Matchday 2 of the English Premier League delivered some thrilling results. Manchester City continued their winning streak with a convincing victory, showcasing their title credentials. Liverpool secured another strong performance, adding three points with an impressive display. Arsenal got revenge on Aston Villa with a 2-0 win at Villa Park, thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey. Chelsea bounced back from their previous setback, earning a crucial win to boost their confidence. The weekend was filled with exciting football, setting the stage for a captivating season ahead.
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Brighton 2-1 Man Utd
Joao Pedro scored a 95th-minute header to give Brighton a 2-1 win over Manchester United in manager Fabian Hurzeler’s first home game. United had a chance to take the lead in the second half, but Joshua Zirkzee accidentally blocked Alejandro Garnacho’s shot on the goal line, causing it to be ruled offside. Brighton’s Danny Welbeck had earlier put his team ahead, but United equalized through Amad Diallo. Despite United’s efforts, including a disallowed goal by Garnacho due to Zirkzee’s touch, they were punished in injury time when Pedro scored the winner. Erik ten Hag expressed disappointment, noting the team’s missed chances and defensive lapses, especially conceding late goals. Mason Mount was substituted at halftime due to injury, with Zirkzee coming on, but he couldn’t change the outcome.
Crystal Palace 0-2 West Ham
West Ham won their first game under new manager Julen Lopetegui with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, thanks to goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen. Despite a busy summer transfer window for West Ham, Crystal Palace struggled after losing key players, including Michael Olise, Joachim Andersen, and Jordan Ayew. Palace started well and almost scored when Eberechi Eze hit the crossbar, but West Ham improved in the second half, scoring twice in five minutes. Crystal Palace’s substitute Ismalia Sarr tried to help his team recover, but they couldn’t break through, leading to their second league defeat under Oliver Glasner. Glasner emphasized the importance of staying focused and realistic, acknowledging the need for reinforcements before the transfer deadline. Despite the losses, Glasner remains confident in his squad’s potential to succeed.
Fulham 2-1 Leicester City
Emile Smith Rowe scored his first Premier League goal in over two years as Fulham defeated Leicester City 2-1 in their first home game of the season. Smith Rowe, a recent signing from Arsenal, coolly finished after a clever pass from Adama Traore, giving Fulham an early lead. Leicester equalized through Wout Faes after a VAR review confirmed the goal, but Fulham regained control in the second half. Alex Iwobi secured the win with a powerful shot following a pass from Antonee Robinson. Fulham manager Marco Silva praised Smith Rowe’s impact and believes he will continue to improve as he settles into the team. Despite tiring in the second half, Smith Rowe’s performance showed promise for the future.
Man City 4-1 Ipswich Town
Erling Haaland scored his 23rd career hat-trick as Manchester City came from behind to beat Ipswich Town 4-1.
Ipswich took an early lead through Sammie Szmodics, but City quickly responded with Haaland scoring a penalty after a VAR review and Kevin De Bruyne adding another goal following a mistake by Ipswich’s debutant goalkeeper Arijanet Muric. Haaland then scored again before halftime, and despite Ipswich’s solid defense in the second half, Haaland completed his hat-trick with a late goal. This marked Haaland’s seventh Premier League hat-trick, all at the Etihad Stadium, and he now has 67 goals in 68 league appearances. Both managers praised their teams, with Pep Guardiola highlighting Haaland’s incredible goal-scoring ability and Kieran McKenna acknowledging the lessons Ipswich needs to learn from the game.
Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Southampton lost their first Premier League home game since promotion, falling 1-0 to Nottingham Forest. Despite Southampton’s passing style, Forest were more dangerous, creating better chances and having more shots on target. Chris Wood missed a great opportunity for Forest in the first half, but Morgan Gibbs-White eventually scored the winning goal after the break. Southampton’s manager, Russell Martin, acknowledged that his team didn’t perform well in the first half and struggled with set-pieces, while Forest’s manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, praised his team’s overall performance but noted a tough period where Southampton controlled the game. Both teams are considering adding new players before the transfer window closes.
Tottenham 4-0 Everton
Everton’s tough start to the season continued with a 4-0 loss to Tottenham, highlighted by a costly mistake from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. After losing 3-0 to Brighton in their first match, Everton have now conceded seven goals in two games and remain without a goal or point, sitting at the bottom of the Premier League. Tottenham took the lead through a stunning shot from Yves Bissouma, and Pickford’s error allowed Heung-Min Son to score the second. Everton struggled to create chances, with only one shot on target, while Tottenham added two more goals in the second half from Cristian Romero and Son again. Everton have now lost their first two Premier League games for the third season in a row, while Tottenham celebrated their first win of the new season. Both managers acknowledged the challenges their teams faced, with Sean Dyche noting Everton’s struggles and Ange Postecoglou praising Tottenham’s improved performance.
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal:
Leandro Trossard scored with his first touch after a crucial save by David Raya, helping Arsenal secure a 2-0 win against Aston Villa at Villa Park. Villa had troubled Arsenal throughout the match, especially after Ollie Watkins missed key chances, including a close-range header that Raya brilliantly saved. Trossard’s goal shifted the momentum, and Thomas Partey later doubled Arsenal’s lead with a low shot. Arsenal’s defense, particularly William Saliba and Raya, held firm despite Villa’s pressure. The victory gives Arsenal six points from their first two games, putting them level with Manchester City, while Villa sits in 12th place. Trossard’s impact off the bench could earn him a starting spot in Arsenal’s next match against Brighton.
Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle
Bournemouth were denied a late win after VAR ruled out a stoppage-time goal in their 1-1 draw against Newcastle. Dango Ouattara’s header from a corner was disallowed because VAR decided the ball touched his arm, though Bournemouth’s manager Andoni Iraola disagreed, believing it hit Ouattara’s shoulder. Bournemouth had taken the lead through Marcus Tavernier, but Newcastle equalized with a goal from Anthony Gordon. Despite pushing for a winner, Bournemouth couldn’t find a second goal, and the decision to disallow Ouattara’s effort left the team and fans frustrated. Newcastle moved up to fifth in the Premier League, while Bournemouth sits in 14th after two draws. Iraola expressed his disappointment, feeling his team deserved all three points.
Wolves 2-6 Chelsea
Noni Madueke apologized for a social media post about Wolverhampton before scoring a quick hat-trick in Chelsea’s 6-2 win over Wolves, their first Premier League victory of the season. Despite a lively start from Wolves, Chelsea took an early lead, and after a back-and-forth first half that ended 2-2, Madueke’s goals in the second half secured the win. Wolves struggled to respond, and Joao Felix added a sixth goal for Chelsea. Madueke praised his connection with teammate Cole Palmer, who assisted all three of his goals. Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, was pleased with the team’s performance, especially Madueke’s effort, while Wolves’ manager Gary O’Neil lamented his team’s errors and the heavy defeat.
Liverpool 2-0 Brentford
Liverpool secured a 2-0 win over Brentford under new manager Arne Slot, with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah scoring the goals. Slot’s style, which includes maintaining control and patience in attack, is starting to show results, although the team still relies on some of the direct play from previous manager Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool dominated possession and passed accurately, with a 92% pass success rate, their highest since 2003. Brentford manager Thomas Frank felt his team performed well in the first half but struggled after halftime, leading to Liverpool’s stronger second-half performance. Despite some good chances for Brentford, Liverpool’s win was clear. The new approach is taking shape, and while it may take time for fans to adjust, the results are promising.
