fix.

Newcastle United complete this week’s unfortunate triumvirate, defeated by Brighton for their third loss of the season. The Magpies were firmly outplayed, and the tide of goodwill in the Northeast is starting to ebb. 3 defeats are alarming, especially after only having 5 all of last season, but it should be said that - in the corresponding fixtures last campaign - Newcastle only returned a single point. The true danger for the club lies in the raised expectations and how this (still relatively inexperienced) group can cope. There was another club in this match, however, and they were outstanding. Evan Ferguson, at only 18 years old, returned his first senior hat trick, and the Seagulls frankly operated on another level the entire match. They’ll be disappointed that Newcastle pulled a late goal back, but Roberto De Zerbi proved yet again that he’s one of the best at motivating his team after a loss. Consistency will be the challenge for Brighton, but they look like they can answer the call.

The rest of the Big 6 (if that label can still even be used) recorded comfortable wins. Manchester City are still perfect, and they put Fulham to the sword at the Etihad. While the match ended 5-1, it wasn’t without controversy. City’s goal to retake the lead at 2-1 came from a clear error from the VAR and is one of the mistakes that has paved the way for audio to be released of the officials discussing their calls. While ultimately City cruised to victory behind (yet another) Erling Haaland hat trick, the call just fuels dissatisfaction with what many view as inconsistent officiating. The Cottagers may feel hard done by, but they can’t in good conscience be too aggrieved with the result. Meanwhile, the Manchester City machine is already ramping up to full speed even without Kevin De Bruyne, which should worry anyone interested in a competitive title chase.

At Turf Moor, the Ange Postecoglou train continued its wondrous ride with Tottenham running out 5-2 winners. Son Heung-min delivered a hat trick of his own, and the team has tapped into a fluency that is truly impressive. Feelings may be intangible, but the way this fanbase is responding to their new manager is as close as you can get to actually touching joy. Adding to the positives, Tottenham have signed Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest, whose flexibility across the front three should bring a new dynamic. His arrival will make them more resilient in case of injuries and cover for Richarlison who is still struggling to find a groove. Burnley, on the other hand, need to figure out what they want to be. Vincent Kompany has so far tried to replicate the high-octane style that won them promotion but without acknowledging that they are competing against a different level of club. They have played only 3 matches against particularly tough opponents (City, Aston Villa, Spurs), and it’s certainly not time to write them off. However, one would hope to have seen a degree of pragmatism or some tactical flexibility at least. The Clarets are rooted to the bottom of the table and need to show their quality soon.

One could be forgiven for expecting Liverpool’s match against Aston Villa to be more competitive, however the Scouse club ran out 3-0 winners. The perhaps too handsome swashbuckler, Dominik Szoboszlai, opened the scoring with a wonderfully struck left footer, which was compounded by an own goal and a back post tap in by Mohamed Salah. There could, and perhaps should, have been more. Liverpool put together a complete performance, a dominant yet calm display that was reminiscent of their recent heights. Aston Villa had a few chances, but never mounted a consistent threat. Frankly, it was a surprising performance which lacked intensity. Unai Emery has had a wonderful impact on the club, but with two defeats against teams they should see as direct rivals for European places, he may need to adjust his approach. 

West Ham have maintained their spot in the Champions League places, notching a 2-1 win over Luton Town. The Hammers spoiled the Hatters’ opening day party, as Kenilworth Road hosted the first Premier League match in its history. Home atmosphere and energy will have a major role in a Luton push for survival, and the crowd certainly made themselves heard. However, the Hatters are still very much finding their feet in this division and will need to show more resiliency soon as they’re still stuck on zero points. While the 2-1 scoreline looks narrow on paper, West Ham were comfortable winners and look incredibly assured early in the season. David Moyes has put together a balanced, competent, and clinical squad. There’s no reason they shouldn’t be looking to earn a fourth consecutive ticket to European competition.

Crystal Palace have also surprised this season, currently sitting in seventh place. They ran out 3-2 winners over Wolves at Selhurst Park, and the match was not as close as the scoreline suggests. After a goalless first half, the teams traded punches before Palace ultimately ran out to a 3-1 lead. Even though Wolves would add a late consolation goal, Roy Hodgson’s squad deserved the win. Eberechi Eze is highly touted and scored, but this match really showcased Odsonne Édouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s quality. Édouard is showing clinicality, and Mateta built on a Carabao Cup goal fest by facilitating beautifully. The Eagles seem to be building on their strong close to last season. To be positive about Wolves, they’ve scored more recently. To be negative, they’ve been vulnerable defensively. Gary O’Neill will need to get the Midlands club to show their best on both sides of the ball if they want to avoid scrapping for safety this campaign.

