There were eight Premier League games to enjoy on what was a busy day of action on Saturday.
Let’s take a look at what went on.
In the early kick-off, Manchester United put the pre-international break disappointment behind them as they delivered a 3-0 win away at Southampton, with André Onana saving a penalty when the scores were locked at 0-0. Marcus Rashford was on target for the first time in 13 games and Southampton’s Jack Stephens was shown a straight red card for a dangerous lunge on Alejandro Garnacho.
Later on, Brentford delivered a big shock as they took the lead over Manchester City after just 22 seconds. It was down to their in-form striker to dig the home side out of that hole, as Erling Haaland scored a first-half brace to see City win 2-1. The Norwegian, however, fell short of delivering his third consecutive hat-trick.
And there was a huge blow for Liverpool as Nottingham Forest pulled off a 1-0 win over Arne Slot’s side, their first at Anfield in 55 years. The difference maker was a lovely curling effort from former Chelsea man Callum Hudson-Odoi and the Reds suffered their first defeat of the campaign.
Crystal Palace found themselves 2-0 down at home to Leicester City, but a brace from France star Jean-Philippe Mateta saw them fight back to earn a point.
Meanwhile, Fulham were denied a win by a 95th-minute West Ham equaliser, as Danny Ings took advantage of some slack defending inside the box.
Newly-promoted Ipswich are still without a win this season, but a hard-earned 0-0 draw away at Brighton shouldn’t be too much of a blow for their supporters.
The late games then delivered more drama.
Everton raced to a 2-0 lead over Aston Villa with a solo effort from Dwight McNeil and a header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Yet the home side soon pulled one back through striker Ollie Watkins, and the sense of panic set in. Watkins netted again to level the scores and then an absolute wonder goal from Jhon Durán sensationally gave the home side the win.
Finally, Chelsea travelled to Bournemouth as Jadon Sancho came off the bench to make his first Premier League appearance in over a year. The former Manchester United man provided the assist for a late winner from Christopher Nkunku as the Blues took all three points.
He may have only come on in the 69th minute, but Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán was the hero, scoring a wonder goal to give his side the win in sensational fashion.
Bending and swerving all over the place, the strike – which seemed to come from nowhere – had his team-mates open-mouthed.
Seven of the 20-year-old’s eight Premier League strikes have come as a substitute, and all three of his goals in just 103 minutes of action this season have been winners from the bench.
In fact, no player has scored more winners as a substitute in a single Premier League season, and that record has been set after only four games.
Linked with a move away from Villa Park in the summer, it’s now become clear why the club wanted to keep him. “Forty clubs wanted Durán this summer,” admitted Sporting Director Monchi in an interview. “But no one trusts him more than us and Unai Emery.”
While Pep Guardiola is famous for tiki-taka, when you have a striker like Erling Haaland, sometimes route one is the way to go.
That means that goalkeeper Ederson’s long balls up to the Norwegian striker occasionally provide the Brazilian with unlikely assists.
And he now has one over on one of his Manchester rivals in that he has more Premier League assists than the heavily criticised Antony.
That’s one Man City fans can certainly boast about in the pub.
Manchester City have now pulled three points clear at the top, with Liverpool and Aston Villa behind them.
Arsenal can close that gap to two points with a win over Tottenham on Sunday, as can Newcastle if they win at Wolves.
At the bottom, it’s looking miserable for Everton and Southampton, with neither side having scored a single point in their opening four matches.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was keen to stick up for striker Marcus Rashford. “There was too much negativity towards him after Liverpool because he created two great chances, 100 per cent chances in that game,” the Dutchman told reporters after the game. “Once a striker was talking about a ketchup bottle, once it’s going, it’s coming more.”
After the disappointing home loss to Nottingham Forest, goalkeeper Alisson was critical of the tactics deployed by the oppositon. “It was a shame, losing points at home is not good at all,” admitted the stopper. “But the opponent today only wanted to defend and play for the long ball.”
And Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez spoke about his team-mate Jhon Durán after the superb strike than won their side the game. “He can be one of the best strikers in the world, but he needs to keep his feet on the ground and to work hard,” he cautioned. “He has one of the top strikers in England playing in front of him.”
It’s the hotly anticipated North London derby on Sunday, before Newcastle head south to face Wolves.
