Where to begin? Another helter-skelter weekend in the Premier League with goals, controversies and talking points aplenty. League leaders Everton were held to a 2-2 draw by reigning champions and Merseyside rivals Liverpool. However the game will be remembered for THAT Jordan Pickford horror tackle on Virgil van Dijk. Aston Villa remain second in the league following a hard-fought victory over Leicester City, maintaining their 100% start to the season.
Elsewhere, Chelsea twice threw away leads against Southampton, drawing 3-3 at Stamford Bridge. As did Tottenham Hotspur who were 3-0 up against West Ham United, only to draw thanks to a Manuel Lanzini wonder strike with practically the last kick of the game. Manchester City saw off Arsenal on Saturday evening, Raheem Sterling scoring the only goal while Manchester United romped to a 4-1 victory against Newcastle United. Also Wolverhampton Wanderers moved into the top half of the table with a 1-0 win over Leeds United.
Sheffield United and Premier League new boys Fulham earned their first points of the season, drawing 1-1 at Bramall Lane. The same score line was played out at Selhurst Park as Brighton & Hove Albion scored late on to deny Crystal Palace all three points. The Hawthorns hosted the first goalless draw of the 2020/21 season as West Bromwich Albion and Burnley ended in a drab stalemate.
Premier League Team of the Week
GK: Nick Pope (Burnley)
The England shot-stopper made a string of fine saves to deny West Bromwich Albion, helping his Burnley side earn their first point of the season.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)
A lot has been made of Wan-Bissaka’s attacking impetuous – or lack thereof – for Manchester United and rightly so. However the former Crystal Palace defender netted his first career goal in style with a brilliant strike against Newcastle United.
CB: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
The Villa youngster has been quietly excellent so far this term, playing the full 90 minutes in each of his sides four victories in the league – keeping three clean sheets in the process. Is it too early for an England call up?
CB: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
It might be very early doors but has Pep Guardiola finally found an answer to his centre-back conundrum in Ruben Dias? The former Benfica defender is the latest in a long list of defensive recruits – with most flattering to deceive. Dias put in a solid performance on his home debut, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
LB: Lucas Digne (Everton)
Formerly of Barcelona, Digne notched his second assist of the season – crossing for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to head home the eqauliser in the Merseyside derby.
CM: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes didn’t allow his second half penalty miss to derail his confidence as he finished off a fantastic United breakaway move to give his side the lead. The Portuguese international then set up Marcus Rashford late on to make it 4-1.
CM: Ross Barkley (Aston Villa)
The on loan Chelsea man netted for the second successive gameweek as he scored the winner against Leicester in an otherwise uninspiring game. Villa have won their opening four league games of a season for the first time since the 1930’s!
RW: Ademola Lookman (Fulham)
Positives have been few and far between so far for newly promoted Fulham. However, loanee Ademola Lookman might just be the bright spark needed to ignite their campaign. On loan from RB Leipzig – Lookman’s wonderful solo strike earned Scott Parker’s Fulham side their first point of the season in the 1-1 draw against Sheffield United.
LW: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
With Anthony Martial suspended and Edinson Cavani unable to play due to Covid regulations, Marcus Rashford was given the nod up front and the Englishman didn’t waste his opportunity. Rashford teed up goals for Fernandes and Aaron Wan-Bissaka before netting in injury time with a composed finish.
ST: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
The England skipper continued his blistering form this season despite Tottenham blowing a 3-0 lead against West Ham, drawing 3-3 in the dying embers of the game. Kane scored his fourth and fifth league goals of the season as well as registering his seventh assist, four more than his nearest challenger – James Rodriguez (3).
ST: Timo Werner (Chelsea)
The former RB Leipzig forward netted his first Premier League goals for the blues, bagging a brace and being a constant threat in his sides 3-3 draw against Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
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