Brentford continued their undefeated start to the new season, rescuing a late draw with Bournemouth in West London. While the club will be pleased with their salvaged point, they had the best opportunities throughout the match and will rue missing a chance to win outright. The Bees have maintained their solid offensive start to the league campaign, and Bryan Mbeumo has taken a huge step forward. Brentford seem to be following Brighton’s path, and, with how well the club is run, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them solidify a place in the top flight for years to come. Bournemouth remain a bit of a mystery. Andoni Iraola has shown flashes of what he wants the club to be, but they are still very much getting up to speed. Dominic Solanke has started the season well, and there are moments where the team clicks, but it’s just not quite there yet. It’s early to be too critical, but Iraola will need to show progress by the next international break. He’s not on the hot seat by any means, but he may need to compromise his style if results don’t improve.

Finally, Sheffield United and Everton both earned their first points of the young season, drawing 2-2 at Bramall Lane. Ultimately a draw was a fair result, but both clubs will feel that a victory was there for the taking. On a positive note, Everton netted their first two goals of the campaign, and Beto looks to be a smart signing for the Merseyside club. But, the Toffees are still in trouble, and we’re only a few matches away from the shine dimming off the early season and serious questions being asked. They desperately need a win, but have Arsenal and Brentford waiting for them after the break. Sheffield United seem to have a real player in Gustavo Hamer, and they may be able to earn a few wins off the strength of their home atmosphere. Squint at this result and there is reason for hope. Analyze it closely and there are plenty of worries for both clubs. There are 5 teams still without a victory in the league - which, if any, can create momentum and pull away from danger?

After four minutes in their match, it seemed like Manchester United had serious problems of their own. Nottingham Forest used their pace on the counter (and United’s concentration lapses) to run out to a 2-0 lead. Taiwo Awoniyi has now scored in all three matches, and Forest fans will be praying that he stays healthy for the campaign. United were able to halve the deficit before the break courtesy of a Christian Eriksen flick. Casemiro then equalized early in the second half, giving United a chance to go for all three points. Ultimately, Bruno Fernandes calmly dispatched a penalty, and left Forest rueing the chance they’d let slip. United still have not convinced, and it’s an open question whether they’ll look back on these first three performances as growing pains or harbingers of trouble down the line. 

Beyond the result, this match also featured a red card (one of three over the weekend). Sending offs have spiked early this season, partially due to new rules and partially due to players simply committing classic red card offenses. We’ll see if this trend continues as players adjust to new expectations. 

Tottenham continued their resurgence under ringmaster Ange Postecoglou - which must feel to supporters like lolling down a lazy river after years of riding unlicensed bumper cars. This crop of Spurs players have taken to Ange’s tactics like prodigies, and their lightning quick offense is exhilarating to watch. James Maddison in particular just seems to have been built for this team. He fits the style perfectly, down to his rascally charm - a non-threatening pirate. Surely, the North London club will hit some speed bumps down the line, but to have this much joy so close to Harry Kane’s departure is a welcome surprise. Bournemouth seem to have the tools to survive, but they are very much still adjusting to Iraola’s game plan. They created chances, but lacked a convincing final ball. They’ve only earned a point so far, but - based on how many teams are struggling - they still have every chance of staying up comfortably.

Another London club, Chelsea, also won comfortably - defeating Luton Town 3-0. The Blues were able to file away last week’s defeat like a 9 year contract, clearing their minds for an assured offensive display. Raheem Sterling shone, looking freed up to express himself and netting a fantastic first goal. He added a second, before teeing up Nicolas Jackson’s first goal for the club (though the pre-assist from Enzo Fernández deserves a Pulitzer). Luton Town had moments, but both of their matches in the Premier League have followed a worrying pattern - holding on for a while before eventually allowing the floodgates to open. They’ve only had two chances, but they’ll be desperate for their home opener on Friday.

