That pretty much sums it up. Let’s get into it.
Chelsea 3-0 Luton
The worst part (or best part, depending on your perspective) is that Luton really didn’t play that poorly. The Hatters controlled decent amounts of the game but had little to offer in the final third.
Chelsea, on the other hand, were lethal. Raheem Sterling was the best player on the pitch, opening the scoring with a brilliant solo effort before doubling the tally in the second half after a great team move.
Nicolas Jackson finally scored his first Chelsea goal to wrap it up.
Plenty of chances for Chelsea in a game that was simply too easy.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Raheem Sterling
Bournemouth 0-2 Spurs
Tottenham looks like a real force under Ange Postecoglou. High intensity, aggressive pressing, and lots of chances.
James Maddison finished off a fantastic team move for the opener and weathered a strong Bournnemouth storm before doubling their lead via Dejan Kulusevski; Destiny Udogie was crucial in the buildup.
My biggest question coming out of this game is Richarlison. He comes up with so many chances, yet he never scores. It’s almost as if he’s cursed when you consider the quality and quantity of his chances. He’s a hugely important player in the aftermath of Harry Kane’s departure, but if he continues the struggles in front of goal, it’s difficult to see Tottenham challenging for the very top of the table.
MAN OF THE MATCH: James Maddison
Brentford 1-1 Crystal Palace
Is this not the most 1-1 sounding fixture in existence?
It was great to see Kevin Schade open his Brentford account. I’m a big believer in his abilities, and I think he’ll be an important player for Brentford as they try to take a step beyond mid-table.
Oddly, I feel that Brentford under Thomas Frank does better in lower possession, counter-attacking types of situations, but with sixty percent of the ball here, they looked a little dull at times. It’s tough to get pace in open space when the opponent is blocking off that space rather than coming for the ball.
Palace, to their credit, created a lot of good chances in the second half despite the relative lack of possession. After having multiple efforts saved, Joachim Andersen snuck the equalizer just across the line.
Definitely a fair result.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Joachim Andersen
Arsenal 2-2 Fulham
Somewhat surprisingly, this one was wildly entertaining.
Less than a minute in, Andreas Perreira took full advantage of an awful Bukayo Saka error and (unfortunate) goalkeeping from Aaron Ramsdale to put Fulham ahead. It’s better to watch than to read about:
Arsenal dominated the first half after conceding the goal but failed to really make it pay. Every shot seemed to beam straight to Leno until Kenny Tete bailed his opponents out with a horribly timed tackle in the box. Saka converted to equalize.
Eddie Nketiah scored only a few minutes later to complete the turnaround. In fairness, I don’t think anyone would beat Arsenal on their form between the second minute and the seventy second.
Unfortunately, the goals scored in the first minute and after the seventy third still count all the same. Fulham, a man down after Calvin Bassey’s red card, equalized thanks to a brilliant finish from João Palhinha, who worked incredibly hard all match to earn his team a point in his first outing since injury.
Massively disappointing for Arsenal that they couldn’t close the deal, and for Fulham, it’s a point stolen.
MAN OF THE MATCH: João Palhinha
Manchester United 3-2 Nottingham Forest
What was Manchester United doing here? From a corner?
Rashford? Terrible. Onana? Lost. Awoniyi? Him.
Willy Boly seemed to accidentally score a free kick just a few minutes later to double the lead. United in the dumps.
However, two goals for Forest at Old Trafford was always going to be a simple head start and nothing confirmatory.
Goals from Christian Eriksen and Casemiro wiped out Forest’s quick start. It’s what happened in the remaining time in the match that turned heads.
A straight red card for Joe Worrall for the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity was controversial to say the least.
It’s a HUGE stretch to say that Fernandes would’ve gotten to that ball unopposed, and it certainly isn’t definitive that Worrall was the last man. Unbelievable decision, and almost inconceivable that VAR allowed the call to stand.
Nonetheless, United were always going to go on and win after going up a man. Marcus Rashford bought (emphasis on bought) his team a penalty which was converted by Fernandes.
Frustrating way for a match to be decided.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Willy Boly
Everton 0-1 Wolves
Can we just skip over this one? It happened, and that’s really all there is to know.
Already, this is a massive relegation-related result.
Everton could be coming for Derby’s all-time PL lowest points record.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jose Sá
Brighton 1-3 West Ham
In perhaps the surprise result of the week, West Ham went to Brighton and thoroughly outsmarted an opponent that rarely gets outsmarted.
A brilliant David Moyes gameplan drew Brighton into attack before unleashing devastating counter-attacks. Three of them struck gold.
I mean, when you’re scoring goals like this, nothing can stop you. Take a bow…
West Ham were thoroughly entertaining, and with the Declan Rice money distributed to the acquisitions of James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, and Mo Kudus, watch out. I am quite bullish on the Hammers going into the rest of the season, and can’t wait to see Kudus in the PL.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jarrod Bowen
Sheffield United 1-2 Manchester City
Credit to Sheffield for staying competitive in the match for as long as they did.
The Blades made things difficult for City in the first half and responded very well to equalize late in the second half.
However, when you’re playing the best in the world, you need more than your A game to win. Sheffield United probably played about as well as they could have, and yet, it didn’t matter.
Even with Pep coaching from his post-surgery hospital bed or rehab center (who knows where he was actually located), City found a way to win a difficult game on the road.
Really, it was all about Rodri.
That finish is just unbelievable.
Three more points for City, whose march continues.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Rodri
Burnley 1-3 Aston Villa
A fairly misleading scoreline, in fairness. Burnley controlled the ball well and dictated the tempo, but couldn’t make their dominance pay at all.
Villa, on the other hand, looked like scoring almost every time they got the ball. Quick moves forward proved to be an issue for the Burnley defense. Moussa Diaby was great for Villa again, but right back Matty Cash stole the show with his first half brace.
With that kind of movement and passing, it’s not hard to see why the Villains are cooking under Unai Emery.
On the day, Burnley were not at all deserving of the result, but their defense will need time to adapt to this level of attacking prowess.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Matty Cash
Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Without Virgil van Dijk and down a goal, Liverpool looked dead in the water.
In stepped Darwin Nuñez. The hulking Uruguayan scored two goals in quick succession after coming off the bench to earn Liverpool a smash-and-grab victory.
The finish on the equalizer earned an audible gasp from yours truly.
The Peacock subscription is worth it just for Jurgen Klopp’s antics alone.
For the majority of the match, Newcastle looked like they were head-and-shoulders above Liverpool, so it will be devastating to them to lose out on points here.
I mean, they had to know it was coming after this beauty of a self-jinx from Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Darwin Nuñez
NICK’S POWER RANKINGS (Matchweek 3):
- Manchester City
- Arsenal
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Newcastle United
- Chelsea
- West Ham
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Manchester United
- Aston Villa
- Brentford
- Crystal Palace
- Fulham
- Nottingham Forest
- Burnley
- Bournemouth
- Sheffield United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Luton Town
- Everton
Follow Nick Hedges on Twitter @nicktrimshedges or Instagram @nicktrimshedges