Fellow promoted club, Burnley, also suffered a comprehensive defeat, with Aston Villa thumping the Northern side. Villa, continuing to show signs of life after their opening day drubbing, netted twice in the first half - both goals coming courtesy of unlikely scorer Matty Cash. Their second featured a no-look cutback assist from Moussa Diaby who, I’ll be frank, I absolutely adore. He, along with the other Villa frontmen, provides a platform for speedy counters that are sure to result in goals this campaign. Diaby also scored the third, capping off a great display. To Burnley’s credit, they cut into the initial 2 goal deficit early in the second half and created a few decent additional opportunities. Vincent Kompany, in an unorthodox suit/ball cap combo, will need to help this squad find a balance soon. They’ve yet to show that they can perform their tactics at this level. 

While, ultimately, all the promoted teams lost, there was a bright spot in Sheffield, where the Blades fell 2-1 to Manchester City. Paul Heckingbottom’s squad pushed, bullied, and generally inconvenienced City (and Erling Haaland in particular) for long stretches of the game, even going into halftime at 0-0. Eventually, the pressure told, and the Norwegian menace dunked home a header from a golden Jack Grealish ball. However, the Blades weren’t done. In the 85th minute, they put the first goal past Manchester City of the season, courtesy of a Jayden Bogle strike. The joy only lasted three minutes at Bramall Lane, with the equalizer canceled out by a Rodri thunderbolt. It’s not a win. It’s not even a draw. But, Sheffield United will look to build on this performance, which was bolstered by the return of Oli McBurnie. City continue to march forward, relentless. 

The last four matches between Brentford and Crystal Palace have ended in draws. The streak continues, after Kevin Schade’s first goal for Brentford was nullified by a bizarre slide tackled strike by Joachim Andersen. The West London club will hope this was just the beginning for Schade, who should be looking to score 10-15 goals this season. Eberechi Eze stood out again, and Palace will be desperate to keep him on their books. While an influx of cash is always welcome, there’s no way the Eagles could replace him by the end of this window. 

There was only one other draw this weekend, also in London. Arsenal fell behind within the first minute to Fulham. Even after watching the goal back several times it’s unclear if Andreas Pereira scuffs his shot which wrong foots Ramsdale, if Pereira notes Ramsdale’s odd footwork and intentionally places the shot to his left, or if it’s a combination of the two. Whatever the strategy behind it, the result is the same, and the Cottagers settled in for a slog to protect the points. They performed admirably, but, after creating quite a few chances, Arsenal finally cracked the Fulham defense when Fábio Vieira (who was excellent off the bench) won a penalty. Saka coolly slotted it past former Gunner, Bernd Leno, and within 2 minutes, Eddie Nketiah had given the Gunners the lead. It then went from bad to worse for Fulham, with new signing Calvin Bassey shown red for a second yellow card. However, the 10 men of Fulham would have the last laugh, with João Palhinha equalizing on his season debut. The Cottagers even had a chance to win, with Adama Traoré unable to convert. Arsenal don’t need to panic, they’re undefeated and have great players. However, Arteta will have questions about the lack of ruthlessness in their opening games. Each of the matches have been unnecessarily close, and that is not sustainable. 

Everton continued their confounding quest to never again score a goal in the Premier League. The Toffees faced off against Wolves in a match with surprisingly high stakes for the third week of the campaign and managed to create gilt-edged opportunities with no end product. Some of that should be credited to José Sá in the Wolves’ goal, who made a handful of excellent saves. But, equally, Everton lacked any clinicality in their finishing and left the door open for a late winner, which Sasa Kalajdzic, Wolves’ 6'6" striker, duly delivered. It was a great win for Wolves, who were stuck on zero points, but more so it was a horrific loss for Everton, who find themselves planted firmly on the bottom of the table. This weekend’s match against Sheffield United is a must win for the Toffees already. 

Finally, the shock of the match week came on down on the South Coast, with West Ham defeating Brighton with ruthless efficiency. The match ended 3-1 and all of the Hammer’s goals were straight from David Moyes’ vision board. A mistake gifted James Ward-Prowse his first goal for the London club, and it was followed by a sublime first touch from Bowen and a wicked turn from Michail Antonio. Premier league followers should be incredibly grateful that Ward-Prowse ended up in East London - he fits in perfectly. There was every chance that he’d be snatched up to fill in on rotation for a traditional powerhouse, but he’s an ideal addition to this West Ham team, adding just the right spark. It should be said that Brighton didn’t play badly (though they played into West Ham’s hands). Areola in goal prevented quite a few chances, including excellents saves to deny Evan Ferguson. On a different day, this match could have been much closer, but it should stand as a reminder that there’s not just one way to win a Premier League game. Sometimes 22% possession (and the resolve of David Moyes) is all you need.